A Hundred Happy Things

Huntsville Botanical Garden, 2011

2011-09-18T21:05:00.000-05:00

We returned to Hunstville Botanical Garden for its annual Scarecrow Trail and Tree Houses with a Splash exhibit. This year's Scarecrow exhibit focused on story book characters; we particularly enjoyed Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio as we happen to be reading both right now. It was a lovely day with friends, and a wonderful way to enjoy the last few days of summer.

National Folk Festival

2011-09-18T20:41:00.000-05:00

We attended the National Folk Festival, which will be hosted by Nashville for the next three years. This free (even the parking!) festival is a three-day love letter to American roots music. We had such a great time on Saturday that we returned Sunday afternoon. I'm already counting down the days until the 2012 festival.

What We Did During Summer Vacation

2011-09-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

We had a relaxing summer punctuated by swimming, field trips and a really nifty vacation to West Virginia. We're home now and attempting to resume normal programming...thankful for a wonderful summer and looking forward to the next bend in the road.

Canoeing Down the Harpeth River

2011-07-06T23:48:00.000-05:00

DH surprised us Sunday afternoon with a spontaneous canoe trip down the Harpeth River. It was a beautiful day, and the water was warm. We paddled 5 miles down the river; I don't think DH has worked so hard in a long while. DD was a natural in the canoe; I am going to need a bit more practice. Next time, the family plans on renting a canoe and a kayak...

Night Hike at Sellars Farm

2011-06-21T09:06:00.000-05:00

Last week, we went on a night hike at Sellars Farm with Ranger Tyler and friends. We had such a great time exploring the woods at night. I managed to get a few pictures before sunset.

Ranger Tyler raises Cecropia moths, which (according to a quick Google search) are the largest native North American moths.

Attempting to attach the flashlight to the Hello Kitty skirt. It was problematic.

The sun setting across the meadow.

Here is a black-eyed Susan. It looks brown-eyed to me.

Here is Butterfly Weed.

We also saw one lone bat flying through the darkening sky, a multitude of insects, and an enormous spider in her web preparing a tasty meal of three hapless insects. Tyler played recordings of several types of owls common to this area, and we at least two barred owls responded. Crashing through the woods as we were, it's not surprising that we didn't see them. The best part of the hike was quieting everyone down to hear the owls. Hilarious.

We ended up at the mound near the creek; as we looked across the open field, a mist was beginning to rise. It was a lovely, clear night with a full moon and we talked about the Native Americans who lived here one thousand years before, gazing up at this same sky. It was a beautiful night.

Lost River Cave

2011-06-08T21:40:00.001-05:00

Our dear friends invited to explore Lost River Cave, which is an absolutely lovely place to spend a day. We took a riverboat cruise in an underground cave, which lays claim to hosting both Jesse James AND Dinah Shore. How many attractions can boast that kind of clientele? In addition to the cave, there were wonderfully shady trails to explore, a butterfly house and a beautiful bubbling spring. We had a fantastic time.

The kiddo took this picture of a blue hole (the water is green and silty now because of the abundance of rain; typically, the limestone makes the water appear cobalt blue. See, I really did learn alot!). I think I should give her the camera more often.

We discovered a mulberry tree.

Second Annual Camping Trip

2011-06-05T21:51:00.000-05:00

Saturday night we camped with our church youth group at Cedars of Lebanon. The conditions were ideal: the sweltering heat of mid-day transitioned to a very comfortable temperature by late afternoon and the evening was mild. Even the cicadas cooperated with our trip. It was a wonderful campout with good friends, good food and good weather.

I think this is a question mark butterfly. See what you think, if you dare.

Here is one science experiment; they are attempting to get the egg out of the small-necked jar.

The question of hula hoop champion had to be settled numerous times.

The kids made snow from a kit. Pretty nifty.

I think this is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

The geyser tube is a perennial favorite. Here they dropped 9 mentos into two liters of cheap grape soda. The subsequent eruption was awesome.

Departing the campgrounds; this was the first time she spoke to us in 12 hours. She was pretty busy having fun with her crew.

Nature Connections - May Edition

2011-05-30T21:32:00.001-05:00

We celebrated Memorial Day by visiting The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. An observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War was held near the Tulip Grove home on the opposite end of the property. We attended a part of the memorial ceremony and toured the home and gardens at The Hermitage.

Herding Ducks

2011-05-23T21:35:00.000-05:00

Dad alerted us to the presence of a duck in our neighbor's yard. This news required immediate confirmation.

We tracked it to its temporary lair and attempted to lure it out. No dice.

Stronger measures were required. Do you know of a duck who can resist croissants?

I do.

No worries. We had an appointment to keep anyway.

Strawberry Girl

2011-05-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

I remember reading Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski when I was just a few years older than DD. I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to belong to a family of migrant fruit pickers whose children attended school spottily at best. Well, spending 30 minutes in the blazing heat of May (insert caustic global warming comment here) disabused me of any romantic notions about picking fruit (or anything) for a living. The spotty school attendance still sounds pretty good, though.

Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens

2011-05-11T21:51:00.000-05:00

Today we visited Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens in Rutherford County with friends. If you go, be on the lookout for a gravel lot next to Rickey and Pam's house. Seriously.

Once we found it, though, we had a wonderful day exploring the cedar glades. It really put me in mind of the desert in some places. We even saw cacti. Afterward, we went to the creek to cool off, and at 93 degrees, it was necessary.

This is a frog sitting on a log on his way back to the bog.

Sellars Farm

2011-05-10T22:56:00.000-05:00

Today we had the opportunity to spend the day at Sellars Farm Archaeological Site with Ranger Tyler. He led the kids on a hike to learn how to identify various trees, and he also pointed out several edible plants. The kids had such fun finding and eating wild strawberries, onions, sassafrass. They had the most fun, though, splashing in the creek; it was a perfect day for a creek hop: sunny with temperatures in the mid-80s. I came home and ordered new water shoes for us both. I see lots of creek time in our future.

