I Want To Do School!

I just explained line segments to my fourth grader while laying outside on the hammock while enjoying an ice cream sandwich. When I was growing up my math lessons were never like that. My lessons at Cold Water Elementary always were at a desk, usually the smallest desk in the room, because I was the shortest kid in the class.

While I don't plan on teaching in the hammock on a regular basis, it was a good way to let my fourth grader know that learning can take place anywhere. We had a nice moment while doing math, hopefully we will keep building on it. Now she may always remember when mom let her do math outside and got chocolate ice cream sandwich on her workbook.

The kindergartner is also having fun with math. Yesterday she counted down her snacks and played with geometric shapes.

She couldn't wait to do more school today until she reached her melt down point and I had her go take a nap. I didn't get nap time at Cold Water Elementary either. Hopefully nap time both teacher and student makes for a better afternoon. I may even take mine in the hammock.

Mayday Baskets

"April showers, bring May flowers."

As a fun thing to do for our neighbors, we made baskets filled with flowers. This was something that came to mind a month ago. As the girls and I were out shopping at the local thrift stores, we would hunt for small baskets for our project. If we found a basket with a plastic liner still in it, we considered it a great find. Our home is on a long cul-de-sac, so it took a while to find ten baskets that would work.

A few days ago, the girls and I visited our favorite farmer, Tom. We picked up a flat of bright, cheery flowers. In the misty rain yesterday, I planted the flowers into the baskets. After the girls went to bed last night, I made tags to tie onto the baskets. Overall, I thought they looked pretty cute, for our first attempt at Mayday baskets.

Emme and I placed a basket at each of our neighbors' doorsteps before school this morning. To my surprise, I was off on my count and rushed home to pull together one more basket. We had just enough plants left, along with a basket that was close enough in size to go along with the project. When Brad took Emme to school they left it at the home that I had somehow forgotten about.




I wanted to help teach our girls that we should be looking for ways to let our neighbors know that we do think about them as we rush past their homes several times a day. We took the time to talk about which color flower each family might like the best. It is so important for the girls to know that this world doesn't just revolve around them.

Life in our home is so fast paced, that we just don't see our neighbors enough, let alone talk with them about how things are going for them. Just last week, one of our neighbors passed away expectantly. I didn't know of it until a few days ago. As we work on this project, I though of the newly widowed woman a few doors down and what she must be going through. I talked to the girls about their family and prayed for her to have comfort and peace. I hope that this small Mayday basket brightened her day and brought a smile to all of our neighbors.