I am in the process of making an alphabet book for Olivia (my 5 1/2 year old daughter) for Christmas. This project has been going on now for several months, and is almost done.
Each page of the book has 2 ATCs (artist trading cards) - one that I made and one that someone else has made. I've been trading cards through a swap on Swap-Bot with different partners throughout the U.S. It's been interesting to see the different styles of cards that are in the book.
This card is one that I made a while back, but it was never traded. Since Olivia likes zebras and loves the tactile cards (she's legally blind in both eyes and responds better to the tactile/sensory cards), I thought this would be a nice one for her book.
It is made with zebra-printed fabric on both sides. The card is hand-embroidered using the blanket-stitch. The green ribbon is in the shape of a "Z" and has beads hand-sewn on it.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Donation to Project Quin
After reading the information about "Project Quin" to my daughters, we were all eager to go through our clothes and make a donation to the children in Quinhagak, Alaska.
"Project Quin" an effort to help children at a K-12 school in Quinhagak, Alaska, stay warm in their cold and very remote, tundra village. The children are all Alaskan natives. Although the village is rich in cultural heritage, the families lack the bare necessities to stay warm.
The bags we donated had shirts, turtlenecks, sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, coats, a pair of boots, snowpants, underwear, socks, and many pairs of pants/jeans. Also had almost 60 diapers and a teddy bear that we included.
The girls and I dropped off our donation at the homeschool co-op they attended on Friday. One of the girls coordinating the drive and her mom were THRILLED with the items we brought. The mother (whose brother is the principal for the Alaskan school in Quinhagak) shared a bit more with us about the impact that the clothing will have on the children.
She said that they had sent a package of clothing they no longer wore, and as it was being opened by the principal's family, a villager came by for a visit. There was some underwear in the package. Knowing the villager had a daughter, they asked if she would want the underwear for her. The villager started crying. Her family was so poor her daughter had never had a pair of underwear. And the daughter was 10 years old.
The other thing the children and their families desperately need are toothbrushes and toothpaste. Because the village is on tundra, apparently the fecal count in the water is very high. All the water must be boiled to be sterile to drink. This process takes over an hour to do, so many of the children (and adults) simply drink pop/soda. As a result, many of the children's teeth are severely decayed.
Part of homeschooling includes community service. The girls love to help, and this was one thing they could do to make a difference.
"Project Quin" an effort to help children at a K-12 school in Quinhagak, Alaska, stay warm in their cold and very remote, tundra village. The children are all Alaskan natives. Although the village is rich in cultural heritage, the families lack the bare necessities to stay warm.
The bags we donated had shirts, turtlenecks, sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, coats, a pair of boots, snowpants, underwear, socks, and many pairs of pants/jeans. Also had almost 60 diapers and a teddy bear that we included.
The girls and I dropped off our donation at the homeschool co-op they attended on Friday. One of the girls coordinating the drive and her mom were THRILLED with the items we brought. The mother (whose brother is the principal for the Alaskan school in Quinhagak) shared a bit more with us about the impact that the clothing will have on the children.
She said that they had sent a package of clothing they no longer wore, and as it was being opened by the principal's family, a villager came by for a visit. There was some underwear in the package. Knowing the villager had a daughter, they asked if she would want the underwear for her. The villager started crying. Her family was so poor her daughter had never had a pair of underwear. And the daughter was 10 years old.
The other thing the children and their families desperately need are toothbrushes and toothpaste. Because the village is on tundra, apparently the fecal count in the water is very high. All the water must be boiled to be sterile to drink. This process takes over an hour to do, so many of the children (and adults) simply drink pop/soda. As a result, many of the children's teeth are severely decayed.
Part of homeschooling includes community service. The girls love to help, and this was one thing they could do to make a difference.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Muffin Tin Meals
In an effort to get the girls to eat more fruits and vegetables, I needed an idea that might make these things a bit more appealing.
Saw this idea in a Flickr group called Muffin Tin Meals. It's a group where people upload pictures of different meals, snacks, and appetizers in muffin tins. The tins are either 12-count or 6-count.
The tins can be lined with a paper muffin cup or left plain (like I did in the picture).
Since Mondays are busy days with homeschooling and the homeschooling co-op, thought I'd do this idea on Tuesday instead. Thus, "Tuesday's Terrific Tin" or "Tuesday's Tiny Tidbits" was started...either one works for the girls.
