illustrated:

You've Got Mail 

Ah,the days of dial-up connection, 

chat room romances, 

and Meg Ryan movies.

Homeschool Diaries: Favorite Books

Jayden's Picks:

{left top to bottom right} The Poky Little Puppy// Little Monster {learn to read book} //  Mater Tales Little Golden Books // Sesame Street: Grover Takes Care of Baby // The Berenstein Bears and The Messy Room // I Am a Bunny

Titus' Picks:

{left top to bottom right} The Golden Book Encyclopedia // Mr. Peabody's Apples //The Book of Australian Nursery Rhyme //Just One More Swim //Before I go to Sleep // Wreck it Ralph

 I think that the books they decided to share are such perfect examples of how they learn.  Jayden likes simple books... that are not too long.  His attention span is much shorter, but he does enjoy picking out letters and small words.  We have had to read "The Messy Room" book many times. ;)

Titus, on the other hand, likes to sit and read.  He really loves pictures, particularly of nature, trains, and engines.  But I can read him longer books, or more than one, without him getting bored.

One thing I found helped the interest level in reading for fun was finding books they had seen the movies of.  They get really excited about Disney cartoon books, because they already know the story and can pretend to read it on their own.

//

We have been spending a good hour most days simply tracing, writing, and painting. I have been keeping it simple just so that I don't get overwhelmed. I find creativity as a homeschool mom hits me in spurts, and when it hits I run with it. But when it's gone, I have a tendency to become despondent and not put the effort into teaching them that I should. Like most things, it is easy to view our children as a competition and we are trying to turn out the best "product". But truthfully, they are so much more than the sum of lessons learned. Even though some other mom out there has probably turned out a four-year-old who is reading Tolstoy while we're over here tracing circles... it is the time together practicing life essentials that is important to me. Each day I teach them something... their world becomes a little bigger, and they learn to trust me a little more. And I learn how to be more patient and gentle. We're growing together, always.  If anyone was to ask me what I personally thought was the most satisfying thing about having a family, I would say this is it.

tidbits

 

//1. We went to a farm with my in-laws and met some really sweet animals.  This is Willy the horse. 
// 2. I can't remember this cow's name, so I shall call him "diva"  because he wanted the camera's attention that day. 
// 3. Ummm... It's the size of my dog. 
// 4. Miniature donkey.
// 5. Soy is looking a little angelic here, wouldn't you say?
// 6. The splash pad is pretty much our life these days. 
// 7. And I am always armed with plenty of water, coconut oil, and reading material. 
//8.9. I have had a smoothie obsession lately.  Some are super healthy.  Others or sort of healthy, but really good like this little blend: 1 frozen banana, 2 c frozen peaches, 1 c coconut milk, 1 1/2 c baby romaine, and a sprinkle of white chocolate chips.  Mmmm.... my taste buds were dancing.

illustrated:

"New Girl"
Nick and Jess bring on the sexy:

As someone with a history of awkward flirtation {for whatever reason, this even followed me into marriage}...this hits my very core!

Homeschool Diaries: appreciating art

Bruegel's Hunters in the Snow, 1665

I have always had an interest in art... all kinds of art.  When I was ten, I did a water color of Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough {minus the face.  I put a beagle's face on him}, and a colored pencil sketch of The Allegory of a Painting by Francois Boucher.  My parents framed and displayed these for a long time.  I remember copying them from a book.  I was so entranced, especially by the folds in the fabric and how much dimension these details gave.  I remember spending hours shading, trying to duplicate the silky textures. These tedious first attempts led to a path of self-expression, as I discovered release, and confidence, and comfort in my growing love of art.

It is nice to have internet, and access to so many masterpieces at our fingertips.  The Jedi and I have been looking at this painting by Bruegel, and analyzing it as best we can from a four-year-old perspective. :)  We talk about the colors and how they make us feel {cold, sleepy, hungry}.  We talk about what the hunters might be thinking about, and how many dogs there are, and what it would be like to go right outside your front door and ice skate.  Then we try to to copy parts of painting from sight by drawing and coloring.  I think I may read them a little history about the artist, and show them some of his other works {there are six in the same series as this one, I believe.}

At any rate, it is a lot of fun sharing a passion that started in my childhood with my children. It was a passion my father shared with me.  I hope that the generations of my family can continue to bond over dabbling in, and appreciating art.

