Happily Domestic

Free Black Cat

Super quick version:

sister to brother potty instruction
Open gym
lunch
slips and ladders
nap/game/workout
popsicle time
cutting tissue/contact paper/sun-catcher thingy
sesame street
dinner
books

Just Wed.

I missed yesterday! oops.
Yesterday the weather didn't cooperate with our outdoor plans.  We did squeeze in a walk and did the shadow drawings again.We got some art supplies and did 'Chickalay' for dinner.. kids-for-free night, yay! Ben got us a rain gauge and outdoor thermometer.  We already stuck the rain gauge out there this morning and it has rained all day. This morning we went to storytime cinema at the Library and got some weather-y books. Annie and I played games and read books during Charlie's nap, then she played on the computer for a bit.  Skipped yoga today.. maybe I'll do it after they go to bed. They just had 'popsicle time'.. afternoon coffee time for me.  

Thought this was funny: outdated excuses for why you could never homeschool:

“I could not stand to spend that much time with my kids.” Fine, send them to their rooms, and then Facebook friend-request them, and message their lessons to them. No face to face contact needed. They can chat with you when they need individual help, and message back or post photos and videos of their work. 
(not really applicable to preschoolers, but funny anyway)

Daily blurb

Since today is the first day of school here, seems like a good time to start writing a quick daily blurb about what we're doing. I'll be keeping a portfolio once this starts 'for real', so this is good practice.

What we did today:

math-y cartoons with breakfast
read several books
Annie drew a picture of grandpa and wrote his name: Pops
went to music class
lunch at home with Daddy
Charlie: nap, Annie: computer games (me: p90x)
Annie: copied shadow with chalk outside to check later but it rained, practiced cutting paper, then we played Go Fish
everybody: shadow play with the flashlight
baked some cookies.. they were into it about halfway through
dress up time

Thoughts on homeschooling

When I tell people that I'm going to homeschool I often get an, "oh wow, I could never do that" or something that implies that what I'm doing is going to be incredibly difficult (and what do I know, I haven't really started yet). But why do I feel like I'm the one stepping off the crazy track?  Even for preschool there is always pressure to be involved.. there is always a fundraiser or party to prepare for.  I always felt like the slacker mom, but I'm thinking, "I take them there for a break!".  All of that on top of the driving.. the two days I sent them to school I felt like I was in the car the whole day.  Drive them there, drive to run errands or come home for a bit, then drive back.. add in any extras like dance class or playdates and it gets crazy quickly.  Next year I'd be doing it every day, then add in increasingly elaborate birthday parties on the weekend, and in kindergarten there'd be homework to do when we get home, etc.  (Yes! in kindergarten!) It seems like the school stuff can get accomplished at home in a fraction of the time, and we'll all have some time to breathe a bit, and still get to do the dance or music classes without feeling stretched too thin.  I think especially with a little faith in their curiosity and the courage to chill out a bit, I think this will be the much more enjoyable path.

Its hot.

Painting with hot wax in an un-airconditioned garage not so much appealing to me right now.. perhaps I should try watercolor or gouache for a while.  I like these little acrylic paintings: Mara Caffarone 

Have you seen The 10 Most Important Artists of Today?  Hmm.. maybe some of what these folks are doing is interesting social commentary.. maybe.  But if what they're doing is Art (capital A), then I don't think I'm an Artist. Artisan maybe? Craftsperson?  I think I'm okay with that.  

update

Paintings:

I can't believe how long it's been.. Annie turned 4, Charlie broke his leg, got better, then he turned 2.  Things are settling down now, one more day of preschool to go, then we're officially homeschoolers.  (Not really officially until Annie is 6, but for me its official)  For a while I think we'll be chilling in the AC taking it easy.  Its hot out there!  

new stuff

 

 

What I've been up to

Good points about art-world think: http://www.twocoatsofpaint.com/2010/12/christopher-k.html