Why I Should Carry My Camera AT ALL TIMES

2011-05-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

If I lived by this simple rule, I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to document, with a photograph that would live forever and always, DD's fairy house that she built on the edge of Stones River while we were walking the trail. It was such a beautiful afternoon, and she wanted to build a fairy house, a la Twig. I, being the labor force, gathered sticks in varying shapes and sizes, most of which were discarded due to inferior quality. Then, the stick house was scrapped altogether in favor of a more permanent rock dwelling, complete with cattail broom, leaf bed and a stick door. We're planning to go back, in case a fairy has moved in.

Celebrating Spring at Cheekwood

2011-04-23T18:09:00.000-05:00

What a gorgeous day it was Friday, and we were able to spend the whole of it outside (except for the briefest of interludes at Trader Joe's, but we needn't digress).

Everything is in bloom, a new modern art exhibit is hanging in the museum, and they even have trains. If you're in the area, should schedule a visit.

Luck was with us that day.

This frog is giving me the gimlet eye.

A contemplative moment

Discovery Center

2011-04-22T08:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we spent a terrific day at the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro courtesy of friends. DD had a great time exploring inside and out and playing with her buddies. You can see more amazing photos here.

Butterflies are Free 2011

2011-04-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

We've made something of a tradition out of "raising' butterflies. Each year, we order caterpillars, watch them spin cocoons, emerge from their cocoons and release them. This year, all five larvae grew into beautiful Painted Lady butterflies. We set the last two free this afternoon.

Co-op Monday

2011-04-07T21:30:00.000-05:00

We've been attending a weekly co-op at a local state park for nearly one year now. Recently, one of the rangers was kind enough to talk to the kids about some of the birds native to the park. She even brought out a prop.

He died of natural causes. Allegedly.

Next week, we're going to a full-on bird class at the Nature Center. Excellent.

Nature Connections - March Edition

2011-04-02T23:06:00.001-05:00

I'm sliding in right under the wire on this one. These are more pictures from our class at Cedar Ridge Farm. We're really looking forward to our next visit.

Join in the fun over at Living and Learning!

School Outside

2011-03-26T14:06:00.000-05:00

Last week, it was so lovely and warm (at least part of it), that DD decided to take her schoolwork outside. I'm glad we were able to take advantage of the beautiful spring-like weather, as it's gone again. Come on, spring!!!

Zoo Trip

2011-03-26T13:54:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, we made an impromptu visit to the zoo. It was a beautiful day, and Daddy finally got to see the flamingos.

DD took a few pictures as well. I think the shoe shot is my favorite.

Math Monday (3.21.11 edition)

2011-03-21T08:41:00.001-05:00

Last week, we spent some time learning about measurement. We started with these books, both of which I highly recommend.

Then, to DD's surprise and delight, her Thinking Kids Math order arrived. The cards were a big hit.

Let the measuring begin!

Incidentally, these Thinking Math Cards have been the best purchase. She wants to do them every day, but limits herself to three so she won't get tired of them. Music to my ears.

Interested in learning different methods for teaching math? Head over to Joyful Learner and join in the fun.

Thanks, Living and Learning for getting me to think about math differently.

Cedar Ridge Farm, Part 2: The Backyard Experiment

2011-03-19T22:36:00.000-05:00

It was another beautiful spring-like day here, so we spent a good bit of time outdoors. Of primary concern was safety. Every cat needs a helmet. Later, she reported being bitten by the cat. Remarkable.

Inspired by our time at Cedar Ridge Farm, she went on a flower walk. Here she is using her pocket microscope to examine the inner workings of a tulip tree bud.

Here she is examining a bike injury sustained on her palm. Although fascinating, I'm sure, I declined to look.

Our jasmine vine is blooming: a sure sign that spring is coming.

Cedar Ridge Farm

2011-03-19T22:16:00.001-05:00

On Thursday, we had the opportunity to visit Cedar Ridge, a beautiful farm where kids can explore the natural world and learn to identify what they discover. In spite of my Charlotte Mason leanings, nature study often gets short shrift in our homeschool. As long as we are able to participate in these classes, I'll cross that "concern" off my list.

It was a lovely day, made more so by meeting up with old friends that we don't get to see as often as we would like.

What I liked best about this class is that Mr. Todd encouraged his students to observe and question. Hanging out in our backyard will never be the same.

Math Monday (3.07.11 edition)

2011-03-07T21:45:00.000-06:00

My friend Sherry at Living and Learning has started a new meme for math. I'm really looking forward to discovering new approaches to teaching math. I've always been a literature/history person, so finding interesting ways to cover that material has been easy. Math is a different story.

We are currently using Math U See, and I love it. I love the instructional DVD and the workbook. I feel more comfortable when I can thumb through (and show off) her completed workbook pages. However, DD no longer enjoys MUS. She loves the workbook itself, but no longer enjoys working the problems IN the workbook. At the first sign that she cannot perform perfectly, the wheels come off and frustrated tears ensue.

So, I revised. I use the MUS workbook as a content guide and we've ditched the DVD sessions for now. I try to find at least two interesting math-focused picture books at the library; two recent favorite math-related books have been Mission: Addition by Loreen Leedy and Anno's Hat Tricks by Akihiro Nozaki and Mitsumasa Anno.

We play lots of board and card games: Monopoly, Sum Swamp (which I highly recommend) and Cubes (which is a great game, but a bit of a challenge for her now. She'll grow into it.).

I also dusted off the Hundred chart, which really helped solidify skip counting by 2s and 10s.

She begs to play the free (!) math games on http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/ and http://www.primarygames.com/. In spite of unfounded disdain for computer games, I introduced her to these sites and the games have helped me to assess her math skills and have given her greater confidence in her math ability. I may have created a monster!

