The girls enjoy playing outdoors now that there's more snow on the ground. They can lose track of time as they make snow angels, build snow forts, and shovel paths through the backyard.
The dogs also spend time outside with the girls, and they explore the nature trail together. It's fun for the girls and dogs to find the tracks in the snow left by rabbits, pheasants, birds, and other wildlife.
So many opportunities for outdoor learning and exercise - two elements of homeschooling that complement what the girls are learning indoors.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christmas Window Stars
One of the benefits of being sick is that I seem to have a bit more time to do creative work since I don't have the energy to do much else.
Tried two new patterns of window stars - the one on the left hand side (the smallest one) and the ten-pointed star. The five-pointed star I've done before, but in a different color.
These are three of the stars that will be in the windows for Christmas. Made green ones and white ones as well.
I think it is important to have simple decorations around the home that allow my daughters to focus on pattern and color. The girls are always so excited to see what new patterns and colors I'm making when I make the stars.
Many of the stars I make are for customers for Harvest Moon by Hand (my Etsy shop). Needless to say, when I told Sophia and Olivia that this most recent batch of stars I was making was for them to decorate the windows, they were thrilled.
Simple pleasures can delight children and bring happiness to their days. It was so evident when the girls were told they could decorate the windows for Christmas with the stars. I'm finding that the more frugal, handmade holiday decorations and gifts are just as meaningful to Sophia and Olivia this year. For that...I am truly thankful.
Tried two new patterns of window stars - the one on the left hand side (the smallest one) and the ten-pointed star. The five-pointed star I've done before, but in a different color.
These are three of the stars that will be in the windows for Christmas. Made green ones and white ones as well.
I think it is important to have simple decorations around the home that allow my daughters to focus on pattern and color. The girls are always so excited to see what new patterns and colors I'm making when I make the stars.
Many of the stars I make are for customers for Harvest Moon by Hand (my Etsy shop). Needless to say, when I told Sophia and Olivia that this most recent batch of stars I was making was for them to decorate the windows, they were thrilled.
Simple pleasures can delight children and bring happiness to their days. It was so evident when the girls were told they could decorate the windows for Christmas with the stars. I'm finding that the more frugal, handmade holiday decorations and gifts are just as meaningful to Sophia and Olivia this year. For that...I am truly thankful.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Preparing for St. Lucia Day
At the weekly Home Ec class I teach to this group of homeschool girls, the focus was on St. Lucia and the yearly celebration on December 13th (St. Lucia Day).
Read "Hannah's Christmas" which the girls enjoyed. Had a variety of handouts that they could color at home related to Sweden, St. Lucia, St. Lucia's Day, holiday decorations in Sweden (ones made of straw), and three-pronged candles (to represent the Wise Men).
Made Lucia buns and Swedish hard tack prior to class so the girls could taste some Swedish treats. They also tasted Anna's Ginger Thins, Polka Mints (VERY good and strong peppermint candies), and Swedish fish.
They learned about cardamom and saffron, the part of the flower that saffron comes from, and tasted cardamom which was used instead of saffron in the recipes.
Sophia is dressed up as St. Lucia in this picture, Olivia is Star Boy (with her crown falling off...her head is a bit too small for the crown). Two of the girls are holding books that relate to St. Lucia Day, and the other is holding a straw decoration that was from Gammelgarden (an historic Swedish site in Scandia, Minnesota).
On December 6th, the local church in Scandia held a St. Lucia tea party which the girls and I attended. They had a fun time seeing St. Lucia, listening to a violin/guitar duo, and sampling Swedish treats.
Afterwards, we visited Gammelgarden to see their holiday display. The lobby was decorated with gnomes of all sizes. It was quite festive.
For more pictures from St. Lucia preparations, St. Lucia tea party, or Gammelgarden, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/picturesbyann
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A Visit from St. Nicholas
In preparation for St. Nicholas Day, I read the girls books about St. Nicholas and the impact he made on people during his time. They learn about the tradition of St. Nicholas Day around the world. By December 5th, they are eager for a visit from St. Nicholas.
On the evening of December 5th, the girls place their shoes in the mudroom. They need assurance that the outside door will be unlocked so St. Nicholas can get inside and fill their shoes. They go to bed and try to fall asleep right away so St. Nicholas doesn't pass by the house.
In the morning on December 6th, they eagerly go to the mudroom to see what was left in their shoes. This year, St. Nicholas brought them a tiny doll, an ornament from Slovakia, and a pack of gum since each of them love to chew gum (helps with sensory issues since both have sensory integration dysfunction).
