I found this over at Elise's wonderful blog ( http://mamahooper.blogspot.com/ ) and I think its too wonderful not to share.
A nice find for the beginning of a month!
Blessings to you all!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Outward struggle becomes the inner struggle
So we have been having some behaviour issues with the Bean. It has not been fun or happy. Over the past few weeks I have really been trying to figure out what the root of these issues is. I have come to a difficult conclusion. She's bored. Now, for the most part, I don't have issues with a bit of boredom. I think it fosters creativity. However, she is bored with homeschool. No matter how many Waldorf-inspired ideas I present or create or try to engage her in, she's not connecting with them. I have tried several different approaches and have read countless books over the years that I have turned to recently, but it's just not speaking to her heart. In fact, during one of our stories, she said "Can I do workbook pages now?" Hmmmmm.
So, here's the rub: I believe in my heart that Waldorf is a beautiful educational philosophy and lifestyle. I love it. I love the gentle, holistic approach to education, I love the head, heart and hands focus. I love it all, but it's just not working for my child. So the question is - do I stick to my Waldorf principals and make the child meet the curriculum, so to speak, or do I take a step back and reevaluate and meet her where she is - which is one of the reasons I chose homeschooling in the first place.
Obviously, it is time to reevaluate. I pulled out all my homeschooling materials, Waldorf and non-Waldorf last night and put them out on the sofa with every intent to go through them after the girls were in bed. But, I fell asleep with Love Bug at 8pm - and I feel MUCH better this morning. =) =)
So my plan for the next few evenings is to create a hybrid educational path for my little Bean. Something that will hold true to the head, heart and hands approach that I love so much, but also tries to meet the needs of my little Bean who, obviously, I love so much more.
I'll keep you posted.
So, here's the rub: I believe in my heart that Waldorf is a beautiful educational philosophy and lifestyle. I love it. I love the gentle, holistic approach to education, I love the head, heart and hands focus. I love it all, but it's just not working for my child. So the question is - do I stick to my Waldorf principals and make the child meet the curriculum, so to speak, or do I take a step back and reevaluate and meet her where she is - which is one of the reasons I chose homeschooling in the first place.
Obviously, it is time to reevaluate. I pulled out all my homeschooling materials, Waldorf and non-Waldorf last night and put them out on the sofa with every intent to go through them after the girls were in bed. But, I fell asleep with Love Bug at 8pm - and I feel MUCH better this morning. =) =)
So my plan for the next few evenings is to create a hybrid educational path for my little Bean. Something that will hold true to the head, heart and hands approach that I love so much, but also tries to meet the needs of my little Bean who, obviously, I love so much more.
I'll keep you posted.
Monday, January 28, 2008
You Know You're a Floridian If . . .
As a born and bred Florida Girl, I love this! It makes me homesick. Had to share. So it has nothing to do with Waldorf or Homeschooling. So what. =) =)
You Know You're a Floridian If . . .
- You never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over in five minutes.
- A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade. (Amen)
- Your winter coat is made of denim.
- You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites.
- You're younger than thirty but some of your friends are over 65.
- Anything under 70 is chilly. (Yes -- and winter up here s-u-c-k-s)
- You've driven through Yeehaw Junction.
- You could swim before you could read.
- You have to drive north to get to The South.
- You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix.
- You know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking up for.
- You dread love bug season.
- You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances..but Charley , Frances , Ivan and Jeanne.
- You know what a snowbird is and when they'll leave.
- You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average.
- You were twelve before you ever saw snow, or you still haven't. (Real snow - like over an inch? I was 28)
- 'Down South' means Key West.
- You think New York drivers licenses should only be valid in New York.
- Flip-flops are everyday wear, shoes are for business meetings and church . . .but you HAVE worn flip flops to church before. (Just for the record, I have not done this. My Grandmother would skin me alive if I wore flip-flops to church. You see, we're Southern Baptist. If you were from Florida, that would be explanation enough.)
- Sweet tea can be served at any meal.
- You smirk when a game show's 'Grand Prize' is a trip or cruise to Florida.