I'm on a quest to think differently about math: not as the dreaded, let's-just-get-through-it subject, but as something fascinating, mysterious and maybe even fun. I hope you all will participate in Math Monday. I can't wait to read how other people slay the math dragon.

Flying Paper Airplanes

2011-03-04T21:08:00.002-06:00

Apropos of nothing more than a vague, but unsettling feeling that things could be better, I've been feeling inspired to read a bit more John Holt lately, so I'm revisiting Learning All the Time. Each time I read something by Holt, I'm reminded of what I should be doing. If there is a rung below "facilitator," then I should be on it. My revised job description should read something like astute observer who provides the best possible materials and also chaueffeurs.

Today, DD made paper airplanes according to the instructions written by Mythbusters. I resisted many, though regrettably not all, impulses to ~~confuse~~ help. She had fun customizing her craft and measuring its flight patterns. She did a hundred happy things throughout the day, few of which required my assistance, and she reported to me late this afternoon that she had had a nice day. Score one more for John Holt.

A Great Start for March

2011-03-03T20:36:00.000-06:00

Spring is coming, and there's no better way to celebrate than with friends.

Momix: Botanica

2011-03-02T21:54:00.000-06:00

It was an unbelievably lovely and imaginative performance. Sigh.

Nature Connections - February Edition

2011-02-27T22:34:00.003-06:00

We've burned through the entire month of February, and I've blogged once. That's probably a good thing.

This month, DD and I were able to spend a few days in Florida visiting with Great-Grandma, Great Uncle C and Great Cousin P. We also spent time with Great Dog J, who gets her very own sentence. Enjoy our nature connections and go out and make some of your own!

*Below is a map of the ranch.

A Day in the Life

2011-02-01T18:51:00.000-06:00

DD has had a lingering head cold, so we spent most of the day relaxing.

Here she is reading a magazine in her secret place. The feather is actually smoke rising from the chimney, which is the white thing surrounding the feather. There are drawing supplies, food and kleenex as well, for those pesky "just in case" scenarios.

She enjoyed working on some dot-to-dot by 2s worksheets that I printed from this site.

She was working on a new book and didn't want me to sneak a peek.

Nature Connections - January Edition

2011-01-30T21:51:00.004-06:00

Here are a few pictures of DD enjoying the great outdoors this cold and sometimes snowy January. Click here to join the Nature Connections meme. Enjoy!

Random Images from a Random Day

2011-01-28T23:00:00.000-06:00

A Walk in the Rain

2011-01-28T22:46:00.000-06:00

Earlier in the week we were able to get out for an impromptu nature walk in a light rain.

Constructivist Math!

2011-01-24T20:58:00.000-06:00

Today's post is dedicated to Sherry and Gerrick at Living and Learning. If you aren't currently reading her blog, I encourage you to! It is full of great information for people who want to provide the best possible education for the youngsters in their lives, no matter what form it takes.

I read a thought-provoking post regarding constructivist math the other day. What is constructivist math? I know very little about it (I intend to learn more), but I do know that when I backed off the drills and skills approach to which I had been slavishly adhering during the math portion of our day, learning happened.

Here she is building with her math manipulatives. She chose the hundred block as her base, and she talked her way through how to create rows of 10s.

Later, we decided to bake bread. Here she is kneading the dough. I'll leave you to ponder how the loaf turned out. Please ignore the shameless plug for Martha White flour.

Kitchen Science

2011-01-21T09:18:00.000-06:00

We found this really super keen book at the library in a mad dash Wednesday night. DD was up bright and early yesterday morning working on her first experiment: fruit and vegetable stamps.

Chasing Birds

2011-01-20T22:05:00.000-06:00

She has developed an obsession with birds. She's now identifying, observing, tracking and writing her findings in a bird-tracking journal.

We've had flocks of birds foraging in our yard lately. Unfortunately for the observer, they are skittish.

Evidence of their foraging: they were rooting around in the mulch.

Keen observation: those dark smudges in the tree branches are birds.

Sneaking up on some birds.

Fun with Science

2011-01-20T21:51:00.000-06:00

DD and Dad are exploring the wonderful world of science: batteries, magnets, and copper wires.

More Tracks in the Snow

2011-01-20T21:48:00.000-06:00

Who knew there was so much activity in our backyard?

The birds in our neighborhood don't particularly like their new apartment house. It might not be up to codes.

This snow lady did not make tracks.

Snow Day!

2011-01-11T21:43:00.000-06:00

First, DD decided to look for tracks in the snow.

Then she decided to make her own.

Who doesn't love a snow day?

Play Date at the Park

2011-01-11T20:53:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures from a lovely afternoon we spent at the park recently. It was so good to spend time with friends!

Goals version 2011

2011-01-02T22:49:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year again: that time of year when so many of us reflect on the highs and lows of the previous year and plan to reproduce the highs and avoid the lows in the coming year, if at all possible.

On the whole, I am pleased with our efforts in 2010. DD and I officially started homeschooling, with curricula and everything. We made new friends and kept the old. We helped to organize a new co-op. We both learned alot.

I'm hoping that this list of goals, inspired by my friend Sherry, will help me achieve that elusive goal of organization...

Homeschool Goals

Language Arts

Resurrect/Invigorate our handwriting lessons
Read more poetry
Make notebook pages for some of her favorite books

Math

Play math games like Cubes and Sum Swamp several times a month
Make a point to integrate math into our daily life (in other words, don't just watch the Math U See video segment, do a few workbook pages and call it a day)

History

Do a few projects from the Story of the World (SOTW) Activity book
Request historical non-fiction books from the library IN ADVANCE
Read two chapters of SOTW per week

Science

Make a Human Body lapbook
Have materials on-hand for a few science experiments throughout the semester

Personal Goals

Cultivate patience *see Homeschool goals
Jettison the quest for perfection
Exercise/Train for a half marathon
Start knitting again
Give back as much as I've received
And always, always remember what it's all about:

Happy New Year, y'all!

