Beautiful Things

We are fighting off a nasty cough, some a fever and runny nose. So we took it easy today. While taking it easy we had an interesting conversation about what things you could reuse. It became a bit of a challenge, to name an item and see if you could stump people to think of a reuse. I can actually see us playing it again, as we had a lot of fun.
What could you use a pen that doesn't work for? to hold up the new seedlings we have planted ,make a rocket
What could you use a stinky sock for? to clean a stinky foot
What could you use broken(not fixable) toys for? to outline a garden like people do with rocks, smash them into pieces and cover a go-cart in them, to make art
What could you use a broken hairdryer for? that's a tricky one, dig in the sand with it or maybe take it apart for parts, look at how it worked

Co-op

We have just finished coop session # 4. This session I got to take a break from planning and facilitating, it really was great going without having to prepare in advance :) Elias enjoyed learning bango, donkey, marbles, telephone, and lots of other neat activities in his session on Games. Many of these have been added to the family repertoire. Water experiments which was very hands on, testing hypothsis, and working to find the results, was also a big hit. Ben enjoyed exploring one of his favorite topics; bugs, in his first session. He learned about their anatomy, drank juice through their probiscus straws, ate celery with pinchers, 'flew' bugs through webs, and went on a bug finding excursion. Simple Machines; wheels, gears, pulleys, was also a real interest for Ben. He got to use his body to figure out how the physics of simple machines work. Aria is soooo looking forward to starting coop. The beginning age is 4, she really wants to join all the other kids, try classes, share what she learned at the end.
There is no doubt the kids loved their topics, have become extremely comfortable participating, know very well the kids in the group. Along with the topics the kids (and adults) are learning personal problem solving skills, what we do and don't want our community support to look like, expectations and boundaries. I am thankful that I have teachers for my children who are able to lovingly guide my children, expecting great things from them, not in topics but in life.

Roots and Shoots reaching out to the community

There are three components to Roots and Shoots; helping animals, the environment and one's community. Today the kids worked on decorating a shoebox, filling it with necessities they brought (combs, washcloths, soap, toothbrush, bubbles) and a toy from their house that was suitable to give. The boxes will be going to a local organization. They worked really hard creating a beautiful gift, it was wonderful to see them so dedicated to doing their best.

Moving Around at the Museum

It has been along time since we have been to our local civic museum. It was a rainy day and the museum was very quiet, which we all enjoyed. We curled up in corners and read books, played games on the floor, did some crafts and tried out some toys. It felt like we were hanging out at home- but instead of pj's we were actually dressed!

Scavenger Hunt

The mum who generously shared her home and outdoor space also organized a bird scavenger hunt. The kids ran around searching for pictures of birds. They then drew something from where they found that picture in their nature notebook. At the end, they each received some sunflower seeds to plant or put in bird feeders. Aria especially loved the bird search, finding a beautiful bluejay!

Blue Bird Boxes

"The Eastern Bluebird , once common in every rural back yard, was almost wiped to extinction, post World War II, by widespread use of DDt, in the early 1950's. A very stron comeback was eminent after DDT was banned, but changing farming practices became quite yet another devastating problem.
The disapperance of the farm orchard, small field and hedge row elimination, as well as the craze to clean up the dead snags in the wood-lot, have all weighed very heavily in their ability of finding available nesting places. All sites were inadvertently wiped from rural route terrain, which was once their comfortable habitat."

As Earthday approaches, a group of homeschooling families gathered at another family's home to build bluebird boxes. We were given a short presentation on bluebirds and why they are so rare in our area by the Greenspaces for Wellington organization. All three of the kids enjoyed using the screwdriver to put together a beautiful cedar box for our backyard.

















"The Bluebird, blessed with a vivid blue back and soft russet breast, is a bright, keen eyed, friendly little member of the songbird family. It has a low fluted, twin syllable, intriguing song, which, once heard, is hard to shake from one's memory."











