Like A Bird: July 2012

Jul 31, 2012

First Day Of School, then and now

Our 2012/ 2013 school year started yesterday. We are trying out an all year round type schedule this year. We've come so far in our homeschooling journey in such a short amount of time. I've loved every step of our journey together.

2010/11
Ava started Kindergarten
Cyrus played along

2011/12
Ava started 1st grade
Cyrus started Preschool

2012/13
Ava starts 2nd Grade
Cyrus starts Kindergarten

It's gonna be a fantastic year!

Jul 30, 2012

Gratitude Monday

Here's a few things that I love today...

Watching the Summer Olympics

Starting our first day of school today!

A little boy who loves fencing, and now has his very own handmade twig and packing tape Foil

A girl who loves the beautiful parts of the Olympics (with a heavy bias for all things American Women)

A baby who loves the Wheels on the Bus, and sings it with delight

A partner who fixes things when I can't figure it out

Blueberry banana smoothies

The cooler days of summer (not today)

Finding ways to stay cool when it's warm/hot

Here's a brand new week, new goals, and new initiative

Jul 27, 2012

Opening Ceremonies

We're getting ready. Let the games begin!

Jul 26, 2012

A change in expectations

I had planned a perfect drive for our out of town guests. A trip that included a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway along the twisting cliffs over the Pacific Ocean. A picturesque panoramic drive. However. I'm still the new girl in town, and I forgot about summer fog. Initially I was disappointed that my 'picture perfect' drive was fogged in. But here's the thing that I spend my life trying to remind myself: It's all a matter of perspective. Letting go of expectations allows room to see the beauty in each unique situation. And really, a drive in the foggy hills around the ocean is beautiful. Picturesque, even.

Jul 25, 2012

Exploring the woods

We've had such a great time with our family in town this week. One of our many adventures was a trip to Samuel P. Taylor State Park. I've mentioned this slice of heaven once before, and this trip was equally as exceptional as the last. We are so truly blessed that we live in such a beautiful part of the country. How wonderful that we get to share these magical spaces with our family.

Jul 24, 2012

Wet Felting Bees...

Recently, inspired to work with wool, my children and I set out to make a bee hive, and a family of bees. We worked over several days, and my babies love their results.

Day One:

Working with the wool that we dyed yellow years ago, we made little bee bodies.

Day Two:
Using more of the yellow, and adding white, and orange, we wrapped a "hive" around large softballs. We wet felted those down, nice and tight.

Day Three:
Bee finishing day! This step involved needle felting. This was a VERY big deal in our house. This day marked the first time any of my children have ever needle felted anything. They were thrilled. Thrilled.

And later:
Our hives are kept on our nature table when not in play, are still loved, if not a little worse for wear, and used often.

And I love, as they do, that they made this all on their own. Handmade toys are nothing new in our home, but handmade by them, and for them, that's something extra special.