public school and yet

Living a creative inspired life is my heart for my children, a life where they think for themselves not just swallow information; a life where they explore and test and discover. 

This year finds three of our four children at a small school and during fragile moments I worry. 

I worry that they are being institutionalized; that they are being fed information and worksheets without the discovery, the thinking for themselves. 

I worry have I sacrificed them to the system because I couldn't  handle the deep waters of home education.

During those times (especially), I look around and I see the little 'life corners'. Those little spots where inspiration can be found to discover, to look into, to take note, to imagine, to dream.

I might make a little 'tea-time', some yummies with tea-cups and read some poetry or have them read to me.

Home Education is a heart attitude and I remind myself that even though they now go to 'school', I am still in the little things, the details creating an atmosphere of life and education.

Norman and Grace

gluten-free scones and cooking with a little sister

There has been such a flurry of cooking here lately and some particular people around here prefer to cook not with the gluten-free flour so eldest boy has not really been getting to enjoy all the yummies coming from the kitchen.
Which has lead him to do some cooking of his own. He loves lemons and we have a pile of them so after browsing through the cookbooks he settled on Lemon Butter and scones to go with them.
Whenever someones cooking, like a magnet comes a little three year old shouting 'I'm helping!'
And whether or not the help is wanted she stays until licking and dipping requirements have been satisfied. Which as seen in above photo can lead to some fiesty (and messy) times in the kitchen.
But in the end the results are oh so good and with lots of Lemon Butter to spare I discovered it goes quite nicely with ice cream.

the princess in her pea-green dress

My big girl wanted to make a dress.
I suggested as I'm not an experienced sewer perhaps we could start with a smaller, slightly easier project.
No she would not be moved. "It's easy mama, I know what I'm going to do. I'll just lay out my material and put my dress over it and trace the shape, then we can cut around it and sew the pieces together!!
So with determination and constant reminding, she made her dress. And isn't it beautiful!!

thursday :: through the lens

On my lips today-
'dwell in me O blessed spirit,
how I need thy help divine!
in the way of life eternal,
keep, o keep this heart of mine.'

science day

The kids had a great time at a science day for homeschoolers recently. With mixing, touching and watching, it was a hands-on delight.

she cooks and its good!

My girl can cook.
Its so wonderful because we've got to the place where I can ask her 'how bout something for afternoon tea' and she's excited and 'yes, mum I'll make scones'. Woo hoo because I don't have to do it. I actually love to cook and have always baked with my little ones but you know, its so nice to share the load.
And she does such a good job!!

Bring on the learning revolution!

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

more puppy love

Oh how much are we loving these puppies! Very much, in fact the children have named them (I did get to name one-the runt) all and know them I'm still getting a few mixed up but I do know who Sarah its not hard to work out that one. There is also Coco, Terance, Chubby, Tiffa, Zara and Timmy. And yes it is going to be hard to see them go.

monday :: through the lens

puppy love

Last week we had a very exciting event that was earlier than expected. Seven little Labrador pups were enthusiastically welcomed into our midst and wonderfully, we were all home and managed to watch the amazingness of new life.
Missy is a beautiful mama-so calm and protective. She licks them all clean, nudging them around while they squeak and scramble for the best position to feed.