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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

October 27, 2017

No.45: Our Farmhouse Schoolhouse in Photos (Week 10)

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The weather finally felt like fall this week.  The brisk mornings had us all bundled up in quilts and blankets.  We’ve had a lot of hot cups of cocoa or coffee in our hands.  P wore fleece footie pajamas for the first time and we all died at the cuteness.  Nature walks around our property to see the leaves has become one of our favorite things to do.  Fall, I think we love you.   

Notes and highlights:

GRAMMAR

+ We started a new unit using a book called Grammar-Land by M.L. Nesbitt. (I found the audiobook version for free on LibriVox!) It’s an old one from 1877, but still really interesting.  I love that the parts of speech are told within the context of a story – such a gentle way to introduce even my littlest ones to grammar.  This week, we learned about Mr. Noun, Little Article and Mr. Pronoun.


HISTORY

+ The little kids finished Columbus.  Their final project was to paint a big world map of Columbus’ first voyage.  They worked so hard and I loved how it turned out!  J and his big imagination wanted to add a sea monster to the map, because, “Well, Mama, you never know, right?”  The boys also did a little oral presentation for their dad about all they had learned.  On to Pocahontas on Monday!

SCIENCE

Sassafras Science took us to Australia this week.  We watched an episode of Bear Grylls’ Man vs. Wild (the Kimberly, Australia episode from Season 1) which is always an adventure.  I watch more than half of that show behind my hands, but the boys really enjoy it.  Even Sophie seems to have a stronger stomach than I do, hah!  The kids also learned how to draw a koala.

MISCELLANEOUS

+ We finished The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail as a read-aloud.  Reviews from the kids were mixed – some really liked it, some thought it was just so-so (cough cough…the older kids).  Next up: Nim’s Island.  They all were really excited to hear that there was a movie to watch once we finish the book!
+After a few weeks off, we got back to our African Studies cooking with Sudanese flatbread.  The texture is sort-of like a thick tortilla or a pancake, but was strangely addicting.  We ate them with chicken thighs for dinner.  

Current 1000 Books Project Total: 55/1000
Poetry Teatime Treat: Cheddar, Chive & Ham Biscuits (we went savory this time!)

MOTHER CULTURE & SELF-CARE

+ Health: Running, running, running!
+ Reading: North Haven, Anne of Avonlea and The Long Loneliness

October 25, 2017

No.44: What We’re Reading in October

“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”  – Oscar Wilde

ASHLEY

  • Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery 
  • The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day
  • North Haven by Sarah Moriarty

MARK

  • Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor by Clinton Romesha

M (age 10)

  • Outlaws of Ravenhurst by Sister M. Imelda Wallace S.L.

D (age 9)

  • Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

J (age 6)
“I just love all of the Piggie and Elephant books, Mama.  How can I choose?”

  • Let’s Go For a Drive! by Mo Willems

SOPHIE (age 5)

  • The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas

TJ (age 3)

  • Stop, Train, Stop! by Rev. W. Awdry

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October 23, 2017

No.43: 20 Things I Love – A Gratitude Journal vol.4

leaves of all shapes, colors and sizes scattered all over the driveway
biting into a crisp apple
a few simple decorations on the dining room table
discovering that everyone still fits in their winter coats from last year (!!)
fleece pajamas on the littlest ones
a row of colorful birthday cards lining our kitchen windowsill
treats from the local bakery, especially the “cinnamon roll” cupcake with cream cheese frosting – amazing!
running in old race shirts and Athleta capris
putting Sophie’s hair in two braids at her request
hearty stews and chili in the slow cooker
the kids wrapped up in blankets and quilts first thing in the morning
watching the trees on our property “rain” leaves on windy days
the excitement of a friend’s new baby, arriving soon
pulling out my slippers and remembering the miles I must have walked last year, pacing with a newborn
watching that same baby standing comfortably on his own and so close to walking – bittersweet!
warm cookies straight from the oven
the children running to the door when their daddy returns from work
listening to the big boys deep in conversation
my go-to sweet after the kids are in bed: a handful of peanuts and M&Ms
reading a few pages of Anne before I go to sleep

October 20, 2017

No.42: Our Farmhouse Schoolhouse in Photos (Week 09)

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What a weird week.  Even after taking Monday off and checking off a ton from my to-do list, I still had this lingering feeling that I was behind on life.  Our weeks have been extra full lately, especially on the weekends, and I think that may be the reason I’m so overwhelmed.  I need a little downtime for my own sanity!  Add on some bickering brothers and a clingy, teething baby and I’m just happy I made it to Friday.  I’m hoping a little more sleep and a lot more running will help me get me back on track.

Notes and highlights:

WRITING

+ We changed things up with the two oldest boys and did three lessons from Brave Writer’s (free!) Writing Blitz.  I’m really enjoying shaking things up when a subject is feeling dry and this was such a great way to get them excited about writing again.  Lots of laughter as they shared what they wrote!  I think we’ll finish the last few activities next week.


SCIENCE

+ M’s Medieval Science unit in his History of Science had him learned all about Leonardo da Vinci this week.  In general, da Vinci is an interesting historical figure, but I think M was most fascinated with his inventive mind.  He copied this quote from the book into his keeping journal this week: “And yet this gentle man invented, among many other weapons, three different models of machine guns, grenades that threw shrapnel, a very modern looking bomb, and a steam powered gun.  He improved on an old idea to create an armored car with a complex motor and cannons pointing in every direction.  More than a hundred years later, with the addition of a modern engine and caterpillar treads, it was called a tank and became an important weapon in the first World War.” (p22)    


Current 1000 Books Project Total: 53/1000
Poetry Teatime Treat: Easy Pumpkin Bread (I used about a cup less sugar, though!)

MOTHER CULTURE & SELF-CARE

+ Health: I have an annoying tickle in my throat that just won’t go away.  I took a few days to rest, but am anxious to get back to running.
+ Reading: Anne of Avonlea and The Long Loneliness
+ Fun: Hmm, I can’t think of anything special – I need to change that!

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The 10 Year Reading Plan for the Great Books of the Western World

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