Eclectically Yours,

Merfun

You may recall this ever so lovely mermaid painting my friend, Nona, did. (Her website is looking good, although not quite finished. Check it out here!)

Well, in honor of mermaids everywhere Lands' End, a place close to my heart and pocketbook, has some pretty cool mermaid-esque stuff.

First, how cute is this mermaid tale towel/beach coverup? Here's the link so you can run and buy it!

 

And the piece d'resistance would be right here:

I know, I know ...FINS!!! I want them, frankly. And they go up to size 7 in kids, which, with my inside knowledge is a size 9(!) in womens! That means you can get a pair too! Click here for the link to go get your pair! (Sadly, this is NOT a paid advertisement....it just sounds like one...)

Nona has a pair of fins on the way for Ms. D....shhhhhhh...it's a surprise...well, sorta...

And now I leave you with some corny mermaid stuff....to put a corny lilt in your step...or your fin...how do mermaids manage to swim, dance and sing all at once?

Oh, let's just take this further, shall we??

Amazing Comments, How Sweet The Sound!

Wow. I just want to thank everyone for their comments on my "TIC" post, below. I was just blowing off steam, ranting some angst, shouting into the void, and I got some great encouragement. I don't really have time for a Real Life co-op or homeschool support group, so this about does it for me. I'm going to share some of the comments up close and personal because they may help you,too, in your eclectic/unschooling/classical/Charlotte Mason/TJEd/Waldorf/Unit Study schooling angst. And since I couldn't reply to everyone individually I'll do so here.

Kim at relaxed homeskool had this to say:

I'd rather om than tic, but a normal day of homeschooling for us usually involves both! I'm sure you'll find the balance between schoolyness and unschooldom soon. It only took me 7 years!

How cool is that? Seven years! There is hope for me! Kim seems to have some pretty well adjusted kids,(altho they seem to be going through a dangerous 'ripped shirt' phase) so I"m gonna take her word for it.

Elle from thislittlepiggy says:

It's in the air! I'm wearing the covers off of several curriculum guides! I have everything nailed down except for reading and math....I'm too uptight to be an unschooler. Consuming large quantities of Girl Scout Cookies.

Hopefully she's saving some Thin Mints for me. And see, this whole curriculum thing is catching. By the way,  Elle is having a hard time on her new blog getting the header right. If anyone can help, head on over.(get it, "head" on over??!!) Her new blog has, as the old one, a pretty cool theme. She's a themey gal. I can never think of good themes...but I digress...

Elle and Lorna seem to have something intrinsic in common:(underline/italics my own)

I am on the same road searching for inspiring yet rigorous texts for science for a seventh grader. I have been munching many chocolate bars over the terrible text books for English children my daughter's age. Although, as I threw yet more aside for the charity shop, dh is right when he says 'Did your parents even look at your school text books for science?'.

Elle, I think Lorna's chocolate is better. She's in Denmark. Which means she's closer to Switzerland. Which means superior chocolate. Don't you think she should send us some? Just to get us through this whole curriculum thing? Huh, dontcha?

And speaking of husbands, Tara also has a supportive guy.

Don't supportive hubbies make homeschooling easier??
But, as for curriculum choices, my mantra is follow the child's interests and then follow your own. If you're jazzed about a topic, it rubs off- usually.
My go-to guides are Rainbow Resource - they have an online site and I use Rebbeca Rupp's book- Home Learning Year By Year.
It gives you an outline for curriculum, Preschool through High School. The recommendations include book sources, online sites and software and while the subject matter is ambitious, I have found it to be very helpful. Good Luck!!

Tara is always doing interesting things with her son. Go check out her blog for some really great ideas for art projects. And if you've never seen Rainbow Resource, if you are new to this gig, then check it out! I love ordering from there, great company to work with and they have EVERYTHING. I kid you not. The GRAND MAMA of resources. Unless you count Doc.But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Here's what Mommylion has to say:

"And I'm getting panicky that I'm not doing enough, and panicky I'm doing too much."
This is me on a chocolate day too.