The girls were SO excited. The entire tray was gone by the end of dinner.
An upcoming challenge that the group has is to create a tray based on your culture. Since my daughters were born in China, I thought it would be fun to try a Chinese-theme muffin tin.
A couple of the other challenges that the group recently had:
- make a tin based on a child's book that you read (essentially, you're bringing the book alive and doing a food activity with the book...a great idea for homeschooling families!)
- create a Halloween-theme muffin tin. Some upcoming holidays to try could be: Thanksgiving, St. Nicholas Day, Winter Solstice, Christmas, and New Years. What kind of tin could be created for each of those holidays?
So many possibilities...
In the muffin tin above, this is what is in each row:
Top row: green grapes, pistachios, teddy grahams, and carrots.
Middle row: peanuts, dairy-free cheese, Swiss cheese, and celery.
Bottom row: dried pineapple, sesame sticks, pickles, and red grapes.
Everything, with the exception of the Swiss cheese, is dairy-free so my oldest daughter (who has dairy allergies) can enjoy the variety of items.
Saw this idea in a Flickr group called Muffin Tin Meals. It's a group where people upload pictures of different meals, snacks, and appetizers in muffin tins. The tins are either 12-count or 6-count.
The tins can be lined with a paper muffin cup or left plain (like I did in the picture).
Since Mondays are busy days with homeschooling and the homeschooling co-op, thought I'd do this idea on Tuesday instead. Thus, "Tuesday's Terrific Tin" or "Tuesday's Tiny Tidbits" was started...either one works for the girls.
The girls were SO excited. The entire tray was gone by the end of dinner.
An upcoming challenge that the group has is to create a tray based on your culture. Since my daughters were born in China, I thought it would be fun to try a Chinese-theme muffin tin.
A couple of the other challenges that the group recently had:
- make a tin based on a child's book that you read (essentially, you're bringing the book alive and doing a food activity with the book...a great idea for homeschooling families!)
- create a Halloween-theme muffin tin. Some upcoming holidays to try could be: Thanksgiving, St. Nicholas Day, Winter Solstice, Christmas, and New Years. What kind of tin could be created for each of those holidays?
So many possibilities...
In the muffin tin above, this is what is in each row:
Top row: green grapes, pistachios, teddy grahams, and carrots.
Middle row: peanuts, dairy-free cheese, Swiss cheese, and celery.
Bottom row: dried pineapple, sesame sticks, pickles, and red grapes.
Everything, with the exception of the Swiss cheese, is dairy-free so my oldest daughter (who has dairy allergies) can enjoy the variety of items.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Bringing Books Alive Through Natural Toys
Toadstoom Mushroom Felt Toy
Originally uploaded by Pictures by Ann
One of the gifts I enjoy giving my daughters is bringing books alive. I read a tremendous amount of books to the girls. There are many benefits to doing this, but two that I see every day are:
- the girls have incredibly creative imaginations which is evident when they play. They develop a wide range of stories with different characters and plot lines, and then act them out.
- their vocabulary is extensive and includes words that are challenging and not always used by children their age (not inappropriate language...just words that aren't "easy" and commonly used).
I enjoy giving them tiny, handmade natural toys that I make. In this picture, Olivia (who is 5 1/2 year olds) is holding one of the toadstool mushrooms I recently made.
She loves to play with tiny, all-natural toys that I make...especially when they tie into a book that I've read to her.
Perhaps the most endearing books that have illustrations featuring toadstool mushrooms are by Elsa Beskow. Three titles of books that Ms. Beskow wrote that I've read to Olivia and Sophia are:
- Children of the Forest
- Around the Year
- Woody, Hazel and Little Pip
Additional toadstool mushrooms are available in my Etsy shop. The link to my shop is to the right of this site. Otherwise, please visit http://www.harvestmoonbyhand.etsy.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
29-Day Giving Challenge
Came across an interesting website and concept that I have joined. It's called the 29-Day Giving Challenge ( http://29gifts.org/ ).
The concept is that you give one thing away each day for 29 days. Why? According to the website, "Because to see the world change, we have to do something to change the world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude."
If this sounds intriguing, you can either start on your own...or you can register on the site and keep track of what you give by creating your own blog. It's inspiring to read what others are doing, and the impact that is being made through the 29-Day Giving Challenge.
