To icy for horses

The horse kids came today. It is so icy right now it is just not safe to take horses out. We did find plenty to do and the kids had lots of fun.

Hay is brought up to the far end of the paddock, away from the ice. We talked about how you measure a horse, in hands. A hand is 4". We had made "hands" out of cardboard and they started by measuring each other. Our first "horse" measured 12 hands plus 2", 12.2. How many inches are you? How many feet? Then they measured the horses and even Stennis, the dog.

It was pretty cold yesterday. Stennis trying to keep his little piggies warm!

With no snow on the barn/greenhouse roof and the wood stove had been going all morning, it was pretty toasty in the art studio. Stennis joined us for lunch.

We started an art project, paper mache horses. It was cold on the fingers dunking in the glue with bare fingers. But with hot cocoa cups and a little persistence they did a great job. We will continue them next week and you will see the pictures when they are finished.

The kids all gravitated back outside and found chickens, this one now named Amber Grace....

and sleds!

They played, explored, created, innovated and had fun for the next couple hours! Do you see the fourth rider?

Here's a closer look.

And where was Scout?

Inside, getting naked and applying a tattoo!

Happy Days

Baby mouse

Since we are homeschooling I think in terms of education each time Scout is learning something new. She is only 15 months old but she is learning everyday. Yesterday we ment a mom ( a doctor) who said she was interested in homeschooling. She was shocked when we said Scout was being homeschooled (shocked because of her age). I told her that our job at this point is to instill some critical qualities, creativity, independant play, a love of learning, curiosity and a vivid imagination. We think we are successful in fostering these since she aready posess each of them.

We definately are not a structured family, in fact we seem to thrive on "in the moment" type of living. Not wanting to miss out on a great adventure because of being forced into some sort of structure. Scout definately wants to follow this type of lifestyle. We move through our day following what needs to be done and what we find interesting along the way. As I think about what we accomplish it is very satisfying. We work independently for most of the day, projects in the yard need to be done. While we are working on that Scout is happy to explore the yard. Science is big. She plays with the animals, she loves to listen and then look for the birds, finding treasures on the ground, digging in her dirt pile (we have added water for her). We found this mouse a few days ago. It was orphaned (by use taking stuff to the dump) so it lives in the house now and we feed it goats milk (bought by Daddy at the health food store). It looks like its eyes are just starting to open this morning. Scout loves it and is so gentle, petting it with one finger.

Throughout the day we stop and play together, when she shows us a treasure, when we walk on the path in the woods, when she wants to climb, slide and swing on her playground. She will help with a project, handing us nail, carrying pieces of bricks we are piling, she loves to be helpful. It is a graceful dance between working independantly and then together throughout the day.

Math- she is fascinated by her nesting cups. She plays with them in the house every day. Learning how they fit together, taking them apart and getting them together again. She is also very interested in her blocks, stacking them, carrying the stacks and relocating them to other places.

Art- she is interested in coloring now, though not for long periods. We usually stop when she starts to taste he crayons!

Music- she loves her music class. We have a CD in the car of the same songs from class. She will use these songs for 10 weeks and then get a new collection. It is amazing how she loves this CD in the car. She is starting to repeat rhythms, clap her hands and pat her legs to the beat, and starting to sing some of the words. Even if you can't understand her words you can tell which song she is singing by her rhythm and tone. Speaking of music it is time to leave for class now. We have a special treat, Daddy has the day off so we are all going together! More later!

Unschooling

Yes, still no computer. Oh well, maybe after the tax refund.

Scout has her legs and she uses them ALL day long. We love to watch her...she entertains herself, exploring and learning. She loves to look out the doors and see what is happening outside. She loves to pet the dogs and give them their toys. She loves to climb, to carry stuff (especially her tools). She likes cause and effect toys. She will play fetch with herself. She talks up a storm and it is particularly fun when she cracks herself up with laughter. I believe this is a vital part of her development...to love to learn and to be able to make up her own games.

Even though I think kids are sent into a structured "school" way too early, with not enough time to play and be free, her learning has already begun. I am leaning toward "unschooling" and this is her already doing it. Everyday she learns so much...we are putting the opportunities in front of her and she is choosing when to use them, having fun and learning so much.

We started a music class last week. She absolutely loves it. Check out www.musicandmovement.com it is a great program. All types of learning styles are addressed. It is a mixed age class (birth to 5) plus adults (parents). They all learn by watching each other or just doing what feels natural. There is singing, rhythmic instruments, moving to the rhythm and dancing to the beat. They can make choices and express themselves freely.

She is still swimming at the Y...tonight she goes with Daddy.