tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59448734100142756242024-02-18T20:02:10.144-06:00Perfectly Imperfect In Every Way<br>
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The daily journaling of an imperfect mom in an imperfect world, trying desperately to create the perfect childhood experience for her Two gorgeous little Blessings.mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-79799858030141658422011-09-05T10:48:00.007-05:002011-09-05T12:06:25.709-05:00August Liturgical Tea... The Assumption of our Blessed Mother<span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis36oUUNxAfvlliCTMli-5Uy0cI_IR9XtMFv3Nf5xLNO0dPlXjanPmgdKUiBvjqDFSTE8UjLoZ_svovfbZlLqxY0Y_YIG5aMDYRR-KQHmwy-DrCAuCv0Nyu1DyxGA95CO-eD924oLkyPjm/s1600/DSC_0971.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648911444362722386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis36oUUNxAfvlliCTMli-5Uy0cI_IR9XtMFv3Nf5xLNO0dPlXjanPmgdKUiBvjqDFSTE8UjLoZ_svovfbZlLqxY0Y_YIG5aMDYRR-KQHmwy-DrCAuCv0Nyu1DyxGA95CO-eD924oLkyPjm/s400/DSC_0971.JPG" border="0" /></a>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">To Kick off our new school year....<span class="Apple-style-span">to Pilot our NEW Pickwick Society Liturgical Year curriculum</span></div></span>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">And Most importantly to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed mother.</div><span class="Apple-style-span">
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">We set up and tested out some of our newly created Pickwick Liturgical Tea Recipes.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">For the past year, a good friend of mine and myself,</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span">have been creating and writing a Virtue based curriculum which is centered on the traditional celebration</span>s in the Liturgical year.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">This curriculum goes hand and hand with The Pickwick Society program that I started up a few years ago. Many of you may be familiar with our Pickwick program.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">It was borne of the idea, that our daughters would be able</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">to flourish in a environment in which they are surrounded by like-minded girls, with traditional Catholic beliefs and values.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The Pickwick society is a relaxed and informal setting, in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wh</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ich</span> the girls are taught the tools and skills necessary to b<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ecoming</span> a successful wife and mother. It provides a place for them to learn the lost art of handicraft, but most of all it provides an environment for them to discuss and grow in Virtue and</div></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Faith.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">All of these studies are essential to their God-given <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ro</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">le</span> as nurturer and caregiver.</div></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Mind you, the curriculum does is NOT only for "someday wives</div></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">and mothers"... Although, I do think this to be one of the noblest and most sacrificial of all possible Occupations.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">These Skills, virtues, and traditions are important for a<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ny</span> girl of any</div></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">potential <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">professions</span>. We need more Faith-filled, </div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">virtuous girls in this world. Girls that will become <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">nurturers</span> and Caregivers to all in need:
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">"For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you covered me</div></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? Or when did we</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? And</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me."</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">-Matthew 25:25-40</div></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">As mentioned above,</div></div></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">This year we decided to enhance and deepen our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">virtue</span> studies. </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">We also decided to add a liturgical celebration. It makes a lot of sense for these girls to learn </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">more about and expand upon the traditions of their catholic Faith. These Celebrations help promote a sisterly environment. they also help bring a certain aspect of the Faith into focus.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Our hope is that some of these celebrations and lost traditions one day become traditions in the</div>
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<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648911441732524546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJsChxppbeE954R7SnpRleymqmy92HsVAQ2bpnJMDFXKx5QlMfTH3-24QnOgCFp_iBM6Wwki_vt0xb5IsdYyJk0gBAdytUtkOfUQC0yPOBbPT9uu4ttGhbOlSvpVeS4ZTsp6CNYVDhEUe/s400/DSC_0970.JPG" border="0" /></div>
<div>Regina <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Crostata</span>- Notice the little crown on Top</div>
<div>a Gorgeous fruit and Cream cheese filling</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648911436134967218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa5L0WnAuveGZ9HKdTcgjXP-z4rwucj9q7Q2j6PGpxkcPSghrpYWN-2V0IDw5zz_lJtIeGmKCz127hpEaqCqrCqjhx-b6WwxMfk64ub5NEgPPtRzGk3FSCNM4ryh1oTU-ElA_44J2EIiT/s400/DSC_0969.JPG" border="0" /></span></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Marian</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Sandwiches</span>- These are simple Turkey Sandwiches</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">with a cute little Pressing of the Blessed Mother on the Bread</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648911432310721330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz73KA7x_7D77DWByM7uP7hp3x-FxLIs4AEPFp9uM8iPT1FNlsoqkEfqrlgyJNNAaDMWMwKAFXD-VB1iE-ooEXDwR-oXOFX-uMxQSpyoUkcMkK9LgH6_7zW8c8hdYHgIwPMMgfcV27dLLv/s400/DSC_0968.JPG" border="0" /></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Bleeding Heart Cookies- these are wonderful almond </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">based cookies with a sweet Jam filling.</div></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">This recipe can be used for multiple Liturgical celebrations</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648910374618339970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTVq_oAlGT8Y9wvMLWjK-MyURBx1QI1NGMWcJDezAseYfmf81M1q5YTSejIxegE2RqLnKLkyrRWhEftF3_E-LfW-c_smBRT87bXkBOoliDvLpIppBIjov9aZKy6a93K0dJtO0cbsNLpw5/s400/DSC_0973.JPG" border="0" /></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Our Liturgical Tea Consists also of a Picture Study. </div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">There are so Many Fantastic pieces of Art work</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">centered around the Life of Christ and our Catholic Faith.</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">This Picture is titled:</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">"The Assumption of the Virgin"- Andrea Del <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Castagno</span></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Our Curriculum also includes a Hymn Study.</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The Hymns chosen for the Tea, are Traditional Catholic Latin Hymns and Chants</div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">That go with our celebration. This provides such a wonderfully; <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">spiritually</span> enriching quality to our Tea.</div>
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<div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648910367697093874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wnLvjkFhzWjFbdUwbIV0bwWPM5DA0ooMiWvQcVh5rp6fWG1IHbrK4RwbwvhtiiGqujH3nQ20C6s9Y033pU2eYvd4MAer1DZb3E6KWKKFVB6k9YYb5qIEvnqVGhQsiM16K-7NDCMo4DZ5/s400/DSC_0975.JPG" border="0" /></div>
<div>our Little ones Enjoying the tea, and helping serve <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">each other</span></div>
<div>This is such a sweet example of our natural instinct to help and serve</div>
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<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648910360853594770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt_JlodbJYzqfv0V25lCWOKKDf0xxw0x_giYiWhU_GKI9I4YAUgVFY58gSLC-jDXu3AaF4aFjAvJJZ4-VpZwrC3ApollLCC9jtZL0fHTFh0XFcSUcR7gcpi6W658ZamOJee2SbwQV7zZI/s400/DSC_0977.JPG" border="0" /></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The wonderful thing about these teas, is that our Boys enjoy them as well.</div></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">I think they may even enjoy tea time better than the girls :)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648910352462739474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1H0YFsLu8SD9p_bCqRvinmjh6BQYm8ZbhPY6xWBZxXhVPvRC8sTbOITi8isnzJ1NgqeAuyCGy5od3M_UOY_ubSCZ7GdPQHWTJR4YhSichLP5sZl3a6_bohX4yoZ_9d9KiESmOfSRvPen/s400/DSC_0978.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>
<div>Tea for TWO!!</div></div></span></div></div>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>
mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-67551368484855181022011-04-14T16:39:00.010-05:002011-04-15T00:32:57.367-05:00Where Have I Been?<div align="center">I have been away.</div><p>
<div align="center">Far away, in a land of books, projects, meetings, illness, and laundry. </div><p>
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<div align="center">All I can say is: </div>
<div align="center">"Family Calls" </div>
<div align="center">and when it does, you don't ask questions...</div>
<div align="center">you just drop everything and tend to family :). </div>
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<div align="center"><p>That's not to say that I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">haven't</span> had a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Little</span> time to myself though... </div>
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<div align="center"><p>I would like to share Some Fun Projects I Have Completed Over The Past Few Months.... </div>
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<div align="center"><p><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My new work area...</span></div>
<div align="center">I am so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exacted</span> about having my own space.</div>
<div align="center">This was a fun piece to refinish</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp2fW8Bst-AFHttIP0FkCy1kLGrY4_TlcUNdZ0qTtZYZsLfkRdCuybYZgGf3NtWzdB-vqptpRWCH7xY3f64JLYrSzXJVXWCybBx4KBn9yBDPcaRk_qqRdLUlzFgXWSXmFES0FHOFacbx9/s1600/DSC_0613.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 324px; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595564898686039570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp2fW8Bst-AFHttIP0FkCy1kLGrY4_TlcUNdZ0qTtZYZsLfkRdCuybYZgGf3NtWzdB-vqptpRWCH7xY3f64JLYrSzXJVXWCybBx4KBn9yBDPcaRk_qqRdLUlzFgXWSXmFES0FHOFacbx9/s400/DSC_0613.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div align="center">I keep all of my books underneath</div>
<div align="center">My Laptop stays in the drawer</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEftxS_jkTtnZrfoXCXCamczsyNiVXICxh9V39tJ6aB6OkA-b7vZxRLrkrjJpkz7_PqRen8KigU4Fj66RLosOlcdvfT6GuQM4a5mhHgzs6pRLHzZv_pRyf5uPX8tYjlJj5_UvWXDElrLR/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 321px; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595564888021128818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEftxS_jkTtnZrfoXCXCamczsyNiVXICxh9V39tJ6aB6OkA-b7vZxRLrkrjJpkz7_PqRen8KigU4Fj66RLosOlcdvfT6GuQM4a5mhHgzs6pRLHzZv_pRyf5uPX8tYjlJj5_UvWXDElrLR/s400/DSC_0614.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div align="center">And all my writing materials fit into the little nooks.</div>
<div align="center">I am SO in love!!</div>
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<div align="center"><p><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My Coffee Table</span></div>
<div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;">I originally purchased this piece for $10</span></div>
<div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;">With a little sanding and a lot of paint it was almost finished. </div></span>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgya6n9-yj4QD2O1B7w6m8Rd7pUec6k3NO8q_BfYKedRilRZLb91OhDvYV6XjXRgx1hmjLz-SVoa-J_66UTPM13zqiGBu2fDJSk4ytjpYDFUM7WE5_gvRDAJxB4JX6dTXSaRY9fD_XLj6AW/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 337px; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595564243513587474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgya6n9-yj4QD2O1B7w6m8Rd7pUec6k3NO8q_BfYKedRilRZLb91OhDvYV6XjXRgx1hmjLz-SVoa-J_66UTPM13zqiGBu2fDJSk4ytjpYDFUM7WE5_gvRDAJxB4JX6dTXSaRY9fD_XLj6AW/s400/DSC_0615.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div align="center">I was a little bored of the white finish...</div>
<div align="center">So a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Modge</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">podge</span> here, some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">scrap booking</span> paper there...</div>
<div align="center">and a final coat of Poly....</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiYdBFUb4YcF4pmDuSkcwFz1_UBuyY6fY0e-oM07oZkqTy5PYPq7wvHNycNVMLab8St-MNEfLw7HkmAMODCG9Xhpa0TCAyU3hs70j2fi5n5oiPg_4NfTgCHC1s2-p8BxVso3LYcg0aSY6/s1600/DSC_0616.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595564238948904962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiYdBFUb4YcF4pmDuSkcwFz1_UBuyY6fY0e-oM07oZkqTy5PYPq7wvHNycNVMLab8St-MNEfLw7HkmAMODCG9Xhpa0TCAyU3hs70j2fi5n5oiPg_4NfTgCHC1s2-p8BxVso3LYcg0aSY6/s400/DSC_0616.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div align="center">And this made for a pretty interesting project! </div>
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<div align="center"><p><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mushroom Tote and Fairies</span></div>
<div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#000000;">This was a complete experiment.</span> </div></span>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh571wVj5gZUsdRhJ_vjrSXdlTgUt1S0bMJ4dOxclsjlaZEXFcrJiRnBUCvuxJK0raDnAOFODybITIo1eoJXOddKZj7OeOLWyDLHgHJTiny_VnjKQmWYj4jD-RN4hJXW91GzfYQYvy5DXQI/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595564234474772690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh571wVj5gZUsdRhJ_vjrSXdlTgUt1S0bMJ4dOxclsjlaZEXFcrJiRnBUCvuxJK0raDnAOFODybITIo1eoJXOddKZj7OeOLWyDLHgHJTiny_VnjKQmWYj4jD-RN4hJXW91GzfYQYvy5DXQI/s400/DSC_0618.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">I invested in all natural fibers for this project.</div>
<div align="center">I was lucky enough to get some inexpensive wooden figures off of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ebay</span>.</div>
<div align="center">Just a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">re dressings</span> and some cute Gnome hats</div>
<div align="center">And I had a family of fairies and Gnomes. </div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aXL1abXCWtP19YHzTvp_RELJDNFLk55i2mXpBtV79wvt9qLYzQfysJpVXpGzH6rEDhS1L9sJtmLFSus9LOz77AJKmnFx3clU-UOC-uI11U9dQplimfTRGfhUvJi0qPzGPiIbooItxUbo/s1600/DSC_0619.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 213px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595562179421947234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aXL1abXCWtP19YHzTvp_RELJDNFLk55i2mXpBtV79wvt9qLYzQfysJpVXpGzH6rEDhS1L9sJtmLFSus9LOz77AJKmnFx3clU-UOC-uI11U9dQplimfTRGfhUvJi0qPzGPiIbooItxUbo/s320/DSC_0619.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLHtvBABfkpaewN92ADX_K_GuYiJyJC08hykOy2oqdo6GGWP7hDZENK81mIgwV3E-JG0g7w27RbQU7_bE-WVvjZyXvy-2KBSBOrdNJm0P-Qjw5e_gzY9Msay5ZjkJJB7bH0IrbhytjDF-/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 213px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595562175510005138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLHtvBABfkpaewN92ADX_K_GuYiJyJC08hykOy2oqdo6GGWP7hDZENK81mIgwV3E-JG0g7w27RbQU7_bE-WVvjZyXvy-2KBSBOrdNJm0P-Qjw5e_gzY9Msay5ZjkJJB7bH0IrbhytjDF-/s320/DSC_0620.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div align="center">This consists of a Knit Tube, felted door, Crocheted bottom, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">embroidered</span> vines.</div>
<div align="center">the roof is all felted, and the handle is knit</div>
<div align="center">Just throw it in the Wash to felt the wool yarn... and your good to go.</div>
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<div align="center"><p><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Felted Fairies</span></div>
<div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#000000;">These were super fun to make.</span></span></div>
<div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#000000;">they are pictured nestled in our homemade fairy houses.</span></span></div>
