Past Two Weeks Thrown Off

Ending the third week, I'm looking back over the past two weeks. I feel like we didn't accomplish as much as we should have. Last week Drew's sisters visited, which was nice and I was able to do things with Emma for learning, but it wasn't our routine, so it felt off. This week, we were driving home from my parents house on Monday and I had my wisdom teeth out on Tuesday. Drew was able to stay home Tuesday and Wednesday, thankfully, and work with the kids, but again not our routine. 

Some learning time included, painting, going to the zoo, Bible time, social skills, reading, writing, math and riding bikes. It sounds like we did a lot but not as much as I would have liked. Thankfully, we did get ahead of schedule in the first week which helped to be more relaxed these past 2 weeks. 

Playing a math game.

Looking for rocks and shells at Presque Isle.

Bonus Picture. I just love it!

Socializing with a friend at the park.

Riding her "new" bike at Grandma and Grandpa's.
They bought it for only $3.54.
We took the pedals off so that she could ride it like a balance bike.
So far so good. She's getting the hang of balancing.

Emma's only spill. She got back up and tried again right away. 

Success! Once she gets used to the balance we'll put the pedals back on for her to learn how to pedal as well. 

Riding bikes at home. Now they each have their own. Hannah's bike is not pictured. Benjamin has 2 bikes now.
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for sending the bikes home with us. They are very happy!

Cleaning, Zoo and Book Store

I'm not suggesting that cleanliness is next to Godliness, but if it were, the kids received a dual lesson in home-economics and spirituality. Look at that kitchen!

Hannah, Benjamin, and I made a pilgrimage to the kiddy holy land: the zoo. Upon arrival we quickly gobbled up a "Please, get them out of here" perpetual pass.

While Hannah and Benjamin were having a staring contest with a donkey, Emma and Mommy were off purchasing books. Three were read within hours of being home. The final one is in process. While these may not be pieces of the great literature canon, I consider them to be excellent primers for standardized testing: Which of the following doesn't belong in the group: Robins, Dinosaurs, Seals, or Pixies? (This question qualifies because it is multiple choice and horrible.)

"Technology is Marvelous, Nature is Miraculous."

Step 1: Hands On Craft

Benjamin learned how to do the basic acts of pushing and pulling a needle through cloth. I learned that plastic sewing needles still hurt when they pierce the skin.

Step 2: Drive 1.25 hours to a museum

The "Lloyd Wright" room at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute bears a striking resemblance to my imaginary study...

Step 3: Drive to a Living Museum

At the Jamestown Audubon Society Nature Center, Emma found something that has yet to be cataloged by science, and can only be reconciled by faith in God.

Step 4: Conduct Summative Assessment

Proof of Success.

Euthanize at Five

...written by Drew

Upon rising in the early morn, Emma was greeted with the ever present need to expand her vocabulary through a "seek and find." Now, I am no Captain Worksheet, but as Emma chose this from a dozen resources on the table, I wasn't about to steer her interests in another direction. In many ways the S&F provided a nice leisurely stroll to the morning activities. The other benefit was that nothing was lost by us both being distracted by the birds on the other side of the glass.

At some point in the day we took up a "Mini Page" with the topic of Animal Shelters. Although saddened by the prospect of animals being abused and/or abandoned by their owners, Emma handled the idea of euthanization fairly well. She immediately equated an animal being killed in this way to the passing of the only dog which she has known well, the pup of my youth (12-27), Kaya. Perhaps allowing her to watch Planet Earth dozens of times has numbed her to animal death. If nothing else, having to address the topic did make me wonder, "Is five years old too young to be exposed to the idea that millions of animals are killed by shelters every year?"

Other activities for the day included trips to the consignment store, JoAnn's (Fabric Store),
Walmart, the local park to play some t-ball, and then evening bathtub painting (what a mess.)

Birds of a Feather

...written by Drew

An American Kestrel and a Barred Owl. I'm letting you know that up front to avoid the inevitable awkward pause between your initial glance and the time it takes for you to realize that you don't know what was painted. I'm not critiquing the painting skills of my 28/5/3 year old artists in residence. I'm simply preemptively educating. That's my line, and I'm sticking to it.

Tonight Benjamin and I went to Walmart for the explicit purpose of getting cheese and getting out. While neither of us typically enjoy time spent perusing the shelves of a store, this time was different because it was just the guys going out and we could be our manly selves without apology. We did our best to spend an inordinate amount of time in the tools and DIY aisles. Our initial thought was to "build something." Unfortunately, due to economic conditions being what they are, I wasn't willing to commit the financial resources necessary to constructing a masterpiece of ingenuity. We did however find light switch covers for 47cents.

Unfortunately, the Joycian stream that brought us from light switch covers to painting birds, was not recorded for posterity.

Emma chose the American Kestrel. Benjamin chose the Barred Owl. I chose the Canon T1i - paint isn't my best medium. Upon reflection, I am wondering if there is some psychological profiling that can be done to investigate why my children both chose birds of prey. Early exposure to Star Trek perhaps?

Would you call this an "art project?" I somehow think that Roger Tory Peterson would cringe at such a suggestion. It is nature, art, science, creativity, exploration, and enjoyment. When does it stop being a tool of learning?