lifelong learning

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

2008-08-19T23:27:00.000-07:00

2008-08-19T23:25:00.000-07:00

2008-08-19T23:17:00.000-07:00

2007-06-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

I just came across this photo- I have no idea how old the Sunchild is in this picture, but he reminded me of Ruby, and it made me smile.

2007-06-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Sunchild is enjoying having a new yard a whole lot.

2007-04-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

I cannot seem to get a picture of just the Sunchild any longer. He & his sister are just too cute together. I just had to share this one!

2007-04-12T23:02:00.000-07:00

The Sunchild enjoyed testing out his new rain boots in Hammersley Inlet out in Shelton. The tide moved in rather fast. He put a stick in the sand and we used a stopwatch to learn that it moved landward 3 inches in 1 minute. A boot-high stick was almost submerged in 20 minutes. Logs and other flotsam were carried rapidly by, and we watched life go by, for while.

The blogging has been infrequent, as actual typing is difficult with a nursling. We are planning to move in about a month, and there is a lot to do in preparation. But when we arrive, we will have a yard, and trees, and greenery around us. I look forward to having a birdfeeder again.

2007-02-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of learning going on these days- about being a family of four. The Sunchild is learning about the sorts of things he can do for himself when mom is too busy nursing the Gem. He is developing a sense of confidence in his own abilities. It is fun to witness.

2007-01-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

Big brother is learning how to hold his little sister Ruby. Aren't they cute?

2006-11-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

We went out to McClane Creek again yesterday, since Papa hadn't had a chance to see the salmon running. The season is almost over for that, as illustrated by the dead salmon that the Sunchild is contemplating at the side of the creek. We did get to see them up close in the water, though, which was a treat. Seeing one of our favorite places after a rare snowfall was pretty special as well. Indigo was able to tell the males from the females by the shape of their mouths & the coloration of their skin. I am glad he remembered, because I sure didn't!

This morning, he finished off his Grade 1 Spelling Puzzles book that he has been working on. He handwriting is getting better in the sense that he has more of an idea of what he is aiming for. It is not as polished as it was when I sat at the table & corrected each mistake as it happened- there are still some backwards letters and his spacing could be better- but he seems a bit more comfortable with the whole idea. He really enjoyed finishing the book. It gave him a sense of accomplishment.

Off to the Freeschool now, for our homeschool playgroup day.

2006-11-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

Snow! Yes, indeed, here in Olympia there is snow. By the time we got outside, it had turned rather slushy, and the trees were dripping like crazy. It wasn't raining yet, though, and we got a chance to build a nice snowman. The snow packed really well, so it might even last a few days.

This was much more his project than the last time we made snowmen, last winter. He really got the hang of rolling the ball through the snow to make it as big as possible. I think the pine branch arms were a very nice touch.

2006-11-26T11:56:00.000-08:00

We finally made it out to McClane Forest yesterday, and I am really glad we did. The Chum salmon are still running, and the creek is 3 times the size it was during our last visit. There was a Salmon Steward there answering questions, and the whole park was hopping.

We didn't get to see any active spawning, but we did see the salmon hanging out in the overhang in the picture. There was one who seemed to have already spawned, and who was guarding her eggs. We learned that the females have a horizontal line on them, and the males have the vertical lines along their sides. Also, the white patches on the salmon are a type of harmless fungus that grows on them once they hit fresh water & stop eating. We saw quite a few dead salmon, too, done with their biological imperative & now providing others with nutrients. The forest was full of the sound of water, and it was a beautiful day to be out in it.

2006-11-20T21:52:00.000-08:00

We had a fun adventure to the gaming store in Olympia. The Sunchild has a regular 'Magic the Gathering' date with our friend E, who suggested a trip to the store for more cards, his treat. Indigo had never seen such a store, and it was fun to look at all of the role-playing supplies that they had.

After much consideration, he finally chose a new red & black deck to play. Then we all headed out for Mexican food & looked at the cards. This new deck is rather advanced, strategically, so it will be interesting to watch him learn how to play it.

2006-11-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

We have been involved in a whole lot of activities lately, where it seems I often forget to bring my camera. We spent the weekend at home, which was a nice change of pace from all of the driving around we have been doing.

The Sunchild was ready for some bookwork the other day- and really liked the idea of a project that would illustrate his own American journey. He colored a map in, and numbered the states that he has been to. He chose different colors for each trip, and another color for states that he has lived in. He also glued labels on each state, and can read all of them now. He learned that he has been to 24 of the 50 states. Not bad for a 6yo!

In other news, the Sunchild began taking Kungfu lessons recently. A friend of ours is donating space and the instructor is only charging $5 a class. Very different than the expensive Santa Fe dojang I used to run! He is loving the class. I have been suggesting he practice his moves throughout the week, which is a nice way for him to blow off steam during the execptionally rainy days.

