I've been keeping a personal journal again in the last few months- a real paper journal. I like writing online, but nothing beats the feel of pen against paper for me. I kept a journal for years as a kid- pretty much every single day from age 9 to 19. I got married at 19 and lost track of the habit as marriage, work and children changed my life.
I started journaling occasionally again last May, but I've been looking to try something different. Instead of saving my writing time for bigger ideas, I started writing *everything* down (schooling things, work things, etc.) and have come to be exactly where I want to be with writing for myself. I've been able to work out some of the things I would like to accomplish with the boys in the next few years, what I want "school" to look like in our home, what I want daily life itself to look like around here. I've been using the journal as a place to store my ideas and inspirations for future school things, decorating ideas, Christmas lists and the book list of what I've read so far this year. It has been more of a scrapbook- not just a book of my meanderings, but in between the musings are the things that inspire me right now, and my plans for the future and for our family.
I have always loved the thought that someday my children or granchildren would be happy to have some of my writings. I hope that is true, though I have boys and boys aren't often as sentimental as girls. I hope that it means something to them, but in the mean time it has been so tremendously helpful to me to empty my mind of all my thoughts at the end of the day.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Simple Woman's Daybook
Please visit Peggy’s to see the other Daybook entries.
For Today… Monday, September 29
Outside my Window… there are birds chirping- the first creatures noticeably awake around here.
I am thinking… that I'd really like to spend the day baking, but there are too many other things to catch up on around here.
From the learning room… Little Bit completed his first work last Friday (outside of laying a mat!) and I think he'll want to try again today. I introduced Big Kid to geometric solids and he's been choosing those almost every day ever since. I imagine he'll want to do the same today.
I am thankful for… time away with other women on Friday and Saturday. It was refreshing and the speaker was amazing.
From the kitchen… leftovers again. Monday seems to be our leftover day lately! I have a lot more time to cook on the weekends, so the beginning of the week sees us polishing off the weekend's bounty.
I am wearing… jeans and a nice shirt since I will be working later today.
I am reading… still Basic Montessori by David Gettman and The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir.
I am hoping… to get our new shelves this week. We have outgrown our current storage for the kids things, and I want to keep our montessori things separate from toy things.
I am creating… the quilt for Reed, and I’m still knitting a new sweater for myself. I finished the back piece while at the conference, and started the front.
I am hearing… blessed silence (except those birds!)
Around the house… there is much to catch up on from while I was away, mostly laundry.
One of my favorite things…is fresh sheets. Superman would have me put fresh sheets on the bed every single day we both love that so much, but I just can't keep up with that pace!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… my regular work week, a library visit, groceries, and lots of cleaning up from the active weekend!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Reed's Quilt: More Fabric
I've received more fabric this week from all over the place! Here are the pictures:
And the most gorgeous fabric came from Gardenbug, Reed's Grandmother:
I'm going to try to highlight the lion and the dragonfly:
The pictures of this fabric cannot do it justice. It is some of the most gorgeous fabric I've seen in quite some time.
I've received almost all of the pieces, and I'm hoping to get started on sorting out a pattern next week once I have all the pieces.
And the most gorgeous fabric came from Gardenbug, Reed's Grandmother:
I'm going to try to highlight the lion and the dragonfly:
The pictures of this fabric cannot do it justice. It is some of the most gorgeous fabric I've seen in quite some time.
I've received almost all of the pieces, and I'm hoping to get started on sorting out a pattern next week once I have all the pieces.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Diligence Check-In
I've been reading quite a bit about Charlotte Mason and specifically about building habits in my children, but decided I couldn't help them to build habits when I haven't developed good habits of my own!
I posted last week about working to develop my own new habits, starting with Diligence. I listed seven specific goals that I'm working on right now, and thought I'd check in with you with how I did last week.
1. Rising at 6 a.m. and completing my morning routine before my boys wake up. This was the hardest thing on the list. I am so not a morning person, but the 2 days that I was up by 6 went really well and I felt pretty relaxed and in control all day. Of all the goals I'm working on I think this one is the key to everything.
2. Packing a lunch for Superman. I packed for him 4 days, and at least reminded him to do it the rest of the time. Not bad!
3. Keeping on top of laundry each day instead of running several loads all in one day. I did really well on this until yesterday! Now I'm a bit behind, but I'm catching up this evening while Superman is at school.
4. Doing dishes as they come at each meal rather than having a big kitchen clean up each night. I have kept up on this one really well. This is probably the thing I'm most proud of since I hate dishes more than just about anything.
5. Keeping at my “to do” list all day long rather than congratulating myself half way through and calling it a job well done. I did alright with this goal. Most of the time I kept at things and didn't call it quits until the kids were in bed. I did not do well on the weekend with it though, so I need to keep working at this goal.
6. Drinking enough water and eating enough calories each day. Not enough water or enough calories. I have to take time to eat when the boys eat rather than using that time to do other things.
