Jaya's First Sewing Project

Jaya has been asking me to teach her to sew. My cousin gave her a little sewing machine...but we're missing some pieces. Plus, I want her to learn to sew by hand first anyway. So for the past two days she's been practicing doing a basic base stitch on some small swatches of fabric. Today she started and complete, not to soon, her first (of many) sewing projects: a pillow. She was so very proud of herself! Can't you tell? I'm proud of her too. My first baby is growing up....

A Story & A Question

My wonderful auntie shared this with me, perhaps you've received it via email already.

Here's the story:



Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between 'two wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Here's the question: Which one are you feeding?

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jog

So our little vacation is over. Technically we've been home for a few days, but I didn't want to give up our 'vacation mode' just yet. But today, we're back in full swing. I have to say that I'm glad to be back. We had a nice time away. The kids got to do a lot of fun things and we visited with family and friends.

Now for the unpacking, reordering and getting things together for some structured learning starting again in August. I've gotten our 'classroom' cleaned and straightened up (I'll have to post photos) which has been a long time coming, for me anyway. I have a few more things I'd like to put in order so that our learning time will move smoothly for the kids and clean-up will be a breeze.

I am also working on our chore chart. Each of the children have regular jobs but I'm thinking that I'd like to have something up for all of to see. My sister in law has a really cute one that she's done for her dd with pictures for her to read. I'm thinking that I'll use this format as well.

I have Jaya making a list of all the things she's interested in learning, she has quite a list already. We will then sit down next week go through her list and choose three things to focus on in August. She already is doing piano and reading/phonics so I don't want to start too many new things with her as her frustration level will elevate and things won't be productive. Kari is still in a very free-flowing place and I'm very open to keeping things that way for her. She is doing the reading/phonics lessons with us but hasn't shared anything that she wasn't to do formally. We'll see what develops. Melvin is very much into doing his thing--building, music, singing, shouting, throwing things, etc. We're organizing his room better so he can get to the things he enjoys without wrecking his entire room to get to them.

I also need to contact my homeschooling friend here to see if she wants to get the kids together on a more regular basis. She recently had twins, so I know things are crazy over there...so we'll see how that goes. I have two other friends who are within a few hours that I'd like to connect with as well. Perhaps we can get the kids together for field trips, etc. There really is a lot of great things to do up here, you just have to be willing to drive to them. But the drive is awesome through the country, I'm really liking that!

Now that I'm out of school I hoping to get down to DC a bit more often to connect with the homeschooling group there. I made some connections last year with the leader (her friend is leading my group in Atlanta while we're away) but haven't been able to attend anything as of yet. I'm hoping to get down once a month or so. We'll see.

I'm putting down on paper some goals for us and a list of things I'd like us to do before we head back South! On the top of my list is going to some of the U-pick farms here to pick fruit. Last fall we went to a couple farms for pumpkin picking and other fun activities (corn mazes, rides), I'd like to do that again too.

So there you have it. I'm getting in the planning mode. The change of scenery was needed. I've gotten some better perspective on my life and where I need to be.

(The image I used is from here.)

8 Things: What I Know for Sure

This latest addition of the '8 Things List' is about one's self.

8 Things I Know About Me!

1. I need creativity in my life. Being in school for the past 6 months took away all my freetime in which I create. Be it sewing, knitting, painting, writing, scrapbooking, decorating, etc. I MUST have this to feel sane!
2. I need to laugh...and laugh hard!
3. I need to be connected to others--I'm so missing my homeschool support group! It's creat to connect with them online from time to time but I can't wait to get back home and involved with them on a daily/weekly basis again. In the interum, I've met a wonderful homeschooling mom here and look forward to getting things together for the fall.
4. I need alone time. I need time to be with myself.
5. I flourish through learning new things. I do this by reading, mostly, but have taken classes and done things online. But also by being with others and making observations.
6. I need a good challenge. Another thing that may fall closely to learning but slightly different in that it can be something very short-term (ie decluttering the house) and has a definitely end time with view of the results/all my effort.
7. I need companionship & intimacy on a regular basis; from talking & sharing to hugging & kissing---I need it all!
8. I am learning how to speak my truth & set boundaries for myself.

Want to join in? Check out Rachelle @ Magpie Girl for more information about 8 Things, the Do Less Revolution and other great things!

Children's Museum

We spent the morning at a children's museum here. Despite all the crying and fussing the preceeded it and followed it (deep sigh), the children appear to be having a good time. I reminded them as we left that they, in fact, had had fun today! And since I am the first to document our experience in writing, I am the one who gets to frame their memories!(smile)

Wreck This Journal

I've been wanting to do this since I first saw it posted on another homeschooler's blog but being in school has kept me from getting to a book store to pick it up. Well, late yesterday afternoon I finally located a copy of my very own! I'm so excited!!! I will probably begin in a few minutes, once I get the kids asleep. Then we'll do several pages over the next few days.

Follow this link to Jamie Ridler's blog regarding this. There are a ton of folk participating. You can order the book online or pick it up at a local bookstore if you're interested in participating. It's a cute way to show one's creativity!

I stayed up and did a few of the suggestions:

1. I broke the spine of the book--which was REALLY hard for me as I HATE carrying around a book with a broken spine.

2. I added page numbers to the bottom of all the pages.

3. I burned a good part of the page the asked to be burned! (This was fun as I do enjoy a good burn!)

4. I wrote one word over and over. I chose the word Hope!

5. I poked holes in one page using a pencil.

6. I closed the journal & wrote things on the edges.

I have to say...this was FUN!!!!! We'll see what we'll do tomorrow as I include my kids in all this destructive creativity and reckless abandon!

Water Play

Our third full day of being on vacation. We had to wait until the heat of the day was past but it was worth the wait! The kids had a blast playing in the sprinkler. We even met the neighbor kids and invited them to join in on the fun!

This was Melvin's first experience playing in the water. Uncle "Fun" made the experience even better! YAY for summer!!