A Walk in the Woods

2010-12-28T16:22:00.000-06:00

In the spirit of healthy living and as an antidote to missing free access to grandparents and sweet treats, we decided to walk the greenway with our new binoculars. It was a lovely day with blue skies and reasonably moderate temperatures.

The last of the white Christmas

Surveying Stones River

A squirrel's nest (alas, the owner/occupier of the nest was busy nibbling an acorn, but darted away before I could get a picture.)

What does the bridge feel like?

Sneaking up on a bird

Back in civilization, refueling...

Annual Christmas Tea

2010-12-16T22:13:00.000-06:00

For the past few years, part of our holiday festivities included a special Christmas tea at Grandmama's house.We drink tea, eat delicious crustless sandwiches and petit fours and open some of our presents.

This year, Grandmama treated us to a luncheon at World Cup of Tea in Cool Springs. It was a lovely, elegant luncheon in spite of our somewhat relaxed manners.

The peppermint scone, my friends. Delicious.

Engineering Challenge at the Adventure Science Center

2010-12-15T20:23:00.000-06:00

We spent some time at the Adventure Science Center with our great friends, exploring the new exhibits and learning how to create wolf-proof housing at the Three Little Pigs learning lab.

Supplies? Where are the supplies?

SNOW: 2010 Edition

2010-12-13T21:19:00.000-06:00

We had our first snow yesterday, and DD awoke today ready to hit the slopes.

Snow angel alert:

Finally, she had to restore her flagging strength with a hearty dose of snow cream. It's not easy to slalom on a pizza box.

Celebrating Advent

2010-12-12T19:58:00.000-06:00

In an effort to SLOW DOWN this Christmas, I decided to institute a new plan of Christmas frivolity in our household. Each day, we would do one Christmas-related activity, such as watching a Christmas program on a dreary afternoon, baking cookies, making a Christmas craft, etc. It's been pretty successful; I actually feel like Christmas isn't blowing by me at 100 MPH. Translation: we'll do this again next year.

I was actually able to lay hands on the camera during today's Christmas activity. Although you may not realize it, this is a Gingerbread Girl. She is not, however, wearing earrings, much to her creator's dismay.

Celebrating Winter's Light

2010-12-12T19:46:00.000-06:00

Friday we had the pleasure of attending another class at the Global Education Center. If you are in the area, I hope you'll take the time to visit. The kids learned about several holidays that take place this time of year. The kids were treated to unbelievable drumming, dancing and even potato latkes. Each family went home with a dreidel, a lovely coffee table book about Hindu Temples in North America and a book of the Christmas story. We went to the library the next day to find books about some of these holidays.

We're definitely looking forward to learning about the Chinese New Year in January.

Visiting the Parthenon

2010-12-02T15:44:00.001-06:00

Today we toured The Parthenon at Centennial Park.

And what day at the park would be complete without trying to catch a few pigeons.

A Terrific Stocking Stuffer

2010-12-02T15:35:00.000-06:00

Have you heard of Pick and Draw? Neither had I until I read this post by our wonderful friends over at Living and Learning. Enjoy!

Making a Gingerbread House

2010-11-30T15:33:00.001-06:00

Cheekwood sponsored another lovely craft today: Gingerbread Houses. Here is a link to a site with instructions that closely resemble what we did today.

Step 1: Select materials

Step 2: Paint

Step 3: Add glitter

Step 4: Add more glitter

Step 5: Trim the edges

Here is the finished product:

Seussical!

2010-11-12T11:43:00.000-06:00

Every time we see a show at NCT, it becomes my favorite, but Seussical is destined to be my hall-of-fame favorite. You can't go wrong with Dr. Seuss. Unfortunately, you can go wrong with no-flash photography prohibitions, so I don't have any good photos of the show. But here are a few pictures of the pre-show activities DD participated in.

Global Education Center

2010-11-12T11:38:00.000-06:00

We attended a fantastic class about several native cultures at the Global Education Center. If you're in Nashville, you should definitely drop by. They offer classes in dance and drumming and they have a really neat shop in the front where you can buy lots of fair trade items such as jewelry, ornaments and musical instruments. We're planning to do some of our Christmas shopping there this year. Incense rocks.

Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue

2010-11-12T11:31:00.000-06:00

We travelled over to Chattanooga with some friends to tour reproductions of the Nina and the Pinta. We had lots of fun roaming around the ship, but I think the kids enjoyed sliding down the hill most of all.

Shuckles Corn Maze

2010-10-29T21:45:00.000-05:00

We spent a fantastic day at Shuckles Corn Maze. The maze was a huge hit; DD went through 5 or 6 times. I lost count. We had all the fun we could, then we left with two (!!) pumpkins: a small one to display and a large one to carve.

Hint: It's supposed to be Tinkerbell.

Chihuly at Night

2010-10-27T21:51:00.000-05:00

Except I don't have many night photos because most of them did not turn out. Who knew my hands were so shaky?

We arrived early so that Mother Dear could get a parking place near the front, so we spent several hours poking into heretofore undetected nooks of Cheekwood while we waited for the sun to go down.

Artist at work

2010-10-20T23:39:00.000-05:00

Another Chihuly at Cheekwood Day

2010-10-19T21:27:00.001-05:00

We can't get enough of Chihuly; the exhibit at Cheekwood ends on October 31st, and we're trying to squeeze in every last opportunity to visit. Today's trip included decorating gourds, walking the sculpture trail, creating artwork inspired by a trip through the gallery, and playing, singing and laughing with good friends.

Tree Fort

2010-10-19T20:48:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, DD finally built the tree fort of her dreams; today I was asked to save any stray pieces of wood for renovations...

Her first guest to the tree fort was an inchworm named Charlotte:

The Great Pumpkin

2010-10-17T19:58:00.000-05:00

We spent the afternoon at a nearby (and keep in mind the use of "nearby" is relative) pumpkin patch. We had an autumn extravaganza.

