Elan's First Hockey Game EVER

Elan had his first hockey game yesterday! Loved every minute of it!

Mid October

Jordan is almost done writing his first persuasive paper and it is quite well done. He went from dreading it to being so proud that he wanted to read aloud to me. Yeah!
Elan has been building wooden boats, making giant letter A's out of electrical tape and coming up with lots of brilliant ideas as usual.
Luke has been enjoying our morning circle time. He likes the singing, finger plays and the ending game of ring-around-the-rosie. He's getting more and more independent. SIGH.

Art Day

I decided to start this morning by playing with Luke. We got out his scissors, paper and glue.






Elan soon joined us and cut out the letters to his name.





Then we got out the oil pastels and markers and made trees.






Jordan refused to make a picture like mom's and drew his own tree design.

Our New Favorite Toy

Watermelon juice, dog drool, experiment goo-there is always a fresh mess on our floor. I finally decided to forgo my all natural cleaner obsession and buy a wet jet. I figured since it’d only take me a few minutes to use, I could probably have a clean floor on a daily (instead of weekly) basis. Guess what? I haven’t got to use it yet. Luke and Elan fight over whose turn it is to use it. I have to hide it from Luke or every time he sees it he thinks its time to clean the floor again. Love it! Something for cleaning that a boy loves. They should also make vacuums hooked up to video games, remote control robot dishwasher loaders, and maybe a doll whose head you use to clean the toilet bowl-my boys would love that. I think next I need a t-shirt bazooka like they have at basketball games-I could shoot the boys’ laundry upstairs to them.

Slow Ice Cream

Last night, Luke and I were on our own as Josh and the boys went to a Y-guides meeting. We took the little red wagon out for a spin. Luke rode on the way to the park, where we watched a golden spider building his web. That spider is a genius. On the way home, Luke thought it was momma's turn to ride ("hop on") and then decided I was too heavy. Regardless, he pulled the wagon all the way home, running most of the time (except for when examining lights for spiders and finding treasures) . At home, we washed a few dishes together. I love how he finds the joy in washing dishes. After that, we spent 30 minutes sharing an ice cream cone. It was the best ice cream cone-eating ever! Luke insisted we use our fingers to scoop the ice cream out of the cone. Cold, gooey, sticky giggling and laughing ensued, accompanied by many silly pictures. After chocolate face removal, we built a house from chairs and blankets, where we read books until the other boys arrived. It's amazing how much life a 2 year old can fit into a couple hours.

September 3

May the day bring good cheer,
laughs
squeals
quiet time and
teatime
cuddles
books and
smiles.

Elan's Busy Busy Day

I sit down a bit frustrated because my little Elan has been off geniusing all day and I find it hard to follow his hurricane footsteps. He put a lot of effort into making his clay pot this morning, and destroying it, and remaking it, and destroying it.... When I got back from my Dr.'s appt. he had covered the inside with mosaic tiles-very cool. We made it through history with a narration given in the Napoleon Dynamite voice, with the kangaroo pouch lip thrown in for good measure and a really wonderful picture of Lawyer's hat (a Nez Perce leader). Outside, he swept seeds from the palm tree into a pile with a lego and toothbrush while I read to him. Then back inside so he could read to me for awhile (yeah he's reading)! I've figured out why reading is hard for him-Have you ever tried reading a book while rolling around? Quite challenging! Then he built some warhammer model aliens. On to counting money-I gave him the jar of coins to count and went off to check my email. When I came back, there was sugar, hot sauce, olive oil, vinegar, vegetable oil, and crisco sitting on the floor of the kitchen with coins in a jar. He decided to clean the coins instead of counting them. So we sorted the coins and counted them-super easy for him. BUT putting them away-oh man-I feel like a sheep dog, chasing him to the table everytime he wanders off again. He puts a few coins away and then drifts away to do some other completely random thing. Sigh. I think he needs a nap- no wait that's me.

Grandma's Playdough

My sweet cuddly Grandma used to make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chocolate milk and playdough. So, today for the first time, Luke helped me make Grandma's playdough. He was very excited to pour the salt, laughing to himself as the cup filled up. And he had to stir it all by himself. "Nnnooooo" was heard whenever I tried to help. He's so independent and confident already. Hands-on Elan was right there, waiting for the dough to be done. Now Elan and Luke are on opposite ends of the table (there was some dough piracy early on), rolling and cutting, squishing and shaping. I always loved to pretend I was making cookies or bread. But Elan is all about pure invention/energy release and Luke is all about making the dinosaur "rawr rawr" shape. Jordan patrols the table, looking for dough infractions.

