Fly Away Home

A Look At The Year

2010-05-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

I have not updated this blog in nearly the entire school year. I guess it just seemed like it wasn't necessary since the girls were in public school this year. So I thought I'd just share a few thoughts.

School has been good for the girls - mostly. I have heard them comment from time to time that they miss home schooling, but they also comment about how much they enjoy public school too. I think it's good that they see there is value in both - not every situation or every location is perfect for any one decision. It's a personal thing.

But, I have to admit I've been very happy with the "let's work with your child" and "skipping grades is the last thing on our minds" mentality of this school they are in. Though there are two times (that I'm aware of) that Beth ever mentioned being bored, the teachers were already prepared with something a little more or a little more challenging for her. Instead of singling her out and making her be all by herself, they had to participate with the class - but when she'd finish early, they would have "extra" for her to do that would challenge her a little more. They were aware of her advanced status going into kindergarten and therefore prepared for the challenges that go along with that. Beth has been able to make some progress while staying with her peers.

Yes, I realize that she would have progressed academically further being home schooled, but that's not the only thing in life. She continued to learn outside of school and we'll be doing some things this summer too - my girls both still love to learn!

Gabi has done well too. She's stayed top of her class and progressed. She's at a high enough grade level that she is separated out with the other kids in her grade and up for reading. Math will be the next thing they separate for. In the meantime, Gabi's had the opportunity to really perfect some of those math skills - and has since decided she really does like math after all. (Thank goodness for that because she wants to be some sort of scientist when she grows up).

Here are home we've slowed way down. I guess that's normal since we're having another baby (number five - due in about 6 weeks). Fortunately this pregnancy has not been too hard (compared to my others). I've noticed, though, that my focus on organized education has not been quite there. That being said, there were basics that we did focus on in a very non-structured way with Jeremy. His math skills are rather advanced - but he seems to pick up numbers easily and the girls were teaching him stuff as they came home from school. Mostly, though, we've worked on reading and writing. He does read, and he can sound out most words. His confidence in reading has increased a fair amount (which was his biggest stumbling block) - and when encouraged, will sound words out instead of leaning upon us to just tell him the "big words". Being left handed (him, not me) I wanted to be certain he was writing his letters already. He can write them all - and often is neater at it than his kindergarten sister (she's at the stage where she can't seem to be bothered to take the time to keep things neat). So, over all, he's ready for kindergarten this fall.

And Peter - well, his hand-eye coordination is really good! He's learned to use the potty. He's preparing to be a big brother. He knows all his letters and sounds and can spell a few smaller words - and recognizes them too (not really sure that he's reading any of them). He's excited to go camping (which he'll do with Bob and Jeremy in June) where I'm sure he'll learn about neat things in nature. He's also very excited to be going fishing for the first time this Saturday.

So though we'll be continuing with public school, the education does not and will not stop there. With baby arriving in July, there will not likely be much structure to our learning this summer - but really, what better way to learn than in the moment as things arise?

This Year's Schooling Approach

2009-09-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

So far there seem to be mixed reviews about schooling and not officially home schooling. That's okay. I think we've decided that the bulk of it is from so many changes in our lives all at once.

I must admit that I'm happier with the school that I ever was with any back where we were. That being said, it's still too early to know for sure if it's of great benefit yet. Certainly there are pros, not matter that else might happen.

Just the other day one of Beth's teachers (she has two teachers and an ed tech in the in the classroom) approached me and told me the highlight of her day was that Beth read an entire book to her! She had noticed that Beth always chose to read during free choice, so she asked Beth to read to her. She was very impressed with what she can do. Those of you who know Beth aren't surprised... she's been reading since she was three and loves to read just about anything. Chapter books are what challenge her - and then, it's probably close to 2nd or 3rd grade level anyway. So Mrs. D said that they had the yearly assessments coming up the end of the month and she was eager to see what to put Beth. At the teacher meeting (which happens every Monday afternoon) they discuss specific needs of specific kids. Beth was one to be discussed that day. They are considering pulling her out and putting her with the grouped reading / phonics / comprehension groups. Math has not been discovered yet... so we'll see what happens then.

Unlike when Gabi was in kindergarten, this school has what they call a math and a reading rotation. That is when the entire school is on that subject. This is done specifically so they can move the kids to the appropriate group without skipping grades! A huge plus for me!

Attitude is still an issue though... especially for Gabi. Bob and I are going to try something new. Instead of me taking an interest in what has happened at school (I'll get that information from Bob) I'll focus on spending time together doing fun things. Bob really thinks the problem is more that Gabi misses the time she had with me because she's always bubbly about school until about half way home. I'll still be involved in homework, which allows me to know what is going on and be a part of it.

Some of the things we'll do are baking, science, games, reading and crafty projects. I'm not convinced that I need to leave the academics entirely to the teachers at school. I suspect we'll be tying in different things. As well as during vacation doing some home schooling. The girls have been missing it, and I think it will do us all some good.

Grandma Nielsen will start the girls on piano lessons after soccer season ends. Bob and I tried to do it ourselves back in Maine, but it was always too hard with the schedules. Now, we feel it would be a great blessing for them to have the time with Grandma one on one with something they have both been wanting to do. Gabi doesn't know it, but she's going to need to get her attitude turned around before Grandma will take her on as a student. She doesn't want Gabi to decide she hates piano when she's always loved it. I agree.

The boys and I typically walk the girls to school then go the long way home . We also often walk the long way down and pick the girls up too. It's good to be out of the house, but also to have the fresh air and exercise. We also try to have a story / cuddle time right after lunch on the couch.

Other than that we're not terribly organized yet. We're getting there, but I'm still unpacking and organizing the house. We get out the math stuff more for fun right now and color and practice writing. We do go to the library every Wednesday morning for Story Hour and Craft which they seem to be enjoying themselves! They love to play with the toys that are there and picking out books as well.

We're working on attitudes, being polite, being patient, taking turns, being gentle and whatever else does not seem to come naturally to most little boys! =) It's not easy for anyone, but it's necessary and we're making slow progress. I hope to get charts printed up by the end of the week for chores and for progress!

Boston Museum of Science

2009-09-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Okay... so back tracking...

On our traveling adventure, we stopped off in Boston at the Science Museum. I remember it from when I was young - did an over night adventure with my school class. It wasn't as big then, although still bigger than we could do in one day.

Buying tickets for just the day was going to be more than buying a season pass (which is not just for there but for lots of other museums around the USA) so we spent $6 less and got the season pass.

We went to a 3-D movie and to the Butterfly exhibit. We also explored certain of the many areas of the museum, like the physics playground and the fossil dig area. We made it a point to stop by the dinosaur exhibit - the kids really were impressed with the large models, as well as the real bones and large foot print.

There is even a discovery center - it's a classic Children's Discovery Museum so the kids knew exactly what to do there! They had a lot fun and the girls made paper helicopters. Peter wanted to try too - they gave him some really cool scissors (I'd never seen before) and so I just had to ask where to get a pair... probably for Christmas or something. They are perfect for little hands as they pop back open themselves and have lots of safety features. I just don't know why stores don't carry them locally - they really are the best first time scissors I've ever seen. Peter was cutting like a pro!

There is so much we would love to do there - some day, when the kids are bigger, we have more time, and they aren't so tired from the packing and moving drama! Still they had fun!

Back To School

2009-09-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well, first day of school was yesterday. Gabi had a hard time all Sunday. She was clingy and whiny... when she wasn't around, I made mentioned that my guess was it had something to do with her "not getting as much of mom's attention as everyone else" because school was starting the next day - which was one of her biggest complaints with public schooling when she was in kindergarten. Sure enough, later on when it hadn't ended, she told Bob that exact same thing.

