Friday, September 9, 2016
Home School Weekly Wrap Up - Week One
It's been a short week but we've managed to get a good start to our school year!
This week I will be running through what the 'plan' is for each of the kiddos for the year. The most significant change has been that Heather is attending a small school. :) We are confident that she will have an amazing year as she works through her subjects and gets to know her school. I will miss her lots during the day but this is the right decision for her at this time.
The younger two will continue to stay home with me. We have an exciting year planned for them. I will go through what is on the school year agenda for each of them. It will be very different having only the two at home!
Graham
He is technically in grade 8 but I have decided to add a few Grade Nine Courses in there for him. He'll be doing Grade Nine English/Language Arts (Sonlight, Winston Grammar, and a book from the Wordly Wise Series), Art, Health Sciences and maybe a Grade Nine Geography, depending on our time.
He'll continue on with Jump Math Grade 8. Jump Math is turning out to be a wonderful addition to our mathematical adventure and I love that I can access everything on line, including teacher helps and test. The added bonus is that all this is free and we only have to pay for the work books. It has been used in some schools across our Province, so it meets Elementary Guidelines. This year is essentially pre-algebra in preparation for next year's Teaching Textbooks: Algebra 1.
Esther
Esther is in grade four this year. She is taking Sonlight's Introduction to World History Part Two. It's a full grade Package including Language Arts and Science. We absolutely love Sonlight literature, and this is one of our favorite cores. Our reading started out with Red Sails to Capri, a beloved book in our home. Heather jokingly asked if we could wait until 5 to read it aloud! :) Esther is in grade 4 Jump Math but I will also tack on the rest of the Life of Fred Elementary Series. She loves the stories and it's a great way to add some fun to the day.
Esther will be taking some piano lessons with me. We started her out in Alfred's Piano Lesson's for Late Beginners. I have enough piano background to teach her for the first few years at home. She had her first lesson/practice this week which she was keen to start in on!
Both the kids will be involved in a local homeschool co-op, which will begin in October. They will be attending a Homeschool Book Club. Graham will be in the Senior one while Esther will attend the Junior. We may do homeschool swimming lesson's in the new year, we'll see.
So that's it!
Monday, February 9, 2015
"Layers" DLP2015 Week 6
February's Theme for The Documented Life Project is: Layers You Will Love! The art challenge for February 7th was: When Not to Stop!, The journal prompt was Don't Stop Till You Get Enough!
I followed the prompt as best I could. I didn't have the tools they used so I need to improvise. I layered acrylic paints in layers starting with the blue followed by tan, green and white. I used a baby wipe and my fingers to do some blending. Once I was done I thought it looked a lot like how our earth looks from the International Space Station, so I decided to make some moons in their various stages, the sun and a couple planets. I then used a stencil I made and added some of the stars in whichever way struck my fancy. I went over some of them with a fine black pen, and added some squiggly lines here and there near the other more linear star patterns.
I am not super crazy about how it turned out but it certainly is a lot of layers! It also gave me an idea of how to put some layers on and then add some mixed media techniques on top. I tried to use layers and shading to make my space theme look more 3D. I enjoyed that very much! :) I love blending techniques and mixing colours.
I followed the prompt as best I could. I didn't have the tools they used so I need to improvise. I layered acrylic paints in layers starting with the blue followed by tan, green and white. I used a baby wipe and my fingers to do some blending. Once I was done I thought it looked a lot like how our earth looks from the International Space Station, so I decided to make some moons in their various stages, the sun and a couple planets. I then used a stencil I made and added some of the stars in whichever way struck my fancy. I went over some of them with a fine black pen, and added some squiggly lines here and there near the other more linear star patterns.
I am not super crazy about how it turned out but it certainly is a lot of layers! It also gave me an idea of how to put some layers on and then add some mixed media techniques on top. I tried to use layers and shading to make my space theme look more 3D. I enjoyed that very much! :) I love blending techniques and mixing colours.
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| Space theme for "Layers" |
Words with Friends: DLP2015 Week Four
Continuing on with the January theme of The Blank Page and how to face it the prompt for week four of The Documented Life Project was Writing, the journal prompt was Words with Friends. The idea was to use your writing in combination with art. I find it very interesting how everyone interprets the prompts. There is so much creativity expressed through each person's unique perspective. I love looking through them on the Facebook page.
