Well it finally feels like summer here in Minnesota and today I remembered what we love about it. We spent the afternoon splashing in the pool and sweltering in the heat. It was nearly 90 and felt so warm - even Sirah climbed into her little blowup swimming pool to cool off while Rhiannon and Ciaran were splashing and sliding into their new deeper pool. All that was missing was those cheap terrible for you pop ices I remember growing up - Ill have to buy some tomorrow.
It was the perfect kind of summer day spent playing in the backyard, even the bugs seemed to cooperate today. I hope for many more beautiful summer days.
Peace,
Tenn
June 30, 2004
June 28, 2004
Little House in the Big Woods
Yesterday Serona and I decided another long drive was in order. Since our last one took us to South Dakota we decided Wisconsin was a good destination this time. I remembered that there was a historic landmark of Laura Ingalls Wilder's home in Wisconsin. So I did a quick google search and found the location in Pepin Wisconsin and that is where we headed on our Sunday drive. Here in Pepin we visited a replica of The Little House in the Big Woods. Rhiannon is going to explain her experiences.
I went to visit the little house on the prairie. I had so much fun. I went to a store, Mary and Laura store I bought a bell. I bought a wagon for my brother. We had a lot of fun. At the house we got to see the shed, the bathroom (it was outside) and the inside of the house. We got to go in the house. I saw most sadly the window was broken in one of the rooms.
I loved the little house on the prairie. I thought the house was bigger than I thought it would be. They had a fireplace where they would hang a pot. I saw deers in the shop. I saw a quilt that was actually laura's and saw fragile glass dolls that were only for decoration of Mary and Laura. I saw what their kitchen looked like at the museum.
I always always always so much wanted to see what their house looked like. My wish came true. I so loved it there. It made me think of my dreams. I knew it would be so good and fun when my dream came true. I always so longed, forever more I knew it was true. The end"
Well there you have it - straight from Rhiannon's mouth. It was a good time. We went to the house, a museum and a gift shop. Rhiannon was very excited and it was fun to see the shine in her eyes. Ciaran enjoyed it as well, he especially liked looking at things in the museum and running around outside.
Peace,
Tenn
UPDATE: Check out my Little House on the Prairie Lesson Plan and LHP resources.
I went to visit the little house on the prairie. I had so much fun. I went to a store, Mary and Laura store I bought a bell. I bought a wagon for my brother. We had a lot of fun. At the house we got to see the shed, the bathroom (it was outside) and the inside of the house. We got to go in the house. I saw most sadly the window was broken in one of the rooms.
I loved the little house on the prairie. I thought the house was bigger than I thought it would be. They had a fireplace where they would hang a pot. I saw deers in the shop. I saw a quilt that was actually laura's and saw fragile glass dolls that were only for decoration of Mary and Laura. I saw what their kitchen looked like at the museum.
I always always always so much wanted to see what their house looked like. My wish came true. I so loved it there. It made me think of my dreams. I knew it would be so good and fun when my dream came true. I always so longed, forever more I knew it was true. The end"
Well there you have it - straight from Rhiannon's mouth. It was a good time. We went to the house, a museum and a gift shop. Rhiannon was very excited and it was fun to see the shine in her eyes. Ciaran enjoyed it as well, he especially liked looking at things in the museum and running around outside.
Peace,
Tenn
UPDATE: Check out my Little House on the Prairie Lesson Plan and LHP resources.
Gmail account available
I've been beta testing google's new gmail for awhile and have a few invites available if anyone wants to try it out. So far I really enjoy gmail - and you can't beat the free space. I like their archiving system and even the way their ads arr presented. If interested let me know and I can pass on an invite.
Peace,
Tenn
Peace,
Tenn
June 24, 2004
Fort Snelling
Today we had a nice field trip. We headed over to the Historic Site at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis/St Paul. It was a fun trip and enjoyable for all. It was actually one I think I found more interesting than the kids. Well the kids really enjoyed it in the beginning but then I think it got more repetitive and boring for them. They were a bit young to fully understand everything - still they did have fun and enjoy learning about things.