- You measure distance in minutes. (Ok - all kidding aside. Doesn't everyone do this? Seriously?)
- You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt.
- You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls.
- A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.
- You know the four seasons really are: hurricane season, love bug season, tourist season and summer.
- Anything under 95 is just warm.
- You've hosted a hurricane party. (FSU. Junior Year)
- You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee , Ichnatucknee , Withlacoochee and Micanopy.
- You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat, than have a boat yourself.
- Bumper stickers on the pickup in front of you include: various fish, NRA, NASCAR, Go Gators, and a confederate flag. (Go Noles!)
- You were 5 before you realized they made houses without pools.
- You were 25 when you first met someone who couldn't swim.
- You've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas. (Yes. There is a photo of my family, on my wall - everyone in shorts and tank tops and the writing on the back says "Dec 1984." )
- You recognize Miami-Dade as ' Northern Cuba '.
You Know You're a Floridian If . . .
- You never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over in five minutes.
- A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade. (Amen)
- Your winter coat is made of denim.
- You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites.
- You're younger than thirty but some of your friends are over 65.
- Anything under 70 is chilly. (Yes -- and winter up here s-u-c-k-s)
- You've driven through Yeehaw Junction.
- You could swim before you could read.
- You have to drive north to get to The South.
- You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix.
- You know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking up for.
- You dread love bug season.
- You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances..but Charley , Frances , Ivan and Jeanne.
- You know what a snowbird is and when they'll leave.
- You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average.
- You were twelve before you ever saw snow, or you still haven't. (Real snow - like over an inch? I was 28)
- 'Down South' means Key West.
- You think New York drivers licenses should only be valid in New York.
- Flip-flops are everyday wear, shoes are for business meetings and church . . .but you HAVE worn flip flops to church before. (Just for the record, I have not done this. My Grandmother would skin me alive if I wore flip-flops to church. You see, we're Southern Baptist. If you were from Florida, that would be explanation enough.)
- Sweet tea can be served at any meal.
- You smirk when a game show's 'Grand Prize' is a trip or cruise to Florida.
- You measure distance in minutes. (Ok - all kidding aside. Doesn't everyone do this? Seriously?)
- You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt.
- You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls.
- A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.
- You know the four seasons really are: hurricane season, love bug season, tourist season and summer.
- Anything under 95 is just warm.
- You've hosted a hurricane party. (FSU. Junior Year)
- You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee , Ichnatucknee , Withlacoochee and Micanopy.
- You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat, than have a boat yourself.
- Bumper stickers on the pickup in front of you include: various fish, NRA, NASCAR, Go Gators, and a confederate flag. (Go Noles!)
- You were 5 before you realized they made houses without pools.
- You were 25 when you first met someone who couldn't swim.
- You've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas. (Yes. There is a photo of my family, on my wall - everyone in shorts and tank tops and the writing on the back says "Dec 1984." )
- You recognize Miami-Dade as ' Northern Cuba '.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
One of those days
I'm sitting here finding solace in a Hershey bar smothered with peanut butter - it is organic peanut butter - and a huge glass of milk - also organic. I'm very health conscious. Stop laughing.
We have had a day - one of those days where I have threatened my hard-headed Bean child with State School more than once. Have I told you I am raising a litigator? I am raising a litigator.
I found this blog tonight -a link from another blog that was a link from another blog . . . you know how it is. Anyway, this blog has me laughing out loud! It was SO FUNNY, I had to share:
http://bigmama1.com/
We have had a day - one of those days where I have threatened my hard-headed Bean child with State School more than once. Have I told you I am raising a litigator? I am raising a litigator.
I found this blog tonight -a link from another blog that was a link from another blog . . . you know how it is. Anyway, this blog has me laughing out loud! It was SO FUNNY, I had to share:
http://bigmama1.com/
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
These are a few of my favourite
Blogs.
