Happy Halloween!

I am behind on posting. It's been a very busy week! Ellie was with her dad from Friday to Monday morning. 

Monday we went to visit Aunt Karen. And we were able to bring home our Lucky cat! He had been living there for a year since they graciously took him in while we couldn't have him with us. Ellie fed animals, rode Wizard, ate tomatoes off the vine, and played with Lindsay's toy treasures. A wonderful afternoon! 

Tuesday we read books and swept floors, both are things she adores, and she helped me put dinner in the crockpot before her first dance class. They were in costumes! She made new friends and had a lovely time. 

Wednesday we played outside, exploring and talking about the pond, walking the tree line and discussing leaves and autumn. She even found a snail. After Bud got home we carved our pumpkins. Ellie drew her design. 

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Peg Plus Cat

Currently loving the PBS show Peg Plus Cat. This is a show with a very capable and educated little girl with a huge imagination and a pet cat. In this episode they travelled around a medieval scene counting steps in twos, casually naming spheres, cylinders, triangles and other shapes. Catchy songs. She will say things in articulate ways and the cat will say the same thing in a more common way of speaking. So cute. And Ellie is enthralled and happily learning without trying.

Catching Up On Fall Photos

Holt Family Farm last Friday for Homeschool Day. Included a lesson on how plants grow and make food using a cotton plant, ear of corn, trunk cross section of a 200 year old tree. Ellie was able to shuck corn and run it through an 18th century hand cranked machine to remove the kernels from the cob. And we met new friends! 

We spent the day shopping in Jackson Saturday and she picked out her Halloween costume. Lots more imagination play to be had now! She is always making use of her dress up drawer and creating plays, songs, and dances. 

Ellie and Sadie our 11 month old English Mastiff and her constant companion and protector. 

And We're Off!

Yesterday was the first official day for me to be out of school until next semester. Now begins the establishment of a daily and weekly rhythm, focusing on periods of exhaling and inhaling. An article I read yesterday morning reminded me of the importance of the inhale and exhale time.

 http://www.waldorftoday.com/2011/11/daily-rhythm-at-home-and-its-lifelong-relevance-by-helle-heckmann/

I'm still shaping how this will look for us but the concept alone is helping me plan activity moments balanced with calm connection moments throughout the day. 

I notice that Ellie cues for those moments naturally. 

Ellie and I went to the Library and checked out books for the week to use as a springboard for spontaneous learning. I based my choices on her interests of late. Harvest has been going on in the surrounding fields and we went to Homeschool Day at Holt Family Farm last Friday. So I chose those themes. We read and talked about " Apples"and "Harvest Time" last night after she helped  Bud and I make pizza from scratch last night. 

Before the boys got home from work Ellie and I rode together for the first time! I instructed her on Dozer first. She has ridden often on lead and this was the first time I let her go around yard off line. Dozer is a 30 year old Appaloosa and a veteran of all things child related. She is working on giving with one rein as she asks for bend with the other and her legs are useless until we get her a child saddle. Dozer was patient and forgiving as always. I then took her into the lot with my mustang and we were able to ride side by side and in line around the lot. I felt so whole and happy to have my daughter riding with me! She said we should stop the horses and then asked for a high five, "momma we did good!". Then we took a walk/run through the cornfields and gathered autumn leaves and nuts. 

Today we measured and stirred to make a homemade chocolate pie with mile high meringue. We sorted and put away like toys and discussed same and different. Took a long nature hike and gathered leaves, grasses, and seed pods to add to our kitchen table centerpiece. We also gathered the corn husks to make the dolls for today's project. Ellie rode Dozer and I rode Scorch in the field. It is just amazing to ride with her, she is so confident, capable and smart. We had Ben saddled for Bud and he rode with us when he got off work, our first family "trail" ride! Then it was time for Ellie to ride the tractor with Bud as we put out hay.