I would like to end by saying this: I want to start sharing some little things we are doing in the arena of homeschooling.  I, however, believe this is a very personal topic, and that homeschooling is not best for every child, or every parent.  I am definitely not preachy about it.  I do not even commit my own children's entire education to this route.  One day I'll blog about why we do it now.  But as for today, I hope that sharing in the arts is something you feel inspired to do with your children, no matter what school they attend.  No matter if you love classical paintings, or modern art, or theater, or music... they can really grow by seeing what you enjoy and learning to love it too.

 

thoughts on the FB break-up...

Nearly two months ago, I announced that I was going to be quitting Facebook;  I have since been back, and felt that I should explain a few things, for my own peace of mind. I mean, it did feel like running into an ex at first.  I had made this announcement, and suddenly I am lurking around... sort of makes one feel I didn't really mean it, or that I had no will-power.

To be honest there were only a few reasons that I was sick of Facebook.: 1) I had my feelings hurt. 2) It seemed that over the past six months there had been more nasty posts done in the name of a political party/ religious belief than I cared to read.  I get that people view social media through different eyes than I, and everyone is entitled to their opinion.  But it was draining to even view all of the negative banter.  I decided I was too busy for it.  And really, aren't you too?  Is anyone really won over by a few snide remarks on a status update?

The third reason was entirely my own doing.  I was completely self-conscious about my posts.  It got bad.  I was checking every hour or so to see if anyone "liked" what I wrote, and feeling completely down if no one did.  Foolishness, I know.  There is no excuse, but with all of the transition we have had lately I have left many friends, and developed few in our new place... so I was living vicariously, which is not really living.

Taking a break, meant being brave... facing loneliness and striving harder to make friends out of strangers.  This is an area that I always struggle to start in, but usually ends up being therapeutic.  My soul needed some searching, my carpet needed some knee prints worn in it.  I am ashamed of how shallow I had become.  It happened so quickly, I did not even see my waywardness coming.

I got back to some old-fashioned correspondence.  I wrote a few letters, handed out my email, and started to heavily upload pictures to flickr for anyone who cared to see how we were doing.  Honestly, I really really love writing letters, and am so glad to have rediscover that.

However, like most rash decisions that I make,  had to re-evaluate quitting Facebook altogether.  I knew there were people I would possibly lose touch with completely, and life events that I would not be aware of.  I mean, in the busyness and with the distance, I cannot expect special treatment when folks have learned they can simply upload their change of life and everyone will know.  As much as I would like everyone to pick up a pen or phone long distance every now and then, I realize that is not the world we live in anymore.  While my time on Facebook is more limited than before, and my friends list shorter, I simply love some people too much to quit completely.  So, I'm still around... for those guys who post REAL things about themselves, and their families that make me giggle, and sigh, and say inwardly, "I miss you."  You guys are what make social media good, in my mind.  Keep it real, seriously. 

Thoughts on a favorite shirt...

   

Reviewing some pictures I have taken of the boys lately, I realize that a documented month or two could look like one long day of activity.  All because of THIS shirt.  It is a lucky Walmart find from my grandmother that they just LOVE.  They literally wear it every time they see it.  They will strip down and put it on, they will pull it out of the dirty clothes bin, and let us not get into the tears that can occur if it is actually IN the washing machine. 

Parenting is all about choosing your battles, and this is one that I can gladly say I am not fighting.  I really don't care if they wear it ragged, I absolutely adore their attachment to it.  Similar to the blanket and thumb thing, I just think that this is such a precious part of childhood.  While a man is not made of his possessions, we could certainly learn something from the simplicity of a child's material wants.  A favorite tee, a superman cape, a football... they are good to go.

They do own other and far cuter apparel, though, in case there was any wonder.  But nothing can beat the happy faces, and the confidence they get from this one simple piece of clothing.

~About My Sugar Tree~

Welcome to MST.

My name is Kristin.  In order to not get too cheesy with symbolism, I will just say this blog is about me, my hubs and twin boys, and how we are growing as a family.  I just might share some crafty tutorials, because it seems the typical mom-blogger thing to do... and I love it. :)

I used to blog, update FB, own an Etsy store, you know... the whole sh-bang.  I found myself driven but weary, constantly making comparisons, and failing in many ways.  So I am starting fresh, keeping things simple, and making my only goal to be/ stay connected.

And hopefully find some inspiration along the way....

xoxo

Kristin