Civics

We'll call this a lesson in Civics. Civics = "A social science that deals with ... the rights and duties of citizenship." We are all citizens of this family, inasmuch as we give loyalty to and receive safe harbor from our family. We all take part in the runnning of the household and the working through of conflicts. We collectively explore the darts and pleats of giving to and receiving from others. We recognize that we are a whole which is something wholly different than, and yet celebratory of, the individuals within it.

Recently, Kieran was ready for a summer haircut. Lulu is napping, the time is ripe. We get it all set up and dig in (literally -- Kieran's hair has the texture of rope). Halfway through, Lulu is up. Kieran spends the next two hours with half a haircut. And, he was still smiling!

Kitchen Table Learning

I love the kitchen. This week, as we sat at the breakfast table, suddenly a plump oppossum rolled out from under something (the compost? the flower pots? hard to say). He lumped along the sidewalk, across the alley and under our neighbor's deck. Only to emerge again a few minutes later. Out came the binoculars and books. We learned about the possum "playing dead" and decided that was a good tactic for dealing with conflict. (Someone might use that on her brother). We were surprised to see it out in the daytime and wondered if there were "day owls" -- possums that seem to be up at all hours of the day. With the binoculars out, the whole neighborhood suddenly became of interest -- spotting birds and squirrels and neighbors.

At that same kitchen table just yesterday, we had our math/science/home ec/art/etc class -- making rolls. The kids quickly took the whole thing over and I stepped out. The table was quickly covered with flour, tools, pans and rolls waiting for the oven:

The beauty of this project was in eating the results!

Proof of socialization

This friday, we headed off with enthusiasm to the Milwaukee Public Museum. Once a month, they offer "Celebrations of Culture" -- this month the theme was "The Streets of Old Milwaukee." In the museum, by far the love of every child's heart is the streets of old milwaukee -- a turn of the century replica of Milwaukee's streets. This day there were activities such as paper doll-making, decorate your own yo-yo, period actors roaming the streets telling about the customs of the time, and a storytelling session about the Teddy Bear President -- Theodore Roosevelt.

I had posted on our homeschool group's group site that we were going and inviting others to meet up. All in all, there were at least 5 families and probably 15-20 kids.

Nani being Nani, she headed right to the craft tables, creating this:

We typically encounter alot of questions when people find out we're homeschoolers. When I said that we were with a few other families, the volunteer at the craft table replied (very typically): "oh, it's nice that you get to get out and see other people." We all kind of have to muffle a laugh, especially the older kids.

So, just to clarify, for most homeschoolers, there is no missing socialization link. In fact, the kids that I know that homeschool are actually way more adept than I at socializing. Maybe it's because they spend their days intereacting with people of different ages, different experiences, etc. Just the sheer number of new people that these kids interact with each week allows them to carry themselves with a beautiful, self-possessed adeptness.

Here are the kids with a slew of friends, different ages, different backgrounds, but curiosity, enthusiasm and friendship in common.

Capping off Africa

www.alemethiopianvillage.com

First off, sorry for the lack of visuals here. What a horrible day to forget the camera!

As we ended our month of studying the continent of Africa, we went out with a great culinary adventure -- a trip to an ethiopian restaurant! (see link above).

We were seated around the traditional "table", wich is essentially a basket which is topped with a tray. Right when we got there, we read the note on the table which describes the communal eating style: all off the same plate an dno utensils. In fact, the menu even has a picture of utensils with a null sign through it. This was a little bit of a struggle for Kieran -- who desperately began searching his pockets for silverware, or "at least my pocket knife!"

We ordered up a vegetarian platter to share and started things out with sambusas - yum! The food was outrageuously good. Both kids dug right in, Kieran was on fire and just loving up everything, quickly figuring out the injera (flatbread) scoop for feeding his face.

We ended with not-so-traditional cheesecake and practiced the Ethiopian tradition of goorsha -- feeding each other. Comedy central.

After dinner, we reflected back with Kieran about his fear of the lack of utensils. He smiled and pulled out a stash of dental floss "just in case." (He's known to keep strange things in his pockets "just in case.").

If you're in Milwaukee -- head in to Alem. Unforgettable!

A typical morning

I realize this will all change soon. Two months or so, I'd guess. But, as of this week, here are Kieran and Nani on a typical morning. When I woke up and walked out, this was the scene. Both of them completely set-up and absorbed in a valentine production extravaganza! I love this kind of thing - when they truly take their curiosity into their own hands, get resourceful and just have at it. Don't be surprised to see some of these beauties in your mailbox soon!

Courting Lulu

Here are the kids with Suzie, the nurse at our midwife's office. So far, the kids have been to the midwife with me at least a dozen times. They have their own little set-up in the room (Kieran ducks behind the table and listens to harry potter, Nani colors on the chair. Nani will quickly share that "Cheri is the first person who touched me with her hands."