Is anyone else seeing a THEME here???

Aren't middle school years supposed to cause tics? I know my stepson's caused some and he was in public school....

Oh, good, oh good this is supposed to happen!

You will do fine. It sounds like your daugher is very self motivated with so much already. As her reading and writing evolve she will dive headfirst into new interests that those skills unlock for her as well.

Have you ever checked out Doc's resources? I love her whole take on scheduling via meeting goals verses day to day scheduling. It is a way to get it all done, but in relaxed time frame.

Mommylion mentioned something that I have been thinking about a lot lately, too. What with Ms. D's eye issues I think Ms. D's interests and development educationally have been on hold. I am hoping it's as Mommylion says that "the skills will unlock." And maybe that will help a lot of the frustration on my part. Then everything will be sweetness and light, roses and ponies, and I'll quit eating chocolate.

And back to Doc's resources. For those of you who have only scratched the surface of homeschooling blogs and homeschooling in general, let me show you Doc's Downloads and Lesson Planning and Secular Suppliers. She has scads of experience and is kindly sharing it all. It's been awhile since I've perused her resources. Ms. D is at another level so I need to peruse with fresh eyes.

Here are some great suggestions by Heather at An Untraditional Home:

Rosetta Stone has Greek--is she interested in learning Greek or did you decide she needed to learn it--good luck with that if she isn't interested.

As for history--read some good books aloud together, for creative writing get some story/poetry starter cards and encourage her to try finishing the stories (my mom and I both taught middle school in public school and that and learning to proofread and rewrite were the crux of it.) Pick up some science experiment books or kits and do them together--figure out what she is interested in and run with it. For logic--grab some logic problem books to start and work from there.

And I especially took note of this last part:

Usually I don't try to give that sort of advice but that is what my mom and I both did when teaching public school other than the designated curriculum stuff that pretty much did the same thing.

Heathers looked at school from both side and still somehow...wait..where was I?  I always find it very interesting when someone has a view from both sides of the schooling thing.We've dabbled in Greek. I don't think it is for us, frankly. However, we will be taking ASL lessons. (More on that in my Weakly Update on Friday!) Meanwhile, I did find a great science experiment book from Eyewitness that I really like. It could be tailored to various ages. And I love Science in a Nutshell. I guess I can't seem to get away from the fact that I "should" be doing science in a certain order, that I will be missing some key element if I don't cover, Life, Biology, Chemistry, Physics in an orderly, methodical, dare I say scientific(?) way.

But here is another  thought from a former public school teacher, Laura, at Wistful Wanderlust.

Question - is she happy? 

I taught public school and the kids who succeeded were the kids who had supportive caring parents. It had less to do with smarts than good nurturing. Every time.

If your daughter is happy, then she's going to be engaged and learning all the time. That's the measuring stick we use. And so far, it works!

Laura, thanks for taking time off from being a FARM OWNER to come and comment!

Urban Mom leaves me some ego boosting encouragment too:

Don't be hard on yourself. The fact that you're an involved, interested parent is taking you (and Ms. D.) FAR! So don't worry too much. I very highly doubt that you'll do any damage, and that you'll actually do LOTS of good for her. It seems like this whole process is an organic, every-changing/growing process. You'll both be great!

Danielle, a first time commenter, left me the following:

Thank you for making me feel better as I begin this new journey.;

Thanks, Danielle. Just stick around here for "How NOT to Calmly and Without Angst, Homeschool: For Beginners"

I think the new homeschoolers come here to make themselves feel better, as well they should. Let my experiences be a lesson to you. This from my very favorite person in Belgium (shhhh, she's the only person I know in Belgium...)

I feel your pain. We're just starting our homeschooling journey, and the big curriculum choices are far in the future, but I'm already fretting those details. I want the breadth and depth of something akin to WTM, yet I want it to be as spontaneous and child-led as possible. We also are hoping to avoid textbooks at all cost.

And last, but not least, also first time commenter,Mariah. (What a beautiful name, so close to my own...did you ever hear how I got my name??)

