Homeschooling is still going really well and I am yet to wonder if this was the right decision but I am sure there will be days when I wonder...
T1 continues to study Ancient Egyptian history and is really interested in how people lived then. Today he is learning about what they ate and drank and he's telling me all the fruits and vegetables that had yet to be discovered. T2 asked "so what did the Egyptians eat then anyway?" and T1 instantly reeled off all the things he had just learned without needing to refer back to the book. I was so pleased to hear him sharing what he knew and seeing her so interested. This would not have happened in school because they would have been in separate rooms and she wouldn't be introduced to that period in history for another several grades. It totally warms my heart and makes me smile.
Life is good (except for the stitches in my finger where I had a fight with some dead grass and lost when gardening yesterday!!)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Turtle Art Project
Yesterday we worked on our turtles. Both kids were totally loving colouring on aluminum foil and using water colour for the back ground. We found this art project here
T2's finished art
T1's finished piece
First draw turtles on aluminum foil using Sharpie permanent markers.
Cut out turtles.
using water colours paint a background scene.
When the paint is dry glue the turtles on and display with pride : )
Cut out turtles.
using water colours paint a background scene.
When the paint is dry glue the turtles on and display with pride : )
T2's finished art
T1's finished piece
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tomorrow..
I am looking forward to this art project tomorrow. I've been having fun colouring my own foil turtles : )
I had no idea
When we were deliberating schooling at home, we were considering the needs of our kids - mainly in terms of education. We wanted T1 to be able to learn in a less chaotic environment in his preferred style. T2 thrived in public school but there were many things about public school that didn't thrill me and we also had to consider whether it would work to homeschool one while having another in public school. Ultimately we decided that it made more sense to keep her home too this year and reevaluate next year.
I guess I hadn't considered how our time at the dining room table (our table work spot) would bring the three of us closer together. I thought there would be more prompting by me to stay on task aimed at T1 and I expected T2 to chatter more and irritate T1. Not the case so far. It is only week two but our table time has been very civilized. T2 has been asking for more work and T1 has taken it seriously and isn't procrastinating or day dreaming and this is WITHOUT his meds. Yayyyyyy
I have discovered how much I enjoy researching and planning our work and watching my kids enthusiasm compared to the groans when it was time to go to school.
Yesterday we celebrated homeschooling with a group of other homeschoolers at a park. It was weird seeing so many school aged kids on a playground on a school day!It was nice to have the opportunity to have a fun outing and then do our work when we got home (although I do prefer completing table work before lunch when possible). I was also proud of myself for driving to an unknown destination on the highway because I have avoided high way driving for many years and rarely drive outside my comfort zone. T1 made a friend instantly. A sweet 8 year old boy. they had so much in common and they didn't care that there was almost a 2 year age gap.
Today we have completed our table work early so we can attend a matinee showing of Marmaduke at our local movie theatre and then we have an awesome art project planned for when we get home and T1 will review the movie for our monthly newspaper which we will make and send to the Grandparents so they can see what we have been up to and to keep for our records.
Despite some mild stress regarding providing an adequate education, I am finding this to be just an amazing experience. I know there will be days when things do not do great or we are all cranky and feel like we are not achieving anything but for now I feel such a peace about it and so inspired, rewarded and it feels so right. I wish we had started years ago.
I guess I hadn't considered how our time at the dining room table (our table work spot) would bring the three of us closer together. I thought there would be more prompting by me to stay on task aimed at T1 and I expected T2 to chatter more and irritate T1. Not the case so far. It is only week two but our table time has been very civilized. T2 has been asking for more work and T1 has taken it seriously and isn't procrastinating or day dreaming and this is WITHOUT his meds. Yayyyyyy
I have discovered how much I enjoy researching and planning our work and watching my kids enthusiasm compared to the groans when it was time to go to school.
Yesterday we celebrated homeschooling with a group of other homeschoolers at a park. It was weird seeing so many school aged kids on a playground on a school day!It was nice to have the opportunity to have a fun outing and then do our work when we got home (although I do prefer completing table work before lunch when possible). I was also proud of myself for driving to an unknown destination on the highway because I have avoided high way driving for many years and rarely drive outside my comfort zone. T1 made a friend instantly. A sweet 8 year old boy. they had so much in common and they didn't care that there was almost a 2 year age gap.
Today we have completed our table work early so we can attend a matinee showing of Marmaduke at our local movie theatre and then we have an awesome art project planned for when we get home and T1 will review the movie for our monthly newspaper which we will make and send to the Grandparents so they can see what we have been up to and to keep for our records.
Despite some mild stress regarding providing an adequate education, I am finding this to be just an amazing experience. I know there will be days when things do not do great or we are all cranky and feel like we are not achieving anything but for now I feel such a peace about it and so inspired, rewarded and it feels so right. I wish we had started years ago.