I decided I wanted to learn how to do a sunset and then drop some silhouettes onto the page. I choose birds and did some free hand sketching with them. They were each doing their own thing but flying together. It reminds me of my friends, all so unique and different, on their own paths but still together! I put a little girl with her puppy, it reminded me of Miley, who I have often walk in the sun with, whether it is early morning or at dusk.
I noticed a fair amount of people did the writing right on their pictures but I wasn't keen on doing that with this particular piece. I left some room on the side to write some quotes in cursive (I enjoy cursive writing). I coated it with some yellow water colour and then took a fine tipped black pen to add my quotes in. I pulled from various sources. I had most of them in my commonplace notebook so I looked them up and copied from there. I love C.S. Lewis quotes so most of them are from him, along with Helen Keller and Martin Luther King Junior.
I am pleased with the way this turned out! It's one of my favorites so far.
I decided I wanted to learn how to do a sunset and then drop some silhouettes onto the page. I choose birds and did some free hand sketching with them. They were each doing their own thing but flying together. It reminds me of my friends, all so unique and different, on their own paths but still together! I put a little girl with her puppy, it reminded me of Miley, who I have often walk in the sun with, whether it is early morning or at dusk.
I noticed a fair amount of people did the writing right on their pictures but I wasn't keen on doing that with this particular piece. I left some room on the side to write some quotes in cursive (I enjoy cursive writing). I coated it with some yellow water colour and then took a fine tipped black pen to add my quotes in. I pulled from various sources. I had most of them in my commonplace notebook so I looked them up and copied from there. I love C.S. Lewis quotes so most of them are from him, along with Helen Keller and Martin Luther King Junior.
I am pleased with the way this turned out! It's one of my favorites so far.
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| I let it dry before I put a wash on it to 'set' the picture back and make it look hazy. |
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| Finished it off with the water colour and quotes. |
Thursday, January 22, 2015
My Struggle with Insomnia
I have always had some difficulty sleeping, ever since I can remember. But the last few years a noticeable pattern has begun to emerge. The winter is particularly difficult for me, during these months I experience severe bouts of insomnia. It's the type of insomnia that makes it hard to even function. I really thought about this as the summer turned into fall. So I decided this year, I would be proactive and take steps to take care of myself during this time. I tend to be the type of person who just copes and gets on with life. There is still school to be done, meals to make, programs to attend, chores to be done - so I just do them. My children notice me short on the patience but all in all, I just do what needs to be done. Most often I suffer in silence, I didn't want to approach it that way this year. I wanted to look at it holistically - not just from the physical side.
Don't misunderstand - I realize I must do what I can physically. Here are some of the things I am doing:
- 2000 iu of vitamin D per day
- on a good fish oil
- on some magnesium
- a jaunt outside, particularly when the sun is shinning
- lots and lots of water; lemon water is best
- epsom salt baths
- deep breathing techniques before bed
- limit screen time before bed
These are good things to do, combined all together, they appear to be helping. I added a couple as the season has progressed. December was especially brutal for the insomnia. It was just so bad and I was thankful for my husband being home for most of that month.
When you loose sleep, it is not only physically exhausting but it's mentally debilitating too. In all the sources of information, I have come across, I haven't seen a whole lot about that. The information tends to be more about how to alleviate the physical part of the problem. Honestly, though, there is no quick fix for insomnia. It's not easily solved. I have struggled with it long enough to understand - it's a very long walk. As I considered this more, I knew I had to approach this time of struggle in a far different way emotionally.
I prayed a lot about it. I prayed for it to be taken from me but so far, it hasn't happened. :) So I feel a bit like Paul, it's that thorn, it's that time when Christ becomes more and He is truly my strength. I prayed God would help me find a way through it then.
In a society where everything is so quick, so readily available, I knew that the temptation would be to just spend time online, with social media outlets. When I am so tired it would be easy to indulge. I needed something peaceful, something to still my mind not agitate it or fill it with loads upon loads of information. :) I also needed to give myself permission to take special care of myself during this time. So with those things in mind this is what I have done to take care of myself during this time.
- spend quiet time reading/praying in the morning
- drink my tea or coffee (while it's hot!)
- indulge in the past time of letter writing (this also helps me keep in contact with people when I don't feel like I can handle conversations on the phone or a social networking site)
- write in my common place notebook
- read poetry and other beautiful things
- take lovely pictures of good moments
- limit the amount of activities I have going. This was essential, I struggled last year with doing other things because I was exhausted, making driving or participation in these activities difficult to cope with.
