Breaking the Rules!

I have a strict rule about the treadmill. Not For Children! So far, this is the only time I have not reprimanded the perpetrator.

Mats

Our new mats are a hit! The main idea behind the mat is to define a space for the children to play in. I have read that it also helps make clean up manageable for children to do independently. We sing a song while we roll them up and put them away. Honestly, it is all pretty fun. Unrolling, playing, rolling, unrolling, playing, rolling etc.... I am still learning how to help them know proper etiquette, but it is changing things for the better.

Field Abstract

 My gorgeous gal exploring outside, reading about Clara Barton in "Magic Tree House Civil War on Sunday," and standing in rest position.

Dried Hydranga Blossom

 Quite a lot of trash blows into our yard, but yesterday, this blew in.

Our Valentines Day Card

I wasn't able to get this one printed or sent out. But, here it is! Enjoy.

Amaryllis

MJCSKELLY

John made our initials with Q-tips. Margaret dumping them out.

John the dear, was distracting Clara from her violin practice session. So I told him to go downstairs and build a tower for the frog, horse and giraffe. This is what he came up with.

Ball and Sticks

The Mayo's were so generous to let us spend some time with there set of building sticks. The set is so fun and very delicate. Clara can crawl though structures! John can crawl through structures! Margaret? It all comes crashing down!  Thanks again Mayos!.

For Kelly on Valentines Day

Litany

 

You are the bread and the knife,
The crystal goblet and the wine...
-Jacques Crickillon

You are the bread and the knife,
the crystal goblet and the wine.
You are the dew on the morning grass
and the burning wheel of the sun.
You are the white apron of the baker,
and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.

However, you are not the wind in the orchard,
the plums on the counter,
or the house of cards.
And you are certainly not the pine-scented air.
There is just no way that you are the pine-scented air.

It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge,
maybe even the pigeon on the general's head,
but you are not even close
to being the field of cornflowers at dusk.

And a quick look in the mirror will show
that you are neither the boots in the corner
nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.

It might interest you to know,
speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,
that I am the sound of rain on the roof.

I also happen to be the shooting star,
the evening paper blowing down an alley
and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.

I am also the moon in the trees
and the blind woman's tea cup.
But don't worry, I'm not the bread and the knife.
You are still the bread and the knife.
You will always be the bread and the knife,
not to mention the crystal goblet and--somehow--the wine.

 

By Billy Collins

 

 

 Crickillon wrote a poem using all similies. Copying, Collins started with his lines then went off in his characteristically thoughtful, sarcastic way. Isn't that ending hilarious! 

Before and After Church

John is listening to a primary cd that Aunt Non gave us.
Clara and John playing with the measuring tape.

Popsicle Sticks

This is what John has been doing lately.

Margaret

"Almost" everything she does makes me smile or laugh.
Clara has been reading to her more and even helped me put her to bed.

New Colored Pencils

$4.62 well spent.
I threw away our old pencils. They were short, dull, and not being used. 

Knitting

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

-Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

Sunflower

January 3rd Sunday

Friday we watched Mitt.
Saturday we played Ticket to Ride Europe, went shopping, ate ebleskivers and Café Rio.
Sunday we had a fun family home evening where each of the children had to take and item and relate it to the gospel. It was fun to see what they children would say.
It was a delightful weekend.