Watercolor series called Mermaids in Summertime.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Homeschool Diaries: Numbers
I have recently learned that I work well with themes. The thing about homeschooling is that you not only can adjust your lessons towards your children's strengths, but you can do the same for yourself. The thought of being a parent-teacher can be so daunting. I have known several women who do it so professionally, and with so many children that I just can't see myself fitting that role.
But that isn't my role to fit... we don't look alike, us homeschool moms. We don't need to be carbon copies of each other. Sure I want to provide my kids with the best education possible, but I can't do that if I am not both prepared and excited about teaching them.
I do not get excited about workbooks, and reviewing curriculum, and scheduling. I do them anyway because I need to. But when I found there was a way for me to do it, and want to... it really changed me as a teacher.
Once I gave myself the freedom to work in a way I enjoyed, our school time was much better. It was really through trial and error that I learned I enjoy themes. I was randomly picking books at the library for the boys and making a big production of them with costumes and homemade puppets in our living room. I was getting field guides about plants and birds and spending the day outdoors with binoculars and mason jars. Then I thought... why am I not doing this with their school work?
Having a daily theme has helped me have more fun scheduling, and move smoother from one activity to the next. While preschool only takes about an hour a day in the Waggy house, I have to keep it entertaining so it doesn't melt into chaos, and I really have a hard time doing that if I am bored myself.
Right now, we do school five days a week with the themes of:
1)Numbers
2)Alphabet
3)Concept
4)Animal
5)Health and Fitness.
I thought this week I would blog our work, for my own future benefit.
Youtube has great counting songs. I guess I never thought of youtube as a homeschool resource before, but in a vague attempt to google some music for today's lesson, I found a great variety. Annnnd... apparently several songs in a row will play. So I got a good 15 minute jam session of "Count to 20" songs.
I really recommend this little book, Infinity and Me. Not only did each page appeal to my artsy side, it really gave a good visual approach to the concept of infinity, and helped us stretch those counting muscles as we tried to wrap our brains around some big big numbers.
There was an opportunity here to combine tangible numbers with the more illusive concept of things that stretch on and on forever. Bible verses: 1 Chron. 16:34, 1 Jn. 5:11, Job 11:7, Ps. 145:3 all point to infinite/eternal traits of God.
Adding and subtracting using some buttons and a muffin tin. Nothing fancy.
Lastly, comes tracing and writing. These little workbooks are great, and you can find them pracitically anywhere. They have tracing exercizes, and matching games, etc. Nothing complicated, but helpful.
Today we covered: Art and Music, Story Time, New Word: Infinity, New Bible Verses, Review Concept: Forever/ Eternity, Writing, and Counting.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Weekly Flutters: Completed Pinterest
Today I thought I would share some projects/ recipes that I have done from Pinterest that turned out really well!
creamy rice and mushroom soup {so good! We added bacon.}
Felt Dahlia Pattern {I made this for Christmas for the grandmothers: there is a pocket on the back to carry wallet-sized picture!}
Mini German Pancakes {yeah, they are so good it's not right}
snowglobe DIY {the boys made these for family members for Christmas. Talk about some bang for your buck! They got so much satisfaction from giving out their own hand made gifts... and everyone loved them of course}
Pretty Cupcakes
Interlocking Castle {We did this w/ an old diaper box... it made for great rainy day fun!}
Friday, June 14, 2013
Weekly Flutters
{from anotherfeather's instagram} I want to wrap my bathroom mirrors in greenery now.
Jan of Poppytalk {a blogging hero of mine!} shares a fabric printing DIY
This Anthropology-inspired yarn stitched rug DIY would look great in my kitchen.
This Washi tape cross-stitched pattern {I don't have a source for this pic} would look cute in my laundry room!
I've been craving some fun/ inexpensive ways to spruce my space. Something listed here will be happening this weekend {maybe more than one thing... we shall see}...
Happy weekend to all!!
P.S.-- links are included for all of these... I just can't seem to change the color of my font {probably a "doi!" moment that I will eventually figure out}. Just hover around and you'll see where to click.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
illustrated:
Benny and Joon
because Johnny Depp with a Buster Keaton fetish
is really too much swoonage for words.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
On learning that I am OK... {a memoir}
Right out of high school, I was not the most ambitious sort of person. I had no desire to go off to college, and quite frankly the military scared my pants off, so I did a period of what might be termed "soul searching"... and simply tried to figure out my place in the world.