I've been keeping track of what I've been doing each day, and it has been a very interesting journey...both in terms of what I am able to give each day and what I have received in return. In both cases, it can be tangible or intangible. Either way, it's been a wonderful experience.
It's worth checking out.
The concept is that you give one thing away each day for 29 days. Why? According to the website, "Because to see the world change, we have to do something to change the world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude."
If this sounds intriguing, you can either start on your own...or you can register on the site and keep track of what you give by creating your own blog. It's inspiring to read what others are doing, and the impact that is being made through the 29-Day Giving Challenge.
I've been keeping track of what I've been doing each day, and it has been a very interesting journey...both in terms of what I am able to give each day and what I have received in return. In both cases, it can be tangible or intangible. Either way, it's been a wonderful experience.
It's worth checking out.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Voting in an Historic Election
Since cameras aren't allowed in polling places, this was the extent of pictures for this election.
The girls got to hand the voter receipt to the election volunteers, and then we all held onto the ballot as it was sucked into the machine. I was #1,159.
They have been following the commercials, mailers, and advertisements for the candidates, and made their decision about who they would vote for if given the choice.
During the day, we went to vote at the community center. As much as a 7 1/2 and 5 1/2 year old could be involved in the process, they participated.
Figured out that Sophia will be 19 years old and Olivia will be 21 years old when they will be able to vote for the first time in a presidential election. Until then, they get to watch and look forward to the opportunity to vote for who they feel will lead the country well.
The timing and results for the presidential election this year fit nicely with the homeschool unit study the girls are doing about Addy (the American Girl character who is was an African American slave who lived during the Civil War period, and escaped to freedom). The girls have been learning about Africa (culture, wildlife, geography), slavery, Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and life in the 1860s.
The girls saw a powerful lesson unfold in front of their eyes about what is truly possible in this country in a period of less than 150 years. To move from a point of slavery in the 1860s to having Barack Obama become the next president...that is an amazing and memorable lesson that the girls will never forget.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Making Sourdough Starter in Home Ec
Originally uploaded by Pictures by Ann
On the front table is a science experiment with yeast. I had 4 quart-size baggies each filled with 1 packet of yeast.
- Bag #1, had only yeast.
- Bag #2 had yeast and 1/4 cup warm water.
- Bag #3 had yeast, 1/4 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
- Bag #4 had yeast, 1/4 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon of flour.
We let the bags sit for 30 minutes while the girls made their sourdough starter at the second table and ate their pancakes.
After the plates were cleared, the girls sat down and one by one I picked up the bags and let them touch each one so they could see how the ingredients reacted with one another.
They were fascinated that each bag was totally different. Had them write what happened in each bag on their worksheet.
Friday, October 31, 2008
The Importance of Family Traditions
This year was the first year that I heard the girls articulate the importance of having family traditions.
Each year, the girls go trick-or-treating around my parents' home (their grandparents). They go with their cousins which is something they look forward to doing.
Because of having a puppy this year and having limited time away from the house, I thought perhaps modifying the Halloween tradition by simply visiting grandparents during the day and showing them the costumes would be something the girls would be okay with. Apparently not.
"I've been looking forward to having dinner with everyone and then going out trick or treating with my cousins!" Sophia said. Olivia agreed.
There was no changing this tradition.
Having traditions that children anticipate and can count on is so important. They can predict what can happen...when it will happen...and have some control over their lives. It provides comfort and assurance in a world that sometimes doesn't always offer that to children.
One thing I did have to modify this year was going out and getting new costumes for the girls. Having had a very difficult year financially because of medical issues as well as damage to the house from the storms in May, I had the girls choose costumes from ones they already had. Sophia chose to be a pioneer girl and Olivia chose to be a giraffe. Although disappointed that they didn't get a new costume, they were happy with the costumes they wore this year.
Another tradition that I do with the girls each year is to add to their "Halloween Bag." The bag Olivia is holding is a pillowcase that I dyed, put an orange ribbon around the top so she can tie it, and thraced her handprint on. In the center of the handprint is the costume she wore and the year.
Sophia also has a bag like this with her handprints, but she chose to use the pumpkin I used when I was growing up.
The girls enjoy looking at how their hands have grown through the years and what costume they wore each year.
Again...a simple activity...but one they count on and look forward to doing each year.