That "I'm a bad homeschooler" slump is killer. Don't let it get hold of you. Put the om in -- very funny and true, true. Your girl is so ENGAGED! Writing songs and a play. And choosing WWII. I don't think you could keep her from learning if you tried.

Mariah's so right. I couldn't keep Ms. D from learning if I tried. And I have tried. All that blogging, all those getting involved in a good book while she fends for herself hours, all those soaps and bon-bons. All that sluffing off. She is insistent on learning despite it all! John Holt was so right.

"Children do not need to be made to learn to be better, told what to do or shown how. If they are given access to enough of the world, they will see clearly enough what things are truly important to themselves and to others, and they will make for themselves a better path into that world then anyone else could make for them"

So, I'm feeling pretty good for now. I'm still not miraculously an unschooler, but I've calmed myself a bit. I'm more than sure I will once again be 'angsting' all over the blog when it comes to my child's education. Which is partly what this blog is all about. Meanwhile, shall we break out the chocolate?

"I Am A Mermaid With Golden Hair..."

               "I would be a mermaid fair;
                I would sing to myself the whole of the day;
                With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair;
                And still as I comb'd I would sing and say,
                "Who is it loves me? who loves not me?"
                I would comb my hair till my ringlets would fall
                Low adown, low adown,
                From under my starry sea-bud crown
                Low adown and around,
                And I should look like a fountain of gold
                Springing alone..."

                                             Tennyson



I found this mermaid portrait in my emails inbox the other day. It was a surprise from my ever lovely and talented friend in Wisconsin, Nona. I've known her forever. Well, since I was sixteen and that is almost forever at this point. Over the years I have had the privilege of being model, and, I flatter myself, muse. Last year, she came out to Maine to visit us and we had a marvelous time. Among other things, we took photos that could perhaps be used for her portraits. Ms. D has always wanted to be a mermaid. We set up a few photos and Ms. D had fun posing. Frankly, I forgot all about them. Until this came through said inbox. I was thrilled to pieces at discovering my daughter as a golden haired mermaid. It embodied the things I love most: my daughter, the ocean, art, and imagination. I promptly put my order in. I have to wait until Nona's show is done this fall, but after that, it will be all mine. I'm planning some sort of mussel shell/sea glass frame for it. I can hardly wait to see it in person. This may necessitate a "quick" trip back to the Midwest.....If you like Nona's art, she'll have a website up and running in a few weeks.  I'll be posting some more of her art here, off and on until then.

Meanwhile, isn't Ms. D an adorable mermaid?? And the 50 million dollar question? What is the quote in the Title from?? Doyaknow??

To Jeanenne: Me Too

Touting the Lands’ End Horn

No parent wants to spend a fortune for kids clothes. They grow out of them way to fast. But we want quality, the "cute" factor, and the "little extras" that are the hallmark of said quality.

I'm sure I'm not the first person to tout Lands' End as being "all of the above". I know I'm not. But I've got a secret that isn't all that well known. You know all about the quality, the fashionable without the "Britney" look for girls, the size ranges, the conversational wit of catalog copy, the great customer service, heck, you may even know about "The Lost Mitten Club". But do you know about Specialty Shoppers?

Not only did I play a Specialty Shopper on T.V. I WAS one. That's right, homeschool moms, I worked for Corporate America before it went Corporate. For 15 years. And for some of those years I worked in a little known department called Specialty Shoppers. This department is what I think stands Lands' End above the rest (I DO live in Maine now and while I LOVE L.L.Bean "they don't have no stinkin'" Specialty Shoppers)

While any operator who picks up the phone...or...er...headset will have a wealth of knowledge at their finger tips, Specialty Shoppers can answer all those niggling questions we money conscious, not-wanting-to-go-to-the-post-office-and-return-a-package Moms need to ask before the operator tacks on shipping (yikes!) and clicks "Release". Here are the top Ten Reasons to call for a Specialty Shopper:

10. Matching Fabrics: Wondering if the pink stripe socks will go with the print shorts AND the summer moc? Shoppers actually HAS both items to literally match them up for you.