Chess, Lazy Dog and Organizing

Jordan and Elan both went to chess today. I was privileged enough to enjoy a lunch date with a very handsome 2 year old. We ate at the Lazy Dog Cafe in HB. Luke loved all the pictures and paintings of dogs. I'm quite sure we will be petting the brass dog's head often. Now Luke is napping, the older boys are reversing the effects of chess with some cartoons and I am off to organize our family room and the bar which has become our home school bookshelf and supply center.

Jumpy

Yesterday I was stalled. Couldn't motivate, couldn't smile. Then I remembered why having kids is so great-connecting with them and watching them smile. So we threw away all the excuses and drama and went to the indoor jumpy place. The boys played for 2 hours straight. Jordan and Elan were happy to show me all the tricks they could do. I went down the big slide with Luke about 15 times and watched him go from nervous to exuberant, finally bouncing himself down on his bottom! What a great way to lift our spirits!

"me sitting still all day would be like just science fiction"

That was Elan's response to whether he would like to try school. My boy know himself so well and I love the way he phrased that. And what a great life to not have to sit until you are ready to!
I asked the boys what they wanted to do today. Jordan said he'd like to get donuts. So after a vigorous 3 round game of jump off the railings towards each other and land on the completely covered with couch cushions and pillows floor, we were off to Krispy Kreme. I didn't bother even pretending I was going to resist that creme filled chocolate donut. Luke was very happy watching the assembly line of donuts. "Donuts, donuts" he said and showed his little rhino the glazed donuts parading by. Jordan and Elan were interested in the reject donuts-the ones that weren't cooked on both sides-seeing how far they got and how they looked pre- and post glazing waterfall.
There was a shopping center next door that we hadn't been in yet so I asked for 30 minutes to check it out. We ended up staying 90 minutes but it wasn't my fault. We came upon a store selling a RPG-type game (Warhammer) with little figurines you put together and paint. Then you use dice to have battles. Elan was interested first because he loves little figurines. Whenrthe guy showed Elan how to play, then Jordan got interested too. The guy was really nice and sat down with the boys and showed them how to put their first set of characters together. And I thought "Wow-so this is what unschooling is". I love that we came across something different and cool and were able to sit down and try it right away and have someone who loves it tell us all about it. What a great thing for the boys to experience. Luke was getting impatient so I had to drag the boys away after an hour. Otherwise I think we'd have ended up there for another hour or two, glueing guys together and finding more cool guys to buy :) Then we went to the big Vans indoor skate park there to watch the skaters. Luke kept saying "Whoa". Elan seemed to enjoy watching. Jordan was just impatient to go eat the subway sandwich he had just ordered and paid for himself. And we were home by one. So much living in one morning. Pool and tai jutsu this afternoon. Life is good!

Nothing to Do

It's great to have a day with no schedule, appointments, classes, errands. We almost had one of those today. We had to buy milk and stuff to make daddy's leg feel better, drop Grandma Darla off at the train station, pick up a chess book...but besides that we were free. I was required by Elan to see how far I could make it on the Kirby's Dreamland game without using all my lives (level 2, but I wasn't really trying my hardest-I swear). Then I had to play Soul Caliber with Jordan who promptly beat me 3 rounds in a row. We moved onto chess, where mommy once again got schooled by Jordan. I lost and then he showed me the "rook roller". Just you wait Mr. Jordan, I will beat you again at chess someday! Then I endeavored to play chess with Elan-luckily he quit, before he could also beat me, and ran off to play chess with the computer. He knows pretty much how all the pieces move. Soon the new favorite hobby will be "let's go beat mom at chess!" Elan and I played marbles today. Our marbles turned into armies of Davids and Goliaths. We started using a new book for our naptime story- "The Napping House" by Audrey and Don Wood. We thoroughly enjoyed laughing at the silly characters all waking up. Such a fulfilling day!