Monday, September 6, 2010
It's official.....
We are officially a homeschooling family. Tomorrow we will be meeting other homeschoolers at a park to celebrate homeschooling.
Last week we started and it went really well. It was a gentle start but we managed to accomplish lots and the kids did really well and seemed to get along better than much of the summer. I think our time together at the dining room table really brought us closer together. T1 worked so hard and stayed focused which was so exciting because in public school he needs ADD meds to stay on task but with me right there he was able too complete his table work without any nudges from me. T2 asked me to have school at the table on Saturday and I was thrilled and did a little extra while waiting for friends to arrive.
We have some field trips planned and hopefully a road trip or two.
I never realized how well this would suit our family. I know there will be bumps along the way but I feel really good about our decision : )
Last week we started and it went really well. It was a gentle start but we managed to accomplish lots and the kids did really well and seemed to get along better than much of the summer. I think our time together at the dining room table really brought us closer together. T1 worked so hard and stayed focused which was so exciting because in public school he needs ADD meds to stay on task but with me right there he was able too complete his table work without any nudges from me. T2 asked me to have school at the table on Saturday and I was thrilled and did a little extra while waiting for friends to arrive.
We have some field trips planned and hopefully a road trip or two.
I never realized how well this would suit our family. I know there will be bumps along the way but I feel really good about our decision : )
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Brain overload
It seems the year is flying past and blogging has fallen to the back burner once again. My mind has been consumed with T1 and whether we should homeschool him. I have been researching, devouring home school books, forum lurking, discussing the pros and cons with G and my Mum and pretty much anyone willing to keep an open mind and listen to me puzzling it over. Today when we found a spare moment when neither of us was working, sleeping, showering or in close proximity to T1 or T2 - we had a conversation - a real conversation, OK it barely qualified as a conversation because it lasted only a couple of minutes but we decided that T1 will not be returning to school for Grade 5 in September. I feel I can finally relax for this small pocket of time between making the decision and actually taking on the challenge. I keep reminding myself that I have been homeschooling him since birth - all parents do. We teach, we practice, we try new things and expose our children to new experiences providing learning opportunities without even realizing. His education has never began and ended with a school bell - this change just means having more time to learn together.
We haven't decided whether T2 will return to school but I am leaning towards keeping her home too but we shall see.
Maybe now I know which path we are taking with T1, I'll be able to enjoy some more playtime online : )
We haven't decided whether T2 will return to school but I am leaning towards keeping her home too but we shall see.
Maybe now I know which path we are taking with T1, I'll be able to enjoy some more playtime online : )
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happy Spring!
We enjoyed a weekend hanging out enjoying the glorious weather, an around the house loot hunt with clues sending them here, there and everywhere to allow sleepy parents a few extra minutes of slumber. Today while many people were seated around the table with family and friends having a feast - we opted to enjoy a quiet backyard picnic with left over pizza, fruit and crackers and although a little quiet with just the 4 of us plus 2 dogs - it was stress free and did not require hours of preparation which suited me just fine!
I hope you all enjoyed a Spring weekend of family fun!
I hope you all enjoyed a Spring weekend of family fun!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Shoe box puppet theatre
What can you do with an empty shoe box and a few minutes to spare?
Make a simple mini puppet theatre....
First cut rectangle from base of shoe box
Decorate
Frame dog - just kidding!
Thread paper curtains on piece of yarn/string/ribbon and attach to box
Enjoy!
Spotted...
Most of the time I find being 5'6" just right - not too tall, not too short but even being just 66" from the ground can cause a person who tends to look at the world at eye level most of the time to miss things. This is where having a 4 year old can be really useful - not only for passing things I drop or pointing out to me the bit of floor I missed with the mop but also for noticing things that most adults would miss such as this.....
We were just arriving home after delivering T1 to his other home - grade 4 at public school when T2 paused on the driveway and told me that I simply "must come and take a look". She was indeed right and she asked me to "get the camera quick" which I did and we snapped away at the glistening melting ice, listening to the plip...plip...plip as it dripped. I am so glad she brought it to my attention because the next time I took a look it had gone and all that remained was a puddle on the ground.
I found the glistening ice as it melted to be really beautiful - the pictures truly do not do justice but the true beauty for me was being invited by a busy bug of a girl to pause for a moment and tosee the look of amazement of this magical sight on her sweet face as we enjoyed it together.
We were just arriving home after delivering T1 to his other home - grade 4 at public school when T2 paused on the driveway and told me that I simply "must come and take a look". She was indeed right and she asked me to "get the camera quick" which I did and we snapped away at the glistening melting ice, listening to the plip...plip...plip as it dripped. I am so glad she brought it to my attention because the next time I took a look it had gone and all that remained was a puddle on the ground.
