Posting Parcels

I love parcels. I love sending of packages taped up and packed with goodies. I love our small post office when I frequent to get our stamps and send off my mail.

When I was younger, I used to love watching Murder She Wrote starring Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher. I love this show for several reasons. It was a murder mystery with humor and a main character who charmed you. You didn't have to worry about it not being suitable for kids. It was based in a small town in Maine, where everyone knew everyone else. She sent parcels to her friends and family. She solved mysteries - but better yet, she was a writer. And back then, I wanted to be a writer so badly.

I think my college roommates got a huge kick out of the fact that I actually watched the show when it was on. But, most of them watched it with me.

You see, in college, I desperately wanted to be a writer. Who lived in Maine. Sending parcels to people. Except for that being involved in a murder thing. I could do without that one. I loved the idea of getting up early in the morning, writing for a few hours, then having the rest of the day to enjoy and play.

Though I don't live in Maine, I do teach English. (Jessica was a subsitute English teacher.) I do send parcels out. I love to read murder mysteries, and I enjoy writing, though I've never written a book about a murder mystery. Although, there was a time when several people got on the murder mystery party badwagon (started by Ed in college, and who had the most ingenious props and character sketches, but, I'm digressing), of which I was one, and of which mine were more based on fun, as opposed to a real plot. But, that's another time and story.

In regards to Jessica Fletcher, she lived a relatively simple and happy life. (As opposed to the whole murder things, I know.) She also reminded me of my grams, who used to travel like Jessica did. (Though, grams wasn't a writer.)

I live a happy life, in not in a small town, but in a town that is smaller than most. It's not seaside, but mountainside, and that suits me just fine. I enjoy writing, though most of mine is blogging as of late, painting, and the like.

One day, I'd love to live in Maine, at least for a year to experience it. One day, I may decide to write a book, though I doubt it would be a Murder Mystery (although, I'm not ruling it out). One day, I might be a charming, spunky, older lass, like Jessica. I hope so. The character was so full of life and zest...

But until then, I'm happy right here, blogging about, playing with Pook, living and enjoying my little life, that y'all get to peek into, while posting the occasional parcel from my lil post office.

Wonderous Wednesday

What neat things shall we discover today? Who knows... It's a Kindermusik day - the last of the semester. I can't get a peek outside, to see if it actually snowed or not, but I hope it didn't, because next week will be a week off before the spring semester starts.

It's also a trip to mail off a parcel to my sweet nephew. (I'll digress about parcels in a following post.) I love our small town Post Office, where the post master knows his clientele, and keeps sweets on hand for the little ones. Pook enjoys it for the free lollipops. :)

Yesterday, Pook wasn't feeling the best, and I was on the phone for almost two hours, so we didn't get as much done as I'd like, but then, everyone has days like that.

This morning, she is sleeping soundly upon me as I type. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of her new bed, and plan on making a big to do about it when it does get here. I think we've got 1.5 weeks left. We are ready and waiting.

Tomorrow - we'll be making pinch pots! At least that is the plan! :) Maybe, I'll even have pics!

Everything, and anything can be a learning experience

The hibernation isn't quite going as planned, but that's okay. I'm using this post as a sounding board more or less, as I've been asked to take part in a leading a workshop that encourages parents to celebrate the seasons with their children. I've also been pondering how to make homeschooling (or HS as I'll be referring to it hereon) more of a priority in our lives.

And so, I'm here. Putting forth my thoughts into this electronic media for you dear readers!

In regards to HS, I've decided to start displaying HS stuff around the house for inspiration and encouragement. There are 5 areas that I do my best to focus on with Pook each day:

* Words - Reading, writing, and phonics
* Numbers - Counting, Math
* Music/Dance - Listening, dancing, singing, making, appreciating
* Art - Painting, sculpting, drawing, etc.
* Nature - doing something that relates to the outdoors
* Creative Play - This is based on books from Oak Meadow. It's when she plays on her own.

In order to encourage these priorities, I've decided to really start incorporating the HS aspects into our decor.

Words:
Books can be found in almost every room of our home. On second thought, at this very moment, there are books in everyroom of our home!

I'm infamous for posting quotes, affirmations, and meaningful words. There are magnetic letters on the fridge that we trace with our fingers. Before bed is the mandatory reading with Daddy (and sometimes Mommy). In the morning (on good days), Pook and I sit and read together.

She can already write an H, but until she shows more interest, I'm not pushing the writing aspect yet. But there are plenty of line tracing activities I can encourage her to do if she's interested, and that she can do as she gets older.

In regards to phonics, we haven't done much work with that, but we will. Another neat thing to do, is to make bread dough or play dough into letters.

Numbers:
Decorwise - they appear on our fridge with the magnetic letters. She is constantly counting and sorting things on her own, so numbers are pretty easy. I haven't quite figured how else I plan on displaying them, although, she does have object on her nature table she can count and sort. Also, games like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, etc. encourage counting too.

Music/Dance:

Our home is usually always filled with music. Each meal we usually play a CD. And, when we are cleaning or cooking, music usually fills the air. Occasionally, you'll find all of us (even Daddy) breaking into dance. In the kitchen. Alone or all together.

Art:

To encourage art, I've created a table centerpiece that displays all kinds of good art supplies on the kitchen table. Using jars, I've put out markers, crayons, paint brushes, chalk, and other inspirational goodies.

I keep them on a tray, for easy removal from the table when we have guests. They encourage Pook to draw and create each day. As an artist, and a believer that art and creative expression is important, this is a big one for me. Already, I've got most of the learning stuff put on shelves in the dinning room for easy access.