Park day has transformed into an indoor recess at the Freeschool. The Freeschool was kind enough to donate space to the TLCers to continue our weekly Tuesday group. It is a nice informal gathering where the kids do what they will, as long as they are respectful of each other & of the space. Afterwards, my friend W joined us with her kids for a downtown walk to Otto's. She is pregnant too, and we were both dying for one of their salads.

Speaking of the Freeschool, they are also getting more organized. They have a list of Saturday morning activities through the end of the year, and we are excited to be involved in that.

In the car last night, the Sunchild discoursed to me about the 4 levels of the Food Web; the Sun, source of all energy; Producers (which are plants); Primary Consumers (who eat the plants); and Secondary Consumers- and so on and so on until you get to the Biodegraders. He is definitely learning stuff all the time!

2006-10-31T21:50:00.000-08:00

The Sunchild was a Magic, the Gathering inspired Bat Creature. It was intensely cold here, so the trick or treating didn't last very long- but he was pleased with his haul.

2006-10-30T22:42:00.000-08:00

We went out to McClane forest today, but it was pretty chilly, and we didn't make it past the pond. There were ducks there, and the Sunchild enjoyed tossing pebbles in the pond, tricking the ducks into thinking he was throwing treats. On our way out, he found a woolly-bear caterpillar, and spent some time checking it out.

2006-10-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

The Sunchild loves to give kisses to 'da baby in da belly."

2006-10-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

Magic the Gathering as literacy work:

"Mom?"

"What?"

"How do you say S Y P H O N ?"

"That's syphon, honey."

"How about V I G I L A N C E ?"

He is going to have a very interesting vocbulary due to this adventure in card games. Props to the goji-family to turning him on to it :D

2006-10-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

We finally made a trip to Tumwater Falls. I have been hearing about the salmon running there for a while, and it was definitely worth the trip. The trail starts up at the holding tanks, where the salmon who travel up the fish ladder get caught. Some are allowed to continue on their way; others are harvested for their eggs. The picture is from the bottom of the falls, at Capitol Lake, where the salmon are gathering courage for the next phase of their journey. The Sunchild & I talked about how cool salmon are, and how they don't give up when the going gets tough.

The Sunchild also found a nice spot behind the rhodies, that he decided was the perfect spot to meditate. Thus inspired, we ohm'd for a bit, before heading back up the hill. Check out the web album for more photos of this hike.

2006-09-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

We headed down to the Olympia Timberland Library for a tree-planting today. The Sunchild helped plant a Canadian Red Chokecherry on the west side of the building. Then we had cake and headed over to the other side of the building, where the local Woodturners Club had set up a demonstration. One guy was making tops for the children, and when we arrived, Sun was the only one present. It was great because he got to watch the whole process, including coloring the top with Sharpies for decoration (while still on the lathe). He also watched the Woodturner teach another man how to use the tools on the lathe to make his own top. It was a good time.

There was also a puppet show & storytime, which was fun, but afterwards it was right back to the lathe. This time there was a line, and so we stayed and watched for a while, and then headed back home for dinner. He liked the fact that he was watching someone do the same work as Pop Mumper, and announced on the way home that he wanted to make things like bowls and tops and pottery when he grows up. I must admit, I really want to play with a lathe now too.

*****
I have just gotten back to writing after a wonderful visit with family. I have a lot of pictures & time to fill in, and will be backdating each entry to its appropriate slot. I also will be adding a Picasa WebAlbum, so keep a look out for that as well. Of course, this will take some time, and I do hope to keep somewhat current until then.

2006-09-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

The Sunchild reads the trailside sign while Nana tries to stay warm in the foggy cloudcover on Mount Rainier. We had a nice time, despite the fact that we never actually *saw* the mountain.

2006-09-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

We stopped at the Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Garden in Elbe, Washington, on our way to Mount Rainier. The Sunchild's favorite piece was a huge giraffe; here he is hugging one of its legs. More pictures from this trip are at our Web Album.

2006-09-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

We visited our friend C out in Mud Bay. He had new chickens to check out, and of course, the rope swing, which is always a hit.

2006-09-16T17:00:00.001-07:00

We had a fabulous day out on the Puget Sound today. Grandpa rented a boat from Boston Harbor, and we went to Hope Island for a picnic and a hike. It was beautiful.

After lunch, we took a foray down Budd Inlet. Here is the Sunchild, helping Grandpa at the tiller. I got a turn at the tiller too, which was even more fun than I thought it would be.

2006-09-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at Percival Park, for Percival Play Day today. There were all sorts of activities and crafts to enjoy. The Sunchild especially enjoyed a visit aboard the Olympia Harbor Patrol boat. We learned that the Harbor Patrol is staffed entirely by volunteers, somewhat like a volunteer Fire Dept.

There were also face painters, craft tents, a bubble tent, and a climbing wall present. Indigo attempted the climbing wall for the first time ever, and is excited about pursuing that in the future.