Substitute Home-school Teacher

I need a sub. Can I call in today?

The cold I tried my best to ignore by hoping it was just allergies, is hitting me hard today. I feel rotten. I have a bad cough. My nose is runny. And the worst of it, I can hardly speak.

You mommas know how hard it is to keep up with 4 kids and a puppy when you can’t speak?!

I just want a cup of tea and a warm blanket.

And maybe some chocolate.

But there is no sub to call.  And though the kids are pitching in and doing all they can, they still need me. So, I’m doing what I can and letting go of much of my to-do list.

And school?

I suppose we could call it off for the day.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world.

But then my girl sat down and read the book about the Revolutionary War, the one I had planned for this week’s school work.

And my boy pitched in and read a story to his baby brother, picking through the hard words and never giving up.

My baby girl created a magnificent piece of art work, using crayons, popsicle sticks, and a foam star.

Danny volunteered to lead the prayer and do the morning meeting.

Mary said she’d teach Danny’s math lesson.

Maybe they don’t need me as much as I think they do!

But, I’d still like that sub.

Wonder if she’d do dishes and laundry…

Authentic Learning Experiences

I love when learning happens in very real ways.

A guest speaker, Gray Eagle, came to speak to at our kids’ Homeschool Academy (it’s a wonderful group that meets for classes once a week) on Monday. It was fun watching them learn about Native American culture in our state.

Later in the week, we had a field trip to a local apple orchard.

We went with great friends from the homeschool academy.

We learned how apples get picked, processed, and packaged and make their way to our fridge.

And my boy held hands with a girl… Ahem…

Later in the week, we had a special visitor in our front yard.

Eastern Box Turtles are protected around here. They are a rare sight in our yard.

The kids watched the turtle and gently patted it’s back. I did not allow them to pick it up or move it in any way. These are special slow movers, so after a brief visit we hurried the kids back inside to watch from the living room window as it went on it’s way.

A little later, I pulled out this lovely apple crate that I bought when we were on our field trip to the orchard.

Mary wanted to help me paint it, so I turned over the jar of milk paint and my foam brush. Look at that concentration!

She did a lovely job, learning to paint and watch for drips. I now have a lovely crate to store our bonfire supplies (candles, tablecloth, paper plates, etc.).

And while we did not “do” homeschool this week while my honey was on vacation, we enjoyed some of the very best kinds of lessons!

Learning from real life experiences, making amazing memories, and having fun all the way… That’s my kind of learning!

A Good Day…

Some days are just… Good.

My boy read “If You Give A Moose A Muffin,” giggling all the way.

My laundry got done… well, except for that load I meant to hang out. Guess that’ll go on the line in the morning.

My baby boy fell asleep in my arms. I kissed his little nose. A lot.

The sun was shining and my kiddos were playing in the yard. Meanwhile, a certain, very much used and slightly mistreated porch swing got that stain that I’ve been promising it for so long.

Then, after popping some baked beans into the oven to bake, we headed outside yet again. My kiddos played on the giant dirt pile left from the work we had done in our barn. I built a nice little fire in the fire pit.

My honey brought home chocolate bars and a bottle of Oliver Black Cherry.

Then, there were hotdogs. And there were marshmallows with chocolate and graham cracker s’more goodness.

And there were sparklers.

And it was good... A very good day…

Show and Tell

This is how we learn…

I’ve wanted to take the kids on this field trip for quite some time.

The Falls of the Ohio state park is amazing. These fossil beds are exposed much of the year, allowing visitors to hike, explore, touch, and even pick up the many fossil rocks in the park (just don’t take ‘em with you, okay?).

The falls is located on the Ohio River, near a railroad bridge and just a short distance from the city. That’s Louisville, Kentucky that you see in the background.

It’s hard walking down into the river bed. I brought handsome honey along and I’m so glad I did. No way could I have managed this fieldtrip alone.

The fossils are amazing and the place is rich in history that goes back to the buffalo trace and Lewis and Clark.

I guess that’s them…. I shot this photo from the moving car on our way out!

The kids enjoyed exploring and hopping across the shallow puddles of water in search of really cool islands.

They also had fun creating a bridge using an old piece of wood that had drifted up onto the fossil beds.

It doesn’t take long to get hot when walking in the river bed, but the interpretive center is cool (as in air-conditioned) and full of interesting exhibits.

And this, is how our family learns.

Wanna share how your family is learning? Post a link to your blog or facebook page. Can’t wait to see what you share!

 

Everyday Moments

~Why I love being a mom with a camera!

 

Bet you didn’t see that coming! Well, maybe you did!

Call me a dork, but I just found the setting on my camera that allows me to take many pictures all in a row. It’s such fun to play with taking a quick sequence of photos of my kids doing what they do best. Play.

And I have captured a fun little moment in time that I will treasure.

