PrairieFrog Blog - Homeschool Blogger

Daybook: Monday November 16th, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:09:00 -0600

Outside my window… the sun is low in the sky, casting a beautiful light over the snow-covered fields.

From the learning rooms… we are wrapping up a Tapestry unit this week and preparing for a week off as we enjoy Ken's vacation days!

I am thankful for… Ken having two weeks home and my restored health!

From the kitchen…. a pan of water begins to boil on the stove--we'll have spaghetti for dinner

I am hearing... the washer and dryer running, pages turning as the girls read from the book baskets.

I am wearing … a white blouse and a windowpane denim jumper with a long 50's circle-style skirt.

I am reading… Goodness and Mercy by Esther Davison

I am creating… another flannel petticoat. I think this winter is gonna be cold!

I am praying… to be faithful in the small things, daily, hourly, and minute-by minute; for the big things are often just small things compounded.

Around the house… I'm finished with fall cleaning except for a few light fixtures. I hope to do those this week.

One of my favorite things… a cup of tea, a good book, a quiet evening and a gently glowing candle. (Ok, that wasn't one thing, but I like them all together.)

A few plans for the rest of the week… Ken's off this week and next. This week is a family work-week, next week is play!

A picture thought to share: Double Bubble Trouble

Back to basics

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:36:00 -0600

All my children are a bit prone to careless mistakes in their school work, but Kendra won the prize yesterday for the most extreme absent-minded error to date.

I'd just started to grade her math drill when I noticed she'd gotten the first question on the page wrong. Not the frist math problem, but rather the frist question on the page; the blank marked, "Name______________".

I would have understood if she'd forgotten to fill it in, but she answered--incorrectly.  In hasty Kendra-scrawl, she'd written, "Kaira."

She was surprised and bemused at herself when I pointed it out.  The only explanation she could think of was, "Well, it is a timed test, so I was in a hurry." She must have been hurried indeed to have forgotten her name!

I'll occasionally say the wrong name, but this is the first time one of the children has mistakenly called herself by a sibling name!

Throughout the day I've been sneaking up on her and giving a pop quiz, "Quick, what's your name?"   She usually even gets it right--at least when she can stop giggling long enough to answer.

Positive or Negative?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:40:00 -0600

This is an audience participation post. (Actually all my blog posts are!) I have a practical question at the end, but I can never simply and directly get to the point. I've got to ramble first and show pictures.

Speaking of pictures--have you ever noticed that photo negatives are rather disturbing? They have a disquieting way of turning familiar people and animalsinto freakish creatures with black cavernous mouths and spooky white eyes.

These particular shots were eerily fascinating to me in negative form:

(Fun tip for Photoshop users--converting a normal image to a photo-negative effect is as easy as pressing the "Control" key and "i" simultaneously. Just think "i" for invert.)

The "positive" of these pictures are less otherworldly and marine. (I live in Wyoming; marine life is otherworldly.) In fact the photos are commonplace, flat and the lighting was awful. These pictures were taken in the loft of our barn, not because I think they'd be interesting photographic subjects, but because I'm hopeful that others can help me identify them.

We are cautious going up to the barn loft these days, choosing cool days when the wasps will be sluggish. Attached to the door of the loft are the following homes.

Ok, so here's my question: what inhabits these dwellings? I'm pretty sure at least one of the types is a wasp nest. We'd like to evict our unwelcome waspish tenants, but we don't want to mistakenly vanquish any little honey bee friends.

In short, are they positive or negative?

Wordless Wednesday ~ Etch A Sketching

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:01:00 -0600

(Click here to view collage larger)

Party Post III: The Grand Event

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:48:00 -0600

Kaira was a very excited princess when the big day finally arrived. We were were joined by Lady Beverly, Sir Richard, the Bowman James, Lady Lorelle, the beautiful princess Kaitlyn, and the delightful jester Sirhc! The games were underway when the Royal executioner showed up, escorting a servant girl he had found fleeing the Manor of Lord S and Lady K.

The servant girl threw herself to the ground and begged the princess for mercy, and the executioner inquired what should be done with the servant, who was no doubt an accomplice in helping the Lord and Lady escape. Kaira looked upon the groveling servant girl in mercy and answered the executioner emphatically, "Let her have fun!"

And so, have fun we did. The games included a quest for the grail, tests of archery, musical chairs, and tiara and shield making. James the Bowman provided a demonstration of his skill, putting arrows through our bales with such force that we found broken shafts the next day! The Lady Lorelle even brought along her pet draglet, whom Kaira took to immediately.

Kaira's cousins attempted to present her with her very own prince, (who had journeyed all the way from Prague) but alas, her mischievous cousin, the wee jester Sirhc had enchanted the poor fellow and turned the Prague Prince into a Frog Prince. The counter enchantment required she recite "Prairie Frog Fairy Prince" seven times in succession before kissing him three times. (Seven plus three adding up to ten--her age, of course!) Poor Kaira failed to recite it properly each time, and he remained amphibious. Fortunately the fellow seems content to remain a pet. (She's too young for a real prince anyway, so I'm secretly relieved.)