<div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#000000;">The houses are still under construction</span> </div></span>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TTnYCKC0jyt-ru3CKYPcjsST0VH1R1gWfCntKZDIvow04AIyqXCzB2fz3-LCFvYjeJZ_DI48gQkfv3nTsVSTJTtWzTdf9lawtHius61dAut1qU2tpBJ53DjCE7Ffk3TCbs0oTZGaANc5/s1600/DSC_0621.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 380px; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595562168506825234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TTnYCKC0jyt-ru3CKYPcjsST0VH1R1gWfCntKZDIvow04AIyqXCzB2fz3-LCFvYjeJZ_DI48gQkfv3nTsVSTJTtWzTdf9lawtHius61dAut1qU2tpBJ53DjCE7Ffk3TCbs0oTZGaANc5/s320/DSC_0621.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595561393452019026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxxD-3Uu28adNu9bTO-jNgmMz-8hA5eeIM-7AmIqpiNdH6R5xLL9PaRKITHI77rxf5Hqu18uRYwD0pcSk5TIUrpEQM0_QDoQmoOlgL0yoUDBGvfDqMbquntjWn93l-Q7rI9yhYGRsxHGe/s320/DSC_0624.JPG" /> </div>
<div align="center">Completely crafted from felting wool</div>
<div align="center">I used Alpaca.</div>
<div align="center">because I was able to get a Bunch in South America :) </div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilfjG-dH1bO3H_1wD1yoYTiThXLe8YqsIv8NYFT0t7U3gkjknj2X6VGR_ywUtLR-JHK3OfY_sHpIrMXAazAOydB3m9HYP3pMjLzqB82r4IHO4_tmD5UfE-GHihp6MdvIKHxF9aUA7ww1c/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG"></a></div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GQjySu7yeF0AIL-QsoN3Roal4QSfgeROvrJYlPON5YjXf91GAduq6fdrhdiUBvYdpnYaogVIO6E45qk_rhvSRT8fBNt-TEaZhB_f1f-RsX3pBFWzOzfpg6n4ecXVPxl38ct5ol_cD5Mz/s1600/DSC_0625.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 123px; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595560352426257746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GQjySu7yeF0AIL-QsoN3Roal4QSfgeROvrJYlPON5YjXf91GAduq6fdrhdiUBvYdpnYaogVIO6E45qk_rhvSRT8fBNt-TEaZhB_f1f-RsX3pBFWzOzfpg6n4ecXVPxl38ct5ol_cD5Mz/s200/DSC_0625.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdu-5ml-XzyadkCPqIB1H-RGKwHZhgGR2vcuH6sGMs4mh7YpN3MqFDh5LU1OgrNQqrXO-00JbzNJgcmFCSA66GFaGvwoTpOMS0yGkklSmp6IBGBu8gzNTy9NWIg9_Kh7kIin6ZQqfe_lI/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 114px; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595560354700706322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdu-5ml-XzyadkCPqIB1H-RGKwHZhgGR2vcuH6sGMs4mh7YpN3MqFDh5LU1OgrNQqrXO-00JbzNJgcmFCSA66GFaGvwoTpOMS0yGkklSmp6IBGBu8gzNTy9NWIg9_Kh7kIin6ZQqfe_lI/s200/DSC_0626.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilfjG-dH1bO3H_1wD1yoYTiThXLe8YqsIv8NYFT0t7U3gkjknj2X6VGR_ywUtLR-JHK3OfY_sHpIrMXAazAOydB3m9HYP3pMjLzqB82r4IHO4_tmD5UfE-GHihp6MdvIKHxF9aUA7ww1c/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 115px; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595560345005627666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilfjG-dH1bO3H_1wD1yoYTiThXLe8YqsIv8NYFT0t7U3gkjknj2X6VGR_ywUtLR-JHK3OfY_sHpIrMXAazAOydB3m9HYP3pMjLzqB82r4IHO4_tmD5UfE-GHihp6MdvIKHxF9aUA7ww1c/s200/DSC_0627.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNBRl_zMsxj-ftF42vWLt8523LZpP8-Qyez0Nho4vvJ8gxEJXIVvhySKqglLTdybyqGyIPJioRUqWoZ4gjUFJ6lHwbiA5sP6SpgOFhc6ZhUKa58p6PtvO9KxaW3GnqOtQvk_OGXturLup/s1600/DSC_0628.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 120px; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595560339213440786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNBRl_zMsxj-ftF42vWLt8523LZpP8-Qyez0Nho4vvJ8gxEJXIVvhySKqglLTdybyqGyIPJioRUqWoZ4gjUFJ6lHwbiA5sP6SpgOFhc6ZhUKa58p6PtvO9KxaW3GnqOtQvk_OGXturLup/s200/DSC_0628.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">the bodies of these <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">faeries</span> are felted wire.</div>
<div align="center">Pictured here are:</div>
<div align="center">Autumn</div>
<div align="center">Spring</div>
<div align="center">Winter</div>
<div align="center">Summer</div>
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<div align="center"><p><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Our New Kitchen</span></div>
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<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595559179761792690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5dCXQWPORmt281KNDjVOoqVuI9amS2jVi-Ltj1a73GR6qpF1O6SFEE3IGJsJlU4p1rA5WQuXDYJMDReSQ2USxkvORvjaOD_qxTUgCa3LKBgxeWN_Wu3gu6eK64J8XRONQiKgQIVFvNh0/s320/DSC01731.JPG" /></div>
<div align="center">After seeing Pottery Barn's expensive kitchen</div>
<div align="center">(which I wanted REALLY bad)</div>
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<div align="center">I searched on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">craigslist</span> for a used wooden kitchen </div>
<div align="center">and was able to come up with my OWN Retro Pink Kitchen.</div>
<div align="center">We even used REAL fixtures :)</div></div>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-16700811336115986072011-04-14T00:33:00.004-05:002011-04-14T00:44:54.503-05:00Felt Easter Bunnies<div align="center">I have so much to post.</div>
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<div align="center">So many projects that I have been working on in the ast several months... and so many great pics.</div>
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<div align="center">But for now, I want to share an Easter project we recently completed at our Pickwick Socirty meeting</div>
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<div align="center">Here are a set of tiny felt Easter bunnies set in a small crochet basket</div>
<div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 393px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595309446965316370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwGpM4df6YdbcYUfcu_h1tDsDHOFM89Nt9ER2thH-XwmeYwJ5jjbn_ZRljrUCisOcitG7PQd-fH_eVvXFEZx1y7VGtIbA1mhZwKim09svTSYPqKnfYLkzTIneWmgd89ZafFcsnv3xUwT5/s320/DSC01850.JPG" />
<div align="center">It was a fun project. The girls seemed to enjoy it. </div>
<div align="center">Just click on the" Pickwick" link on the top of the page to see how these felt cuties are put together.</div>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-33078284103895164672010-11-09T18:07:00.004-06:002010-11-09T18:33:59.287-06:00A Pickwick Society Tea<div align="center">This past Wednesday we had our first Pickwick tea of the year. Normally the girls and I are busy learning and employing the art of Handicrafts. This year's focus is on Crochet. It has been a challenge for the girls to learn, but by the end of the year I am sure they will proficient enough to make the Granny squares necessary for this year's service project.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The girls have come up with the idea of making prayer shawls and/or blankets for the church's Ministry. I am so Happy for their noble thoughts and ideas. they are such an inspiration!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw2nDgt2LsgB7l_nFApHsXq5jytavJJ4m_m-qfgWXFBwBjRhjSId3Sg1AHpQ8KBGSskjfWViLifGn6yk1JimuiEkfjJFZiiOm51RyJlwt-y6LCIrv9B0yPBhlnYWIP8imMH0DVhGURs_F/s1600/DSC01444.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537707858478403138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw2nDgt2LsgB7l_nFApHsXq5jytavJJ4m_m-qfgWXFBwBjRhjSId3Sg1AHpQ8KBGSskjfWViLifGn6yk1JimuiEkfjJFZiiOm51RyJlwt-y6LCIrv9B0yPBhlnYWIP8imMH0DVhGURs_F/s320/DSC01444.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XMrDHGKF0vaGC4QSf53QZIUJyCD7guddcExSS5rKRwyizV2dGNLzmH5Sq56jwAOmA9JD45AWQbkF3FRoyDE5BxgESMot_sHjugghCVyjvO0wfqP6NvJkS9ohbo75wjndutX6JtpGVaOM/s1600/DSC01445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537707853612504866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XMrDHGKF0vaGC4QSf53QZIUJyCD7guddcExSS5rKRwyizV2dGNLzmH5Sq56jwAOmA9JD45AWQbkF3FRoyDE5BxgESMot_sHjugghCVyjvO0wfqP6NvJkS9ohbo75wjndutX6JtpGVaOM/s320/DSC01445.JPG" border="0" /></a> This week's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pickwick</span> meeting was more of a social visit. The Girl's are so deserving of this time together. I find it necessary for them to build on their sisterhood and friendship. I want them to find the support that they need, and I know that they will find it within their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">home school</span> peer group. It is so wonderful to see them develop these life long friendships with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">each other</span>.</div><div align="center">
</div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYcVI9wzTsda20QJXiTQTvCC0TyETwnAKu1n54xdUeDxpv460CBjxfulBoLL4QIznr-sbITBuW13HUhPcGQq1Y6xtskDObtKR5p9DHrn1Aa3PSUUVXImHVf3ZV5pAfvEgRQo16XrajiE3/s1600/DSC01446.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537707249156302370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYcVI9wzTsda20QJXiTQTvCC0TyETwnAKu1n54xdUeDxpv460CBjxfulBoLL4QIznr-sbITBuW13HUhPcGQq1Y6xtskDObtKR5p9DHrn1Aa3PSUUVXImHVf3ZV5pAfvEgRQo16XrajiE3/s320/DSC01446.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9nksUMAn2zMz2GewqUywLKSATcAwHKny5Eak1vH_qTLbht8MJnzFQZhoaIpFbvuDS32PEF04wCFZoKJ3dtjUQRWrNhILAv2dIRUdyLAHPKKQhfWB5hQ59alDdWqy3EXrh0hRf7nccNcX/s1600/DSC01448.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537707241941953826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9nksUMAn2zMz2GewqUywLKSATcAwHKny5Eak1vH_qTLbht8MJnzFQZhoaIpFbvuDS32PEF04wCFZoKJ3dtjUQRWrNhILAv2dIRUdyLAHPKKQhfWB5hQ59alDdWqy3EXrh0hRf7nccNcX/s320/DSC01448.JPG" border="0" /></a> We DID start our meeting off with our normal virtue study. This week's topic was about Modesty in Dress. They found it a very interesting subject to discuss, and were very creative in thinking up ways to be "in style," without falling into the trap of dressing inappropriately.</p><p align="center">The book "Beautiful Girlhood" by M. Hale, lead us in our discussion. We read aloud from the chapter on modesty, and went from there. The girls found it fascinating that a book written so long ago, still addresses many of the same issues facing girls today.
</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDQhe76LZTNmZqw6MDiFvzaln-aJ_OJcmple3dcqH3EsktMK0lXKp5VMrGNL3zL00Uiv-hfjcHQ7JwP1gZMshHYFIfR3n5os5XbTC4dU_Of6vGr4TNAJCaCgism3-IEtHdP7nhsQzYO9U/s1600/DSC01449.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537707235072317090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDQhe76LZTNmZqw6MDiFvzaln-aJ_OJcmple3dcqH3EsktMK0lXKp5VMrGNL3zL00Uiv-hfjcHQ7JwP1gZMshHYFIfR3n5os5XbTC4dU_Of6vGr4TNAJCaCgism3-IEtHdP7nhsQzYO9U/s320/DSC01449.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7naz-nCmz1OvJvR6JXNfwyQv2Au0LLvLk8ZZ1IMgerYgerrVmy2Sj5OtOG25wNcl9yil2SfG9oF0pMe5_kG4bXrvmnwoVwlb2WuSapsJrXL9OjPa5RuFQny9_3HdFcjdNX4nwuqYOxr7-/s1600/DSC01450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537707220374902770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7naz-nCmz1OvJvR6JXNfwyQv2Au0LLvLk8ZZ1IMgerYgerrVmy2Sj5OtOG25wNcl9yil2SfG9oF0pMe5_kG4bXrvmnwoVwlb2WuSapsJrXL9OjPa5RuFQny9_3HdFcjdNX4nwuqYOxr7-/s320/DSC01450.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Along with our Virtue study and tea, we also spent sometime making biscuits, Apple butter, and strawberry-cranberry Jam. It was a fantastic treat... and we hope to make more jam in the near future. If you would like to see the recipe that we used for our Jam and apple butter, please see the Pickwick link at the top of my home page. I will posting it there shortly</p><p align="center">
</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_DdAceVjVRzWiMoP9liP5NOSyNj_wJlqg9a3CWZf9yOSNiYdkNjmGuwzZgI2PVF1gCbz-ZkDPdhntluUcx4ePYkjfSX_bX6KHwPEnZTDrWHUR06EWlcGYsAdnRyg690nevA5D_dXtpj/s1600/DSC01451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537707212989676338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_DdAceVjVRzWiMoP9liP5NOSyNj_wJlqg9a3CWZf9yOSNiYdkNjmGuwzZgI2PVF1gCbz-ZkDPdhntluUcx4ePYkjfSX_bX6KHwPEnZTDrWHUR06EWlcGYsAdnRyg690nevA5D_dXtpj/s320/DSC01451.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-40114536785820239392010-11-08T23:45:00.010-06:002010-11-09T01:19:20.459-06:00All Saints Day Celebrations!<div align="center">
</div><div align="center">The past week has been so incredibly busy... and I have SO much to share!! </div><div align="center">
</div><div align="center">First Off, I want to start by sharing some wonderful photos and memories of our All-Saints Day Celebration. It was such a wonderful time. We spent some time visiting At the Dominican Sister's retirement facility. It was a Lovely Visit. The kids were dressed in costume, and were prepared with a short presentation about their Saint. We really enjoyed sharing our Knowledge with the sisters, and can't wait to go back again.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537442695501891778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LPREmrO4Rvpj-VspGTzVgRuiyMkqGY8ybG-CeRdfkD1OvkdX1JwisXZnrvatmq7h0CJuF5aGnKo9D_Hq73SJ-qQqZJ3amGJK6CQUdM4nEkn8Oy3JpgUsn99BsnDX24BPtN1MduMPv8pO/s320/DSC01357+-+Copy.JPG" /></div><div align="center">
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537442687501399442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCDYO0ticjAHAaecx88efulQQERSboidKRexHi8N2yVYdrDiUD5rEfhqe_xnWabQ0g-p2BpiAGOxGT21HunP4DoLxgmpoMayljFtrbUWzNGnIO8IHxdZxILYPiKycM2g7pG9EfBleU7il/s320/DSC01356.JPG" />
<div align="center">One of the Biggest Highlights of the Season, is the All-Saints day party that we attend every year. It is Hosted by a fellow homeschooling family. They are wonderful enough to share their large farm property with us. It is truly beautiful to be out in the country. The kids spend time on Hayrides, feeding the cattle, and visiting the many animals. They just Love it!</div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537442166591455474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrpJuPNTgD57ESvxSwbggdtwttg6qkLg1omyusj0RPgsyuxkGkgv8vp-bwuQ81qBj1oynA5YNcR1MyPj_nVZX4SUDrEegG8sIj6nthH5_b07glYjUdpKkat7q-rDghUpcCSq75iGq2_jO/s320/DSC01369+-+Copy.JPG" />
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537442158681684738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMyUS87lmHhu-9PDMktDd_uNj5DwJEGbquFKtRavE4LN2iznJQnHyFftF9aLPd6vfk_mvLgCzsMhLxc7Hq6SiST_jgVafgh-_J_QdRBgsbwC5e7LfLYiPaNAkeYOmTq6iBgDc57g3o1qa/s320/DSC01371.JPG" />
<div align="center">While at the party, each family is in charge of setting up a game booth for the kids to enjoy. This year, a good friend of mine had the idea of setting up an All-Soul's chapel. Each family brought a picture of a loved one who had passed away. We placed the pictures in the Chapel, and the kids took turns offering prayers for their souls. It was both beautiful and meaningful.</div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537442155137083826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSECeUJIW20cms0yR4d-YS_mvlvmeChW1tTqKCLz6VV7EgSkq8uLiSb8wuVIsXWDzEoJoEsgqLd2O1y4Es3KyAaaYjlyEpfwvMFrb8cVQFOauNNBi4p5bCVw9hrQIvLGPFCjFEoPd906mR/s320/DSC01405.JPG" />
<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537440354626765970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW7vv-hCNyFHt2PMS9DBL_nBGEaeVUfbv9TjAPBKKWJ8Gog3VrQmyqCCcZQvJ0Dr-wDUyJ4NmA4uF4A6MQINx-bhEbEnkh8ixlp7tGuYHOAjeIhc-d9r9kWDNjCdgzObEjqi3rsNfIPbH/s320/DSC01390+-+Copy.JPG" />
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537440345110303570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJQ9LSXRE31fzlUzcBNCpz0kEGUntM4WzK7I_y3_2gBQYeBa3NO-2dCB9Y0DLvuQGYuQoklm4-RXPaBdNGtBmsW6WE5DT_TXeB0Vnjtn14XE4Lhi5_Dr9rlFS3h2dOZTX1GTa4_H2uzA3/s320/DSC01394+-+Copy.JPG" />
This year, "Belle" decided to dress up as one of her favorite Saints... St. Bernadette. Her knowledge of the Saints is amazing. She has taken to reading the stories on her own during her free time. She finds them very Inspirational, and I really couldn't think of more perfect models of Virtue and Faith than the Saints. So I am happy that her natural interest is growing in this direction.</div><div align="center">
</div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537435906691311330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2z3z8IHXU5DJu6kCmbOhRbwT_spyHzlAgpwyH2UeqFTCcE05XQLVhQ_qDOk60248GI3JGKSTLUYCgmx68ko-yEvdY6Jog3jJ5Cca8oe3qXysq5MiT2S3U3OPJyRT-sKzq55BbXGQJVUM/s320/DSC01374.JPG" /> <p align="center">
"Little Sparty" is such a boy! He decided that he had to be a saint that carried a sword. His Choice for this year was St. George. We were fortunate to have the Story book of St. George and the Dragon, So "Little Sparty" was in 7th Heaven learning more about his chosen Saint.</p><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537435897111689810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wjSe3C-USl8-gFDRXcMdtrc3q2ELiq7gvvIFY2f4odUI5nukRlE1DQ9dnYCwf2Lm-Mk22mDoper7dtKs40gO2j7YwKhNULtwFi5qSVceV8JvFqadect4NnMZAicbR-TRGBgp__1KYDlj/s320/DSC01358.JPG" />
"Little Music" was dressed as St. Helen this year. She loved watching the older boys and girls parading around as Saints, but more than that, she loved the fact that she was included in the festivities, and was so proud to be among all of the children
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537435434950832274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6czGv-W2o4kdzyIGNIUINZixRJt_TgkSxPtQkZKTVnJ5JOCM6QfxJ6Oi0GGKsIxpi94vKiYNu5tF6G2jvr_2t0bzRZlsIaMDMsBPJTjRP_IqSDOT4mLfg4Mxx5vgH9DvB-kQmow4GLLE/s320/DSC01368+-+Copy.JPG" />
<div align="center">I hope you enjoy the pics :)
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537435431793516914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx67BTm1WDsU7OoJcCyidnTzwVbONMBcpOCWkEHOnk0F1cGnssw6IsufkM-hYN8kH_sUT-BqlVYA-tEiakVUCz_jOPTmjrFDUPZ_Iekptwwzajs4j8xC3Gy518Hswyxz-cq5wBElblSVdd/s320/DSC01378+-+Copy.JPG" />
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center"></div></div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-74109687803326136782010-10-26T15:17:00.007-05:002010-10-26T16:30:46.474-05:00Artist Study with Degas<div align="center">Along with our 6 week Music study of Tchaikovsky, we are also studying The paintings, Sketches and sculptures of Edgar Degas. This is a perfect Artist to be studying with Tchaikovsky, because they are both directly related to Classical Ballet.