Each year, the girls go trick-or-treating around my parents' home (their grandparents). They go with their cousins which is something they look forward to doing.
Because of having a puppy this year and having limited time away from the house, I thought perhaps modifying the Halloween tradition by simply visiting grandparents during the day and showing them the costumes would be something the girls would be okay with. Apparently not.
"I've been looking forward to having dinner with everyone and then going out trick or treating with my cousins!" Sophia said. Olivia agreed.
There was no changing this tradition.
Having traditions that children anticipate and can count on is so important. They can predict what can happen...when it will happen...and have some control over their lives. It provides comfort and assurance in a world that sometimes doesn't always offer that to children.
One thing I did have to modify this year was going out and getting new costumes for the girls. Having had a very difficult year financially because of medical issues as well as damage to the house from the storms in May, I had the girls choose costumes from ones they already had. Sophia chose to be a pioneer girl and Olivia chose to be a giraffe. Although disappointed that they didn't get a new costume, they were happy with the costumes they wore this year.
Another tradition that I do with the girls each year is to add to their "Halloween Bag." The bag Olivia is holding is a pillowcase that I dyed, put an orange ribbon around the top so she can tie it, and thraced her handprint on. In the center of the handprint is the costume she wore and the year.
Sophia also has a bag like this with her handprints, but she chose to use the pumpkin I used when I was growing up.
The girls enjoy looking at how their hands have grown through the years and what costume they wore each year.
Again...a simple activity...but one they count on and look forward to doing each year.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Getting Ready for Christmas
It seems rather early to start thinking about Christmas, but this year I'm going to create more homemade decorations and make gifts for others.
This is one of the stars that I thought would look pretty in the window during the holiday season. I'm also selling it in my Etsy shop along with some other red, green, and white window stars.
I was inspired to start making these stars after seeing them at a local Waldorf school. They brightened the windows and seemed to make the school so cheerful and welcoming.
Since I homeschool my daughters, I want to create a similar environment for them at home - one that is nurturing, inspiring, and filled with happiness.
The window stars are things they enjoy looking at, and are excited about - especially when I try a new pattern or use different colors.
This star will have to wait a couple of months before it goes back up on the window. It will join other red, green, and white stars this year on the windows...and hopefully be one of the things that provide the girls with good memories of a beautiful Christmas.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Raising Monarchs in 2008
This is the second year that the girls have raised and released monarchs. Last year, there seemed to be a lot more caterpillars than this year. Read an article during the summer which said that for some reason people were noticing a decline in the number of monarchs. With fewer butterflies, they wondered what next year would be like.
That being said, the caterpillars the girls did find in the backyard were fascinating to watch. They have an indoor screened cage where they raise the caterpillars. Each day, they pick fresh milkweed leaves and put them in the cage.
They watch the caterpillars grow rather rapidly...and then make the crawl up the side of the cage.
"They're in the 'J' position!" I'll hear one day.
They watch...and wait. Take a break. Come back later...and watch....and wait.
One of the caterpillars last year they were able to see change right in front of their eyes. It's an amazingly quick process. This year, they saw the tail end of the change which was interesting for them to watch.
After about 20 days, the butterfly emerges, dries off its wings, and the girls bring in fresh flowers for the butterfly to enjoy. They keep it inside for less than a day, and then release it towards the evening.
This year, two of the butterflies stayed around for a rather long time, giving the girls the opportunity to observe them. One of the butterflies each put on a little "show" for the girls by fluttering right in front of their faces.
They can read about monarchs in a science book, but for them to actually raise, touch, and release these beautiful butterflies first-hand is invaluable. These are experiences that they will remember!
That being said, the caterpillars the girls did find in the backyard were fascinating to watch. They have an indoor screened cage where they raise the caterpillars. Each day, they pick fresh milkweed leaves and put them in the cage.
They watch the caterpillars grow rather rapidly...and then make the crawl up the side of the cage.
"They're in the 'J' position!" I'll hear one day.
They watch...and wait. Take a break. Come back later...and watch....and wait.
One of the caterpillars last year they were able to see change right in front of their eyes. It's an amazingly quick process. This year, they saw the tail end of the change which was interesting for them to watch.
After about 20 days, the butterfly emerges, dries off its wings, and the girls bring in fresh flowers for the butterfly to enjoy. They keep it inside for less than a day, and then release it towards the evening.
