The Sinister Scribe

Spent some extra time yesterday playing with Jessie one-on-one. It was cute. We played pretend. I was the daughter and she was the mom (or grandmom sometimes). She told me it was time for a nap and covered me (all but my face) in many blankets. I was thinking I could sooooo fall asleep… snuggled in blankets, lights off. *snore* She even read me a story and sang me a lullaby.

At one point during our playtime I read Bzzz, Bzzz!: Mosquitoes In Your Backyard . It is a short book with a simple anatomy diagram and vocabulary in the back. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve read this book. (and I really don’t want to remember exactly) But yesterday, I decided to asker her what the mosquito body parts were named. I’d read off the parts before, pointing to each, but I’d never asked her to name them. I was astounded to find she could name each one. Abdomen was a bit difficult to say (came out something like a-bd-body) but I knew what she meant.

It just amazes me that a 3yo can rattle off things like thorax and proboscis. Although, Sam was saying some long words at this age too… things like satellite , meteor and constellation. So maybe I shouldn’t be so amazed. Nah! It is more fun to be amazed.

Hero: “a man of distinguished courage or ability” according to the dictionary.

Yep. That about sums it up. I could get sappy and wax poetic (at least I could try) about this man but I’m not sure it would explain it any better. Love ya hon!!! I knew you could do it.

More pictures from the KC marathon and KC can be found starting here.

From time to time I read a few posts from various homeschooling blog “carnivals.” I’ve found it a great way to “meet” other homeschooling bloggers and get a glimpse of how other homeschoolers do things.

Usually I just skim and read a post or two, rarely getting back to read more. (there are always interruptions of some sort) But today I read the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival at The Heart of Harmony. No, really. I READ the WHOLE THING. EVERY post. Top to bottom. Mind you, I don’t fancy myself a CM HSer but I did learn quite a few things that I might work into what we do now and have a few (more) things to think about… especially in the area of dictation. There were several “Ah-hah!” moments and a couple “Oh!” too.

Wonder if there is a “Dash-of-this-and-smidge-of-that” category for homeschoolers. Probably just falls more under “ecclectic.”

I seem to have hit on an art project Sam really likes. These are done with construction paper and an Xacto knife. We talked briefly about complimentary colors and positive/negative space. The ones on the left were done Tuesday, the other two were done today. I’m kinda enjoying this project myself. I wonder if I could do card sized pieces and sell them on Etsy…? I’m kinda proud of my little witch. LOL!

This morning we were treated to a gorgeous sunrise. It was so freaking orange you’d think it was sunset… after a huge fire or something. There was even a rainbow.

After lunch we went on a listening walk. That was Jessie’s idea. We caught a leopard frog. Or at least I think it is. Could have sworn I ran across an entry for a frog that looks very similar… somewhere. The kids climbed the cedar tree. I’m going to make rabid tree climber out of Sam yet. I really enjoyed watching them climb. I think every kid should have a tree to climb.

Read a rather disturbing post today about the NEA (National Educational Association) and their current resolutions against homeschoolers. There is an online petition here that gives some of the details.

“The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. “

There sure is a lot of evidence to the contrary. Colleges are actively seeking homeschooled kids too. The petition link above includes a link to some impressive stats and more information (that I need to read).

Not exactly sure why this NEA resolution bothers me so much. I’ve seen other such things and ignored them successfully. Will have to spend some time thinking and reading more on it. Exactly WHY do I homeschool…? What makes ME think I AM qualified? Stay tuned….

More home-made decorations today!

Sam and I made these cut paper decorations today. They’re sandwiched between wax paper with melted crayon shavings. I didn’t have any contact paper. Thought they came out kinda cute. They remind me of Magic Windows/Ventanas mágicas that I checked out from the library not too long ago. (just not as detailed as hers )

This link for Halloween lesson ideas is what spurred this craft. There is some pretty neat stuff there. For instance, there is a good reason why the sky is a livid red in “The Scream.”

