Platt Discovery Cottage

small world

October 2nd, 2007

I got an e-mail today from a woman I met in a baby gym class when Fuss was very small.  She had twins at home and an older daughter who was in school.  I lost track of her when the gym class ended.  We exchanged a couple of e-mails, but it went no further.

 I just got an e-mail from her today saying that she ran into a homeschooling friend of mine at the museum today.  Funny thing is that she signed off her e-mail by saying ‘hope to see you at some homeschooling events’.  I was so excited!!  I would have been thrilled to just get an update, how are you sort of e-mail, but one that she is also homeschooling!!  Too much!  I’ve e-mailed her back because I would like more details and am anxiously awaiting her response.  I can imagine there would be challenges homeschooling twins, but some aspects would be easier.  She also has an older daughter.  I look forward to catching up with her.

On a ‘discovery cottage’ homeschooling note, we use a nature curriuculumthat I just love.  (This is only the second month, so I’ll keep you posted.) This week is about kindness to animals which is very needed around here.  There is a story about St. Francis that is to be included in circle time.  I always turn away from any religious aspects, but this curriculum is not religous and where it might seem so, it’s simple to change it to suit our family.  I do have a soft spot for St. Francis, so I included the story.  For some (surprising) reason, Fuss is finding it very grounding.  He sits silently while I read it (this story is in 4 parts which is perfect as Daddy is home on Friday), and is really responding.  We have a squirrel who thinks we are his family.  He sit on the windowsill or the door frame and waits for us.  He follows us to our car and sits there while we get in.  I wonder if he was a pet who was released once he ate a couch leg or some such thing. 

Fuss is inclined to chase the squirrel while screaming at the top of his lung, which drives me nuts.  Well, we started the story of St. Francis on Monday and today he just walked out to the car with the squirrel.  Once we started to back out of the driveway, he said ‘oh, mum - isn’t he just so cute’?   Ah….progress. 

I should add quickly - we are considered suburban, on the very edge of a major metropolis, so a friendly squirrel is not overly common.

On a separate note, Fuss found a pile of coins while routing around somewhere in the house.  He brought them to me and we made an impromptu math lesson out of it.  He got to keep the coins he identified properly.  Then we added the coins he ‘won’ in various way.  It was fun and he feels rich with his 26c.

Bug has developed some new words.  ‘Bowl’ and ‘cat’ to be specific.  Unfortunately, everyone is now ‘cat’.  Oh well.

Enjoying the journey, Amanda

Entry Filed under: curriculum, daily journal