We sat in a schoolroom with girls on one side and boys on the other and listened to someone dressed in full costume talk about life in 1827 and the fort. It was very interesting - the kids got to touch furs that would have been traded and see implements they would have traded for such a kettles, axes, and cloth. They talked about settlers and relations with Native Americans, they learned why they used barrels instead of boxes for shipping and how the rivers were the roads of the time.
Then we had open time to tour the fort and visit all the areas. We looked at the old barracks and learned that two people used to sleep in one barrack head to foot - to help save space and create warmth in the winter. The kids could not believe their bathrooms were porta potties in the same room.
We toured the captains house, the shops, watched them wash laundry and fire off muskets. We walked quickly through the exhibit halls and tried to focus on the actual real life examples. We watched a blacksmith working and visited the guard house. The kids put on the signs and ball and chains and went into the prison cells. I was surprised by them - they were an all stone room with just a floor and when the door was shut it was pitch black as there were no windows or light in there. I can not imagine what that must have been like.
People were dressed in clothing of the time and tried to use the language of the day as well. We learned a lot and had a good time doing it. I will definitely return there. We had a perfect day as well, it was high 60's with a breeze - almost chilly actually. Hard to believe it is June here in Minnesota.
Peace,
Tenn
We sat in a schoolroom with girls on one side and boys on the other and listened to someone dressed in full costume talk about life in 1827 and the fort. It was very interesting - the kids got to touch furs that would have been traded and see implements they would have traded for such a kettles, axes, and cloth. They talked about settlers and relations with Native Americans, they learned why they used barrels instead of boxes for shipping and how the rivers were the roads of the time.
Then we had open time to tour the fort and visit all the areas. We looked at the old barracks and learned that two people used to sleep in one barrack head to foot - to help save space and create warmth in the winter. The kids could not believe their bathrooms were porta potties in the same room.
We toured the captains house, the shops, watched them wash laundry and fire off muskets. We walked quickly through the exhibit halls and tried to focus on the actual real life examples. We watched a blacksmith working and visited the guard house. The kids put on the signs and ball and chains and went into the prison cells. I was surprised by them - they were an all stone room with just a floor and when the door was shut it was pitch black as there were no windows or light in there. I can not imagine what that must have been like.
People were dressed in clothing of the time and tried to use the language of the day as well. We learned a lot and had a good time doing it. I will definitely return there. We had a perfect day as well, it was high 60's with a breeze - almost chilly actually. Hard to believe it is June here in Minnesota.
Peace,
Tenn
June 23, 2004
Seven Years
Serona and I just celebrated our seven year wedding anniversary. We have spent four of those with kids. I am blessed with a wonderful husband and father, a man who truly seeks and follows the Lord in his life. Our whole family is blessed because of him.
Sickness, camping, father's day, our anniversary and a myriad of other life events have led blogging to be slow lately. I have also finally settled into the decision that we are on summer vacation. While learning never stops with homeschooling and I still try to keep a rich educational atmosphere at home - I have stopped with any structured work for awhile. I am in a prep mode again - gathering curriculum and materials for next year.
We still learn continually through life's moments, reading and answering my chidlren's endless questions. However, they are young, the days are long and the weather perfect. My kids need to just be outside and play and imagine and enjoy the days of summer.
Each night Rhiannon prays before bed "Please let the days grow longer, the nights grow shorter and the summer warm days be much longer and the cold winter days very few." I will let them just be kids and enjoy these days.
Peace,
Tenn
Sickness, camping, father's day, our anniversary and a myriad of other life events have led blogging to be slow lately. I have also finally settled into the decision that we are on summer vacation. While learning never stops with homeschooling and I still try to keep a rich educational atmosphere at home - I have stopped with any structured work for awhile. I am in a prep mode again - gathering curriculum and materials for next year.
We still learn continually through life's moments, reading and answering my chidlren's endless questions. However, they are young, the days are long and the weather perfect. My kids need to just be outside and play and imagine and enjoy the days of summer.
Each night Rhiannon prays before bed "Please let the days grow longer, the nights grow shorter and the summer warm days be much longer and the cold winter days very few." I will let them just be kids and enjoy these days.
