as cozy as spring

Monday at Home

A little reworking of the schedule and I have two (2!) full days at home now most weeks.  This is such a blessing.  I hope I can make the most of them.  I took a nap this morning and I think that's a super start.

I'm hoping to...

• Prepare a lovely, healthy dinner of pasta salad with chicken breast and loads of fresh, chopped vegetables.  We sat down on Friday to a pathetic, emergency dinner of (brace yourself) 4 month old frozen, fried cheese sticks.  We didn't even make to to "and these thy gifts" before cracking up at the absurdity of considering cheese sticks a blessing from the Lord.  They were, of course, on a week when the grocery store fell off the priority list entirely but oh, it seemed a little insulting - like God was thinking, "I want no part of the old, frozen cheese sticks!"  I made a meal plan and did the shopping yesterday so I hope that will make for a smoother week.

• With 3 dance classes, 4 baseball games, and 4 rather stressful doctor's appointments last week, I finished up 5 hand knit socks.  I hope to wrap up pairs this afternoon.  It's a beautiful, cool spring day and I hope to just sit in the garden for awhile and knit.

• Clean up a bit.  We're still in the process of decluttering.  My husband insisted he didn't need to and then we found 8 pairs of his old jeans with unfortunate holes rendering them unsuitable even for a garage sale. I'm trying to think small and just work on a drawer, box, or shelf every day. Every little bit helps!  Even if I can't assess and repurpose a newly empty space, it makes me happy and keeps me going.

• Think about lesson plans for next year.  I would really like to get this squared away before our baby is born.  I hope to begin our next year in July so we can take our usual Christmas and Spring breaks.  My daughter's plan is fairly simple because we've been on track with her for some time.  My son, who will be in second grade, is a little trickier.  I always want to order a boxed curriculum but it doesn't ever seem to work.  Though I'm up for suggestions if anyone has a prepackaged set they just love for second grade.  Isn't CHC's First Communion prep supposed to be brilliant?  Anyway, I'm printing out calendars for July through April to get me thinking.

• My doctor insisted I take it easy for the next few weeks so all gardening is offcially off limits.  I'm bribing the children to weed and plant for me.  My gardening plans are ambitious every year and this year is no exception.  It's hard to say no - to hydrangeas, a new clematis in the most perfect deep pink color, watermelons.  But I'm growing a little baby and there's nothing more exciting than that.

During this long and difficult pregnancy, I have repeated to myself daily, 'When the tomatoes are ripe.  The baby will be born when the tomatoes are ripe."  It seems so much closer that way.  I wandered around this morning and saw several tiny green tomatoes set.  Hardly any time at all. :)

Spring!

I love that the rhythm of our family life has become very predictable.  I now know that after going through a very workbooky winter, we'll return again to beautiful and lively lessons in the spring.  This is exhausting me, but it's so satisfying at the end of the day to think of all the children learned.  We are reading much more, outside much of the day, and taking advantage of all the learning opportunities our fair city offers. Did I mention that this is exhausting me?  I might cry at the end of the day, but they are just tired tears.  Tired tears are preferable to I'm-such-a-horrible-homeschooling-mom tears.

(I did get some encouragement yesterday from my husband who praised my ability to keep everything going for the last few months.  The house is mostly clean.  The bills are mostly paid (one or two may have briefly gotten by me, but not to the "We're shutting off your services" point).  The lessons are mostly done and not one ballet class has been missed. I didn't think anyone had noticed - why yes, I do want a trophy of some kind, thank you!)

It's almost planning month too, which is also has predictable rhythm of brain storming, panic, ordering and still more panic before clear and peaceful lesson plans emerge.  I'm really looking forward to it this year!

On my mind:

Classical Kids?  Yay or nay?  We tried out Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery (I got it on ITunes) and the children loved it but I hoped it would be more factual about Vivaldi himself as opposed to some nice little children's tale.  I thought it would give more background on the music etc.  Also, we listened to the whole thing on one drive across town.  For the same price as a regular audio book, I need things to last a little longer.

Also: After reading the Institute for Excellence in Writing from both Margaret and Sarah, I'm intrigued.  I'm looking at adding the poetry course to our studies next year.  Any other favorites out there?  My daughter shows some story writing talent and I would like to encourage her in that field, but that's my weakest subject.  

