Book Sharing Monday

We're getting back in the swing of things.  Have several good books to share.  Finally settled on this one: Anna's Table by Eve Bunting.  Eve Bunting is fast becoming a favorite author.  All the books we're read of hers are just wonderful!!

This one is no different.  It's about a little girl who loves collecting things from nature.  Her aunt knows this and gave her a special table to house all her treasures.  The stories shares what she's found and what she imagines it was like before she claimed it.

Pretty Girl loved this, as she a collector as well.  We're making plans to get our own nature table for her new room.

It's a lovely book with vivid pictures.  We think you'll enjoy this book too!

Happy Reading!

Tuesday

We had another full day.  I'm worn out now.  Typing and monitoring bathtime!  It's almost the bedtime hour--YAY!!!  Bedtime, glorious bedtime!!!

Here's a little of our day....

Our Official First Day Back

I was hoping to have already had this day, but, alas, life has continued to happen.  And, that's been ok with us! :D

After I got up, meditated and took a mile walk/run alone (very excited to have this time to MYSELF every morning)!  We got together for devotion and group meditation, then cleaned up and got ready for breakfast.  I've been wanting to have a better rhythm to our day.  We've definitely been 'freestyling' most of the Spring and Summer months.  They kids need it, heck, I need it too!

After breakfast, we did some chores, brushed teeth and got dressed.  We did some 'sit down' activities.  Since it's Monday we did our 'Money Monday' lesson and got started with some basic addition, patterns & matching (eldest, middle, youngest, in that order).  While Pretty Girl practice her hand writing, Sweetie Pie and The Boy got to choose what art activity they wanted to start on and complete. After writing we read, then Pretty Girl read to me (I love that she can read!). 

To break up the day, I decided to take another walk/run with the kids this time, a shorter route (I got a mile and a half in today).  We ran an errand then got back for lunch.  They had free time outside.  I read from the book we're reading right now, The Wind in the Willows, then they had a quite time where they could choose something quiet to do as they listened to stories on tape.

We then went to the library and spent a few hours looking at books.  We got the limit of 50 so we can get in our 100 Books a Month for this month (starting a bit later).  While they're getting ready for bed, I'm typing this and plan to read to them once again before we end our day.

I have to say that for a first day, today went REALLY well.  I tried to fill it with enough things so that there wasn't a whole lot of time for them to fuss and agrue with each other (does anyone else have this problem?!).  There was still time for them to be, for us to talk and share our ideas.  We'll see how tomorrow goes.

(I've been away for a good bit of time.  I'm doing my best to past through your blogs and catch up with what's been going on with you.  I'm feeling refreshed and ready for the coming change to Autumn.  There's a lot of good energy flowing here!  Hope you each have been well while I've been away.  Talk with you soon!)

Taking a Break

for some redirection and regrouping.
See you in a bit.

Wordless Wednesday

Ever Growing....Ever Changing!!

Another lost tooth.

Stories & Pictures

The boy has been working intensely on some pictures.  They're taking shape and with each of them comes a very elaborate story.  He's becoming quite the story-teller (his stories are a hoot) and likes making illustrations for them.

This story went something like this....

"Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a king, who was a good father and was in charge of all the stuff...."

He tickles me.  I need to record these stories!

Monday Mumbles

It's Monday already?  Here are some of the things I'm thinking about today (and this weekend).

1. The world doesn't fall apart when I sit down.  lol  Yeah, I'm usually 'on-stage' a lot, but for the past few days I've been sitting down....to read, to knit/crochet, to be read to, to rest.  It's been good!

2. How many times much I repeat a specific request of my children before it sticks??  I mean, I'm sounding like a scratched CD.  SMH.  I guess this is just part of the parenting thing?!

3. I've decided that our official start day, for getting back on a regular schedule, will be after Labor Day.  I'm hopeful that by then we'll be out of limbo!

4. I always thought that canning something to be 'scared' of.  I grew up around an aunt who always canned things for winter, and in my little-girl mind, I don't remember it being a big deal.  But as I grew up I remember hearing all kinds of horror stories about it.  But now that I'm doing it--it's not so bad.  A tat bit hot, but other than that, things have been going smoothly!

5. I'm interested in knowing why, if we all have the same feelings, similar experiences, similar hopes and dreams (for ourselves and our children) why there is still so many things that keep up to connecting with each other.  Whether it's our neighbors (do you know yours? do you interact with them more than a 'good morning' or 'good evening'?) or coworkers or other community folk, do we go out of our way to make an authentic connection?  What about our friends and family members--do they get to see who we really are or have we created a faux personality for them as well?  What keeps us from showing our real selves, from owing our true feelings/thoughts/actions?  I don't have all the answers, but have been thinking about these things over the past couple days.

6. Been thinking about peach cobbler.  Yep, it's that time of year again! YAY!

7. Exercising.  Something I'm getting more consistent about.  I've made good progress with regards to my eating habits.  I'm thankful to have passed on the habit of drinking water to my children--so we've been very hydrated.  Autumn is my season.  It's time to let go of a lot of things for me--weight being one of them!  I'm excited to let it go!!!

8. Just received a lovely note from a dear friend--one who I've admired for years--who has been such an influential person in the lives of so many others.  She thanked me for the positive impact I've made on hers.  It was a nice sweet note.  I'm thankful to know that we're truly friends--that we both are positively impacting the other.  [I often doubt my impact or how my spirit moves others.  I'm learning to accept this, and use it for the good!]

9. We've been gearing up to move for while now.  There have been a couple snags in our plan--but we're still moving forward.  God has tightly closed a door--making sure we don't sway from the place that is for us (it's easy to get comfortable and settle).  Although it's caused from great discomfort, I'm seeing a light at the end of this tunnel--and it's NOT the train! lol  Imagining myself in a new place, with new energy, new challenges some new friends, and all of my old ones!!  :D

10.  Do I have to have ten?  lol.  I'm sure there is more I've been thinking about....it's just that when you're interrupted ever few moments with a request to "Read this to me mommy" "I'm hungry, will you make some lunch?" "Look at what I drew!"  It's hard to remained focused.  I started this post this morning...and am finally completing it this afternoon.  Hope you've had a good Monday.

If you wanna join in on the Mumbles, let Tooje know over at Circling the Square Table.

Book Sharing Monday

My children and I have been listening to a series of stories on tape written by Betty MacDonald.  Just recently I've been able to find them in book form as we've been reading them.  The book that we're sharing today is the first chapter book in the series, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.

In this book you're introduced to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.  Here's what is shared on the front flap of the book:

"Meet Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! She's the kind of grown-up you would like to have for a friend--and all her friends are children.  She is a little lady with brown sparkly eyes.  She lives in an upside-down house, with a kitchen that is always full of freshly baked cookies.  Her husband was a pirate, and she likes to have her friends dig in the back yard for the pirate treasure he buried there.

Best of all, she knows everything there is to know about children.  When a distraught parent calls her because Mary has turned into an Answer-Backer or Dick has become Selfish or Allen has decided to be a Slow-Eater-Tiny-Bite-Taker, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle has the answer.  And her solutions always work, with plenty of laughs along the way.

So join the crowd at Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's house--and enjoy the comical, common-sense cures that have won her so many friends."

These stories are written so that children understand what's happening and give parents a nice laugh.  They also assist in giving a different perspective on curing inappropriate behavior.  We are enjoying this book (which we've read out of order) and also enjoyed her other books: Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle & Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm.

Disclaimer: Since these books were written in the late 1940's/early 1950's, there is quite a bit of stereotypical father's role/mother's role.  I've used it as an opportunity to talk to my girls about this directly.  There is also a bit a ridicule in the parenting style and I've adjusted that (discussed it in some cases/left it out in others).  There is a lot to be learned from these stories and I've made it a point to use each of these things.  Wanted to share this with you upfront so that you can make a choice about them before getting in the middle of a story and being caught off guard! :D

Happy Reading!!

Funny Face Friday

We're at it again...joining Tooje @ Circling the Square Table.  

Focusing on our eyes this week. :D

Wanna play along? Click here.

Wordless Wednesday

Book Give Away :: July Winner

 I'm, again, very excited to share with you that Neely has won the 3-book set by Usbourne!!!

Send your mailing address to watsonlesb [at] gmail [dot] com.  I'll put in the mail as soon as I hear from you!!  Congratulations!

Thanks to all of you who entered. I've been looking for books to share for August (and the rest of the year), so check back in the next few days for that posting!

Warm wishes to each of you!!  Happy Reading!

LAST DAY :: July Book Give Away

Today's the last day to add your name to the list for this month's Give Away.  This time it includes three great books by Usbourne (they put out some awesome titles and are very thorough in their information).  Click here to go to the original post to get more information about each book and add your name to the list.  Comments will be closed at 10pm.  Winner will  be announced August 1st.

Funny Face Friday

Decided to play along with Tooje @ Circling the Square Table today.  It's simple enough and we've been working on some funny faces anyway! lol  Plus, after taking some silly shots, I can get them to give me a 'nice' one!  As Tooje says, a 'win-win!'

Happy Friday!!! :D

Building Blocks

I'm sure you've seen these kind of blocks before.  They're the ones you usually find in a preschool or Kindergarten classes at a 'Blocks Center.'  They're smooth, heavy and very sturdy.  You can build towers, houses, roads, whatever pops into your head/hands.  Years ago, when I in college, I worked in a daycare center and so enjoyed the blocks center.  I thought, "I'd like my kids to have a set of these."  When I checked into that a few years later as a second grade teacher and saw the cost I thought, "Never gonna happen!"

Well, low and behold, a dear woman in our community, who had a dream of opening a preschool of her own 'one day', gave us a complete set of them.  Brand spanking new blocks!!  I am so thankful.  The kiddos are having a blast building and creating.  Unlike their plastic counterparts there is nothing they (my kids) can do to break them (they're good at deconstruction)! :D

[I love that these blocks will last a good long while, and are NOT plastic!!]

I am also grateful that there have been other thoughtful people here who have added to our overall homeschooling experience by giving us books, games and other creative-making things.  They've added to the 'building blocks' of our learning experience!!

Here are a few shots of what's been happening here...

Book Give Away :: July Reminder

Just wanted to remind those of you who haven't added your name to the list, we're giving away some great books.  Deadline to enter is July 31st at 10pm.  Add your name here.  (You can also find out more details on the books.)

Have a great Thursday!

State Fair

We got to hang out with some friends and enjoy a State Fair (one of my favorite things).  We enjoyed a lot of good food, a circus, seeing different competitions, viewing the awards in crafts, photography, produce, viewing the livestock and other animals (they had a giraffe!) and ended the day with some rides.  Lots of fun and memories...

Horses

There is just something about being around a horse that I love.  Their beauty, their strength, the way they nod their heads and nuzzle up against you.  We got to see some horses up close the other day.  We were even able to sit on one.  I've always wanted a horse.  Maybe one day my wish will come true.  Until then...I'll continue to admire them!

...and the rain came!!

FINALLY!
With all the heat. It's been almost unbearable!
But the rain came.  So did the cool air.

We had to celebrate!!!