9. Fabric Questions: Is little Suzie Q (or Ms. D in this case) deathly allergic to wool? Does she itch at every little seam? Shoppers can grab the garment itself and answer any "unseamly" questions you may have.

8. Fabric Care: Did your child spill acrylic paint mixed with Marshmello Fluff on her new fine gauge cardigan or her cashmere shell? No worries, Specialty Shoppers can help with their extensive Fabric Care knowledge. Most likely their kids have done the same.

7. Sizing Issues: Ms. D, that blessed child, has a waist girth much larger than her hip girth. In other words: Hard to Fit. And what is the difference between Girls Plus and Regular anyway? Shoppers can help you determine all of the above and more.

6. Product Questions: So, does that shirt have SHINY buttons or matte? Does that cuff really turn over or under? Is there room to let out a hem? They've got the product in their hands, people, how great is that?

5. Where'd I see that? Remember that ad you saw in some magazine with the little girl running on a beach with an umbrella in her hand and she was wearing the sandals your kid really really loves? You think it may have been Oprah magazine but you're not sure...(but you're positive it wasn't Growing Without Schooling) Shoppers knows the magazine AND the shoe. And if they are in stock.

4. Matching Pictures for the Whole Family is a breeze with their help.

3. Monogram Thread Colors: At their fingertips. So I know if Fuchsia thread really will go with the Chartreuse turtleneck Ms. D wants.

2. Late Hours: They are there when you need them. Up until 12 p.m. Central. I think. You'll have to call to find out. Point is, they're up when we are.

1. Cool Cats: They are truly friendly, hip, funny and cool women who like their jobs and if nothing else you have to call just to hear their funny Mid-Western accents.
And I miss them. Can you tell?


So fine, I love Hanna, I love Bean, and I probably AM saying this cause I worked there, but Lands' End has service to beat the band. If you've got something better, I'd like to know about it. Really.


**While this is not a paid endorsement for Lands' End and I am no way any further affiliated with Lands' End (but am affiliated with one of it's employees: see black/white picture to left ) I am more than willing to be a paid endorser. You, in the Corporate offices, who may chance to read this can feel free to email me with a Gift Certificate at any time. In multiples of $10.00. A few. More than one. Soon. Spring is coming.

Oh, Boy!

Let me say that I love children. Babies are squeezable and smell sweet, toddlers are entertaining.I've been struggling with the desire to have more children. (another topic, another post...) Oddly, many of my friends and acquaintances don't have toddlers. I would say the average I am around a toddler is about 2.8 hours a month. It's been awhile since I had a toddler in close proximity for any length of time, say like 6.45 hours. It's been six years to be exact.

I thought I"d never forget how to care for, speak to or diaper change a toddler. It's like riding a bike, right? How hard can it be, for heaven's sake? This is what I asked myself when I offered to care for Kim and Barak's nephew.

Barak fixes my computer for the cost of my homemade Pesto Pizza. Kim I've known since, well, birth. Kim fixed me up with David. I owe her alot. (Let's not dwell on this comment because David just walked in the room and dropped a wet towel on the floor and I could change my mind about just how much I owe Kim..) Kim and Barak have a son, Little B. Little B is a bit younger than Ms. D. Kim and Barak wanted more children, but Kim was unable to. So when they assumed care (for now and the near future) of Barak's nephew, Freddie, (his mother is "unable to care for him at this time") who is two, I was thrilled for them.
Kim adores that sweet baby boy.
But Kim is working full time until April in a tax office.
Kim is having a rough time finding care for the wee boy.
Kim asks her friend Maria to help out this week.
Maria responds inwardly with "How hard can that be?" and says outwardly
"I would love to!"

Today was the day. In he walked, happy as a clam. Took off his coat and made himself at home.

He's an easy going little boy. Running and jumping and hiding and running and jumping off the furniture and running some more and grabbing things that I "Oops, honey that's not for babies!" and "Oh, boy I forgot that kids aren't supposed to have that...can I see that sweetie? No? Come back here! How could he run so fast?? Oh, Ms. D you're right that IS too sharp for him...now where did he go? Oh, sweetie, don't touch the computer! Okay, T.V....Sponge Bob, mindless T.V. sure!"