They were little gifts...but the girls were so excited. It's something they look forward to...a simple tradition that they can count on and remember throughout the year.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Sophia and Olivia Making a Korean Dinner
As part of homeschooling, I do a monthly geography unit (an ABC journey around the world). The girls are now on "K" and I've chosen Korea for them to study (both North and South Korea).
Generally, the girls learn where the country is, what the flag looks like, clothing typical to the area, listen to music from the featured country, do art projects, look at and include postage stamps from the country they are learning about, and cook various recipes.
Cooking, by far, is what the girls enjoy most about the unit studies. They have made and tasted food from: Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, and now Korea.
When Sophia was adopted, there was a layover in South Korea. Got a small taste of what South Korea was like, and enjoyed being there.
The girls are helping make dinner which is rice noodles with stir-fried vegetables and beef. The top of the dish is garnished with eggs. Sophia is chopping some of the vegetables in the picture above. Olivia and Sophia are ready to eat in the picture below. Both girls enjoyed the dinner.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Homemade Christmas Decorations
The girls love to decorate the refrigerator with their art work. So, the centerpiece of Olivia's side of the refrigerator is the handprint Christmas tree she's creating.
I clipped this idea from a magazine many years ago. It actually was done on a white sweatshirt with fabric paints. The children's hands were much smaller and put closer together so you couldn't see the prints as clearly.
For Olivia's picture, I painted her hand with green paint and then helped her press her hand on the sheet of white paper as shown in the picture.
She used a paintbrush to paint the tree trunk and snow. The ornaments (red, yellow, and purple) were added all over the tree.
Olivia was very happy with how her tree turned out, and had a lot of fun in the process.
I clipped this idea from a magazine many years ago. It actually was done on a white sweatshirt with fabric paints. The children's hands were much smaller and put closer together so you couldn't see the prints as clearly.
For Olivia's picture, I painted her hand with green paint and then helped her press her hand on the sheet of white paper as shown in the picture.
She used a paintbrush to paint the tree trunk and snow. The ornaments (red, yellow, and purple) were added all over the tree.
Olivia was very happy with how her tree turned out, and had a lot of fun in the process.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Making Handmade Gifts for Christmas
This year the girls are learning to make several handmade gifts for Christmas. Sophia is making a handprint Santa card. She painted her hand white and pressed it onto a piece of green paper to represent Santa's beard.
She cut a piece of red paper out for the hat and glued it to the paper. Then she glued two googlie eyes on. With her finger, she put two pink dots to represent Santa's cheeks and one black dot on his beard for his mouth. There's also a row of white dots along his hat.
It's a simple craft, but one that she enjoyed doing.
She cut a piece of red paper out for the hat and glued it to the paper. Then she glued two googlie eyes on. With her finger, she put two pink dots to represent Santa's cheeks and one black dot on his beard for his mouth. There's also a row of white dots along his hat.
It's a simple craft, but one that she enjoyed doing.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Waldorf-Inspired Natural Christmas Ornaments
This year I'm making more ornaments that are all-natural and more aligned with the Waldorf philosophy which I follow in part when I homeschool my daughters.
Some of the ornaments I am keeping for the Christmas tree and the girls to enjoy. Others I am giving as gifts, swapping, or selling. My Etsy shop has some ornaments that are available.
Why do I spend the time and create natural Christmas ornaments? Why do I make natural toys? I found an interesting article about the philosophy behind Waldorf-inspired toys that sums up how I feel about natural toys and decorations.
Generally, Waldorf toys are:
- Made of natural materials. Waldorf toys have simplicity of design. Constructed of wood, fabrics, beeswax, or items from nature, children fill in the blanks with their own minds. Children enjoy the smell, the sight, and the texture of these toys.
- Open-ended and unstructured. Children do not need to be taught how to play with Waldorf toys. Playtime is kept unstructured. Children are led in play by their own minds and thought processes. Toys are meant to inspire children’s imagination, not to stifle or limit their creativity.
- Multi-purpose and versatile. Toys in Waldorf homes grow with the child. Consider blocks as an example. Babies play with the blocks by banging them together and exploring them with their senses. Young toddlers delight in stacking the blocks in a tower and knocking them over. Older preschoolers use their imagination to create buildings or design patterns from the shapes. These toys offer a longevity of use and duality of play.
