What, you do not know that acronym?
Don't worry. I just made it up, because although I could say T.G.I.F, as in "Thank God it is Friday, (the week was so blessed!)
Instead, I find myself thinking, "How is it Friday?" as in, "Where did this week go?" (Or, as the case may be now, H.I.I.S, since I began writing this on Friday, paused, and now find Saturday almost done!)
Truly, the week flew -- fast, fun and full of discovery! (Okay, there were moments of being frustrated, tired and whatnot, too, but let's focus on the more positive stuff!)
This past week there was...
~1~
Community
Sunday, we were blessed by spending time with part of our church collaborative community enjoying simple timelsss pastimes. (More on that tomorrow!)
~2~
Tradition
Before I ever met Mike, I began going to Honeypot Hill with my brother, my sister and their families. I would love it if we all could still go there together now that I have my own children, timing never works for that. Thus, Mike, the kids and I simply continue the tradition on our own.
How we love climbing ladders to pick apples, feeding the animals, doing the mazes and appreciating the beautiful scenery!
~3~
Animation
One thing I love about homeschooling is having time to learn alongside my children! Part of that learning this week included the Outside the Box crew mentoring the kids and me in creating our first stop motion animation videos as a part of a DIY.org Animator badge work.
The children were so proud of their work (and I was pretty amazed by how relatively simple stop motion really is.)
~4~
Butterflies
Nature study (insects and plants), physical education (hiking and jumping off rock walls) and faith (marveling at God's amazing creation) this week included a fabulous free monarch butterfly tagging program at Allen's Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, a place that makes me feel so lucky to live in the area I do.
Isn't it gorgeous?
~5~
Teeth
... or lack thereof!
Nina bravely pulled out another tooth this week and now has a 4-space gap that makes me laugh every time she smiles. How she can articulate at all, I do not know, but her chatter and song have not slowed down!
In fact, Nina had her first church choir practice ever this week and came away from it beaming! She's so excited to finally be old enough to join the church choir and has been telling me she wants to serve our church in every way she can as she grows. Yay!
~6~
Geography
A geography club seed began germinating in my brain long ago. It was more recently watered and fertilized by similar desires by my friend Dani and just this week grew into a seedling I am delighted by. Children from five families got together for our inaugural meeting this week and had so much fun!
~7~
Forts
You might recall from one of the reasons I listed last week about why I am hesitant to call myself a homeschooler that my children have begin a completely self-initiated fort building project. Well, it is not just their anymore.
Luke recruited a friend to be in his army, using paperwork and all, and then, together with that friend, his siblings and the friend's little brother, worked happily away pounding nails, layering mud and bricks and fortifying their fort walls.
~Plus~
Mini-Lessons
Plus, of course, there were plenty of mini-lessons, including Nina choosing to create simple sentences, and...
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Jack combining Montessori Sandpaper Numbers
with a favorite open-ended toy (the awesome MindWare Q-Ba-Maze
) to practice numbers.
with a favorite open-ended toy (the awesome MindWare Q-Ba-Maze
) to practice numbers.
What a week it's been!
Did your week fly, too? What fun and learning have you been enjoying?