7. Going to bed by 10 with Superman. I'm bad about this one too! I tend to stay up until midnight, and then struggle to wake up with Little Bit at 6:30/6:45. I have to take care of this! I know that once I start getting up consistently at 6 a.m. I'll drop into bed earlier.
So, trying again this week!
I posted last week about working to develop my own new habits, starting with Diligence. I listed seven specific goals that I'm working on right now, and thought I'd check in with you with how I did last week.
1. Rising at 6 a.m. and completing my morning routine before my boys wake up. This was the hardest thing on the list. I am so not a morning person, but the 2 days that I was up by 6 went really well and I felt pretty relaxed and in control all day. Of all the goals I'm working on I think this one is the key to everything.
2. Packing a lunch for Superman. I packed for him 4 days, and at least reminded him to do it the rest of the time. Not bad!
3. Keeping on top of laundry each day instead of running several loads all in one day. I did really well on this until yesterday! Now I'm a bit behind, but I'm catching up this evening while Superman is at school.
4. Doing dishes as they come at each meal rather than having a big kitchen clean up each night. I have kept up on this one really well. This is probably the thing I'm most proud of since I hate dishes more than just about anything.
5. Keeping at my “to do” list all day long rather than congratulating myself half way through and calling it a job well done. I did alright with this goal. Most of the time I kept at things and didn't call it quits until the kids were in bed. I did not do well on the weekend with it though, so I need to keep working at this goal.
6. Drinking enough water and eating enough calories each day. Not enough water or enough calories. I have to take time to eat when the boys eat rather than using that time to do other things.
7. Going to bed by 10 with Superman. I'm bad about this one too! I tend to stay up until midnight, and then struggle to wake up with Little Bit at 6:30/6:45. I have to take care of this! I know that once I start getting up consistently at 6 a.m. I'll drop into bed earlier.
So, trying again this week!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Simple Woman's Daybook 4
Please visit Peggy's to see the other Daybook entries.
For Today... Monday, September 22
Outside my Window... quiet... it is late, and everyone is asleep.
I am thinking... about tomorrow's lesson for Big Kid.
From the learning rooms... lots of sorting activities- color, shape and size.
I am thankful for... my boys going down for bed easily tonight.
From the kitchen... leftovers today- vegetable soup and quesadillas.
I am wearing... jeans, a red t-shirt and my hair pulled up, as much as short hair can be!
I am reading... Basic Montessori by David Gettman and The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir.
I am hoping... for a chance to finish up with our seasonal wardrobe change. The boxes have been out for over a week and I've only completely finished Big Kid's clothes. I'm most of the way through Little Bit's, and I still have mine and Superman's to complete.
I am creating... the quilt for Reed, and I'm knitting a new sweater for myself.
I am hearing... a baseball game in the background.
Around the house... all is clean- I have been cleaning like crazy this week!
One of my favorite things...is planning new lessons for Big Kid.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... piano lessons tomorrow, my regular work week, sending Big Kid off for the weekend on a fishing trip with his daddy and grandpa. Little Bit is staying with my dad overnight on Friday so that I can attend a Friday/Saturday women's conference with my sisters and my mom.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Big Kid reading to Little Bit
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Hard at Work
Last week was unusually busy and I did not do as much work with Big Kid as we usually do. It was kind of a nice break though, and we got quite a bit of cleaning done around the house- hence all the towels and cleaning products in the background of some of the pics. I got the kids busy working on things, and then worked on cleaning up around here!
You'll also notice that most of these pics are of the boys doing work while in their pajamas. It was that kind of week last week. I got dressed first thing as usual, but the boys stayed in jammies until at least 10 a.m. just about every day last week.
A few pictures from the work we managed to do last week:
First up, Little Bit coloring in his high chair. Little Bit is obsessed with using Big Kid's things: his cup, his plates, his toys, his crayons... so even though I have not felt comfortable graduating Little Bit up to the wonderful fat triangular crayons that are waiting for him (since he still wants to take bites out of them!) I gave him a few of his brother's crayons to color with while I was standing right there. I usually give him colored pencils to color with, but look how serious he takes his coloring work!
I give Little Bit a regular spiral-bound notebook to color in. A single sheet of paper gets torn to bits and slides around a lot since he hasn't yet learned to keep one hand down on the paper. It frustrates him so much that he doesn't try anymore. Since giving him the notebook he has started to color with colored pencils for 5-10 minutes at a time.
The next pictures are of Big Kid and his shapes worksheets. He is really stuck on shapes right now- they are the only thing he's interested in drawing right now. I printed a page for him that includes several shapes to trace, and directions to follow. He treats it like a game. When I say to draw a red circle he hunts for the right color of crayon then finds the right shape to complete it, and he laughs every time.
Little Bit's favorite spot- sitting on the steps by the front door, trying on everyone's shoes. He's very interested in the shoe process and he's pretty good at handling the velcro on his sandals. He's *really* fascinated with the laces on Big Kid's new shoes, and so is Big Kid! We've been talking a bit each day about shoe tying, and on the evenings when Daddy doesn't have school he sits with Big Kid and shows him over and over how to tie a shoe. I thought we'd be doing this next year, but Big Kid is determined to learn to tie his own shoes *right now*!