- Lacking of commercialism. Unlike the common result of modern children’s toys, the Waldorf philosophy emphasizes that less is more. Parents are discouraged from rushing out and “buying it all.” The belief that with just a few quality toys, children will naturally push their imaginations to create greater meaning and purpose.
These four reasons are plenty of reasons for creating a Christmas tree filled with Waldorf-inspired natural Christmas ornaments, and I'm excited to see my daughters' reactions as they enjoy these new ornaments on the tree this year.
Some of the ornaments I am keeping for the Christmas tree and the girls to enjoy. Others I am giving as gifts, swapping, or selling. My Etsy shop has some ornaments that are available.
Why do I spend the time and create natural Christmas ornaments? Why do I make natural toys? I found an interesting article about the philosophy behind Waldorf-inspired toys that sums up how I feel about natural toys and decorations.
Generally, Waldorf toys are:
- Made of natural materials. Waldorf toys have simplicity of design. Constructed of wood, fabrics, beeswax, or items from nature, children fill in the blanks with their own minds. Children enjoy the smell, the sight, and the texture of these toys.
- Open-ended and unstructured. Children do not need to be taught how to play with Waldorf toys. Playtime is kept unstructured. Children are led in play by their own minds and thought processes. Toys are meant to inspire children’s imagination, not to stifle or limit their creativity.
- Multi-purpose and versatile. Toys in Waldorf homes grow with the child. Consider blocks as an example. Babies play with the blocks by banging them together and exploring them with their senses. Young toddlers delight in stacking the blocks in a tower and knocking them over. Older preschoolers use their imagination to create buildings or design patterns from the shapes. These toys offer a longevity of use and duality of play.
- Lacking of commercialism. Unlike the common result of modern children’s toys, the Waldorf philosophy emphasizes that less is more. Parents are discouraged from rushing out and “buying it all.” The belief that with just a few quality toys, children will naturally push their imaginations to create greater meaning and purpose.
These four reasons are plenty of reasons for creating a Christmas tree filled with Waldorf-inspired natural Christmas ornaments, and I'm excited to see my daughters' reactions as they enjoy these new ornaments on the tree this year.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving Preparations
Had this idea in my "Thanksgiving" folder for some time now. The girls are older and thought this might be a fun activity for them to do this year.
Sophia took a sugar cookie and frosted the top with chocolate frosting. On top of that, she placed seven pieces of candy corn (for the feathers).
In the middle of the cookie, she placed two drops of frosting on which she placed Skittles. She topped each with a tiny amount of frosting for the pupils. (It's all in the details, I guess.)
With orange decorator gel, she drew on a beak and legs.
She and Olivia did this during the weekly homeschool Home Ec class I teach. All the girls enjoyed this activity. It's fun...easy...and gives kids a sense of satisfaction of being able to decorate a cookie.
Sophia took a sugar cookie and frosted the top with chocolate frosting. On top of that, she placed seven pieces of candy corn (for the feathers).
In the middle of the cookie, she placed two drops of frosting on which she placed Skittles. She topped each with a tiny amount of frosting for the pupils. (It's all in the details, I guess.)
With orange decorator gel, she drew on a beak and legs.
She and Olivia did this during the weekly homeschool Home Ec class I teach. All the girls enjoyed this activity. It's fun...easy...and gives kids a sense of satisfaction of being able to decorate a cookie.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Benefits of Teaching Children How to Sew
One of the goals I have set for homeschooling is to provide the girls with practical, hands-on lessons in which they can develop life-long skills. Sewing is one of those skills.
Olivia, who is homeschooled at the Kindergarten level, is sewing a scarf by using the blanketstitch along the side. This will create a pocket on one side.
After sewing both pockets, she will sew on two buttons for the pockets and make buttonholes.
She wants to add flowers with button centers on her scarf (3 on each side above the pocket), and she has them lined up and ready to go.
Next to her is her needlebook that is in the shape of a house. She embroidered this earlier in the semester.
Sewing is a great activity for children, especially when they can make something functional. It improves hand-eye coordination. It teaches patience and persistence.
Olivia is proud of her scarf. She has worn it each day, and tells people she made it. Clearly, she has a sense of accomplishment and pride in a job well done.
Olivia, who is homeschooled at the Kindergarten level, is sewing a scarf by using the blanketstitch along the side. This will create a pocket on one side.
After sewing both pockets, she will sew on two buttons for the pockets and make buttonholes.
She wants to add flowers with button centers on her scarf (3 on each side above the pocket), and she has them lined up and ready to go.