Peace,
Tenn
June 15, 2004
Teaching Hobbies
This morning was quite enjoyable. We spent some time in our family library together. Rhiannon asked me to teach her to crochet - so we worked together on a simple bookmark - a quick task she could complete - it was fun. She sat on my lap the entire time and I held the yarn for her and she did the stitches (she was not coordinated enough yet to hold the yarn and do the stitches herself) quite proficiently. While we were doing that Ciaran was sitting nearby on the computer playing some computer games. Sirah was on the floor playing with her piano and her father African drums making music. It was very enjoyable and helped me remember why I enjoy teaching my children.
Peace,
Tenn
Peace,
Tenn
June 12, 2004
Waiting it Out
As a mother I so often want to push my kids to do the things I think they "should" be doing at any given time. I have to step back and just let them be and do certain things when they are ready themselves. Recently I have seen the rewards of this. Today Rhiannon decided to color a picture - which may not seem like a big deal for a nearly 5 year old - but Rhiannon has always resisted and disliked coloring - if required to color she merely scribbles all over the page. Today however she colored picture perfect in the lines and she was coloring an ant (a followup to our insect lessons) so she had some pretty narrow lines to stay in. When I complimented her she said "Mom I just was not old enough before - now I am old enough and can do a good job" then she added "But I only want to coloring one picture a day because my arms get tired." I'm glad I waited and never pushed the issue - I gave her the opportunity but was always fine when it was not her desire or she just scribbled.
Ciaran also had a glad we waited time this week. Potty training him has been difficult - a long on again and off again journey. He was nearly trained before Sirah was born then went back to diapers and wanted nothing to do with it - a few times since then his interest has been sparked but he has had quite a few accidents - then on Wenesday of this week he decided he was going to wear underpants and he has only had one accident and it is going well. I'm glad we waited. Though I must admit to a bit of bribery with him. He has wanted a stuffed Nemo doll for a long time - I found one and put it away and told him he could have it when he was no longer wearing diapers. He found it in the closet and that was what prompted his decision to wear underpants. So far so good - we will see how it goes.
Peace,
Tenn
Ciaran also had a glad we waited time this week. Potty training him has been difficult - a long on again and off again journey. He was nearly trained before Sirah was born then went back to diapers and wanted nothing to do with it - a few times since then his interest has been sparked but he has had quite a few accidents - then on Wenesday of this week he decided he was going to wear underpants and he has only had one accident and it is going well. I'm glad we waited. Though I must admit to a bit of bribery with him. He has wanted a stuffed Nemo doll for a long time - I found one and put it away and told him he could have it when he was no longer wearing diapers. He found it in the closet and that was what prompted his decision to wear underpants. So far so good - we will see how it goes.
Peace,
Tenn
June 10, 2004
Insects
We took a field trip this week to a wildlife refuge and had a class on insects. It was very good and it was free. The kids learned about the different parts of an insect, how they breathe and see. We even got to look through a kaleidoscope that showed us a glimpse of how insects see. After the lesson we headed outside and caught several insects and other bugs and examined them. The kids each had a net, a bug cup with magnifying glass and a clipboard to help them identify the bugs. We saw dragonfly's, baby bees, flys, mosquitos, beetles, butterflies, caterpillars, centipedes, gales and some others. It was a lot of fun and interesting. We headed back inside and the kids made a craft of paper butterflies that flap their wings and we watched a short video about wildlife preservation. The kids spent some time exploring the displays and all the things they could touch and look at and also looking out the window at turkeys, chipmunks, a white squirrel and a wide variety of birds. We all had a great time.
We came home and continued the lesson with some printouts from Enchanted Learning to make an insect book with facts and coloring and labeling sheets. Rhiannon also spent some time with handwriting practice writing out and trying to spell all the different insects we learned about and saw today.
Peace,
Tenn
We came home and continued the lesson with some printouts from Enchanted Learning to make an insect book with facts and coloring and labeling sheets. Rhiannon also spent some time with handwriting practice writing out and trying to spell all the different insects we learned about and saw today.
