Rowing :: Madeline

Who hasn't heard of Madeline? I had heard of her of course but hadn't actually read the book in my memory. But it was such a fun row. The boys and I all enjoyed it and even had a certain 3rd grader/8 year old sitting in to listen to our story. This book was rowed during the last month of my pregnancy and I think some of these rows were a bit lacking. Madeline seemed to go well though. I think getting a little Madeline doll for #6 when she rows this book will be in order.

Memory Making ::

Madeline has surgery of course to take out her appendix. We talked about the appendix and looked at pictures from when Mr. Wiedz had his appendix out. The surgeon gave me pictures taken inside of him of the oozy appendix and the intestines after they were stitched up to repair the damage done by the oozy appendix. Then I drew an appendix scar on anyone who wanted one like Madeline's and Mr. Wiedz's

Seat work ::

I printed the Madeline toilet paper roll doll from DLTK's site. No one did a great job with coloring but they enjoyed putting it together and we displayed them for the rest of the week as we read Madeline.

I found a mini-book, Tour de France, with landmarks and buildings that are iconic to France. We tried to match up the photo of each with the drawings in the book. #3 agreed that going to France someday to see all of these places in person would be awesome!

You Can Read ::

I can't remember if we added more words this week or if we just used this week as a review. We did pull out a lot of the sheets and used them during our time together. #3 made sentences with his flash cards and read some sentences I made for him.

ABC Animal ::

We combine our All About Reading Level Pre1 with an ABC Animal each week. I try to let the boys try different painting methods or other art mediums for their letter then we add the animal when its dry. We are hanging them around the room and it is looking really cool as we finish each letter.

Links ::

Homeschool share  -  flag, map, tour de France book

1plus1plus1equals1 - You Can Read and ABC Animal

Two Months

Since I didn't get my post done about rowing Madeline , I give you our two month post.

Little Miss #6 is growing so quickly. Lots of little rolls. She had a two-month well baby visit to the doctor, and weighed 11lbs and 11oz. Dr. said she looked like she was eating well. She rewards eye contact and cooing at her with a sweet little smiles and coos and gurgles. The last few days she has discovered her tongue and is often trying to figure out what that strange thing is.

She is a great baby, sleeping in a predictable pattern that gives me some sleep if I choose to get it (aka, go to bed at a decent time). She is well loved by all of her siblings and tolerates #5's attention. Her sister (10 year old #1) is an awesome big help and adores having a sister!

History is Alive :: The Silk Road

The boys and I explored the mysterious East in our history lessons a few weeks ago (well, it might be a couple of months ago now).

We started at the Taklamakan Desert with our heads covered to protect our heads from the extreme heat and sun.

A stop at an oasis in the Gobi Desert for water.

A float down the Yellow River using a yard stick for a boat oar.

We traveled the silk road just like explorers from Europe might have to find gold (chocolate coins), spices, ivory (old frosting containers), and exotic animals (an assortment of our own stuffed animals).

:: Yarn Along ::

Another Wednesday, another post about my knitting and reading. Yarn Along with Ginny to see even more goodies.

 

On the needles :: Still plugging away with Mr. Wiedz's sweater. Still haven't decided if I'll do a plain back or work it in the pattern. I really want to do it plain but I'm not sure if it would look right. Ideas? 

I've gotten quite a few rows done on one-half of the front of #6's cardi. 

I finished the headband I was making with that purple and immediately cast on a shawl for myself with the yarn. I'm planning on this being my summer no-brainer, traveling project...anytime the pattern calls for enough increases to get into the hundreds of stitches I figure it'll take me awhile.

On the nightstand :: Still working on Jane Eyre . Actually haven't made it much further than last week's post. Borrowed The Hunger Games from a friend. #1 wants to read it and a friend of mine's daughter wants to read it. Friend is waiting on my opinion and #1 is anxious for me to decide if it's appropriate for her to read. I'm so tired by the time I get into bed I'm not sure when I'll take time to pick it up but I've heard once I do it'll be hard to put down...we'll see.

Project :: knitted pants (and baby toes)

While I was pregnant with #5 I tried to knit baby pants. I was new at knitting and only got through one leg before I ran out of yarn and gave up. During my pregnancy with #6 my mom bought me a knitting book, Vintage Knits for Modern Babies, during our fun birthday girls weekend. There are so many patterns in there that I want to make, but one of the first projects I cast on was the Tiny Trousers.

 

I finished them and blocked them and put them in the drawer to await #6's arrival. And the other day she wore them! She looks as cute in them as I thought she would. She has worn them a time or two since this day that I photographed them. Actually she wore them to her brother's freezing t-ball game the other night and thanks to the wonderful soft wool she was warm and toasty!

Another picture to show her adorable baby toes. I think I decided to knit a bigger pair in some wonderful grey wool that I bought just before she was born...I've been waiting to decide what should be made with that yarn...

Ravelry notes here.

:: Yarn Along ::

It's Wednesday, which means it's time to Yarn Along with Ginny.

On the needles :: in the midst of spring basketball for #1 and baseball for #2, #3, and #4 (#4 will impatiently remind you he's playing t-ball, an altogether different activity, I guess) I found myself knitting what would be the equivalent of 2 rows a day on Mr. Wiedz's sweater. I put it that way since I didn't even get the thing out everyday but I did do 14 rows this last week in a couple different settings, so same thing right? I think I will have one more pattern repeat before I split for the neck - yikes, exciting! I have been toying around with the idea of doing the back plain garter or stockinette stitch instead of in pattern as it is written. I figure I have a better shot of finishing it if I do it that way but would it look strange?

I started on the front for #6's sweater but only got 1.5 rows done so that doesn't count.

On the nightstand :: I'm still plugging away on Jane Eyre and still enjoying it some. I would love to watch a Jane Eyre movie, anyone have a good recommendation?