"Kenneth O'Laughlan" read the Fools Prayer, and the wee jester Sirhc did a Sirhcus act for us! We feasted on shish kabob and raspberry cream filled cake.

I should have required a few guests stand still for a quick photo op. I didn't manage to capture my niece and nephew's beautiful costumes as fully as I'd like, and somehow the Lady Beverly managed to avoid the camera lens. I also neglected to capture my own wee knights, Sir Keegan and Sir Kieran before they shed their armor. (And, I was behind the camera instead of in front of it. Which is all very good and well.)

A good time was had by all! Huzzah!

Edited to add clarification regarding one of the couples pictured: Two separate bloggy friends emailed convinced that I was mistaken in declaring myself absent from the photos. Drawing my attention to the upper left of the collage, they pointed out that I was right there, next to my husband, Ken.

In the interest of autonomy, I should explain that the lovely lady in that photo isn't me, but rather my sister. Likewise the gentleman beside her isn't my husband but her own--Ken's younger brother. They are a cute couple, and especially since they are younger than their aging, older siblings, the confusion is considered a compliment. (Shhh... please just don't tell "the sibs" you mistook them for their Froggy northern relations....)

Party Post II: Attendants Respond

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:29:00 -0600

After mailing out the invitations, Kaira was delighted to see her courtiers respond. Here are a couple of the more interesting replies:

To the Attention of Princess Kaira,

It is my grievous duty to bring a matter of utmost importance to your attention. Reliable sources have informed me that the party invitees of (Lastname) Manor are planning to be late for the festivities. Such blatant disrespect for the royal Princess needs to be dealt with quickly and harshly to keep order in the kindgdom. Therefore, on the appointed date, I will personally apprehend the culprits and bring them in haste for you to make a ruling on their punishment. I pray this will not cause too much disruption in the roayl festivities.

Signed in my own hand

X

His Majesty's Royal Executioner

And a little later, from her Aunt:

Thank you, dear PrairieFrogs, for your delightful invitation.

Your unfortunate messenger, a drunkard no doubt, first delivered our summons to a dwelling two kingdoms away, the Court *Edinburgh.

However, the royal family there discovered the mistake and kindly hired a more reliable carrier to complete the letter's journey.

And so at last, we (Lastnames) of the Court *Capella did learn of the wondrous celebration to be held in honour of our beloved cousin, the Princess Kaira!

With great glee, we are preparing ourselves for the day. The wee jester Sirhc, the young princess Kaitlyn, the bowman James and I shall travel north at the appointed time to partake in the festivities!

With thanks and much affection,

~Lady Lorelle

(*Street names changed for the blogosphere)

Stay tuned: Photos and party recap next!

Party Post Part I: The Invitations

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:20:00 -0600

She sent invitations: sealed in wax, and delivered by national courior:

Most PrairieFrog birthdays are quiet affairs, with just our own little family. Every ten years, however, for the entire duration of their childhood, we'll treat each child to a party with other guests!

This year, as Kaira celebrated the completion of her first decade, we hosted our first such event!

I'll confess that the date gave me pause. Although we do give a nod to Reformation day, the 31st of October is typically just another day for us. We don't recognize the event our neighbors celebrate, or do any "alternatives". But, with Kaira's birthday falling on Sunday, the day prior became a perfect choice. (I think we've celebrated Ken's birthday on that date as well--He was born on October 29th--but it was a quiet family affair.) Hosting a costume party on the 31st was new for me!

Stay tuned, for the courtiers' responses!

Double Decker Week and a Decade Declared

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:57:00 -0600

My blogging has been sporadic lately. Last week consisted of beautiful snow storms that kept my sweetie home by my side. We were delightfully derailed by family time, and I was blissfully kept from the computer by snug, homey delights!

This week another phenomenon has kept me busy. Although we are typically home-bodies, it seems we've had more going on lately. When extreme weather shut down the city, last week became rescheduled to this week. This week, however insisted on continuing a forward march of its own, and the two are rather superimposed atop each other!

Busy as the week may be, an important update is in order! After pressing "post" on this blog entry, I will make a subtle but important change to my blog sidebar. Kaira's age requires updating! She refused to remain a nine year old, and has now accomplished a decade! She had lovely medieval-themed party which shall be blogged as soon as I finish sorting through pictures.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Story With Grandma

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:16:00 -0600

The Close of a War & New Inventions On the Coffee Table

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:15:00 -0500

The War Between the States draws to a close, and we look at a nation rebuilding with new inventions and enchanting literature.

Kaira's still working on her essay discussing whether the end justifies the means. (She told me she's taking a two pronged approach; discussing the topic generally, then more specifically as it pertains to unconstitutional moves President Lincoln took to preserve the union.) I'm fascinated to read what she's come up with when I glimpse her rough draft later this week.

Keegan's chuckling over Brer Rabbit, while Kendra and Keianna are thoroughly enjoying the Little House series. All the children have been oohing and aahing over the other coffee table selections. (And I've been nibbling at several of the titles myself!)