Since I'm asking for recommendations, I'll give one as well!  We worked through the first course of Christian Studies from Memoria Press this year.  My daughter just let me know this week that she can follow the readings at Mass so much more since beginning the course.  I can't think of any better measure of success.  Christian Studies II will will definitely make the cut for next year.

OK friends, thanks for reading and have a beautiful Tuesday!

Spring Cleaning

It feels a little off to be changing our school organization system in March, but I just can't stand the mess anymore.  

First up - the surfaces in our dining/school room were covered in papers.  Each child has a work folder for the week, but it was always getting lost under all the other papers so that more papers weren't put back into the folder and things got even messier.  I stitched up a simple lined tote for the sole purpose of holding their weekly folders and special project folders (meaning Journey North or history project stuff).

My daughter's bag is completed and working beautifully.  Her fabric arrived first.

This is the fabric my son chose for his school bag and it arrived yesterday afternoon.  I'm going to work on it this afternoon.  It only takes about an hour using this tutorial.  I cut the fabric 13 by 16 inches to start and it seems to be a good size.

Our school books are stored in a crate under my desk.  It's not ideal, but it works.  My Martha Stewart binder is working beautifully and has made my own paper work much easier to manage.

The only other mess I'm dealing with now is our craft supplies.  I keep my own craft supplies fairly well pared down and organized - that's a flat out lie right now as everything I've worked on for the last few months has been hastily shoved into my china cabinet but all of that actually does have a place.  The children's water paints, scissors, glue, tape etc. etc. are sort of scattered. For months, I've looked longingly at those clear plastic drawer sets (like this - oh, isn't it gorgeous?) but in my experience, more storage = more clutter so I'm conflicted.  Do you all, my friendly readers, have a great system for all the homeschool art supplies?

 

Weekend Notes

Wednesdays are science days.  I love science days.  That's one topic I feel confident that we are covering adequately... most of the time.  If nothing else, we are enthusiastic and observant!  

In addition to taking a more active role in the spring garden, I have two children capable of participating in the Journey North Mystery Class this year.  My daughter charts the data and my son "helps" me with the subtraction.  

The kitchen window is filling up with seedlings and my husband surprised me with orchids and hellebores this week.  I figured out a place to plant my potatoes and carrots but that must wait because, for maybe the first time this winter, it's just plain cold out there right now.

I plan to sit in my Ikea chair near the warmest window with some ultra soft gray-green merino.

I missed my Friday Morning Book Post yesterday.  I didn't read much at all as I was sick most of the week.  Extended morning sickness was a part of both my previous pregnancies so I'm not surprised by it but can I just say how annoying it is to have a free pass to put on 20-30 pounds at the same time I find food completely repulsive?  It's a real struggle each day to think of anything at all in the entire world I would like to eat.  And then try to keep it down.  I feel sort of guilty that I don't enjoy pregnancy more but I think the fact that I am more than willing to endure it despite the many obstacles shows dedication, right?  

Weekend Links

A lovely idea from the lovely sarah

A list Catholic Institutions opposing the new HHS Mandate (ht to my sister).  I'm trying not to overdo it here with the politics and all, but as a Catholic woman of child bearing age who agrees with (in theory and in practice) all the teachings of the Church and thinks it is the institution that most honors women, I'm feeling really under represented in the media.

The most ridiculously beautiful fabric.  I'm only linking to it because I've already secured my lot.  It's amazing.  I never buy fabric or yarn unless I already have a use for it.  This?  Nope.  It was just too pretty to resist. 

Happy Saturday, friends!  

Peas

I don't think peas grow very well here in Texas, but I won't know for certain until I've tried it myself!  A friend and I split packs of two varieties and are going to experiment.  I let each of the children plant a variety and followed it up with popsicles for labeling purposes ;). One is Sugar Pod 2 Snow Pea and the other is (unknown because I can't figure out how to get to my old text messages but I hope my friend will comment or something because it's kind of an important part of the experiment).

Miraculously, I was able to find our copy of Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas and we'll read it together this afternoon.  It's beautifully illustrated and a nice introduction to genetics for older children.  I think it really encourages scientific observation which is a habit I continuously strive to cultivate in my little students.  

