A facial review of PIPPI

We saw a preview of a local play at our public library last week. It featured 2 of the scenes from the upcoming production of PIPPI LONGSTOCKING!

 

A really loves a good dramatic production. 

Really, really. 

The singing. 

The bad guys. 

The dancing!

Seeing the story come alive!

Most especially though? The bad guys!

Why we homeschool....

...doesn't have a lot to do with academics for me. (At least not in kindergarten!)

If you know my heart, it is a lifestyle choice, not based on textbooks but on the opportunity to give my kids the best life. 

A slow breakfast, sitting in the sunshine and reflecting on Gods big beautiful creation, while eating healthy home made sourdough bread and blueberry jam. Not home made by me for them, but with them. 

The chance to eat together. To talk about life. To learn how to be a big kid, how to love on a little kid, how to use a napkin. If you don't think the last is important, you've never eaten with my kids!

This morning, C said to A, "for Halloween, you can be belle. I'M GOING TO BE THE BEAST!"

I also love that they can develop their own style, perspective, gifts and mission. While eating crackers in the street. Whatever. 

I really love having the freedom to go for a walk, to splash in puddles, and talk about Creation without the stress of schedules and homework and to just GO. 

My girls are also learning to think of others. They are learning service. Baking for the sick, bringing cards and cookies to friends and neighbors. They made these gingerbread cookies for friends who are moving out of town. They call him "red head ginger bread" and made a box of gingerbread cookies that look portraits of them! I think that is about the cutest. thing. ever!!

But I'm totally biased. 

This is what I love about homeschooling this week. 

Petrified. A trip to Wonder Lab.

I went to Wonder Lab for the first time last week. It was AMAZING!

Mom wanted to take my picture with a dinosaur. Ok. Cool.
 

Wait, mom!

..."At first, I was afraid! I was petrified!...

..."thinking I would never live with the thing by my side!"...

..."I will survive. As long as there is coffee, I know I'll stay alive!"...

Saturday

On Saturday afternoon, we went out. It was almost 50 degrees outside, drizzly and gray. Clementine didn't even wear a coat!

We ran in to Cactus Flower for a minute. It's a local boutique vintage shop in an old house with a turret and bay windows...and jam-packed to the gills with offbeat fashion. It was one of my favorite places when I was in high school.   I knew she would love it. 

She said, "This cattus haves red wips, just like ME!"

Then we went by Moonstones, another of my favorite shops back in the day. She loved looking at all the stones...and had a great time choosing 3 for a dollar. 

Taking her was so fun, she's so much like me as far as being a creative dresser. And of course, all the college girls were noticing her red lips and her outfit and telling her how much they loved her style, which was, as Clemmie says, "Pretty coo'"

While the girls were checking out books with daddy, James noticed a fire truck outside. We raced out to see it flashing, sirens blaring. He loved it. 

This, before we even start the truck, every time. I love having bookworms!

Then we hit Dairy Queen on the way home...strawberry cheese quake blizzard!!! It was the most perfect Saturday!

Birthday dinner tradition!

Every year, for the last few years, I make my mom a home cooked dinner for her birthday instead of giving her a gift. 

It's a good tradition, because my mom hates cooking! I always get out the crystal, silver, etc. I buy flowers for the table. 

This year, I made fried chicken. 

It was delicious. It was heavenly!

Just ask this guy!

Strawberry spinach salad

And speaking of heaven, STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE CHIMICHANGAS. I would eat these every.single.day. 

I used the china I bought with my mom at our historical society tag sale this summer, the tablecloth I thrifted with my sister, and hot pink carnations.

Carns are the birth flower for January, and pink ones mean affection. If you're into that sort of thing!

What birthday traditions do you have in among your family? I always love to hear a good idea!

DIY piniatas

I have a plan. I'm going to love-bomb my kids on February 15th. Heart donuts for breakfast, and all that. But I'm gonna kick the party off with homemade piniatas hung over their doors when they wake up!

Here's the deal: I made 3 and filled them for 10.00. And spent an hour total doing it. 

You'll need a hot glue gun, a glue stick, ribbon or string, scissors, tissue paper, and white paper. I used sketch paper. 

First flatten 3 sheets of tissue paper and cut down the middle, longways. 

Then cut that into three strips. 

Hold the ends together and pull them tight, to flatten the wrinkles.  

Then start cutting your fringe! I spaced mine about 2/3 of an inch apart, leaving about an inch at the top uncut. 

Now, cut your hearts! I cut one heart, then folded it over another piece of paper to trace the second one. This keeps them even. 

Now, use your glue stick on the heart, then stick the top of your fringe on! Start at the bottom and work your way up. Trust me!

Once you've finished, trim the excess tissue paper from the top, so the shape will still show. 

Using your glue gun, make a line of glue on one inside heart, most of the way around. Leave enough unglued that you can fill it! Quickly attach the other inside heart. 

Now for the fun! Start stuffing your piniata!

Using hot glue, seal up the top 

Then punch two holes at the top of the heart, tie on some string  or ribbon, and you're ready for action!

Painting DIY

How to paint a room by yourself while your kids are asleep and your husband is out of town:

First, you'll need some good music. Like if you are painting your dining room black, the Stones Paint it Black might be a good option. 

(Also if you leave your stacks of records out, the next morning you should be prepared for a discussion about men wearing women's wigs....)

Next, gather your supplies and test an area to make sure you love it! Or if you're impatient and can't wait....

I use Wooster rollers and 2 inch angled trim brushes. If you're careful, you won't need to tape. 

(I also use Valspar paint+primer. Worth ever penny!!)

Get your spackle out if you have any nail holes to fill. Slather it on , then wipe off excess with a wet paper towel. Of cousre you will want to go ahead and get about 10 paper towels wet in case you drip. (You will.)

I like to roll it side to side first. This help decrease splatter from a too full roller. 

Now you can go up and down! Work it!

I use the angled brush to smooth drips and do the edges and corners. After you roll a section, do your edges while the paint is still wet. Then repeat. I do the top of the walls last, so I can hook the paint tray to the top of the ladder and go for it. It's most efficient this way. 

If you're like  me and work over several days, use press n seal to seal up your roller and brush. And don't forget to close the paint can!

Then you can jump back in for 20 minutes here and there  

Ahhhh....enjoy your fine work and cunning use of black paint. It looks good, doesn't it?!