Throw in a hill, a couple of rain barrels and lots of kids on top and you have a great day!

The low down on Solids

While Aria was at her preschool class today we looked at solid shapes. With some help of playdough and toothpicks the kids made the outline of a solid shape (cubes, prisms, pyramids) and then turned it into something useful (ie. rat catcher, fairy spaceship). The dynamics are different just the three of us(as it is when anyone of us isn't there).


















When we went to pick up Aria today, she was enjoying the warm weather, biking around in the front of the house. Before we left she made sure every vehicle was filled with gas and everyone had paid.

Wraps, Racoon, Running

(click on the above image to see the camoflauged racoon)

shhhh....

The warm weather has lent itself to exploration of the city's trails. This afternoon we followed one of the paths along the river. We looked at the roots of upturned trees, wild flowers, a snake, a sea gull almost take a fish out of the the water. For a portion of the walk we challenged ourselves to NOT talk, to walk in silence. This was more challenging for some then others, our intention being to see what we could hear and observe in silence. After about two minutes we noticed a little brown creature on the path about 50 feet away. It ran into the brush beside the river and we walked quietly closer. There in a little stream was a racoon about 10 feet away. We all sat (including Marly) watching the racoon wash, dig in the mood and watch us. It was silent as we were captivated for about 20 mins. Moments when you connect with something nature unexpectantly are always so amazing, even more so with your three friends. We sat and enjoyed lunch talking about all the great things we have been seeing this spring. A house with a big piece of land is so appealing at times like these.

This incredible weather has meant lots and lots of bikeriding. Biking in front of the house, biking around the block in the morning, biking over the ramp, biking with the neighbours, off road biking with dad, biking to the park and library with mum, its biking, biking, biking!!! Elias and Ben worked out a way that they could pull the trailer with Aria inside. With the help of 50 or so bungee cords they were in motion. Its not something we will try long distant but to get the mail and go to the park its a ride in style!

New Wheels!

Sketching

I dabble a little in Charlotte Mason philosophy. I am drawn to her inclusion of nature, observing and learning from it. The value in exposing your children to the very best of life and literature. Education is an atmosphere and a life. That within each child is opinions, thoughts and knowledge with great value and cherished, they are persons.
One of the activities part of the Charlotte Mason approach is nature notebooking. My children have all enjoyed nature notebooking in the past (when I think to bring it out!). We have been hiking 3-4 times a week lately, seeing amazing things. On their own the kids got out their nature notebook(which we haven't used in a very long time) and sketched buds off trees in the backyard, the toad we caught, the sparrows in our bird house, the leaves on our willow tree.

Easter Morning

It has become a bit of a tradition that the kids follow a series of clues to find their Easter basket. This year we gave them a grid they had to decifer to figure out where it was hidden. Elias' was in his room, Ben's in the bathtub and Aria's in the garage. Later after breakfast the kids found their plastic eggs hidden around the backyard. Topped off with blueberry waffles it was a wonderful morning.

Painted Toes

Aria: "I don't like the paper in my toes. But this is the best mum, painting our toes together. Now our toes are twins."
Me: "that was fun."
Aria :"I love you. and your toes"
Me:"I love you too, your toes and your nose."

Ssss slippery snake

What an awesome walk we had!!!(and such a fine looking bunch with new haircuts!) We took new nets to the off leash dog area and walked to the pond. This has always been one of the families favorite local spots to explore. Today we saw lots of painted turtles, a few frogs, ducks, finches, jays and leaf hoppers. Despite seeing all of these wonderful things the kids were feeling a little disapointed that they didn't catch anything in their nets. On the way back, just before heading to the car, we stopped at the creek were the kids like to catch crayfish when the water is lower. It was here that Ben spotted a garter snake- and it was fast. After a little bit of a chase and lots of excited squeals Elias caught it. We all got a chance to hold it and get a close look. It was beautiful. The walk was finished on a very joyful note.

a pond, turtles, frogs and nets