Rosemary Wreath

This was not one of OUR projects, but was a delightful surprise, crafted by our neighbor's daughter and thoughtfully given to us. I had to share as the season of giving is upon us.

For those of you whose rosemary bushes went wild this year, snip long stems and use them to fashion wreathes. Tie a ribbon and make a beautiful (and wonderful smelling) decoration for your kitchen. When the rosemary dries, simply pluck bits of it for your recipes. BRILLIANT!!!

Turkey Day

It just sounds so....so...sad...poor turkeys. I was a vegetarian for 10 years. Some turkey's death shall not be in vain on my watch this year.

I realized about .4 seconds after our turkey hand paint project that I needed to have the children do something a little less superficial for Thanksgiving. My ideas aren't always novel. Don't read too much into this.

I asked each child to think of something they are thankful for. Ben honestly replied, "my toys". I appreciate that. It was his birthday when we did our project. I explained to Ben that this is a time of the year to reflect on our thankfulness for everything, but, mostly, the special people in our lives. He said his special person is me....awwwww.....Alya said hers is her best friend, Lucy.

I asked them to make something special for the people they love. Here is what they did:





And a video (if it loads) for you all. Alya has a head cold, so she has been asked to rest on the couch with her Cricket remote and a big glass of oj....she didn't protest..



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Recess

You know what is difficult? Working and taking care of the house and situating things that happen (sticks in eyes, vomiting dogs, people who need you outside of your home) and managing everything that is going on....and then trying to find time for school....

Difficult is an understatement.

So, sometimes, we just play. And, by we, I mostly mean Ben and Alya because I am very easily distracted and led away to do this thing and that thing, and, lately, I have been doing some fill in work, so I am not with the kids as much as I usually am.

That said, I have never denied that play is one of the best learning environments for young children. Alya has the most vibrant imagination I have ever encountered in a child (when asked at ballet class what color butterfly she was, she followed on the numerous pinks and purples with "rainbow sparkle"). Ben is bent on math and art, and they both LOVE GAMES. Their birthday and Christmas presents seem inordinantly unbalanced on the side of ganmes, and, I'm okay with that - and I think they will be too.

I appreciate it is not a lesson. Not for you. What games do your children enjoy the most? Which do they seem to learn the most from?

Fear not about missed learning time. We hiked in a relatively new area yesterday and got to see some amazing fungi, new plants, a ladybug, and got a great view of the world below. Followed by swings and slides and a good night's sleep and I am sure the wiring is abuzz.

Game Time

Ben has been doing math, then photographing it.



Obligatory "hand" turkey pictures...you know, because they were painting and thought it was funny.





I really loved Alya's artwork today. Her imagination is out of this world....and her ways of expression are so unique.




And, since we've been loose and unstructured lately, we did a BIG "field trip" to Chattanooga Market recently followed by a walk along the riverfront.

All I know is they are absorbing, and, I oftentimes think I may not be able to keep up. I get asked why so many times a day that I often have to ask for a no question period during the day, AND I am periodically getting questions I cannot answer. I guess it is okay if the kids and I learn together.

Since we have been so unstructured lately, we've been focusing a lot on reading. I'm just returning to human zone, and I can handle snuggling and reading books. Two of our favorites right now are:

http://www.mowillems.com/
Check out Mo Willems, I Love My New Toy

AND

Scaredy Squirrel

Excellent books!