There are some seriously wonderful bloggers in Rebecca's Waldorf Near Circle group. Addictively wonderful. I must confess that I love blogs, but I am so picky. Here are some FABULOUS blogs that are not in our near circle group, but are truly great reads:
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman: http://thepioneerwoman.com/
- Do not read this blog while drinking any liquid or you will spit it all over your monitor in laughter.
Angry Chicken: http://www.angrychicken.typepad.com/
- This is one of those crafty blogs that both inspire you - and makes you want to find someone you could just pay to make all these neat things for you.
Down-To-Earth: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/
- A calming and serene Earth Mama blog.
A Number of Things: http://www.alicecantrell.com/blog/
- Written by a fabulous artist who lives on a farm. Need I say more?
By Sun and Candle Light: http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/
- An absolute treasure trove of resources and ideas. Always an inspiring read.
OOPS! Forgot one!
Soule Mama: http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/
- Another blog from a deeply creative person. Truly amazing stuff here!
ENJOY!
There are some seriously wonderful bloggers in Rebecca's Waldorf Near Circle group. Addictively wonderful. I must confess that I love blogs, but I am so picky. Here are some FABULOUS blogs that are not in our near circle group, but are truly great reads:
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman: http://thepioneerwoman.com/
- Do not read this blog while drinking any liquid or you will spit it all over your monitor in laughter.
Angry Chicken: http://www.angrychicken.typepad.com/
- This is one of those crafty blogs that both inspire you - and makes you want to find someone you could just pay to make all these neat things for you.
Down-To-Earth: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/
- A calming and serene Earth Mama blog.
A Number of Things: http://www.alicecantrell.com/blog/
- Written by a fabulous artist who lives on a farm. Need I say more?
By Sun and Candle Light: http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/
- An absolute treasure trove of resources and ideas. Always an inspiring read.
OOPS! Forgot one!
Soule Mama: http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/
- Another blog from a deeply creative person. Truly amazing stuff here!
ENJOY!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
One of those random questions things someone sent me
What kind of soap is in your shower right now? Arbonne FYI Body Wash
Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No - I wish, that means it would be summer!
What would you change about your living room? I would move it to Charleston, SC. We've been in this area for 8 years and in this house for 7 - the longest I have ever lived in one house. I am ready to move!
Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Washing as we speak - as I type.
What is in your fridge? Tons of milk, chocolate chip cookie dough . . . other stuff, but that's all that really matters.
White or wheat bread?Wheat
What is on top of your refrigerator? Nothing
What color or design is on your shower curtain? We don't have shower curtains in the master bath - we have glass doors. The girls' bath has a sage green one.
How many plants are in your home? one - a beautiful peace plant that I have had since 2000.
Is your bed made right now? Seriously? . . . Seriously?
.
Comet or Soft Scrub? Neither - I forgot what that stuff is called - the lavender smelling non-toxic stuff in the purple canister. Can I just say that this fact illustrates how cleaning is so my life. Yeah.
Is your closet organized? For the most part.
Can you describe your flashlight? Yes, it's heavy and black.
Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Glass only - no plastic. The girls use aluminum sigg bottles or clean canteens. Bean uses these beautiful enamel cups from Nova Natural with the matching dishes and bowls. I digress.
Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Of course!
If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Not really. We can fit both cars in there.
Curtains or blinds? Both
How many pillows do you sleep with? Three.
Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Yes, two nightlights so I can see little love bug in her baby bed beside our bed.
How often do you vacuum? Only when necessary.
Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard
What color is your toothbrush? Green
Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Yes.
What is in your oven right now? Nothing. Hmmm - I should break out that chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge. It's already past 9am (not that that hasn't stopped me before.)
Is there anything under your bed? yeah, I think so.
Chore you hate doing the most? Cleaning out the fridge and cleaning bath tubs.
What retro items are in your home? Lots - lots of furniture that belonged to my great grandmother - some of her beautiful hats from the 40's and 50's, my girls have clothes I wore in the 70's. Retro is our friend.
Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? My husband does - it's the most useless room in the house.
How many mirrors are in your home? 11 - one in each of the 4 bathrooms, one in each of the 5 bedrooms, one in the playroom and a small one in the foyer.