This year, two of the butterflies stayed around for a rather long time, giving the girls the opportunity to observe them. One of the butterflies each put on a little "show" for the girls by fluttering right in front of their faces.
They can read about monarchs in a science book, but for them to actually raise, touch, and release these beautiful butterflies first-hand is invaluable. These are experiences that they will remember!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Beauty and Simplicity of Acorns
The connection that Sophia and Olivia have with nature is very strong. Part of homeschooling involves learning about and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us.
The beauty of acorns - the contrast between the smooth nut and the bumpy cap...the lovely shades of brown - is something that the girls notice and love to share with others.
These acorns were brought inside and placed on the nature table so they can be enjoyed each day.
The beauty of acorns - the contrast between the smooth nut and the bumpy cap...the lovely shades of brown - is something that the girls notice and love to share with others.
These acorns were brought inside and placed on the nature table so they can be enjoyed each day.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sophia in Apple Tree
The girls love climbing in the apple tree in the backyard. Besides feeling like they're in a totally different world, climbing trees is a great lesson in problem solving. They have to figure out how to use the tree trunk and limbs to move higher in the tree.
That's one of the reasons why I love homeschooling them. If they need a break from what they're working on, I send them outside. Often times, they head right to the tree and climb it.
Clearly, it challenges them in different ways...and brings focus and clarity to what they are working on when they come back inside to resume their lesson.
That's one of the reasons why I love homeschooling them. If they need a break from what they're working on, I send them outside. Often times, they head right to the tree and climb it.
Clearly, it challenges them in different ways...and brings focus and clarity to what they are working on when they come back inside to resume their lesson.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Repairing Storm Damage
The start of re-roofing and re-siding has begun on the home. The home was hit twice in May by hail and high winds, resulting in a total re-do of the exterior of the home - the roof and siding.
The strips of exposed wood show where insulation is being blown into the home. About every foot, a hole was drilled and insulation was blown into the walls. In some areas, there was literally NO insulation. Needless to say, it should be warmer this winter.
See that flimsy green insulation? Apparently it has an R value of 2 (I think that's what it was called).
See how it doesn't cover the entire house...how it has all those large gaps between the insulation? That's because it wasn't properly done the first time.
Now I'm beginning to understand why the propane bill has been so incredibly high for all these years.
Will be nice to have the job completed.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Feeding Goats at the Apple Orchard
Went to the apple orchard as we do every year. The girls love feeding the goats. Went on a nice walk on one of the trails at the orchard. Got a bunch of apples that we made into applesauce. This year I canned it all rather than freezing it.
This is one of my favorite parts of homeschooling - being able to take "field trips" like this, and have the girls see and interact with animals that we don't have at home. Their phy ed for the day was the beautiful walk on the trail.
Their hands-on math lesson was purchasing an item or two from the orchard's store. (You can see that each are carrying purses that have a little bit of money in it. They used it to purchase treats to eat. In terms of homeschooling, this is a great way for them to learn about counting, money, and math.)
At home, they helped make the applesauce (a home ec lesson).
This is one of my favorite parts of homeschooling - being able to take "field trips" like this, and have the girls see and interact with animals that we don't have at home. Their phy ed for the day was the beautiful walk on the trail.
Their hands-on math lesson was purchasing an item or two from the orchard's store. (You can see that each are carrying purses that have a little bit of money in it. They used it to purchase treats to eat. In terms of homeschooling, this is a great way for them to learn about counting, money, and math.)
At home, they helped make the applesauce (a home ec lesson).
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
This is on the last day of Courage Riders, a therapeutic horseback riding program that Olivia has been a part of since she was 3 1/2 years old.
The person standing next to her is one of the side walkers...a volunteer who donates her time to the program. For each rider, there are 3 volunteers (two side walkers and one lead walker).
Olivia is legally blind in both eyes, has speech delays, developmental delays, and Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
Because of these challenges, she is able to take therapeutic horseback lessons through the Courage Center. The program has made a tremendous difference in her life.
When she first began riding a few years ago, she couldn't even sit up on the horse. She was slumped over and had very little muscle control in her trunk.
She also was unable to say more than one word at a time. During the program, she put two words together for the first time.
This year, I noticed that Courage Riders included more activities with speech and letter/word identification which was interesting. I continue to find it fascinating the impact that horses have on people, especially children.
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