While thinking we had a bit of a break thanks to Sponge Bob and his Square Pants I tried to get a few things done. Until Ms. D comes to me tearfully. Freddie had somehow gotten a hold of a treasured sketch. Ms. D has a friend who is 15. He is the sweetest, kindest, most considerate 15 year old boy imaginable and Ms. D worships him. She saved this sketch he was doodling with one day while over at our house. She's saved it for months. It it is now in 10 little pieces. So is her heart.

Mom to the rescue. We ironed it and taped it back together. While keeping Freddie away from the iron, and the waste paper basket, and the oulets, and the lamp, and the window shade cords...oh, look! Pillows, let's jump on those, why didn't I think of that sooner??

Now it's time for lunch. Ms. D and I haven't showered. But that isn't unusual. What is unusual is the reason we haven't showered. I try to fix lunch, while Ms. D occupies Freddie. Boxes are so entertaining!
And so are kitties.

(hint: kitty is under...way, way under the shelves...smart kitty)




Kitty wants to eat, and Freddie wants to help. Freddie puts all the food spilled on the floor back into the cat dish. One, by one, by one, by one. Very concentrated effort on his part. Kitty was NOT thankful.

Meanwhile, lunch is served. In all seriousness, this kid is a charm. When you say 'no' he listens (at least to me) when you redirect, he stays redirected. Then he discovered the magnets on the washer/dryer and time stood still for him. I just watched.
This was my John Holt moment. Freddie was SO busy just taking those little magnets and putting them, no, not in his mouth, but arranging them neatly in rows.



Suddenly I thought he was the most brilliant kid EVER.

OHMYGOSH what on earth is that smell? Oh. right. I had to do it, didn't I? No one else was. Not a problem, really, how many diapers had I changed in Ms. D's lifetime? I had diaper changes SO down I could change her diaper in less than a square foot of space, with one hand, and 1/2 a baby wipe. I was that good.

Oh, Freddie tried to comply willingly, laying himself right down for the inevitable diaper change. And we managed just fine. Of course, that was ten minutes , one backwards diaper, four baby wipes and clothes scattered to the four winds, later, but it was done, by golly. I was wiped. In more ways than one. Before I could wash my hands (and they needed it....) Freddie discovered the camera....


...a few times...



Blessedly nap time came. Much to Freddie's dismay....and my dismay at the fact it lasted only a 1/2 hour. Had children changed that much in six years? Good grief, good child or no, I needed more respite...after all, I wanted to shower!

Before I knew it, Kim came through the door to pick up Freddie. Our afternoon had gone so fast. And I recalled that keeping up to a toddler is NOT like riding a bike. It's like work.

I had managed pretty well, despite the diaper debacle. I didn't get a shower, but I got to stand amazed at being reminded at how toddlers are learning constantly everysinglebusysecond of their very full lives. Ms. D. learned a lot too. (Of course, she took an hour long nap after he left, something she hasn't done in a very very long time.) She's not exactly sure what, but she did learn something.

I also have an amazing amount of respect for homeschooling moms who have more than one and some of those in diapers. I barely managed to keep up with housework and get Ms. D some school time in. Freddie amused himself quite a bit with those magnets so we managed to get some book work done. But let me tell you, I'm not sure I could handle that on a day to day basis. Honestly.

On the other hand, this picture that Ms. D took made me kind of wistful. And not just because my butt looks big.

Dessert

For some reason the girls wanted chicken and rice for supper last night at the sleepover. I expected such traditional things as "pizza" and more "pizza". But their tastes ran a bit higher than mere peasant food. So while the girls were washing off the last of the cucumbers and lotion (see post below) David and I set up the table. Chicken, Rice, Orange Garnish, Umbrellas and straws in paper cups, and candles. Ah, youth is so easy to please. When they came downstairs we heard "WOW, this is like a fancy restaurant ...no wait, BETTER than a fancy restauraunt!" We felt like THE coolest parents (hey, if the shoe fits....) We were unexpectedly paid with REAL Monopoly money. Josie had brought some with her from home. Very thoughtful, lass.

