Homeschool milestone

tapestry of grace UNIT 1

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

We’re almost finished with Tapestry of Grace Unit 1! I really just touched on each subject area briefly with stories and crafts, focusing more on phonics, reading and math to form a foundation for our schedule. But what fun these history projects are! What I realized, though, is how much more my little guy learns when I am sitting right next to him doing the craft with him from start to finish, and not just directing from the laundry room. Which is my excuse for the 4 foot pile of dirty laundry in the hallway.

For our last project we will be trying to construct a replica tabernacle sanctuary. I think I’ll need to recruit my sweetie for that one…

Here is is a tabernacle model made by another homeschool family. It’s huge!

Still quilting. Sort of…

festival quilt II

Originally uploaded by laluandmatt

I really dislike parties (I’m wanting to use the word “hate here, but my mother’s strong aversion to the word, and the principle itself, it beginning to sink in, finally, at age 33.) Really. Can’t. Stand. Parties.

All that socializing with way too many people, some of whom I am never properly introduced to. Yuck. I much prefer to sit down and get to know people one at a time or at least in a small group. Really listen to them and get to know them. Break bread with them and all that. Not exchange niceties in a forced environment. Plus, all that standing around trying to eat and drink without a proper table to do it at is so awkward.

But baby showers, to me, are such a wonderful exception. Maybe it’s because the reason for the celebration is life itself, or the clear expectation and eagerness of the mother to be showered. I’m not really sure what makes it different for me. But I love going to baby showers, and last weekend I went to a party in the mountains, in a vintage Victorian cottage, with lemon chiffon cheesecake and my dear friend expecting a baby. What a treat.

So this busy little quilt was her present from our family, along with all the puffs and puckers that come along with not measuring properly and having my walking foot go kappooot after only 2 passes. In the end I tied the quilt up with embroidery floss. But I think it might work better as a lopsided floor mat than a quilt. So fun to make though, because it was for someone so special to me, even if it didn’t quite turn out as I wanted.

And you know, this new almost-mom received at least 6 handmade gifts that day. Another gorgeous quilt (designed by an architect! Ha! Architects should design all quilts, it was amazing), and a shopping cart cover and a nursing cover designed by another mom who started her own business this year, and a changing pad and knitted (bamboo!) baby mittens and, well, I lost count. A crafty revolution, I tell you.

And lemon chiffon cheesecake is on the menu for tonight. Which is completely ridiculous since I just finished an old 1980’s Buns of Steel workout with TamiLee Web. Cheesecake and buns of steel do not belong in the same paragraph. Does anybody remember her? Legwarmers and all. My little guy was laughing so hard at her, I don’t think he even realized how silly I looked trying to copy her. Thank goodness for that.