Sneeze

We are all down with colds this week. I've been simply resting, drinking liquids, watching/enjoying my children and husband. I'll be back in the blogging world after we all recover! Until then keep your noses dry...

Back to School

Back to School

Summer months have come and gone,
splashing pools and early dawn.
Now the leaves go rustling fast,
as the children are walking past.
On to school with book and pen,
to learn counting, spelling, reading and then
Make new friends on the playground yard,
Bringing home stories and report cards.

Preschool Activity: Making Butter

I have been reading through Little House in the Big Woods with Princess Posy. We go very slow and I explain what's happening as we go along. She seems to enjoy it as long as I keep our reading times short. Today we read the part where Laura describes butter-making. Then I told Princess Posy we were going to make butter too! She helped me pour cream into a little jar, then we screwed on the lid and started shaking the jar. We took turns and eventually (after lots of shaking!) we had a little mound of butter. I let Posy try the buttermilk and we put our little butter in the fridge. It was a fun hands on activity she seemed to really enjoy. She asked if we could make more...Maybe after my arm recovers from all that shaking.





Prince Jack was the official taster. He loved it!

First day of School!

We started Princess Posy's first day of preschool today. She has been practically begging me to give her eager mind a challenge after staying indoors this summer out of the 100+ heat. We are starting out small and doing simple counting and letter sound exercises. It's basically a more structured playtime for her, as we have been learning bits and pieces throughout the day already. Here is a peek at our schedule:

Mon, Wed, Fri: Math - counting with counters, learning to add

Mon thru Fri: Reading - learn the letter sounds and putting them together

Mon thru Fri: Story time

Thursdays: Art - draw with crayons, finger paint, etc.

Tues, Thurs: Writing - learn to draw letters.

Mon thru Fri: Music - sing songs

Friday - Library Day

I am trying to not bite off more than we can chew right now, since it's already overwhelming to look at the different curriculum and unit studies one could do! I am reserving the right to change the schedule if it doesn't seem to be working. That's one of the perks of being the teacher. ;)

Boys and Bugs

Buggy Bug

Giggling, on all fours facing the ground.
A tiny bug crawling,
causes him to stop and watch.
"Buggy bug!"

He can't understand why
the bug runs away.
He wants it to stay
and play.

Maybe he pretends its
a lion at a circus.
Or trace it's path
to make an invisible map.

"Buggy bug!"
Under the cupboard.
Farewell until another rainy day.

Learning and Salads

Princess Posy playing a harmonica like a little hobo on a street corner

When I was in college I remember a teacher explaining to us that learning takes place when we can associate a new idea or fact to existing ideas in our memory and becomes part of that network of information. I try to remember it when seeking to teach my little ones: Always connect the new information with something they already know. I was explaining seasons to my daughter using her experience with snow, leaves, heat, and flowers. Then I told her what those times were called. Now Annie goes around the house saying, "When the leaves fall down it's Fall! When the snow comes its Winter!" If I just told her that it's first spring, then summer, fall, and then winter in a cycle she would be lost at sea trying to understand. I bet you didn't analyze the process of teaching that microscopically did you? I'm weird like that.

Serious Chocolate Cake

I just saw a beautiful looking cake recipe over at The Cheeky Kitchen that includes mascarpone cheese in the filling. I am making this cake as soon as I get a good reason to celebrate something. The flowers on top make it look so special and fresh! Maybe I will have a tea party soon and use this cake as a centerpiece.

Numbers and Children

Counting

One little shoe,
Hindering a mother's broom.
Two little feet,
Running to welcome dada.
Three stuffed tigers,
Hugged tightly during naptime.
Four little arms,
Wrapped tenderly around mama.
Five little pebbles,
Brought in from the yard.
Six wooden blocks,
Stacked carefully into a tower.
Seven songs sung,
By the glow of the nightlight.
Eight soft kisses,
From mama and dada.
Nine bright stars,
Hung on the wall.
Ten sweet dreams,
Softly carrying their charges.