Weird Science

2010-10-14T20:57:00.000-05:00

We spent a morning busting some myths about flight. At least now we can casually insert Bernoulli's Principle into conversations. Ok, she can...

Chasing Chickens

2010-09-30T12:45:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we spent a lovely, leisurely day at a friend's farm. It was leisurely for me; I wasn't chasing chickens.

Huntsville Botanical Garden

2010-09-30T12:31:00.000-05:00

We went to Huntsville on Tuesday and toured the botanical gardens. I highly recommend a trip here if you are in the area. The grounds are lovely, and the children's garden is exceptional.

We were fortunate enough to visit during the Treehouse exhibit and the Scarecrow exhibit.

Harvest Days 2010

2010-09-26T19:51:00.000-05:00

We attended Harvest Days at the Nashville Zoo today. It was a gorgeous day, in spite of the clouds, and we had a lovely time listening to old-time string bands, painting, churning butter, playing with hoops, juicing apples, talking with the lady who started the Master Gardeners of Davidson County and tons of other exciting things. Enjoy!

Trade Days Festival

2010-09-22T15:51:00.000-05:00

We journeyed over to Travellers Rest today to experience some living history and see some artisans at work. It was a lovely day, in spite of the high temperature.

Tuesday in the Park

2010-09-21T21:51:00.000-05:00

After a Monday filled with numerous activities, I was pleased to have a leisurely day ahead of us. It started off well; we're in the habit of reading first thing in the morning. DD reads some of her books and I read mine. I actually got to finish Charles Todd's The Red Door this morning. I'm still stewing about the ending, but that's another post for another day. If ever.

After breakfast, we went to the Secret Reading nook to read Nurse Matilda, from which Nanny McPhee is derived. We saw the latest Nanny McPhee movie in the theatre a few weeks ago, and I was able to snag this gem at the library. If you've not read these books, we highly recommend them.

Then we progressed to school. Oh dear. DD sailed through math with a slight hiccup about properly writing the number 3 (her concern) and actually popping the eraser off her pencil while trying to scrub out all existence of 3. Tears because this was her favorite pencil, a pencil given to her by grandparents (not). Attempts to tape and glue the eraser back onto the pencil. Once she discovered that we had no idea who had given her this pencil, all was well again. For a few seconds. You get the idea.

I packed a quick lunch, grabbed a few books from the schoolroom and herded her into the car for an impromptu picnic at the park. The day before the first day of fall. A day whose high temperature was 97 degrees, according to the car. With a kid whose idea of walking shoes would enable her to blend right into the land of Oz. So it wasn't exactly the peaceful sojourn into nature that I was hoping for. Maybe tomorrow?

It's Fair Time in Tennessee!

2010-09-14T21:22:00.000-05:00

We attended Field Day at the 2010 Tennessee State Fair today. We saw so many amazing things! We didn't get to eat polish sausage sandwiches, cotton candy, chicken on a stick, candied apples or funnel cakes, but we still managed to have a great time.

Chihuly at Cheekwood

2010-09-03T21:59:00.000-05:00

We went to Cheekwood this week to check out the Chihuly exhibit with several friends. The exhibit was amazing and the kids were all so enthusiastic. Something about Chihuly really inspired them.

(I love your art alot.)

Impromptu Science

2010-08-29T21:58:00.000-05:00

I am a big fan of structure. Huge. However, I'm not averse to exploiting any circumstance for its learning potential. When DD came through the door hollering because a weird bug had landed on her arm, I did what any self-respecting homeschool mom would do. I hollered right back. "Hold still while I get a jar!!!" We trapped that bug in a glass jar, sketched him, did a little research on the web to determine what type of bug he was (a Marmorated stink bug) and let him go.

Hotel Tennessee

"What I'm wondering is, is this bug nocturnal?" (Note: She's written "diurnal" in the top right corner, stink bug inj the middle and found Tuesday at bottom right.)

Trap and release

The common stink bug, in all his glory.

A Foggy Day

2010-08-22T21:21:00.000-05:00

Friday morning, we had a leisurely day planned and we enjoyed every minute of it, starting with the incomparable joy of a foggy morning.

Book 9

2010-08-22T21:15:00.000-05:00

Book 9 is a big departure for me. I know nearly nothing of graphic novels, but this NPR article caught my eye, so I journeyed to the site to read Set to Sea by Drew Weinig. It was beautifully, meticulously drawn and the pictures did indeed convey greater emotional depth than I expected to find in a graphic novel. Now I'm hooked. Any good suggestions?

Book 8

2010-08-22T21:11:00.000-05:00

I found The Story of Cirrus Flux by Matthew Skelton while browsing in the juvenile section of our local library. Some thoughtful librarian displayed it right next to the self check-out station, knowing I would be powerless to resist its cover:

It was a great adventure story, but it ended rather abruptly. The author did leave room for a sequel. Fingers crossed!

Book 7

2010-08-22T16:45:00.000-05:00

While I was at the library finding this book, I picked up a copy of Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell. Luckily, I had not read this book before. I really enjoyed this book; I can't wait until the next book to see how Cornwell continues to explore the dynamic between Scarpetta and Marino.

Book 6

2010-08-22T16:41:00.000-05:00

I've been lax in posting my 52 books challenge. For book 6, I read Trace by Patricia Cornwell. I checked this out from the library, and didn't discover that I'd read it years ago until I got to the second chapter. I put it down, then decided to read it again. It was well worth it.

If you're not familiar with the Scarpetta series and plan to read one of her books, you should be aware that Scarpetta is a forensic pathologist who works with the police and the FBI to solve (mostly) lurid and grisly homicides. I seem to remember the first few books in the series being particularly unnerving; the latter books are less concerned with the perpetrators and their crimes. Those have the feeling of being plot devices that exist solely to expose some new aspect of each character's personality.