Beth was certainly nervous, but seemed to do okay once she was lined up to go inside. The Mini Kindergarten day helped with that, I'm sure. But she was certainly done at the end of the day and very happy to be picked up.

Their day wasn't over though, since it was back to school night - apparently that's a parent thing here, not a kid and parent thing. Not that I knew that going down. Thank goodness for grandma driving up the road (though nearly hitting Jeremy - not really, she was paying attention - since he thought he was so smart and so big and had wandered into the middle of the lane while looking behind him instead of in front) because she picked up the boys right there and headed up to her house with them.

Through whatever miscommunication (whether school or husband or whatever) and my own stress (due to needing to race through Back to School Night as the only parent of two (Bob was working in his own classroom) and needing to get a key from Bob, race back home to drive the girls to soccer practice so that the lady covering for Bob would have soccer balls... )well, my experience was not very good. I really felt it was a waste of my time and that it was poorly set up... later reading the handbook I learned parents were suppose to be handed basically a syllabus of sorts at this Back to School Night. I got nothing from Gabi's teacher and a whole packet from Beth's - though nothing close to a syllabus. Oh well... it's elementary school, right?

Something about being new in a community, not understanding the vast differentness of West Coast mentality (I don't think I'll ever figure that out), and apparently not having all the information needed to be ready and prepared.... you know, moving really sucks! No matter what, when, why or where you're moving, that initial "I'm new and apparently stupid because of it" feeling along with everyone making weird faces at you because they are "trying to be nice but think you've got a few loose screws" doesn't make it any easier!

On the other side... discipline as reared its ugly head once again in our house. Okay, so it never fully left, but now that we're not rushing to meet some deadline it's back in force. That was the hardest part of little boys. Peter spent a good hour crying and screaming as he sat on his bed because of behavior issues. Then was so tired he slept a good two hours and I had to wake him up so as not to be late to pick up Beth and Gabi.

We unpacked the paints, so the boys spent some time painting. Jeremy began working with starfall.com again - this time with me watching and coaching. When I get the boxes of books organized we'll start sitting and reading together for about 10 minutes a day to help him with his confedence.

Peter is potty training in "undy pants" again as well. That is his first major schooling focus. We'll probably jump in with some nutrition stuff too, since they will be here helping me with lunches anyway.

Anyway, right or wrong... school has started up. I hope to be volunteering once a week in Beth's class, sent in the form for it today, so we'll see what happens. I'm unaware of any volunteer opportunities (as of yet) for Gabi's class. I guess we'll just have to keep our eyes open for anything that might come up.

(I'll add pictures to this post when I get them downloaded... need to clean up iPhoto first)

The End And The Beginning

2009-08-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well... we never had the time to really discuss and make a decision together. Life doesn't always allow for that when we "want" it to. Never the less, we have talked about it some prior to getting here... two different thoughts... same goal.

For now, the girls will both be starting school on Monday. I'm not sure I'm excited... after all, I will miss working with them myself. And I'm not willing to put a whole lot of stake in what others say. I did that once... circumstances led to something different. I'm also not immediately lumping this school with the last... so, being open, yet cautious, we're moving forward for now.

So many people say things like "you can still home school when they're not in school" but I have a really hard time with the "double curriculum" concept. I also have a hard time with the idea that kids are in school all day to turn around and do more school at home. I'll work with them... we'll continue to use the various experiences to teach them, but it will be different. I'll also volunteer in each of their classrooms once a week.

In the mean time, I have two little boys I'll be continuing to work with. And we'll re-evaluate later on when we see how things are going.

On another note - the girls started both dance and soccer this week... so, right on track with that!

Big Decisions

2009-07-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

Our family is embarking on a new adventure. We're moving... out of state...

While there are many reasons, it was a decision prayerfully (and carefully) made. We're excited about this next step in our lives.

Making this decision has been large enough - now that it's been made, I've finally had some time to start really thinking about how I feel about all the changes this will bring. I've also begun to find time to focus on one thing at a time in deciding what is right for our family. Recently the focus has been on home schooling.

Due to many dynamics here where we currently are, the decision has always seem apparent - not requiring much thought (since we did that before embarking down this road to begin with). It was not without thought - but the decision was pretty clear, home schooling works for us and with so many cons to the public schooling option where we currently are, we were set to home school again.

However, when considering the move, we also began to consider all the changes - including the option to public school our children again. Initially, though I was saddened at the very thought of not teaching my own children, I didn't actually feel bad about sending them. Knowing we'd be in a new town, needing to meet new kids (and parents), it seemed cut and dry. Not-sick-to-the-stomach-feelings must mean public school is what we need to do, right? Well, maybe not.

As the decision to move has given way to decisions about our life after the move, I have been guided through priesthood blessings to look at each thing separately. To ponder carefully and prayerfully each element. And as I've begun to do this, I have focused in on the schooling. My heart and my head are saying different things. I can still see the pros and cons of both sides. But when I take it before the Lord, the peace comes when I consider home schooling. It's the same calming peace and comfort that has come along with the decision to move (without all the pieces of the puzzle in place).

Because I do not want to be a dictator, and because I do not want to make this decision rashly, I've discussed with the girls the feelings and council I've received. And I've asked them to pray over the next few days to see what they feel the Lord is guiding us to do. We've talked about how the Lord will help us to make the decision that is best for us and our family. And we've talked about concerns and thoughts and found answers to questions. We are doing the research the best we can so that we can make a prayerfully informed decision.

At this time, we have not yet decided which form of education we will follow for our children directly after our move. But we have recognized the importance of this decision and are working through it with the love and guidance of our Heavenly Father.

Please be patient with us while we are making this decision. If you feel inclined to help, please only do so through prayer that we will be able to make the decision which is in the best interest of our own family. Thank you - we really do appreciate your love and support.

Burnt Island

2009-07-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is a special island purchased by the State of Maine Marine Educational Program. Because the lighthouse was still there (it's actually still in use at times), and because the old house and out-buildings were too, they researched the area and decided to put together a living history tour (only two afternoons a week during the summer) set in 1950.

Though the mainland had things like running water and electricity, such novelties were not to be had on the island at the time. You arrive by ferry, get introduced to the time era, then head up to the house were you meet Mama and one daughter, tour the house learning about the different items, housekeeping and work. Then you head out into the "yard" where you meet the two other sisters (and a friend) and learn about their lives (and attitudes) as well as the games they played.

Then on down to the dock where you meet the brother (who is only there visiting) and learn about the dock, the peapod, and how things were delivered. He takes you up to the little lighthouse and you meet Pa who tells how things were to run and the expectations.

It's not very long and you have lots of time to explore the little island afterwards. Groups can go up to the light in the lighthouse (just a small lighthouse) - and a tour (if you wish) explains the island itself. Or, just explore the island on the little trails around (the island is not very big) - we found the rocks to be lots of fun and some tide pools. Gabi was disappointed because there was no good place to "swim".

There was, hiden in the "overgrowth" a discovery center were you could learn about the Pirates (and the glad and ships and knots). A pirate ship and a peapod were there for playing in as well. This was a favorite of the younger three (it was like one of the exhibits in the children's discovery museum).

All in all it was nice - short, but nice. You head over on the ferry at 1pm and leave the island at 4;30pm - no one is allowed to stay behind! It was perfect paired with the Maine State Aquarium since it was really small and took only a couple of hours of interactive touch tanking in the morning.

