Go ahead, compose a symphony!

What was school like for you? What memories of school do you have from childhood? Thinking back on my early years at school (and my later years too) I have very few memories. I remember building a Tyrannosaurus Rex out of chicken wire and paper mache in 4th grade. We built it so high it almost touched the ceiling! I remember it rained really hard and the library got flooded. Then something mysterious happened-a huge bump grew out of the floor. I was fascinated by this! I remember doing presentations on such things as foxes and the ear. I was so shy and was terrified of getting up in front of class to present. That's about it.

I have no real memories of junior high-I think I was just trying to keep a low profile. I was happy to make it through junior high without my friends ever "turning" on me.

High school was about getting into a good college. There were few classes that interested me and I skipped many. But, surprisingly, I pulled it off. I was good at cramming information into my brain and then forgetting everything after I took the test. I have a distinct memory of asking my dad for help in pre-calculus. He was frustrated because I had no interest in understanding the problems. I just wanted to be able to do the problems, get the A, and move on. Move on. I'm amazed that so much education could produce so few memories. You couldn't call those years a symphony, lip-syncing was more like it. Please visit http://radiofreeschool.blogspot.com/ and view their video on Music and Life.

I couldn't resist

Just a few more pictures from the flower show today. Doesn't B look cute? He's trying to be a bunny. I'll be back to the flower show again this weekend but I promise (really) no more flower pictures!

A little spring in my step

I took the kids to the flower show today and was transported to a land where fairies fly and little angora bunnies are free to eat out of Mr. MacGregor's garden. It was delightful! I think I can make it through these last couple of weeks of winter now.

Pumpkin muffins, dancing raisins, amoebas and mermaids (and some pink socks too)

I was baking again today. I found a can of pumpkin puree that was just calling out to me to be made into muffins. I whipped up a batch while J was reading and B was playing on Mathcats. The house sure did smell delicious with all those yummy spices swirling through the air.
Speaking of swirls, I saw a lovely piece of pottery on a blog this morning with a swirled glaze. I felt inspired to make marbleized paper with the kids. I've done it before, years ago, and felt certain I could create a beautiful swirly masterpiece. Instead, it was as though a convention of amoebas decided to hold their yearly meeting at my place. I didn't give up-I made three batches of the "stuff" but each time, amoebas. So then I got to thinking. . .I wonder how my new socks would look in this stuff. Well, they looked like pond scum for a while and then I washed them and dried them and now I have some pretty pink socks. Oh, there was one really cool amoeba-it looked like a mermaid with child(look at the green paper at the bottom right, do you see her?) And, yes, I also made some raisins dance.

Happy Birthday Puddles and Sunshine!

Today was all about cats. As you can see from the title, Puddles and Sunshine celebrated their 3rd birthdays today. In honor of our two feline friends we had cat day. We looked through blue tinted glasses to see what it's like to see as a cat(they see mostly blues and greens). We did a cat personality test. We are sprouting oat and wheat for the cats. We made cat toys out of catnip, feathers and fabric. We played Mathcats on the computer and we are doing a cat science experiment-we've left out 4 bowls for the cats with salty, sweet, sour and bitter water. After a week, we'll let you know which they liked the best (so far they haven't tried any of them!) It's been a good day for everyone(including the cats).

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ March 3rd

~ Do stop by Peggy's for all the Daybook links this week. ~


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Outside My Window ...bright sunshine and about 6 inches of freshly fallen snow.
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I am thinking ...about writing down my educational philosophy to keep me focused.
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I am thankful ... that we are able to homeschool the kids. I feel so blessed to be able to spend my days with those whom I love the most.
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From the kitchen ... the kitchen is all quiet. I have no plans for dinner as of yet.
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I am wearing ... my most comfortable sweats and a green, long sleeved t-shirt.

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I am creating ...my first Simple Woman's Daybook entry.
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I am reading ... The Woodchuck's Guide to Gardening by Ron Krupp.
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I am hoping ....the kids stay over at their friend's house for an hour or two so I can get some reading done.
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I am hearing ... the heat kicking in and enjoying the silence!
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Around the house ...art projects that need to be cleaned up.
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One of my favorite things ...a big bag full of books from a trip to the library.
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A few plans for this week ... the kids have swimming and tennis, J has girl scouts, we will all be going to the flower show.

Happy Girls Day!

Today is Girls Day in Japan so we made some strawberry/white chocolate muffins to celebrate (well, that was really just an afterthought). Zakka Life has a great tutorial on making Hina dolls-maybe I'll get to that next year. So, give your little girl an extra hug today! By the way. . .the muffins were absolutely delicious.

Snow, candlemaking, grass growing, fort building

The kids found out that the public school isn't back in session until Wednesday so that means we're off till Wednesday too. March is coming in like a lion(well, more like a large cat where we are). We started our day off with melting old crayons into candles. Then we decided we had had enough of winter and went out for lunch at a garden store and sat amongst plants and a water garden-just lovely! We came home and planted wheat grass(hopefully we'll have grass by the first day of Spring). B is now busy building forts. It's been a nice snow day.