This next picture is not actual work- Big Kid announced to me one day that he would like to make something, and he asked to borrow a few things from the kitchen. I asked him what he needed, and he asked for the tongs, a pot and a big stirring spoon. I told him that was fine and after helping him find what he needed I went back to my own work. A bit later I observed him sitting on the couch using the tongs to put duplos in the pot, then he stirred the pot and took the duplos back out with the tongs. I asked what he was making, and he looked at me like I was stupid, "Mama, this is block soup." Of course it is, Honey!
In the next picture Big Kid is working on a circle collage. He made the circle first, then started gluing pieces on the circle he'd made. He only made it half-way through, but it was a really great idea that I hope he comes back to.
You'll also notice that most of these pics are of the boys doing work while in their pajamas. It was that kind of week last week. I got dressed first thing as usual, but the boys stayed in jammies until at least 10 a.m. just about every day last week.
A few pictures from the work we managed to do last week:
First up, Little Bit coloring in his high chair. Little Bit is obsessed with using Big Kid's things: his cup, his plates, his toys, his crayons... so even though I have not felt comfortable graduating Little Bit up to the wonderful fat triangular crayons that are waiting for him (since he still wants to take bites out of them!) I gave him a few of his brother's crayons to color with while I was standing right there. I usually give him colored pencils to color with, but look how serious he takes his coloring work!
I give Little Bit a regular spiral-bound notebook to color in. A single sheet of paper gets torn to bits and slides around a lot since he hasn't yet learned to keep one hand down on the paper. It frustrates him so much that he doesn't try anymore. Since giving him the notebook he has started to color with colored pencils for 5-10 minutes at a time.
The next pictures are of Big Kid and his shapes worksheets. He is really stuck on shapes right now- they are the only thing he's interested in drawing right now. I printed a page for him that includes several shapes to trace, and directions to follow. He treats it like a game. When I say to draw a red circle he hunts for the right color of crayon then finds the right shape to complete it, and he laughs every time.
Little Bit's favorite spot- sitting on the steps by the front door, trying on everyone's shoes. He's very interested in the shoe process and he's pretty good at handling the velcro on his sandals. He's *really* fascinated with the laces on Big Kid's new shoes, and so is Big Kid! We've been talking a bit each day about shoe tying, and on the evenings when Daddy doesn't have school he sits with Big Kid and shows him over and over how to tie a shoe. I thought we'd be doing this next year, but Big Kid is determined to learn to tie his own shoes *right now*!
This next picture is not actual work- Big Kid announced to me one day that he would like to make something, and he asked to borrow a few things from the kitchen. I asked him what he needed, and he asked for the tongs, a pot and a big stirring spoon. I told him that was fine and after helping him find what he needed I went back to my own work. A bit later I observed him sitting on the couch using the tongs to put duplos in the pot, then he stirred the pot and took the duplos back out with the tongs. I asked what he was making, and he looked at me like I was stupid, "Mama, this is block soup." Of course it is, Honey!
In the next picture Big Kid is working on a circle collage. He made the circle first, then started gluing pieces on the circle he'd made. He only made it half-way through, but it was a really great idea that I hope he comes back to.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Reed's Quilt: Fabric
Here are the fabric pieces I've received in the last few days for Reed's Quilt- 20 envelopes in the last 3 days!
The blue/green larger piece of fabric is for the backing of the quilt, everything else is a quarter yard of colored fabric and a 4"x6" piece of muslin signed with the user IDs of the board members. This is going to be interesting to piece together!
The blue/green larger piece of fabric is for the backing of the quilt, everything else is a quarter yard of colored fabric and a 4"x6" piece of muslin signed with the user IDs of the board members. This is going to be interesting to piece together!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Jean Skirt Reconstruction
I've been hunting for a good pair of jeans to reconstruct into a skirt- I'm apparently the last crafty person on earth to do such a thing. My excuse? I've really been waiting for the perfect pair of jeans, and I've *just* started sewing this summer.
Pics from the recon:
The jeans before cutting- they were actually capris, just below my knees, already frayed around the bottom. I loved the faded pattern and the diagonal seams across the legs. I found these at my local Good Will store for $3.
Pinning . . .
... and sewing ...
And the finished product!
Pics from the recon:
The jeans before cutting- they were actually capris, just below my knees, already frayed around the bottom. I loved the faded pattern and the diagonal seams across the legs. I found these at my local Good Will store for $3.
Pinning . . .
... and sewing ...
And the finished product!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Adjusting
I'm playing with my theme and widgets today, so please accept my apologies for everything moving around all the time! I'll get it all re-done tonight.
Zoo
These pictures are from about 3 weeks ago- Brian and I had the same day off (which rarely happens unless it's Sunday!) But they are so cute I thought I'd share a few.
