We started school two weeks ago already. It has been a really good two weeks, in spite of the fact that I didn't realize that my oldest would be as interested in the Olympics as he is. Consequently, I've lessened the requirements for school for the two weeks of the Olympics, since learning about other countries and many sports that we don't usually have contact with are educational; I think we are doing well. We record the night events and watch them in the afternoon the next day, after watching the morning events.
I am so glad that I decided to put art/crafts in my 11yodd's schedule this year. In previous years the art was just sketching/rough drawing, this year I decided to put in crafts and other arts. I purchased a stamped cross stitch kit for her. It wanted this so that she could learn the stitching and not be worried about counting.
When I was a teen, I had a printed cross stitch piece that I ended up making a pillow out of. It is a small pillow but my dd has it in her room and has talked about it recently. So, I'm glad to get her something that she can have to make that she can keep. Then I got her a very simple counted cross stitch butterfly pattern kit for her to do. It should be an easy transition for her.
The final thing I got her to begin our year was a latch hook rug kit of a Labrador puppy. It is really darling, not cheesy looking at all. This particular kit has the pattern in the directions, so there is no guessing about which color is supposed to go where, like I had to do when I was a teen. We started this kit on Thursday morning and she loves it. We've talked about finding patterns for things her relatives might like for Christmas gifts. This brought such joy to her; I'm so glad that I got these for her. Of course, she is eager to try the cross stitch too, but I'm holding her off for a few more days.
I mentioned before that past art has only been drawing and sketching, but this year we will also be doing some painting. I love One Stroke Painting with Donna Dewberry, even though I don't do it often. By putting art in Tiffany's schedule this year, I'm essentially putting it in MY schedule too, which is a good thing. I get so busy doing so many other things that I don't take time to paint. I guess I would probably pull out cross stitch, crochet, or other hand crafts quicker because it doesn't create as big a mess or involve as much when setting up or putting away. I haven't done these activities in years and am enjoying sharing them with Tiffany and even feeling the desire to do some myself, once again.
We will probably also experiment with oil pastels, which I bought several years ago, and watercolor pencils too. We may even look into doing some beading, since I saw it on another blog I like to visit. Her blog is http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jaminacema/ Just Call Me Jamin.
Well, I gotta run and get dinner in the oven as DH is on his way home.
(Me and my dd, Tiffany on an easy to climb tree limb on vacation in VA in 2007.) These are my ramblings on homeschooling and whatever else comes to mind.
Counting Down
We are starting school, so it's time to look forward to the holidays!
