wrapping up the school year

I have to remember that change is hard for me.  Every spring and fall especially.  I suppose in the spring I'm trying to wrap up school. I'm tired, stressed out and can't wait to sleep in!  There's never a lack of activities I'm involved with, but surely they'll be less going on in just a few short weeks.

I teach a class on Tuesdays, you might say a small cooperative with my two boys and a friend.  Actually, I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking with it and seeing it almost to the end.  We've tackled physical science and history while getting time with friends.  I've learned a lot about myself and about history and science which is a bonus in my book.  But, I decided that I'm going to finish by the end of the month.  I want my Tuesdays back.

On Fridays, we attend another co-op for A's Latin which I have to contribute my time.  On two other days, A spends the day with other teens learning biology, writing and history.

My ceramics class every Wednesday is almost finished.  It's been a challenge on many levels.  But, I love what the kids create and it brings me great joy to watch them as they wrap up their glazed pieces.  The experience has actually pushed me to start my own home based business with ceramics.  More on that another time.

I just have a lot on my plate right now.  Everything is worthwhile and enrich our homeschooling experience, but I'll be so glad when I can finish up some of it.

Meanwhile, I'd like to show you what the kids have been making!

Happy spring to you!! ♥

play with clay

I just taught the 4th week of ceramics at our home school co-op.  This time the ages are 3rd grade and up.  I can't even tell you how much I receive back from the kids as I help them learn about hand-building with clay.  The energy in the classroom is so positive, and well...creative.  It's palpable.

I want to chronicle their creations as we go!

sunny winter

It's been a while, I know.  There's been so much to say and not much at all really.  When I'm asked what I've been up to, most days it's just nothing really but the every day stuff, you know?  Our computer died back a few weeks ago though and we replaced it with a used job.  That's the main reason I've taken a break. But, it's taken us this much time to put all our programs back on the computer.  And still more time again to sit down and want to upload pictures and write something down.  So, here I am again.  At least for today.

I'm pretty sure I love taking pictures of the kids doing art.  Some in their pajamas and some not.  We homeschool after all.  It's quiet in the house.  The only sounds I can hear are the washing machine and dryer clanking and swishing down the hall and the kids intently working with paint.  The chairs creak and the paint brushes flow from paint to paper to water and back again quietly.....peacefully.  Our kitchen table is the hub for so much of our activities.  It's really the heart of our home.  But our home is pretty small.  Just the way I like it.  If I had a million bucks, I would still have a little place, all cozy and intimate.

The glob paint we're using today smells delicious:  berries, pomegranate and lemon verbena.  The colors are pretty awesome too.

Happy sunny, I think it's winter day to you!

in the kitchen

Art and food always seem to go together.