I could not believe how much my children loved the ferry! The wind blowing all around them, the boat "jumping", and two of the kids (Peter and Beth) staring behind watching the foam kicked up. Jeremy was the biggest surprise, though, because he has such a fear of the wind. He put on his hoody, pulled it up over his ears, held it tight to his face, and loved every minute. He says it was his favorite part of the whole day!

Children's Discovery Museum

2009-07-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

There are many different ones to choose from depending on where you live and what you want for your kids to do. In Maine there are three - our favorites are Bangor and Portland, though there is also one in Augusta. What's special about them is the range of "fun" activities which also allow children to learn while exploring and playing!

Gabi wanted to go back to the one in Bangor - it had been just over a year since she'd been there. And, the great excitement, there was a whole new section. I don't know exactly when it opened up, but it was new for us and provided tons of fun (especially for Jeremy).

There was, of course, the first floor: filled with "animal" habits to explore, microscopes and tanks to look at, and a water section which allowed the kids to explore the "flow" of H2O - pumps, blocking shields, and even a water wheel. Aprons are provided for anyone trying to keep their little one from being too wet!

The second floor was my favorite - it's the "storybook village" of sorts. There is the farm where Wilbur is along with a special Web for kids to arrange words and thus become "Charlotte". There is a motorcycle, a lobster boat and a lighthouse - just for exploring and climbing all over.

A puppet theater is complete with numerous puppets (and bean bag chairs to lounge in) while adults can watch the show from the other side sitting in chairs provided. I always love to listen to the kids are the create their own imaginary tales.

Across from the puppet theater is the "library" complete with two computers - each set up with a different program to play/learn. One was an ASL program and Peter just couldn't get enough of that! And, what would a library be without books... shelves of books.

But that wasn't all... there was also a closed in section perfect for little ones under 5. Unlike in Portland where it's a huge climbing thing in the middle of the floor so parents can watch other kids running around and doing other things (which I loved about Portland's one), this one is a little room with a half door. It has building blocks, a "fireplace" a couple of chairs and a little house... not just any house, mind you, but the Three Bears' House. Peter loved stacking the blocks and every time Grandma Nielsen would hand him another he'd say "Thank You" - Lynne said it must have been 30 or more blocks and it never failed that he'd thank her for every one. Peter's like that - he loves to say thank you, and means it.

As if all that weren't enough, this is also the floor with the "addition" - hand drums, a lounge area with a hammock, a giant cargo ship complete with control room, deck and storage area. Plus packages and a crane for the kids to "load' the ship . This is where Jeremy wanted to stay. He didn't care about anything else once he saw that crane - something about levers and pullies, not that he realizes that yet.

In the addition was also a pasta shop, a large world map with interact game, and a delivery truck.

There was still another floor - the third floor is a neat science area. There is the human body - you get to make the blood pump around the heart, see how eyes work, lay in a mouth full of teeth, crawl through veins, and sometimes (though not when we were there) there is s section for "playing doctor and vet".

A small "planetarium" which was neat because the kids were all "glowing" - they thought that was cool, though Peter wasn't fond of that much dark. Also a couple of "slopes" for racing balls. And little air blowing tubes with ping pong balls (try to make a basket). Plus a place to go in and make "shadows" that stick around for a while.

On the other side, there is a place more suited for younger kids - panels of those heat pads (you know, the kind you stick a hand on and it shows different colors based on the heat coming from your body), a giant light bright, some gears, and other little things. A craft room was there, but busy with a summer camp. Also in that area is a Hyrographic "machine" - kids could choose two or three colors and makes these silly pictures just by pushing the board.

A "dance studio" which shows the image of movement in various colors, a song board arranged by specific singers and you press a button to get them to sing, a "recording studio" where you could sing karioki style.

This floor was also where Peter learned the fun of gravity with one of those coin wheels things. It was also Gabi favorite floor - go figure, the science kid!

All in all they had a wonderful time and played well. It was nice to go and not be on the "school time schedule", but our own and to be able to gauge it by the kids. We were there nearly five hours - they had a lot of fun!

Maine State Aquarium

2009-07-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

Though it's not a very big aquarium - one large room with several closed tanks in the surrounding walls - it does have a certain fun appeal for young kids. There are two "touch tanks" that are the central focus of the aquarium. The first is in the middle of the room and contains several small sharks. The other takes up and entire wall length and has all sort of life from the bottom of the ocean.

After the initial excitement of the tanks around the walls, the kids naturally turned to the center tank. There they were allowed to pet the Spiney Dog Fish Shark - who is, by the way, quite the entertainer. He loves to be touched, but he also loves to push his head up out of the water and dance around. It was cute.

This was, by far, Peter's favorite part. He would stay there for long lengths of time, wander off, and always come back again. We were told to pet the shark using only two fingers (which was demonstrated as the pointer and middle fingers kept together) from back of head to tail, avoiding fins. Peter caught the "two fingers" part and would say to me "See, my two fingers" before petting the shark as he came around. His "two fingers" were the pointers of both hands.

The other children stayed closer to the other touch tank. They enjoyed being able to not only touch the sea life, but also to hold many of them. There were lots of starfish - which we had to watch closely because Peter thought he ought to pick them by only one leg.

The others not only held starfish, but also things like the sea cucumber, crabs, small lobsters, sand dollars, muscles, and much more.

Though it doesn't take long to go through the place, we easily spent an hour enjoying the marine life. The older kids would have stayed longer, but Peter was starting to get antsy. That was when it was time for Lobster Talk - where live and toy lobsters are used to explain to the children all about lobsters, tracking, and trapping. Beth and Gabi sat and listen to that, but the boys wouldn't be contained. There was no way to get pictures of that part.

Since we were out on the deck, the boys discovered a few discover set-ups. A Rubbings board complete with paper and crayons, a mystery feel exhibit (where you reach into a whole and try to figure out what is in it), and a true "sand box" - the Maine Beach kind (full of little rocks, lots of shells and not much sand). This kept them entertained while we waited for the girls.

This is not an aquarium we would have done by itself - since it's 2 1/2 hours from our home - but we coupled it with the Burnt Island Living History Tour so it made for a full day in Boothbay Harbor. (There are tons of other things to do in Boothbay Harbor if one is looking for a couple of good field trips all together).

Narrow Gauge Railroad

2009-07-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

There are many of these in Maine - all have been restored for rides and tourist information.

It was the only day that Bob and his father went with us anywhere, but we had a lot of fun over in Phillips, Maine.

Not only did we get to ride the old train, but we stopped at various points to get out, walk around and see some of the old things there. Other trains, buildings and artifacts, and even the roundhouse.

The kids loved walking out on the turn table and running along the turn table track.

Our guide was also the ticket collector - he had a lot of information to give and was very patient with the children running here and there in all of their excitement. He even showed us how the round table was operated by hand!

Peter did not want to leave - he wanted to keep riding. It was a short ride and Peter loves trains so much, but it was fun and we took lots of pictures. Hope you enjoyed the few we shared!

Wedgits

2009-06-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

Okay... the new toy in our house was something Jeremy received for his birthday. It was something we discovered at the Smith house a couple years ago... okay, maybe it was only last year. Bethie was in love with them at the time, but everyone seemed to have an eye out anyway.

So, Wedgits came to our house.... The jury's still out, but we think we like them better then (dare I say) Legos!

Here's just a few of the things we've done with them:

And I love that everyone can enjoy them... yes, they do make a 1+ type (soft block style) and a 2+ type (larger for little hands style), but as you can tell, Peter has no problems with these ones. And I have no problem with them being played around C. (the baby we watch). Lots of fun... another way to manipulate and build (The frog even "jumps" with a little help). They are, however, large... when compared to Legos.

