Just thought I'd share LittleJ's sweet face with you. He loves his blueberries!!
"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Nature Study and Winter
I love the outdoors. As long as I can remember, I've always loved being outside and enjoying nature. When I was in college, and going through the Therapeutic Recreation program, I took an elective in environmental education. I loved it. Now as a family we spend time hiking, swimming, camping, and exploring wherever we can. 
I've always wanted to do more nature study in our homeschool, so this year I've decided to be more deliberate with it. I love this blog written by another nature lover and home school mom and I came across a book titled, Discovering Nature in Winter. It's filled with explanations as well as activities. And then I realized the author of the blog had a side link to this book. Perfect.
Last week did a Winter Color Walk in our backyard. There isn't much color here in winter, but this is what we found. 
It was nice to see the little bit of pink on the ground cover, but otherwise various shades of greens and browns was mostly what we found. The day we went out was during the recent thaw which gave reminders of spring, but we've got a long way to go before then. The next snow day I hope to do some snow experiments and see if we can make some prints of real snowflakes.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Library Book Sale
As a homeschooling mom, I find myself at the library all the time. Or so it seems. I love going through the sale shelf periodically when I'm there and last week I came home with some favorites. Some books I like for their illustrations and lovable characters, like Jan Brett's books. I love the Little House books for their warmth, and How To Make An Apple Pie and See The World is a great geography story used in the Five In A Row unit study curriculum that we've used periodically.
These are some other books I bought at the fall book sale in October--ALL for only $1.00!! I arrived at the sale late and didn't expect to find anything good, but I was pleasantly surprised. I found some great history books, some science books, and some poetry books, of which I don't have a lot. BigJ loves anything associated with the moon, so I was glad to find the Apollo 11 book.
My happiest find was this Crinkleroot book by Jim Arnosky. I love his illustrations and he has great nature study books for kids.
Now I need to put together a better system of organizing our personal library so I don't forget I have these books within arms reach. Then I can make fewer trips to the public library!
These are some other books I bought at the fall book sale in October--ALL for only $1.00!! I arrived at the sale late and didn't expect to find anything good, but I was pleasantly surprised. I found some great history books, some science books, and some poetry books, of which I don't have a lot. BigJ loves anything associated with the moon, so I was glad to find the Apollo 11 book.
My happiest find was this Crinkleroot book by Jim Arnosky. I love his illustrations and he has great nature study books for kids.
Now I need to put together a better system of organizing our personal library so I don't forget I have these books within arms reach. Then I can make fewer trips to the public library!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Glimpes of Winter at our House
We've gotten a little bit of snow this past week, probably a good 6 - 8 inches. It's been gray and cloudy all week though, so hopefully when the snow is done flying we'll see some sunshine.
The birds came looking to be fed this morning, but the feeder was empty. I had enough to fill the feeder half way and stuck around to take some pictures. A few came but didn't seem to like my presence.
Check out my squirrel catcher under the feeder? It's a simple and effective way to keep the squirrels from the bird seed. It's an empty popcorn tin- the kind they always have out at Christmas time. I painted it a glossy green to match my pole and mounted it underneath. The squirrel climbs the post and finds himself inside the can with no where to go but back down. It's worked every time and my bird seed is now strictly for the birds.
Happy Winter!!
The birds came looking to be fed this morning, but the feeder was empty. I had enough to fill the feeder half way and stuck around to take some pictures. A few came but didn't seem to like my presence.
Check out my squirrel catcher under the feeder? It's a simple and effective way to keep the squirrels from the bird seed. It's an empty popcorn tin- the kind they always have out at Christmas time. I painted it a glossy green to match my pole and mounted it underneath. The squirrel climbs the post and finds himself inside the can with no where to go but back down. It's worked every time and my bird seed is now strictly for the birds.
Happy Winter!!Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year 2010!
We finally got our first good, snowman makin' snowfall yesterday. My word for 2010 is JOY-- in life's daily challenges.
Happy New Year!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A Very Merry Christmas!
Christmas has been a whirlwind again this year. But among all the activities there was still time for sitting quietly by the lighted Christmas tree, looking at all the outdoor displays, and attending Christmas Eve service at church.
We had loads of fun as we did all the traditional things we like to do such as bake and decorate cut-out sugar cookies.
LittleJ sure liked putting on the sprinkles!
We always go out and cut our own tree and this year was no exception. Here we are hunting for the perfect tree.
Where, oh where, has our Christmas tree gone. Where, oh where can it be?
We ended up back at the barn without a tree (all the scotch pines were way too plump), but had some wonderful hot chocolate and popcorn. We left the tree farm empty handed and ended up getting one already cut at a nursery. It looks just as good and we still had a great time.
BigJ was a shepherd in the homeschool co-op Christmas program.
LittleJ sure liked putting on the sprinkles!
We always go out and cut our own tree and this year was no exception. Here we are hunting for the perfect tree.
Where, oh where, has our Christmas tree gone. Where, oh where can it be?
We ended up back at the barn without a tree (all the scotch pines were way too plump), but had some wonderful hot chocolate and popcorn. We left the tree farm empty handed and ended up getting one already cut at a nursery. It looks just as good and we still had a great time.
BigJ was a shepherd in the homeschool co-op Christmas program.
And LittleE was a camel in the stable for the co-op youth drama. 
On Christmas morning we opened our gifts to each other.
We also had gifts to open at grandma and papa's house.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
On Christmas morning we opened our gifts to each other.
We also had gifts to open at grandma and papa's house.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Final Candlelight Concert
St. Bernard's Church in Akron was a beautiful venue for the SCS Candlelight Concerts. They have been singing here for the past 16 years. The concert was performed by the Masterworks Choir, which is the adult choir of the Summit Choral Society, and the Touring Choir. They performed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening.
LittleA is in the front row, second from left.
We attended last night and they did a spectacular job!
LittleA is in the front row, second from left.We attended last night and they did a spectacular job!
They sang 3 pieces by themselves, as well as O Come All Ye Faithful, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Away In A Manger, and Silent Night with everyone. A beautiful concert!
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