What color are your walls? Neutrals, mostly - browns, sagey- greens, then the girls have purple and pink respectively. Oh - and the playroom is a soft yellow.
What does your home smell like right now? Wish it smelled like cookies baking in my oven.
Favorite candle scent? yuk. I can't stand scented stuff. I only burn beeswax candles and I do that rarely.
What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Claussen - the cold crunchy ones. YUM!!
What color is your favorite Bible? Red. It came from the bookstore of the church my great grandfather pastored for decades, beginning (I think) in the 40's. I could add that to the retro list.
Ever been on your roof? Nope. I've seen it from the street, though. ;P
Do you own a stereo? No, actually. We can play music cd's on the dvd player.
How many TVs do you have? Two. One in the living room and one in my husband's gym.
How many house phones?3 - one upstairs, one on the main floor and one in the finished basement.
Do you have a housekeeper? No
What style do you decorate in? I like mission style - arts and crafts movement. Simple, uncluttered, natural woods and lots of bookcases filled with books.
Do you like solid colors or prints in furniture? Solids
Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes. Several.
In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? The children and my two external hard drives - they hold every picture of the girls I've ever taken.
Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No - I wish, that means it would be summer!
What would you change about your living room? I would move it to Charleston, SC. We've been in this area for 8 years and in this house for 7 - the longest I have ever lived in one house. I am ready to move!
Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Washing as we speak - as I type.
What is in your fridge? Tons of milk, chocolate chip cookie dough . . . other stuff, but that's all that really matters.
White or wheat bread?Wheat
What is on top of your refrigerator? Nothing
What color or design is on your shower curtain? We don't have shower curtains in the master bath - we have glass doors. The girls' bath has a sage green one.
How many plants are in your home? one - a beautiful peace plant that I have had since 2000.
Is your bed made right now? Seriously? . . . Seriously?
.
Comet or Soft Scrub? Neither - I forgot what that stuff is called - the lavender smelling non-toxic stuff in the purple canister. Can I just say that this fact illustrates how cleaning is so my life. Yeah.
Is your closet organized? For the most part.
Can you describe your flashlight? Yes, it's heavy and black.
Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Glass only - no plastic. The girls use aluminum sigg bottles or clean canteens. Bean uses these beautiful enamel cups from Nova Natural with the matching dishes and bowls. I digress.
Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Of course!
If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Not really. We can fit both cars in there.
Curtains or blinds? Both
How many pillows do you sleep with? Three.
Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Yes, two nightlights so I can see little love bug in her baby bed beside our bed.
How often do you vacuum? Only when necessary.
Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard
What color is your toothbrush? Green
Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Yes.
What is in your oven right now? Nothing. Hmmm - I should break out that chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge. It's already past 9am (not that that hasn't stopped me before.)
Is there anything under your bed? yeah, I think so.
Chore you hate doing the most? Cleaning out the fridge and cleaning bath tubs.
What retro items are in your home? Lots - lots of furniture that belonged to my great grandmother - some of her beautiful hats from the 40's and 50's, my girls have clothes I wore in the 70's. Retro is our friend.
Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? My husband does - it's the most useless room in the house.
How many mirrors are in your home? 11 - one in each of the 4 bathrooms, one in each of the 5 bedrooms, one in the playroom and a small one in the foyer.
What color are your walls? Neutrals, mostly - browns, sagey- greens, then the girls have purple and pink respectively. Oh - and the playroom is a soft yellow.
What does your home smell like right now? Wish it smelled like cookies baking in my oven.
Favorite candle scent? yuk. I can't stand scented stuff. I only burn beeswax candles and I do that rarely.
What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Claussen - the cold crunchy ones. YUM!!
What color is your favorite Bible? Red. It came from the bookstore of the church my great grandfather pastored for decades, beginning (I think) in the 40's. I could add that to the retro list.
Ever been on your roof? Nope. I've seen it from the street, though. ;P
Do you own a stereo? No, actually. We can play music cd's on the dvd player.
How many TVs do you have? Two. One in the living room and one in my husband's gym.
