It Takes a Community

The Village

Tie Dye * Dairy Palooza * Geography

This fall, four families, including ours, have decided to join together for group activities. Each mom takes a turn leading a project or learning session. So far we've each had a chance to lead a session and experience three other mom's leading. While planning my own session to lead has been a little stressful (Always wanting to please kids of a vast age range and their parents!), the month has been great. I have thoroughly enjoyed going to someone else's group to relax while someone else takes the helm!

Colors

Money Saving Tip

Or Money Boxes?

So far ever fall, before we begin our studies, we seem to do a big art projects. The first year was our classroom mural. The second year was another wall mural. Well, we ran out of walls to paint. So, our painting project was much smaller this year.

This fall, we decided to paint money jars. The kids get an allowance each month. They will separate their money into the three jars. One to save. We make periodic trips to the bank to deposit their money into their savings accounts. Two to pay taxes. Tax money will be paid back to us parents who are doling out the allowance. This is new. I have, in the past, just taken this money out before I pay them. I have put that money into their savings area and it has become what goes into their savings accounts. This may change, but for now, they will need to save money on their own and the taxes will come back to us, so that they can see how "getting paid" works for working folks. I think it's going to be a bit of a shock to their wallets. And finally, three to spend. This money is theirs to do with whatever they want (and we parents try to grin and bare it when they buy cheap toys and candy.)

Learn Locally

Eat or Shop Locally? Why Not Learn Locally, Too?

Today's field trip took us to a local wheat mill. The tour included a lot of hands-on activities. The kids saw the big mill grinding the wheat into flour. They were able to make their own label and fill a bag oby f wheat to take home. They even ground their own wheat by hand. It took a LONG time by hand... maybe making a tablespoon each in about 5-10 minutes. Fun as an activity on a tour, but none of us were sure we wanted to do that as a way to survive, although we thought about what we would do while making flour (tell stories, gossip, sing).

We're On Fire

The West Coast Is Burning

Northern CA

This summer we witnessed fire up close and personally. While we were visiting relatives in Northern California, a neighbor set their trash on fire and it got out of control. Really out of control. The fire burned more than 50 acres of land. I don't think any structures were lost or people hurt. But it was a very scary afternoon for us all, especially my family whose home was threatened. 

Something I saw, and I hope my children saw it too, is what Mr. Rogers has always been quoted for, the helpers. There were so many helpers. My cousin, my brother, the ranch hands, the homeowners. All were out there helping where they could, even if some were just standing nearby, they were ready to jump in and help with whatever was needed. There were those who were protecting the children, getting ready to leave at a moments notice. And thank goodness for the help of cell phones keeping us in touch with groups splitting up and the constant change that fire brings. The community definitely came together and with the BIG help of the local fire department, the afternoon fire was contained by dinner time and the hot dog feast was ON!

Just a few days later, The Rim Fire began and quickly became the third-largest wildfire in California's history. Camp Tuolumne was devoured by the fire, a place I went to with my family as a child. Having seen, up close, what fire can do and how fast it can move and destroy, made The Rim Fire even more sad and scary to us. 

I'm posting about these events, because the feeling of community, and their fierce desire to protect their homes, has stayed with me. The surreal feelings from our day at the "front lines" were so mild compared to the California wildfire and yet our feelings were "big". It is definitely a day that has left its imprint on in my memories and my children's memories. I definitely see it as a BIG day of learning about people and their will to survive and strength to rebuild. 

Around 1979. Camp Tuolumne, Berkeley Family Camp.

Golden Ratio

Or "That Fibonacci Thing"?

While walking on a trail, we found these beautiful tree cones on the ground. My son takes a look at one and says, in a breathless, awe-inspired voice, "Ohhhhh, it's a giant Fibonacci thing!" My smile was felt all the way through to my toes. It's definitely one of those moments where you feel that all you are doing is making a positive difference in your child's world. And you are reminded that they actually do listen when you're talking.

We also revisited Newton's Laws of Physics while visiting an amusement park. These explanations came in handy when realizing why we didn't need to worry about falling out of the restraints on some of the scary rides!

Stale Marshmallows

But Not Stale Time

I only remember getting bored once this summer. That's when we decided to make catapults to see how far we could launch large, stale marshmallows. Not sure this warrants a post, but thought it was fun!

Smash, Don't Trash

It's Still Good! In our attempts to slow down life through homeschooling, we have continued to see changes in our behaviors. Instead of throwing out an old, broken CD drive, we think, "Let's let the kids smash it with a hammer!" And then we find out, together, that a hammer isn't strong enough, we need pliers, a crow bar, and some patience. We get to see the motherboard, transistors, and the super shiny "thingy that spins".