Learning Triumphantly

Musa continues to work hard on his recorder lessons. He is struggling a little with understanding how to read music but everyday he seems to grasp more. He can play Mary had a Little Lamb and Hot Crossed Buns. He continues to enjoy his teacher. He has memorized his lines for the play in which he will be a donkey. (There are many things I could insert here about why I think he will make a great donkey, but I will resist the urge :)  His lines:

"I have heard of that. They say He'll will come triumphantly through the streets on the back of a young donkey."

He has them down well. He is very nervous about the play, but also very excited.

Retta continues to be relieved that she stepped aside. She takes her toys and art supplies with her and stays busy while Musa practices. She gets to spend time with her friend Kayla, which always makes her happy. She knows all the songs of the play by heart and also knew Musa's lines before he did, but is just to terrified to be in front of people. So she watches comfortably from the sidelines.

Finishing Old and Starting New

We have been busy. We devoted the weekend to leaf removal. We blew leaves, we raked leaves...Retta carried buckets of leaves....we blew more. I am not sure we accomplished anything. This is the price we pay for living in the woods. I always question our decision this time of year. Oh well, all in all it is a small price we pay for the paece and solitude we enjoy.

We have spent the last several days finishing up some old projects. Musa and Dad have been working on his PowerPoint project of his werewolf research. I have been going through paper and projects and getting things filed away.  We have also been planning what gifts we are going to make for family for Christmas. I think the decisions have been made and the kids came up with some great stuff. Retta is working on some weaving projects and fabric braiding, and she is planning on making some small baskets. Musa is working on some cool bead projects. I am sure the gift reciepients will be pleased.

We start our vacation on the 15th of this month. Since we school all year around, we take our big break at Christmas time. We won't officially start "school" again until January. I am reading more and more about unschooling and am leaning heavily in that direction. Maybe by the 1st of the year I will have made the transition.

 

Rainy Day Blues

Pouring down rain today.  Just did light activities. The kids played with their felt shapes, making different pictures. They were gigling and having a great time. Caught up on a few math lessons and Musa started planning his independent project for November.

Took a rain soaked trip to the library and hung out for awhile. I always enjoy watching the kids pick out their books. Always something new. Musa continues to show interest in history, especially American history. I am thinking of bailing on the choosen curriculum this year and jump into American History. The joy of homeschooling. We can think for ourselves!!!

Grieving but still learning

Great learning going on here today. No need for curriculum. Topics included...Winning vs. Losing. Democracy. Hope. Spirit. Dealing with Loss. What's at Stake. Heroes. Opinions. Dissention being the purest form of Patriotism. Licking Wounds. Hope. Strength. Rest. Perseverance.

It was a hard day. But a learning day. A resting day.

Out of the mouth of children comes simple wisdom sometimes:

Retta and I were resting on my bed this afternoon and I said, "Retta I just don't get it, we worked so hard, we did so much, what went wrong. She sat up, thought for a minute and said: "Next time we need to yell louder and make our signs bigger."

And so we will................................................  

ELECTION DAY

IT IS NO SECRET.....THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC HOUSEHOLD. WE ARE SOOOO ANXIOUS. MUSA HAS HIS STATE MAP READY TO COLOR THE STATES AS THEY REVEAL THIS EVENING.

Our mantra today: WE WILL PREVAIL. WE WILL TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY.

In our house the election and politics are very much a part of our school day. Retta has been busy counting Bush and Kerry signs as we drive. Musa has learned much about democracy and has asked many good questions about how other countries run their governments. He is very excited to work on his map tonight. This past year he has participated in protest marches, helped host a moveon.org party, and held up signs and candles at a candelight vigil we had for the soldiers that have died. It has been a very active year and a lot of great learning opportunities at our fingertips. He has also learned about conflict resolution and debating principles.

We are planning a picnic type dinner in front of the TV tonight. Let's hope it is not an all nighter!!

 

PineConeClubhouse

We decided to explore the woods of our property for the first time. The kids packed their backpacks with what the felt were the necessities. Water, crackers, magnifying glasses, a mini recorder, camera, ribbon to mark the trail, collection containers.

The quest had several parts. We were looking for unusual flora and fauna that we have not seen in our yard...(Are the woods different from our yard?)....We were also looking for different types of fungi...(Retta is fascinated by them)...and probably the most important...searching for the perfect location to build a clubhouse.

We were successfull on all three counts. We some unusual ferns that we have never seen before. We found some beautiful mushrooms, and we found the perfect place to make a secret clubhouse. We will be sure to journal the continuing saga of progress in building the clubhouse.

Halloween

The kids had a great time on Sunday.  We started the Halloween adventure by going to our local Vounteer Fire Station and doing the annual, "Drive thru fright nite." They roll the trucks out and decorate the fire station as a very haunted house. You roll down the windows and drive thru. Numerous scary creatures jump up into the windows and scare you. It was hilarious. I was more scared than Retta.

We then went trick or treating in our subdivision. The folks really get into it with graveyards in their yards and lots of fog machines. It really is a blast.

Musa looked so scary in his costume. At his age it is clear that the scariest and most bloody costumes are the thing. For Retta being a nice kitty cat was still okay.

Everyone needs to say a little prayer as I will spend the next couple of weeks dealing with small children on sugar highs!