Pumpkins 2014

We get by with a little help from our friends. Especially the spotted one.

Week 9, 2014

Measuring in weeks instead of days this year, here are some special moments from the ninth:

Doing research on the midwest as we make our way through the states. He's looking so old and so serious. Where did the time go?

Making pizza crust together

Favorite art creation: a monastery with a free standing monk

It was a book sale Saturday, the first one this year that wasn't crippled by bad weather. For a laugh I displayed books on snow all around the sale room, but only a few witty people noticed.

Calvin has taken up the project of learning to type and has been introduced to Mavis Beacon (note the fish bookmark)

We finally got a chance to play in the snow

The sunshine returned for a couple of days, and brought single digits cold with it (but at least temps were above zero)

Piano, piano, piano. Always, and with joy.

Thunder snow

This week was full of fun. We started a new grammar curriculum, we dove into studying the Celts, and on Monday the boy decided to research ventriloquism. If that last study takes I suppose that in due time I can expect the dogs to begin talking to me.

On Wednesday Calvin graduated to the top swimming class, meaning that next week will be his first rec team practice lesson—a full hour of swimming the full length of the pool. It's a big change from the half hour lessons across only the width of the pool that he's had so far. The kid is excited and proud, as he should be. I'm trying to figure out the sudden change in the schedule.

On Thursday, with feet of snow still on the ground and a short warming period underway, we experienced the rare and beautiful thunder snow—flakes as thick as quarters hiding our neighbor’s house from view while lightning lit the world and thunder shook it. Snow lit by lightning is stunning. There are so many splendid things to notice about our world.

This weekend The guys started a couple of different computer projects, and Jon is in the process of setting up my old computer for Calvin's use. Yes, we've reached that point where the computer and the internet are edging their way into our learning world. I never claimed to have banished them completely, I was only holding them off at the door for a little while, and now it seems it is time to let it in.

And then this evening, while I was preparing dinner and Jon was helping Calvin discover the world of blogging (where soon you will be able to read all the book reviews that the kid writes and posts of his own accord), I noticed that the sun was still up and bright at 5:45. We all took a moment to enjoy that realization together. It is a sign the the warmer months are coming, even if ever so slowly.

My favorite creation of Calvin's this week, the dahsboard from the Nautilus. For all the crafts that we do together, it's the things he comes up with on his own and makes when we're not looking that bring me the most joy, really.

enchantments

I will not always have the words to express the delight of our time together. Sometimes those words won't come because I'm too full of joy to find them, other times the choice words that come to mind aren't so redolent of delight as of frustration. And then there are days of great enchantment when, at the end of the day or week, all I want to do is bask in that feeling, and curl up very, very wearily with a good book.

Regardless of the reason, there are times when the pictures will simply have to say all that needs to be said.

A few of this week's enchantments:

Paper airplane trials in the hallway

A book study in costume

The flock of robins that has named our neighborhood their home this winter

Paper airplane valentines to give to friends

A valentines exchange and crafts with our homeschooling group

How to teach your dog to play chess