Natural Learning

Yesterday we spent the morning at the beach. Jordan and Elan played on the boogie board. It was great to see Jordan's confidence growing each time he took the board out. Elan just looked the part of surfer with his long curling hair :) They spent a long time building waterways, dams, waterfalls and a huge hole. Luke collected ladybugs and grasshoppers. He covered a sand castle with sticks and seaweed. Grandma Darla found a cool black beetle. We made him a little cave in the side of the hill and watched as he dug himself in further. We came home and the big boys watched their cartoons (video games seem to be getting the cold shoulder this week) while I tried to clean up. Elan was more than I could handle while we waited for Jordan to be done with tai jutsu class. I don't know if it was the heat, or maybe hunger. I'll have to bring food and a bottle of cold water next time. Luke apparently cried for 45 minutes last night while I was in class. Daddy was a little frustrated when I got home.
It's a thrill as a parent to feel like you have found a way to raise your children that respects their uniqueness, lets them stay children longer and will let them follow their dreams and aspirations, instead of a pre-set path determined by a random adult in an office who has never met them. And when you sometimes doubt your choices, it's great to see an article by a psychologist which supports your beliefs.
http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/200901/minimally-invasive-education-lessons-india

Hands in the earth

We have started our garden this year. After a whole year of no planting, it's such a wonderful site to see the ground full of tomatoes, onions, peppers, beans and other sprouting beauties. Grandpa and grandma helped us get started while they were out here visiting. Luke loves helping me water the seedlings as we plant them and is very careful already to not step on any of the plants. There is a baby tomato on one of the plants so whenever we head out to the garden, he goes up to it and says "hi baby". Jordan hasn't shown much interest in the garden yet but I think as his cucumbers and tomatoes grow for his favorite greek salad, he will be excited. Elan likes to help with any sort of digging. We are almost out of space in our garden and I don't feel done planting yet so we might be digging another plot this weekend! It's so good to have dirt under my nails again!

Our new chef and our new pet(s)?

Jordan decided to cook dinner for us last night (that way he could be sure he'd like what we were having). He spent the morning looking through his cookbook and writing up his list. He made a pizza fondue, cutting up bread and cheese to dip in a marinara sauce. He was quite proud of himself and happy that Luke cleaned his plate. Then he made himself a mouse sunday, with cookie ears and jellybean eyes and nose and a pb &j shake for Elan. He couldn't find the recipe book for the shake...I hear the microwave going in the kitchen. He decided that to make the ice cream liquid-y, you just microwaved it. We didn't correct him-some things are too cute (and those cute little misunderstandings are so rare with Jordan now) and Elan loved his shake.
We went to the pet store yesterday so we could show Luke what mice and rats look like. He heard some scratching and squeaking in the attic Sunday night during bath time and looked very worried. He laughed at the fuzzy little mice and rats in their cages (now what do I do when he sees a dead rat in a trap?) Elan asked if we could get a hamster and I told him the dogs would not be happy about it. He saw the fish and thought that might be fun too. But then he saw the birds and he really has his heart set on this little white parakeet who kept sticking his tongue out. We read a book from the library, he looked at bird cages and then talked to Josh about it last night. He is so excited and hopeful. I really would like to get him a bird but they live for so long! I can't imagine him still cleaning its cage in 5 years, or 10, or 15. So we may have another member or 2 to our family soon (they like company).

Parrrrty!!!

Last night, Josh's work celebrated their 20th anniversary. It was little boy, scratch that, BOY heaven! There was a bouncy house and laser tag set up on the lawn with big inflatable boulders, tubes, and X's to hide behind, along with a band, the rock climbing walls in their rec center, the basketball court, pool table, foos ball table, the campfire and marshmallows, and all the yummy food-ok so it was Mindy heaven too! They loved the laser tag. I only talked to Jordan once the whole night and that was when they had too many players so he took a round off to jump in the bouncy house. He and Elan looked so funny in their headbands running around carrying their laser guns. Luke loved the bouncy house, the band and chasing after basketballs. Josh got to show everyone his fire poi spinning. He didn't even light himself on fire once.

E.L.M Adventures 2

Today we visited Central Park in Huntington Beach. It's one of the bigger parks in socal. We didn't find the playgrounds yet. Elan found some garbage cans, which each had different tones, and a metal pole to play with his stick (which could also be used to slow his assent on the steep slopes in the park-he's been watching "Man vs. Wild" ) We followed the path and found a stream that Elan played by for a little while with another boy. (Elan has dowsing rods for legs-he always finds water) He inevitably attracts playmates wherever we go. He's just doing such interesting things. He's the guy that doesn't look to see what everyone else is doing but surveys what's around him and comes up with his plan. I really, really want to go inside his head for a day. I imagine wandering paths, jungles, lots of water, strange cities, and then a bunch of other unimportant stuff like "oh shoot-mom's barking at me to put my shoes on and I don't remember where they are and if I tell her I've lost them she'll tell me again to put them in the closet next time, and all because when I came home last time I was so excited to build a new knex gun that I forgot to take them off...hmmm wonder what's for lunch? There's Luke-must-steal-ball". Our car was 2 great sticks heavier on the way home but our moods were lighter. :) Awwww-how cheesy!