<p>In viewing works by Degas while listening to the music of Tchaikovsky, you can almost see Degas' ballerinas come to life. </p></div><p align="center">Some Of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tchaikovsky's</span> more famous Ballets are: </p><ul><li><div align="center">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Nutcracker</span> Suite</div></li><li><div align="center">Swan Lake </div></li><li><div align="center">Sleeping Beauty </div></li><li><div align="center">And Romeo an Juliet
<p>All Make for beautiful selections of music in which to begin your studies.
<p>Some of our Past Degas Selections have been: </p></div></li><li><div align="center">the Dance Class 1875-76</div></li><li><div align="center">The Star</div></li><li><div align="center">Ballet dancers
<p>Our Chosen Picture for this particular study was:</p></div></li></ul><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532463860588877026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydFQu8HLj2-UnR87p0A1-YscNHKCNKTzDBCuyphWhFWduoAKVqTbY6_wmP5TJnLFs_2Dpvg7EROV4FYV6P9Zt9u0Tly-NP-YzauZp6oyd6zgGHXKh9XbS7W_cvAOjIuflfk273U9BAE_G/s320/degas-singer-in-green.jpg" /> Singer in Green
1884-85
Pastel on paper.</p><div align="center">
<p>In this study we chose to focus on recreating the look of pastels.</p></div><div align="center">I have a few younger little ones, so instead of working with the pastel medium, I chose to recreate the look with a medium that the kids are extremely familiar with....crayons.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">This method is called the "crayon-resist".</div><div align="center">
All you will need is:</div><div align="center"></div><ul><li><div align="center">Crayola crayons (vibrant colors)</div></li><li><div align="center">watercolors</div></li><li><div align="center">paintbrushes</div></li><li><div align="center">watercolor paper</div></li><li><div align="center">a cup of water</div></li><li><div align="center">painting smock</div></li></ul><div align="center">
Have your child first sketch their work on the paper. A soft outline sketch is all that is needed. Any detail will be added in with the crayons. It is important to note that the sketch need not be perfect. As with any "interpretation" of an artist's work, It will ultimately take on a life of its own... and it will be a life created by the unique hands of your child.</div><div align="center">
<p>The most important goal of this activity is for your child to commit the Artist's picture to memory, so that it can always be on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">display</span> in the Gallery of the "mind's eye". It is in capturing the essence of a painting, that we establish a deep and meaningful relationship with it.</p></div><div align="center">
<p>After your child's Sketch is complete, have them go over their sketch outline in crayon. From here on out, it is important that your child color in detail with a Heavy hand. In order for the crayon to "resist," the paper most be covered in wax. Have the child color in their Sketch with colors and direction <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> to that of the artists. Have them Examine the pattern of the pastel colors, and imitate it to the best of their ability (with a heavy hand).</p></div><div align="center">
<p>Once all coloring has been completed, you child is ready to paint with watercolors. You will notice in Degas' Pastel works, that often times his pastels were layered . Have your child choose the paints that best match the layered effect of the pastel. Paint over the crayon with nice heavy strokes. The Crayon will resist the watercolors where the wax is heavy, and seep into the paper where the wax was lacking. This will ultimately create the layered effect and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Chalkiness</span> of the pastel work.</p><p>Here are a few samples of our work:</p></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532463849571543826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhRN-QpXb6NraZir-OwGkod9MANC_-SYS6q2GXgLV1YKnSurt3DjC99fht80gw2f0afX_7sNkMpMW8p3qYyrXc0IJc-rPtpYB8rjIs6nVkeh2dnU6TmLrSOUGn2hFqdPSzobGUKLfP8PM/s320/DSC01186.jpg" /> <p align="center">Mom
</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532463841958019410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hB0JdFk0X7_TLfcdDhfk0jPUG7GDofA07tCwGCoB2uRJZdMJXQbylQm7in5snZPNxLeUHZ-W8LXrPue5jcgi9YeAtVProFS6elJprXN0FGpVavLnXUCzcOd2psw_u0UKTMJkFkjiwjp6/s320/DSC01185.jpg" /> <p align="center">
"Belle"- age 10yrs
</p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532463837998446162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTpcGyeVOLFiYYhfqfbFVydxbpRfCUOJXTXIkUi2vV28mzuSLJFzqaMtYs49R0oOgdzwCntN-nZG5hyphenhyphencJ_jjkMkxNepLyVGgqHXcRjD6k6VRNpWCwQ1yJmJbasdp2e5L6hJPD_QybgUvh/s320/DSC01184.jpg" /> "Little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sparty</span>"- Age 6 yrs</p><p align="center">(He opted to Draw a Bus)</p><p align="center">
Hope you enjoy this activity as much as we did!
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>
<p></p><p></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-40007116827566177602010-10-25T21:08:00.011-05:002010-10-26T15:09:12.669-05:00Composer and music Studies with TchaikovskyWe have had a wonderful 6 weeks studying Tchaikovsky. <div><div><div><div><div align="center">He has always been one of my favorite composers, so It was a real Joy to share my love of his music with my kids this term. To add to our music studies, I put together some </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.hslaunch.com/mypage/downloader.php?file=userfiles/0/72875061231.pdf&id=3689">notebooking pages</a>, <a href="http://www.hslaunch.com/mypage/downloader.php?file=userfiles/0/56021837068.pdf&id=3681">a coloring page</a>, and a <a href="http://www.hslaunch.com/mypage/downloader.php?file=userfiles/0/11837155156.pdf&id=3691">mini book</a> to go along with our studies. </div><div>
<p></p></div><div align="center">Classical music and the arts played a large role in my childhood. My mother was very fond of classical music, and I have many memories directly associated with certain pieces that I heard while growing up. Music and the arts also played a huge part in my Younger sister's growth and development. Growing up with Cerebral Palsy was a major obstacle, but music and the arts along with her regular therapy had a profound effect on her. <p></p></div><div align="center">All and all, I have to say that I have come to understand the importance of Music and the arts in the life of a child.</div><div><p>
</p></div><div align="center">In order to deepen our appreciation and develop a strong relationship with music, I have always advocated engaging as many of a child's senses as possible while listening to a selection. Any creative and calming activity is fine, so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">long as it</span> is something that your child enjoys.</div><div><p>
</p></div><div align="center">It can be as something as simple as dancing to the music... (free-style or simply choreographed), or playing an instrument along with the music. My kids enjoy getting out their toy drum or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tambourine</span>, and playing to the beat of the music. An activity as simple as this, can even help teach your child <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rhythm</span>.</div><div align="center"></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532198859296632738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hzRhDS9SZ01jJ4yn99EDRsbt5NUAWcGzo9RZEjhzzSKKyTJpF60I0plP_WzJXpRGkO0AzEFARRXaHPDlpdirUvhPiPu8eeiGV4VKeAKbAr9LNtnGmglhYmENBz2eldCjvv5KdNbOQwWT/s320/DSC01233.jpg" /> <p>
</p></div><div align="center">One of my favorite activities to do with my children, is something we call "paint-conducting".</div><div align="center">All you will need for this project is:</div><ul><li><div align="center">a set of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finger paints</span></div></li><li><div align="center">finger-painting paper</div></li><li><div align="center">a painting smock</div></li><li><div align="center">a selection of music.</div></li></ul><p align="center">
<p>Firstly, the kids and I take a few minutes to absorb the piece of music.</p><div align="center">In this case, we listened to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no.1.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532198697165425858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL__BFTXZfyWRlvRfsb23Hy35Lbn9JN62iYk1XOUjmkUSPZXa6Wg5iLGvYvcgDjaQqKmHbQ9sskrbhuiCOSRU4o-OWTuaFJ-SLpisv_0-VaUa1aU8-zWesdXUsG5mND8dlnCTEz8_gJex/s320/DSC01235.jpg" /></div><div align="center">After listening quietly to the music, I tell them to simply paint how the music makes them "feel".</div><div align="center">Their color selection is based on feeling.</div><div align="center">Their finger strokes are based on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rhythm</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532198689846130370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8rtmdvye9xyS_x326-sBNaf9nfEkOOdV5_gVcYGdq8jMeaggwzyLgGaRFoGvyjeNmhXpHW5uhuEKCRvCx4aBMjes_BeMRZf04WnNK-M-rpIaW4Mv_5oVLDdTBirjw42UL-K5c6KN-CYL/s320/DSC01236.jpg" /></div><div>
<p></p></div><div align="center">They enjoy both attentively listening to the music, as well as seeing the product of their listening .</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532198682629836530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbKnriNsDdG33s-J6xOyryovq9-4uPpTWoLXudSIh6LlEIeQaewXOcLHml6a8TL14mqXZseQOrIlwioWqBML_Vo_SxXjDVv7CWpEZMucx1jJuh1Z3iJSxoHvAA9bfQ4yUY7ZevIEL0rB0/s320/DSC01237.jpg" />
<p></p></div><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Don't</span> forget to label the finished product with a name, date and composition.</div><div align="center">My hope is that at the end of the year, we will have a collection of paintings to compare and contrast.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Piano Concerto No.1- Tchaikovsky</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532197912815537378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaVVR23_Ijd6v6vDAcj3fOTJwwO9JQbn9ua4ftNhvsRnfbX4ioVToVq4uQS-8wSpdkahNN_azkUXkH0J3GRZTIky7jdOJ3B6R9lccgJBCJuO1KMyBTRJwsHHFztOLArx54Ty4IBYjZ3bm/s320/DSC01334.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Mom</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532197905503472930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYWhxT-ZCADINsn3_C2Ndx_J7oj8fy0BfrTpnnYw_UPxujkVYfV09uLCAXGrRNHI8d4aq4zPd5zmOI9w8s_PFWe0i3xYo5tzP4q-RCcnVkWA-1Iggi4yjHQRXScyQgQp0fagFYs6B0YoU/s320/DSC01335.jpg" /></div><div align="center">"Belle"- age 10yrs</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532197908829516082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kOuSzSf6uja7jbBXTQAhcEk__HWNlXeWJN-bp1Qh39xbOSrqwK0vJpZ8AuclIYPePFOEYdyQD7jJGRpfJhSlyFzzor-XNY0pg_f65v3YT_HSGv-5gD-cdfZvm-L46E0hON7nOZwbtk6n/s320/DSC01336.jpg" /></div><div align="center">"Little Sparty"- Age 6 yrs</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532197900930875682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9gpURVbyCGUPZaDO_VzUbfCFLDtjt5UYHU1W645XBwqEXF70-J8DV4qKR4zpJNHfCNeq8yv0fu1sbrOPcJDWT9ZwLUh8TBkzqtek81oOHGofnvvB9sEUUGgys-o5R5xrtmrx9clQlc3O/s320/DSC01337.jpg" /></div><div align="center">"Little Music"- age 18months</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-63904372958117296242010-10-11T09:36:00.005-05:002010-10-11T10:02:00.814-05:00Fruits of Our Labor<div>
<div>In an earlier post, I mentioned the garden that the kids have been tending since Spring.
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<p align="center">It has been a blessing for so many reasons. The kids have learned so much about plants and nature, they have witnessed and discovered things like:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526802010512588866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9CkNPXxpWyTF5EdQsuqYTENoGOus3kXZpHnc0zsGCTkEiAM-S-yB1R0sTc-p2YQgdkW4gfovk-rHQkB_vrecpPlyMxVDdUV15YI5t0Z651q8VylSGPdIpB5JymI_awyT04AIDmKp04fm/s320/DSC00800.JPG" border="0" />
<p align="center">How the plants grow from seed to fruit bearing plant.</p>
<p align="center">They have witnessed the plant"s stages of growth, and seen the miracle of God's creation </p>
<p align="center">first -hand.</p>
<p align="center"></p>
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<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526801989730729330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OokmI-ahX95TnwbhPPQQ_fAqIQHhFwWTKigdDIIH5QMT7vVYV6EN5wMn2yB2QKh-8iHLCmnF-4J3klJH8hEUJYdpsDSlXiEvXevZJUQa2QZttqW1hdTT3D7bH0Gz1B4RjXOJU-R4Bajt/s320/DSC00802.JPG" border="0" />
They have built a relationship with their garden.</p>
<p align="center">They have learned how to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">responsible</span>.</p>
<p align="center">They have discovered a new appreciation from the<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">veggies</span> that they harvest</p>
<p align="center">and have learned to be thankful </p>
<p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526801959280803170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9himj24XVC6zgtoptlRRbQVcft8aW50vgXIAfZ97C_CypkmqdDrNFpi3FILWjaUabDW8gBfQ_4uzY3oLgBhQx0mr8D4rS1Z5sJIcDcLwQfTcYZa2KwXdWLlppk7Yf_UmF-qRqIUP0I-7U/s320/DSC00803.JPG" border="0" />
<p align="center">They have even discovered and learned about bugs and insects that now inhabit their little garden.
But I think the MOST important thing... is that they have learned these things on their own</p>
<p align="center">They actually OWN their garden.</p>
<p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526801946771498210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8tts1wNABq7B7cvKNEtMtv4Aznmuo83yKLLryITpZ0r48Si82RlGS-mBnkb95ceJcbGdAWOz4WxTE75HVEcqi3udguUt77DOPT_cCDD1MlQM5QLpbmk6mVdidZSdJGy_bgJBIXC8srtC/s320/DSC00805.JPG" border="0" />
</p>
<div align="center">In the beginning, I taught them how to weed, trim and harvest... but since that time, they have cared for their garden on their own. I do not have to tell them to water it, I do not have to tell them to care for it. They know that it is THEIRS, and they relish the thought of it.</div>
<p align="center">Since this spring we have made a number of changes to the garden. This past week, we did <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">away </span>with our cucumbers and tomatoes... and have planted some lovely fall crops!...</p>
<p align="center">Say "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mmmm</span>....." for butternut squash and pumpkin!</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-7721597255768173002010-10-04T16:46:00.017-05:002010-10-12T23:59:51.958-05:00Our Summer with the Blueberries<div align="center">
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Well, what can I say? I am a little behind on some of my posts… but better late than never, Right?
The important thing is that I am taking some much needed time to document some treasured memories.Not only is this blogging time a time for me to reflect on Life’s precious gifts…. But it is also a time for me to put my thoughts and feelings into words.
Hey! It’s Therapy!
But more importantly, it’s a “someday keepsake” for my kids. </div><div align="center">
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524593046983061730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v0qwsxSkOhYSQENjrWBRKB9BBD2ZPjPqfIu5T-fKSlpkBli29EGukQc8D-1R00g6WSFItgLCvOx4lmRq2pUI0dw_q8kmL7Zil-XrX4OqcTRIJL40dsL9qmFkhzx0x0Sq2ZhwqEh3xdJc/s320/DSC00862.JPG" /> <p align="center">
One of our more wonderful activities of the summer was our adventure in blueberry picking.The kids had a ball picking and collecting Blueberries with our good friends.
