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On a short drive to collect a free piece of furniture we turned down Forest ave, along the creek, and saw a blue heron. We stopped to watch.

 

 

Posted on September 15th, 2008 by karen
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In my head, I can see and hear every detail of that day- the fear that my mil/fil were in the building or near it, the fear of the unknown, the fear of really understanding what happened. I watched and listened to the news coverage throughout the day, it was a day that dawned so fresh, crisp with scents of autumn in the air and then everything changed.

I haven’t visited Ground Zero, I am sure I never will.

Like others, I still find myself stunned, the horror of it all…..

I can only hope that those whose lives were affected on that day have found peace. I’m not even sure how they could find peace in something so tragic…

 

Posted on September 11th, 2008 by karen
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Great reminder landed in my email:

When Infants are Fussy
September 8, 2008

When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
Ernest Hemingway

In their Exchange article, “Supporting Infant Teachers in their Care of Fussy Babies”, Cindy Jurie and Marsha Baker talk about the importance of listening:

Parents of fussy babies tell us that they are given advice all the time, whereas few people seem interested in hearing how stressful this experience has been for them. This also parallels teachers’ experiences of getting advice from others in their center.
Listening is a powerful way of showing parents that care is being offered to their family.
Listening also reinforces to the parent their importance to their baby as the ‘expert’ in this child’s life.
Listening to a par ent can lay the foundation for mutual respect, which is important as both parent and teacher work together caring for a fussy baby.

This is document is courtesy of Exchange Everyday.

P.S you can sign up for a daily note from Exchange!

 

Posted on September 8th, 2008 by karen
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I picked up this book Hug A Tree and I also picked up My Mom Hugs Trees in the last few months and we finally got around to looking at them. We took our journals to the park and made tree rubbings and took notes about the trees.

Connecting with nature in a very real way is so important for young children. If you have the time, I also recommend Last Child in the Woods. I hold great hope, hope that our children will grow into adults that carry on a love for nature!

 

Posted on September 8th, 2008 by karen
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Well, it seems that while people may say they respect our decision to homeschool, they either really don’t or only slightly want to respect our decision. What I want to know is… Why do you send your child to public school? 

I am not against public school. I respect parents who choose to send their child to school. I don’t question why you do it, so please don’t question me. I would also expect that if you know my child is homeschooling and an adult asks the child if they are going into 1st grade, that you will stand up for the child and tell them, “no, she is homeschooling.” I don’t expect Bella to have to explain all the reasons to an adult.

Oh and if we make you uncomfortable becuase we are doing something outside the norm, get over it!

 

 

Posted on September 1st, 2008 by karen
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As a child I preferred to read, yes, even over watching t.v.  I could read for hours, staying up way to late so that I could finish my book. I remember listening to books on tape, I believe F.P. did a series of books on tape, and enjoying hearing someone elses voice read the story to me. As an adult, I didn’t continue with books on tape, in truth the longer ones are hard for me to follow. (Background noise issue?) I prefer the feel of a good book as it lays in my lap or cradles in my hands as I read, it is comforting and relaxing to me. My husband, Hi Chris!, especially enjoys listening to books on tape/c.d. while traveling. Recently Isabella discovered books on tape after a trip to a fast food place.  Yes, the girls occassionally eat fast food, not really a secret by something we just won’t talk about.

The Magic TreeHouse series has captured Bella and what is most interesting is that she can totally focus on the c.d. taking in details and plot. I mean, I was talking with Chris and she just seemed to block out all noise, it was like we weren’t there. Now that was an interesting discovery for me but it wasn’t nearly as interesting as what I heard her say. Isabella has taken the concept of story-voice-storyteller and created her own book series. Much of what she is playing is directly based on the series (hey, don’t sue us for copy right infringement, she’s just playing), she has characters -Jack and Annie- who explore new places and new things. Bella is narrating her own version of Jack and Annie. 

Gillian’s version of Jack and Annie is what you might typicallly expect of a four year old. She takes a few concepts/ideas from the book and acts these parts out in her play. She renamed two dolls Annie/Jack and packed her own backpack (like Annie and Jack) but that is where her story differs. Gillian has moved away from the book and created her own play.

Great books should spark imagination and thought.  I adore books, and so do the girls. To see them become lost in reading/listening to a great book makes me smile.

 

Posted on August 28th, 2008 by karen
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Please watch this youtube video. Change we can make!
If your garden was small as mine was, consider what you can do to improve yours tomorrow!

Posted on August 22nd, 2008 by karen
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I am beginning to move towards the slower, calmer days of Autumn. I am ready for the days of baking and staying home by the fire. There is something about summer that keeps me going and moving from event to event and place to place.

As I took a break today, my mind drifted to Halloween costumes and parties. I think Erin will be a woodland Fairy.
I will make her costume using a long sleeve onesie and funky leggings. I love doing these small projects. If I ever get the batteries replaced, I will take some pictures.
WHile this post isn’t directly related to the original purpose, it makes me smile, so it’s all good.

Posted on August 14th, 2008 by karen
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One of the most important aspects of our curriculum is our connection to our community and family. Our local community of farmers offers organic produce for a song, so we picked up pickling cukes and now we (all of us) will learn how to can.

Pics to come…

In the mean time, this is the recipe we are following:

Dill Pickles

Pickling cukes (5-6)

4-6 heads of fresh dill (our dill didn’t come up this year, so dried it will have to be)

1 Tablespoon mustard seed

1 3/4 cups water

3/4 cup cider vinegar (we use the braggs brand)

1 tbs pickling salt

 

This is truly a labor of love, cause I hate pickles and the girls adore them.

 

Posted on August 7th, 2008 by karen
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The array of experiences gained during the simple task of baking bread are numerous. Here is the end result of one of our loaves.

Posted on August 4th, 2008 by karen
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