 

I’m sharing today at

A Little School

Yesterday was the first day for my sweeties
to join a local homeschool academy.

And what a wonderful day it was!

The kids will attend classes one day per week, homeschooling for the other four days. A bit of the best of both worlds and a great break for momma!

More to come…

Class Photos, 2011

Our first day back to school….

I set my alarm this morning. Can I just say… I’m not a morning person.

But with the help of my prodding handsome husband, I managed to open my eyes and crawl from the nice warm blankets. It wasn’t easy…

Once I was up and had a cup of coffee, it didn’t seem so bad.

I blasted the Jimmy Buffett and got the kids motivated. I’d like to think it was my reminders that today was the long-awaited first day back to school that got them going, but… In all likelihood, it was the four bowls of (don’t tell anyone) Lucky Charms that graced the kitchen table. Um. About that… I know when I’m beat. Sausage and eggs, getting up early, and managing our first day back to school… all in one day… So, Lucky Charms it is. A rare treat in our house, the two little ones ate the marshmallows and left the cereal. Healthy. Yup. That is what I was going for.

Morning jobs of getting ready for the day and a few household chores done, and we headed downstairs at 9:00  for school. I took pictures like any proud momma. Just never-you-mind the fact that my kids don’t wear shoes to school. Come to think of it, I don’t wear shoes either.

We got started on the day with a prayer and the pledge, attendance, calendar time, and a story. The kids did their seatwork and stopped for a snack. Not too different from a regular school day, only it doesn’t take as long when you only have 3 students. Sarah finished her school day by 10:00, Daniel by 11:00, and Mary by 12:00. Now, they play and I relax in front of my computer screen sharing with my friends. I should be doing laundry and mopping the kitchen floor, but a girl has to have a break.

I’m the momma. I’m the teacher. I’m the lunch-lady and the janitor. I’m the principal, I’m the hall monitor. I’m also the pre-school/childcare worker. So, yes, I do deserve to sit a spell and share with my friends. The laundry pile will still be there. Heck, it might even grow.

It’s real life in a homeschooling family. It’s hard. It’s wonderful. It’s different. It’s giving our kids the best we have to offer.

It’s love.

 

Hope your school day is as wonderful. Hope you’ll drop by and share how learning is going with you, here on the blog, this Saturday. See you then.

Terrific Toy Story Party

Now that Mary’s party is done, I get to share pictures from the party my sis-in-love threw for my niece.

She puts together parties that are lovely and amazing. I know you’re gonna enjoy this!

 

Seemed wrong to cut into such an amazing cake! Amazing…

She used marshmallows (cut in half) for the tops of the hats. Adorable…

These star shaped cookies turned into perfect sheriff badges when she added those sweet little candies to the points. Yum…

Gummy worm snakes…

And lunch fit for any cowboy!

What a lovely time!

Wonderful Watermelon Party

My little girl just turned eight. Eight. As in, no longer required by our state to ride in a car seat, eight. As in, now being marketed to as a “pre-teen,” eight. Eight.

Thank goodness, she’s still happy to be a little girl.

For this year’s birthday party, she asked to have a watermelon theme.  Can do.

So, we had a watermelon cake…

And a watermelon roll relay race…

And a watermelon eating contest…

And seed-spittin’ contests…

And, of course…

Watermelon.

It was such a good time. Thanks to all the family and friends who chose to spend their day with us. Thank you, so much!

Garden Planning, 101

I’m sharing this post at Playopedia. Have you checked out her site yet? If you are a mom of littles, then you will love, love, love the ideas for play that are being shared there! Hope all my friends will check out her seriously terrific resource! You’ll be glad you did.

 

~Planning a garden with help from the little ones.

 

 

It may be hard to imagine planting a garden when there is snow on the ground and a chill in the air.  As my desire for spring is nearing it’s peak, I can’t help but think this is the perfect time for curling up by the fire and dreaming up my grand garden.  Truth be told, it won’t be long before those first seeds can be sown.  Now is the perfect time for ordering seeds and finishing the spring cleaning (so you don’t miss a single moment outside once the weather warms).

Gardening with littles is hard, unless…

You get them involved in the planning.

Gather up those seed catalogs and a piece of brown paper. 

~Oh, Seed Savers, how I adore you…  Such beautiful pictures and rare varieties… 

 

Let them make lists of their favorite varieties.

Sarah is particularly taken with the pink variety of blueberries that are so popular this year…

It just seems wrong, doesn’t it?  Cutting up catalogs that are so pretty.  Give ‘em the scissors.  You know you are going to order online anyway!

Now, let them plant the crops in neat little rows.

Oh, what a pretty little garden!  Look how it’s coming together!

Will it all fit?  Looks like we’ll be tilling up a bit more ground this year. 

Now, if I could just get them so excited about cleaning their rooms….