It was there first time to pick blueberries… and It will not be our last
(despite the 100 degree heat)!
If there is ONE thing that I have come to realize in the past couple of years…
It is that kids seem to have a greater appreciation for the food at the table when they have to work with it.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVLww_n0rkGOSvEuL1gMy_NI78C7mn06l5DMPMbahnbaPizo53pnPFOuotd_BCWpDhfhTwOQ-x8JWO4T_oxJC0Rzn2EgqrbC-Rs9nq8rE19OoyG8DHOP1dR_sVxCGyKONTd0LPpah3mHD/s1600/DSC00842.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524592695748980290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVLww_n0rkGOSvEuL1gMy_NI78C7mn06l5DMPMbahnbaPizo53pnPFOuotd_BCWpDhfhTwOQ-x8JWO4T_oxJC0Rzn2EgqrbC-Rs9nq8rE19OoyG8DHOP1dR_sVxCGyKONTd0LPpah3mHD/s320/DSC00842.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTIrPrjTcum49HV9b8ZfJdoRkq5B7LDS-6fHWvs5yRYQeGmJRHWQitNPtuwVoRyd4DES1QHA5iRBRzvadx_M72oV1Wou5wIAH6yd5EMRFiyVoaiUar4hgRZv3eO7NOz7hMszk56IPmy0g/s1600/DSC00847.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 113px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 164px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524592101218883538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTIrPrjTcum49HV9b8ZfJdoRkq5B7LDS-6fHWvs5yRYQeGmJRHWQitNPtuwVoRyd4DES1QHA5iRBRzvadx_M72oV1Wou5wIAH6yd5EMRFiyVoaiUar4hgRZv3eO7NOz7hMszk56IPmy0g/s320/DSC00847.JPG" /></a></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 126px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524592326144557218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8GTxSyireAiZtKsZFlCJC6n7-xg_Ey_bCeKZ33iNx7-DQwAOHMKytCvrsOopybP4VqliJp9dR_dzc1tJs_P2SGurcd1-eeK1Hy2qk3DXCfgBNbjDX-BD1-uh9u7MFVQ0BdYF6NC4VcQ-/s320/DSC00832.JPG" />
<div align="center">This year, itself, has been an eye-opener for me.
Before our blueberry picking adventure, my kids didn’t really care a fig for blueberries.
Since then, they have developed a profound relationship with the berry…
and I truly think that half of their enjoyment for them comes from the memories they recollect while eating them.
The same can be said for the vegetable garden we started this year.
The kids grew the plants, tended the garden, and harvested the fruit themselves!
I have never seen a cucumber devoured with so much satisfaction and delight…
I have never seen a tomato eaten… well....AT ALL, before experiencing there garden. </div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524430296562988066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrYLYJlardUyzLfH0e_lm-pMKYdYEXnG_7lhPtfyQWc_1-mpZj_P7rarvzjdWvUPFj7-ST3soiyvkwTPwVRKpaYzqKafB1D7QR9hTcOcKOFOz9RfFnelVaWXZXZ8l9k_AdfrBWR3nhVUK/s320/DSC00857.JPG" /> <p align="center">
There is something so humbling about growing food from God’s good earth with our bare hands.
Not only do we truly see “the fruits” of our labor…
But we can truly appreciate the Bountiful Blessings of God</p><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524430281258554930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8aeJQVriNkvjL5lIIV6aqzkMf4ftOI8z6ADLc8lVuSAuHm1mlpDGxylMEv6ZjtZ1AgG2uAtCl063eFgm9mGdEKsGTk1q1bnjeCpz5ehYzQgoRxn95z8gJBlhUBgXltwDgu65Czf1BpJh/s320/DSC00877.JPG" />
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-63038902484159444322010-09-21T13:57:00.007-05:002010-09-27T23:38:46.281-05:00Off to a start!!!<div>
<div>We officially started school the day after Labor day. It was a perfect time for us to start. We were able to get one last summer adventure out of the way over the weekend. I am happy to say that we ended our summer with a "bang"!
I am So excited about what we have planned for this year. We are currently working on a number of fun projects, and have started some exciting new journeys and adventures into some fabulous new books.
Last School year turned out to be very fruitful, but I did walk away wanting to improve a few things. Over the summer, I set myself to the task of re-examining our organizational skills and habits. It seems that there are a few things that need "tweaking". With a little one constantly running under my feet and a 6 year old who is starting 1st grade,this year will be a challenge, indeed.
One of the first things that I set to work on is our habits. My 6 year old is in definite need of developing his habits of attention and obedience. in his case, I think the two habits are directly correlated. I am so thrilled to be reading the book "Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook," By Sonya Shafer. It is A Heavy read, but it does a wonderful job of pulling all of Charlotte Mason's writings on the formation of habit. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521816003512117634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDpRohFJD8rN3izf7IsCO4Bo9px74n2nkppUlKJUWAV6S2bRVdWTUjWtXU1gUVSGL3Ta5Dl5T7s11MRrwZ8xr2slL-zzllCUNb_OCXqpi-HZHkj_443epjNm_bVNm2HvuGdGhhRCK-EAt/s320/laying-down-rails.jpg" />The things that I have taken away from the book are: changing my own habits into an attitude of encouragement and positive reinforcement, remembering that the development of a new habit should be exercised in baby steps, and to drop the relentless nagging and replace it with a firm but gentle reminder. the Formation of habit is definitely a team effort :). </div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521815998467859026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF9Y4Kopmr41smdiaEJC72MfGvOegwwIacCoNND25q9oxhlsXy4ORojSON9fwwmXilU1Hdj9RTP-4pLF3R6o1wbn9iv0prSqJZs3RpirKKySXRKJMVZdzY7TeDxjMI1xurb6SYPCD9mFL/s320/DSC00535.JPG" />
Along with my sons habit of attention, I have decided to re-form my own habit of organization. I have, therefore, decided that "work boxes" are the best means of delivering materials to my children in the morning. Having their work pre-set for them gives me more opportunity for free time with the little one. It also inspires the kids to complete their work in a timely manner so that they can move on to the next "bin". At the end of the day, they get to see how much they have accomplished. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521815480375882674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLphM6II2P-B8IHHo9aodBs0gWQIcVWI0L9nwv7pjG9olAgoOQ_WJCV0uv28Q47BTpO-eTCQ8xjKHJ3zo3NEtaFLMtxsyhdRbrD-5t-fWt9crCe17_C-TnuS1-soRsGUhSMvfNJ9CyIRe/s320/DSC00534.JPG" />
In order to keep myself on track, I have adopted a kitchen timer. Not only does this remind to keep the lesson short and to the point, but it helps my 6 yr old develop his habit of attention. He hears the time ticking away, and he knows that as soon as that bell rings, he is able to move on to the next subject. If he gets his lessons done quickly (and done well), he is rewarded by free time.
Another handy little tool that I have adopted for this year is the online CM organizer at www.simplycharlottemason.com This tool has been a God send for me. Should we happen to miss a day or skip a scheduled subject, it carries the assignment to the next scheduled day. No more backtracking, erasing and rewriting our school plans into a day planner! It is also VERY handy for keeping records and reports. The best thing about it is that it has a free trial, so that you have the ability to make sure that is a program that you will use.
Now that I have shared our organizational over-haul, I can't wait to share our projects and assignments!! But I will save That for my next post</div><div></div><div></div>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-16981944029197079002010-04-22T21:33:00.005-05:002010-10-13T00:00:19.349-05:00The Greater the Sufferings...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ewxKdoSpcO0I5TYWJo1nU3Mw9rvRRORlDmSoU4SrKr3iVqRopMRAtdvbE3iMIIe0vsVU-2VlPM0VLE36hFXXTEqekF5e6SfY5duSgJst_rSbRYuZ-S7I_a7iiG_ntDd916-5bFQ5sOWq/s1600/St_Theresa2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463184967349395858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ewxKdoSpcO0I5TYWJo1nU3Mw9rvRRORlDmSoU4SrKr3iVqRopMRAtdvbE3iMIIe0vsVU-2VlPM0VLE36hFXXTEqekF5e6SfY5duSgJst_rSbRYuZ-S7I_a7iiG_ntDd916-5bFQ5sOWq/s320/St_Theresa2.jpg" /></a>
<div align="center">"I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrafice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul" - St. Theresa of the Child Jesus</div>
<div align="center"></div><p>
<div align="center">I started off this past Lent with a promise, a promise to find and embrace my "little way". I found myself drawn to the practice through the inspiration of St. Theresa. </div><p>
<div align="center">You see, what more can a stay at home Mother have to offer than her "little way"?</div>
<div align="center">I will make no great wave in the ocean. My contributions feel so small in the vastness of this great world. Washing the dishes will not save a soul and Folding the laundry will not cure world hunger.</div><p>
<div align="center">But just Like St. Theresa, I do not wish for greatness. I do not wish to be seen or heard, I simply wish to do the Job that God has given me and to do it well.</div>
<div align="center">THAT, in and of itself is a challenge.</div><p>
<div align="center">The quote that I have opened this post with is my reminder.</div>
<div align="center">The smallest action done with the greatest amount of love is my ultimate goal.</div>
<div align="center"></div><p>
<div align="center">Of course, now Lent is over... but I am still trying to focus on my little sacrafices. I am still striving to remember to act out of love. It is no easy thing, working without complaint. Especially when You know that you have washed the same shirt 100 times in the last week, or picked up the same toy 10 times in the same day.</div>
<div align="center">But then, if it were not hard, it would not be a sacrafice. What then would I have to offer my Dear Lord and Saviour?</div>
<div align="center"></div><p>
<div align="center">I have been spending a great amount of time reading and reflecting on the Life of St Theresa.</div>
<div align="center">I find myself envious of her sufferings. Especially after reading her autobiography. There is a great part of me that wonders... does God want me less, because I have not suffered very much?</div>
<div align="center">I am so fortunate in my life.</div>
<div align="center">I have such a great number of blessings.</div>
<div align="center">I have not had it very hard.</div>
<div align="center">I have suffered, so very little.</div>
<div align="center">How then, can I really prove my love for God?</div>
<div align="center"></div><p>
<div align="center">Sometimes I find myself praying for sufferings.</div>
<div align="center">And then, Sometimes, I find myself quickly dismissing the urge to pray for them simply because I am scared. Would I really have what it takes to endure pain and suffering even one- tenth the size that so many of the Great Saints have endured?</div>
<div align="center"></div><p>
<div align="center">I know that we all should be striving for Sainthood,</div>
<div align="center">but I couldn't begin to think myself worthy enough to rise past their feet.</div>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center"></div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-81200526493812593752010-04-10T23:03:00.006-05:002010-10-12T23:49:41.673-05:00These are the times of our lives!!<div align="center">
When my oldest was a toddler,
I wanted to capture EVERY precious memory that was made.
I took a ton of pictures, started a scrapbook, and began writing little tidbits in a memory journal.
With each child, of course, came less time to devote to the documentation of all of the precious moments. Journals, scrapbooks and pictures can be found on an upper shelf, and rarely find their way into my hands these days.
The prob;em is... there is still So much to document! Not a day goes by that I do not say to myself "I want to remeber this for the rest of my life.
While loading groceries, I stumbled upon one of those wonderfully precious moments. Luckily, my diaper bag was armed with a camera... and that fleeting moment was captured on film. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY_4Uzb5Hq8dP7ELWJ9IPc6OeXPvLH5QJpLz_jzFQG4ypvHuh9DICfGXOztUYBvXUmkfSROGhsj5aTLrwDz-9fPVlnfWNNl2cqDpnCb0c0wLhfQ4OCBJ5CQ1iApDZu8Bv_axI7dTgRh_5/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 223px; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458740208798301570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY_4Uzb5Hq8dP7ELWJ9IPc6OeXPvLH5QJpLz_jzFQG4ypvHuh9DICfGXOztUYBvXUmkfSROGhsj5aTLrwDz-9fPVlnfWNNl2cqDpnCb0c0wLhfQ4OCBJ5CQ1iApDZu8Bv_axI7dTgRh_5/s320/023.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylWsKOGD5so0MMiahjYyn7KmDUTwUUHZ7L0E4MY6V_mO6WOr0b9BpzSplwxMW-1I7A6Tt0lDJF7v1d7pZkzBgBuXRxEgtuYVsPIkDEkOCVepb0NXUygUGUVcENel_B8eWN3y0k8HI-OlT/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 259px; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458740219970918706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylWsKOGD5so0MMiahjYyn7KmDUTwUUHZ7L0E4MY6V_mO6WOr0b9BpzSplwxMW-1I7A6Tt0lDJF7v1d7pZkzBgBuXRxEgtuYVsPIkDEkOCVepb0NXUygUGUVcENel_B8eWN3y0k8HI-OlT/s320/025.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">
Apparently my darling boy thought it would be oh-so-cute to jump into Baby girl's carseat wearing a bonnet and all! These are the times that a Mother lives for! It is food for a Mother's heart and soul... and it will nourish her for years to come. </div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-27695814832133063262010-04-07T23:18:00.008-05:002010-10-12T23:50:07.794-05:00Sweet awakening!!<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center">I say "sweet" awakening</div>
<div align="center">Because the awakening couldn't have come with more tenderness and innocence of spirit than it did. The messenger was an Earthly Angel; the means delivery, unknowingly crafted by my own hand.</div><P>
<div align="center"></div><div align="center">Needless to say, I have been rather busy the last few months. It happens every year the same, Christmas comes and I get all wrapped up (no pun intended). After the Holidays, I spend a great deal of time playing catch up... and my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> world gets lost in the shuffle. (This would obviously explain my lack of recent posts.)</div><P>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center">Life has become a torrent of chores and activities.</div>
<div align="center">Most of which, I love to do.</div>
<div align="center">All of which I do for love,</div>
<div align="center">or so it seemed until very recently.</div><P>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center">Last week I was hit by a gentle wake up call; a love tap.</div>
<div align="center">The tap Jolted me to the core, and have begun to wonder if I need to do a serious re-evaluation of my life's activities. </div><P>
<div align="center">For the past 6 months, my children and I have been in the regular habit of sending <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">each other</span> letters. At the beginning of the year I put together a mailbox of sorts. I have enjoyed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">receiving</span> notes, pictures, and scribbles of love from my children.</div>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center">It is from this very source that my angel delivered her message.</div><P>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center">A small tattered piece of paper peeked its little head from my mail slot.</div>
<div align="center">I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hurriedly</span> reached to grab it, expecting to find the innocent musings of a child carefully scrawled on a piece of paper.</div>
<div align="center">Only this note was something different.</div>
<div align="center">Hastily scribbled, my daughter's thoughts <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">lept</span></span> from the paper in bright red marker.</div><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrb1yRh8dMuQT3ADUQSTq2inYmgScMZQY7offl_iAym5_25c3dGx0wkq6H1IgB-9fY9Ma9Yk8ALBJ7UrE-ahqdJxBmxD38ikL0j6cRWB2w1HUV1yM8iEULcSYIGmUPMWZGuMY9IEYlq-c/s1600/168.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 227px; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457629445508387122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrb1yRh8dMuQT3ADUQSTq2inYmgScMZQY7offl_iAym5_25c3dGx0wkq6H1IgB-9fY9Ma9Yk8ALBJ7UrE-ahqdJxBmxD38ikL0j6cRWB2w1HUV1yM8iEULcSYIGmUPMWZGuMY9IEYlq-c/s320/168.JPG" /></a>
<div align="center"></div><P>
<div align="center">"ALWAYS IN A HURRY" it said.</div>
<div align="center">and there quite plainly was a picture of me with 8 arms and 8 legs, flailing my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">limbs</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">erratically</span>.</div>
<div align="center"></div><P>
<div align="center">I was suddenly struck dumb and remained motionless in the center of my kitchen.</div>
<div align="center">I could feel those horrendous <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">octo</span></span>-limbs paralyze in mid-air.</div>
<div align="center">My thoughts ran <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ramped</span>:</div>
<div align="center"></div><P>
<div align="center">"Is this what my daughter sees?"</div>
<div align="center">"Has my intent to create a peaceful and simple life failed?"</div>
<div align="center">"But EVERYTHING I do, I do for her... for her brother... for my kids, RIGHT?!"</div>
<div align="center"></div><P>
<div align="center">And then it began to make sense...</div>
<div align="center">My body, my Soul has been calling out for peace and tranquility for a long time!</div>
<div align="center">That cry from within... must be silently screaming from without... in my actions, in my moods, in my inability to devote every waking second to the emotional needs and wants of my children.</div>
<div align="center"></div><P>
<div align="center">It is quite simple isn't it?</div>
<div align="center">I can try my utmost to provide all of the opportunities and activities that my children desire...</div>
<div align="center">but if it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">interrupts</span> the peace, tranquility and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rhythm</span> of my home... I will now have to ask:</div><P>
<div align="center">"IS IT WORTH IT?"</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I will prayerfully consider all activities and events before deciding to do them.</div><div align="center">I WILL listen to the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit.</div><div align="center">AND I will be an example of self-discipline and moderation.</div><div align="center">"For everything there is a season..."</div><div align="center"></div>
<div align="center"></div><P>
<div align="center">There is ONE <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">thing I</span> know for sure... </div>
<div align="center">I never want my daughter to see me as that hideous <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">octo</span></span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">limbed</span></span> mom again.</div><div align="center">It was a picture of Gluttony personified.</div>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center"></div>
<div align="center"></div>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-67391301189268685962009-10-13T21:55:00.009-05:002009-10-14T00:01:59.598-05:00Fairy Sketching and Watercolor Pencil Review<p>I have been working on a few fairy sketches. They are reproductions of the famous sketches by Cecile <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mary Barker</span>. I have always loved her drawings, so I was excited to start this new project, knowing full well that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">I could</span> never really do her artwork any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Justice</span>.
