Where have all the photos gone?

I can't believe how remiss I have been about posting pictures. Prepare to be blasted with them...

We go through a lot (and I mean a lot) of bread in our house during the week. I got bold a while back and started baking some myself. To be totally honest, they were like bricks, but my wonderful family cheerfully choked them down. Well, I have graduated from bricks and am now making a decidedly unbricklike challah. Who knew that I could do that, right? I am very proud. So proud in fact, that I took a picture of it. So, two loaves a week now. It really is fun to make. I found the recipe in this great book from our book store. I want to cook everything in it. Well, 90% of everything.

News from the homeschool front. Today at co-op we made trees by tracing our hand and forearm on brown construction paper, cutting it out, gluing it to another sheet of paper and sponge painting leaves on top. Cool project! It kept a room of 2-3 year olds happy for 35 minutes. I have to say that I loved that little one didn't just tap tap tap with her sponge like she was taught. She tried that, then she realized that she is more of a smear it kind of girl. So smear she did.

I think it looks fantastic and very her.

Co-op is in a church down the road from our house. It is a great space with tons of room for all of the kids. The only (very minor) issue is the cold cold basement floor. So, today I finished a little cushion for little one to sit on. I used scraps from the banner I made for her 3rd birthday. I am really happy with how it turned out. So is little one. She has decided it is the homeschool pillow, the book pillow, the doll blanket, and her flag. Heehee. It's nice to be appreciated!

Painting with her toes and homeschool

When did my 3 year old become so busy? We just had our first full week of classes...She goes to this incredible program at our local museum. On the second day they did slip and slide with paint. So, yeh, the clothes are looking rough, but she's having a blast. Also, today marked our first homeschool co-op day. My guess is that once we all figure out what we are doing, things will get a bit less...er....chaotic. But it was fun. It is close by, so little one and I can walk there in the morning. It is a good way to wake up and get our brains in gear before we start thinking. The moon was out this morning and we chatted about that the whole way there. Little one told me that it was the morning-time moon and that morning time moons don't sleep. The night time moon sleeps. Why not? I love to hear her ideas. We learned about the letter A, and about imaginations and how much fun it is to make clay snowmen in the very end of summer. There were two wonderful school moments today. When we first arrived, this very sweet 10 year old came over, introduced herself to my little one, asked her name and how old she was, then said, "It's nice to meet you. Lets take you over so that you can meet the other kids." Wow. So confident and kind. The other moment happened at the end of our co-op day. We were sitting outside in the grass and Annie (the mom/teacher for that class) had her accordion out. A group of about 10 girls (including mine) ranging in age from 2.5 to 14 were in a circle around her. They were all singing songs in french -- cool breezes blowing with the smells of fall, sweet little voices, and an accordion. Did that really happen? It was just such a fun and interesting way to end our first day. I have to say, the one thing I noticed about all of the girl was their confidence in their abilities. No one was shy to say that they knew something or that they were good at something. None of the girls thought that to be accepted she had to downplay her smarts. It was just a group of 10 very kind, very self assured, very unique kids. They all had their own style and were comfortable in who they were. Even though some were older and some were still very young, everyone was respectful of everyone else. I know that this is the environment I want my daughter to grow and learn in. I want to give her that kind of power in her own identity. Yea Homeschool!