art with children / HOMESCHOOLING / life (in general)

my friend friday

P1010007

Ahhh, it’s Friday. It’s been one of those weeks that I’m ready to have over with.
One of those weeks where the smallness of our living space seems to be closing in on me. One of those weeks where your children play with everything but toys–plastic containers, your spices, toothbrushes, hand lotion and yarn.
One of those weeks where your children decide to climb into the overflowing closet and pull everything out of a tub of newborn baby clothes, looking for dresses for their dolls.
One of those weeks where while you’re on your hands and knees cleaning up spilled orange juice that a 10 month old pulled down off the table onto herself and the floor, the cat jumps up onto the counter and knocks the whole tub of cat food on to the floor behind you.
P1010001

So I’ve been a little distracted, dazed and frazzled. But it’s Friday. And despite it all, I’ve managed to find little moments of peace and retreat.

Last night we had our first-ever paid babysitter. My cousin, who is worshiped by my children, came to watch the girls for a few hours. Unfortunately, Dan and I weren’t using that babysitting time to go somewhere together–me a home schooling get together on lapbooking, Dan and my grandmother at a class at church. The lapbooking get together was like one big origami session (not that that’s a bad thing)–and gave me lots of great ideas on how to bring some of our learning into more concrete, visual, finished products. (especially when a state review is looming in my future.)

Speaking of school, one of the bloggable bits that I never found time to write about this week was that Emma and I worked on our first Camp Creek art lesson–observational drawing. Emma was a bit of a stubborn student–didn’t want to draw what I chose, wanted to erase, didn’t want to include much detail. She’s not one who likes to be given a lot of direct instruction. I’m always struggling to find the balance between getting things done with her that I feel we need to do, and letting her guide our learning. In the end, after I was up from the table and working on supper, she sat back down and did her own observational drawing of a little corner of our living room. I should know by now that almost everything is done on her time.
P1010033

Well, I’m looking forward to a slow weekend with hints of a warm up. Today it’s a snow/ice storm that lost a lot of steam over night. But we’ve still hunkered down for the day, lots of logs in the wood burner, knitting, getting out some clay, and soup for lunch.

Happy Weekend, everyone. More upbeat next week, I promise.

P1010007

Ahhh, it’s Friday. It’s been one of those weeks that I’m ready to have over with.
One of those weeks where the smallness of our living space seems to be closing in on me. One of those weeks where your children play with everything but toys–plastic containers, your spices, toothbrushes, hand lotion and yarn.
One of those weeks where your children decide to climb into the overflowing closet and pull everything out of a tub of newborn baby clothes, looking for dresses for their dolls.
One of those weeks where while you’re on your hands and knees cleaning up spilled orange juice that a 10 month old pulled down off the table onto herself and the floor, the cat jumps up onto the counter and knocks the whole tub of cat food on to the floor behind you.
P1010001

So I’ve been a little distracted, dazed and frazzled. But it’s Friday. And despite it all, I’ve managed to find little moments of peace and retreat.

Last night we had our first-ever paid babysitter. My cousin, who is worshiped by my children, came to watch the girls for a few hours. Unfortunately, Dan and I weren’t using that babysitting time to go somewhere together–me a home schooling get together on lapbooking, Dan and my grandmother at a class at church. The lapbooking get together was like one big origami session (not that that’s a bad thing)–and gave me lots of great ideas on how to bring some of our learning into more concrete, visual, finished products. (especially when a state review is looming in my future.)

Speaking of school, one of the bloggable bits that I never found time to write about this week was that Emma and I worked on our first Camp Creek art lesson–observational drawing. Emma was a bit of a stubborn student–didn’t want to draw what I chose, wanted to erase, didn’t want to include much detail. She’s not one who likes to be given a lot of direct instruction. I’m always struggling to find the balance between getting things done with her that I feel we need to do, and letting her guide our learning. In the end, after I was up from the table and working on supper, she sat back down and did her own observational drawing of a little corner of our living room. I should know by now that almost everything is done on her time.
P1010033

Well, I’m looking forward to a slow weekend with hints of a warm up. Today it’s a snow/ice storm that lost a lot of steam over night. But we’ve still hunkered down for the day, lots of logs in the wood burner, knitting, getting out some clay, and soup for lunch.

Happy Weekend, everyone. More upbeat next week, I promise.

11 comments on “my friend friday”

  1. Don’t worry about being upbeat. Hearing that other moms have these kinds of weeks helps me tremendously. And, what is up with the kids not playing with the toys? Mine too! Why the toilet plunger is so much more enticing than the toy box is beyond me!

  2. Good drawing, Emma! It looks so true to life. I’m tired and grumpy and right now, sitting in your cozy living room and knitting or playing Shlegs (sp?) sounds beyond wonderful. Heavenly, in fact. Much love!

  3. With the exception of Monday when I ran away for the day, Our week has been sooo much the same, maybe it’s the full moon??Been seeing that Camp Creek Art Lesson all over, I think we will have to give it a try.Happy Weekend to you guys!!

  4. All I can say is “bless your heart” and the next week will be starting soon. Keep your chin up. My second oldest girl sounds a lot like your Emma….

  5. hey friend. :^D)

    love seeing your drawings! tell emma i am impressed with all that detail – i feel like i could step into your living room.

    not that long ago, i took the giant super-saver size catfood bag, opened it (brand new! full!) and sat it on top of a stepstool in the kitchen, turned around and knocked it over, then stood stunned for .. what, FIVE MINUTES?! .. as it emptied all over the kitchen floor. i just watched it pour and pour. lol

    when i have this kind of week, the boys don’t want to be anywhere that isn’t within five feet of me. playing with the spices *in my lap*. ;^)

    enjoy your weekend! it’s blizzarding here!

  6. Oh, Molly, I’m feeling you! It will pass, spring is just around the corner. My weeks like that seem to be passing, finally, into history and I’m looking forward to the good things that come with each new morning. I know that sounds so corny! Wish I could make you a big steaming bowl of cafe au lait! With biegnets, too!

  7. Your week sounds so familiar. Even the tries at observational drawing with the desire to erase. I too found it worked better when A was left on her own. Hope next week is a better one.

  8. Hey Molly! I think you look like you are doing a really terrific job with the home schooling. I am a junior primary school teacher so if I can ever be of any assistance just buzz me an email. Love that apple drawing!!!!

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