<p>But, I love a challenge!
<p>Just recently, my daughter has decided on a fairy themed birthday party. We have been brainstorming on how we would like to capture the fairy-like atmosphere (coming from a theatrical background, "set <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">building</span>" is the first thing that we always think about).
<p>Our first task was to start on the invitations. I always enjoy hand making our invites... so we decided to sketch our favorite fairies, and mount them onto a pastoral background. I am only part way through sketching and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hand painting</span>, but hope to finish the whole project by this weekend so I can mail them out.
<p>To capture the soft, dainty look of Miss Barker's fairies, I knew that I would have to use watercolors. I decided that this was as good a time as any to start playing with watercolor pencils. I have been hesitant at the prospect of using them, because I am a bit backwards, and enjoy using paints and a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">palette</span> . Give me an easel and artist's chapeau and I am all set.
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVmF8tKjokOnPf_amQfkYlLVfwLViGbQOix5O8snJD2GabfWlq5Zry67rq17KaMqCadTcA2UV9_obR5doAbmVTYSHMX05y_PI2xNLmCR5pPp5sYSbQqofGighxquPJ1e8NSnQ-jLg6KQe/s1600-h/thumbnailCAUJ765I.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392294455881574050" style="WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVmF8tKjokOnPf_amQfkYlLVfwLViGbQOix5O8snJD2GabfWlq5Zry67rq17KaMqCadTcA2UV9_obR5doAbmVTYSHMX05y_PI2xNLmCR5pPp5sYSbQqofGighxquPJ1e8NSnQ-jLg6KQe/s320/thumbnailCAUJ765I.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<p>Being in a playful and very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">experimental</span> mood. I purchased the Generals Kimberly set of watercolor pencils. It is not the most expensive set, but it is a higher quality brand. Being reluctant to spend the full amount on something that I was unsure about, I purchased a smaller set.
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrr_kYXrFaXjP8LGD96-RiUQhy2JQYm68-sd8xKQ3rcG3qKK6MoRgDAt_pLhryyeggJzmVHVg39lXkkbJvhsAmrLIbHyzEkWbVEoF9pRKbcaQ7WzyGgnuZvKBtZNhatX1DljJQO9l82U6/s1600-h/scan0004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392294446342327362" style="WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrr_kYXrFaXjP8LGD96-RiUQhy2JQYm68-sd8xKQ3rcG3qKK6MoRgDAt_pLhryyeggJzmVHVg39lXkkbJvhsAmrLIbHyzEkWbVEoF9pRKbcaQ7WzyGgnuZvKBtZNhatX1DljJQO9l82U6/s320/scan0004.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<p>Here is a picture of one of the rough sketches that I have started out with. When using watercolors, I try not to sketch a tremendous amount of detail or shading. This is something better left for your colors to do. I have not defined or hardened any lines on these particular sketches. Miss Barker's sketches are so wistful and airy, that any "heaviness" would result in complete change in style. I have tried to remain true to the texture, look and feel of the original artist's look.
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kpEQNmyX8R-q0__YowTtzYKZUVHZH5v_3EtiCI5GgHHWgQ3dVYR_sMJrp9vlAGWwTez9bBxs6gw8DRbHHQtXHANbCPdssT-s6ZPp9iLQNBHawt-f8-JgMvAkRD9mjZkea4kHXHlGZAyo/s1600-h/scan0003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392294436047482322" style="WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kpEQNmyX8R-q0__YowTtzYKZUVHZH5v_3EtiCI5GgHHWgQ3dVYR_sMJrp9vlAGWwTez9bBxs6gw8DRbHHQtXHANbCPdssT-s6ZPp9iLQNBHawt-f8-JgMvAkRD9mjZkea4kHXHlGZAyo/s320/scan0003.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<p>This is a picture of the final work. This picture, in particular is of the lilac fairy. I was very impresses with the Kimberly brand watercolor pencils. They were easy to work with and blend very well. I was reluctant to use full <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pressure</span> when shading with these pencils. Again, when trying to recreate the lightness of Miss Barker's pictures... Less is more.
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_hVa7oDU5WGYLWfsGGr81LcPGY4ZN5Olx93KZLy6L8aDKq4kuGXXL_C50dANnLQdbiEPsy_pIcuTQcFS49EVS6luoyTth3uRruaW1uj0qRMtBDqdek_fG5GbDP_VPIlPe2VttIwnM8ls/s1600-h/scan0002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392294423913662658" style="WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_hVa7oDU5WGYLWfsGGr81LcPGY4ZN5Olx93KZLy6L8aDKq4kuGXXL_C50dANnLQdbiEPsy_pIcuTQcFS49EVS6luoyTth3uRruaW1uj0qRMtBDqdek_fG5GbDP_VPIlPe2VttIwnM8ls/s320/scan0002.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<p>I fully recommend these watercolor pencils for beginners. A quality product is so important. I know that often times, we hesitate in buying the most expensive art products for our children.
<p>My kids have a habit of being a little "loose and free" with their art supplies, and I am so against the wasting of art materials. Still, it is important to note that better quality art supplies make for higher quality art work. My children are so excited about working with "special" materials, that their excitement is reflected in their artwork. Their talent and love for the fine arts never ceases to amaze me.
<p>Stay tuned their Oil pastel hummingbirds!!
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-46950553214252263082009-10-08T09:43:00.007-05:002010-10-12T23:51:00.145-05:00The Picture in My HeadI see things in pictures.
All Past, present, and future are melded together in one internalized scrapbook.
<p>
My little girl amongst the flowers content in simply "plucking".
<p>Thoughtful
<p>Quiet
<p>serene
<p>The faithful click of my mind's eye capturing a fleeting moment.
<p>
My little boy soldiering through the tall, defiant blades of grass.
<p>obstinate
<p>unyielding
<p>focused
<p>I Focus on the baby boy changing before my eyes.
<p>
Ten Tiny Toes napping in a soft fleecy blanket
<p>tiny snore
<P>tiny yawn
<p>tiny stretch
<p>a flicker of a tender smile flashes before my eyes
<p>
Their
<p>Every steady breath under the weight of my embrace;
<p>Every little sigh that's gently lifted to my ear;
<p>Every sweet and joyful whisper that caresses at my heart;
<p>breathes life into my soul.
<p>
In Glorious Thanksgiving I praise God for each new day;
<p>Each picture I develop in my mind.
<p>As the moments persist onward and each second passes on,
<p>I Thank Him for the Solace that I find
<p>
In My Pictures.
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-59304896996584552442009-10-05T13:58:00.013-05:002010-10-12T23:51:52.150-05:00The Marriage of Art to Music<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Da Vinci Art study and Gregorian Chant
</div></span></strong><div align="center">
</div><div align="center">We have been very fortunate in our artist study to have such a wonderful support group. It is such a blessing to have the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">opportunity</span> to study along side other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">homeschoolers</span> from time to time. It a real treat for the kids and for the parents to witness such an atmosphere of fellowship. Once a month we meet at the local park and take time to study famous artwork and listen to good music. This makes for a great introduction to our at home studies, which we then build upon in our own special way. </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389206161455209698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE9kI7JFZC-nE0pA2Xklvus_isHrzroH9YBnIKFO4E8uNMi39K-5BKyKpDnYvwIuLgxGIZxTn-_aH9ojhYr7cg5Lt55tuncT_XMc12_-VG5uTql1C9Ca5ww7CdLVNtrv-uy0EEnBj8H9H/s320/10-5-09+032.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#993399;">** Note the enthusiasm in my 5 yr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">old's</span> face**</span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I have been working on creating a curriculum which builds upon our love of the fine arts through merging the study of art with classical music. These two forms of expression are uniquely suited for each other in study. Being a musician myself, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">correlation</span> between music, art and dance has always seemed very evident to me. There is no doubt that all three of these mediums have direct influence on one another. We can see the evidence of this through out the course of history. All 3 of these art forms can incite such passion and emotion, they help us to recollect memories, inspire creativity, and as mentioned in <strong><em>" The Mozart Effect</em></strong>;" They have the power to stimulate brain activity. A recent re-read of the book "<em><strong>Better Music, Brighter children</strong>"</em> reminded me of the depth of influence these mediums have, as well as the responsibility that we have as parents to insure that our children <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">receive</span> the proper Fine Art influences.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389206151610319906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVhRgF1pPfao7ioqbADHObVmHyaVZyBoRcdThLQmiULHQ_Mor19JVf84e5QaklvpKp47nvgMUAkwsHDu4mM9AWeRtSTmW4n-_I65KCZMAd_vTv44vycii03Q8_nLBWVfou_45-1kABBMb/s320/10-5-09+033.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="color:#993399;">*** my daughter focuses on the subject during this drawing exercise***<p>
</span>This month, we have been studying Leonardo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Da Vinci</span>. There is such a challenge in studying the magnitude of this man. He was a genius in his own right, and I know that we will be returning to our studies of him for years to come. I have opted to pair our studies of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Da Vinci</span> with Gregorian chant and the music of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Josquin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Desprez</span>. Thus far, we have been paying <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">particular</span> attention to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Da Vinci's</span> sketches, and using the opportunity to advance ourselves in the skill of observation and contour drawing.
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389206143312813826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZBZtyE6653LMfyhqUgNfsXzA0UtH10gamaETkSd9SW3s2uhtda5j4utNm3q0FJ0sOSLktUhiHAUqfsO5mckczrGnhW75BGtjn6tKjZ-oqcQJfmJce34mmFeedVpG3DOABsXokHilS6UV/s320/10-5-09+039.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="color:#993399;">***<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">notebooking</span> page courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.notebookingpages.com/"><span style="color:#993399;">www.notebookingpages.com</span></a><span style="color:#993399;"> ***
</span><p>
His completed oil works, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">particularly</span> ones such as; "The Annunciation," "The Virgin of the Rocks," "The Last Supper," and "the Mona Lisa" are paintings that we have been viewing while listening to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Josquin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Desprez</span>. All of his music is both classical and reverent, as are most of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Da Vinci's</span> paintings. Still, You can hear the underlying influence of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">notable</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Renaissance</span> sound that we are all so familiar with.</div><div align="center">
</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389206138095757458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi5OPlHKgaHsWB3MsLSh-EZ1YFnkLVi4KJNYpF_NGfVIV3qKJCZ_7QCeg3otfKc6rG9EhtTd3vowJrp15j_k9dUCqjIRKIeley4eSMnaIr1YU4u-uzw9781Nu4V8DYCMfDYHO1Oec3hfj/s320/10-5-09+040.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#993399;">*** My daughter's (9) free hand sketch of the Mona Lisa ***
</p></span>
Charlotte Mason is a great advocate of atmosphere. A joyful environment, indeed, makes for a joyful learning experience. In this instance, it was important for me to provide an atmosphere in which my children could hear the musical influence in art through the subject of time period. There are occasions in which I have Chosen to match a particular song with a certain artwork. Not only does this particular method engage the totality of ones senses, but it makes music and art more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">tangible</span>. It gives a child the ability to internalize. It en<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">ables</span> the child to understand that Music, Art, and Dance speak to us; they all have a story to tell.
The following pictures are examples of blind contour drawing. It is important in building observational skills. It will no doubt aid in the study of famous artwork. As your child becomes more aware of the details, he/she will become more able to distinguish one artist's style vs. another.
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389202777658752626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQB6zvvEccdMTQBvSP8nyNT-QgNaUjacEoZpeoRD5BOMZWqFzEKh6TLA-0CmoQEAlv_hGzXpJC2O8O82dmJdCquSXsh6qdCyE6U6pt6fmgioX6hYD1_uDoMCURTuaBVRNjLZwUZXlPGlP/s320/10-5-09+030.JPG" border="0" />
<div align="center"><span style="color:#993399;">***Subject 1 of Blind Contour Drawing***</span></div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389202767876848674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxEGjuJaLl-InOU-eoC5E-mnwmarYHLmtPF1igt-O5CTCAsMt9YuXITJPqK2_l4qRrvPp8BqW7m_DbGmIZy6RLpJ2dqZ3GTubG0VyDkX7sRwtwkTJCg5QzFUa3jpFOSPfCuY57kkWaiK9/s320/10-5-09+038.JPG" border="0" />
<div align="center"><span style="color:#993399;">*** 5 yr. old contour drawing***</span></div><span style="color:#993399;"></span>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389202761784773506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVuKerfroXDYq6A0U42MLG-fRVgfMb3J4wiW1IbElBj3p23PNYKgj_IUofS9sjpgJQ6xpETu8W1_wXH4lFSvRlbdbQbot78CLLYs93KEOcrW8Y5VUexHNs9UPaltgnCup35RNIbJU8Vy1/s320/10-5-09+036.JPG" border="0" />
<div align="center"><span style="color:#993399;">***9 yr. old contour drawing***</span></div><span style="color:#993399;"></span>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389202077332838434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSYa6M_Z41WrvRibtWfDL0JgLIAGjE26Wf8d54FoJvhVNk7Zf4fnbNs_pA6jNmQ_kisQehQakCRocAC2A_tI87crICHuWEDha17WD9Xg5hBpNwtOkf5VrwKaAhEx-kAxuvUuuNMx0Z8nM/s320/10-5-09+031.JPG" border="0" />
<div align="center"><span style="color:#993399;">*** subject 2 of contour drawing***</span></div><span style="color:#993399;"></span>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389202071018186770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_Bv8SVq2r6tApuPJwdmAH9-jYwGtOd_mUnsTGvYjfHpTUXsjoyWzaDsnTxY9BtEEbmPvVUptl3xx7fq1vNZgF-qiokpaROfFlL90py5BKzDYMLgITK2EJ22GJb_lFfDdGRht4mlUgl1l/s320/10-5-09+034.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#993399;">***contour drawing by 9 yr. old with added detail afterward***
</p></span>
<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-76812665501382426832009-09-23T21:57:00.025-05:002010-10-12T23:52:50.730-05:00Keeping a Schedule with Charlotte Mason<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28Cfk1IIDxKE97AFgAsw-Ckz8hWyV5fKHVqWlMK2WabLD7pzwojKCe_YslmM1xXjs4_jY-XFaN1sw0WQ8XEfUjLZKFJtCUldpCHByEhJ8jBrxW8YkGHjQcswqJWEMYTZU2Fyz_O80UX2d/s1600-h/S5033679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385135829991369090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28Cfk1IIDxKE97AFgAsw-Ckz8hWyV5fKHVqWlMK2WabLD7pzwojKCe_YslmM1xXjs4_jY-XFaN1sw0WQ8XEfUjLZKFJtCUldpCHByEhJ8jBrxW8YkGHjQcswqJWEMYTZU2Fyz_O80UX2d/s320/S5033679.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<p><div align="center">First off, let me say that I am definitely NOT a "schedule person".
