Last week I was writing an appointment in my calendar (yes, I still keep a paper calendar; you can read about it HERE) when I saw something move on our deck out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look and saw this fox. He was sitting there watching me. And he watched long enough that I was able to observe him a bit, then decide to set down my calendar, retrieve my phone, and take a picture. … Continue reading
Homeschooling
Need a Way to Entertain a 4-year-old? Try Puzzles
Last week my 4-year-old discovered he could put together puzzles. Not the wooden puzzles we had around while he was a toddler, but more complex puzzles aimed at older kids.
His growth and development have made many big leaps recently, but this is one that he’s latched onto himself as being proud of. (His better sleeping skills are the one my sweetie and I are most delighted with.) … Continue reading
Thought for the Day: George Carlin
At a time when lies and propaganda are paraded about as truth, and when documentable facts are derided as “fake news,” I see this advice as more important than ever.
Not only is this critical advice to me as a homeschooling parent, but it’s imperative for all of us as we guide our children in their learning and growth. … Continue reading
Thought for the Day: Aesop
The other day, my boys and I were reading our favorite version of The Lion and the Mouse. It’s a wordless, illustrated version put together by Jerry Pinkney. My boys love the fact that a small mouse can help to save the life of a mighty lion. In it, they see the power that lies in every small creature.… Continue reading
Helping to Create a Public Art Installation
We are fortunate to have a community that supports our homeschooling endeavors in a great many ways. Our friends, our library, our local Maker’s Space, our favorite market, a local farm, an art studio, and more. They all come together to expose our boys to a wide array of information and experiences that we wouldn’t be able to easily provide on our own.… Continue reading
Family Game Night: Ticket to Ride
My 8-year-old received a Ticket to Ride board game over the holidays. He loves it so much, we’ve played it almost daily since he received it. Some days we’ve even played it more than once.
The game looks complicated at first. It gives you several different things to think about and manage as you play. But once you’ve played through a game and see how it all comes together, it’s fairly straightforward.… Continue reading
Sharing Holiday Treats with the Animals, or a Use for Old Gingerbread Houses
The winter holidays have now passed. My boys decorated gingerbread houses sometime in November, and since that time they’ve served as holiday decorations. (You can read about all the reasons that making gingerbread houses are great learning fun HERE, and some things I learned as a parent HERE.) At this point, the houses have sat around for a couple of months and we’re ready to let them go.… Continue reading
Another Go at Homemade Fizzy Bath Bombs
My 4-year-old has repeatedly requested that we make bath bombs again (you can read about our first endeavor HERE). So when our friends suggested that we get together and make a batch, of course we said yes.
The bath bombs in the picture may not be the most beautiful (please remember they were made by young kids), but they are everything a bath bomb should be. … Continue reading
Letting my Kids Watch me Struggle to Learn
Two weeks ago I decided to learn to play the didgeridoo. It’s totally different from anything I’ve ever done before, and it’s challenging to learn. But I’m having fun, and really enjoying it. The deep resonance of the sound is soothing. And the complete concentration it requires forces me to focus on only the one thing before me, making it a wonderfully meditative act.… Continue reading
Family Game Night: Sleeping Queens
It’s no secret that my family loves playing games together. While for a while Uno was the card game of choice (see HERE), and we still enjoy cooperative games like Mole Rats in Space (see HERE), the reigning game of choice in our house is Sleeping Queens.
Sleeping Queens is a fun card game that involves a little bit simple strategy, some basic addition skills, a small amount of remembering, and good dose of chance. … Continue reading