Next to her is her needlebook that is in the shape of a house. She embroidered this earlier in the semester.
Sewing is a great activity for children, especially when they can make something functional. It improves hand-eye coordination. It teaches patience and persistence.
Olivia is proud of her scarf. She has worn it each day, and tells people she made it. Clearly, she has a sense of accomplishment and pride in a job well done.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Christmas Pickle Tradition
The Christmas Pickle is a pickle-shaped ornament hidden in the tree. The child who finds it first on Christmas morning receives an extra present.
While the Christmas pickle is believed to be a German custom, it is fairly unknown in Germany but widely spread across the United States.
This pickle is 3 1/2 inches. Compared to the other pickles, this would be relatively easy to find. It would be good for a young child's introduction to the Christmas Pickle tradition.
It's also a nice alternative to the glass pickles that are so fragile and easily broken by young hands.
This one is made from 100% wool felt, and hand-embroidered using straight stitches and blanketstitching. It is stuffed with wool from sheep I raised.
The first pickle went on sale in my Etsy shop today, and the rest will be available during the week.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Girls Ready to Eat Octopus Hotdog Lunch
Not a typical lunch I would make for the girls, but this one tied into a homeschool unit study on the ocean and ocean life after reading the book "Dolphins at Daybreak" (part of the Magic Treehouse series).
The hotdogs were cut into 8 parts at the end with about an inch or so uncut at the top to represent an octopus.
When the hotdogs are put in hot, boiling water the arms shrivel up a bit. They thought this was pretty cool to watch.
The octopus hotdogs sit on a bed of macaroni and cheese (for Olivia) and rice (for Sophia because she has a dairy allergy).
I enjoy bringing books to life for the girls, and one way to do that is through food. As they watched their lunch cooking on the stove, they shared some information they remembered hearing about octopuses (or octopi...whichever form you prefer using) and the ocean. Good...now I know they were listening to what I was reading.
The hotdogs were cut into 8 parts at the end with about an inch or so uncut at the top to represent an octopus.
When the hotdogs are put in hot, boiling water the arms shrivel up a bit. They thought this was pretty cool to watch.
The octopus hotdogs sit on a bed of macaroni and cheese (for Olivia) and rice (for Sophia because she has a dairy allergy).
I enjoy bringing books to life for the girls, and one way to do that is through food. As they watched their lunch cooking on the stove, they shared some information they remembered hearing about octopuses (or octopi...whichever form you prefer using) and the ocean. Good...now I know they were listening to what I was reading.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Children's Giving Spirits
Each year the girls eagerly look forward to filling box of goodies for Operation Christmas Child (OCC).
According to the OCC website, "Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes."
The girls went to Target and I helped them purchase items to fill two shoe boxes - one for each girl. Once they were at home, they sorted through the items and divided them according to which box they were going to go into.
Sophia and Olivia were so happy to be able to assemble the boxes this year. It is one way that they can give and make a difference in the lives of children who may not otherwise have gifts this Christmas.
Community service is a hands-on activity that I enjoy integrating into homeschooling. It is a simple way for the girls to share their gifts or time with others.
As the girls get older, it is so inspiring to watch their giving spirits develop and continue to impact people locally and throughout the world.
According to the OCC website, "Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes."
The girls went to Target and I helped them purchase items to fill two shoe boxes - one for each girl. Once they were at home, they sorted through the items and divided them according to which box they were going to go into.
Sophia and Olivia were so happy to be able to assemble the boxes this year. It is one way that they can give and make a difference in the lives of children who may not otherwise have gifts this Christmas.
Community service is a hands-on activity that I enjoy integrating into homeschooling. It is a simple way for the girls to share their gifts or time with others.
As the girls get older, it is so inspiring to watch their giving spirits develop and continue to impact people locally and throughout the world.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Preparing for Thanksgiving
Taught a Home Ec class to homeschool girls that was focused on Thanksgiving. The two main activities in class were making a Thankful Tree and decorating it with leaves cut from construction paper. Each of the leaves had something for which the child was thankful.
The second activity was a "Fruits of the Spirit Cornucopia." I read about this in a book called "Homespun Memories for the Heart" by Karen Ehman, and modified it for the class.
Gave each of the girls a recipe to make a pastry cornucopia at home. Inside and around the baked cornucopia, you can put fruits and vegetables.
I read the following two sentences to the girls: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (This is from Galatians 5:22-23).
Whatever your spiritual beliefs are...these are good character qualities to possess.
So, I set a table with a display of fruits, vegetables, and grains as well as two books about Thanksgiving.