The kids are looking forward to adding to the set... so many add ons... Gabi can't wait for the wheels... I want more pieces... yes, I'll confess, I spent a good couple of hours playing with my kids building things! (But then again, Bob spent an hour or so the first night we got them... so it's not just me!)

Civil War

2009-06-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

Gabi loves to read things that are stories using real information... books like Magic School Bus, Magic Tree House, Laura Ingalls, and many others. For her birthday a few months back she received some books from the Sisters in Time series and she really enjoys them. They are all history stories about little girls and the effects of the world in their lives depending on the era.

Well, not long ago Gabi read Janie's Freedom... a story about young African-Americans at the end of the Civil War. This, of course, led to many discussions about the war and the after math.

Then we heard that Norlands was hosting a Civil War weekend... so we made arrangements to go. It was a very, very, very small re-enactment, but it was fun to walk through the camps. We didn't go through all of them... after all, it was me and a friend and our 10 kids collectively. Many of whom were really too small to fully enjoy the event. But we did get around to seeing most of everything.

Our little family, on our way to meet our friends, talked about the Civil War and several of the facts relating to it. Gabi had a good deal of knowledge from before, but Beth and Jeremy didn't know anything about it (and Peter was asleep). So it was a great way to get them ready for the event we were to see.

All the kids agreed that the battle was the best part (even if it was only 15 minutes and so small it was almost silly)... though they enjoyed watching the blacksmith and getting an "old fashioned" picture done. At the end, they "played army" in the field and tall grass around.

To cap off our day, we gathered for dinner at our friends' where play continued in and among the trees. Then off to Giffords for a wonderful cold treat! The perfect way to top off a wonderful day!

To see more pictures go here. I had limited space since I'd had trouble getting the dance pictures off the camera before hand.

Tad Poles

2009-06-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

Our little eggs have hatched... the little tadpoles so tiny they were merely specks in the water... okay, so that was all weeks and weeks ago... like they were done with that about a week after we found them, maybe less....

They've been growing... Gabi loves to check on them daily. So much fun for her. She is, however, like her mother.... impatient.... though I've had lots more years to work on that.... she's trying to be patient, but frogs are not like caterpillars....

The caterpillars went from caterpillars to butterflies in about a week total. Frogs take much longer... the average time being about 3 months (from what we've read) though some can take a year or longer.. and very few can take less.

Our little tad poles are growing... they still have tails.... but there are starting to be signs of little legs starting to "sprout" (if you want to call it that). It's fun to watch them get up on the side of the pool, hold themselves there for a moment and then slide back into the water.

Though it's slow going, at least Gabi has fun watching them and playing with them. We tried to take some pictures (I had to delete off a bunch of pictures to make space for other ones so I'm hoping the ones I kept were ones you can see them in... but they are small... and black... and blend in nicely the with the muck!)

Deaf, Blind - Amazing

2009-05-15T05:24:00.001-07:00

About a week ago we took the kids to see "The Miracle Worker" a play about Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Our children are young for such a show - even if it was only high school (which, being only high school, I must say I was really impressed with the presentation - and very amazed at many of the actors).

It was a great opportunity to introduce the children to "theater" on a level other than elementary. At the same time, it was a great door opener to learn about something and someone else. All the kids enjoyed it for various different reasons. Gabi, though, was very excited about it. She went to Library this week and brought back a book (above her comprehension) to learn more about Helen Keller. I read it through and found I was learning things about Helen that I hadn't learned growing up. It was a great book and has caused me to want to get ahold of the actual books that Helen wrote herself.

Since we do some with sign language, I'm planning on exploring the manual alphabet "tapped into the hand" with Gabi. I think this could be fun. I'm thinking up a way to allow her to explore what it might have been like for Helen being blind and deaf - probably a really dark blindfold and Bob's Ear Protection from the woodshop. And then it would be neat to explore braille a little as well.

At this level, I don't expect Gabi to fully learn about Helen, but it has certainly opened a door to explore other things related to Helen Keller that would give Gabi understanding and experience. The story of Helen Keller is, of course, remarkable - Gabi sees that.

Couple More Field Trips

2009-05-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

So... to fill up some more of our week... last Friday we went down to the Portland region... there we met up with some friends to see the Dinosaur show at the Southworth Planetarium. I must first say that there was a lot of information... it was especially neat to see the "stars" before the show started. However, I must also say that I was disappointed... it was a "family show" yet I would certainly say it was geared for older children than mine.. though Gabi did just fine. The others made it through most of the way before complaining, but they were not really paying attention. The show was done as a slide show and lecture.

We had planned to stay and also watch the Black Hole show, but given the way everyone was reacting, we decided to leave that behind. We had a nice little picnic... though with a couple kids who just wouldn't listen, so even that got cut a little short... then off to a much more exciting place.....

THE MAINE WILDLIFE PARK

We really enjoyed ourselves here and certainly plan on returning! We spent three hours there, but only left because it was dinner time... so away we went.

The park is a rehab place for wild animals. Some of them will never be able to return to their natural environment - I expect those are the ones we ended up seeing. But it was fun to walk around the zoo-like setting and see the various birds, fish, and animals.

Jeremy decided, by the Bald Eagle, that he needed to get a drink and was certain there was a water fountain behind that cage...so, under the fence and around to the back he went.... when he was retrieved, he was promptly put into one of those harness leash things. This was something we'd talked about prior to going in - so he knew the consequence and it wasn't fair to have everyone miss out if he was being disobedient (and a danger to himself), so this was what we'd agreed upon.

Well, he didn't like that much at all... but when he finally settled down, we talked about it and made a deal... he had to be able to get along calmly through three more animals (we'd already been through 7 since putting him in it) and then he could try again. It worked, and we didn't have another problem with him through the park.

Gabi would have liked to take the time to draw all the animals, but she only got through a couple before the other kids wouldn't be patient any more. I told her another time when there was another adult with us that we'd try drawing them again. Fortunately she was a good sport about the whole thing.

Anyway, it was a wonderful way to cap our field trip week... and a great way to spend some time outdoors.

Green Up and Frog Eggs

2009-05-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Last week was a "vacation week" meaning we did not have the little baby to watch (something we started doing about three months ago now). That meant we could make some plans... since we normally spend that as a family going some where, and since Dad was booked with a cabinet job, we thought up some field trips we wanted to do.... here's the first....

Spur of the moment... we got together with some friends on April 22 (Earth Day) to do a little "Green Up" and hunt for frog eggs. Our family often does green up walks around our neighborhood, but this would be on a nice trail... something with friends... the frog egg part was of most interest for them though.

It was a lot of fun to watch friends get together racing around to see how much trash they could pick up while also keeping eyes open for frog eggs. Gabi's friend spotted them... it was really amazing how well she was able to see them... and then she proceeded to teach my kids how to go in after the "bunch" and pull them up and out. My three oldest ones tried, but in the end, it was Gabi's friend who gathered the eggs and dropped them into the two jars we had.

I also loved watching how all the kids interacted so well together. Age was not important, every kid was important and every children treated the others with respect and concern. I love that! Thanks, Kim, for inviting us along... we had a wonderful time!

Along the way, we also saw some busy beaver activity... several small dams were about... another neat thing to see... and as my friend's son called it... "the beaver hotel"! How cute!

Frog eggs are new for us... before we left, we got together one jar, but Jeremy insisted that he have his very own... in the end... well, we have more frog eggs than any one family would ever need. We brought them home and deposited them into a little swimming pool that was already complete with dirt, leaves, and rain water.

