{This Moment}

{This Moment} - A SouleMama Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. We wish you a weekend full of beautiful moments!

Kindred Spirits

These two sweet littles have been friends since the very first moment that our two families met at co-op this past fall. It would end up being the only semester that we attended, but we are forever grateful for that semester 'cause it brought with it the kind of friendship where you feel like you have known each other much longer than you really have.  As if it wasn't enough that all our children got along swimmingly (and that us mamas did too) it turns out that they are radical unschoolers as well! Having a family of like-minded friends so close by has been such a treat! Everytime we get together it's just delightful. So sweet and easy and fabulous.  It has truly made the journey that much sweeter!

The last time that we were all together the girls decided to get dressed up in these sweet dresses.  And while Jean and I have always remarked at how much Grace and Ali look like sisters it was even more evident when they were dressed alike!  Such a sweet picture and one that will surely make a reapperance many moons from now when they are planning their weddings!

Painting Cherry Blossoms

Last week on Facebook I saw a picture of this project posted and I knew that we had to try it out.  So, yesterday, we got out some paint in an attempt to mix up the pretty pink color in the original posts picture (which we failed to do, though we did make a pretty color in the end regardless) and then the girls got down to painting.  I love how they were both so amazed that the bottom of the water bottles could make a pretty flower!  Such a sweetly simple project and one that we will surely do again for many springs to come!  

{This Moment}

{This Moment} - A SouleMama Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. We wish you a weekend full of beautiful moments!

Unschooling Tools:: For Creativity

Oh, how I am loving these Unschooling Tools posts!  Thank you, Stephanie, once again for gathering us all together! 

Creating has always been a major part of our world.  From a super young age we have always created with our girls, and as a result they have always been very creative souls.  I keep telling Dave how much we need a cabinet to store all our supplies so that they are easily accessible when the creating bug strikes and all of us can easily grab whatever is needed.  Right now, most of our supplies are stored in three bins.  The bins are stacked on top of eachother (with things stacked on top of the bins) so it does not make it easy for littles to get what they need on their own.  With any luck the aforementioned cabinet will be a reality sooner rather than later.

In our bins (and around our home) you will find:

• Crayons (beeswax crayons, Crayola crayons, homemade recycled chunky crayons)
• Markers
• Watercolor paints (We love the Stockmar tubs of red, yellow and blue.  Once mixed with water we store ours in the fridge in Mason jars-jelly size- where they will keep for a good long while).
• Tempera Paints (in no spill containers)
• Finger Paints
• Paint brushes
• Easel
• Glitter
• Glue
• Fabric Glue
• Mini Paper Trimmer
• Punches (various shapes)
• Glue sticks (large ones)
• Googily Eyes
• Stickers (lots!)
• Do-A-Dot Markers
• Stamps
• Stamp pads
• Scissors
• Old magazines to cut up
• Construction Paper
• Tissue Paper
• Easel Paper
• Pipe Cleaners
• Fabric
• Wool Felt
• Yarn
• Feathers
• Ribbons
• Beads
• Popsicle Sticks
• Brown Paper Lunch Bags
• Homemade Playdough (so much better than store bought!)
• Moon Sand
• Cookie Cutters
• Rolling Pins
• Garlic Press (makes great playdough hair or spaghetti)
• Plastic Knives/Butter Knives/Chopsticks (for cutting and poking playdough with)

A Grace and Mama Adventure

Yesterday after we dropped Emma off at Crickets Grace and I headed to Elm Bank to do a little exploring.  I had heard alot about this park lately and it seemed like yesterday was as good a time as any to check it out.  We arrived, quickly made our way to the Children's Garden, and proceded to just soak in all the magic of this very special place.  Everywhere we turned there was something more to see, and as we journied through the garden Grace could be heard saying: "This is a magical place indeed, mama!"  She was right, it was indeed magical and it's not even in full bloom yet!  As our time there came to an end, and we headed back to the car, Grace said to me: "I can't wait to go back Mama! And next time we need to bring Emma and Daddy too!"  

In Celebration Of Spring



Spring Morning

Now the moisty wood discloses

Wrinkled leaves of primroses,

While the birds they flute and sing:

"Build your nests, for here is spring!"

All about the open hills

Daisies show their pleasant frills,

Washed and white and newly spun

For a festival of sun.

Like a blossom from the sky,

Drops a yellow butterfly,

Dancing down the hedges grey

Snow-bestrewn till yesterday.

Squirrels skipping up the trees

Smell how spring is in the breeze,

While the birds, they flute and sing:

"Build your nests, for here is spring!"

-Anonymous



Orange You Glad

to be unschoolers?!

Today the girls and I had a lovely lunch on our front porch.  As we sat their munching our lunches and chatting I couldn't help but think of how grateful I am that we get to live this incredible life.  To get to enjoy a lovely lunch outside on such a gorgeous day (and the last day of winter, no less!) with my two amazing daughters is simply indescribable.  I thought back to my own childhood.  So many goregous days like this were spent inside at school.  So many gorgeous days where we would be dreaming of being outside instead of in. Where there would be many a request to many a teacher: "Please, can we have class outside?!"  Sometimes that request was honored. Somtimes it was not.  I thought back to my days as a teacher where I would find any excuse to get my students outside.  This was eventually thwarted as the MCAS and all that comes with high stakes testing took over and sadly dictated more and more of how our days were spent. As I continued to eat and take in the goings on of all around me- the girls playing and laughing.  A car passing by.  Birds singing, And a peace that comes with a neighboorhood mostly at work or at school- I realized how lucky these two little ones truly are.  The freedom and joy that comes with this lifestyle is just phenomenal.  I am so glad that we took the road less traveled.  For it truly has made all the difference!