I'll take the little things...

Parker is loving his days at the blended program. Since returning from Christmas vacation he seems to have settled into a comfortable rhythm and his teachers say he is a joy to have in the classroom.

Yesterday when I picked him up after school the teacher took me aside to tell me a story.

Just before Christmas, Miss Mary was showing the children a Pysanka and left it on her desk when they moved on to their next class. The pysanka was broken and Miss Mary asked whoever was responsible to come forward. Nobody did.

Yesterday she found a small ceramic bird broken and told the class how dissappointed she was (she knew who'd broken it) and would appreciate if someone let her know. Nobody owned up to the bird, but she said on the way to gym class, Parker took her aside and told her that he was looking at her "amazing" pysanka before Christmas and he accidently dropped it. He told her how bad he felt and said he was so sorry.

She told me that it meant so much to her that Parker felt comfortable enough to come forward and tell her the truth.

We are looking online to find a new pysanka to replace her broken one. Parker told me that he would like to earn some extra money to buy it for her.

I am just so pleased that P came forward and fessed up. I had no idea about the egg and knowing that he made this decision on his own and followed through in an appropriate way tells me that he is growing up, that he feels comfortable and happy at his school and reminds me how much I like the person Parker is becoming!

Homeschooling ramblings...

So, I have had quite a few people ask me how homeschooling is going.

Parker opted for the local homeschooling "Blended Program". This means that every Thursday and every second Tuesday and half Friday he attends a school with other homeschoolers. The days are shorter - 10 amd-3pm and it is based on Thematic teaching, but it is fun for him and he likes it so far... his favourite subject is "Recess" or "Dodgeball", but what first-grader's isn't?

At home we do some reading and some basic math, use the abacus, watch an educational video or two, model with clay, paint, bake, dance and play. We meet up with other homeschooling friends, go to the zoo, science center, pool.

One thing about homeschooling that I love is that we get up about 8am. There is no hurrying. There is no rushing through breakfast. There is very little stress. If we need a nap in the afternoon, we put on a quiet video and cuddle on my bed.

Liam is as happy as a clam having time alone with Mama. We have been swimming, shopping, lunching and playing... it is good times and he seems to be out-growing the "f'ing fours"... thank goodness.

So, so far, homeschooling is good... very good!

Hammock Heaven

I have wanted a hammock for SO long. I layed down in one somewhere once and it was so great that I haven't stopped thinking about it.

Today is Thursday and the flyers arrived and what do you know...Canadian Tire has a lovely rope hammock on sale for $24.99. I had to have it.

Alan installed it between a corner post of our fence and the lovely Tamarack in our yard... with a few adjustments (to stop my bottom from grazing the grass) and I was in hammock heaven!

Liam and I cuddled under one of Parker's silks and read this month's 'Chirp' magazine (thanks Mom!), then Parker decided he needed some quiet hammock time and we left him alone to relax (mostly alone...I had to take some pictures...:D).

If you have a quiet spot between two trees that you don't know what to do with, I'd highly recommend it.

Looking up

Me, relaxing.

Feigning sleep because I asked him to...:)

Parker, relaxing.

Toothless Wonder

So, my 6 year old finally lost his front tooth.

We were walking in the grocery store and he said, "Mom, I can turn my tooth sideways!!". Sure enough, it was twisted sideways in his mouth. 15 minutes later it was out and his little face has changed forever...*sniff*.

I remember when he got his first bottom tooth, feeling a little sad that his little smile would never be the same.

I don't think I will ever get used to how amazingly quickly he changes and grows... I love him...:)