Ender's Favorite Animals from the trip:
The area in the picture below is two stories tall, and we were standing on the top floor where you can see the birds up close. On the bottom floor were serveral tortoises... tortoise... however you spell the plural of tortoise! Ender stood in fascination for a long time on both floors.
And a few fun pictures of Ender and Ezra:
Ender's Favorite Animals from the trip:
The area in the picture below is two stories tall, and we were standing on the top floor where you can see the birds up close. On the bottom floor were serveral tortoises... tortoise... however you spell the plural of tortoise! Ender stood in fascination for a long time on both floors.
And a few fun pictures of Ender and Ezra:
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Reed's Quilt
I wrote last week about the loss of a friends little one. Our board is putting together a quilt in his memory and each member is sending fabric that reminds them of little Reed. I just received the first bit of fabric in the mail yesterday and I will be getting pieces in over the next week from the United States, Canada, the UK-- all to honor a little boy we grew to love and adore even though we never met him face to face.
I will be posting progress here as I receive pieces and as I work on the quilt. My mother is helping with design and piecing and a friend of hers who is a fabulous machine quilter has graciously agreed to make room in her quilting schedule to quilt the project as soon as it is complete so that we can send the quilt out as soon as possible.
This is just a small bit of what we are able to do in rememberance of our board's little lion, Reed.
I will be posting progress here as I receive pieces and as I work on the quilt. My mother is helping with design and piecing and a friend of hers who is a fabulous machine quilter has graciously agreed to make room in her quilting schedule to quilt the project as soon as it is complete so that we can send the quilt out as soon as possible.
This is just a small bit of what we are able to do in rememberance of our board's little lion, Reed.
Simple Woman's Daybook 3
Please remember to stop over at Peggy's for her other links!
For Today... September 16
Outside my Window...it is just getting to be light.
I am thinking...I could use another cup of coffee, and thinking through my day today.
From the learning rooms...we are focusing on art this week and trying a lot of different styles. We are going to paint with tempra paint for the first time today.
I am thankful for...the last few days my husband has been off work and able to get his midterms done!
From the kitchen...lasagna tonight, with garlic bread and green beans. I get to make muffins later this morning. Mmmmm....
I am wearing...blue jeans, thick socks, and a sweatshirt from my alma mater. I'll change my shirt after baking this morning before my first student arrives.
I am reading... Basic Montessori by David Gettman. Wow, what a thick read this has been, but really good stuff!
I am hoping...for a new computer soon. Mine continues to shut down on its own, sometimes several times a day. It is just too old and it's on far more than it is capable of handling.
I am creating...a new cleaning schedule since our old one no longer serves us with my change in teaching schedule.
I am hearing...Nothing. It's nice. :)
Around the house...lots i'm working on getting the cold weather clothing out. I made it through Little Bit's clothes on Sunday, and I'm working on Big Kid's clothes. I still have my own today. time to put away the short sleeves and summery dresses!
One of my favorite things... when my husband volunteers to take the boys out for an hour or two so I can do "whatever it is you need to do". He did that on Sunday and I got most of my billing done for the semester!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...A trip to the library, bargain shopping at CVS, finishing the clothing project, starting to work on Christmas plans!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Little Bit, "helping" with the laundry
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Building the Habit: Diligence
I get in this mood in September to clean and freshen up the house before we're locked down tight for the winter. I suppose most people have this feeling in the spring if they have it at all (hence "Spring cleaning"!), but for me it's autumn that brings it out in me. Maybe it's because I've been a teacher for most of my working life. September means new school supplies, a fresh start with new students, etc.
The last few months have been difficult for me. Superman is working full time AND attending school full time, and I am teaching longer hours temporarily to pay for his schooling. I have been really struggling with a few things, specifically learning better to follow my husband's leadership. I have seen that I am not serving my husband well in the home, and it is a big change I've been trying to make.
I've had two words at the top of my "to do" list every day: OBEDIENCE and DILIGENCE. The first word is for my son who is learning to obey right away and without complaining. The second word is for me. It is so easy for me to think through what I have accomplished that day and to allow myself to relax and slack off the rest of the day, which finds me stressed and tense the next day when I am not prepared for the day's tasks. I am learning to follow all the way through a process and to reap the benefits later.
Sounds simple, right? Something a child learns? I didn't. My mother was not a great model either of mothering or housekeeping, so I've been learning this all on my own and stumbling along the way. My husband is gracious enough to realize that this is a totally overwhelming task for me. We've been married 7 1/2 years and it took me the first 3 years just to get the hang of keeping up on laundry! I'm doing much better now, but still I find myself looking around my home and feeling like I've done nothing all day. I feel like there is always so much to be done and there is very little time to enjoy it. I do think, though, that if I would follow all the way through in my prep for the next day I would start to see the free time and the free mental energy. I've caught glimpses of it now and again when I have 3 or 4 good days in a row. I want to build this habit up to 7 days of Diligence.