I worked in a mall for four years during this time... where I discovered is the place most people who can't figure themselves out go. Some people never leave... even though it can be an excellent stepping stone/ filler between school and career, it's like a wasteland for those still in the high school mentality. And not trying to generalize, because I know this is a big world full of diverse people... but you would think the teenage part-timers would be the source of most things evil in that line of work. The negative banter about what you are owed to play on your phone all day... the lies told about unpopular co-workers... and the $20 bills missing from the register... these were all crimes generally committed by people old enough to have a care. Seriously, hold me.
My first full-time job was at a lovely home décor shop on the East Wing of an open mall.
We were located behind a bread company and I worked in a stockroom wafting with heavenly odors that possibly went straight to my hips each morning. My job was opening and arranging all of the new pretty items in perfect rows on countless shelves... which felt a bit like being a Christmas elf.
It was a great place to work, and I had the most wonderful boss. But when she was promoted and staff shifted, things were not as ideal. I was not getting the hours that I needed. I had completed some college, but was taking a break for "direction". Since my future career plans were unclear, I felt maybe it was time I tried climbing the corporate ladder a bit. So I began the nerve-racking {for me} task of fancy-ing my resume, and shamelessly throwing it at every managerial position available.
The first opportunity I had was a chic little boutique within walking distance. I was thrilled when that interview was scheduled, no lie. I walked into that pink building stuffed with over-priced fashion accessories, half-skirts and tops arranged by color. The manager that met me at the counter was scarcely older than myself, though a great deal blonder and more bosom-y. She took me to the "office" which resembled a show-girl dressing room I had seen in a movie, complete with light bulb framed mirror, counter top full of tubes of lipstick, and cloth folding chairs covered in lingerie.
She held in her hand my resume which she had clearly reviewed in detail since she called me "Kyrsten" twice.
"You have some good references here," she didn't smile. That would have perhaps creased her foundation. 'The thing is, we have, like, really famous people that shop here. Britney Spears, for instance, loves our store." <<OK>> "We have to keep our standards really high, so I'm sorry. I'm sure your awesome and everything... we just need a certain... look."
And every negative word I could think of would appropriately summarize that person and/or situation.
About a month later, as I walked to the bank I noticed a young man and older woman across the street watching me, and appearing to be talking about me. I tend to be a little paranoid {particularly when last night's deposit is in my apron pocket}, so when thoughts like this enter my mind, I try to dismiss them quickly.
On my way back from the bank this same guy runs across the street and hands me his card. "Hi, my name is *Jordan, I am the store manager for *Gadgets and Things. Would you be interested in a job?"
"I... don't know." I answered cautiously.
He flashed me a smile, and poured out some charm the only bit of which I remember went something like, "Listen, you look like a professional. Anita, my assistant, put in her two weeks notice and I need to fill her position pronto. I have a sense about people and I just know we would work well together. Call me of you are interested in a full-time job with benefits." He ran back across the street, leaving me completely baffled. Had not a few weeks before, I "not looked the part" for a job? This was manna, I tell you, pure manna. Or the worst joke ever. I wasn't sure. Was he in cahoots with bronzy-girl? They were both a certain caliber of person I had come to regard as "out of my league."
I held onto that card for two weeks before I called, and I was convinced that he had pulled the same move a dozen times now probably and the position most likely had been filled. Much to my surprise, not only was the position still available, but he knew who I was immediately.
I will never forget that job or that guy that hired me. He ended up being the oddest type of boss ever. Incredibly tough to please at times, a favorites-player for sure, but he genuinely wanted to be surrounded by people he could consider family. He would invite me out to dinner and drinks with his wife, and brother.. and friends. Of course, I eventually took him and the job for granted... At the time, I never really saw how perfect the timing was, or how much of a blessing I had received.
And I guess, this sequence is a reminder that there are silver linings... that when people are mean, and you have done something stupid and embarrassed yourself, or failure just seems to be your star... there will be little stories of successes, and kindnesses, and hope if you just keep trudging along.
I recall that I didn't need a job... I had one... so in a sense, the need provided for here was just the knowledge that I was OK. I may not be up to Britney's standards, or a whole slew of the gorgeous, rich, or famous. But even a plain little sparrow finds a flock, and an appropriate place to nest with each season.