How many house phones?3 - one upstairs, one on the main floor and one in the finished basement.
Do you have a housekeeper? No
What style do you decorate in? I like mission style - arts and crafts movement. Simple, uncluttered, natural woods and lots of bookcases filled with books.
Do you like solid colors or prints in furniture? Solids
Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes. Several.
In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? The children and my two external hard drives - they hold every picture of the girls I've ever taken.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Ok - I found this on another blog
and it totally made me cry. Pregnancy whacked hormones or not - I love it and had to share it here.The child asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow. But how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
"Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further said, "Here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. You will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear. And with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"Who will protect me?" asked the child.
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking her life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said, Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me."
At that moment there was much peace in heaven, and voices from Earth could be heard. The child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her.....Mama."
~ author unknown
Hi again
Snow. About 6 inches of it this week -- Bean and Love Bug were thrilled to watch it fall! Being the one who had to drive us out in it, I was not quite as excited. =) =)Seems all we do these days is huddle around the house and go to my doctor's appointments. I'm already 33 weeks along and I feel like I've reached this nesting phase - much to my husband's disappointment, that does not mean that I want to clean and organize everything. It means I want to gather my children all around me and not leave the house. I can feel the change in the wind already and March - and this new little person - will be here before we know it. I'm just trying to enjoy every minute of being a mother of two, and that seems to mean I post on here less.
So, that's where I've been. Wishing you all a beautiful week and weekend ahead.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
2008!
Wow. Hard to believe we're only a couple months away from welcoming our third baby girl! That fact has become the all-encompassing thought. As far as the rest of Bean's kindergarten year, we have quite a bit planned:
1. Continue with German
2. Meet with our Waldorf homeschooling co-op twice a month for activities like baking, dyeing wool, gardening etc.
3. Bean's Irish dance instructor believes she will be ready to compete by late Spring. I'm leaving this up to the Bean.
4. Bean is really into creating: with art supplies, blocks, pipe cleaners, clay. . . I want to make sure she always has lots of time for these things.
5. We are actually meeting with a new homeschooling group next week, specifically for kindergartners. It sounds really promising - not academically aggressive at all. They focus on music, gardening, arts, drama etc.
6. Bean is also become very good at writing. She writes notes and letters all the time. We need to work on is getting her to leave proper spacing between her words. They tend to crowd each other. =) =) It's something I would like to address, but not necessarily "work on" because she's only five. I don't want her natural love of letters and learning at be squelched by having to focus on anything other than writing and ideas and her imagination. I feel she's just too young. Learning and writing and "school" is such fun for her. She gets so excited and I'm not willing to alter that. =) =)
Not once have I regretted our decision to homeschool. With every passing day it becomes clear tome what a perfect arrangement this is for our family and what a blessing it is that we are able to do this!
I wish you all a wonderfully joyful 2008!!!
1. Continue with German
2. Meet with our Waldorf homeschooling co-op twice a month for activities like baking, dyeing wool, gardening etc.
3. Bean's Irish dance instructor believes she will be ready to compete by late Spring. I'm leaving this up to the Bean.
4. Bean is really into creating: with art supplies, blocks, pipe cleaners, clay. . . I want to make sure she always has lots of time for these things.
5. We are actually meeting with a new homeschooling group next week, specifically for kindergartners. It sounds really promising - not academically aggressive at all. They focus on music, gardening, arts, drama etc.
6. Bean is also become very good at writing. She writes notes and letters all the time. We need to work on is getting her to leave proper spacing between her words. They tend to crowd each other. =) =) It's something I would like to address, but not necessarily "work on" because she's only five. I don't want her natural love of letters and learning at be squelched by having to focus on anything other than writing and ideas and her imagination. I feel she's just too young. Learning and writing and "school" is such fun for her. She gets so excited and I'm not willing to alter that. =) =)
Not once have I regretted our decision to homeschool. With every passing day it becomes clear tome what a perfect arrangement this is for our family and what a blessing it is that we are able to do this!
I wish you all a wonderfully joyful 2008!!!
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