This means:
1. Rising at 6 a.m. and completing my morning routine before my boys wake up.
2. Packing a lunch for Superman.
3. Keeping on top of laundry each day instead of running several loads all in one day.
4. Doing Dishes as the come at each meal rather than having a big kitchen clean up each night.
5. Keeping at my "to do" list all day long rather than congratulating myself half way through and calling it a job well done.
6. Drinking enough water and eating enough calories each day.
7. Going to bed by 10 with Superman.
7 things for 7 days of Diligence.
The last few months have been difficult for me. Superman is working full time AND attending school full time, and I am teaching longer hours temporarily to pay for his schooling. I have been really struggling with a few things, specifically learning better to follow my husband's leadership. I have seen that I am not serving my husband well in the home, and it is a big change I've been trying to make.
I've had two words at the top of my "to do" list every day: OBEDIENCE and DILIGENCE. The first word is for my son who is learning to obey right away and without complaining. The second word is for me. It is so easy for me to think through what I have accomplished that day and to allow myself to relax and slack off the rest of the day, which finds me stressed and tense the next day when I am not prepared for the day's tasks. I am learning to follow all the way through a process and to reap the benefits later.
Sounds simple, right? Something a child learns? I didn't. My mother was not a great model either of mothering or housekeeping, so I've been learning this all on my own and stumbling along the way. My husband is gracious enough to realize that this is a totally overwhelming task for me. We've been married 7 1/2 years and it took me the first 3 years just to get the hang of keeping up on laundry! I'm doing much better now, but still I find myself looking around my home and feeling like I've done nothing all day. I feel like there is always so much to be done and there is very little time to enjoy it. I do think, though, that if I would follow all the way through in my prep for the next day I would start to see the free time and the free mental energy. I've caught glimpses of it now and again when I have 3 or 4 good days in a row. I want to build this habit up to 7 days of Diligence.
This means:
1. Rising at 6 a.m. and completing my morning routine before my boys wake up.
2. Packing a lunch for Superman.
3. Keeping on top of laundry each day instead of running several loads all in one day.
4. Doing Dishes as the come at each meal rather than having a big kitchen clean up each night.
5. Keeping at my "to do" list all day long rather than congratulating myself half way through and calling it a job well done.
6. Drinking enough water and eating enough calories each day.
7. Going to bed by 10 with Superman.
7 things for 7 days of Diligence.
Menu Plan Monday
I'm getting back into dinner meal planning. We absolutely must have a plan now that I am working until 6:30 or 7 every night. So dinner means a lot of homemade premade things. So here is our not very exciting made ahead week:
Monday: Lasagna (made on Sunday)
Tuesday: Superman cooks (quite possibly take-out, but I leave his night completely up to him)
Wednesday: Meatballs in the crockpot, make sub sandwiches
Thursday: Breakfast for dinner: Eggs, bacon, french toast, waffles, etc. Whatever we feel like :)
Friday: Baked Chicken, Wild Rice and Green beans
Saturday: Eating out for a child-free date!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Reading Again
I was one of those kids that burned through 3 or 4 novels a week easily and when I told my mom I was out of books she would sigh because we had just gone to the library 4 days earlier. My best birthday memory was the year I turned 8 and my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday with the reminder that she could only spend $30 dollars. I told her I wanted as many books as she could get me for that amount of money, and she did it. Between garage sales and sale racks she bought a box full of books that lasted me for a few months. I honestly cannot think of a better childhood birthday!
One of my personal goals for the year has been to read more adult fiction. As of January 1, 2008 I believe I had read 3 novels TOTAL in the previous 2 years. Having 2 babies in that amount of time will do that- my reading time was taken up with parenting books and career-related books. I determined to read more this year and I've been doing well- I'm in the middle of my 14th novel this year. I don't keep track of the non-fiction books I go through because I go through those like crazy!
I read my first Philippa Gregory novel about 2 months ago and I'm now on my third novel by her. I started with The Other Boleyn Girl, moved on to The Constant Princess, and now I'm on The Boleyn Inheritance. Boy, have I missed historical fiction! Her books have gotten me into "a novel per week" pace in the last few months. I read other things in between her books while I'm waiting for them to come in at the library just because there is a waiting list on every single one of her books! Otherwise I believe I would have finished the whole Tudor series by now.
As soon as I finish The Boleyn Inheritance I have Private Demon by Lynn Viehl waiting. After that is Club Dead by Charlaine Harris, then hopefully The Queen's Fool (Philippa Gregory) will be in. I've had Twilight by Stephenie Meyer on my nightstand since my birthday a few months ago but haven't really felt like reading it yet. Also on my nightstand, Pretties by Scott Westerfield.
One of my personal goals for the year has been to read more adult fiction. As of January 1, 2008 I believe I had read 3 novels TOTAL in the previous 2 years. Having 2 babies in that amount of time will do that- my reading time was taken up with parenting books and career-related books. I determined to read more this year and I've been doing well- I'm in the middle of my 14th novel this year. I don't keep track of the non-fiction books I go through because I go through those like crazy!