Jessie made a hand print bat with red glitter decorations. I forgot to get a picture! Will get one tonight or tomorrow morning before she destroys plays with it.

Aragog has come for a visit. I’d like to say we all had fun making this, but the kids just didn’t seem into it until it was done. Then they wanted to attack each other with it. LOL!

Directions can be found here.

What I did differently:

• I used a plastic vinegar jug instead of a gallon milk jug.
• For the eyes and designs, I used sheet foam (’coz I had some already) and hot glued it on.

What I’d do differently

• LED lights for eyes!
• space the legs out more
• wrap body in black feather boa
• Use different colored tape for “knees” for that orange kneed tarantula look
• dimensional fangs

It just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. *groan*

Today was one of those days. I just tried to do too much and am paying for it now. Or I will be once I pay the parking ticket.

Went to Fall RUSH today. Was supposed to be helping at the event. Almost attended the glass bead making workshop. But I was saved from another expensive hobby by my own forgetfulness… Bob’s keys and wallet were in the van and he needed them so he could leave for a business trip. So I packed the kids back into the car. (Did I mention it was pouring rain?)

Got back to the site and found our lunch buddies…. and got a parking ticket. (Did I mention I THOUGHT the handicap lot was OK to park in for this event?)  Can you say OUCH? Lunch was good, but Jessie got sick in the car. (just tired and cold) Needless to say, we didn’t go back.
So I’m off to sell some beloved books to pay for the ticket and devour some chocolate truffles that one of our wonderful RUSH crashers gave us.  Too bad there isn’t any wine in the house.

Today I feel like a parent. Not that I ever really don’t feel like one. I’m just feeling the weight a bit more today. I know. I know. This is NOTHING compared to what could and will be felt in the future.

I get the feeling I’m on the edge of (for me) uncharted parenting territory. I’m doing to be delving into areas I’m not so comfortable with on my own not to mention mentoring another human being through! *sigh* Thankfully I am not alone. My wonderful DH is there with me and he has a wonderfully grounded view.

For a while now, DS#1 has been public about his crush on Miss C in our homeschooling group. I’ve watched them wander around together on park days holding hands or arms about each other looking for places they could talk undisturbed by the other kids. At first, I found it cute. Lately though, I’ve watched Sam’s attitude toward the other kids take a nose dive. Then, this week he wondered why, when Miss C isn’t there, the other kids didn’t want to play with him. *sigh*

So, next week, I’m going to tell him that they cannot find isolated spots together during park days. Maybe being more visible will put some accountability (and responsibility) back into things.

Man! I hope I’m doing this right.

I was doing good. Going to bed on time. Then… I signed up for the free week trail at Jpod101 tonight.  It went something like this…

I’ll just download the newbie pdfs for us to use. Whoops! You only get to download 10 in the trial (musta missed that stipulation somewhere). Farg! I downloaded the last 10 instead of the first 10. But they’re so great! Really helpful. Ok. Ok. I’ll sign up for one month of basic… eight bucks. Done.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is bad. Info overload. Kanji. Kana. Hiragana. Katakana. On readings. Kun readings. (what the heck are those last two?) Books. Online games. Websites. Help! I don’t know if I’M ready to take our Japanese studies to the next level.

I’ve added the new links to the Japanese Unit page here. Kraiminy! I gotta go to bed.

We checked these out from the library last week. I laughed until I cried listening to this cd as well as Beethovin’s Wig 2. There’s even a Beethovin’s Wig 3!

If you are a classical purist (what are you doing reading my blog?), you may not enjoy these so much. If you want to hear classical music set with catchy (and often historically inspired) lyrics, you gotta get these or at least borrow them from your library.

The first volume featured something like 11 classical songs. They first play with the hilarious lyrics. Then you hear them all again without. We found ourselves trying to remember the lyrics (and bouncing along just as much) when listening to the “plain” version.

I will eventually own all 3 volumes! What a great way to introduce classical music. You’ll never listen to these pieces the same way again!!!