Friday Moment

Linking one of my favorite blogs,
Thank you to Soule Mama for always inspiring...Soule Mama - This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Career Day - Let's be a Vet!

There is a common interest that we have all as a family, a love of animals.  Our children frequently talk about working with animals when they grow up, whether it be as a vet, at the zoo, petsmart, the Humane Society, an animal shelter- it is a common thread of conversation when talking about future jobs.

Today we pursued the interest in a career as a vet. We researched video's and clips online at Discovery Kids, YouTube, saw interviews with Vet's and all the steps to going to the vet's office for a first visit and what the office and vet will do and we also listened to audio:
Being-a-veterinarian 

They also decided to enter the San Diego Humane Society Poster Contest: So they brainstormed some idea's on what they wanted to do them on:
Youth Poster Contest

The kids then set up a vet office in our front room as I put together some supplies for them to use- bandage tape, scissors, gauze, heating pad, cooling patch, thermometer,  medicine droppers, cups, timer, wooden splints, band-aids,  brushes.  Our daughter also helped to design on the computer a 'check in' sheet. We pulled out the monopoly money to use and lastly the kids gathered the 'patients'.

They spent the whole morning 'playing' yet they were learning, reading, interacting, doing math, engaging, writing, being caring, loving, polite and having fun.

They would 'check in', writing their name, their pet's name, the date, time and reason they were being seen by the 'vet'.  The 'vet' would set up their supplies, call the patient in, ask questions, diagnose, treat and then write a bill with the pet's name, reason for the visit, treatment provided and the cost. Then the patient would go pay the bill and leave the office. 

Needless to say, after a morning of animal care, all the patients are doing well...but we are officially out of gauze and tape!

Trying Days...Trying to Stop, Step Back and Breathe

It was one of 'those' days.  Yesterday was so wonderfully...well, wonderful. Smooth, upbeat, happy...not today.  Every one wants to blog the positive, but in reality there are hard days as well as good days, why not voice those as well and have people truly understand that you do have imperfections and difficult times.  So here I go, It seemed everyone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Perhaps even I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  The kids were both tired, un-motivated to 'learn' and that was a truly down hill combination with my working late and rising early and less than patient attitude.

Onto our usual morning of dressing, family work and our morning sit down together, I received talk back regarding our family work to help with the animals, refusal to brush teeth, complaints of just wanting to watch TV and not do anything and resistance to put away shoes that the dog was trying to chew up...it was quite the morning. At this point I should have realized our 'normal' morning was just not going to work- I should have changed it up- I should have taken a step back from the situation. I didn't. We plunged through the morning, animal chores, math, poultry quiz, reading and when they were still having fits, I threw out idea's, I offered help and....I was pushy.  I despise that part of me. It creeps in wanting to control, to make things all better- to fix it all, to show them the way- or tell them how to get there. This unschooling, homeschooling, freeing journey is just as much of a journey for me as it is for my children....

STOP and STEP BACK, take a deep breath and just stop is what I finally told myself.

In this moment I remembered I was so not alone in feeling this way...I remembered what I had recently read...another mother's story:
How-not-to-inspire-learning

I turned to my daughter who had stated all morning she was 'blahh' and just wanted to finish her American Girl movie and told her to go for it.  I turned to my son and said forget the teeth brushing, let's go ride bikes.  Smiles. Two sweet children's smiles...you could see their faces relax..and then I relaxed.  My son made two laps on his bike then came to me and sat next to me and said 'I'm grumpy today'. I laughed and said I was too- then he laughed and hugged me.  He hoped back on his bike and minutes later he was giggling, full of smiles, showing me a sweet neighborhood cat he had found in our front yard and talking up a storm.  Lunch time came and we went inside, my daughter came over and hugged me and apologized saying she didn't know why she was so out of it today and I apologized saying I didn't have my usual patience. I told them both we'd read and watch a movie for the afternoon and rest.  By evening we had dinner and went to our 4H meeting and everyone was happy, content, relaxed and went to bed with ease, love, and hugs.  

In the end, it is up to me to say STOP, take that step back and realize that every day is not going to be perfect, we may need days off from our 'usual' or 'normal' and in the end, taking time away will make us better for it. 

Baking, Balance & Math & Mermaids

The weekend was so wonderful, Monday came all too quick.  Hubbie had the weekend off and spent most of it with his Dad, much needed Father, Son time, guy time, fix the boat time.  Me and the kids ventured an hour away to drop our daughter off at a friends house for a sleep over. Sunday was lazy day, full of baking, cleaning, relaxing, napping, reading...joyous and much needed!