This and That

*Story Cubes - My brother and sister-in-law gave these to my children for Christmas.  They're so much fun, easy to use and encourage creative story telling.  Love!  (This blog post provided by Story Cubes, which are occupying the children behind me.)

*The new HHS ruling.  I was explaining this to a non-Catholic friend over a lovely brunch yesterday and her immediate reaction was "But that's unconstitutional." Yes, it is.  I don't usually get into politics here but I find this so obviously unconstitutional I think everyone should be outraged.  To make coverage for this (by and large) lifestyle choice mandatory while coverage for actual medical needs shrinks with every passing year just baffles me. I'll link to my friend Faith who has a better post up about it.

*Giving the children control over the IPod while they clean the kitchen is a brilliant idea.  My children clean without complaint and I don't have to face the remnants of late night snacking first thing in the morning.  

*I did knit a bit over the weekend, but not as much as expected.  A family grocery/clothing shopping trip and the aforementioned lovely brunch/trip to the nursery took up most of my weekend.  I hope to finish the cardigan over lessons this week.  I thought the yarn color would be yellow ('Maize' sounds yellow, doesn't it?) but it's exactly color of....coffee ice cream and I don't think I'll have any choice but to use little brown buttons on it.  I want these but they are too big.  I'm about to fall down a button rabbit hole where I spend hours searching for just the right one and will overspend when I find it. 

(photo by my daughter)

My little girl is begging me to get off the computer already so she can look up her favorite author of the moment, Gordon Korman.  I gave her my old copies of the Bruno and Boots books while she was sick last week.  She's now a huge fan (as am I).  She was particularly inspired as Mr. Korman wrote the first book at age 12.  

And oh! Journey North Mystery Class starts today.  I really don't want to add anything to our lessons right now but we are in desperate need of something alive and fun and interactive.  I hope my daughter will take the lead this year.  

Lazy Sunday

Taking my place by the fire to watch the football game.

Knitting socks for my little girl on teeny tiny (US 0) needles.  The yarn is Cascade Heritage and I like it, but it's thinner than I'd prefer.  We'll see how it wears!  I miss my Sunshine (I just ran out).  I've been wearing socks knit from Sunshine Luxury Sport that I got in a destash last year and oh my wow.  Softest socks I've ever had and they have worn far better too.  I highly recommend avoiding it all together because it's addictive and really.  Merino/cashmere socks?  Is there no end to the indulgence?  

No, no there is not.  I made brownies to celebrate the fact that I could eat brownies.  I really am so much better these days.  I've settled into a nice rhythm.  I'm very sick in the mornings but feel almost fine after lunch.  The evenings are uncertain, but even a few hours of feeling decent has done wonders for my spirit.  

Now, I'm spending a little time planning lessons.  It's been very workbooky around here these last few months and I'm fine with it.  It was either workbooks or throwing in the towel altogether.  I am hoping to add a few more read alouds for both children this next week. I downloaded Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to read to my daughter.  It's another that isn't exactly my taste, but if there's another plus to the Kindle it forces me out of my comfort zone with the freebies!  I hope to start The Trumpet of the Swan with my son, which was a gift from his aunt, my sister, the best gift giver ever.  I need to switch out all our seasonal pictures, but that's more productive than I can manage today. 

Here's the brownie recipe I copy and pasted from somewhere else on the internet!

Double Chocolate Brownies

from Martha Stewart Cookies

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 ounces coarsely chopped good-quality semisweet chocolate
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a buttered 8-inch square baking pan with foil or parchment paper, allowing 2 inches to hang over sides.  (I just buttered the pan.  It was fine)

Put butter, chocolate, and cocoa in a heatproof medium bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until butter and chocolate are melted. Let cool slightly.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; set aside.

Put sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat on medium speed until pale, about 4 minutes. Add chocolate mixture; beat until combined. Add flour mixture; beat, scraping down sides of bowl, until well incorporated.

Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top with a rubber spatula. Bake until a cake tester inserted into brownies (avoid center and edges) comes out with a few crumbs but is not wet, about 35 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan, about 15 minutes. Lift out brownies; let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

 

Friday Morning Book Post

Yikes, I don't have a single book to discuss.  I'm pretty sure I've written about every single book we're reading right now.  

