moonandme.com

Cotton Ball Experiment

Posted on March 30th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

I don’t have an article today, well, I take that back, I may go and dig one up.

What I wanted to post had to do with an encounter I had with Erin on Tuesday. I was picking Gilli up from Pre-K. We were a little early and the class was on the playground so we stopped to play. Erin is a joiner, a participator and a very active little girl who has little fear of anything realted to climbing. She took off for a large play structure and adeptly climbed the stairs and walked across a platform to the bridge. SHe hesitated briefly, put one arm and one knee down on the first section of the bridge. Then looked down at the bridge and stood up. She moved her left foot slowly onto the surface and held onto the handrail. She stopped. She slid her right foot and stopped.
A 4yr old boy came by and stopped briefly before running across the bridge. Erin bounced up and down and then lost her balance. Standing back up, she smiled and moved her legs up and down- bouncing the bridge. Having been silent but giving facial and body cues, I had watched her as she realized that the bridge moved. I said, “yep, it moves. It’s a suspended bridge. You can make it move.”
Erin proceeded to run across the bridge, jump on it (she says jump when one foot leaves the ground) and splay her hands out as she kept her balance.

I am reminded that so many people take learning to be about books, papers and pens and desks. Erin takes learning as play.

I could recount all of the skills that Erin learned and used while on the bridge but instead I will simply say, “she had fun.”

Posted on March 25th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Company- Syracuse Cultural Workers
Web- http://syracuseculturalworkers.com
Phone/Address- PO Box 6367, Syracuse, New York 13217 | 800.949.5139 | Fax: 800.396.1449

“Peace and Justice Distributor since 1982″

I have purchased several items through this company over the last four years. If you are looking for advocacy posters, cards, books and other materials- you should check out this company!

Posted on March 24th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today, as every weekday, I helped get Gillian (4yr old) get on the bus. Gillian is slightly smaller than her peers and is a bit shy/unsure at time when participating in activities. As the bus approached I asked for her hand and she said, “no, I’ll do it.”

My baby got on the bus all by herself as I watched from afar. *sigh*

I was happy for her and a little sad for me but it was time. It was Gillian’s time and I am glad I trusted her to decide when she was ready to tackle this milestone.

Everyday, our children have the opportunity to test their boundaries, to determine the course of their learning and to grapple with challenges. When children are trusted to be strong, capable beings, it never ceases to amaze me what they can accomplish. And for children this is play, this is the world.

And now a website totally unrelated, well not totally unrelated:http://www.earthhour.org/home/

Earth hour is a small opportunity for you to consider energy use and the worlds resources- it is also a great time to spend as a family doing something fun!

Also, check out www.greenhour.org

Posted on March 23rd, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today we read Eric Carle’s All Around Us, which is a set of three board books. We also updated our nature table with baby animals, an earthy play silk and a small barn. Isabella and Erin planted grass seed for their Ostara baskets.

I am happy to report that yes, spring is in the air. Even with snow flurries, I can sense the change and we are getting ready.

For children and adults, this time of year is about birth, sprouting, budding, joyful rainy, sunny days! Welcome Spring!

Posted on March 2nd, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today, I will begin working on the blog for our school. I am working on adding content and links, so check back in a few days to see it completed. *crosses fingers*

www.rainbowfarmschool.wordpress.com

Posted on February 9th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

After being away for a few days and feeling a bit overwhelmed with housework, I have neglected my blog, slacked off on reading, and watched entirely too much t.v, I am back on track.

The girls are doing well, very well!

Isabella- Isabella is continuing with homeschooling (you can read about what she is doing at bloggingdowntheroad.wordpress.com, and is making friends. On Friday she went on her first official playdate at her friend A’s house. Bella attends dance at Chadwick Bay Dance Academy, participating in Ballet and Tap. she also spends Fridays at Girls Scouts. Isabella continues to create her own stories, enacting small plays, dances and other forms of entertainment. She spends many hours with her dolls Hannah and Kirsten, creating elaborate scenarios that if you listen close enough, they are really about her own life. Bella loves spending time with her Aunt Jessie, Unlces Brian and David, and Grandmas and Grandpas- Cathy, Lenny, Charlie, Greg and Gail. She lost another tooth, and another is loose.

Gillian- Gillian is in pre-k at Wheelock and doing very well. She is learning to write her name and after Mom (me) mentioning how hard it is to get Gillian to try something she doesn’t want to do (Me- do you want to write your G?  Gilli- no, no thanks.), she has taken interest in writing and is doing well. We are having her speech evaluated. A speech path screened her in Sept and found that she was in age appropriate range but since it has been 6 months we asked for a re-eval. Gillian also takes dance- Ballet and really seems to enjoy it. Gillian is a very sensitive, sweet and empathetic little girl who loves dogs, cats and horses. Gillian is getting more outgoing and is making friends.

Erin-Missy Carly Girl is just about 16months. She is our climber. talker,  almost runner, happy girl. She has a cold and I was holding her for her nap, she got mad and said, “I want my Dadda”. So yeah, 4 word sentences already. She loves, loves, loves her sisters and animals. She has a favorite teddy bear, which she calls “teddy bear” (o.k ehee bear is actually what she says), she colors, makes car sounds and tends to prefer her Momma but Dadda is a good guy too. We are having her right eye checked by an optomologist as soon as we can get her in, since she seems to have a slight delay in that eye.

Posted on February 8th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Have you been to Brocton, New York? I would guess not but if you happen to drive along route 20 from Buffalo through Fredonia on your way to Penn, then you may have passed under the double arches and by WoolGathering.  This is my LYS (Local Yarn Shop), owned by Barb Albert.

I visited Barb’s store on Halloween, having never knitted a stitch or cast on- ever. Barb patiently worked with myself and Bella for well over 2hours. I find myself visiting over few weeks, well more like every 2, Barb says I am hooked.

The store carries needles, yarn, accessories and many varying classes. If you enjoy knitting, you can stop by on Tuesday/Wednesday evenings from 6-9 to chat and knit. If you are looking for materials, you can shop from 11-5 Tuesday thru Saturday. 

Support local businesses!

Posted on January 27th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Oh my, my, my, my my. I participated in a swap with a Mom from Mothering and wow, I got all these yummy yarns.

Posted on January 26th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

I’m giving a wave to anyone who has children! Good morning! How does your house look at this very moment? Scary? Slightly messy? You have piles everywhere? Well then, you are in good company!

We are reorganizing our living room/dining room. This space was once two separate areas but at someone during its’ previous ownership took down the dividing wall to open up the space. This would be fine except we have no table to eat at, no defined desk/work area and total chaos. So, after reclaiming my large cabinet (housed the tv and stuff) for books, homeschooling papers, art supplies and other misc things, adding a small desk and moving the tv and couch, we have a new less cluttered space. Well, we will have once I get done moving and organizing.

So far, total spent $125 for desk, tv stand and a few magazine organizers.

Pictures to come once we are done.

Posted on January 26th, 2009 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »