kidding around

One of the main things I really love about my kids at home is the direct involvement I have with them in learning. I LOVE to learn beside them and it’s been fun to share the excitement in history and writing (not so much in dictation).

Penny and I are reading Story of the World, it’s a classical approach to learning and begins with the Ancient times. I like the idea of her listening to me read and then basically narrate what she just learned. I also like children learning about HISTORY with lots of substance. We began the school year with an archaeological dig in our sandbox, sent out Family Tree forms to immediate family and have read many books on nomads.

Yesterday, as I was explaining the Fertile Crescent and how some of the nomads stayed and eventually became farmers, she was so troubled that they tamed animals to eat. Somehow, she was okay with them hunting, but to care for an animal and then slaughter them to eat really got her mind spinning. I can’t tell you how much it thrilled me to watch her connect information!

Anyway, today we read a book about the Cave of Lascaux.

She has been waiting for this day all week! We set up her “cave”, made paint out of chalk and decided on her drawing. We were both amazed that some of the drawings found in the cave were as big as 16 ft! So, she wanted to create the largest horse ever!

Of course, older brother and sister were lured to the dining room to see what she was doing. They were slightly jealous of all the fun…I am sure I can think of SOMETHING for them as they study American History.

In order to add interest to the dining room and not cause a conflict, Simon was invited to use his artistic talent.

Why not?

It’s a tradition around here to share “first day of school” photos. As I was reaquainting myself with iPhoto and my new MacBook (love!) I stumbled upon old photos of my children, GULP!

The above shot is with a 3rd grade Ellie, kindergarten Simon and a 3 year old pre-school Penny. Really, they have GROWN THAT quickly? Good grief.

Next shot is a 4th grade Ellie, 2nd grade Si and a 4 year old home with Mom preschooler…yours have grown too, huh?

Do we want to get really depressed? Ellie- 6th grade, Simon- 3rd, and Penny- kinder.

This year, I present to you my 7th, 4th and 1st grader! We took a different turn this year and have planned to homeschool.

Let me introduce the students:

Ellie: avid reader, independent, responsible, mostly sweet and apparently good in math (Algebra 1, really?)

Simon: loves checking things off a list, full of facts, my constant helper

Penny: keeps up with the older kids, starting to read really well, and my fellow trampoline partner

I hope to update KIDDING AROUND as much as possible. I’m not sure what the content will be, but I imagine a lot of our adventures in homeschooling will be included. I’m starting off slowly and trying to avoid burnout before Christmas. I DO know this, I feel really happy and content and my kids seem to feel the same- which makes me happy beyond measure.

I feel like there is so much to update! Summer! Trip to NYC! Why we are homeschooling! Pitchfork Music Festival! Garden! Where do I begin!?

I can’t believe we have been out one week of school! We have eased into our summer days nicely (though I still have the same work schedule!) and have made ourselves decompress- not expecting a whole lot of the day, but just relaxation and fun.

This year, I decided not to sign up the kids for any activities. I found myself banging my head against the wall juggling work, kids activities and general home management. I also found myself dragging someone out of bed for a class THEY HAD TO DO and promised myself “never again”. I do suspect I MAY regret this, but we are already busy with day trips, summer camp, World Cup and visiting family. I’ll report at the end of summer. Wish me luck.

Posted above is a shot of my three kids soon to go into 7th, 4th and 1st grade. The biggest announcement around the Shack house is that we have decided to homeschool all 3! This Spring we have been going through some testing (lots of questions were answered!) with one of my kids and I felt a huge conviction that what they needed is a break…and so all 3 are along for the ride. My husband was homeschooled and we have always felt that this could be an option one day. I never felt a real conviction or desire to homeschool until this year…I’m excited.

Hopefully, I will post more regularly- there’s so much going on! I’ll be going to New York City in 10 days and will be sure to share shots of my adventure. Oh, and it’s our 15 year wedding anniversary this Thursday too…there has to be a tribute post sometime. And my garden is doing well, not fantastic, but it’s not summer without garden shots. BUT THE BIGGEST THIS THING IS THAT I am still out of a computer and I’m using a PC I don’t know how to use or don’t like to use (probably the latter). Someone needs to send me an iPAD.

Happy Summer!

It’s that time of year again! Sharing shots from my garden. I hope you don’t mind…given all the work that is required to prep the beds after winter I like to look back at these colorless shots and revisit when everything is bursting with color!

In the shot above, you can see the hops is already doing quite well. In fact, these photos were taken a week ago and the vines have gone CRAZY. Nathan actually has already hung string for the vines to climb and cover more of the deck. Love it. And I love the beer Nathan makes from our crop.

The flower beds look sad, but I can guarantee they will full of color soon. I use “River Rocks” to separate the sections and found they make perfect pathways for me to walk on- especially when the seedlings appear and I will want to avoid all the cute baby plants.

So- the flower list is: Zinnias, Violets, Sunflowers, African Daisies, Mexican Sunflowers, Hollyhocks, and more Shasta Daisies. Now I only hope that the rabbits STAY OUT.

Every year I draw a diagram of my garden and note the days until the seeds germinate. I am obsessed with watching this little plot of land grow. Everytime I pass it, I whisper encouraging words to GROW. I know, I am a lunatic, but that’s part of “Spring Fever”, right?

We have raised beds in our side yard and 2 huge beds in our back. Our side garden is mainly lettuce, arugula, strawberries, and herbs. I like to call this my kitchen garden. Close enough for me grab things as I need them.

What’s the trellis for? We like to grow lettuce throughout the summer and Nathan found this creates good shade for the harsh months of the summer. I’m not sure I buy it, but you can’t blame him for being inventive.

I’ll share more shots of our backyard garden, but it really is quite unappealing in photos. Everything is pretty much small seedlings or seeds in the ground!

I love our yard so much. In the next year or so, we are looking to sell and I know our yard will be what I will miss most. It’s been an exciting project for Nathan and I to share…the kids are not as into it and I am fine with that, as long as they eat the broccoli!

Oh- and the fairy garden is doing well. I love how it is so whimsical. It’s fun to watch morning walkers smile as they pass our garden.

Mosaic Icon Project from Saint Joseph Orthodox Church on Vimeo.

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Nathan and I teach Sunday School at our Parish. A few weeks back, when our priest asked if we could lead an assembly on our mosaic we created 10 years ago…I had to remind myself we IN FACT DID MAKE ONE!

I’m so glad we made this video. During the time of the mosaic’s creation, this was pre-digital and pre-imovie. Unfortunately, over the years, photos have been lost or not returned so I am glad we have a nicely edited version of our big undertaking.

I thought it would be fun for those that are interested to view what we created…last night!

FIRST OFF, this post is in no way supposed to make ANYONE feel guilty for NOT making their children a baby book. I have just “guilted” myself for many years and finally HAD to come to terms with…make each kid a book of their first year and then organize the remaining photos in boxes. WHEW!

SECOND, I am not a scrapbooker and if I was, I’d still be figuring out what paper to use! There are so many choices, you could go nuts! Instead I kept is simple and just wrote in the book…no computer generated text, just my jaggedy handwriting.

Anyway, I am pleased to share Penelope’s book. Since she is my last, I am even more pleased that I no longer have to make such a book again!

Here she is finally learning what my secret project was all about. She loved her book and especially loved that it was pink. The other kids have black, I guess there is some truth with the youngest getting what they want…ahem.

It started from the beginning, from when she first was born and was just seconds old…

to when her brother and sister first met her…

to sweet quiet moments captured at home (*sigh*)…

to treasured photos with those that are no longer here with us on earth…

to JOYOUS occassions of Penelope’s baptism and chrismation…

to visits with relatives in California and another treasured photo of my kids with their great-grandparents and cousins…

to photos with grandparents that live overseas…and a photo of “Poppy” with his siblings that are hard to keep straight amongst my kids…

to family photos that remind me how much work Nathan and I have done in raising 3 kids…they have grown so quickly…

to reminding me of Penny’s first birthday and all that was celebrated…

to the bitter reality that this baby is no longer a baby, but a school girl ready to make life her own…and I’m ready for her too!

Of course, it made me smile as I watched Penny share her book with one of her best pals. Her enthusiasm made all my guilt go away!

I LOVE celebrating my kids’ birthdays!

So last Friday, we took out the ceremonial cupcake…

brought out the birthday banner…

hung the “birthday dots”…

made a tasty cake with raspberries and chocolate buttercream…

skipped school and made a big breakfast feast, ’cause it’s not everyday that visiting cousins are in town for a birthday…(I love how Penelope is the only one illuminated in this shot!)

opened gifts…(“cha-ching”, says Penny)

took the obligatory “front steps photo”…

after a fun day with cousins, had a family birthday dinner featuring Penny’s favorite Penne Pasta…

another group photo with Nana and Papa…

AND finally, we ate cake!

I’ll be back tomorrow to share more birthday highlights- the poor birthday girl has been really sick these past few days and I need to tend to her!

someone is SIX and I’m not even kidding. more photos to follow.

My youngest has made it known since the month turned of her impending 6th birthday! The countdown is drawing closer and boy, I hope we do not disappoint.

Here is a funny story:
Last week, our family spent a couple of days in Chicago. We had a blast doing “touristy” things. I thought it would be fun to take Penny to the American Girl store.

We already established that she was not getting a doll. She decided ahead of time that more gifts were better than “Kit” and maybe Christmas would be better for that sort of request. Sorry “Kit”.

Well, when she discovered “Kit” came as a mini a doll and looked a lot like her…she relented and decided the mini version was her pick! I thought this was great and a lot cheaper. Let me tell you, “Kirsten” is somewhere in this house with no braids or clothes so I am a bit reluctant to fully embrace the American Girl doll.

Anyway, when I was checking out, Penny had a change of heart and BEGGED me to NOT buy the doll. I thought perhaps it was because I said she would have to open the gift on her birthday. But this girl is shrewd and realized she was getting one step closer to all of her gifts being purchased. The poor sales lady was confused and remarked that she never experienced a girl begging her mom to NOT buy something. HA!

Little does Penny know I bought “Ruthie”, Kit’s best friend on Amazon…$8 cheaper…she will be thrilled and surprised at the same time.

What’s the third gift? A scooter. Her brother will be equally as thrilled- no more sharing with his pushy (but adorable!) baby sister.

If you’ve been keeping track, I have failed MISERABLY with my daily posts (or semi-daily!).

Let’s try this again!