ThadenPierce School

Painting Pet Rocks

heidi — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:18:41 +0000

This week is Kit’s annual work convention (thankfully in town) and the one week of the year he works not only a full day but a LONG day – early morning to past bedtime. We go into survival mode – easy food, fun projects, lots of movies, anything to keep the kids from asking every hour, “When is Daddy coming hooooooooome?” Sometimes we have to Skype for a minute or let them call him so they can be assured he still exists despite his long absence.

Yes, we are so spoiled by his work situation and we are so grateful that this is the one time of year he’s gone like this.

Park Puddles & Princess in a Castle

heidi — Sat, 12 May 2012 04:17:01 +0000

Then we came home and Ben stuck the baby in a castle, which she found hysterically funny.

Look at me, getting all brave about taking the kids out of the house without Kit to help me wrangle! Plus we remembered sunhats (not necessary, as it turns out) and water bottles and scooters and snacks! It was fun to watch Olivia squeal in the swing as the drops spattered her, she’s never really had a chance to play in the rain. A warm May day is the perfect first opportunity.

We did eventually get some lessons done today but the park pretty much always wins priority.

Pizza Hut Book It 2012

heidi — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:06:06 +0000

Enroll starts NOW, go sign up!!

Homeschool link.

Field Trip Ideas 2012-2013

heidi — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:31:22 +0000

Planning ahead for next school year after a fun talk today with a friend!

Sci-Tech

Candy Haven

Apple Store

Dallas Arboretum in March

Frisco Safety Town

Legoland Discovery Center

Lake Ray Roberts – beach & hiking

UNT Music Calendar

Field Trip in a Pink Jeep

heidi — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:05:21 +0000

Early this morning we all packed up and raced out the door for an appointment then Kit headed to work and I took the kids to go play at the home of one of our most favorite families. I’ve not yet tried to manage this trip with all SIX kids by myself, but I was feeling brave – and it was GREAT! The kids all ran about the house and yard, I kept tabs on the baby but even she was happily exploring the stairs and yard. And it was all safe (pool fenced, big siblings always on the look out, moms following the littlest ones to continue talking as they explored.) Our visit was twice as long as I anticipated and SO, so much fun. We’re eager to return.

The kids especially loved riding the wiggle car (researching those now) and the front tree swing and the pink Jeep car, which they rode until the battery died. While we did no formal lessons today, it was a beautiful day with sweet friends outside and that’s the best kind of day! I came away inspired to try some new things and I’m so excited to begin.

Thoughts

heidi — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:54:41 +0000

The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn. — John Lubbock

Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.
— Martin H. Fischer

Love not what you are, but what you may become.
— Miguel de Cervantes

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
— Scott Adams

Shakespeare Can Be Fun

heidi — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:54:38 +0000

I’ve heard great things about this series of Shakespeare Can Be Fun, but at $10 each I was hesitating. Amazon has them used for a variety of prices (as low as $2.50!) so I decided to grab the cheapest few and see what we thought. Our first arrived this week – Twelfth Night, which is where the name Olivia is first known to be used.

While the books are short, I feel like they actually do an excellent job conveying the story in rhyming couplet! It’s fun for me to read (bonus) and the kids are really engaged – several of them were reading it on their own. There are illustrations throughout from second graders and letters and journal entries from various characters (written also by the second graders.) It’s a really fun way to help your children learn the stories of Shakespeare – after which your kids will catch references in all sorts of places, from other stories to TV shows to advertisements they see! Shakespeare really has permeated our english speaking world, and these books are a great foundation for the kids to prepare them for the real plays.

(Yes, I do prefer these over the Lambs’ version though the Fun with Shakespeare series is a much smaller selection. Still, worth getting!)

Princess in the Tower

heidi — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:48:09 +0000

Big kids doing lessons (we’re trying a new thing – keeping them all trapped at the table with me so I can help more efficiently and keep them contained/entertained.) But the little princess put herself into the tower to play and occasionally throw stuffed animals at us to demand attention.

Monday Cuteness

heidi — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:12:30 +0000

This one was napping in her OWN BED (for the first time ever) so we pulled out the paints again:

And the kids are loving the BBC Typing program and I love that they’re learning to type properly!

BUSY, busy day with doctor visits (chiro and eye) and prepping for doula clients (two texting me with updates!) and much fun. And mess.

Mother’s Day Cards for Grandmoms

heidi — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:31:19 +0000