</div><div align="center">I tend to rebel against them; preferring instead the nonrestrictive freedom of spontaneity.</div><div align="center">
</div><div align="center">I would much rather go with the ebb and flow; to have no routine to follow; no demands on my life. I would much rather feel moved by the creativity of the moment.</div><div align="center">
</div><div align="center">And so I resolved to NEVER have a schedule.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center"><em>Here is my confession:
</em>"never having a schedule"</div><div align="center">doesn't work so well when you have 3 children at home.; two of which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">homeschool</span>, and 1 of which, is a nurse on demand baby.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center">In anticipation of this very problem, this past Spring I resolved to finding the perfect schedule.</div><div align="center">I am happy to say, that after Long Last... I have found something that works.</div><div align="center">
</div><p align="center">
</p><div align="center">After reading and re-reading Charlotte Masons thoughts on schedules and habits, I have come to a deeper understanding for the importance of a schedule. It actually dawned me that I was doing a tremendous disservice to my children by not having a set routine for them.</div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center">Now, I am not advocating for a routine that turns children into lifeless robots.</div><div align="center">You see, THAT was my biggest fear.</div><div align="center">I was always afraid of being stuck in the monotony of a perpetual Groundhogs day.</div><div align="center">Having to have the same day over and over would, no doubt, destroy the very breadths of the soul.</div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center">No, that is not the kind of schedule that would work for me or my children.</div><div align="center">What we needed was a comprehensive list of Goals to accomplish from day to day.</div><div align="center">What we needed was to be able to have the freedom to go on a whim, without feeling bogged down by our daily "To Dos".</div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center">Charlotte Mason gives us the perfect opportunity to do Just that!</div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center">She advocated, with good reason, for "habit training". Which is, of course, essential in training </div><div align="center">up a child who is disciplined.</div><div align="center">It makes good sense that we cannot have a virtuous child, if the child is undisciplined. It is impossible for an undisciplined child to fight the temptations of vice without, first arming them with knowledge and good habit.
<p></p></div><div align="center">Yes, good habit is essential... and so I endeavored to ensure good habit when creating our schedule. The practice of good habit would come first thing in the morning with:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
</div><p align="center"></p><div align="center">making the bed, getting dressed and brushing the teeth.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><p align="center"></p><div align="center">Charlotte Mason Also said to give a child something to love. It is important for them to have someone or something in the home for a child to tend to and care for. So, in our new schedule I included "Feed the Pets".</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
</div><p align="center"></p><div align="center">This leads us to morning prayer and breakfast... and then, my favorite, Morning chores.</div><div align="center">
</div><div align="center">The children are in charge of unloading the dishwasher and cleaning up after breakfast. I have also broken the house down into "zones" which we rotate throughout the week.</div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center">Some of the things that the children are in charge of are:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
<p></p></div><div align="center"><ul><li><div align="center"><strong><em>separating dirty clothes by color</em></strong></div></li><li><div align="center"><strong><em>loading and unloading the washer machine</em></strong></div></li><li><div align="center"><strong><em>vacuuming</em></strong></div></li><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Dusting</em></strong></div></li><li><div align="center"><strong><em>Washing base boards</em></strong></div></li><li><div align="center"><strong><em>and general Tidy up</em></strong></div></li></ul></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>
<p></p>
We have a list of school goals to accomplish... so we can mix and match our learning according to our mood, or according to the learning opportunities that present themselves.
The Children can also pick one weekly activity to do per week. More about that in a sec. <p></p>
So, now that I have gone into a big THING on schedules...
<div align="center">I would like to share with you my latest project.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>
<p></p>
Being that I am NOT a creature of routine... and being that my children have taken after my example, I sat for a LONG while trying to think of the best way to lure ourselves into looking at a written schedule.
<div align="center">After a LOT of brainstorming, I came up with an interactive schedule that the children cannot seem to separate themselves from.</div><p>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385135824950143378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz3QMCm1AnKucQbyyvaUYbCewUVokpNG7LfiODPluEuMYU4aTM7NgK890LmRDXMaM0H_FK2zwGarKOIRgd-O_8rrmBUs_ax5yE39yvE4vzCZsRb3R-CWMn_3YffxfsdfAGsj6cH2dWhH1/s320/S5033667.JPG" border="0" />
<p><div align="center">Using some left over fabric, batting, and some scrapbook odds and ends I created a hanging Pocket chart.</div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384893843029498402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh_cr5CXA9qlH4FoHNauqhw2Afsu6iPhdd2b_d4RWPcFkZitYfOwaEuLDQCXDly7VLGg6SxHzHWlEjdFRyC_UBQv-tXCdIot4J1-dO4-k52A-2trMQPA4aqGBczKc0KSWehUDxROIjSFL/s320/S5033668.JPG" border="0" />First off, I typed out our weekly schedule headed with the verse: " A Place for everything and everything in its place. I always put my things away that I might find them another day."
<p><div align="center">I then mounted the schedule on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">scrapbooking</span> paper, and slipped into a page protector.</div><div align="center">I sewed the schedule on to the hanging pocket chart using 4 buttons. 1 per each corner.</div><div align="center">Under the Schedule. I sewed 3 pockets. Each one of the Pockets is labeled.</div>
<p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384893428021390706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR4KvomUV-zpRruswmpBHvc39GFfrlwF-NkjuPBsl8ijCJi0DDr5bOJoBKhqnOzPNAbWKfpwXOp615md0Zeq1A46BE942uZUCDh1HsNtxBJLR26BF7bneip9ziHXUpH4bk_NCA5yz7VSP/s320/S5033670.JPG" border="0" /> The first pocket is entitled: "Weekly Activities."
<p><div align="center">Using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cardstock,</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">scrapbooking</span> tags, and yarn; I mounted activities that we are either involved in through our homeschooling group or that we enjoy doing at home.</div>
<div align="center">Some of the activities are as follows:</div><p></p>
<ul><li><div align="center"><em>Nature Notebook</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><em>TimeLine</em></span></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Tea Time</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Fine Arts Study</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Craft time</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Snack time with Winnie the Pooh</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>P.E</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Pickwick Society</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Little Flowers</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Blue Knights</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>Travel Log</em></div></li></ul><div align="center"><em></em></div>
<p></p>The children are in charge of pulling out the tags that have, both, the activities that we have planned for the week, and the daily activity that they would like to do that day. They then hook the tag onto one of the schedule's corner buttons.. and it instantly become part of the schedule.
<p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384893418921488146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypRwmHgEGB7KvgNLpSiuK1rI9PrgFJEE3a_lViuN2Gq9Spgr9sEZHpqgznmPx-jStKGqa9x5T4DRyHtB82XvrjDUk-R1UNpO5NBd6nubLEf_W4mMmcxgk9bW8FnVOgQaZpzGYZkZ0x46v/s320/S5033671.JPG" border="0" />The next Pocket is entitled "Narration." I added the title on this pocket after seeing a interactive narration station from one of my fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bloggers</span>. <a href="http://www.amothersjournal.com/">http://www.amothersjournal.com/</a>.</div>
Kudos to you for such a brilliant idea!!
<p>I have a set of Narration Recipe Cards by Karen Radcliffe. They are Chalk full of narration activities and ideas. I select One narration Recipe card per day, and put it into the narration
slot to be completed.
<p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384892411228709186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP54UxXbZk2Cqj4jjDbpjHfATnpxc92GmmE8p0o7LSfTViGm31lA_aTqI6MOW80W5L-LzH63HPq1dFRV3zTURU1N7lmuQ7coGfAsLGwXObWdU8inZq-25XfNVbvLXx_22k0_kptHJqXQa0/s320/S5033672.JPG" border="0" />
The 3rd Pocket is entitled "weekly Chores". There are 4 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">scrapbooking</span> tags in this pocket.
Each tag is labeled "week 1", "week 2" etc. I have listed certain monthly chores on each tag.
</p>Some of the chores include:
<p></p>
<ul><li><div align="center"><em>Flipping mattresses</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>cleaning out cars</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>organizing the pantry</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>cleaning out fridge</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>organizing upstairs closets</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>spraying for bugs</em></div></li><li><div align="center"><em>cleaning of the porch</em></div></li></ul><div align="center"><em></em></div>
<p></p>
Every Saturday we accomplish the list of monthly chores on our tag. The Tags are tied to a set of ribbons, which I have sewn onto the corner of the pocket. The Children pull out the tag of the week every Saturday... remembering to rotate them so that we can accomplish all 4 sets of chores every month.
<p>Finally,</p>
<div align="center">At the bottom of the Chart I have sewn 3 double pockets.</div>
<p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384892410250472194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKlxX005tQHJBhUv-zBsAIU_PoLfQkRCKp-KqN-5xvsgDSM5BkaB_mXAuUy-ZiLcrQOJ9HLqEzol5FPJRxjN1DXBRXBjv5u6nCwXzt0X88bTNfk7IJkBSIuTeunPEnGPO0jTacF2feniG/s320/S5033673.JPG" border="0" />
<div align="center">The first double pocket is labled for my son,</div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384892080168694242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sZcvvrGYVHmqNm4p1VToxBv7lfnmmkmfqiHmMT4zi544U17vjfUUgsI91v3lLNAnSbmUk-_ruzcv1nwkn5rK_vrzHZ8u9cqqkmb-TIt7IHrex5KvVDOk3ZNujD2cPaadSV2sLb75JwHA/s320/S5033674.JPG" border="0" /> The second pocket is labeled for my husband and myself,
<p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384891812443011106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGSsE_NZBxIdba6YoYJrtLbbXsWII09aHRmupY_ypByHUOVeAK8pOjcKn95KXB6u0EZKdzKyzXGunUbyrVLNwW3rM9Mu6v9lnNXp_4Goy1vlFNvbxDZLfJzlrZGgQaKi-P_5BCDOg0sYM/s320/S5033675.JPG" border="0" />
<div align="center">and the third pocket is labeled for my daughter</div><div align="center">(the baby is currently sharing pockets with mom and dad ).</div>
<p>We use these pockets as mail boxes.
</p>
<p></p>
<div align="center">This past year our Charlotte Mason book club gave us the idea of making or buying mailboxes for each of our children. The mailboxes were to be meant as a way to send notes of encouragement <span style="color:#996633;">and</span> love to our children. The children would then be able to respond in letter to their parent's mailbox. I thought this to be a wonderful Idea to create keepsake letters for my children. I will eventually scrapbook all of the letters for my children to have as a reminder of our love for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">eachother</span>.</div>
<p></p>
<div align="center">It is also a wonderful way to encourage and inspire the reluctant writer :).</div><div align="center"></div>
<div align="center">I write notes to my children every evening and place them in their "mailboxes"... or pockets. The first thing they do every morning is check for a letter.</div>
<div align="center">I always have a reply by lunch time.</div><div align="center"></div>
<p></p>
<div align="center">The back portion of the double pocket is where the children place their narration assignments that they have completed from the narration recipe card. This way, at the end of the evening, I can grab the written narration, and type it up.</div>
<div align="center">We then place it in their notebooks or use it for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">copywork</span> for the next day.</div>
<p></p>
<div align="center">All and all, I will say that the schedule has been a wonderful success. I cannot begin to explain how wonderful it is to have the children share in some of our household responsibilities. I have to admit that the schedule has freed us up for more free time in the afternoon. With less stress, and more productivity in the mornings, I have been able to focus on the joy of my children, rather than what has yet to be accomplished.</div>
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<p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" /></a></p>
<pre...></div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-79852756537418377922009-07-20T17:14:00.007-05:002010-10-12T23:53:31.309-05:00So, is it wrong for me to feel like this?:
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360674039804447314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 135px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G7czw83QiFhtUxLqfCBN0zBlnEyomUukl0HJ9xLC1t-LnadyHW0clJU0ZAATTQQRNjLD4cgFhDPX4ccF9HkCmfKSkTQxlOxYIuFJc3q8mMvhbDsWxG0wu8uxTUA6fEmddQUMRA8feG3X/s320/thumbnail+crazy+lady.jpg" border="0" />
Because... I do
<p>
Do you see the title of this blog?
<p>
"perfectly imperfect"... It was chosen for a reason.
<p>
It is THAT time of year.
The time of year when we homeschooling Moms drop the whole "summer vacation," and plow head-on into a unintelligible Mass of Homeschool supplies and references.
I say "unintelligible".... because we all very well know that one book blends into another... One website fades into the next... and sooner or later we are talking to each other like the people in the bing ads.
<p>
a not so pretty picture.
<p>
as this year commences I am faced with planned activity after planned activity... lesson plan after lesson plan.
I am up to my neck in books and schedules.
My brain is fried from coming up with creative and new activities...
<p>
BUT even so...
amongst all this chaos and hair pulling...
between the kids tormenting each other in the background
and the baby sleeping in my arms while I type this with one hand..
<p>
I LOVE IT!!
<p>
I get a real thrill from this time of year.
I work well under pressure.
<p>
AND quite honestly, I feel this child-like excitement from the anticipation of all that we have set to accomplish.
<p>
Each year, with Each study... the world gets more and more immense.
We have set sail in the sea of Knowledge
We are explorers... adventurers... .discoverers...
AND we have only just gotten our feet wet...
<p>
Excitement? Thrill? Anticipation?
I should say so!
<p></p>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-7970585442493748452009-07-16T00:54:00.008-05:002010-10-12T23:53:57.068-05:00Daddy Daughter DanceSo, this happened about a month ago...
but this evening, while I was going through and uploading some pictures, I actually got a few brief seconds to pause and reflect on this beautiful memory.
<p>
Lately it seems as though their are not enough of those... "reflective" seconds in a day.
Each day seems to speed by faster and faster, and there are literally days when I feel as if I am on one of those carnival "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">whirlygigs</span>" ( I don't know if that is really the name) that hurls you against the wall as it reaches optimum speed... and then... the bottom falls out.
<p>
Yes, it is both Freakish and thrilling as you giggle in both merriment and nervous fear , but what is most disturbing... is that you got on the ride voluntarily.... and afterward you even consider, for a brief second, getting on again.
<p>
But anyway, I digress... my point being... some days are like stressful rides you do not volunteer to get on... and cannot seem to get off.
<p>
<strong>NOW</strong> back to my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">brief</span> moment of "peace",
as I gazed at this picture and reflected on the fact that, despite our recent stress... we must be doing something right when we give our children the opportunity to experience the innocence and virtue that they so richly deserve.
<p>
There are days when I see my daughter gaze at her Father like a true untarnished hero. It is true, he may not be "untarnished" and he may not be a "hero"... but all that my little ones need know, is that he does his best to raise and support a strong, healthy, God loving Family.
<p>
There are so many days, that my husband and I feel distracted from our focus on the children. We bustle about our business toting them along, and by the end of the day we realize that we did NOT cherish every second.
<p>
It is moments like the moment in the picture that I love my husband more than ever. It is the moment in that picture... when I KNOW that his family is his world.
<p>
Last month, when my husband so lovingly escorted our daughter to the 1st <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">annual</span> Pickwick Society daddy and daughter dance... I was never more proud.
He enjoyed every second with his growing girl.
He learned the waltz.
He danced the Polka.
and even laughed heartily when dancing the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Virginia</span> reel...
<p>
Who could love his child more?.... but our Father in Heaven
<p>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358933525547922914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZc01vfyjeLkTvyrUdXnIXiNaIAUdv1LjAdfX7GAtJZtGUeAQzC2pBJT65cJ9DopnpBEM-bCog74KMLMbP21Wot7k2H9aXq7RtHtE40S3fr7QRDd0OezDlKkQSfdk6V-6QbOOI-pc6uCZ/s400/S5033110.JPG" border="0" />
<p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-42916874832260606962009-07-07T20:37:00.008-05:002010-10-12T23:54:36.860-05:00MIA... from blog posts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClG9660qhhD3aoo881Ton6RemoNFd8NnHKPsTRM6_HidvGgpuQNogMuXoocTv1Mn8mSANVFB0AqA5KhI2vPQLRfuGpcL6YS9E6gAZG8FN-RlJT0IxB0I2nKM-zYZMzI1BbGwkMYkcy-Kp/s1600-h/S5033020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355900348043253746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClG9660qhhD3aoo881Ton6RemoNFd8NnHKPsTRM6_HidvGgpuQNogMuXoocTv1Mn8mSANVFB0AqA5KhI2vPQLRfuGpcL6YS9E6gAZG8FN-RlJT0IxB0I2nKM-zYZMzI1BbGwkMYkcy-Kp/s200/S5033020.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhrkovXUXuIQrhMp6d_3wBsLIF2qCcSdz7_mL0PMxe1Q_zZx4sQancAjWmn5U0L3C8pgeA9XOu1zzf3gnehMG0thZhmVEEjkb0d1YHUQjceSnZOjp0qMdgbafSHQMXajGMgv02XKNKf-q/s1600-h/S5032911.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355899531562041170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhrkovXUXuIQrhMp6d_3wBsLIF2qCcSdz7_mL0PMxe1Q_zZx4sQancAjWmn5U0L3C8pgeA9XOu1zzf3gnehMG0thZhmVEEjkb0d1YHUQjceSnZOjp0qMdgbafSHQMXajGMgv02XKNKf-q/s200/S5032911.JPG" border="0" /></a>
</div><div align="center">When last seen...</div><div align="center">
</div><div align="center">We were in the mists of preparing for our new little one...</div><div align="center">and my daughter's first communion.</div><div align="center">
</div><div></div><div>
</div><div></div><div>All this and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">homeschooling</span>, plus maintaining a household has certainly been a challenge.</div><div>
The last month and a half has been spent enjoying the newest addition to our family.</div><div>
As well as catching up on things left "undone".</div><div>
There has been so much going on in the last month or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">so</span>, that it would be impossible to say that I could catch you up on our activities in 1 post. </div><div>
</div><div></div><div>I will, therefore, do my utmost to be sure to post regularly from here on out; in the hopes that we will eventually catch up with ourselves.
