First Day of School

School starting is always a exciting and sad time in our house.  We are excited over the return to days filled with our friends and learning new information, mastering new skills.  We are excited for new shoes - if we need them. We operate on a needs based of adding clothing and shoes to wardrobes. We are sad for the long lazy days of summer that are behind us. I am sad to have to pick up  making lunches and policing school tool and homework and bedtimes.  although there is less of that these days as my kids age and take on many of those responsibilities themselves.  This is the last year for my middle child - he is a senior, 8th grade for the youngest and 2nd year of college for my oldest. Lots of college exploration headed our way this fall.

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/eleanorroo385439.html#pgAHJyTTEeMrarMc.99

 Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events: Small minds discuss people.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.

Oscar Wilde

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/o/oscarwilde161644.html#uaRoZDr5Tf6CqRIV.99

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.

Oscar Wilde

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/o/oscarwilde161644.html#uaRoZDr5Tf6CqRIV.99

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.

Oscar Wilde

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/o/oscarwilde161644.html#uaRoZDr5Tf6CqRIV.99

Windows of Boston

Lots of detail

Sunburst and rain cover

Loved the Trees and the detail below it

Simple

So solid and Strong

Ornate Church windows

Shutters on this one

Beautiful window box, simple lines

Notice Hearts in the Wire work

Jail windows . . .

While on a 7th grade trip to Boston this week, I took all these pictures of windows. IT was interesting to see the different Architecture and the plantings . . .  I live in the country rurally but I do love a little city now and again. It is great fun to imagine what goes on behind the windows . . .probably no different than my rural windows that look out on trees, fields and views that never end. Totally love all the window boxes. Someday I hope to have some here at Chestnut Hill.

Graduation 2012

We Had the gardens looking good and Decorated up the yard for a simple Family party the day after Graduation

Banner I made for our small party

An Asian theme with Cherry Blossom lanterns to accompany the Sushi

Technology always at hand in this generation!

Almost there!!!

We did it!!!!

Thoughtful Thursday

The Last Day of School . . . . . . . how would you finish that?  What images does it give you? What stories does it tell you? How would you do a journal page?  Today is the first day of Summer vacation!!!

Pi Day 3.14.12

Today is national Pi day the kids are celebrating at school.  Yoda has a special shirt and I have baked Pies for the high school teachers.  Needed to show you what is blooming right now at Chestnut Hill. Everything will be early this year. It is to be 70 for the next 6 days- this is crazy.  The sun feels fabulous outside- so badly want to go for a walk but am sitting to do some typing for work! Hope everyone gets outside for a little bit of this wonderful weather.  Enjoy!!

In progress . . .

In progress . . . . you could call that my life. There are always so many projects, homework, food, groups we are involved in that are "in progress" I suppose we are fortunate to be in that position, we are blessed with resources to make that happen and friends and family to cook for and be with and create for.
Cards are for a Creative group and Ronald Mc Donald group,


Soldiers for a Trade Fair at school for Yoda- he is making them himself. This is so they can experience the bartering system as part of Social studies.
Quilt top needs to be stitched then layered and quilted, a Christmas gift me thinks.

Fall is here as the days are shorter, shadows longer and earlier. I have a picture of my Horse Chestnut Tree in bloom right now though- what does that mean? Lots of mushrooms this fall it seems. Golden rod and roadside asters are fading gently as the leaves fall. The fall colors so far are splendid and hopefully if we get a sunny day I can go for a drive, Enjoy the weekend that is upon you!

Brigade 2010

Last weekend was International Scout Brigade- Re-inactment of War of 1812 in Canada
This brings together scouts from all over the USA and Canada to reenact the War of 1812 which was fought on the shores of Lake Ontario. The boys always look forward to this. Many make their own Muskets in the summer for this event.

Clay Mask

Just a little Studio in Art taking over the dining room while History day is in the living room and Pinewood derby is in the kitchen!!!
Love the colors and detail in this piece of art.

History Day 2010

What can I say - History Day has consumed our time and house. Our topic was Velcro as the theme was Innovations. This was a multi-stage process that taught the kids as much about putting together a presentation as it did the topic. The last stage was making it presentable which has been the past week. There are paper snips and Velcro everywhere but it was turned in this AM so now it is onto Science Olympiad structures and finishing a cool Clay Mask for Studio in Art. - more on that later

Science Olympiad

So this weekend was Science Olympiad, it is an event that Schools bring a Team to and can compete in about 20 events. Our Team had 10 kids and only Flowergirl as the only girl. Overall we finished in 6th place out of 24 Teams. Many of our members earned individual medals. It is very exciting to see so much excitement over Science, the often forgotten subject. Events included things such as Car of tomorrow, Wright Flight- gliders, Anatomy, Crime Busters, Reptiles and Amphibians, Trajectory, Meteorology. They prepared for about 4 months before this competition. Down time consists of Munchies , rounds of Apples to Apples and watching Wall-E . A fun day!! So much to learn.

Accepting Differences

1/16/09

This was the topic that I taught yesterday in Second Steps in Yoda's Classroom. Second Steps is a program to help with learning social/ emotional behaviors.http://www.cfchildren.org/programs/ssp/overview
The 3 units are Empathy,Impulse Control and Anger management. So we were talking about accepting differences- that all people are a little different that different does not equal bad, just different. We have different color eyes, hair tall, short,we need to accept people for who they are and not how they appear. I use chocolate bars to talk about it- they are all wrapped differently, yet on the inside they are all still chocolate no matter what the wrapper is like. The timing is perfect with Martin Luther Kings Birthday, Holiday and the Inauguration on Tuesday.