I read my first Philippa Gregory novel about 2 months ago and I'm now on my third novel by her. I started with The Other Boleyn Girl, moved on to The Constant Princess, and now I'm on The Boleyn Inheritance. Boy, have I missed historical fiction! Her books have gotten me into "a novel per week" pace in the last few months. I read other things in between her books while I'm waiting for them to come in at the library just because there is a waiting list on every single one of her books! Otherwise I believe I would have finished the whole Tudor series by now.
As soon as I finish The Boleyn Inheritance I have Private Demon by Lynn Viehl waiting. After that is Club Dead by Charlaine Harris, then hopefully The Queen's Fool (Philippa Gregory) will be in. I've had Twilight by Stephenie Meyer on my nightstand since my birthday a few months ago but haven't really felt like reading it yet. Also on my nightstand, Pretties by Scott Westerfield.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Out of Order
I'm a symmetrical person. I like simple clean lines around me and I like my world to have order. I love to make lists and plan ahead. On the other hand, I like some spontenaity amidst all of my planning.
I'm still trying to figure out the best way to teach my son, so planning for this year was kind of difficult. We're kind of eclectic right now while I'm figuring out what works for both of us. I originally thought we'd mostly be doing unit study type things, some lapbooks and lots of reading, but it turns out my boy wants "papers." He wants papers with directions, I think because he's very goal oriented (like his daddy!). So we're doing a bit of everything and we'll see where it takes us.
I was a classroom teacher for 5 years before Big Kid was born, but I feel like I'm starting over. I really don't feel like doing lots of seat work is a good idea at 3 years old, which is why I'm leaning Montessori. I'm reading a lot of Montessori materials right now and everything I read I find myself nodding in agreement. But on the other hand, this feels completely the opposite of what I "should" be doing. It's like starting over with everything I know about teaching- like everything is out of order, but I think this will be good.
I'm still trying to figure out the best way to teach my son, so planning for this year was kind of difficult. We're kind of eclectic right now while I'm figuring out what works for both of us. I originally thought we'd mostly be doing unit study type things, some lapbooks and lots of reading, but it turns out my boy wants "papers." He wants papers with directions, I think because he's very goal oriented (like his daddy!). So we're doing a bit of everything and we'll see where it takes us.
I was a classroom teacher for 5 years before Big Kid was born, but I feel like I'm starting over. I really don't feel like doing lots of seat work is a good idea at 3 years old, which is why I'm leaning Montessori. I'm reading a lot of Montessori materials right now and everything I read I find myself nodding in agreement. But on the other hand, this feels completely the opposite of what I "should" be doing. It's like starting over with everything I know about teaching- like everything is out of order, but I think this will be good.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Loss
I have several dear friends online through different communities- knitting, scrapbooking, reading, and pregnancy boards. A friend from my youngest son's birth board has a son just 2 weeks older than Little Bit and it has been such a blessing to have her companionship while our little boys have grown together.
This morning she shared the most terrible news. Her son died yesterday just shy of 15 months old, an accidental drowning. I cannot even begin to imagine what she and her husband are suffering. They have an older son and they just found out a few days ago that they are expecting again . The entire pregnancy board is grieving with their family.
I hold my son close and I pray for their boy and their peace and recovery from this tragic accident.
This morning she shared the most terrible news. Her son died yesterday just shy of 15 months old, an accidental drowning. I cannot even begin to imagine what she and her husband are suffering. They have an older son and they just found out a few days ago that they are expecting again . The entire pregnancy board is grieving with their family.
I hold my son close and I pray for their boy and their peace and recovery from this tragic accident.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Simple Woman's Daybook 2
This is the Simple Woman’s Daybook for Monday September 8.
Please stop by Peggy’s for other Daybook links!
Outside my Window… I can hear the wind blowing as we prepare for more rain and more flooding in our area.
I am thinking…How tired I am after this long day.
From the learning rooms… letter T this week. Big Kid is stuck on the "TR" sound he doesn't think train and tree and tiger go together because they all start with T... he thinks that only train and tree go together because they both start with TR. Big Kid is starting to do a little bit of addition with daddy since he was already figuring it out on his own.
I am thankful for… the mother of one of my piano students today... she asked if we were all healthy yet when they came for lessons, and I told her about our terrible weekend of congestion and fevers. When I came out of the studios after her children's lessons she had cleaned my entire kitchen for me. Such a blessing!
From the kitchen… We made bagels for the first time this morning! They turned out very well, so I'm going to add them to the breakfast food baking schedule. :)
I am wearing… My pajamas- it has been a long day and I'm in bed with the laptop waiting for Superman to finish up with his studying!
I am reading… The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Greggory and Montessori Today by Paula Polk Lillard.
I am hoping…to get the boys winter clothes out and to pack up the clothes they've outgrown sometime this week.
I am creating… still baby blankets! I still need to bind and tie the two baby quilts and I'm trying to decide if I should just scrap the knitted one.
I am hearing… The Transformers Movie in the background.
