72 Hours of Her World

What do homeschoolers do all day if they aren't in school? Well we sit at home alone in the basement with no windows and no socialization of course.... NOT! I have been picture crazy the last few weeks and I even gave Sid her own camera to capture some of her own memories. While processing the pictures from the last three days, I realized we really captured a tiny part of our homeschooling style. Like the life of any five year old, much of our day is spent with routines, getting dressed, eating, going out. However, since we are not in a rush to get on a bus or off to school, it leaves so much time to just enjoy.

A beautiful warm day was perfect for a long hike in the woods with the dogs. Sid is a master at snowshoeing now!

While out and about we kept our eyes open for more than just crows and chickadees and we enjoyed the first touches of warming sun. It has been several months since we actually felt the sun's warmth on our skin!


Snuggled up after dinner to watch American Idol with Dad and Mom. The red blanket has become a recent addition to our family. The "blankie" as Sid calls it is a queen sized flannel duvet cover. She loves sitting in it and turning it into an instant fort. It is even more fun when Mom or Dad are in there too!

Another warm day gave us an opportunity to head for the woods again. This time we saw (and fed) semi-tame deer and walked a long trail to the girls favorite summer fort. The fort was buried but that didn't taint the warmth and company of good friends.


Waiting for the chickadees with perches in hand.


Winter picnic under a favourite tree.

Exploration along an old downed tree.

The third day was a quick trip to the museum with endless opportunities to play and explore.

Why are the pennies doing that?


Watching the pennies spin!

Brewing up something special.

And finally a photo that captures Sid's world from her eyes. She has a playhouse set up in our living room window and has been playing with it all week. I called this picture "feeling watched"



Here is a video of morning fun with Dad before he left for work.

This last video so surprised me. Sid has been listening to a Geronimo Stilton (mouse detective) audio book as she falls asleep for the last two weeks. Getting out of her bath she just started reciting parts of the book. I had her stop and ran for the video camera.

So while we do schooly stuff mostly around routines like meal time or in the early morning we learn and learn and learn all day long. I never dreamed of raising our daughter this way but now cannot imagine anything else.

Snowshoeing... finally!!!

Our snow came back with a vengeance. Although it made driving tedious on the weekend and we missed going into town for our Friday group, we are thrilled to be able to play in the snow again. Sid and I decided to go for a late night snowshoe with the puppers.


The snow wasn't too heavy but snowshoeing is a lot of work for little legs!!


Time to head home.

Meet Sid's new friend Rosebud (I don't know why she named her that!!) I call her a Wee Beastie with a Wee, Wee Beastie Babe. Obviously this cuddle creature is a marsupial Mama (or papa!) who is filled with hours of endless imaginative play. Sid helped me design her by picking the number of eyes, how they were positioned, arms, hair instead of horns, number of dots etc. It was a really fun project. What has been so amazing is the amount of play Rosebud has inspired. Many of Sids toys have been "rescued" and popped into Rosebud's pouch for a safe return. Rosie, the baby, always seems to get herself into trouble and Mama Wee Beastie needs to keep better eyes on her!! Last night they slept with Sid and got two thumbs up for the cuddle test. So 100% Wool, 100% customizable Wee Beasties are now available for order through my website http://www.naturesplayroom.com/.

Snowshoeing Season is here

We had a big storm yesterday dumping 35cm of snow then some freezing rain with a little more snow on top. Today was the perfect first day for the snowshoes to come out of the shed. Sid got hers from Granny and Grandpa last year and was a pro the first time out on them this year. She did well in the snowshoes last year but would tire out and want to be carried. This year there is no stopping her!

We spent 2 hours out in the yard today snowshoeing and then sledding down the hill on the side of our house. Sid had a great time and Mom got a great work out walking down the hill and pulling Sid back up, over and over again!