I'm not sure how they are doing.. since we've never done this before. The eggs were still intact when we put them in the pool... yesterday I went to look (just over a week from getting them) and they were no longer "separate eggs"... I don't know if this is normal or not... it did seem as though there were at least a few little "swimmers" there too... I'll check them again tomorrow and see what we've figured out.

Along with this "theme", Gabi brought home a book on the frog life cycle... we're going to have each of the kids draw their version of the life cycle, we're going to make origami frogs - and have jumping contested, and we've even got a card game to help learn about the frogs too... so we'll play that. The life cycle seems to be "long" from what we've read, though it does vary, so we'll see how it all turns out.

You can see more picture of our adventure over here.

Butter

2009-05-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

So, in need of something more hands on... less workbook...

Gabi choose to make butter... and we actually had the whipping cream on hand to do it. This is the "simple" version of butter making... the next time we do it, we'll get some raw milk and do it start to finish, collecting the cream ourselves.

Anyway, we took the whipping cream, added a dash of salt, put it all in the mixer, put on the whisk and the shield, and turned it on high... we kept stopping along the way so the kids could see the different stages... and then...

Butter!

And it was yummy indeed! Gabi even decided it was better than "Gabi butter" (margarine) and that's saying something.. since she doesn't like "Daddy butter" (store bought butter).

Narnia

2009-02-02T18:42:00.000-08:00

For a change of pace, I offered to read to Gabi the Narnia books. She wasn't sure she'd be interested at first, because the covers looked dark and scary. But I had just finished them all (I some how never read them all as a kid) and determined that she'd like them though I knew there would be moments she would need to have a Mom or Dad help her through (she's a sensitive kid) - but really, the books aren't nearly as dark and dreadfully scary as the movies try to be.

Anyway - the writing is a little above her - mostly because they were written in the 1950's and using English jargon (not American). I stop and explain things that I know she wouldn't understand and if I miss one, she's quick to stop me and ask so that she's not lost in the book. We're on book number five! She loves them and wants to keep going through them.

I especially love when C.S. Lewis builds up to something (or rather someone) and she's able to suddenly shout out what or who it is. It's one of the many ways that I know she's actually listening and getting something out them... and the excitement is so precious.

She will pick them up on her own and read from where we left off. Sometimes she fully understands the chapter(s) she's read and other times she'll ask me to read it over since she didn't fully get it herself. Regardless, we've talked alot about them - some of the symbolism - and she's really picked up on the recurring theme of a need, a darkest moment, and a good triumph. When she thinks it sounds like we're coming into a "darkest moment" she'll ask if this is the darkest moment.

She hates to wait to know what is going to happen - she's not big on the suspense thing. As soon as the suspense gets too heavy she's begging to know how it turns out. This is the hardest part for her - because we always tell her that we'll just have to keep reading until we find out, otherwise it takes the fun out of reading. She's not too happy with that answer, but she accepts it and we read on.

She's already been telling Bethie all about them. Beth is excited to get in on the series (though I think she's still a bit young) and Gabi keeps telling me she can't wait until we're finished with the books so we can start them all again with Beth!

They are certainly a treasure that will be well loved in our house for years to come. It's nice to have something to read with her - not just the books she reads herself. I love these moments - these special connections.

Special Occassions in History

2009-01-20T10:31:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I haven't updated this blog is a rather long time. No, we did not go on an over-extended vacation - I just haven't had a lot of time, or a lot of things I figure out interesting to share.

I do think we're starting to get over the "I hate math" stage (since we finally got into a series of math games that go along with the program we're using). We did, however, manage to miss-place the books over Christmas break (in part because I was trying to keep Peter from taking them all over the house). As we try to locate them (or replace them if we can't locate them), Gabi's been practicing the skills she learned. She's doing better every day - which is building her confidence.

Yesterday was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - which is a holiday from the public schools around here. However, we took the opportunity to learn more about him. Gabi learned about segregation, about MLK and a little about Malcom X and the KKK. She did a couple of fun print offs about him. Read the Times for Kids magazine article about him and then she and I watched the video of his "I Have a Dream" speech. She was pretty interested and we talked about different part of it.

Well, in her conversations with Daddy last night, telling what we'd done, the topic turned to President Obama - she decided she wanted to want the inaugural address today. No big deal - I looked it up ahead of time on-line to know where to go. When it was time, though, things were so slow and the streamline was awful - we found it at another location and it worked seamlessly (for awhile). We were able to enjoy the opening music, the swearing in and the first 3 minutes of President Obama's address - then the stream just stopped. I think it got over burdened.

Anyway, she still thought what she saw was interesting and we'll try to watch it again later - won't be live, but it may still have an impact.

Foil Boats

2008-12-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

During the after school program, we had a mother who was also a science teacher come in and do an activity with the kids. They built a boat using just one piece of foil. Then they had to see how many pennies their boats would hold and talked about what made a successful boat.

Well, my girls wanted to do it again... so they each made a boat... and instead of pennies, we used pattern blocks... using up all of one size and shape before moving on to the next. All in all, Gabi's boat held 381 pieces (BTW - she and Bethie were also the 3rd place boat during the ASP - would have been 2nd if you didn't count the "helpers" who were in high school). Bethie's held 198.

They had fun... and then so did Peter... he loves to pour things. A great skill to have and learn... but boys is he messy when he does it... which is any time he can get to liquid!

Dye and Crystals

2008-12-21T18:05:00.001-08:00

So Gabi loves Science.... as in, she'd do that and nothing else if she was allowed. She loves to read about it, explore it, study it, do it.... she just loves science. So, she ends up doing a lot of that on her own... and I don't get many pictures.

But we thought about doing crystals... (we still need to get some Borax to do crystals that way - not so easy to find around here)....

We made up four glasses - one was warm tap water with sugar, another the same only with blue food coloring, then there was one with a super saturated (i.e. boiled and completely filled with sugar), and another the same but once again with blue food coloring.

We were trying to see if which would make better crystals - which started crystals the fastest - and whether or not the blue food coloring changed the effect.

I cannot say we had a complete success.... when we put in the food coloring, we noted that the dye moved faster through the warm tap water than through the super saturated solution - Therefore, the more sugar in the water, the hard it was for the food coloring to mix (without being stirred).

We set out glasses in the window sill behind the sink - the safest place for such a thing in our house right now.... apparently not safe enough - Bob managed to knock one over while doing dishes! But that wasn't the only problem... apparently it's a window with a lot of cold air flowing around it... the water cooled off too rapidly and we ended up with more crystals on the edge of the glass than on the lollipop stick!

We have decided to try again... in the spring... with the frigid air isn't a problem... still, we were able to see a few crystals that had formed.... and the girls thought they were mighty tasty! (Let's hear it for sugar!)

The Barred Owl

2008-12-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

About a month or so ago, we decided to visit some friends and head out on a "field trip". It was a fun one - head off to the Children's Museum. There are lots around (just not close enough for us to be actively involved in regularly) and this one we had not yet been too. The kids were very excited to find out we were going to go "explore" and "play" there.

While we were there, we were able to enjoy a mini creature feature. We learned about the Barred Owl. It was really neat to see and touch the owl. It was especially fun to watch the gentleman show us what the owl could do (such as turning it's head all the way around to the back).

The kids had a great time telling Daddy all about the owl when they got home!

We also tried to go into the Marine Science Center to see some seals and turtles. However, there were classes in session and no turtles currently there. We'll be going back another time when we know the kids will be able to help feed the seal and see some turtles too!

After School Program

2008-11-12T07:22:00.001-08:00

We've been busy.. busy, busy with everything. The harvest came in... we still have a few pumpkins and beets to put away. Math seems to be enjoyed - although Gabi sometimes rolls her eyes at the stuff she already knows. (She had a different program in school last year, so we're using the transition lessons right now to help her understand the part of this program before jumping into the level C that she's ready for... almost done with the transition though.)