This whole process has been such a gift to share as a family. The kids get to see the whole process. Nani always helps Cheri roll up her measuring tape and squeeze the "belly jelly" on my belly to hear Lulu's heartbeat. They were curious about why I had to pee in a cup each time. Suzie promptly took them behind the scenes to see the whole process of urinalysis. Thrilling! Ha ha.

They sat with us as we saw Lulu come up on the screen for the first time (before we knew she was Lulu and most of us thought she was Johnny Donny). When the ultrasound tech said "It's a girl" -- Kieran responded "How does she know it's a girl?" I said "Well, how do you know you're a boy and Nani's a girl?" Nani didn't pause a beat before replying "Because boys have short hair and they're grumpy."

We'll have even more adventures as time goes on. More ultrasounds, non-stress tests twice a week starting in three weeks, and who knows how the birth process will unfold.

Lulu started her homeschooling journey in the womb!

Where in the world is Grandma?

Part of our ongoing geography lessons come in the form of regular packages from Grandma. Today, one came from Kauai. Here's the contents:

It is always part scavenger hunt, part psychology lesson ("what do you think Grandma had in mind when she included this sugar packet?"), part geography, part local events trivia, and a lot of fun! Thanks, Grandma!

Africa by Imax

During the month of January, we are focusing on the continent of Africa by reading stories and histories, listening to music, working with the map and whatever else we can find. Today, we ventured to the Milwaukee Public Museum to explore the African section again. And, we took in the Imax movie Africa: The Serengeti. (Sponsored by Grandma and Grandpa Sota -- thank you!!).

Nani: "It was cool that the cheetah ran so fast I could hardly see her!" Kieran just liked it all and it was sweet to hear him giggling at the lion cubs' antics.

Up in the museum, we visited the Africa exhibit. We've been in this exhibit at least 3 or 4 dozen times before. But, it was interesting to see the kids pull meaning out of new things yet again. They spotted some animals and birds that we had seen in the movie. Here's Nani at the waterhole:

Kieran is always attracted to hunting, weapons, etc. So, he was interested in the Masai -- who are emphasized in the movie as well as in the scene at the left. (Low battery = no flash!)

As the kids get more used to this format, they will take more control of the postings. For now, they each took some pictures on our outing. Here are their favorites:

"The house of Africa" by Nani

"The bulls" by Kieran

Sunday is for fun

By the time the weekend comes in full force, the kids are just about mommed-out (or maybe it's the reverse!). Great time for Dad to step in. I love this scene! Not only does Daddy agree to play Polly Pockets with Nani, but Kieran is also magnetically drawn into the action. I must say, I relish the fact that both kids are able to flow so easily with different kinds of toys, experiences, and opportunities for learning.

All three were very proud of the outifts they rigged up for their Polly. Maybe none so much as Daddy:

Fun with Friends

One of my favorite things about homeschooling is the chance to have fun with two whole families (or more) at once. After yesterday's snowy wonderland, today was the day to head out en masse to the park to sled. Our good friends, Jennine (mom), Nolan (8), Mira (6), and Amelia (2 1/2) came to join us. The hot chocolate was well-earned!

Mira and Nani in their hut.

Kieran and Nolan enjoying the golden cup of yum and some good conversation.

There are so many great things about getting together with friends. Moms get a chance to connect with and support each other. The kids get that chance to deepen their relationships. Great for everyone!

A home day

Today, we are nestled into home and the snow is wafting about. It's really delicious to be homeschoolers on days like this. For christmas (thanks, Nunu), the kids received "The Story of the World" -- a complete world history on CDs. This morning, we're taking our second run through the first set of 7 CDs. The kids have loved it. Nani: "Well, I've certainly learned alot of stuff." Egyptian history is a favorite.

The facts keep coming pouring out:

Nani: "Daddy, every year the Nile river overflows and a special dirt called silt washes up on the banks and that allows people to plant wheat and stuff."

Kieran "See, mom? That's when India and Egypt met up. Cuz we were wondering about that."

Last month, we focused on the continent of Europe, which was wonderful for the holidays. We learned so much about European holidays through a trip to the museum, reading, watching travel DVDs and baking all sorts of european delicacies. (Norwegian cresent moons. Thumbs up. Crepes. Thumbs down.)

We capped our European month with an Italian New Year's Eve -- Italian music and homemade pasta.

This month, we are jumping into Africa. The Story of the World has been great so far. This afternoon, we're diving into our huge stack of National Geographics to read various articles about African countries.

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Amy et al.

Rocking Curiosity

Greetings and love to all our friends and family. We're so excited to share all of our homeschooling journeys with you. Hope you like it!

Love,
nani
kieran
amy
christopher