Firld Trip - Nature Rescue

We were able to take our children to a local nature preserve/rescue park. It was so much fun! We could see the animals up close (including a male peacock working it for the ladies - Lovely got a great lesson in what male birds, with all their color and dancing, do to attract a mate!).

New Art Class

Art is such an important part of learning. It is also a strength of Lovely's, and while we do our own home art studies, Lovely wants more, and other teachers in her life last year commented she needed more guidance and learning from a professional if we could do it. We enjoyed our 1st semester location (a drawing class), but I wanted a something more rounded, but nearby our home. We found the perfect place that opened at the start of the semester. The teacher is wonderful, we're supporting a local business and artist, and the location is perfect. I love her lesson plans and goals for the class. Lovely is THRIVING. 

Here Lovely poses with her teacher and her cave painting which was done on the wall.

This was their cave fire, where they learned how the earliest artists got their painting materials from ash, etc.

Her teacher is so accommodating. One of her class times worked best for me, but no one had signed up for it. Her teacher said "No problem! Lovely gets my undivided attention!" How awesome! In the last 2 weeks, another girl has joined this class time - but Lovely really enjoyed that special time, and still does with her new friend!

Ms. L's plan centers around either an artist, or type of art. They learn the history together, the characteristics of the art, the artist (if possible) and do an example of the art as the artist would have. Then, the children do their own version of the particular art or genre. It is fantastic! 

Though I love educating at home, I love being able to take Lovely to a place to get an education suited to her needs, skills, and challenge - something we just didn't have time for previously or could be given to her at school. I don't mind sharing the home educating job!!! :)

We've been learning - I promise!

Man - it has been a busy semester!I am so behind recording some of our activities here!  I'll do a catch up and then hopefully share some thoughts in the next few days on how our home educating days are shaping up (lots of changes from last semester).

First - a quick wrap up from December - the end of the semester. Below was Valiant's preschool Christmas show. She was so cute! Everyone did a great job!!

2 year old classes: Yes, the smallest 2 (mine) is next to the tallest 2 lol

After Val was done, the girls cuddled up for the rest of the show.

Happy Sisters! Both girls are wearing childhood outfits of mine!

And here are some pictures of the girls doing some of their Advent unit - like the Lenten Adventures:

And here is Lovely working on Christmas crafts - we used her home art time to make gifts for family:

and now....speaking of art - the next entry will be about our new art class!!

MLK Jr. Day

Intelligence plus Character is the
                         True Meaning of Education.

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Another great moment learning together...

The snow here may have shut down our city and closed county schools and work (though we still do educating around play dates in the snow!) but we love having Daddy home from work, and he is such a great help while we learn. He educates much more than he even knows.

Geometry and Recess...

...can NOT be more fun than this....

Using pattern blocks to make a caterpillar, cat, and dog.

Enjoying a snow day (rare here!)

Fun with great friends!

Love. Love. LOVE!

Second Semester

I write this on the eve of the second semester. Our two weeks off have been WONDERFUL. It is amazing how a break can renew and refresh, and my hat is off to the Advent unit we did in December. It came at the perfect time with our family being hit hard with illnesses and it eased our learning efforts while sick, and of course feeding our souls and minds! 

Between major illness and the balancing of craft making, present making, and learning, our poor learning room/dining room took a real hit:

I had noticed as the fall semester sped along, that our current educational storage was not cutting it. I was using our buffet, which provides great storage - but has very heavy drawers and bending over in a tight space was just not working day to day. I was becoming a "stacker" again in my organizational skills. Also, I got lazy with our learning materials, and frequently allowed myself and Lovely to just stick things in the corner, as demonstrated above. Over time, it just affects the environment. So, for Christmas, I decided to attack it, and I love the result!! Consider the top pics the "BEFORE". Here is the AFTER:

A CLEAN Corner (and yes....it is the same corner, obviously I rearranged the china cabinet and got rid of the high chair)....and....

a CLEAN Table.....

 All because of that new piece of furniture you see in the upper right corner - our new homeschool cabinet!

I LOVE it. I love that it displays and hides lol. I love how Lovely and I can access things better, which just inspires us more, and I love that I can both organize, and stack (hehe!) peacefully, and the cabinet is located in the room we call our learning 'home base'.

The buffet now stores additional materials, stockpiles, and supplies. 

Did I say I was excited??! Bring on the second semester and renewed excitement and purpose! I wish everyone a good start this week as many of us return to schooling.

Many blessings!! Merry Christmas still!!