One by one I named the item I was holding and what the item represented (e.g., love, joy).
(Obviously, the idea I found below can be modified to fit one's beliefs and/or a traditional classroom setting, but I want to share it as I found it so people can use what they feel comfortable with):
1) Love GRAPES (can be shared)
2) Joy ORANGES (juicy and joyfully delicious)
3) Peace PEARS (peace takes a pair)
4) Patience PUMPKIN (waiting for pumpkins to grow, the pumpkin pie to bake, and Thanksgiving)
5) Kindness INDIAN CORN (the Native Americans shared their corn with the Pilgrims)
6) Goodness SQUASH (squash out all hatred and bad things...and you're left with the good)
7) Faithfulness WHEAT (God faithfully provides the Bread of Life)
8) Gentleness or Meekness GOURDS (excavated gourd shell used as a dipper to serve others)
9) Self-Control APPLES (Adam and Eve in the Garden)
As I picked up each fruit or bread, I divided and shared it with the girls so they had a snack and could eat what they were learning.
Reviewed at the end what each fruit, vegetable, or grain represented.
The girls really enjoyed this lesson and snack. They thought the squash was funny...and couldn't get enough of the grapes.
The second activity was a "Fruits of the Spirit Cornucopia." I read about this in a book called "Homespun Memories for the Heart" by Karen Ehman, and modified it for the class.
Gave each of the girls a recipe to make a pastry cornucopia at home. Inside and around the baked cornucopia, you can put fruits and vegetables.
I read the following two sentences to the girls: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (This is from Galatians 5:22-23).
Whatever your spiritual beliefs are...these are good character qualities to possess.
So, I set a table with a display of fruits, vegetables, and grains as well as two books about Thanksgiving.
One by one I named the item I was holding and what the item represented (e.g., love, joy).
(Obviously, the idea I found below can be modified to fit one's beliefs and/or a traditional classroom setting, but I want to share it as I found it so people can use what they feel comfortable with):
1) Love GRAPES (can be shared)
2) Joy ORANGES (juicy and joyfully delicious)
3) Peace PEARS (peace takes a pair)
4) Patience PUMPKIN (waiting for pumpkins to grow, the pumpkin pie to bake, and Thanksgiving)
5) Kindness INDIAN CORN (the Native Americans shared their corn with the Pilgrims)
6) Goodness SQUASH (squash out all hatred and bad things...and you're left with the good)
7) Faithfulness WHEAT (God faithfully provides the Bread of Life)
8) Gentleness or Meekness GOURDS (excavated gourd shell used as a dipper to serve others)
9) Self-Control APPLES (Adam and Eve in the Garden)
As I picked up each fruit or bread, I divided and shared it with the girls so they had a snack and could eat what they were learning.
Reviewed at the end what each fruit, vegetable, or grain represented.
The girls really enjoyed this lesson and snack. They thought the squash was funny...and couldn't get enough of the grapes.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Hand-Embroidered Felt Elephant Stuffie
Although this was created for a swap on Swap-Bot, my daughters have asked me to make elephants for them for Christmas. I'm going to do this plus create a couple more stuffies (like a giraffe and a zebra...or other animals that live in Africa since that is a homeschool unit study that I'm wrapping up with them now).
The girls enjoy playing and bringing to life what they learn...so stuffies that are small like this one would be fun for them to play with and the perfect size for their little hands.
It's important that the girls have all-natural toys to play with. This one is made with 100% wool felt and is stuffed with wool from sheep I use to raise. I embroidered it using cotton floss.
The rich, sensory input the girls receive when they play with toys made from natural materials is so much better for them than playing with plastic toys...or toys that have questionable materials in them.
Last year, there was a huge issue with toys that contained lead. After that, I began making more of the girls' toys by hand. Not only does this give them safe things to play with, but - if they take care of their toys - they are things they can pass along to their children.
The girls and I talk a lot about family heirlooms, and passing things along to their children. I feel a greater need, perhaps, to create a sense of "legacy" and give them heirlooms because they are both adopted from China.
Although they do not have antiques or family heirlooms from their biological parents (who are unknown in both cases), they will have a selection of items that are gifted to them throughout the year...particularly on their Adoption Day Celebration, birthdays, and Christmas.
November marks the Adoption Day Celebrations for Sophia (11/26/01) and Olivia (11/17/03); both their birthdays (Sophia's is in December and Olivia's is in January); and Christmas. A lot of special days in a period of three months!
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