- do something I find very enjoyable. For me this has been art. I am not fantastic at it but I sure love creating and enjoy learning how to do different techniques. I am taking an art class, and am also taking part in The Documented Life Project. This is essentially a year long art project in the form of a journal. I look forward to this every week. :)
These things have helped me more then I can express. I may not be getting stellar sleep but I am learning to find enjoyment and rest through other means. I have also learned to be gentle with myself. I can't be all things right now, it has been okay to take a step back and sow seeds of rest. I have come to think of this time as one in which I am hibernating, still growing but in different ways. :)
Don't misunderstand - I realize I must do what I can physically. Here are some of the things I am doing:
- 2000 iu of vitamin D per day
- on a good fish oil
- on some magnesium
- a jaunt outside, particularly when the sun is shinning
- lots and lots of water; lemon water is best
- epsom salt baths
- deep breathing techniques before bed
- limit screen time before bed
These are good things to do, combined all together, they appear to be helping. I added a couple as the season has progressed. December was especially brutal for the insomnia. It was just so bad and I was thankful for my husband being home for most of that month.
When you loose sleep, it is not only physically exhausting but it's mentally debilitating too. In all the sources of information, I have come across, I haven't seen a whole lot about that. The information tends to be more about how to alleviate the physical part of the problem. Honestly, though, there is no quick fix for insomnia. It's not easily solved. I have struggled with it long enough to understand - it's a very long walk. As I considered this more, I knew I had to approach this time of struggle in a far different way emotionally.
I prayed a lot about it. I prayed for it to be taken from me but so far, it hasn't happened. :) So I feel a bit like Paul, it's that thorn, it's that time when Christ becomes more and He is truly my strength. I prayed God would help me find a way through it then.
In a society where everything is so quick, so readily available, I knew that the temptation would be to just spend time online, with social media outlets. When I am so tired it would be easy to indulge. I needed something peaceful, something to still my mind not agitate it or fill it with loads upon loads of information. :) I also needed to give myself permission to take special care of myself during this time. So with those things in mind this is what I have done to take care of myself during this time.
- spend quiet time reading/praying in the morning
- drink my tea or coffee (while it's hot!)
- indulge in the past time of letter writing (this also helps me keep in contact with people when I don't feel like I can handle conversations on the phone or a social networking site)
- write in my common place notebook
- read poetry and other beautiful things
- take lovely pictures of good moments
- limit the amount of activities I have going. This was essential, I struggled last year with doing other things because I was exhausted, making driving or participation in these activities difficult to cope with.
- do something I find very enjoyable. For me this has been art. I am not fantastic at it but I sure love creating and enjoy learning how to do different techniques. I am taking an art class, and am also taking part in The Documented Life Project. This is essentially a year long art project in the form of a journal. I look forward to this every week. :)
These things have helped me more then I can express. I may not be getting stellar sleep but I am learning to find enjoyment and rest through other means. I have also learned to be gentle with myself. I can't be all things right now, it has been okay to take a step back and sow seeds of rest. I have come to think of this time as one in which I am hibernating, still growing but in different ways. :)
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Colour Wheel: DLP2015 Week 3
I have really looked forward to this each week. Working with the theme for January: "The blank page and how to face it", the art challenge for the Documented Life Project was: "The Colour Wheel". The journal prompt was a quote by Gerogia O'Keeffe "I found I could say things with colour and shape that I couldn't say any other way." My heart resonates with this quote. I feel like art gives voice to my soul to express my thoughts, my feelings, my emotions, my passions and all those things I love and hold dear.
I wanted to do something bright and colourful. In keeping with my goal to learn new art techniques, I again, used a tutorial to help me create this flower across my page. I just love the colours and background. Most of all, I loved that I learned how to create something new.
I decided to catalogue my water colours on the other half of my page. I have to say, I enjoyed this very much. It was nice to see how all the colours looked on paper. It gave me a good idea about pigment as well sampling how to work with them a little bit. It is so bright and cheerful too! I will journal over top of them throughout the week in some sort of fashion. Not sure how yet.
Loving this time of learning and settling in.
I wanted to do something bright and colourful. In keeping with my goal to learn new art techniques, I again, used a tutorial to help me create this flower across my page. I just love the colours and background. Most of all, I loved that I learned how to create something new.
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| A vibrant flower to bring colour and cheer to my day. |
Loving this time of learning and settling in.
