Homeschool Road Trip

After two years of homeschooling through a pandemic we have take our learning on the road!  We are seizing this unique opportunity to be physically mobile while working, teaching & learning remotely.  

Trying to fit in too much before we departed (keeping with our family tradition) and then discovering a dead battery was quite a dramatic start!  We did make it to Washington DC very late at night after driving through a snow squall in Worcester.  

Our first day in DC we went to the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian of the American Indian.  Second day included visiting the Capitol, Washington, Lincoln & MLK monuments.  We even saw the exhibit of the statues of the First Dogs (JFK, Obama, Lincoln’s).  

We lucked out with the best weather imaginable!  

Different approaches to nail polish

Whatever works!

Clowning

Nora & Brenna love making up different tricks where they can both swing from the gorilla gym at the same time. It’s funny to hear them talk abot being clowns because they have never seen one before.

Big girl haircuts

I can’t believe they look SO much older with their new haircuts. They have both been blessed with lots of hair and my minimal haircutting skills couldn’t keep up. Nora wanted to make sure it was long to enough to still chew on, but most importantly they both didn’t want to deal with me “hurting” them when getting the tangles out. This will be much easier for all!

Some things change and others don’t

Kidspeak; I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Brenna & Nora learn language through the years. I love the mispronouniciations and “wrong” usage. It’s so innocent & earnest. It’s happening less and less these days and I miss it. When it does happen my ears perk up and it warms my heart. Like the other say when we were driving and Brenna asked if I hit a potholder. Nora said “computier” for the longest time. These moments are fleeting and I’m trying to cherish the remaining.

I wonder if Nora & Brenna will be full grown adults and still try to squeeze themselves into small spaces together. They have done this for as long as I can remember.

Bombogenesis

These girls make the snow fun.

Five years old!

It's so hard to believe they are five years old. They were chatting up the nurse and doctor like crazy at their checkup. I wish I would have videotaped it-pure gold.

The year of the Nutcracker

Nora & Brenna started a creative expression dance class with Ms. Helena this fall. Brenna loves to wear her dance clothes & often asks how many days until dance class. Nora enjoys it as well, but still isn't interested in wearing dance clothes which I don't mind & am grateful their teacher is so relaxed.

We saw a local local production of the Nutcracker this year & got to meet the dancers after the show which was quite exciting. Then Nora & Brenna performed in their own Nutcracker performance with Ms. Helena having only two practices each! They took turns getting sick & ended up going to school & dance class separate. This was a big milestone as they haven't spent much time apart.

They had a big family crowd in the audience as the Kelly & Mubaiwa clans were here to celebrate holidays as well as the local Kwartlers.

New Holiday Tradition

I didn't finish the summer posts, but it's almost 2017 so I decided to just get on with it. 😉

This year (and last) we made food bags for the kids that come to the local food pantry. It's a great activity & this year I think the concept clicked a bit more with my 4 year olds. I overheard them in their pretend play talking about giving toys to kids that don't have many. For me it helped set a very grateful mood in early December which persisted through the busyness that followed/is following. Trish was a huge help with the shopping & prep. It would have been very challenging without her. Plus I couldn't ask for a better local tribe-such authentic, inspiring & funny mommas. We packed 50 bags -5 per kid. I also loved all the simple math that was involved with planning. Those of you who know me well are not at all surprised.

Good Times at the Lake-Part Two

The Kelly & Mubaiwa clans joined us to celebrate July 4th week in NH.  

Happy Birthday to Nanna!

Making paper boats with Backa

Good Times at the Lake-Part One

We spent lots of time at the NH lake cottage this summer.  The girls and I got to stay for almost two whole weeks at the beginning of the season.  They didn't even want to come home at the end although I felt like I needed another vacation 😜.  The first half of our visit we spent with the Kwartler/Mazzeo clan.  It's nice to see Nora & Brenna play with their cousin Hazel.  Plus Molly the dog was there👍🏼