Finally! A Moon!

I had been pondering for awhile the best way for the girls to learn about the months of the year and the days of the week.  I knew that I wanted it to be something that was learned more organically than not.  Something that was more natural than me sitting there and saying "today is_____, yesterday was_____ and tomorrow will be____" (which harkened me back to my classroom teaching days).  And finally it occured to me:  how about if we create a calendar each month and track the moon phases as well as holidays and other special occasions?!  Just brilliant (if I do say so myself)!  I printed out some blank calendars and, on October 8th, we started tracking the moon.  It just so happens that the day we began this project was the only day (until tonight) that the moon was visible. Most nights it was simply too cloudy to see it.  Tonight, while I was taking the garbage and recycling bins out to the curb I noticed that there was a beautiful, bright crescent moon in the sky.  "Girls, come see!  Come see!"  We headed outside to the driveway, looked up and their eyes grew wide: "Mommy!  Look it's the moon!  Finally!"  Quickly they headed back in and up to their room where they have hung their calendars to record the moon sighting.  This calendar sure has come in handy.  It has become a great way for them to see how much longer it is 'till Halloween, as well as record things they notice (like the lack of a moon or the first time that birds arrived at our feeder this season).  



Wordless Wednesday::Guinea Pig Tea Party



A Costume Party

This past Saturday the girls were invited to their friend Sarah's 7th birthday party.  While it was a pirate themed birthday party costumes of all kinds were welcome.  The girls dug through the dress up bin (note to self: add pirate items into bin) and put together what you see above.  "Pirates need butterfly fairies and wedding girls, mama".  "Sounds good to me, sweet girls!"  And off we went to spend an afternoon celebrating one of the girls best friends.  It was a glorious October afternoon full of playing, laughing, eating, boucing, pinata hitting and treasure hunting!  Thanks for including us in the festivities dear friends and happy birthday to Miss Sarah! May this be your best trip around the sun yet!



Our New Speller

So, a couple of days after Em starts writting letters I notice that Grace is busy working on something in the living room. Upon further inspection I realize that she's writing words.  She was sitting there quietly sounding each word out and writting the letters down.  It was an amazing thing to get to witness, and I am so grateful that the camera was near by so that I could take a few pictures to document this fabulous "first".  It's truly incredible what littles will do when they are ready!  These girls never cease to amaze me, and I am so thrilled to get to be there to witness each and every fabulous "first" that they've had since they first entered this world.  I can't wait to see where this new found skill will take her!  Something tells me that there are some wonderful stories in our future!

{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 delightful weekend!

Someone To Watch Over Me

Tonight I had a Girl Scout leader meeting to attend, and since Dave works late Thursday nights I needed someone to come hang with the girls.  Thankfully there is a super sweet family who has two awesome teenage daughters who the girls absolutely adore and one of the girls was able to come over tonight.  Sammi, who I have known since she was a first grader and I was a teacher in her elementary school, is absolutely fabulous.  Watching her with the girls (and how excited they get to see her) reminds me so much of the many times (back in the day) when I would take care of Hannah and Sarah (one of whom is now married)!  The girls pretty much kicked me out of the house tonight so they could have Sammi all to themselves.  Before I left I couldn't pass up a chance to take a few pictures of the three of them doing their nails.  It was to fabulous not to!

Thank you Sammi for being such an awesome friend to the girls and such a fabulous babysitter!  We are truly blessed and eternally grateful to have you fill such an important role in the girls lives!  They are looking forward to your next visit already! 



First Letters!

There's a budding new writer in our midst!  For awhile now, Em has made a lovely E.  When she was first beginning to make her E she would often say "pull down" each time she made one of its arms (and her Es often had many, many extra arms).  Lately, however her E has had three arms and other letters have been appearing in her writing too (you should see how she signed her name in my parents 40th anniversary card last week). 

 

As you know we are not a family that pushes littles to do things before they are ready.  Instead we wait and follow their lead and see what they are ready for or interested in.  Grace only just learned the upper case letters last "year" (having no interest in it prior) and upon her request has begun to learn the lower case ones.  Since Em is the younger sister in a homeschool family it should come as no surprise that she is beginning to write.  She has the added benefit of seeing what Grace is doing and attempting it herself.  Now, this is not to say that she is always able to do everything as well as she would like to as quickly as she'd like.  There are many times that one of us gently reminds her that "it may not be her time" to do something that she desperately wants to do. That gentle reminder has been enough for each girl to be empowered and not discouraged, knowing instead that when the time is right they will be able to find success in whatever it is they are striving to do. 

 

With much patience Emma waited for "her time" and clearly her time has come.  We couldn't be more proud!