I found the glistening ice as it melted to be really beautiful - the pictures truly do not do justice but the true beauty for me was being invited by a busy bug of a girl to pause for a moment and tosee the look of amazement of this magical sight on her sweet face as we enjoyed it together.
Another one bites the dust
You may remember a while ago when my beloved Dyson broke - well it remains broken and for the most part I haven't really missed it. I do sometimes hook up our central vacuum (which I detest) to clean the baseboards and corners, but mostly I am happy with my trusty broom.
Last week my hard floor steam cleaner broke. When I first got it - I loved it and thought it was the best thing since... well since my last small appliance purchase. It worked great on the stone tile we had at our old house which seemed to suck dirt in like a sponge and regular mops just didn't cut it. Without thinking, I continued using my steam cleaner at our new place which has nice smooth tile.
While cleaning the floors one day last week, I noticed something missing - steam! I was basically just rubbing a cold wet toweling pad across the floor spreading the dirt. I was momentarily in a panic. How would I get the floors clean? Would I have to buy a new steamer with money we don't have? Then I remembered that somewhere in the depths of the laundry room closet - there should be a MOP - a regular mop with no bells and whistles, no hissing when it's ready to go, no toweling pad to attach, no not-long-enough cord, no annoying handle part that keeps falling off... It was at that moment I began to wonder what I ever saw in that electrical piece of crap and I reaquainted myself with my old mop, pulled out a bucket and filled it with hot bubbly water and set to work. I started with the floor that I had steamed before the steam ceased to exist and instantly the water in my bucket turned grey - ewww that steamer hadn't even been properly cleaning when it was working.
Each day since, I have pulled out my mop and bucket and although I still detest cleaning the floors, I really have enjoyed the slopping of bubbles and kicking my bucket to the next place I need to mop. I am once again reminded of how I don't need gadgets and gimmicks - they don't necessarily do a better job and at the end of the day cleaning the floor is cleaning the floor - it's always going to be a sucky job but bubbles definitely make it more bearable than steam!
Last week my hard floor steam cleaner broke. When I first got it - I loved it and thought it was the best thing since... well since my last small appliance purchase. It worked great on the stone tile we had at our old house which seemed to suck dirt in like a sponge and regular mops just didn't cut it. Without thinking, I continued using my steam cleaner at our new place which has nice smooth tile.
While cleaning the floors one day last week, I noticed something missing - steam! I was basically just rubbing a cold wet toweling pad across the floor spreading the dirt. I was momentarily in a panic. How would I get the floors clean? Would I have to buy a new steamer with money we don't have? Then I remembered that somewhere in the depths of the laundry room closet - there should be a MOP - a regular mop with no bells and whistles, no hissing when it's ready to go, no toweling pad to attach, no not-long-enough cord, no annoying handle part that keeps falling off... It was at that moment I began to wonder what I ever saw in that electrical piece of crap and I reaquainted myself with my old mop, pulled out a bucket and filled it with hot bubbly water and set to work. I started with the floor that I had steamed before the steam ceased to exist and instantly the water in my bucket turned grey - ewww that steamer hadn't even been properly cleaning when it was working.
Each day since, I have pulled out my mop and bucket and although I still detest cleaning the floors, I really have enjoyed the slopping of bubbles and kicking my bucket to the next place I need to mop. I am once again reminded of how I don't need gadgets and gimmicks - they don't necessarily do a better job and at the end of the day cleaning the floor is cleaning the floor - it's always going to be a sucky job but bubbles definitely make it more bearable than steam!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Never to old to learn...
A few months ago T1 started mentioning that he'd like guitar lessons so for his Birthday my parents bought him a beautiful 3/4 size guitar. He's had 2 lessons and is loving it. Since I was about his age - I have wanted to learn to play too. Last night G ordered me my very own guitar and chatted with T1's guitar teacher and I'll be having lessons with T1. First T1 has to teach me what he has already learned - he'll love that! Then I shall join him on Saturday mornings at his lessons. I cannot wait. It will be such a special time for he and I to share - both the lessons, the drive to and from (with no sister to compete with for Mom's ear) and we will both need to practice which we can do together. With T1's interests and mine typically being so different - it will so nice to have something that is just ours.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
1...2...3...4...5....
...6...7...8...9...10. That is what I had to do when I saw this.....
45 minutes later and I can breathe once more. Just needs dusting and vacuum and fixing the slip cover but that can wait until tomorrow. Oh and the box of baby/toddler toys has to go back in the guest room closet.