I worked in a mall for four years during this time... where I discovered is the place most people who can't figure themselves out go. Some people never leave... even though it can be an excellent stepping stone/ filler between school and career, it's like a wasteland for those still in the high school mentality. And not trying to generalize, because I know this is a big world full of diverse people... but you would think the teenage part-timers would be the source of most things evil in that line of work. The negative banter about what you are owed to play on your phone all day... the lies told about unpopular co-workers... and the $20 bills missing from the register... these were all crimes generally committed by people old enough to have a care. Seriously, hold me.
My first full-time job was at a lovely home décor shop on the East Wing of an open mall.
We were located behind a bread company and I worked in a stockroom wafting with heavenly odors that possibly went straight to my hips each morning. My job was opening and arranging all of the new pretty items in perfect rows on countless shelves... which felt a bit like being a Christmas elf.
It was a great place to work, and I had the most wonderful boss. But when she was promoted and staff shifted, things were not as ideal. I was not getting the hours that I needed. I had completed some college, but was taking a break for "direction". Since my future career plans were unclear, I felt maybe it was time I tried climbing the corporate ladder a bit. So I began the nerve-racking {for me} task of fancy-ing my resume, and shamelessly throwing it at every managerial position available.
The first opportunity I had was a chic little boutique within walking distance. I was thrilled when that interview was scheduled, no lie. I walked into that pink building stuffed with over-priced fashion accessories, half-skirts and tops arranged by color. The manager that met me at the counter was scarcely older than myself, though a great deal blonder and more bosom-y. She took me to the "office" which resembled a show-girl dressing room I had seen in a movie, complete with light bulb framed mirror, counter top full of tubes of lipstick, and cloth folding chairs covered in lingerie.
She held in her hand my resume which she had clearly reviewed in detail since she called me "Kyrsten" twice.
"You have some good references here," she didn't smile. That would have perhaps creased her foundation. 'The thing is, we have, like, really famous people that shop here. Britney Spears, for instance, loves our store." <<OK>> "We have to keep our standards really high, so I'm sorry. I'm sure your awesome and everything... we just need a certain... look."
And every negative word I could think of would appropriately summarize that person and/or situation.
About a month later, as I walked to the bank I noticed a young man and older woman across the street watching me, and appearing to be talking about me. I tend to be a little paranoid {particularly when last night's deposit is in my apron pocket}, so when thoughts like this enter my mind, I try to dismiss them quickly.
On my way back from the bank this same guy runs across the street and hands me his card. "Hi, my name is *Jordan, I am the store manager for *Gadgets and Things. Would you be interested in a job?"
"I... don't know." I answered cautiously.
He flashed me a smile, and poured out some charm the only bit of which I remember went something like, "Listen, you look like a professional. Anita, my assistant, put in her two weeks notice and I need to fill her position pronto. I have a sense about people and I just know we would work well together. Call me of you are interested in a full-time job with benefits." He ran back across the street, leaving me completely baffled. Had not a few weeks before, I "not looked the part" for a job? This was manna, I tell you, pure manna. Or the worst joke ever. I wasn't sure. Was he in cahoots with bronzy-girl? They were both a certain caliber of person I had come to regard as "out of my league."
I held onto that card for two weeks before I called, and I was convinced that he had pulled the same move a dozen times now probably and the position most likely had been filled. Much to my surprise, not only was the position still available, but he knew who I was immediately.
I will never forget that job or that guy that hired me. He ended up being the oddest type of boss ever. Incredibly tough to please at times, a favorites-player for sure, but he genuinely wanted to be surrounded by people he could consider family. He would invite me out to dinner and drinks with his wife, and brother.. and friends. Of course, I eventually took him and the job for granted... At the time, I never really saw how perfect the timing was, or how much of a blessing I had received.
And I guess, this sequence is a reminder that there are silver linings... that when people are mean, and you have done something stupid and embarrassed yourself, or failure just seems to be your star... there will be little stories of successes, and kindnesses, and hope if you just keep trudging along.
I recall that I didn't need a job... I had one... so in a sense, the need provided for here was just the knowledge that I was OK. I may not be up to Britney's standards, or a whole slew of the gorgeous, rich, or famous. But even a plain little sparrow finds a flock, and an appropriate place to nest with each season.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Weekly Flutters
FREE printable anchor gift tags and wrapping paper? Yes, please!
underwater photography by Bruce Mozart
a lonely little mermaid
Wishing you a week full of smooth sailing!
Wishing you a week full of smooth sailing!
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