Around the house… Everything is quiet. I caught up on laundry all day today between taking care of the boys and teaching students, and I got all of the sheets changed. The house is not in its best shape at the moment- with all the illness we've had in the last week I've spent all my time mothering/wife-ing for the sick husband and kids, which is how it should be... I just have to catch up now!
One of my favorite things… is making time to read. I've had that realization in the last few days. If I can read a fiction book even for just 5 or 10 minutes at night it helps to renew me for the next day.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… Heading to the library, piano lessons on Saturday, studio paperwork, and some free time to myself on 2 weeknights after the boys are in bed while Superman takes finals for 2 classes.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Simple Woman's Daybook 1
Trying to figure out how to post the little Daybook banner still, but hopefully will figure it out when I have a little more time later....
Any way, this is the Simple Woman's Daybook! Please stop by Peggy's for other Daybook links!
For Today...still raining and glooming as the rain from Hurricane Gustav is still moving through.
Outside my Window...
I am thinking...How glad I am to have time to write a bit this morning!
From the learning rooms... letter L this week! We are drawing lots of straight lines, and Big Kid thinks it's quite funny to draw circles around his straight line because they are "opposite"!
I am thankful for... the fact that daily housework is all caught up around here!
From the kitchen... Blueberry muffins today!
I am wearing...A nice black button-up shirt, jeans, and my warmest socks- all this rain is keeping me from warming up!
I am reading... The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Greggory
I am hoping...to finish organizing the new order of piano music down in the studio sometime this weekend!
I am creating... baby blankets! I finished 2 quilt tops the other day, now need to back them and bind them, and I'm working on knitting a third blanket. It's not going well, and I think I'm going to need to rip it out and try again. I'm still learning this knitting thing!
I am hearing... Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Hee-hee!
Around the house... Most everything is picked up at this very second! I don't get to say that often. I have some deeper cleaning to do on Saturday though. The boys have been busy in Big Kid's room and I have to check frequently since they are so quiet! Quiet boys often leads to troublemaking, but this time they are just intent on building with lincoln logs and blocks.
One of my favorite things... is writing in my paper journal. There is something about a real pen scratching across real paper that I can never fully get away from...
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Heading to the library, piano lessons on Saturday, a grocery run, lesson planning for the studio, and a rare child-free date night with my husband!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I have an excellent picture of the boys at their block table, but I'm having the worst time posting pictures! Hopefully I can get it sorted out soon!
Any way, this is the Simple Woman's Daybook! Please stop by Peggy's for other Daybook links!
For Today...still raining and glooming as the rain from Hurricane Gustav is still moving through.
Outside my Window...
I am thinking...How glad I am to have time to write a bit this morning!
From the learning rooms... letter L this week! We are drawing lots of straight lines, and Big Kid thinks it's quite funny to draw circles around his straight line because they are "opposite"!
I am thankful for... the fact that daily housework is all caught up around here!
From the kitchen... Blueberry muffins today!
I am wearing...A nice black button-up shirt, jeans, and my warmest socks- all this rain is keeping me from warming up!
I am reading... The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Greggory
I am hoping...to finish organizing the new order of piano music down in the studio sometime this weekend!
I am creating... baby blankets! I finished 2 quilt tops the other day, now need to back them and bind them, and I'm working on knitting a third blanket. It's not going well, and I think I'm going to need to rip it out and try again. I'm still learning this knitting thing!
I am hearing... Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Hee-hee!
Around the house... Most everything is picked up at this very second! I don't get to say that often. I have some deeper cleaning to do on Saturday though. The boys have been busy in Big Kid's room and I have to check frequently since they are so quiet! Quiet boys often leads to troublemaking, but this time they are just intent on building with lincoln logs and blocks.
One of my favorite things... is writing in my paper journal. There is something about a real pen scratching across real paper that I can never fully get away from...
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Heading to the library, piano lessons on Saturday, a grocery run, lesson planning for the studio, and a rare child-free date night with my husband!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I have an excellent picture of the boys at their block table, but I'm having the worst time posting pictures! Hopefully I can get it sorted out soon!
Monday, September 1, 2008
So what do I do next?
Big Kid will be 3 in just a few weeks and we've unwittingly been raising him in a way that coincides happily with the Montessori method. A homeschooling friend of mine made a few comments under the assumption that I was specifically following the method, and when I became very confused we got things cleared up and she sent me off to read a few books. I was never so happy as to see that I wasn't just being weird! I knew I was doing things differently than my friends, but I didn't know it had a name and that I wasn't alone.
We have worked with Big Kid in the last year on many things that some people think are quite silly to teach a 2-year-old to do. He can completely dress himself down to shoes except for laces, he can handle buttons, snaps and zippers, he pours his own milk, sets the table, gets his own plates and cups out of his cupboard. He cuts with scissors, cleans up after his own spills and helps me cook much of the time.
