Batman Explores the Blanket Mountain

Ethan is blanket obsessed lately. He's always wrapped in one or playing with one in some way.

Ethan's imaginative powers are quite developed for a 2 year old. Here the small Batman is exploring the blanket mountain. A much larger Batman figure is hidden inside the mountain, or maybe it's the batcave?

The Ripple

Even though I am a beginner crocheter, this beautiful ripple pattern with bright, happy colors, makes me feel like an expert!

Here's my boy working on his own little project. We're hoping to turn out a little bag for him to put all those boy treasures in.

I wanted to add a bit more to this post. Most people who've known me for awhile will probably be a little surprised to see a crochet project on my blog. I've never been a crafty type. However, I have been increasingly drawn to creative areas. I am wondering if I will have to wait until Christmas to by myself my first sewing machine. I dream of wandering the aisles of craft stores. I am reading craft blogs like crazy. Why?

I think I know why. For the last ten years all my creative energies have been focused on having babies. Not that I take credit for "creating" them. That was in the Lord's hands. But I have focused on the best things to eat, the best way to birth, how to diaper, feed, bathe, hold, nurse, and dress a baby. How to potty train, teach, and enjoy toddlers and preschoolers. What home school methods appeal to me and how to purchase curriculum to match my taste and my kids' learning styles. So much to learn!

But now my baby days are behind me. I've figured out (for the moment) what kind of schooling I want to do with my kids. And all those questions of child-rearing are answered and the process is automatic. So what's wrong with me? I think I am bored.

Yes, laugh. How I could I be bored? The homeschooling mom of 5 kids? My creative self is bored. Maybe that's a better way to put it. I need an outlet. I need something new to figure out. Something to put my brain to and conquer. Why not sewing and crocheting? At least I can do it from the comfort of my bed while telling the kids to go make their own sandwiches for lunch. (Should I say that?) I am sure it will be something else eventually. There are so many things I want to learn to do. Would you care to share with me what you would like to learn? I'd love to hear it.

Real Life Crafting ;)

I've been reading some neat homeschooling blogs lately. Lots of cool projects and crafts that inspired me to do some of those things with my kids. Only it looks a bit different at my house. Messier, less interesting, more real. LOL.

Here they are making various things. I think they are trying to make boats to float in the "river" we made. Notice the variety of materials on the table. Earlier they were cutting and taping crowns.

Here's our river. Much less workable than the one I saw online here. I suppose it would have worked better on the patio. The grass is too uneven.

Back at it

We started back with our homeschooling routine this week. We've been off since mid-May. With birthdays and moving and traveling and guests, we've been quite busy! Now I have our school area pretty well set up. It still needs some work, but what I need is available. The kids have started back with math (why does math leak out of their heads so fast!), science, writing (I was very impressed with Jordan's spelling and Lacy's willingness), and literature.

This is where we "do school":

Two weeks ago we started family Bible reading, character reading, and missionary reading in the evenings. We do our reading in this room. The kids color on the floor while I read on the futon. Sometimes, if I am lucky, one of my kiddos will forgo the coloring and snuggle with me.