Anyway, we're involved ourselves in the after school program (asp). Unlike most ASPs, this one is put on and run by the youth program committee of the rec. department. Therefore, I am co-directing it this year. We decided on a cultural theme. So, most of the days we focus on one country. A craft, a physical activity - game, cultural snack, and so forth. Several of the days we have someone come in and talk about their culture... or one they know a tremendous amount about.

So far, we've made rain sticks, and started African drums. Obviously these are mock items, as to make the real thing would require items we can't ready get a hold of, but the idea is there. They've also heard from a Penobscott Indian, and he shared some drumming and songs with them. We also had the children try Zimbabwe Sweet-Potato Cookies (which they loved). The also seemed to enjoy a native stew as well.

The younger children generally get to hear stories read about the culture we're talking about. Last week, I did a re-telling of Abiyoyo while they children ate their snack. They really enjoyed that.

We only meet two days a week... it seems to be enough for those of us putting it on... with out own kids and schedules to have to maintain as well.

What they learns is interesting, but it's only a taste of the culture. It gets the kids excited and interested. - And it helps to open their eyes to things that are different (and similiar) between their own culture and others. (We are, after all, a very small and "sheltered" community).

A More Focused Math

2008-10-15T05:26:00.000-07:00

Well we're finally going to start in on a more formal curriculum. Not for everything. This is for math. Although Gabi comprehends a lot of math things, I fear that I'll leave out a critical step some where and then we'll be floundering. I'd rather avoid that. So, much like with the grammar and writing, we've found something we think will work for us.

This does not mean that we'll stop doing the other "non-traditional" math learning. I think that is still very important (and probably a lot more fun). We're just going to add this program to it.

We've chosen RightStart Mathematics because it's a full hands-on approach to learning. It also focuses on quantifying and not just on pure counting. It uses numerous manipulatives, which will give verity to the lessons. And there are lessons for the equivalent of K-6 grades (or all the way through geometry - the home school lessons are set up by level and the public school version - same thing - is set up by grade - My kind of program... recognizes that home schooling kids advance at a different pace!)

I really think we're going to enjoy this one. I've really looked around and this one sounds the most like what we had been discussing (and it's not nearly as expensive as the other programs comparable to it). We did not get the whole set right away. We got only levels A-C (because we're guessing that Gabi is at level C given what the estimator said, but aren't completely sure, and because Beth should be around level A (maybe part way through)).

Beth is funny because she's not interested in doing any of the "writing" and the "reading comprehension" - and since she's not officially school age yet, I said okay. But when Math was mentioned, she jumped all over that. She's a very hands on, numbers and lines kind of a kid. She loves numbers. And she has an incredible gift and talent for art and drawing. Gabi likes those things... but she LOVES reading and writing. She's the literal kid.

Using The School

2008-10-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

I know there are some people who believe in order to home school you must do everything yourself. There are others who believe that you can do anything as long as you don't let your child enter school. Everyone has their own reasons for their thoughts on this subject. That's good. Because each individual, each case, each family is different and has different needs.

So, with that in mind, I thought I'd let you know that we've decided to try out partial time at school. It's something we considered doing, but knew the schedule would conflict with nap time at the school she would have normally been attending (since we're interested in the specials - art, music, library... that kind of thing). We received a call from the school next door (the one that is closing after this year, and which has kids from grade 2 through 5... the younger kids already bused out to other schools). They were offering us the option to let Gabi join these specials along with the 2nd & 3rd grade classes (which are combined). So, we accepted on a trial basis. So far it seems to go well.

She's doing art on Monday afternoon, library Tuesday afternoon, and music (where they are learning theory!) Wednesday afternoon. PE (or gym) is on Thursday afternoon, but it runs right up until the end of the school hours and they aren't letting the walkers leave until both bus runs have come and gone (for safety reasons) and we have to leave right off for Gabi's dance class. She would not have time to get changed. Since she's doing an hour and 45 minutes of dance every week and playing on the rec soccer team, I figure she's getting her exercise for now. We might see about making other arrangements for her to get right home so she'd have time to change and might try it next week.

She likes it... it seems to be helping with some of the structure, and she can do it because the school is literally right next door and so she can walk there and back by herself (no interruptions to nap time!). We're continuing to have our own "craft/art time" and "music time"...although getting to the library is still a scary thought for me (the baby isn't so good with books yet!)... so I'm glad I don't have to stress about that right now.

Anyway, I believe that home school is an experience which allows the child to learn and to grow at a pace, and in a way, which is right for them. One which teaches them values and empathy, while cultivating talents and appropriately challenging the academic mind. It is an experience which utilizes the best of all resources for an individual child. And that, I hope, is what we're doing. It's certainly what we're trying to do.

Notebooks

2008-09-30T06:52:00.001-07:00

Reading and Writing are two essential elements to learning.

Yes, Gabi reads. She's been reading since she was four. Taught her sister to read a month later, and reads almost anything she can get her hands on. That doesn't mean that she always understands what she's reading. She just doesn't have the life experience - and sometimes the vocabulary - to fully grasp the story. So my focus is on comprehension.

Trying to find the best way to do this for us, I've done things from writing down questions which she has to answer to just talking about it. I feel that I get the best results when we do both. So, she has a reading journal (a simple notebook) where I can write questions for her to consider and then answer about the book as she reads, or where she can also just write the things she reads about. This second way allows me to see how much she comprehends without guided questions. We also talk about the things she reads. That's not a problem for her... like her mom, she loves to talk!

The second notebook we picked up is for writing... more specifically for creative writing. Gabi loves to write, but I don't want us to keep loosing her work... mostly because she'll do something of her own choosing and then we don't know about it. This will give her a place to write. I also plan to give her "writing prompts" designed to work along side the grammar and writing lessons which I use. (My main guide is free - found online at Scott Foreman Reading. It's not a complete set of lessons and practice, it's only the basic lesson. You do have to supplement yourself. But if you don't mind doing that (which I don't) then it's one way to go and saves you a bunch of money.) The notebook will also help to keep all this writing together as well!

And Then There Were Three...

2008-09-26T17:41:00.001-07:00

Butterfly number three emerged today... another monarch.

We have another caterpillar which we think might be a swallowtail caterpillar... we'll know for sure after it goes through the change.

After we get through the butterfly stuff, we'll be on to stars. Gabi wants to learn about the constellations.

Remember The Unknown Caterpillar?

2008-09-24T19:07:00.002-07:00

Well, Gabi just recently returned from visiting my mother, and she had a wonderful surprise! She did some home schooling while she was there! (okay, so really it's two surprises) And she discovered what that crazy caterpillar was called.... (go Here to see a picture. It's the top picture.)

Are you ready.....

Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Wow... now how hard was that? She found it in a book! Let's hear it for research! Now we'll know what we're looking for when (if) the moths emerge!

Working Simple Math Skills

2008-09-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

We love to play games. Games are a wonderful way to learn things, to practice things, and yet some how the kid doesn't think they are "learning" anything. Okay, sometimes they realize they are. But still, it's the fun that matters.

Gabi understands simple addition and subtraction. But when she was in public school she was taught and encouraged to "count it out". I think this is a good method, to a point, and then one needs to know certain basic facts and how to manipulate these facts to get to an answer quickly. (Bob thinks so too). So although we're helping Gabi to move forward in her math skills, we're also working hard with her on "speed" with knowledge (She loves a good challenge - the speed is a way for her to challenge herself - something we're trying to get her to focus on as opposed to racing against someone else).

