Fun at Yuba Lake

Our Fourth of July plans seemed to change every two days for the last three weeks. First we were planning on visiting Mr. Brooke's parents, then maybe not, then yes, then no...then a definite no when work demanded Mr. Brooke for the entire holiday weekend. So I made plans with our neighbors to go to Yuba Lake on Saturday so the girls and I would have something to do. Then, miracles of miracles, Mr. Brooke ended up with Saturday off (a supplier didn't come through on time with some materials) and decided to come along.





We played so hard! It was a beautiful day! When we left, the girls were seeming very tired, and I turned around as we drove off of the Yuba Lake property to see this:

They didn't even wake up when I started laughing. Cute girls.

Self Education, 2009-2010 School Year

I realized that I have no plans for my own education for the next school year! Me, with no plan for myself! The horrors!

I so wish I could be like so many other mamas who can get up at 4am and study for two hours and then study another 2 hours after the kiddos go to bed! I am constantly reminding myself that I am the mother of three young children and that my self-education time is extremely limited in that I am the primary "do just about everything-er" for my girls while they're so young. (The fact that Bluebird can dress herself almost makes me giddy on some mornings...finally, something she can do on her own!)

In trying to decide my self-education goals, I'm taking into account what kind of example I want to set for my girls as well. Mr. Brooke and I would like it if each child studied a musical instrument and participated in some sort of physical activity (sports teams, dance, etc.) at all times, so I figure I should try to model that for them. The fun part: Which instrument and which sport?

And then there's the actual learning stuff--you know, the things that require reading and studying and thinking. (I know music falls into this category in some regards!) I know I'll be acquiring a ton of knowledge just by going through history and science with Bluebird this coming year, but I still want to formally pursue some topic(s) of interest. What topic(s)? And I'm thinking that it's wise to pursue one science-related and one humanties-related area.

The Brainstorm:
Music: Voice (my primary instrument), Violin (started learning a couple months ago), Recorder (some experience), Piano (would love to be good at it), Guitar (always had an interest). Ideally, I'd pick one and focus on it for the entire year, instead of flitting back and forth between a few of them.

Sport: Volleyball, Running, Swing Dancing (which carries the added bonus of having something to do on date night!)

Humanities Areas: Italian, Latin, Drawing

Sciences Areas: Astronomy...and...uh...maybe Geology? (I guess my decision is already made in this category...)

Hmm, brainstorming is fun. Now to stew...

Lazy Day Hat

You know how you'll sometimes wake up in the morning and say to yourself, "I'm going to accomplish something today"? I awoke today in such a mood and now Rabbit has a hat to show for it.

Pattern: Make It Perfect's "Lazy Day Hat"
Fabric: I know it's still available in stores, but my particular cuts of both do not have the fabric information printed on them. Sorry!

There is a mistake in the pattern at the end--turn fabric B RIGHT SIDE OUT in order to match it up with the brim when you're making the huge hat sandwich.

A quick project that is reversible and downright cute! There are moments where you just have to trust the pattern and go with it...it's gets a little "Wha...?" at times.

Bluebird now wants a hat made from the sock monkey fabric and some random American Flag print I've got in the stash. I told her she needs to wait until I make an apron and a shoulder bag for myself. It's time to reward myself for all this sewing I've been doing for everyone in the past week.

Rabbit's Monkey Apron

I had hoped to complete this during last week's "Super Homemaking Week," but fell short by a few days. We just finished it this evening--me sewing, Rabbit standing by my elbow and cautioning me to "Watch yo fingahs..."


Pattern: Apron B from "Little Retro Aprons for Kids" by Cindy Taylor Oates
Fabric: Sock Monkey by Erin Michael #15071 (Moda), Red Gingham and some random piece of red with colored dots that I've had for forever, Canary Rick-Rack

I love little people in aprons. This is a size 4 (the smallest size in the book), so it's a teeny bit big, but she'll grow into it soon enough. I have enough Sock Monkey print leftover to do something big with...perhaps someday I'll don a sock monkey apron myself, very fun.

Rabbit LOVES her apron! The first thing she said when I was fitting it over her head was, "Huwway! Now I can help Mama make some pancakes!" She loves her pocket and is convinced that there is a "liddle spoon" somewhere in the kitchen that she can carry in the pocket and whip out in a baking emergency. Oh, to be two years old and the proud owner of a brand new sock monkey apron...

Fun in Salt Lake City

It's our "Fourth of July School Break" this week and the girls wanted to start it out by going up to Salt Lake City to see the temple, ride the train (Trax), and play in the "water that comes out of the ground." We left as soon as they were dressed and fed so we could beat the heat, and they wriggled and giggled in their seats the entire trip up there.




I pointed out a group of missionaries to Bluebird and asked her if she'd like to shake their hands, and ZOOM, off she went over to them. The one missionary in front is actually righting himself after almost tripping over her because she accosted them so quickly.

Weekly Report: June 22-27, 2009

Well, there's no school to report on; but we have done well with Super Homemaking Week, finishing everything but two items, minus the one item that could not be done due to some advanced food decomposition. (And I'm 2/3 done with one of the two uncompleted tasks.)

One of my neighbors has decided to homeschool her children during this upcoming school year and she came over this week to discuss things. We're going to team up for history and science so our girls can have each other for company. I've agreed to forgo with the super early commencement of the next school year in order to allow her some more time to get her ducks in a row so we can be on the same page. (It will be OK; Bluebird has been expressing an interest in studying germs, so we'll learn about germs for a few weeks before beginning our planned studies.)

I am attempting to start a Daisy Girl Scout Troop for our homeschool group. I really hope it becomes a reality...the little girls already meet once a week for girls' club as it is, so it wouldn't be hard at all to turn a couple of those meetings into Daisy meetings.

This next week is a bonafide "School Break" in which we will attempt to have as much fun and excitement away from the house as possible. I don't know what we're doing yet; but the girls have expressed interest in going to the water park, going to Temple Square and having picnics. Definitely doable. Don't be sad when I don't post too terribly much throughout the next week.

Nature Journal Entries from Outdoor Hour #3

Rabbit's depiction of the non-existent cat we supposedly saw on our hike.

Bluebird's enthusiastic representation of the dead fish we found by the river.

My scribbles. Drawing isn't necessarily something I've been able to focus a lot of attention on. :)

Original post of the hike.