Jul 29 2016

I Can, Therefore I Am

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I took a break from canning for the past two years. Now and then, I regretted not canning, but life moved on at a fast speed and I understood myself and gave myself a pass for not doing this. My husband actually promised me the healthiest applesauce money can buy – organic, no sugar added, with the highest possible nutrition score on the label – just so I skip canning.

Peaches in light syrup

Peaches cooking in a light syrup, almost ready to go into jars.

He does not like see me “slaving” in the kitchen. Isn’t he a darling? He wanted me to give myself a break from canning, too.  Continue reading »

Jul 28 2016

Story of the World, Vol. 2, Chapter 40

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Chapter 40 deals with other New World explorations – those ordered and supported by Queen Elizabeth I. Sir Walter Raleigh is featured in the first story, the Lost Colony in the second. As I read to the kids, I teared up at the notion of the first English baby born in the New World – Virginia Dare.

The Lost Colony coloring page

The Lost Colony coloring page

It’s just really touching to know there was a first baby born in the colonies. And what a fitting last name: Dare! What’s even more touching is that we don’t know what happened to her. Don’t you look forward to the day when finally we can solve all these mysteries of times past?  Continue reading »

Jul 27 2016

Story of the World, Vol. 2, Chapter 39

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Chapter 39 deals with England’s Best Playwright – William Shakespeare. For the first time in two years, I chose not to read something from our main book of history (Story of the World). The first story which explains entertainment during Elizabeth’s reign and the details of Shakespeare’s life and career was fine. I read that to them. But the second story was a summary of Macbeth.

William Shakespeare Coloring Page

William Shakespeare Coloring Page

Especially because of my youngest being only six years old, I chose to skip that part. Assassinations and too much revenge, too much description of the bad guy’s feelings of envy, jealousy, greed etc. While I can appreciate Shakespeare genius at capturing the transition from good to evil intents in somebody’s heart, I don’t think children can focus on that. They just get the shock of the violence described.  Continue reading »

Jul 26 2016

Tuesday Tome Week 30 – One Amazing Thing

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One Amazing Thing was the book of the month of August at our book club. Its author, Chitra Divakaruni (say that three times fast!), teaches Creative Writing at the University of Houson. Her 18 novels have received awards and been translated into 29 languages. Two have been made into movies.

One Amazing Thing - Tuesday Tome

I read this book in three days and I could probably have read it in one if I were not a mom with responsibilities. What a great story about the human condition!  Continue reading »

Jul 25 2016

Story of the World, Vol. 2, Chapter 38

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Chapter 38 deals with England’s greatest queen: Elizabeth I. Two stories cover her ascension to the throne and then the reign itself. Bauer simplified the plot quite a bit and it’s a good thing, because it is already quite convoluted.

Good Queen Bess Coloring Page

Queen Elizabeth I coloring page

The children retained the details quite well and I don’t know if it’s because the chapter was so clearly laid out or because they are getting older or because simply they paid attention better than other times. Narration went well and so did the questions, though they still don’t answer in full sentences all the time.  Continue reading »

Jul 24 2016

Princesses and Housework

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After spending a week at Princess Camp with my daughter, Friday rolled around. That’s our weekly cleaning day. Since the children are older, cleaning day is so much easier. They help quite a bit. Each of them cleans a bathroom and, of course, their individual rooms. They dust everywhere. And my daughter enjoys mopping. She really does. She asks to do it.

Girl mopping kitchen floor

Our daughter mopping the kitchen floor after Princess Camp.

Until she doesn’t. For some reason, last Friday she said, “No, thanks.” I would have none of that. I dangled a consequence in front of her (no “Mulan” – as we were going to watch this movie for the first time over the weekend) very politely and she agreed to mop.  Continue reading »

Jul 23 2016

Special Music in Church

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In our church, right before the pastor stands up to deliver the sermon, there is a musical selection called Special Music – usually by a soloist, but not necessarily so. About three times a year, my son is asked to play Special Music. So far, he has played violin once and piano three times.

Boy playing piano in church

Our son playing Jesus Loves Me in church last week.

Even though he has played violin longer than piano, our son prefers piano. It’s a long story. We are now on our third violin teacher. It has been a little harder to be consistent, but I think we have finally found somebody who can help us get through all sorts of technical issues and finally make violin attractive for the kids.  Continue reading »

Jul 22 2016

More On Coding

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Last Thursday, my husband spotted an article in our local newspaper about a coding camp. One week later, I was sitting in the office of the director of Code College on the campus of Walter State Community College (Sevierville campus). My children were present and they duly logged into their Scratch accounts and showed the professor their work. We also brought our four books on coding which we have used a bit here and there.

Learn to Program With Scratch cover

The best book of the four: Learn to Program With Scratch

But I am getting ahead of myself. Here’s what happened in the seven days since we read the newspaper article…  Continue reading »

Jul 21 2016

Princess Camp

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This week, my daughter and I attended Princess Camp at the Community Center in Gatlinburg. Janice Collart, who teaches tumbling and dance throughout the year, organizes a four-day princess camp in July. It is a drop-off event, but you know me. I don’t drop off my children somewhere in the name of education or fun.

Princess Camp - Day 3 outfit

Princess Camp – Day 3 outfit

While big brother was in Daddy Camp, i.e. he went with daddy wherever daddy’s job took him every day, my daughter and I went to Princess Camp. It was three hours every day – the fastest three hours I have ever experienced. They really kept the princesses busy.  Continue reading »

Jul 20 2016

Story of the World, Vol. 2, Chapter 37

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Chapter 37 deals with Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei. The title is … May I just say – all over again – how much I am enjoying myself in history this year? My son loves science and a history lesson about scientists really grabbed his attention. My daughter liked the topic, too. I love it when the kids are listening.

The Solar System Coloring Page

The Solar System Coloring Page

The scientific method explained all over again, the facts of these good Catholic men going against an establishment they revered and feared – what’s not to like? Who needs fiction when we have history?  Continue reading »