Peace,
Tenn
June 8, 2004
Camping
Tis the season for one of my favorite activities - camping! We went last weekend thinking we would be ahead of the bugs and taking our chance with the rain. Well the bugs were out and it stormed Saturday night (we were already in the tent thankfully) but we had a great time. We went with several families from our homeschool support group and it was a lot of fun. The kids loved having each other around to play with and having the freedom of running from site to site. The parents enjoyed some time around the campfire getting to know one another better. It was great because we got to know one another more as couples and families and the kids got to know the dads more. Up until recently the dynamic was very different - the moms all feel very close together as we see each other every weeek and the kids know all of us well - but we have not bonded as families and we had an opportunity to do that.
We are very fortunate to be part of a great support network. We have our differences and our similarites and are able to get along still. We covered all different topics including how we met, where we lived, our crazy younger days, religion and politics and survived and grew closer. We have a great group of people and I'm glad we get along so well. We enjoyed ourselves so much we all made reservations for our next trip before we left the campgrounds!
We took a nature hike, played in the mud and sand and on the swings, the kids rode bikes and collected things (Ciaran especially loved frogs which he called "my jumpy guy") and ate smores and played together. I love being out in nature and even sleeping in a tent. Camping is a great thing for us to do as a family and I hope we have more opportunities this summer.
Peace,
Tenn
We are very fortunate to be part of a great support network. We have our differences and our similarites and are able to get along still. We covered all different topics including how we met, where we lived, our crazy younger days, religion and politics and survived and grew closer. We have a great group of people and I'm glad we get along so well. We enjoyed ourselves so much we all made reservations for our next trip before we left the campgrounds!
We took a nature hike, played in the mud and sand and on the swings, the kids rode bikes and collected things (Ciaran especially loved frogs which he called "my jumpy guy") and ate smores and played together. I love being out in nature and even sleeping in a tent. Camping is a great thing for us to do as a family and I hope we have more opportunities this summer.
Peace,
Tenn
On the dairy farm
We had a a great field trip with some families from our homeschool group. We headed to a dairy farm about an hour away and got a great tour. We all got to walk out into the pasture and walk the cows into the barn (complete with mud and cow poop). I could not believe how close we were to this herd of cows - Rhiannon went right up to them and I got a great picture of her a few feet away from a big group of them. We went into the barn and some of the kids from our group chose to help muck up the cow poop - my children did not, nor did I. We walked through the stalls and saw all the cows and watched them hook the cows up to the milking machines. The kids got to put their finger in the tube that sucks the milk from the udders and feel what the cows feel (granted it is on their finger not their udder) and then watch how they attach it to the cows and how the milk comes out. They also got to take turns milking a cow. Serona and Rhiannon both milked a cow - Rhiannon did a great job right away and Serona needed a little tutorial but eventually got it right. Ciaran did not want to try and I had Sirah on my back so I did not - but it was neat to see and for Rhia and Serona to try.
There was a full petting zoo on the farm and we got to see a calf that had been born just that morning (complete with watching dogs eat her placenta - gross) and many chickens, pigs and kittens. The kids had a great time and it was a nice spur of the moment field trip we discovered.
Peace,
Tenn
There was a full petting zoo on the farm and we got to see a calf that had been born just that morning (complete with watching dogs eat her placenta - gross) and many chickens, pigs and kittens. The kids had a great time and it was a nice spur of the moment field trip we discovered.
Peace,
Tenn
Turning 30
Well I have been Missing in Action for the past few weeks because I have been very busy. I turned 30 and my family flew in from all across the country to surprise me. My parents and all my brothers arrived at my house to spend my birthday weekend with me and completely shocked me. We had a great time. We played board games that I love and never get a chance to play and just enjoyed each other's company. My family went to eat at a vegetarian friendly restuarant and they threw me a suprise birthday party with all my girlfriends. I really enjoyed their visit and just pulled back from everything else while they were here. We do not get to spend much time together anymore, the last time we were all together was 2 years ago and the last time we spent birthday's together was several years before that. So it was a very enjoyable birthday.
Peace,
Tenn
Peace,
Tenn
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