We haven't made a big deal about teaching these things. There have been no lesson plans or specific goals I set out to accomplish (except for getting his own clothes and shoes on!). I just felt like it was all part of life, and why not learn it now since he wants to be helpful and work alongside me at this age? His younger brother is just recently at the age where they can play together well, so before that I kept Big Kid with me to do laundry and cleaning and baking.
Now I'm a little lost. I'm not sure where to go from here! I'm reading more about working on preschool skills in a Montessori fashion, but Big Kid is trying to take me in a different direction. He's a very logical orderly kid- everything he touches gets lined up in a specific order that only he knows. He's always trying to figure out how things work, and he and Superman spend many evenings taking things apart and putting them back together. He wants to know everything about everything.
We read quite a bit every day and I run my finger underneath the words as I read (mostly to reinforce the left-to-right thing). He asked me several weeks ago why I was doing that and I told him that some day he would learn to read like Mama and Daddy and this would help him to read. He was very quiet and then said, "I think those letters all mixed up tell you the words." I told him he was right and gave a pretty simple explanation about each letter making sounds that work together to tell us what word to read. Now he's determined to read RIGHT THIS SECOND. He asks me the sounds of every letter he runs into and he remembers after I tell him once or twice- even the long vowel/short vowel stuff! Now he knows almost all of the sounds and he tries to sound things out if he thinks I'm not looking. It's so funny- he won't do it in front of me, I think because I told him it was a "someday" activity.
Here's my dilemma: Isn't he too young for this? Shouldn't he play for awhile longer? He is just barely turning 3 and my big worry is about pushing him. I don't want to start doing phonics or anything like that seriously at this age because I really feel like he should be building blocks and fishing and running and all the playing he can come up with for a few more years. But he's got it in his mind that he wants this and he's going for it.
And on the other hand I absolutely don't want to discourage him from this! It is so very important to me and Superman that he read well and that he enjoys reading! I do want to follow his interests, which is why we've been doing unit study type things over the summer. I'll be honest and say that he often baffles me. I've taught many many different personalities and many different kinds of learners, and he is my opposite in many ways. He is very analytical and ordered and I'm creative and more spontaneous. I have had to learn to plan more things so that life runs more smoothly and while I value that it has never been natural! This child has been orderly since he was in the womb!
So any suggestions on what to do next? Books for me to read to prepare myself to teach him to read? phonics programs you love? Books on what to do with such a logical kid?
We have worked with Big Kid in the last year on many things that some people think are quite silly to teach a 2-year-old to do. He can completely dress himself down to shoes except for laces, he can handle buttons, snaps and zippers, he pours his own milk, sets the table, gets his own plates and cups out of his cupboard. He cuts with scissors, cleans up after his own spills and helps me cook much of the time.
We haven't made a big deal about teaching these things. There have been no lesson plans or specific goals I set out to accomplish (except for getting his own clothes and shoes on!). I just felt like it was all part of life, and why not learn it now since he wants to be helpful and work alongside me at this age? His younger brother is just recently at the age where they can play together well, so before that I kept Big Kid with me to do laundry and cleaning and baking.
Now I'm a little lost. I'm not sure where to go from here! I'm reading more about working on preschool skills in a Montessori fashion, but Big Kid is trying to take me in a different direction. He's a very logical orderly kid- everything he touches gets lined up in a specific order that only he knows. He's always trying to figure out how things work, and he and Superman spend many evenings taking things apart and putting them back together. He wants to know everything about everything.
We read quite a bit every day and I run my finger underneath the words as I read (mostly to reinforce the left-to-right thing). He asked me several weeks ago why I was doing that and I told him that some day he would learn to read like Mama and Daddy and this would help him to read. He was very quiet and then said, "I think those letters all mixed up tell you the words." I told him he was right and gave a pretty simple explanation about each letter making sounds that work together to tell us what word to read. Now he's determined to read RIGHT THIS SECOND. He asks me the sounds of every letter he runs into and he remembers after I tell him once or twice- even the long vowel/short vowel stuff! Now he knows almost all of the sounds and he tries to sound things out if he thinks I'm not looking. It's so funny- he won't do it in front of me, I think because I told him it was a "someday" activity.
Here's my dilemma: Isn't he too young for this? Shouldn't he play for awhile longer? He is just barely turning 3 and my big worry is about pushing him. I don't want to start doing phonics or anything like that seriously at this age because I really feel like he should be building blocks and fishing and running and all the playing he can come up with for a few more years. But he's got it in his mind that he wants this and he's going for it.
And on the other hand I absolutely don't want to discourage him from this! It is so very important to me and Superman that he read well and that he enjoys reading! I do want to follow his interests, which is why we've been doing unit study type things over the summer. I'll be honest and say that he often baffles me. I've taught many many different personalities and many different kinds of learners, and he is my opposite in many ways. He is very analytical and ordered and I'm creative and more spontaneous. I have had to learn to plan more things so that life runs more smoothly and while I value that it has never been natural! This child has been orderly since he was in the womb!
So any suggestions on what to do next? Books for me to read to prepare myself to teach him to read? phonics programs you love? Books on what to do with such a logical kid?
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