A Simple Woman's Daybook

I love this idea of a short journal with a picture.  I am going to make an effort to do this weekly but you know how life is.  Here is the link to join:  A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
February 25, 2010


Outside my window...the sun is shining and the greenhouse has moisture on the inside.

I am thinking...about keeping a true lenten.

I am thankful for...the ability to homeschool my children.

From the kitchen...I am sipping a banana strawberry protein powder drink.

I am wearing...my bathrobe.

I am creating...balloon race cars with my children.

I am going...out for a walk around the block.

I am reading...A Journey North by Adrienne Hall...one womans thru hike of the Appalacian Trail with future husband.

I am hoping...I can finish all the laundry today.

I am hearing...Cat Stevens singing.

Around the house...we are doing the big Spring cleaning.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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Ruthy working on her Outdoor Cooking Junior badge for Girl Scouts.
 
 
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com

McNary Wildlife Refuge-Bird Count

We spent Saturday the 13th at the McNary National Wildlife Refuge for the Great American Bird Count.  The Refuge is just in Burbank, Washington just east of the Richland/Pasco. 

There were a few activities in the Environmental Education Center for kids. 
Teddy made a bird feeder from an old milk jug and got a coloring book.

Docents and volunteers were banding and counting song birds for the count.  They had a net set up about the size of a volleyball net to catch the birds.  After the birds were banded, weighed and logged in they were released.  Both Jose and Ruthy got to release white crowned sparrows. 

That day the Refuge had about a zillion Canadian Geese on the water.
We also saw mallards, coots, canvas backs, northern shovelers, gulls and tundra swans.  On the shore in the reeds we saw red-winged blackbirds, white- crowned sparrows and heard lots of others that we could not identify.

The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.

Norse Myths 4th grade Waldorf Homeschool

We are in the middle of our first 4 week block about the Norse Myths.  We are using "D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths"  and making a main lesson book.  There will be 2-4 week blocks of Norse Myths this year to finish off the book.  At first I thought they would be too violent and gruesome for my fru fru 10 year old daughter, but she loves them.  It is possibly her most favorite subject so far. 

Each day I read the story and then ask her to tell me everything she remembers about the story.  Then we discuss it and talk about ideas for a picture in her main lesson book.  Below are a couple of photos from her book.  This is her first year of Waldorf main lesson book and form drawing.

Candlemas/Groundhog festival 2010

Yesterday we rolled beeswax candles for Candlemas and will make clay holders tomorrow.  We read about the history of candlemass and how candles were the only light most people had during the "olden" days.
The Apple Crepes finally happened for dinner last night and were delicious!

We checked the website for the groundhog weather report and made cute paper groundhog door hangers. For circle time we read "Gretchen Groundhog It's Your Day!" and "Andrew McGroundhog and His Shady Shadow." 

Knitting Recorder Case Waldorf Homeschool

We are currently doing a mix of Waldorf homeschool and Charlotte Mason. Knitting usually happens in the earlier grades at a traditional Waldorf school but my daughter was not ready to learn to knit until this year.  Here is her first project..a recorder case...she has been working 5 rows a school day for about a month.  She is a little more than halfway through and has moved up to 7 rows  a school day this month. 

St. Brigids Feast Day 2009

Today we celebrated the feast day of Saint Bridgid of Ireland as a preparation for Candlemas tomorrow.  We read the story "St. Bridget and the King's Wolf" and each of us made a Brigid's Cross out of pipe cleaners.  The one in the picture is made from waxed string called "Bendaroos." Tomorrow we will make butter and Apple Crepes to celebrate.

Below is a picture of our chalkboard drawing for this week.  We will celebrate Saint Bridgid's Feast Day, Candlemas and Groundhog day with lots of fun crafts, stories and baking.  Tomorrow we will roll beeswax

candles and then make a small clay candle holder the next day.  On Thursday we will make a felt groundhog peeking out of the ground.