As fun and reinforcement, Bob spent a late night teaching Gabi how to play Cribbage. She loves the game! She and I also played it again today with me encouraging her to "guess" the number using certain logics when adding the numbers together. She's starting to see how to break things into parts (ie: 5+8 : start with 5 get to 10 (5 more) what is left (8-5 or 3) 10 and 3, total is 13), as well as certain short cuts (like adding 10 to a number only means you increase the 10's position with the 1's position remaining the same). She really loves this. (Though there are times when you can see it's hard for her to work the numbers as quickly as she'd like without straight out counting)

Butterflies, Butterflies Fly Away Home

2008-09-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well it finally happened. The amazing day of emerging butterflies. No longer caterpillars, no longer chrysalids. An adventure the kids were waiting so long for (okay, only two weeks), and which they were very excited for.

Monday morning I was dragging...the boys were still happy upstairs and I thought I'd grab another half hour of sleep before the noise settled in for the day. But then I heard Gabi's excited voice yelling from the kitchen "Mom, Mom something's happening to the cocoons!" (Just a side note, we learned that Butterflies form Chrysalids and Moth's form Cocoons)

Needless to say I hurried right out to see what was happening (believe it or not, but this was my first experience with this too). Sure enough, where we had still seen what appeared to be green chrysalids the night before, we now saw two "black" forms. We learned that a chrysalis will thin out so much that it will appear black. It will then continue to thin out so that you can see the colors of the wings through the "black". Really, it's all clear. Which, if you don't believe it, you can see after the butterfly emerges!

We did not want to miss this great experience (and it looked like we'd only have the one day to see it - not two), so we stuck real close. There was always someone watching, while the kids took turns playing computer, doing some language arts, and just staying near in the same room. I was back and forth doing lots of laundry. We were able to get some neat pictures of the various stages of the chrysalids thinning out.

The first butterfly emerged about 3:15pm. Gabi was on watch and got side track answering a question for Bethie, but she saw most of it. She called us over, and we were able to see it pull it's wings out behind itself and climb over the chrysalis to get to a good place to "stretch out" the wings to start the drying and stiffening process. It hangs upside down, pumps blood into it's wings, and then waits until they are completely dry. Then the blood is drained out of the wings, the tubes closed off, and the butterflies start to move them, testing them out.

Butterfly number two we were hoping to get a little movie of! Thanks to a very vigilant Gabi, we have one to share with you. It was really neat! Don't mind the back ground noise - not everyone was watching the little miracle!

We mixed up a little "nectar" from the butterfly book we have. I'm not sure if the butterflies ever ate any, but Bob said the butterflies needed to go this morning (though another time we're going to try out some of the gentle "experiments" - really observations - suggested in the book.

butterfly to crawl onto her hand. Gentle, they brought them out, and enjoyed having the onThis morning was very hard for Gabi. Bethie was relieved. She seemed to think it was a problem that the butterflies were in the Butterfly Garden we had for them. In any case, we carried them out in the Butterfly Garden, and then the girls each reached in and allowed onee their hands for a little while, then gentle placed them near to a flower and watched the butterflies crawl onto the flowers.

As today was not sunny, the butterflies weren't even 24 hours old yet, and it was getting ready to rain, the butterflies did not fly away. After the major rain storm, the girls went out to see if "Jack and Annie" (as they had named them) were still where they left them. Sure enough, they found them and the butterflies were willing to crawl back onto their little fingers. This was great for Jeremy, because he was able to have a butterfly crawl onto his finger too!

At one point, the one Gabi was hold flew up and landed on her cheek. It then crawled up and hung on her helmet (which was was hearing). After Jeremy and I went back inside, the girls continued to play with and talk to the butterflies. Then I noticed it was starting to rain again and called them back inside. As I did, each butterfly, in turn, flew off and away! Gabi was so happy to have had the chance to see them fly!

Reading Adventures

2008-09-09T20:05:00.000-07:00

Jeremy is learning to put letters and sounds together. He's known his alphabet for quite some time, and with early reading sisters, he's heard the letter sounds since he could remember. So we've been working on his reading. Whenever he gets "bored" and starts to annoy his sisters (laughing all the while), I suggest that he go and get a book or two to read to me. He knows this means the ones with just a few words on the pages, and promptly runs off to get one or two along with his book light (the girls each had their own and that just wasn't fair).

We'll sit together and he'll sound out what words he "has to" and then finish a sentence based on what he sees in the picture. For a three year old, that's remarkable, so I don't complain too much. I do encourage him to sound the word out - and even make him go over the word if I notice he's "reading the picture" and not the word.

He also loves time on the computer, so he now knows he has to work at Star Fall first, and he's also encouraged to explore Super Why from PBS. Both are designed for interactive fun. I really like Star Fall for the phonics and the very basic beginning set up. Super Why, although it has some stuff for learning to put words together, it's main focus is comprehension.

Jeremy loves that he gets to "read" to Peter.... just like the girls do!

A few Spools of Thread

2008-09-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Peter is still young enough that "learning" is all in a day's adventures. Since we still have a few piles of unpacked things from when we had the carpet installed a little over a month ago, he's always finding things of interest. The latest thing was my spools of thread. This was frustrating at first since I'd glance over and see a spool rolling away with thread coming undone. But then I noticed he had also found the hoops used for embroidery.

As I say back to watch, I noticed that he'd made the connection that both things were round. And that one was smaller than the other. So he gathered the spools of thread (even the onces that had gotten away) and began arranging them inside the hoops, shifting them enough to get them all to fit. Rather bright. When he realized I'd was going to let him continue in his fun, he'd ask for help rewinding the threads that seemed to get away!

Homemade Rainbows

2008-09-04T19:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was warm enough that the kids wanted to fill the kiddie pool and play. So off they went, swimsuits on, to have a little relaxing fun. Then out came the sprinkler. It's one of those crazy all over the place things, but the kids mostly enjoy holding it still in one place. Well, suddenly I hear Gabi say "Hey, let's make a rainbow!"

It took a little doing... and they kept looking into the sky... but finally Beth says "There it is! On the grass!" They each took turns holding the sprinkler and getting it just right so they could make a rainbow and then see how bright they could get it by adjusting the angle or height ever so much! I even got some pictures... I was amazed that the rainbows turned out!

So, how do you do this? Well, first make sure you get the ground nice and wet. It takes the wet grass to create the best reflection rather than hoping to hit the light just right and hoping to have enough water in the air. After that, have the child hold the water spray about chest level. You may need to walk around the child a little to find the rainbow, but it will be there. They can even see it while they are spraying... just be careful that they don't move the sprinkler, or water spray source, while they are looking around or they just might miss it!

Caterpillar / Butterfly Update

2008-09-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I said I'd be back the next day and never made it back. I'm sorry to report that we don't have any pictures of the "process". We were very good about staying in the kitchen, and even checking on the caterpillar every ten minutes. However, eventually everyone wanted lunch, and really, I wasn't expecting the flip to happen until dinner time or a little later anyway. Apparently the caterpillar was just waiting for a lull... because, in the 20 minutes we made and ate lunch (fast for us), the change had been made. They must be really fast... and must really like their privacy! Maybe they're just really modest! Oh well... anyway, we're a week and a half since the change over, and excitedly waiting for the butterflies to emerge sometime this weekend or early next week. At that point, we'll post pictures of everything we have!