Elan, Luke and Mom Adventures 1

Jordan has chess classes on Wednesdays in Huntington Beach so it's just the 3 of us for an hour and a half. Last week, we went to a duck pond and a park. Luke loves birds so he was thrilled. Elan found some rocks to walk on to the edge of the water and a little beyond. I mostly tried to avoid bird poop and mud since I had wore flip-flops. Then we ventured to the park across the street where Elan found a great stick, we played with "helicopter" seeds, and Luke mastered the funny tunnels. It's really nice to have Elan on his own sometimes. His sweet side really comes out and it's easier to really listen to what he is saying.. It was wonderful to spend an hour and a half outside with no plan, no where to go and 2 happy boys.

Budding Photographer Profile: Elan

Jordan and Elan have taken an interest in using the camera lately. (Actually Luke too-he sees them having a turn and wants one too) I love that they notice more of the details in the world around them and find interest and beauty. These are some Elan pics from the duck pond.


A big turtle Elan snuck up on. The camera doesn't have much "zoom" so he was pretty close. Luke was thrilled and wasn't happy to leave until we waved good-bye to Mr. Turtle. (We always have to tell his turtle night-light "nigh-nigh" before bed too)









He wanted to get a picture of the birds flying, so he ran and chased the ducks while snapping pictures. He also got some cute pictures of the toe of his shoes and the blurry ground passing by underneath-probably one of the pictures which would define the essence of Elan.










"You've gotta see this mom. The mushroom looks giant!"

Art Miles

Last week, the boys participated in a world-wide mural project to be completed in 2010. Children paint murals on canvas and by the time the project is finished, the murals will cover one of the great pyramids. Elan dove right in. Jordan was a little upset and unmotivated at first (Elan had just pulled him off a pole he was climbing, hurting him and then got in trouble for hurting Elan back-which comically all happened as this other mom was telling me about this peaceful-type play group she and her son attended. Why didn't we get an invitation????) Jordan really started getting into the painting. He drew angler fish in dark areas of the ocean. Elan really liked covering the second canvas in blue for ocean water. Luke liked smacking paint on the canvas wherever he could, and on mama whenever she wasn't watching his paintbrush. Luke got filmed and his picture taken a whole bunch. One of the directors had a photographer take her picture with Elan afterward because she was so in love with the way he was covered in paint. Such a wonderful day. I feel so lucky we were able to participate and enjoy each other's company.

*Here's a link to the project: http://www.the-art-miles-mural-project.org/
If you click on the Aquarium of the The Pacific project picture at the top, it takes you to a whole screen of pictures. There is one of Jordan, Luke and I on the right side down 4 or 5.

Real Castles

This morning we went out to pick up daddy's valentine's day present. The boys were pretty patient for awhile but I was extremely tense- 3 boys in the...never mind...I don't want to give away Josh's present. Then we went to buy valentine cards for their friends at park day. Elan found some acceptable Lego ones. Jordan was very upset that all the cards were "just advertisements". He was looking very much for independence and that feeling of power today. He wanted to make all the choices and was upset when there was only 1 flavor of vitamin water in the beverage case. After a quick stop at home to make pb & j sandwiches, we went to the castle park. It is an actual cinder block castle with stairs and turrets. The big boys immediately began a game with another little boy that involved secret meetings, rushing around and hiding. Soon they were joined by the kids from the after school program and had quite a spy network for awhile. Luke had his own little posse of a 3 yr old and 5 yr old boy following him around. We are now home after a long day of playing in the sand, swinging, sliding, climbing, espionage. It is so nice to feel hungry, cozy and free.

More Yes, Less No

Our new period of experimentation is saying "yes" more and "no" less. I was tired of enforcing all sorts of rules that didn't really seem to matter so much. I wanted to spend more time with my boys and less trying to control them. Our first day went amazingly well. We removed the video game time limit and it was amazing how quickly Jordan and Elan were finished with their chores and schoolwork. Their time spent playing wasn't much more than usual because we still had quiet time, tai jutsu, their friend over to play and story time. I actually had time to play little people and draw with Luke. The house was so much more peaceful and tonight I feel peaceful and the boys are all happy.