I am setting a new blogging goal, and that is, to get on here and blog. At least once a week. Let’s just say that it’s been busy here. Annabelle finished preschool a month ago, I’m now volunteering for two support groups, and today, I officially go on an interview to teach yoga. Also, whenever I sit down, I’m trying to read as much as I can about yoga, photography, parenting, and postpartum disorders. It’s a lot. And, honestly, I’m wondering why I’m taking on a lot, but that is for a different post.
Today, I wanted to share little bit about what Annabelle, Levi and I have been up to on a day to day basis. In many ways I feel like I’m back doing some homeschooling with them, though I keep a folder and call it “learning at home.” I print out, mostly Waldorf, activities for us to try. Last week, we learned about birds, attending a bird song class and observation, reading about birds, and going on nature walks to listen and look for birds. This week, we’re reading stories about caterpillars and butterflies, going on nature walks to look for them (still none to see so far as I can tell), doing dot art to create our own butterflies and then simply coloring in butterfly and caterpillar sheets. Yesterday at the pool, Annabelle even made up a butterfly dance where she, the butterfly, collected nectar from flowers. I’m thinking that we’ll see where all this takes us and just continue learning about whatever animal, bug, letter, number, language, that Annabelle wants to learn about. Isn’t this what unschoolers do?
And we play. We play outside a lot, though the heat and humidity do encourage inside playdates too. In the mornings, we get outside a bit and now and then, when I bring the camera, Annabelle and I take turns taking photos. I’d actually combed my hair and put on a bit of makeup, even brushing Levi’s hair into a faux hawk. Annabelle helped tame the hawk, and I had a ball just following Levi around with my camera while he crawled up the neighbors steps, invaded their entryway and posed next to their UPS delivery. Fun times.
How are you and your babes holding up in this heat?
{ 5 comments }
Your photos are awesome, awesome awesome!!! Liam and I hang out in the front yard every morning to watch the cars go by and I pretend to weed. Mostly, though, I enjoy the fact that he will stay put on the blanket and I can read a book! I’m starting to realize that our garden isn’t going to produce like gangbusters this year and so Liam and I are making trips to the farms and markets to find what we can so I can put it away. Last night, he made his first trip to a berry farm!
Playdates center around water I’m finding. And I am ok with that! All your trips with the kids sound wonderful. I have a folder for my “homeschooling” ideas too. Whenever I find something, I’ve been setting it aside for use whenever Liam is ready. Which, I must admit, I am rather anxious for!
Jessica Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Laura, you can start now! I include Levi in our story time each day and give him crayons and paper to look at and observe or give a whirl with whenever Annabelle and I are coloring, etc. Levi doesn’t always pay attention, but I’ve noticed that if on a weekend, I skip storytime with him before nap, he notices the change in our routine. He mostly crawls around, laughs, and pulls books down off the shelf when I read to him and his sister, but it seems he gets something from it by just being present.
i love the pictures, tell levi enough with the growing up already!! you look gorgeous! i love the hairdo hawk on levi and i especially love the one of annabelle hugging him, missing you sooooooooooooo much!!! love and hugs and kisses to all of you! love mama
Jessica Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Thank you Mom, :-) I miss you too! I hope you’re having fun this weekend. And yes, Levi is growing up too too fast. If I could stop time and have him be 10 months, oh, I just love this age. Then again, there’s something that I’ve loved about all the ages. Annabelle is such a sweety these days. We need to see you guys soon!
There’s no heat where I am. Which is sort of sad, given that it’s summer. Oppressive heat isn’t fun, but a LITTLE heat is called for.
I love that you’re doing some learning activities. I really think that I need to get a better routine here. Especially now that my daughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Some kind of day-to-day rhythm would probably smooth things a lot.
Jessica Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Amber, I have heard that age 5 is so much fun! I love learning with Annabelle. She is so wise and so curious. And I even love doing the preschool-ish activities with her like coloring print outs of bugs and doing cut and paste.
As for your cool summer, there’s always the indoor pools at community centers, right? I’m already thinking about taking my kids to the pool this winter so that they continue to enjoy being in the water. They both showed great hesitation at the beginning of the summer, with going into the water, but after a few visits, we can’t get them to get out and come home, lol.
i think there’s a crysalis under our play cube – email me if you’re up for a playdate – E has swimming MWF till 10 & I have a camp drop @ 1, & we’re booked thurs AM, but we’re open T, W, F
Emma
Emma, we’d love to! I’ll message you with a good time. Oh, and Annabelle found her first caterpillar of the season yesterday! Hooray!
Comments on this entry are closed.