1 Caterpillar, 2 Caterpillars....10 Caterpillars

2008-08-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

I mentioned caterpillars earlier... well, here's a sample. We first found caterpillars on Saturday morning. Not thinking about it, we let the first three (all monarch caterpillars) get away. Then we let the next two (Hickory Tussock caterpillars) get away. It wasn't until after that when we remembered we had this great little butterfly garden. So we started collecting. We brought home, from our walk, three Hickory Tussock Caterpillars. The next day we found another 6 caterpillars - two were monarch and 4 were something else that we've still not been able to identify. That brought us up to 9. When Gabi went for fresh milkweed, she found another and promptly brought it in. It was of the group that we can't identify.

This first one is the one we can't identify. We have 5 of them. If anyone knows what they are, please share with us. I'm fairly certain that it's a type of moth caterpillar, since it's hair and that's typically a sign for moths.

This next one is the Hickory Tussock Caterpillar. It is a moth caterpillar, so if we keep it, we'll have it over the winter. They only reproduce once a year, and they live in their chrysalids over the winter to emerge sometime in late spring.

And, of course, there's the Monarch Caterpillar. This is a butterfly (for anyone who doesn't know or can't tell from the name). Which means that they reproduce twice a year, will go from larvae to chrysalids in two weeks, spend two weeks inside the chrysalids and then emerge. Much faster, and much more exciting for little kids.

As you can tell, these Monarch Caterpillars were already very large when we found them. So we predicted they'd morph into chrysalids within a couple of days. We weren't too far off. The first one began the journey yesterday about dinner time and completed the chrysalis about 24 hours later. The second one began tonight, just after dinner. We hope to watch the change more fully tomorrow - it's very exciting and the kids are planning not to be far from the butterfly garden all day so they can continually check and not miss anything! :)

Although I do have pictures of the first caterpillar in the J formation and then in the chrysalis, I'll wait until tomorrow to post, as we'll have more pictures from our "watching-non-stop" tomorrow... and that will be more fun!

Outdoor Adventures

2008-08-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

We enjoy getting outside when we can. Physical Education (aka Gym) is something we have to make sure we do. Normally we enjoy kicking the soccer ball around and going for various different walks. We even dance to music. Kind of do whatever seems to interest us at the moment.

Well, we are also involved in Rec Sports, so, with soccer starting up next week, not only have we been kicking the ball around, but Gabi has decided she needs to run around our garden (we have a HUGE garden, folks). She runs around it 4 times, although she hopes to eventually run around it 6 times. I suppose I should measure it just to know how far she's running!

And where better to get our imaginations working! Reading outside is a favorite. Although most of the time the kids are playing while I'm reading to them, this particular time we had prepared a picnic and then finished with Beth and I taking turns reading to the others after we were done eating.

They also decided to build their very own volcano. I thought they did a very nice job!

Nature Rubs

2008-08-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed several nature walks out in the back woods. It was beautiful and peaceful. Gabi really enjoyed drawing sketches of several plants bugs. But these pictures of when we collected some small twigs, leaves, pine needles and even a small pine cone (which we divided) and then did nature rubs.

First, take your nature pieces and select one or couple to arrange neatly under a piece of paper.

Then lay your crayon sideways and rub across the item. You'll see the image emerge on the front side. Jeremy had two leaves laid together.

We also learned that darker colors make the best rubs. Here Gabi used a pink crayon and it didn't show up quite so nicely.

Building

2008-08-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

It's a building of "all" the blocks. I love having my children learn through play. They love to be creative, to build and to get their picture taken.

Prayer Rocks

2008-08-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

Our first real art project was painting rocks. This is something I always enjoyed. The kids love it too... But this time we had a purpose. Each kid was painting their own prayer rock. I told them what they were for.... put on your pillow so you'll "knock" your head reminding you to say your prayers at night, then toss on the floor so you'll "stub" your toe in the morning and remember morning prayers. Well, they love their rocks... they tend to put them somewhere they can see them.. but not hurt themselves on them! :)

Peter was especially happy with this project since it was his first time using a paint brush. I have to admit, I've not been very good about "paint projects" since number three came along. It just got too messy with that many kids. I've had to "ease" back into it. Now I miss the finger paints!

Yes, Jeremy is wearing a pink jacket... it was ruined years ago, so it's been in the "paint smock" pile. He's just the right size for it... the girls can't use it any more! He didn't seem to mind.. he was too happy to be in the middle of the mess!

First Week Overview

2008-08-26T06:11:00.001-07:00

Okay, I know I said I'd be keeping people appraised of how things are going here. Well, sorry it's taken this long, but I figure it's time to give you the basic run down of the first week. Looking back, I'm glad. It went well. We are still feeling like this is a good thing. The kids are behaving as though they are best friends again (oh, that was one things I really didn't like last year). I'm finding more and more encouragement from one child to another.

I do have some pictures, and I'll get to those a little later... I'm sneaking a few minutes while the Gabi is finishing "scripture study" - she helped make breakfast while the other three enjoyed a scripture movie this morning.

Gabi agreed that a strict schedule (such as she'd created) was not working. She learned that she loves the flexibility to say "not yet" or "I want to work on this now because..." I am grateful for this because a house of little kids demands flexibility. She's a happier child since she started giving herself a little room.

She started in on learning about sea creatures, although that was put on hold as of Saturday when we discovered some caterpillars. We now have 9 caterpillars (we'll show pictures and talk about them later).

She spent a lot of time learning to read a recipe and also seeing how the different measuring cups and spoons add up to each other.

We spent several days walking in the woods out back.. there's a nice little trail. One day we gathered things to make nature rubs, another time she took out a pad of paper and made sketched of the things she saw. Every time we all stopped to enjoy some wild blueberries.

She's also working on her penmanship. She takes one of her chapter books and copies a paragraph. This is simply to make her handwriting more uniform and neat.

Like I said, I'll elaborate more with pictures later.

In terms of the other kids, I've decided that I don't need to work every day with the other kids, but rather just include them when they want. Jeremy is learning to read, and very enthusiastic about it. He typically likes to work on it every day. And Beth likes to follow along with Gabi in many ways, taking a day or two off to just do whatever she wants. All of which are okay. Gabi is the only one truly of school age right now, and this gives me more time to get the routine figured out with the one before added the others.

Ready, Set, Learn

2008-08-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

After a long and thoughtful process, our family has decided to home school. Although I recognize this option is not available to everyone, nor is it right for everyone, we have prayed about it and know this is right for us for now.

It was not easy getting started. Gabi went to kindergarten in public school last year. She enjoyed herself in terms of the fun and friends. But she was also frustrated when things didn't go as quickly as she'd like, or she'd find herself working alone because she was ahead of her peers. We are in a very small school district, where the school size seems to be continuing to decline, at least for now, and so the two schools nearest us are in the process of what appears to be a "phase" out. And the resources available for a child like Gabi are not sufficient.

Knowing that, above all else, family unity is important. And knowing that family unity involves time together interacting... not just eating and sleeping... We've decided home schooling is the best option for us.

Even with all that, we let Gabi decide. Knowing we'd be home schooling her siblings, and knowing that we'd like to have her here with us as well. But also knowing that she needed to be accepting of that or it would not work. She flip-flopped a lot all summer long. And finally, when it came right down to it, she chose to home school.

In setting things up, we took into consideration key elements taught in the gospel that learning is a life long experience, that we should gain whatever knowledge we can in this life - both spiritual and secular, and that spiritual knowledge should always come first. Thus we are embarking upon an adventure to teach our children HOW to learn, and pointing them in the right direction. We are taking every opportunity that life brings to us to teach our children in a real world, hands on way. Most importantly, we are praying for the Lord's guidance as we teach and instruct and prepare our children.

And so, there you have it - in a nut shell. And here we are....

Ready, Set, Learn