Meanwhile, I felt that dessert befitting the theme was in order.

Gin And Tonic Recipe

Gin And Tonic Recipe

4 Nine Year Old Girls

4 Facials

2 Dramatic "They HATE Me!"s

1 Bath x Four

4 Girls Crying Over Pets Lost/Dead in the Past

1 Bottle of Nail Polish Spilled On Towel (found one hour later, seeping thru to carpet. Helps that both polish and carpet were green.)

2 Desserts

2 Games of Tag

1 Bed Jumped on For 15 Minutes

1 Movie

2 Sleeping Bags

3 Pillows

1 Late Night x Four

Mix Well. Add slice of Lime. Serves 1 (four times)

Tea For Two…or Four

A couple of weeks ago Ms. D and I traveled an hour or so to visit with some acquaintences that we wanted to get to know a bit better. To say it was a success is an understatement. Ms. D is between the two girls in age. "A" the Elder is 10 and "A" the Younger is 8. Within minutes they were producing a variety show to regale Joy, their mother, and I with. Next came the tea party.

The girls have a sweet little bird, whose name escapes me at the moment. Ms. D was in LOVE.

The bird was kind enough to join Ms. D for tea.

The bond was instant. The bird with unknown name is young, but will be bred at some point this spring. Which means babies. Which means Ms. D has her eye to the future of feathered friends.

While I'm sure this would go over just fine with Moxie the Hyperactive Kitty I think it would lead to a great deal of carnage. Ms. D. thinks we can circumvent any problems with a bird cage.

And I'm seeing visions of Sylvester and Tweety.

While I Was Sleeping

While I was out of it (see below post) my daughter was in the process of turning a new corner. That is to say she stayed over night at someones house. This is huge.

She did so of her own volition. She didn't want to come and sit and wait whilst I was having my tooth removed so she came up with a plan: To stay with Ms. Teagan overnight so Dad and I could get up early and go to my appointment.

It sounds like they had a blast. Didn't get to bed until 11:30, (1 nightmare) awoke at 5:30 'cause they were just so excited (sure Ms T's parents were thrilled...) They made clay projects, produced and filmed a movie with Ms. T's brothers (loosely based on a Series of Unfortunate Events) She is now home and one very, very, very, tired cookie.

Oh, Happy Day! I am SO proud of her and when I tell her so she says "Mom, it was really no big deal." (This from the girl who still remembers when I went shopping and left her with Aunt B. And is still NOT happy about it.)

This picture was taken in October. We didn't know then that it was probably one of the last really great beach days. We went to the beach down the road on Clark Island. We went with Aurie's kids. I can't say enough great things about the kids. They are animated, enthusiastic, polite, intelligent, loud and crazy. Pefect for Ms. D. They also don't let her get the upper hand. M is 13, N 11, K 6 and N is 4. E is on her way any day to add to the bunch as number five.

We brought along a great little beachcombing guidebook. We solved a mystery that has been burning in our minds for at least a year. At this beach in particular which has a shallow, sandy low tide we'd always find these snake like coils of sand. We'd dig under the hollow to try to find out what it was but never able to figure it out. Whatever it was was gone. Well, M and N dug hard and fast and found a most interesting wormlike creature. We looked it up and found it was a lugworm. They build these burrows in wet sand, using mucous to plaster the sides to prevent collapse. Like earthworms, they excrete a non edible sand and other material out the other end of the burrow. Hence the coils of sand on the surface of the wet beach. Meanwhile, they collected PAILFULLS of hermit crabs. Of every size imaginable. THey wanted to bring them all home. HA! Aurie and I didn't go for that. So much for perfection in homeschooling moms. They let them go in a tidal pool. It was really awesome to watch how they maneuvered around a new territory. There was one huge beauty. He popped his head out of his shell and was a gorgeous red/orange color.