The baby can sit on his own, so he now has a place at the table. (Those Tripp Trapp chairs
Month: June 2013
Easy (and Cheap!) Kids Art Display
In setting up our new homeschooling space, I wanted to create an easily accessible place to hang art and classroom materials without a lot of fuss and on a strict budget.
Inspired by this pin, I decided to set two small nails in the wall about two feet apart, with upholstery thread pulled tightly between them. (For extra long displays I used three nails to create two segments to hang from.)
Then using wooden clothespins
This little homeschooling space is starting to come together.
Mango, Avocado, and Quinoa Salad Recipe
Goodness, it’s been ages since I’ve posted a healthy, gluten-free recipe here on the site. This particular salad is one that I’ve been making and enjoying frequently. It takes 2 minutes to put together and I absolutely love it.
Cut up one mango and avocado, season with salt to taste. Add several heaping spoonfuls of cooked quinoa. Mix thoroughly. Enjoy!
Tip: We always keep a batch of quinoa cooked with homemade vegetable beef stock on hand in the fridge. Since it’s already made, we find it incredibly easy to add this high protein seed to soups, scrambles, and salads. Give it a try!
American Flag Painting Projects
With July Fourth quickly approaching we decided to do a few simple and festive flag painting projects.
First we talked about the historical significance of Independence Day. We discussed why there are 13 stripes on the flag. (Wait, there are 13 stripes on the flag?! Thanks to David for that tidbit; my knowledge of American History is sorely lacking. I’m enjoying learning along with our daughter!)
We talked about the original 13 colonies and the Betsy Ross legend.
Then we decided to make two types of flags.
One from circa 1776 (in the Betsy Ross style), on the left, and one for today:
(Oh, how I love those stars that she drew!)
She wanted to color in the California state flag too:
We then set about designing our own flags just for fun:
Above is a drawing of the house she wants to live in when she grows up. It’s an actual house located on Jesse Street; in her eyes that street’s named after Jessie, her favorite character from The Boxcar Children book series. (Any time we head into town she asks if we can “take Jessie street.” As long as it’s not too far out of the way, I try to oblige her.) How sweet that she wanted her flag to depict that house!
Two Homeschooling Spaces
When my cousin (who had been living with us) moved to San Francisco we found ourselves with an extra room.
The grownups immediately thought “an office JUST FOR US!” (Okay, and a guest room too.)
But we’ve discovered a better use for it.
Our daughter calls it the “other homeschooling room” but it’s really a work space for the whole family. (And we’ll probably call it The Homeschool Room in the long run.)
A place to blog and work from home, yes, but also a place to write stories, scrapbook, draw, sew, play, and read.
(I love the indirect light that pours through that giant window all day.)
We have bins of toys and stacks of educational games and activities.
The “old” homeschooling room will be where we make art and do messy science projects. (We now call it the Art Room.)
Evidently we’re no longer a little one room schoolhouse.
Now to get some art on the walls and find time to decorate and cozy up the space. We have plans.