Blast...



My sister turns 30 today! 

(Here we are circa 1982 ish.)

Happy Birthday to the best little sister ever.  I love you!



Learning

I was thinking I'd try to give a little glimpse into our homeschooling life every once in a while.  Maybe once a month or so.  (and also to keep a record of how this is all working out) We are still really enjoying this path and I'm so thankful for some really supportive HS friends.  (You know who you are.)

Here's what learning looks like around here...

I place great value on creativity and imagination!  I think they are building blocks for thinking "outside the box" as problem solving adults.  So here they are having free creative play.  They were camping.  I have to say, I was impressed with how thorough they were with everything. 

They had bedding, a kitchen area set up (complete with food), a dog, and a campfire.  They even used a rack (the kind you cool cookies on) to cook over the fire. 

Fisher was even able to use the sewing machine for the first time.  I was driving the foot pedal.  You've got to start somewhere.

Hand stitching the pillow front and back together.  He also stuffed it himself.  AND added lavendar.  All his idea.

Little sister's first try at needle felting.  At two years old!  She did great.

Our favorite ways to learn involve two things.  1)  Dad   2)  Being outside.  This is usually what our weekend looks like.  Here we are at James' job site.  He had found a vein with crystals in it the week before.  So we took off to Gunnison and got to learn all about layers of rock and the very basics of how crystals are formed.  The boys even jumped in an excavator and dug out some of those layers to see what else they could see.  Who gets to do that on a Saturday?  

Finding a vein with crystals in it.

Giving those crystals a good inspection once back home and talking about what we observe.

And finally just being super silly.  This may be my new favorite picture of this boy!  Makes me laugh every time.

There you have it.  A little peek into what we do around here.  I can't stress enough what a good fit this seems to be.  We are ALL learning so much about life, each other, and the world.  It's exciting!

Love,
JKFP

The Big 6



 

We had a pretty big deal happening around here not too long ago. My big kid turned 6. I know! I can hardly believe it myself. It's so strange to say...my oldest is six. He's growing like a weed. It seems like his feet especially are bigger from one day to the next. He's dancing all over that line between being a "little kid" and being a "big kid". There are still things that he's afraid of (though that list shrinks every day) and then there are times when he reminds me (or makes me realize for the first time) that he can handle it!  It is such a joy to witness this "line dance" of sorts and let him come into his own. 

On the day of his actual birthday we went bowling.  Dad was in Gunnison working, so Nana and I took the kids.  (there were also about a hundred seniors having their bowling league morning too.)  He LOVES bowling. 

(super blurry because he just could NOT stand still)

 

How cute is this one?  Helping his sister with her turn.

That evening we went over to Nana's for pizza and cake. 

 (Fisher and his Grandpa Hank lighting the candles.)

Can you stand it?  I'm pretty sure this is the moment when the wish is formed.

Nana and her youngest grandkids.

We naturally decided to continue the celebration.  We like to stretch things out around here.  So when James came home over the weekend we did just that.  After much deliberation (we were going to have a party - but then we decided not to - and back and forth a couple more times) Fisher decided on a day at Santa's Land.  Yes, you've seen it before.  It was part of Fisherpalooza last year and I think we decided he's been there every year at least once since he was about a month old.  We have great memories from this place.  It can always be counted on for a fun day.  And fun we had!

The first ride of the day!

Piper is still the reigning daredevil champion.  I'm in SO much trouble with this one.  This is her second go on this ride.  Notice she's in the VERY LAST ROW!  And yes, she'll throw her arms up and hoot and holler.  She also tells you that her "tummy is freaking out".  She get's it from her Bella.  (My mom is a big ride rider.)

Mommy, this is so fun!

The boats are always a favorite.

So are snow cones.

No day at Santa's Land is complete without half an hour in the arcade.

His first year being tall enough to go down the big slide on his own!

A freaky flash to ten years in the future?

 

Little sis was in rare form.  (Well it's not that rare.) Come on Piper, smile pretty.

If you can't beat em...

This ride is always our last one!  It's such a great way to finish off a great day.

 

It was such a fun day!  We are insanely lucky to have this big kid in our lives.  (and to get to share him with all of you!)  We love you bunches Fisher!

 

Love,

JKFP

Homeschooling: Week One

It took about thirty minutes Monday morning for me to realize that we LOVE homeschooling.  By Friday, I knew I wanted to do some tweaking.  Here's what I learned...

1)  My kids are wicked smart.  Both of them.  (And Piper HAD to be included in the schooling.)

2)  Sometimes, work is better in the floor.

 

3)  They love learning outside and in an interest-led sort of way.

(look way into the crack and you can see Piper.  But just barely.) 

 

4)  I think we're going to slow this pace down a little.  It became clear by about Thursday that if we kept up this pace Fisher would be doing 4th grade work by the end of the year.  While he's accomplishing every task I give him, I think he was burned out by about Wednesday.  Behavior went to crap and we had lots of frustration.  I'm pretty sure I placed WAY too much importance on worksheets and not enough on being outside and story time.  While we still did those things, the balance just seemed off.  He's only 5 (almost 6!) after all.  This is kindergarten and most of the work he's doing is first grade.  (because he basically "tested out" of the kindergarten level.)  He (and his behavior) thrived during playtime while pretending and having fun.  I think we're going to change it up a little this week and see how it goes.  More time in the woods, more time crafting, more stories, even a story table/puppet show kind of thing. 

(Doing math.  The candle helps with his concentration and he loves it!)

 

(making salt dough veggies for our toy farm)

 

(painting them)

 

5)  He also thrived during the times HE read to me.  He is probably close to first grade level with reading and he loves it.  He's drinking in new words like water (or maybe even apple juice) and he's amazing.  So I think we'll continue with the reading pace until he needs to slow down.  I feel if he has a strong reading foundation he can learn, by reading for himself, about ANYTHING he becomes interested in.

That's really the beauty of this homeschool thing.  The flexibility of it all.  What works one week may not work the next...and that's okay.  One thing is for sure, these kids are awesome and definitely learning a LOT. 

We're at the beginning of an amazing adventure and loving every second so far.  We are officially homeschoolers and proud of it!

Love,
JKFP

***p.s.  Some of you are probably wondering about James and what he's up to.  He does have overseas work lined up but it doesn't start right away.  For now, he's working for a friend of ours in Gunnison until that starts up again.  Which should be sometime in the next month or so.  You know me, I'll let you know as soon as I know for sure.  AND we get to see him every weekend which we totally love!