Nature:

Recently, we've created a nature table for Pook. A nature table is a great way for kids to be indoors, and there is a vast amount of information out there on them. However, let me tell you what we are doing. The table changes each season. Right now, we're on winter (even though it feels like freakin spring.)

There's a blue towel with snowflakes on it; a stuffed snowman; a kailidoscope (scuse the spelling); a woven bowl with acorn caps, a pine cone (it's on the list to find/get more), 3 dradles, a few seashells; a bowl of rocks; a vase with sticks from the tree outside (that was budding *sigh*); a cool shaped stick from a walk at Oregon Ridge long ago; her fairy wands; and a basket filled with wintery, snowy, and Christmassy books.

Each season the books and cloth will change accordingly, as we discuss what occurs with weather, plants, animals, etc.. On Thursday, we plan to make homemade pinch pots that will enable her to create art, and sort items like acorn caps, sea shells, sticks, and other nature goodies.

When we go for walks, or visits, I encourage her to find rocks, leaves, and the like to keep on her table. Many things on her table have a story to go with them, which make them even cooler. Even when she leaves the nest, I think I shall keep a spot for a nature table in our home. It's become that precious to me.

Creative Play:

All of her toys are easily displayed and in easy reach. Hopefully, she'll have a kitchen set for her birthday. She just got a doll house for her birthday. If you think of how a nursery school is set up (corner to keep coats, store, dress-up area, kitchen/house area, blocks, art area, reading area, doll house, car area, snack area, etc.), you'll get the idea of how we are setting up our home to reflect this.

Already, I've got most of the learning stuff put on shelves in the dinning room for easy access.

I don't have a formal schedule as of yet, and she is involved in a Kindermusik class (if you have kids, I cannot reccomend this program enough - and it starts with birth until age 7) throughout the year. This program tackles all these things, and then some.

What I like best about HS, is that every day is a learning experience - for all of us. For instance, a day at our friends' farm means outdoors and in nature. She gathers and counts the eggs (numbers). She plays the piano (music). She plays in the water (creative play). She come home, and curls up in bed to read with Daddy.

As you can see, even if you are choosing not to HS, you can still incorporate these ideas for your own child. I find, that if you make learning fun, and realize you do it everyday, it makes the whole experience more amazing. You'd be surprised what you gain from it as well!

200th Post and More Snow

It's my 200th post. Wow. Have I really written so much?

Yes. And each time I write, it frees up a part of my mind, providing clarity. I've always been a writer, in that I love to write. This blog has been a great outlet for me.

Today it snowed again. Pook was excited beyond belief. She was especially excited when she realized that she could leave foot prints. She made a snow rainbow with her lil friends.

She even made a snowman with her friends. Though good for skiing, our snow was not good for packing, so the snowman looks like he's melting.

The one thing this winter's snow has taught me, is that sometimes, you need to just leave things and go play in it. If you wait until the afternoon, it might be melted and gone, and then you've nothing to play in.

This winter, I'm all about getting outside in the snow. Pook loves it, and I get to recconect with something greater - nature and the outdoors.

So here's to the footprints we leave, and the blogs that we read. May you always get the chance to play in the snow, before it's gone.

SNOW!!!!

Finally! Snow! Of course, I'm not happy hubby's got to drive in it, but it's still snowing, and we might get to actually PLAY in it later.

Pook is incredibly excited as you can imagine.

I, for one, am just happy it's finally looking and feeling like winter. Mind you of course, it's supposed to be 65 again this Saturday.

But for now, for today - snow!!!

Feeling emotionally wrung out...

We spent this weekend running errands... making preparations for the house enhancements...

On Saturday, we bought our baby a new bed. It's a twin bed, with a trundle. It's cottage white - per her request. (Funny, as to how I had white furniture as a child, and loathed it.)

Today, we cleared out her room, took down her crib, rearranged her toys, cleared a few out.

I am unable to eloquently express how I feel right now, other then totally exhausted. I long to crash into bed, yet, I type here, to express to all of you the affect of this next stage in my life.

And so, there it is. My lil-big-girl is getting a room fit for an older gal. Each day she grows and changes. It's marvelous. And yet... why do I feel the tears welling?

Welcome 2007

Mmm... lentil soup. This was our dinner tonight. Pook helped me to make it, and you should've seen her shoveling it in her mouth. Served with a dollop of sour cream - nummy, nutritious goodness!

I'm sure you might love it (or not) if I told you that we attended some fantastic party to ring in the new year. Fact is, we spent the weekend in a brillant jumbled mix of cleaning, laundry, and visiting. It was fun, and a lot more than we usually do. Last night, we came home from visiting, finished cleaning, let Pook bang the gong, and then tucked ourselves into bed, and fell fast to dreamland sometime after 10 pm.

This morning, after lots of cuddles and laughs, we indulged in french toast with berries in the middle, English breakfast tea with milk and a bit of sugar, and some good chats. I'm currently making some lentil soup for dinner (that I had a blast making with Pook as a helper), and catching up on some computer stuff.

Today, we start our version of the celebration of Anagantios (the Celtic tradition of staying home time usually Jan- Feb). In our case, it means 2 months (or more depending) where we stay home. Basically, we hibernate. Like bears. Almost. I mean, we don't live in a cave and sleep until spring.

This year we plan on using the time to go through and clear out stuff. And, I'm full into the homeschooling route.

Last night, Pook got one of those birdfeeders that you can attach right to the window.

She is eagerly awaiting the birds' arrival. We figure that it'll be a few days before they realize that it's there, and that they'll get used to us. Today, we've done art, discussed birds, danced and listened to music. It's been fun and light, and good all around.

So, I'll be checking in on occasion, but, I really want to try and get more reading done over the next few months as well. However, y'all know that I can't seem to stay away, so anything goes. :)