Oh here's an idea! Books we are writing!

I mentioned months ago that we began our History studies with family interviews.  My grandmother's was so interesting that we kept going back with more questions.  I had a vague desire to organize them eventually, but knew it probably would not happen.  Then, my daughter's writing club leader (yes, you can all sigh with relief that I'm no longer solely responsible for teaching my children to write good (ha,ha?)).  So!  My daughter's writing teacher decided to have the girls participate in that November Novel Writing month thingy.  My daughter decided to write a book about my grandmother's childhood.  She grew up in the cotton fields of northwest Texas in the midst of the Dust Bowl. 

This could be the most valuable project we've ever done.  We have weekly sessions with my grandmother to chat about her childhood.  Honestly, as Christmas approaches and our schedule fills, this could be something that got cut from the weekly routine. I'm so grateful to have a reason to bump it to the top of the priority list. I hope she enjoys it as well - we usually bring treats, just in case!  My children get this rich first hand account of what it was like then (really, really awful).  They get to know their great grandmother in a way they definitely wouldn't otherwise.  And frankly, I do too.  Finally, my daughter has to put a lot of research into creating the story.  She has to think about it all from an entirely different perspective and become far more familiar with that time period than just breezing by it in a history text.  I'm sure all you real writers out there know what I mean, but this was a revelation to me.

My son is working on a book of neighborhood trees.  It's a pretty simple concept.  I provided him with a spiral bound watercolor notebook.  He finds leaves he likes.  He traces the leaves and labels them.  We paint one leaf as the tree appears in summer and one as it appears in autumn.  I didn't expect much to come of this project, but it trains him to look.  As we walk, he considers each tree - whether he can identify it and whether we have it in our notebook.  As he traces, he has to be careful to notice the venation of each leaf.  He points out the subtle differences in two similarly shaped leaves.  

In both these projects, my children have no choice but to become actively involved in the subject.  That's what it's all about, isn't it?

Autumn Morning

This is our "school room" yesterday morning, totally unstaged (you can tell because I would have wiped up the breakfast crumbs).  Clearly, I'm very focused on my children's education. 

I have a bad case of startitis.  I thought I was immune.  I normally knit one project at a time. I finish it.  I move on.  But yesterday I felt an irresistible urge to cast on for socks, an autumn vest, and the sweetest shawl pattern.  Fortunately, the yarn is all in the stash - one skein in particular, my treasured Crookshanks, is years old.  I haven't enjoyed knitting this much in months.  

Unrelated: I think I actually have too many books now.  It's gotten to the point where I am finding wonderful books I forgot we had and losing books that we really need (like Tomie de Paola's Francis:The Poor Man of Assissi which I had put aside for today).  I just can't keep up with them anymore.  Either we need fewer books or a better organizational system.  The latter is more likely to happen.  

Simplified

There seemed to be some interest in our new homeschooling schedule so here are my thoughts.

We've had a fairly smooth year, but it's be hectic and I didn't much care for the pace (which, btw, has more to do with family life and extracurricular activities than schoolwork).  I felt like I was always on the children about completing this task and this task and this task....  It was exhausting for all of us and I think the children were starting to cringe when they saw me.  I completely understood.

To simplify things for all of us, I assigned only one subject of table work per day.  For example: The five pages of grammar that had been spread out over the entire week are now completed after math time on Monday.  The advantages of this are many.  I'm not nagging all day to check ____ off the list.  It's much easier to plan.  The children are more absorbed in their one subject for that given day.  It's more efficient because there's less time spent moving from book to book.  It helps me focus.  I'm able to look over the week and more easily gather supplemental materials for each subject.  By simplifying our table work time, we have much more time to spend on our afternoons on history and science reading and other projects.  We're still doing the same amount of work, it's just far, far simpler.

Overall, it's gone well. I do think it's a better schedule for an older child.  My son still gets more daily repetition of some subjects because I think he needs it at his age.

This is all very fluid at this point and rather hard to describe.  Our afternoons aren't spend idly after our table work is done.  And saying we do science on Wednesday doesn't mean we don't also cover it every other afternoon as well.  We just cover it in a different way.