Scarpetta is one of my favorite characters; I never tire of reading about her. Patricia Cornwell is marvelously inventive given the number of books in the series (16, I think?). Each plot follows a pretty standard formula; the real treat is the development of the recurring characters. Each new book is like visiting old friends; those old friends who work in morgues, visit crime scenes, profile suspects for the FBI. You know, those friends.

School Daze: Week 2

2010-08-17T21:29:00.000-05:00

Today was Science day. She got two science kits for her birthday, and we decided to open one today. We experimented with homemade rocket fuel.

Every good scientist needs to gather her materials.

Important materials include a long wooden stick in the event that the rocket fuel fails to percolate enough.

Success!

After launching a few rockets with varying degrees of success, we wrote up her observations for her science notebook. And nobody lost an eye!

Incautiously Optimistic, Euphoric Even

2010-08-13T22:05:00.000-05:00

Our first week of "official" homeschooling has drawn to a close and I think it's been a rousing success. I had so many apprehensions: would we get along? Would I be able to handle "it" (whatever it is)? Would we still like one another? Could I teach math? Yes (especially with Math U See)!

Ironically, it is Language Arts, my first love, that is causing the most trouble. We are struggling with memory work and handwriting; any tips would be appreciated. It's so funny; math was the subject that nearly kept me from homeschooling. I never dreamed we would be tussling over handwriting. I've slowed the handwriting pace tremendously; instead of working through the Zaner Bloser book, we are doing one letter per handwriting lesson and I've only scheduled two handwriting lessons per week. I'm going to find some sneaky ways of practicing handwriting. Right now, DD is composing and writing her own thank you notes. She discovered me writing them and was very disappointed. I've now let her take over, as I should have done in the first place. It was a laziness issue with me; I just didn't want to spend hours spelling out thank you, Tinkerbell, Hello Kitty, jewelry, etc. Usually I'm all about teachable moments, but the thought of spelling aloud so many thank you notes daunted me.

I've also noticed that I'm more tired in the evenings. I think I just haven't become accustomed to adding school into the mix. We'll see how next week goes. I can't wait!

First Grade

2010-08-11T06:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our "official" start date for first grade. I was pleasantly surprised by her eagerness to start school; I think she thought she was going to start elementary school. However, she recovered nicely and we had a great morning.

Here is her first attempt at dictation. Looking good!

We were on the hunt for caterpillars; DD thought that the bottom of the web looked like a tent caterpillar's cocoon, but it was the bottom floor of a very elaborate web home. Dinner is almost ready.

Finally, we just observed the neighbor's cat.

Book 5

2010-08-05T09:00:00.001-05:00

I read The Book of Fires by Jane Borodale. It is the story of a young woman who runs away from home and becomes an apprentice to a fireworks maker in London. Despite this improbable plotline, I did enjoy the book. The heroine, Agnes, is smart and resourceful, and the descriptions of the making of fireworks were fascinating.

Book 4

2010-08-05T08:37:00.001-05:00

I finished reading The Angels of Morgan Hill by Donna VanLiere. It was a moving story, but it hit a few false notes. Also, the narrator kept alluding to "the dead of winter," so I kept expecting another tragedy to befall the family, but it ended on a happy note. It had the potential to be a very dark, retributive story, but the author never delved too deeply into any of the characters' motivations or feelings.

Book 3

2010-08-05T08:31:00.000-05:00

I'm a little behind in my 52 books post. Recently, I read Memphis Ribs by Gerald Duff. Eh. I did finish it, but it wasn't as authentic as I had hoped. The whole book felt strained. It was a mystery, and the ending was so convoluted that I couldn't be sure who committed the murder or why. I didn't even have the desire to re-read to find out. It was mainly useful for keeping my mind off the real world for awhile.

Cumberland Caverns

2010-07-31T11:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, we met some friends and toured Cumberland Caverns, which is the second largest show cave in the U.S. (The first is Mammoth Cave.) It was a lovely and temperate 56 degrees below deck, and we saw some amazing formations.

Haute Couture

2010-07-29T17:54:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we checked out the new exhibit at the Frist. I thought it might be of interest to the burgeoning style maven, but I never expected we would tour it twice. In between, we stopped in to the ArtQuest gallery upstairs to make her own art.

When we got home, she drew some of her favorite dresses from the exhibit.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2010-07-26T22:49:00.000-05:00

Today, we visited a recycling center and learned all about what can be recycled and what can be created from that material. It was a great presentation; the kids and the grownups learned alot. They played recycle bingo and even got to stand on the scale where the trucks are weighed as they come into the facility. DD was inspired to make her own recycling poster when we got home.

Hiking the AT

2010-07-26T21:47:00.001-05:00

We spent the weekend at Roan Mountain State Park,and it was definitely worth the drive. The accommodations were lovely, the weather was perfect and we ate too much food. We even hiked to the top of the mountain on the good old AT. We couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

Book 2

2010-07-19T09:04:00.000-05:00

This week, I read These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach. It was about a group of British senior citizens who move to an old age home in Bangalore. It had some witty scenes and revealed some truths about the relationship between children and their aging parents. I enjoyed the descriptions of Bangalore, but I was hoping for more focus on a few characters. Instead, there were lots of characters and very few details about them. They are making this into a movie (is anyone surprised?) and it may turn out to be one of those rare instances in which the movie is superior to the book.

Happy Reading!

Book 1

2010-07-13T09:53:00.000-05:00

I finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson this morning. It started slowly, and I was tempted to lay it down, but I'm glad I didn't. Larsson needed time to establish the characters so that later their decisions and reactions would be plausible. It put me in mind of classic noir, a bit like The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, but thoroughly modern. The little research I did on Larsson indicated a passion for journalistic integrity and a commitment to scrupulous reporting based on thorough and verifiable research. I'm still mulling over some of the questions the book raised and probably will for quite some time. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series: The Girl Who Played With Fire.