45 minutes later and I can breathe once more. Just needs dusting and vacuum and fixing the slip cover but that can wait until tomorrow. Oh and the box of baby/toddler toys has to go back in the guest room closet.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Valentine's kisses
3tbsp butter, 4c mini marshmallows, 6c Rice Crispie cereal, sprinkles, foil
Melt butter, stir in marshmallows and melt, stir in rice cereal and sprinkles
Melt butter, stir in marshmallows and melt, stir in rice cereal and sprinkles
Either use a buttered funnel or shape with your hands to make 'kiss' shaped mounds. Remove from funnel and cool.
wrap in foil and attach a message on a strip of paper to complete your Rice Crispie kiss. Our message said 'A kiss from T2'
T2 helped with the foil wrapping so they are a bit random in shape but she had a blast and of course the left over mixture had to be eaten!
On a cold February Day.....
....Finding pictures like these, on an old memory card, has me longing for Summer. T2 aged 15 months in Florida. Sigh.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Poor doggies
Our dogs escaped from the backyard on Tuesday afternoon and vanished on a woodland adventure for 3.5 hours in the cold. Finally when they returned, they were wet and very cold but smiling and bounding about - fast forward to today and they are lethargic and one has had diarrhea and the other has been throwing up, not eating/drinking and looking terrible. A trip to the vet, anti-nausea shots, antibiotics and $330 later...
Luka - our newest addition seems almost his old (young) self but poor Hudson is a sad sight. Luka gobbled the ice we gave him but Hudson turned his nose up. Poor fuzzy guys - I hope they feel better tomorrow : (
Luka - our newest addition seems almost his old (young) self but poor Hudson is a sad sight. Luka gobbled the ice we gave him but Hudson turned his nose up. Poor fuzzy guys - I hope they feel better tomorrow : (
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Happy Groundhog Day (5 minute craft)
We wanted to acknowledge Groundhog Day so we did a super fast craft to fit in with our super busy day!
First T2 drew a Groundhog after a quick look at one online (could print a picture instead)
Then I cut it out for her
Next we cut out a little cave (she chose red) and she glued it on her page and added sky and sun..
Now Mr Groundhog can poke his head out of his little cave and then retreat back inside again!
We wanted to acknowledge Groundhog Day so we did a super fast craft to fit in with our super busy day!
First T2 drew a Groundhog after a quick look at one online (could print a picture instead)
Then I cut it out for her
Next we cut out a little cave she chose red) and she glued it on her page and added sky and sun..
Now Mr Groundhog can poke his head out of his little cave and then retreat back inside again!
We wanted to acknowledge Groundhog Day so we did a super fast craft to fit in with our super busy day!
First T2 drew a Groundhog after a quick look at one online (could print a picture instead)
Then I cut it out for her
Next we cut out a little cave she chose red) and she glued it on her page and added sky and sun..
Now Mr Groundhog can poke his head out of his little cave and then retreat back inside again!
Couldn't resist!! Happy Groundhog Day!!
First T2 drew a Groundhog after a quick look at one online (could print a picture instead)
Then I cut it out for her
and glued it onto a strip of cardboard from a box of cereal
Next we cut out a little cave (she chose red) and she glued it on her page and added sky and sun..
..and a strawberry in case the Groundhog is hungry!
I cut a slit in the paper at the mouth of the cave and slipped the cardboard strip through it. The slit needs to be big enough to fit the whole groundhog through.
I cut a slit in the paper at the mouth of the cave and slipped the cardboard strip through it. The slit needs to be big enough to fit the whole groundhog through.
Now Mr Groundhog can poke his head out of his little cave and then retreat back inside again!
We wanted to acknowledge Groundhog Day so we did a super fast craft to fit in with our super busy day!
First T2 drew a Groundhog after a quick look at one online (could print a picture instead)
Then I cut it out for her
and glued it onto a strip of cardboard from a box of cereal
Next we cut out a little cave she chose red) and she glued it on her page and added sky and sun..
..and a strawberry in case the Groundhog is hungry! I cut a slit in the paper at the mouth of the cave and slipped the cardboard strip through it. The slit needs to be big enough to fit the whole groundhog through.
Now Mr Groundhog can poke his head out of his little cave and then retreat back inside again!
We wanted to acknowledge Groundhog Day so we did a super fast craft to fit in with our super busy day!
First T2 drew a Groundhog after a quick look at one online (could print a picture instead)
Then I cut it out for her
and glued it onto a strip of cardboard from a box of cereal
Next we cut out a little cave she chose red) and she glued it on her page and added sky and sun..
..and a strawberry in case the Groundhog is hungry! I cut a slit in the paper at the mouth of the cave and slipped the cardboard strip through it. The slit needs to be big enough to fit the whole groundhog through.
Now Mr Groundhog can poke his head out of his little cave and then retreat back inside again!
Couldn't resist!! Happy Groundhog Day!!
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