I baked a loaf of wheat bread for the weeks sandwiches and hubbie baked a wonderful loaf of banana nut bread for breakfast, desert- anytime!  I also spent time prepping/cutting all of Teryn's old clothing and material into strips to start a braided rug for her room-

Ahh Balance...and Math & Mermaids

Late afternoons I work, it is wonderful working from home, but time management is definitely needed when I feel so many responsibilities on me with work, the home, the children.  On my 'break' right now I thought I'd blog for a moment as my daughter reads quietly on the couch and my son attempts a bridge building project for elephants on our game system.  The 'swing' of things with our 'school' is feeling more easy, falling into place and flowing as each day goes on.  I feel very balanced all of the sudden between both work and family, it is peaceful to be in this moment.

Finishing reading her Mermaid series Teryn researched online for any documentaries about Mermaids, history how the tales started and any additional info she could find...She read several articles and watched this video then discussed what she believed about the findings:
Animal Planet: Mermaids:The Body Found

I made Math Bingo Cards for Jordan, which Teryn ended up wanting to play too..so we sat for a few games of Bingo which Jordan loved. Surprising to me, because he struggles in wanting to do anything that looks like 'school' but he does have a huge love of games, the best of both worlds and we all had fun.  After a couple games, declaring it was rather 'easy' (yes, it was adding and subtracting!) Teryn went to work on calculating her animal expenses, materials and other costs to figure out building new pens for them.

Off of a book he had checked out at the Library, and needing some 'get up and go' time we headed outside to bike- breezy but beautiful, the weather did not feel as though winter was approaching today being rather on the warm side.  Jordan read his book with me, reading a few words himself then asking me to read, then he decided what he wanted to figure out, retrieving dad's tape measure he drew as well as wrote about his findings:

After this he proceeded to discuss with me in extreme detail, the workings of a bicycle, all of its parts, how it moved, even safety- where he should put lights, what cars see on it, how many reflectors he has.  It amazes me to sometimes just listen, fully to my 7 year old speak and not only speak but explain things in such detail to me as if he were an adult already. The little voice inside my head at that moment is reminding me to soak up every minute of this- because they do grow so very fast.

During our biking time, still tired from her weekend sleepover, my daughter read then listened to her book on CD as she drew and wrote about the story...

Monday's are slow, ease into the week from the weekend, at times we only read, at times we have the energy to explore, hike and sit at the table for hours on a project, we do what comes to us, depending on how we feel.  Now we are missing 'Dad' and awaiting him to come home very soon to us- the perfect end to our day.

November 1st - Thankfulness & Halloween Picture

Be Thankful

In my usual morning blog catch up, which literally I take no more than 15 minutes to just skim, review, catch up. I'll hop on my personal email account, face book for a few minutes. In doing this, as each November goes, there are a slew of people posting about the month to be 'Thankful'.  Posting each day what you are thankful for.  Months ago I really made a conscious effort to every day not only pray but to recognize the good, be thankful for all of the blessings- each and every day. It is great to make that conscious effort one month out of the year, but why not try and truly incorporate it in your every day life, each day of the year. It is an awesome goal, and an awesome feeling. A sort of peace that comes over you.

So, today I will 'say' out loud for the month of November, and post that I am truly thankful for Family.  Today I reflect that the 1st day of November reminds me that in a few short weeks we'll be headed out of town to visit  family. The one thing difficult about our move was leaving my family- my parents, sibling, grandparents.  I am thankful for email and the telephone, video chat that keep us in contact.

Halloween

Couldn't forget Halloween, for our family and friends who I didn't send emails to, who don't go on face book...We do celebrate- yesterday, taking the kids over to Grandpa's to show off costumes then heading out trick or treating:

Its our Library day today, one of the day's I treasure most during the week...we spend our time exploring, delving into the shelves of adventure, science, and fun.  Its really sets the starting point on where the following week our learning is going to take us. Some times Jordan will stay in the Science section, other times he'll only want History books...Terynity always checks out at least 20+ books...with the librarian continuously reminding us the limit is 50!  She is my reader, Jordan likes the books that spark adventure and hands on learning into other area's. They are both so unique and I love seeing them learn and grow each day.

Happy November 1st!

Reflection, Park Play and Learning

In this moment I am...
Sipping hot coffee, enjoying the warmth.
Feeling the snuggled body of a pup next to me...and hearing the other two snoring.
Enjoying the quiet early morning moments when I  can catch up on work, catch up on blog reading.
Reflect in silence as the sun comes up before the children wake and the day officially begins.
Pray in thankfulness for all my family is blessed with.