A caveat: No story can appeal to everyone. This book does contain some violence and certain distasteful adult situations, but those scenes are brief and aren't presented merely to appeal to those of a prurient nature.

52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

2010-07-06T21:51:00.000-05:00

I'm tossing my hat into the ring and signing on for the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge. I recently received some book recommendations, so I think I'll start by reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Let's hope it's better than the last two disasters I just finished...

The Best July 4th Ever

2010-07-05T07:49:00.001-05:00

After a great church service, where we met our new minister, and Sunday dinner, where DD ate a piece of chocolate pie as big as her head, we scurried home to change into hiking clothes and head for Fall Creek Falls with some friends. It was quite a journey, weaving in and out of satellite and cellular service, but we managed to survive. Good thing, too; otherwise, we might have missed this:

or this:

And I'm pretty sure I saw him in a Godzilla movie once:

We toured a good bit of Fall Creek Falls before it was time to head back to civilization to watch the fireworks, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was late when we got home, and as she was going to bed, she told us it was the best July 4th ever. How could it not be? She ate pie, went hiking, watched fireworks and stayed up a whole past her bedtime. Happy 4th!

Walk, Don't Run

2010-07-03T14:52:00.001-05:00

DH invited us to the greenway this morning. Some of our greenway adventures have become infamous, others, merely legendary. So it was not without trepidation that I accepted the challenge. Of course, he sweetened the deal by including breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

DD did not want to ride her bike; she wanted to run with Daddy. They ran .5 miles together, then Daddy peeled off to finish his run and DD and I decided to take a walk: a lovely walk where we went down every dirt path, followed as many butterflies as we could, sniffed flowers, tried to taste nectar, collected flowers and leaves in the shape of butterflies and hearts and just enjoyed being together on a lovely summer's morning.

Then, coming home to a peaceful home and some blessed free time, I came across this post from a homeschool mom I admire. It was just what I needed to hear.

Our walk was a powerful reminder to slow down; we've been going at a breakneck pace lately and I've found my temper shortening exponentially. We've not been truly lazy all summer long. I think it's about time we started.

A Pirate's Life for Me

2010-06-29T20:52:00.000-05:00

Today we went to hear Dee Kimbrell perform at our branch library. This year's summer reading theme is water, so Dee chose to tell pirate stories today. She entertained a group of about 150 kids, and not one had to walk the plank. Rimshot!

Back to (Home)School Traditions?

2010-06-27T19:29:00.001-05:00

I read a post on the Well-Trained Mind forums that asked if any families had a first day of school tradition. Unfortunately, no one had yet responded. I didn't post anything, because I was stumped, which got me thinking. What kinds of things could I plan to make DD's promotion to first grade special or memorable? I thought of taking her to breakfast on the first day of school or perhaps organizing a back to school play date, but otherwise, I've got bupkus. Any suggestions?

Ritual

2010-06-21T21:34:00.003-05:00

This was such a powerful article:

http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2009/07/an-18minute-plan-for-managing.html

We haven't had an unusually tough day. In fact, there was one big positive. DD had been having trouble with this one particular boy at some of the events we've attended recently. She was afraid to confront him. We talked it through this morning, and she was able to tell him clearly, the moment she saw him, that she did not want to play with him because he was too rough. They didn't have any difficulties today. She came home feeling great.

Then, she and I had a disagreement over the Carmen San Diego board game that we found at a consignment sale. How many, many times I've wished I hadn't bought that thing. Anyway, I thought I was being fairly calm, but later I found a note she had written, in which she described herself as stupid. Maybe I wasn't so calm after all? Growly bear mama strikes again.

However, what struck me about the above article was the idea of ritual: interrupting your routine at hourly intervals to take stock. Have I really been the parent I want to be during this last hour? Today might have been 50/50. Not bad, but I'll bet I can do better tomorrow.

The Great Outdoors

2010-06-20T14:43:00.006-05:00

We went on our first family campout this weekend. We traveled to a nearby state park with some friends, set up camp in a lovely, shady spot,

across from here

where we proceeded to wade,

attempted to catch baby catfish (and anything else that swam)

and build amazing rock castles,

and cities with roads, towers and science centers.

We even managed to park next to this:

Alas, I had no specimen bag or gloves with me...

Turns out, this family loves to camp. We're planning a camping trip in the fall. But next time, we're bringing the air mattress.

Squirrel Cake

2010-06-17T18:09:00.003-05:00

Now don't let the title fool you. Squirrel Cake is good. Really good. It was designed as a special Father's Day treat, made and served today, as cake batter doesn't freeze well. Why is it called Squirrel Cake? Because it's kind of squirrely, but it's for humans, not squirrels.

Here is the original recipe, more appetizingly referred to as Old Fashioned Columbia Cake.
1/4 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tbs butter melted
1 c flour
1/4 c peanut butter
1 tbs honey
1 c oats
1 tbs coconut milk

Mix well. As you might imagine, the batter is somewhat stiff. Bake at 350 degrees for 17.5 minutes.

Note: Chef discovered that the amounts didn't make enough batter to fill an 8" round cake pan, so she opted to make 9 cupcakes.

Bon Appetit!

Summertime and the living is easy

2010-06-11T21:31:00.004-05:00

It's been a busy few weeks for this homeschool hacienda, and it doesn't look like our schedule will ease any time soon.

I think I'm subconciously squeezing in all the social excitement I can now, knowing that it will be necessary to buckle down AND simmer down for our first grade year.

But all of this begs the question: can you really be driven by subconcious motives while blogging about said motives???

Phooey. I'm going to conciously plan a few more social events while the fish are jumping and the cotton is high.

A plan is a plan is a plan

2010-05-17T21:21:00.003-05:00

I am a planning machine. I've laid out a personal schedule, an academic schedule and a housekeeping schedule. I am taking a laissez-faire attitude toward meals, and that is really for the best.