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| Water colour palates. |
Working with Gesso! DLP2015 Week 2
I am behind on blogging about my Documented Life Prompts! I have two to do today. I think I will need to put them in their own section on my blog though. I will have fun going back at the end of the year to see the progression. January's theme for the DLP 2015 is "The blank page, and how to face it!" The art prompt was gesso and the journal prompt: "The beginning is always today" ~ Mary Shelley.
I used gesso to give texture to my background, mixed it with some light blue and hues of pink while working it into the page. I used a tutorial to create my branches and bird. I like the way it turned out! I absolutely love painting birds. They are my favorite nature selection to work with.
I added in quotes that spoke to me. I used the other half of the first page of this lay out to journal in throughout the week. I enjoyed opening my page each morning to see him waiting there! :)
I used gesso to give texture to my background, mixed it with some light blue and hues of pink while working it into the page. I used a tutorial to create my branches and bird. I like the way it turned out! I absolutely love painting birds. They are my favorite nature selection to work with.
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| My little cardinal sitting on his branch. |
I added in quotes that spoke to me. I used the other half of the first page of this lay out to journal in throughout the week. I enjoyed opening my page each morning to see him waiting there! :)
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| Morning coffee with some reading and writing. |
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Peaceful Retreat, Times of Refreshing. (Hibernation Week One)
This past week has been an amazing time of peaceful learning and moments of quiet reflection.
At the end of November my friend asked me if I wanted to sign up for an on line retreat called Hibernation through Beauty that Moves. The site was offering the opportunity to split the cost of this retreat between two people. At first, I wondered if it was wise to add something else to my days. After I read through the description though, I knew it was something I needed to add to my winter season. I consider myself truly blessed to be able to take part in this retreat. I am grateful my friend suggested it to me.
The retreat is essentially a series of prompts centered around the ideas of nourish, gather, renew, create and rest. Every day I have looked forward to these emails and the time I have spent in the online FB group with like minded people. All of us striving to chase the winter blues away, while creating new, healthy habits that refresh the soul.
This week I have created my own little nook in a corner filled with my books, beautiful candles, my crochet tucked away beside my chair, a warm inviting hot water bottle made anew with my own hands, and a visual collage that reminds me of my winter wellness recipe.
My little nook is what has thrilled me the most. I can begin and end the day in it, spend time in prayer, write in my journal, read, crochet, or have a tea. I honestly can not find words to express how much doing this has meant to me. It invites me to sit down a while, to find comfort in relaxing and joy in the moments of surrendering my soul to the quiet. I am a busy Mama, to three wonderful children and wife to an amazing man. My days and sometimes evenings are filled with much activity. I have come to understand that slowing down, creating my own space for myself helps me to recenter and become 'me' again. That will only improve the atmosphere in our home. I am grateful for this past week, the gentle reminder that these things are important. This has felt like a time of freedom for me. I have loved every second.
At the end of November my friend asked me if I wanted to sign up for an on line retreat called Hibernation through Beauty that Moves. The site was offering the opportunity to split the cost of this retreat between two people. At first, I wondered if it was wise to add something else to my days. After I read through the description though, I knew it was something I needed to add to my winter season. I consider myself truly blessed to be able to take part in this retreat. I am grateful my friend suggested it to me.
The retreat is essentially a series of prompts centered around the ideas of nourish, gather, renew, create and rest. Every day I have looked forward to these emails and the time I have spent in the online FB group with like minded people. All of us striving to chase the winter blues away, while creating new, healthy habits that refresh the soul.
This week I have created my own little nook in a corner filled with my books, beautiful candles, my crochet tucked away beside my chair, a warm inviting hot water bottle made anew with my own hands, and a visual collage that reminds me of my winter wellness recipe.
My little nook is what has thrilled me the most. I can begin and end the day in it, spend time in prayer, write in my journal, read, crochet, or have a tea. I honestly can not find words to express how much doing this has meant to me. It invites me to sit down a while, to find comfort in relaxing and joy in the moments of surrendering my soul to the quiet. I am a busy Mama, to three wonderful children and wife to an amazing man. My days and sometimes evenings are filled with much activity. I have come to understand that slowing down, creating my own space for myself helps me to recenter and become 'me' again. That will only improve the atmosphere in our home. I am grateful for this past week, the gentle reminder that these things are important. This has felt like a time of freedom for me. I have loved every second.
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| My own little nook |
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| The hot water bottle I crocheted a cozy for. |
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| Remembering what is important. |
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