Even in moments of frustration over house hunting, or feeling our 'wants' pushing to the surface I take a step back and thank the Lord for all we have, that we are blessed with, that he is taking care of us and providing us with what we need and everything else will come and fall into place.

Park

 Monday afternoon we slipped away from the house and went on an adventure to view 3 houses for sale then took a break in between to just play!  At times, at nearly 13 years old our daughter is at that awkward in between stage...is she a child, is she a teenager, is she trying to be an adult- she frequently tries all of these hats on throughout the week, testing responses, figuring out her role for herself. And as I remind myself of my role: Mother, Supporter, Holder of high patience, Hugger, Role Model, Reminder that she is Loved always. At the park she was just herself, playing, having fun, joking. It was nice to see her be her.

Tuesday, yesterday we went through our normal morning routine of breakfast, dressing, family work- room tidying and taking care of the animals then went into our learning.

This week's Learning over view....

Terynity
*Teryn choose to finish her history channel documentary on the Titanic that she checked out at the Library- they have a few clips online as well:
http://www.history.com/topics/titanic
*And read more of her book she checked out- that interviews real survivors from the Titanic.
* She started a Mermaid series for fun as well.
*She also made herself a list of what she wanted to work on for the week so that she could keep track of her progress. She is very dedicated to her 4H and has set aside time to practice with her animals, go over her questions as well as work on an additional educational poster for the upcoming show.  *For Math, she has started to work on her expense report and attempt to project her costs for the year of raising more animals.
*Lastly she is working on a poster board presentation/report for the family about how ballet pointe shoes are made, she thinks it is extremely interesting and wants to share the information with the family then watch a 'how its made' video with us when she's done with her project.

Jordan
*Jordan and I read together his Chicken book again and then marked pages in his Pet Science Experiment book he checked out that he could do on his own. He enjoyed the ones that had to do with dog intelligence and plans on working with Rusty this week to find out just how smart he is.
*Jordan spent time reading out loud to me- he enjoys books about animals and related to his interests. He seems to gravitate towards harder books and likes to read and struggle through the words on a few pages of a hard book rather than read an entire easy book.  I don't ever discourage him from picking out hard books from the Library, he chooses what he wants and we attempt it if he wants. 
*After I brought home a new cage for our pets on Monday and explained that the previous owners had used it for Sugar Gliders, he was very interested to learn more about these creatures. He is anxious to look for books at this weeks library trip, but for now we used some online resources we found:
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/mammals-animals/kangaroos-koalas-more/sugar_glider/
We also found a few you tube clips from a pet store on what to feed them and special care.
We also looked on the map where Australia was and he drew a picture of a Sugar Glider.

Both kids enjoyed experimenting with baking soda, an oldie but a goodie. Jordan did all the measuring and recorded his observations and attempted different measurements seeing what would give him the biggest fizz reaction.

 This experiment prompted Jordan to launch into a full discussion about burps and farts as well..oh what a boy...but in turn it was not a 'disgusting' talk- he was actually very logical and smart as he watched the way chemicals mixed in his cup and stated that it must be doing the same thing on his insides with what he eats or drinks.

 And in talking about gardening later, Terynity decided she wanted to show Jordan just how plants eat/drink with a dye experiment, which he named the Vein-ator.

Today is Halloween, we do treat or treat, we do have costumes.  Tomorrow we'll head on our weekly trip to the Library then to the Park next door for reading time, play time and picnic time and Friday we'll follow where ever our interests take us.

It's a wonderful journey we are on and I love every day where life takes us...together.

Piano Magic

A Love for Music

Our 7 year old has acquired a new love...the piano. He plays often, everyday, several times a day. At times he asks for lessons and I'll sit with him and go over my old piano lesson books, learning the keys and hand placement. Other times he'll hum a tune and tinker with notes himself. Some times he puts his full hands on and other times he'll poke one note at a time. I love his creativity.  His sister has a love for ballet and has gotten him into watching clips of ballets with her...Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake...and just the other day, in the matter of 15 minutes tinkering my amazingly talented 7 yr old son taught himself how to play Swan Lake all by himself as my husband and I made dinner.  Poking the notes, fumbling slightly- but I can hear the song, as he hums and finds the right keys- he is magical as he plays. My husband comments...'he takes after you'.  Never one who really knew the right notes- I read music when I was young but can't read left hand to save my life- if I heard the tune, I could find the keys- both hands right away.  I love that he has the musical ear as well.

One of my fondest childhood memories is hearing my dad play on our home piano the tunes of 'Winnie the Pooh'.  Even now, as an adult, I'll tinker the notes to that song and it takes me to my cherished memory.  I am thankful my parents both brought music into our home as I try to do the same for my own children.