I have lesson plans for the first six weeks, and a plan to complete lesson plans for the whole dang year. I've ordered the last few books we'll need for school. I purchased some great art supplies especially for notebook time (see Well-Trained Mind); now all I need are the three-ring binders to hold all this lovely school work. I'll wait on those purchases until I can hit the back-to-school sales.

Pencils are sharpened; broken crayons have been removed from our domain. My plan for world domination, at least as it pertains to our quarter-acre plot, is well on its way.

What Homeschooling Looks Like (AHHT Edition)

2010-05-10T21:06:00.005-05:00

On the eve of our 180th day of government-sanctioned home education, I'm in a reflective mood. We've seen our share of successes and failures during Year 0, and it depends on the day as to whether I'll admit to more successes or more failures. Taking charge of our daughter's education wasn't an impulsive decision, but it's proven to be an exhilarating and sometimes frightening one. However, the desire to provide the best possible education for our daughter continues to supersede everything else.

I'm often asked, as I'm sure all homeschoolers are, to describe a "typical" day. The questions I get aren't phrased that bluntly, but it's been my experience that curiosity and skepticism are at the root of them. I haven't yet formulated the glib answer that trips willingly off my tongue. If I could, I'd show them a few pictures instead.

Would I homeschool again? Absolutely. Would I homeschool the same way? Absolutely not. That is what Year 1 is for.

Metamorphosis

2010-05-05T16:01:00.005-05:00

For some time now, we've been raising butterflies. I'd like to tell you that we trekked through the woods, found some caterpillars and brought them home, but the truth is I placed an order online for Painted Lady larvae and they arrived in the mail a few days later.

We've had fun watching them change from caterpillars into butterflies, and we've learned a bit too.

Here are our butterfly pupae:
Here is the adult Painted Lady butterfly. He (or she) is eating sugar water and mango with its proboscis, which curls up when not in use. We actually saw that! Butterflies have tastebuds in their feet and antennae.

She read about butterfly tastebuds in Crinkleroot's Guide to Butterflies & Moths, but she already knew that. I did not.

Releasing our butterflies into the wild (believe me, the suburbs can get pretty wild).

She was eager to release them this year, as opposed to last year's tears. She's growing up. I myself am in strict denial about releasing my butterfly into the wild. But, as Jamie Lee Curtis says, "Just hold on tight, till you have to let go" (Where Do Balloons Go?).

A Visit to Drake's Creek

2010-05-03T21:14:00.004-05:00

We visited Drake's Creek with some friends last Thursday and had a wonderful time. We intend to go back as soon as the flood waters recede.

We had a lovely time exploring the park, particularly when we journeyed to the end of the sidewalk and beyond. It's so good to have friends who teach you how to see the world in a new light.

Here are a few pictures of our adventures.

A brief interlude before scaring ducks and geese into the water.

A mama and her ducklings already in the water, fortunately for them.

An interesting bug and a chance to experiment with macro focus. Excellent.

Poking a stick at a dead critter. I managed to contain my shudders quite well, I think.

Look, the camera is not even shaking.

A Great Day for Friends

2010-04-28T20:28:00.002-05:00

We spent a lovely day visiting with other homeschool families that we met through the Charlotte Mason seminar that I attended several months ago. The kids really enjoy playing together, the moms enjoy talking together, and we all enjoy eating. After months of searching, we've finally found a group we belong with. Heaven.

After the meeting, a few of us met over at a local park where the kids discovered a creek. Unfortunately, DD and I weren't appropriately attired for a creek, but we didn't let that stop us (too much). Next month, we'll be prepared.

Baking and Bug Day

2010-04-27T20:52:00.005-05:00

We spent most of the day at home, puttering about and enjoying the peace. DD designated all Tuesdays as baking days; this decree occurred last night after supper. After breakfast, we made coconut candy (condensed milk, cocunut and confectioner's sugar), then went outside to play before the rains came.

After upending a few rocks,

she finally discovered a treasure trove of roly polies.

When it finally did rain, we made granola and green smoothies and worked on our challenging National Geographic puzzle. Why did I buy that thing???

The rain let up in the afternoon and we headed over to the library for some books about bugs and other fascinating subjects. It was a good day.

Witness

2010-04-26T21:15:00.002-05:00

Admittedly lame, but prior to Friday, my only knowledge of Amish life was gleaned from Witness. I know.

However, we had the opportunity to take a tour of an Amish community via our field trip group, and I'm so glad we did. First of all, it was a 90-minute trip. What to pack? Enough food to last for three days, two bottles of Propel water, five or six picture books and three books on tape. We ate nearly all the food, drank all the water and made it through every picture book and two books on tape. When we arrived, DD asked if we were still in Tennessee. Barely, darling. Barely. I had one moment of panic when the direction on the street sign was the polar opposite of the Garmin, but I should never mistrust the Garmin. Never. A few anxious moments later, we spotted a horse and buggy driving down the shoulder of the road.

We met up with our group and took a horse and buggy ride through some absolutely beautiful country. We stopped at a few houses and bought some bread, apple butter and cookies, the very staples of life. I succumbed to peer pressure and opened the cookies as soon as we got back on the buggy. Good decision.

I admit being somewhat impatient during the first few moments on the buggy ride. I wanted to hitch up a few extra horses to pick up the pace, but once I settled in, it was quite nice to move at a leisurely pace. It gave me a chance to reflect. Naturally I romanticized the whole place: DH and I could be just like Pa and Ma Ingalls and DD could be Laura! We could grow our own food! I could bake! I could sew! I could get up at the crack of dawn! I could perform manual labor ALL DAY! I could never see the end of Lost! Horrors!

Of course a three hour tour gives only the smallest, most impersonal glimpse into anyone's life, but I came away with a greater appreciation for their beliefs and respect for the way and the why of their work.