</div><div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/224/27A3083A2E505EDE18EA2092AD728865.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>
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</div><div></div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-77099821796090350202009-04-23T10:04:00.010-05:002010-10-12T23:55:13.423-05:00Time Flies....<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_boh2sK1qRsv_QXxKNJ5-yZ8cfDdBhB0lW5DXmjCgdDkBg6iX2F2cQ3rO-M2EwYYJHDW4-JRVEmf-pSzWArhHStsdeiYpbMP67dLYn2c9YHZHBoA5KH9J6Bt9Xz6-QElMigCjKoZZMVpx/s1600-h/S5032734.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327907158038934610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_boh2sK1qRsv_QXxKNJ5-yZ8cfDdBhB0lW5DXmjCgdDkBg6iX2F2cQ3rO-M2EwYYJHDW4-JRVEmf-pSzWArhHStsdeiYpbMP67dLYn2c9YHZHBoA5KH9J6Bt9Xz6-QElMigCjKoZZMVpx/s200/S5032734.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div align="center">Here we are.... a few weeks until our baby's expected due date...
The past 8 months have been a whirlwind, </div>
<div align="center">and as much as I try to cease every moment...</div>
<div align="center">
It seems as though I have been making desperate jabs at them....</div>
<div align="center">so much has happened over such a short period of time.</div>
<div align="center">
Little Co is on her way to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">receiving</span> her First Communion. </div>
<div align="center">There is One week left, and I have yet to add the finishing touches to her dress.</div>
<div align="center">
</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327906992864225922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSHuhKfXEeupGaxlX5k48uiGyatgOqvgPX1lrvJyc4n9JqWaz-OTE-lT_4mNfNHVFXd55NitTrJIrzieJLtu3rpOjT_ncps_eGoNEyfs7qrnUXme768mgWusfzQ7QBT7hEpe5luD8FE4z/s200/S5032728.JPG" border="0" />
<div align="center"></div><div align="center">ONE WEEK.... before she joins us at the Lord's table!</div>
<div align="center">I am excited for her, But her deep desire and understanding </div>
<div align="center">of the Eucharist only makes me realize how fast she is growing.</div>
<div align="center">It seems like only yesterday that she had her first reconciliation.</div>
<div align="center">She was so scared.... but came out feeling so fulfilled. </div>
<div align="center">Now a few months later... we are one the verge of a Great Blessing.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32_jGRW0yi22tAbmlrlK3ScDj53aL3DcA-NkDdfRsinUXUiOPdryIa3HSBToHWss1VNtKmioYQoLTKQtFgLJ5yt8Pyo2m_Zvlby9NPwgWP8_bfuMVNwpt5GLKU041Uuv9UvQkHknrpWS7/s1600-h/S5032732.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327908391762884594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32_jGRW0yi22tAbmlrlK3ScDj53aL3DcA-NkDdfRsinUXUiOPdryIa3HSBToHWss1VNtKmioYQoLTKQtFgLJ5yt8Pyo2m_Zvlby9NPwgWP8_bfuMVNwpt5GLKU041Uuv9UvQkHknrpWS7/s200/S5032732.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I know that she has taken a very Large
<div align="center">and influential step in her Spiritual journey...</div>
<div align="center">How I wish to hold her in this beautiful moment forever.</div>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFxWJNXcEaMZSqwaa13M7jKhJJMuLedGSiFvXhUxYUMyLGSvUJ_GeGDzKK7NdnQ2_Cvib-Is98JhKzdIv0pwar5KNVuwT7kv91uN8f9Gpuyt4MTVO1qss0HYNQnmvEicId8z5w2m_DEob/s1600-h/S5032730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327906695833765522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFxWJNXcEaMZSqwaa13M7jKhJJMuLedGSiFvXhUxYUMyLGSvUJ_GeGDzKK7NdnQ2_Cvib-Is98JhKzdIv0pwar5KNVuwT7kv91uN8f9Gpuyt4MTVO1qss0HYNQnmvEicId8z5w2m_DEob/s200/S5032730.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div align="center"></div><div align="center">A moment that borders Child-like Faith</div><div align="center">and spiritual maturity.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">She is our little Angel</div>
<div align="center"></div><div align="center">And our Prayer is to keep it so for a long long while.</div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327906511395605938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6CAQXIvwItuGqUZcKGxXUGCiDBWP_95FASDeDO6hunXYOCdT7RLhFza2lkS5W-prmmGocZaz9S6gviOMtO5grhLhbUjeQQeYIBhtQLLxTwhLVekbaKh8yOHk47pSwR69U0ZB7SEa9M9y/s200/S5032731.JPG" border="0" />
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</div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-63988304066349735402009-04-14T08:47:00.017-05:002010-10-12T23:56:23.311-05:00Adventures in Holy week...<div align="center">We had a wonderful time this past week! </div><div align="center">We were surprised with a mini vacation... </div><div align="center">and we took full advantage of it. </div><div align="center">Of course, It was only 30 min away... </div><div align="center">but getting out to the country, </div><div align="center">and spending time at the lake was a lot of fun!
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</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324548292281022050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRux3WOGO3Tv_ENo0c0ZJB75qywSZPF4bCiNsKjvcy_SmrH3X2aXoJGOugPS9cQD1pT3Vl60vulUOHIbrhg-PdXrPDIZWIyxjWGZrgq3GIyzY42DZU1xh2MqNgbzW2OT0gPM3uW9Jmqd8/s200/4-09+055.JPG" />
<div align="center">I have to admit that I needed to slow down and take the extra rest.</div><div align="center">We are so thankful for my parents who are so </div><div align="center">generous in sharing their Cabin get away with us.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWCDQaO3ztwS3YtLVqpxIXtt_osXOInISrAGk7R1U0utceUbE6V06plYbQVUxWVa3lTAV8U1Eb3WWd7mrno72qy3GUrPTMmbagetKC-rRkVhsAt2Mold073ut_2Bd21UXoGmkhMdG8tJi/s1600-h/4-09+040.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 246px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324547776086143346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWCDQaO3ztwS3YtLVqpxIXtt_osXOInISrAGk7R1U0utceUbE6V06plYbQVUxWVa3lTAV8U1Eb3WWd7mrno72qy3GUrPTMmbagetKC-rRkVhsAt2Mold073ut_2Bd21UXoGmkhMdG8tJi/s200/4-09+040.JPG" /></a>
The weather this past week was brilliant!!</div><div align="center">We did NOT take a break from our schooling... </div><div align="center">but, instead, used the change in environmen to aid us in our studies.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjplL0H_zjvZZzLSeaZh2p5FyCSg5c2IYv3Hxs9LF0NW_nDhpjYYkYHVM8KtuXB5ukUb1ldLX0aPlmTpWhWN1kASzCgUPfxcRJccaFVBmNjd-QRzZuPk8Es5Zvf3GZyrLPaw6TCjfKkzS/s1600-h/4-09+044.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 210px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324548047776527154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjplL0H_zjvZZzLSeaZh2p5FyCSg5c2IYv3Hxs9LF0NW_nDhpjYYkYHVM8KtuXB5ukUb1ldLX0aPlmTpWhWN1kASzCgUPfxcRJccaFVBmNjd-QRzZuPk8Es5Zvf3GZyrLPaw6TCjfKkzS/s200/4-09+044.JPG" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The kids spent alot of time outdoors </div><div align="center">identifying birds and studying horses.
Cossette was in Heaven,</div><div align="center">as she was able to ride for the first time!!</div><div align="center">and Jonah.... though scared at first...</div><div align="center">took control of his fears, and fell in love with his horse.
</div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 194px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324547411097791506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkvlO1dl9EiHi6CcZoVSIfOxBpsUMPjeGLzo7pGL5ep1s081mrJA_Zi-V9s9cpe9UXKDeN883F74lPXsNoqR892FGlj1zKTGaExS8tbK34xEsWs9zEUxHRY27McvdBFnYFbMJxHinTOz_/s200/4-09+020.JPG" />What a blessed week!!</p><p align="center">There is no better way to praise God,</p><p align="center">than to slow down and thank him for His </p><p align="center">Numerous blessings!!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo4i40gWBCyla2ZdIp15Cmnijroe4Vk_NrIRk2TRqhRzLR_1zz1CnXkWRkuz9sLPznRPFUjVYyyNmfTEIR02lYVqHMHnqtcVIe6HXOE9jBRHagxSDS9VEC5f5QMhaIGdOm-C9Rls0HCHK/s1600-h/4-09+022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324547225686717842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo4i40gWBCyla2ZdIp15Cmnijroe4Vk_NrIRk2TRqhRzLR_1zz1CnXkWRkuz9sLPznRPFUjVYyyNmfTEIR02lYVqHMHnqtcVIe6HXOE9jBRHagxSDS9VEC5f5QMhaIGdOm-C9Rls0HCHK/s200/4-09+022.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsLLzux-Yw1xMHgpbp3o_I9wNXdF_LMq8XS96YG2rPZtQ6KoT9D7eGT7Eq8Pk7I7Dwytme_pZWMMRxKbotoTnrwzoaugTKiQsVMifiFEmBOCBojeNEQe9zN0d_aNYjhkijY6kAQwkCEDI/s1600-h/4-09+011.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324546664586994770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsLLzux-Yw1xMHgpbp3o_I9wNXdF_LMq8XS96YG2rPZtQ6KoT9D7eGT7Eq8Pk7I7Dwytme_pZWMMRxKbotoTnrwzoaugTKiQsVMifiFEmBOCBojeNEQe9zN0d_aNYjhkijY6kAQwkCEDI/s200/4-09+011.JPG" /></a></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324546054219908290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrOrwwbGjDyLrR3_Y6pq1-fPDT8-VzzVa-w0Tx6wBcQDqkYZULYFO32iyNQQj63IR0MMTq68jmDAmbsGaA-AdCCNBmFAx4f5aGAYzBlXKexZ8AD8xuwwqrP9xfVc4XjFQIZ1dAzXeXhMt/s200/4-09+005.JPG" />mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-10038334527555766702009-04-11T19:12:00.011-05:002009-04-11T19:50:58.359-05:00Pickwick victorian Egg Craft<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><em><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PickWick</span> Society's</strong></em><em><strong> Victorian Easter Craft</strong></em></span></span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323595700255669362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn0y7k3nI4AUvtQni2Dq6pK4j5gSvP1x9Vedg4NQ2skFf7361FjYvC7zIWt_qrG1I34QhTIaBohPg55feZRtJBteBxotg2ZJajz7Xu7LECuoMkJgcaZZVHRRzjxrg1GXT99O6XgB4bNZ3/s200/4-09+070.JPG" border="0" />This Past Pickwick meeting we opted to make a traditional Victorian Easter egg craft.
<div align="center">I have heard these eggs called by many names:</div><div align="center">"spy eggs"</div><div align="center">"Panoramic eggs"</div><div align="center">"Peek Hole eggs" <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq_SVFdFcAFSo8SVSEza9MZe2ytWWUlV2ZlzhMGdxA2-8maiR7rrzQMXCNepbpL1RgGqYOZJlqhzDVtQXjYOYMoFdXt4MsBq2HReHIZIDSUuNmPhjHiMnvDBnbTGOi0U3vyiHbwm7rSET/s1600-h/4-09+060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323595521494891378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 136px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq_SVFdFcAFSo8SVSEza9MZe2ytWWUlV2ZlzhMGdxA2-8maiR7rrzQMXCNepbpL1RgGqYOZJlqhzDVtQXjYOYMoFdXt4MsBq2HReHIZIDSUuNmPhjHiMnvDBnbTGOi0U3vyiHbwm7rSET/s200/4-09+060.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYsUHpzS0aFJZLJxRcyLW08xZPgIvoWlixl5aJb-2znnrGIv5M9tH_UET5YqDg46dhcoMwoCE5CqBdSC8hdfWpgbbijjmqMv5a1EKPE6k-TsDCQSaMfjXpwzKtvWK2mJUWZ216Efd3pMq/s1600-h/4-09+062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323592833386770050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYsUHpzS0aFJZLJxRcyLW08xZPgIvoWlixl5aJb-2znnrGIv5M9tH_UET5YqDg46dhcoMwoCE5CqBdSC8hdfWpgbbijjmqMv5a1EKPE6k-TsDCQSaMfjXpwzKtvWK2mJUWZ216Efd3pMq/s320/4-09+062.JPG" border="0" /></a>I personally Call them:</div><div align="center">Peek-a-boo eggs</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq_SVFdFcAFSo8SVSEza9MZe2ytWWUlV2ZlzhMGdxA2-8maiR7rrzQMXCNepbpL1RgGqYOZJlqhzDVtQXjYOYMoFdXt4MsBq2HReHIZIDSUuNmPhjHiMnvDBnbTGOi0U3vyiHbwm7rSET/s1600-h/4-09+060.JPG"></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYsUHpzS0aFJZLJxRcyLW08xZPgIvoWlixl5aJb-2znnrGIv5M9tH_UET5YqDg46dhcoMwoCE5CqBdSC8hdfWpgbbijjmqMv5a1EKPE6k-TsDCQSaMfjXpwzKtvWK2mJUWZ216Efd3pMq/s1600-h/4-09+062.JPG"></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Traditionally, these eggs are made out </div><div align="center">of real eggs which are emptied of their </div><div align="center">contents via small pin hole.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">But as delicate as this process is, </div><div align="center">I decided that the hardiest way to make these eggs are with Paper <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mache</span> eggs, which I purchased at Hobby lobby. These eggs come in various sizes, and are quite easily cut using an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exacto</span> knife.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323592412615458770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabhSBE9yqMo9cQOJ-rWCnIAYBctUa1qXoVrDIuZ6G1OtyDqcANx4rL40KABhscD08T9Gy4CYxA1v1MO-4YmCfpBJd65PnswjmcTmh0fV1qUyjJWGBfjkoNWVzshpmFWlG2g48WKjcr7QP/s320/4-09+066.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCVKI5_XanSbrOXzlHRzlR3MITLQoUgGJ48mcdWxm8ky0JM1SSGjr8qAk8hCmpS4ED_9AaL-I2wLxLs1NEP8ecDDqloek0qkLi3mNlsG_vL30VEQRwRBsgvOgFTY1VmULH7uqFH-VHhtY/s1600-h/4-09+061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323592167988703282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCVKI5_XanSbrOXzlHRzlR3MITLQoUgGJ48mcdWxm8ky0JM1SSGjr8qAk8hCmpS4ED_9AaL-I2wLxLs1NEP8ecDDqloek0qkLi3mNlsG_vL30VEQRwRBsgvOgFTY1VmULH7uqFH-VHhtY/s320/4-09+061.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SeZRgGHBbaeTEslKYLjtEYLqe4qAuWVTa6vSZaobUz4mCuLiYJzWyc8DkQTBJv_Pf3p1TOCNp1BS8eUhMHTKuND14-bCRgl4OE92JD4nD_3cAMydx92hw5hGP0e8t9iNWlGtjU5RvAZd/s1600-h/4-09+068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323591507888675698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SeZRgGHBbaeTEslKYLjtEYLqe4qAuWVTa6vSZaobUz4mCuLiYJzWyc8DkQTBJv_Pf3p1TOCNp1BS8eUhMHTKuND14-bCRgl4OE92JD4nD_3cAMydx92hw5hGP0e8t9iNWlGtjU5RvAZd/s320/4-09+068.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The peep holes were </div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">precut</span> the night before, and various <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Victorian</span> Easter images</div><div align="center">were printed on color fast paper </div><div align="center">for the decoupage process.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">One image was used to decoupage onto </div><div align="center">the surface of the egg,</div><div align="center">while an alternate image</div><div align="center">(printed on heavy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">card stock</span>)</div><div align="center">was mounted to the inside of the egg....</div><div align="center">to be seen through the "peep hole"</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYsUHpzS0aFJZLJxRcyLW08xZPgIvoWlixl5aJb-2znnrGIv5M9tH_UET5YqDg46dhcoMwoCE5CqBdSC8hdfWpgbbijjmqMv5a1EKPE6k-TsDCQSaMfjXpwzKtvWK2mJUWZ216Efd3pMq/s1600-h/4-09+062.JPG"></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323591317597366098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMpf9mmZDEfYIx6KPYCuNX_WUoH2phKxH4oMaSw2lFl853Jvh_vCZKii7DLaKGWtSbHQEZrIsGOJi78J9jdQQ1pqqJcLgXBYiDvGB_66QoHEXx79w5HEr_0c2uD3Lg443fggEutTahbe5/s320/4-09+058.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">The girls were in charge of painting the eggs a solid color and then <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">embellishing</span> them with their choice of paints, glitter, fabric flowers, lace, ribbon etc.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">We had such a fun and crafty time making these eggs. I was so very proud of the girls for coming up with such original and creative ideas!!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div></div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-4852501671391714952009-03-26T20:29:00.027-05:002009-04-11T18:29:55.059-05:00Nature Study... How?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FdFJETnUOETb-hQQUHcfYDOqVRuNe37T532jRp9_dxmcPECmGIfOONqILJwOooMoZGzQWj78xVgHmJ-O3ALfEojtIghdeGXgU_lCbfj77DCAUM-iECpXaqK71CttdhbR0A1HwCVxIWB_/s1600-h/3-25-09+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317697572052193378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FdFJETnUOETb-hQQUHcfYDOqVRuNe37T532jRp9_dxmcPECmGIfOONqILJwOooMoZGzQWj78xVgHmJ-O3ALfEojtIghdeGXgU_lCbfj77DCAUM-iECpXaqK71CttdhbR0A1HwCVxIWB_/s320/3-25-09+021.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Alright...</div><div>
</div><div>I admit it!</div><div>
</div><div>When it comes to nature study, I am terribly challenged.</div><div>
</div><div>There is no doubt that nature study can be a daunting subject.</div><div></div><div>After all... not all of us, as children, were blessed with the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the natural environment that God has so lovingly provided us.</div><div>
</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I am one of those.... who is afraid of spiders, roaches, and creepy crawly things.</div><div>It has been challenging to overcome this "lack of love" for all things squirmy, but I decided to give it a go the day that I saw my 2 year old little boy shriek in high pitched terror over a house fly.</div><div></div><div></div><div>That was the day that I decided it was time to check my fears at the proverbial homeschool door! There was<strong> no way</strong> that my children would inherit my blatantly ridiculous fears.</div><div>
</div><div>Having made the decision to help my children foster an appreciation for ALL God's creatures... I was overwhelmed with the Question of :</div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDBzD8aC3V_PLeiLjdgmrjwrEcUm5PCeJ1YUxD4HxxyKhbQ17cjlCoZZLnYrY-ag4c7AMR4LgmiITW3Gc173RH2zFaatpQVwY-Vh28kB3WXQucKwScOLFORwV7IWDnliDEmoIzyJQpECt/s1600-h/3-25-09+025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317697333741382338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 205px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDBzD8aC3V_PLeiLjdgmrjwrEcUm5PCeJ1YUxD4HxxyKhbQ17cjlCoZZLnYrY-ag4c7AMR4LgmiITW3Gc173RH2zFaatpQVwY-Vh28kB3WXQucKwScOLFORwV7IWDnliDEmoIzyJQpECt/s320/3-25-09+025.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong>"HOW?"</strong>
</div><div></div><div></div><div>How, indeed, would a clueless person such as myself educate my children on the subjects of; Bugs, Flowers, Birds, Insects, Trees etc.?</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>I was brought up in the Middle East Desert... There were no forests;, no trees in which to dwell. There were no laughing brooks or green rolling hills! </div><div>
</div><div>Here, in the good ole' U.S.... were few birds, plant, and animal life similar to what I had knowledge of. How was I ever to familiarize myself with such a change in habitat?</div><div>
</div><div>Such a baffling question.</div><div>
I am happy to say, a few years later, that my personal education on this subject is still on going. I think my biggest fear in tackling the subject of nature study... was the fear of NOT being able to answer my children's questions. </div><div>
</div><div>It never dawned on me that it was OK to not know everything.
