Some Fun Things We've Done Recently - Feb. 21, 2011

I haven't posted anything along these lines for awhile because my creativity with hands-on projects has been put on hold for a bit now that the baby has learned to crawl.  Our fun stuff has turned into reading lots of books and coloring or drawing pictures to put in our portfolios and playing lots of games.

We've read so many fun books recently, it would be impossible to list them all here, so I've tried to pick our top 10:

What's in Our CD Player - Feb. 21, 2011

Here are some of the CD's that have been a favorite at our house over the past week or two:

 

These two Cd's are part of the Classical Kids collection and are two of the most-listened-to CD's at our house.  Fun stories and classical music introduce kids to the composer's music and give some background information on their lives.

This one keeps the whole family entertained.  We've had the flu go through our house, and this was a favorite for passing the time while recovering on the couch.

Another sick-day pick.  Although the holidays are long over, we keep this CD around because it is wonderful for relaxing to on a snowy day.


Mom's pick for a sick day.  I love the music and it inevitably puts the kids to sleep.



Just for fun!  I generally find nonsense lyrics annoying, but this one has such great, catchy tunes I can't help but like it.  The kids love this CD and often check it out of the library for road trips because it is so much fun to sing along to...and Mom and Dad can't help but join in!

Changes for the New Year

After not really blogging for what seems like a LONG time, I feel as if I should come up with something profound.  But when it comes down to it, when I read homeschooling blogs, I don't necessarily look for profound.  I simply enjoy hearing what everyone is doing.  So, if you are looking for words of wit and wisdom read no further.  For the rest of you...

Back Online

Dear Computer,

I missed you when your hard drive crashed.  Life just isn't as much fun without my email, facebook, or blog to write.  I missed my cyber friends and their blogs.  I missed printing out worksheets from online and I missed being able to order library books online.  I'm so glad your back, up, and running.

I didn't, however, miss my kids often bemoaning the fact that they used their weekly computer time early on in the week and didn't have any left over.  I didn't miss the movies we watch on you since our dvd player broke.  I didn't even miss the news, which I read on MSNBC due to the fact that we have no tv.  In fact, I rather enjoyed being completely clueless over the holidays.  One could almost pretend that life revolved only around the happy family times we enjoyed and that the rest of the world really didn't affect us.

Your arrival is met with mixed feelings.  All in all, though, I'm glad you're back.  If only I didn't have to tell the kids....

Sincerely,
A Reluctant Fan

Thanksgiving Break and the (Sort-Of, but Not Really) Case for Unschooling

Dentist appointments, well-child visits, and cleaning out closets all seem to get pushed aside in the busyness of life.  So, we (sort of) called off school for two weeks, scheduled doctor visits, let the kids run wild and free, and I tried to get caught up on domestic duties.  And, I have once again, been forced to give heed to that little voice in the back of my head that occasionally whispers the idea that perhaps unschooling is not as bad as I have made it out to be.

A Backpacking Analogy

I was standing at the top of the stairs, baby hanging from one hip, a basket of laundry hanging from the other.  Downstairs my six year old was sobbing over a math worksheet gone awry while my four year old lay on the toy-room floor screaming, "I don't care if you never let me out of here. I'm NOT going to clean this mess up!"  The crockpot was on, but only half of dinner's ingredients had made their way into the pot and, at close to noon, I still hadn't brushed my teeth.

What's in Our CD Player

1. Smart Symphonies:  a little something for the baby from Enfamil with the claim that the chosen classical music pieces will "stimulate your baby's brain development".  Not sure about the brain development thing, but it is calming and my older kids enjoy trying to beat each other to identifying the composer of each piece.
2. The Power of One by Israel Houghton:  recommended by a friend, but not particularly my style of music.  The kids love it though and it gets them dancing and acting goofy in the living when it is too cold or late to go outside.
3. Spanish Bop:  Put out by Children's Music World, this collection entertains the kids with Spanish and English versions of songs.  Although Spanish is not one of our official "classes" this year, I try to keep some Spanish CDs and storybooks around as an informal introduction to the language.
4. Mr. Bach Comes to Call:  a title in the classical kids collection that includes lots of factual information about Mr. Bach told in a fictional story that my kids LOVE.  It also includes portions of several of Bach's popular pieces.  My kids are big fans of anything in the Classical Kids collection.
5. Offerings by Third Day:  a little something for Mom when all chaos breaks loose and I just need to throw back my head, sing, and remember that my hope is in Him!