april catch up in may

The last month has been a total whirlwind of excitement and next to no time to write on the blog. I think this is the longest time span since I started it that I haven't written. So, April, what all went on in April? Lots and lots of trips to the library. Master's Academy Ended with a giant play that the kids did a fantastic job in. I was really impressed with how well they pulled it off. I was a little worried, I must admit, about the play concepts, but it came off without a hitch and the kids spoke loudly, knew their parts, and were fully present and had a great time doing it. We also got to pick up all their art projects and that in and of itself was pretty impressive to me. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next year.

I celebrated my 35th birthday in style. A whole lot of my friends went with me to see Bonobo, some trance/dance music and we had an amazing meal at the speak easy downtown. It was SUPER fun! I had a new outfit to wear (thanks Holly) and was surrounded by many of my closest friends. There's nothing like throwing a party for yourself! The girls even all got ready together false eyelashes and all. I love being really girly from time to time - not to mention Bonobo was absolutely incredible. I love music that causes the mind to get a little lost from the world outside.

Kalib is loving Kung Fu which meets regularly on Wednesdays. It helps him to stay focused and connected to his body. He also started his own blog for his lego creations which is A LEGOS LIFE He comes up with some really cool looking legos and puts pictures of them up. He's a guy of few words, so it is mostly pictures, but he's all about the legos so check on that from time to time.

Lastly, I had a big opening for the quilts on the 30th with Baraka's Book Signing which was a total blast. I spent most of the month behind my sewing machine trying to finish up a new piece for the show. Thanks to my amazing Hubby and kids and many many supportive friends, I was able to get it all done and have a blast. There were moments when I didn't think I would finish, but I did. There will be pictures of it in June after the show comes down. The show and book signing was amazing. I had prints and note cards to sell and did pretty well with those and Baraka sold out of her books (which is really awesome). The night was so fun and I met some great people and reconnected with some great people and got good feedback on the work I do. I even got a little choked up as I was talking about how grateful I am to my family for inspiring me to keep creating and supporting me in my endeavors. My dear friend, Sambara, came in as a surprise to her and as a treat to me from her sweet loving man, Watson. That was the icing on the cake to have my dear dear friends around me in those moments of nervousness with my heart of the walls of the Healing Arts Centre.

The next day, we had our annual Maypole Party. I was so tired and scattered I didn't manage to get the pictures I usually do so when Jennifer Bray posts some of hers I will be sure to send a link so you all can see the festivities. It was a blast as usual. Another very late night surrounded by great friends and laughter. What more could I ask for?

This past month has been an amazing month, reminding me of how very lucky we are to be a part of such a tight nit community/family. We are surrounded by beautiful people everywhere we turn who inspire and enlighten us, some challenge us in ways we would never expect and we only grow closer through living our lives together. There is the old adage it takes a village to raise a child, and I am so glad my children are a part of THIS village. Wow... you all are so special and what amazing role models for our babies! THANK YOU for all that you do in our lives and all that you are in our lives. I can't imagine my life without any of you in it.

BE WELL-
Sarah

egyptian crowns

What does our typical day of homeschooling look like? Well, it depends on the day or the night. Typically, the kids do some English and math work along with reading almost every day... there is the occasional day that we let that slide for taking it easy or researching stuff on the computer or going out and learning out in the world... There is much to be learned everywhere, not just at our table doing lessons and so far, the best thing about masters academy is all the interest in history and learning the kids are taking from it and the "homework" they have they actually look forward to doing and they are learning so much. Last week, the homework involved making a replica (as best they could) of the crown that King Narmer wore. So, they settled into work with their dad and here is what they came up with...

hard at work






Walking like an egyptian


all finished!

masters academy

The kids have begun attending a program called the Master's Academy of Fine Arts. Every Thursday from 12 - 4 they spend the day learning drama, music, art history/art, and world history. We have been debating for a couple of years now whether to try to put the kids in it or not and finally have decided to take a leap of faith and go for it. I have been feeling like we just weren't doing enough around the house and though both kids are very smart and plenty motivated to learn on their own, I still cling to some structured learning in our life and I feel like Master's Academy will take some of that pressure off me to focus more on other things in their schooling that might have been slipping through the cracks. I still have the strong sense that much of the education should be predominately directed by them so that they remember what they are learning and are interested in it rather than me forcing something down their throats. This theory has worked for us for the most part, yet I am left feeling like we are still lacking something... The cool thing so far seems to be that on soooo many levels masters is creating a lot of side interests in many things and we are having a lot of dialogue and learning happening on the days that masters is not going on which has helped me to get back on the good ship of feeling confident in my home schooling endeavors. The transition to working as much as I do while homeschooling has been a difficult one, that I really FEEL like is finally getting on track. (I think more of that had to do with mom settling into a rhythm with it and accepting my own limitations than the kids feeling slighted in anyway.) This year, I'm feeling good about the goals we have set for ourselves and for the kids and I'm excited about the new learning more structured learning environment and India is reveling in the structure and the "homework" and she is so eager to have more more more and Kalib is totally digging it too. His learning style is very different from hers (one of the perks of schooling at home is I can cater to their different learning styles), but they have both already gleaned a lot in the last 2 weeks, and I am excited to see where we go from here. (It helps that MOST of their closest friends have also decided to do Master's with us...)

So, here are some pictures from their first day last week...Yes, I made a big deal out of it just like it was their first day of school (it's the closest thing we have had to that - they are even going to be taking school pictures in Oct... will any be coming your way? I don't know... depends on how much they cost.)

Kalib doing his Kalib thing


India wishing I wasn't so obnoxious with the camera


Last but not leastly together... We don't get too many of these anymore and I really love how the kids personalities come out in this one! They are such wonderful people and I'm so thankful for all that I learn from them.