</div><div>I was so set on the task of "educating" my children, that I never dreamed that the educational process could occur without an all knowing teacher.</div><div>
</div><div>And it certainly never occurred to me that NOT Knowing the answers would be the greatest blessing I could possibly ever asked for.</div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsxRof8uUFmf3gz9J5UVD2s05UKxDuDL-Vzy9cgQ_x2_T1Fj34tody1LftBbLyLzoXXq2xKJ2uGShPBv707xJCS3JEpvn7wbHVRXhLjKZfzF-3khuXMy7Od8LbgwPv4cpohSurVk4Ks-H/s1600-h/3-25-09+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317696816485443330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsxRof8uUFmf3gz9J5UVD2s05UKxDuDL-Vzy9cgQ_x2_T1Fj34tody1LftBbLyLzoXXq2xKJ2uGShPBv707xJCS3JEpvn7wbHVRXhLjKZfzF-3khuXMy7Od8LbgwPv4cpohSurVk4Ks-H/s320/3-25-09+023.JPG" border="0" /></a>
</div><div>Day after Day, my children come up to me with questions.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Question about: </div><div></div><div>The name of a flower
The Type of a bug</div><div>What tree a certain leaf comes from...</div><div>
My answer on most days is... "I don't know"... "lets go find out" </div><div></div><div></div><div>The "lets find out" part is what has given me the biggest thrill and the greatest satisfaction. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Not only am I facilitating the satisfaction of their natural curiosity, but I am enabling them to work to attain THEIR OWN Knowledge... which will one day become their greatest possession.</div><div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317696537447812194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie_ayaY5z44jcLo3Sdy9wwFttMpF3sOcUW8dWQ6A3rUU6l_ywcN77NPDpk4tcVN8zv6m56odq5zDPWzI0P_DYgDZr1k-tBhiLQzFTbZzgO9vk7va05PYG_eFyxu0KFIjjc1_VTfVNdxo_/s320/3-25-09+026.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>And the happiest part, is that in the process, I am learning right along with them. I am exploring the great, vast labyrinths of self-education, and experiencing the discovery of invaluable treasures.</div><div></div><div>I can Truly say that this "Homeschooling Quest"... is a venture worth taking... </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>It was Charlotte Mason who said:</div><div>
<em>
"We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things." </em></div><em></em></div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Inexcusable indeed!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">How else can we revel in the magnificence and power of God.... if we do not take the time to appreciate and thank Him for the Earth that he gave us.
<span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><em>Some Recent Nature Journal Entries: </em></strong></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjIcEbjr83gX9XtA9qI2bk0qGKllHYMOrItYOu_jdbETk4YMS8i_Dcz06j1W0JrqUb-LA-krckYuH4KxiU0STwWAm-BSZ0N5uRd7leeCpLsXX-Yr6TDeUngCFIn4he0UIxCvEcwEY8QFl/s1600-h/3-25-09+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691284638176082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjIcEbjr83gX9XtA9qI2bk0qGKllHYMOrItYOu_jdbETk4YMS8i_Dcz06j1W0JrqUb-LA-krckYuH4KxiU0STwWAm-BSZ0N5uRd7leeCpLsXX-Yr6TDeUngCFIn4he0UIxCvEcwEY8QFl/s320/3-25-09+031.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTygiyvuLSB_aoCz1buzTmgMmuZAp1D-ZH6kBwGFWjskIQbWbZVl7K0iTpM3uRDg6mPZotyD9eM3xGlFI1uJIlibHeuDGx9eAQl9gz3cOHlM1rHz_4DoMHX-UZebOFrDHhYYHZImKfBjlY/s1600-h/3-25-09+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317693603336624866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTygiyvuLSB_aoCz1buzTmgMmuZAp1D-ZH6kBwGFWjskIQbWbZVl7K0iTpM3uRDg6mPZotyD9eM3xGlFI1uJIlibHeuDGx9eAQl9gz3cOHlM1rHz_4DoMHX-UZebOFrDHhYYHZImKfBjlY/s320/3-25-09+024.JPG" border="0" /></a>
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</div><div><-------Jonah Age 4 </div><div>
Cossette age 8------>
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2 weeks ago... we spotted a fascinating, and beautiful bug. It's color was so breath taking, that we captured it in our bug house so that we could take it home to identify it.</div><div>Little did we know that we had captured a "kissing bug".... a "blood sucker".... EEEK!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Eg8U_HDZ5juVYFTeWmQJTsJKINpddxmk6A0LZp__p9I8GGu6zx2z1i_rUjzcXEHC7XCGLNs5DDxKBTf217KCs8h5hzh4qa_uBeTEVm1OxOD8b5ezZlbZxwxTf83Pk4fx2UVv-ru3H5_i/s1600-h/3-25-09+029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691926582115954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Eg8U_HDZ5juVYFTeWmQJTsJKINpddxmk6A0LZp__p9I8GGu6zx2z1i_rUjzcXEHC7XCGLNs5DDxKBTf217KCs8h5hzh4qa_uBeTEVm1OxOD8b5ezZlbZxwxTf83Pk4fx2UVv-ru3H5_i/s320/3-25-09+029.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94W2rXyzxYWMqgP8xYeSSRaLm7ilLuiDBRnMkX1s16AVTSmaDHMg3506RRC39CrxEt-pxNk6R7y1wmiSsun3Yk5Od5FbmGXzO4n3TO2qwoAS_hHzHHo8J4e5nm3yXgrhAR_y_T-eNjrin/s1600-h/3-25-09+027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317690529235357170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94W2rXyzxYWMqgP8xYeSSRaLm7ilLuiDBRnMkX1s16AVTSmaDHMg3506RRC39CrxEt-pxNk6R7y1wmiSsun3Yk5Od5FbmGXzO4n3TO2qwoAS_hHzHHo8J4e5nm3yXgrhAR_y_T-eNjrin/s320/3-25-09+027.JPG" border="0" /></a>
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Observing caterpillars
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<----Jonah age 4 </div><div></div><div>Cossette Age 8---->
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We recently received 5 caterpillars via mail. We have been having a fascinating time journaling their daily changes.... we eagerly await for them to emerge from their chrysalids!!
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317687694160243074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw_GkFnr8novU6XS2BtZ8m9JhwCb07SdPJ7wg9pSgm3x4rIc4DPyFbnt0t4LoTw8XVLveqlZz9nh3T-Z6pHQCYP7lhExBHg_BvV1ODquPy8DPh2-1do0sNVoALX0-L4toE5RtupWlTnDM/s320/3-25-09+028.JPG" border="0" /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydj4DpuGxh8UA5G7v2vSIpWv0ezGc7L83sgyDHz8xK7DmWfrYd6rxYhNWDB9mBW48FzWph-sW6pjdJFwMOBuNhqvMWMaaPKqpU-6JnbLglyfPI4LPdJOCtiRi89mnscFCodT6SlzgYErx/s1600-h/3-25-09+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317689424553545890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydj4DpuGxh8UA5G7v2vSIpWv0ezGc7L83sgyDHz8xK7DmWfrYd6rxYhNWDB9mBW48FzWph-sW6pjdJFwMOBuNhqvMWMaaPKqpU-6JnbLglyfPI4LPdJOCtiRi89mnscFCodT6SlzgYErx/s320/3-25-09+030.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydj4DpuGxh8UA5G7v2vSIpWv0ezGc7L83sgyDHz8xK7DmWfrYd6rxYhNWDB9mBW48FzWph-sW6pjdJFwMOBuNhqvMWMaaPKqpU-6JnbLglyfPI4LPdJOCtiRi89mnscFCodT6SlzgYErx/s1600-h/3-25-09+030.JPG"></a></div>
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</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydj4DpuGxh8UA5G7v2vSIpWv0ezGc7L83sgyDHz8xK7DmWfrYd6rxYhNWDB9mBW48FzWph-sW6pjdJFwMOBuNhqvMWMaaPKqpU-6JnbLglyfPI4LPdJOCtiRi89mnscFCodT6SlzgYErx/s1600-h/3-25-09+030.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944873410014275624.post-48260877668558258422009-03-12T21:13:00.009-05:002010-10-12T23:59:28.099-05:00Creating Our Perfect Homeschool AtmosphereWell, It has been a few years trial and error... but I think we have finally done it!
We have found (what feels like) the perfect <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">homeschool</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">atmosphere</span> for our family. Of course, I might be more than a bit partial in my enthusiasm... but I have come to understand that it is more about MY frame of mind than anything else.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrkVtVSsmE7mr2sz9iplymT3LoUniSBhYjuytBYZDtI09x5Zp5iUx73Wfi_YAkezfW5f3kT2vfGAW0ykzQWO7KavFn2QenxqPDCfQbqrkjZMqIEoZAJ43BTUGPYPrth1r9Uu8ti8pcBMy/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312497027342813154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrkVtVSsmE7mr2sz9iplymT3LoUniSBhYjuytBYZDtI09x5Zp5iUx73Wfi_YAkezfW5f3kT2vfGAW0ykzQWO7KavFn2QenxqPDCfQbqrkjZMqIEoZAJ43BTUGPYPrth1r9Uu8ti8pcBMy/s400/001.JPG" /></a>
I had been fighting the move of our "school room" for a Long time. I LOVED having a formal dining room even if it <em>was</em> rarely used. I thought that I was content with our small school room which could not possibly contain all of our school supplies.
It had not occurred to me, that part of my reluctance to FULLY invest myself, was because I had become weary of digging through our closets for the needed supplies. There were projects that I had not attempted, art supplies that I hadn't touched, Books that I had forgotten that I even had.... SO many resources That were either "forgotten"... or that I had decided to use "Later".
I honestly felt so cluttered and uninspired... that I really <em>couldn't </em>function at my best. I have, at long last, discovered that, just like my children, I thrive on organization and habit too.<em> OH!!! Blessed Habit... I took you for granted for SO long!!!</em>
It seems like perfect common sense ... that in order to instill "order" you must first be "orderly".... I mean hasn't Charlotte Mason said ALL along that we, as parents, must lead by example?!! Why is it that this concept is dawning on me as if it were a perfectly NEW revelation?!!
It is something that I have always known...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd88ykKSB69JaACjq_GKU5IK3DJvM4XCR-p425w6-7Q1kVi_XZarNetwiDJpK1pg5MDqQIsRw_9AFYNNxsT1YJVuO0y24BK89zbW31pwRSnI2IVpI-KkjJnrLqGArmuyCtfmqsF_2uKVnU/s1600-h/002.JPG"></a>But I suppose that I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ne</span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ver</span> thought to link my inability to instill good habits to my lack of enthusiasm; And my lack of enthusiasm to my feeling of being suffocated in a cramped area.
I had been exerting an awful lot energy "trying" to accomplish all that I had wanted to.
Many were the days that we had done SO much... but for some reason or another I was not feeling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">full filled</span> by our accomplishments.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd88ykKSB69JaACjq_GKU5IK3DJvM4XCR-p425w6-7Q1kVi_XZarNetwiDJpK1pg5MDqQIsRw_9AFYNNxsT1YJVuO0y24BK89zbW31pwRSnI2IVpI-KkjJnrLqGArmuyCtfmqsF_2uKVnU/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312497240265732130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd88ykKSB69JaACjq_GKU5IK3DJvM4XCR-p425w6-7Q1kVi_XZarNetwiDJpK1pg5MDqQIsRw_9AFYNNxsT1YJVuO0y24BK89zbW31pwRSnI2IVpI-KkjJnrLqGArmuyCtfmqsF_2uKVnU/s400/002.JPG" /></a>I was feeling drained... and oft times short of temper....
I <em>KNOW </em>that my children picked up on this feeling. They had a keen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">awareness</span> that Mommy was not "with it"! I would make great efforts to become more aware when this feeling occurred... and I would try to change it... but it never completely faded.
Finding a more practical place to have our lessons has become like a breath of Fresh air! We are now able to <em>NOT FIGHT</em> through our morning chores and routine. But best of all... we are all sharing the same space and working amongst each other.
Mom is in the kitchen;
that is by the table;
that is housing the toddler;
that is doing the art project;
that is near the dining room;
that contains the school supplies;
that the 8 year old is using to finish her picture narration....
we all see each other... and I am no longer debating whether I should be downstairs doing the dishes and the laundry... or upstairs guiding my children through their lessons!!
We have found out how to make our family work in perfect harmony!!
To Be Continued...mommypoppinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04729476880185667983noreply@blogger.com1