Hittin' the Road: Pow Wow

"My children, my children
The wind makes the head feathers sing." - Songs of the Ghost-Dance Religion (Arapaho)

We're leaving - hittin' the road!  We're going to the Cherokee Pow Wow and exploring the Smoky Mountains.  We'll be learning native crafts and listening to legends 'round a campfire.

We've stocked the back seat with a few new items to entertain our energetic boy during our upcoming road trip.   I found the perfect folding tray at Ikea that he can use in the back seat.












Some new coloring / activity books to keep him amused...
 





















Of course we've packed some weaving loops because he finds finger weaving very soothing.  Weaving, as it turns out, is a great activity for kids with sensory issues because it's a fun way to practice crossing midline which can be difficult for them.   I've also packed a small lap loom in case he wants to get fancy...














and we're bringing along his barometer for some backseat science in order to note the change in air pressure with altitude.  We'll compare our results to the balloon and jar method that we learned about in the book "Carschooling".





We'll also be playing a little travel geography (License Plate Game).  I've printed a map of the US and we'll see how many different license plates we can spot along the way, then he can put a sticker on the matching states on the map to keep track.

We're bringing the frisbee (thanks Smiths) to burn some off his abundant energy at rest stops.

For our bedtime story, while away, we'll be reading about the Cherokee people...
















*For other Travelin' Tot ideas click here!

Summer Math

"The Universe has shouted itself alive.
We are one of the shouts." - Ray Bradbury

A) 3 boys + 1 idea = Lemonade Wagon at golf course.

B) 7 customers + 4 refills + 3 generous tips = $ 7. 50

C) Short attentions spans + $ 7. 50 ÷ 3 = $ 2.50 each + 3 big smiles

They celebrated by drinking the rest of the lemonade and feasting on chips and homemade salsa fresca!

Summer Solstice 2012

Full On Summer

There was the green smoothie breakfast and a surprise visitor and morning doodles...

























 There was the picnic supper, friends, glow sticks, and bats swooping the lake...

There was the carnival rides, exciting games and a rainbow mohawk prize...

There were 3 meals al fresco, 2 jars of homemade salsa and the Father's Day tie that he made himself!

(Printed by Artscow)

Wondrous Journeys

"If you enjoy living,
it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder." - Ray Bradbury


 It's the last day of school!!! 

Today we'll be celebrating his last day of first grade.  It has not been easy for him.  He says that school is "stressful because it's so hard to sit still and focus".  He has made great strides, however, and we are so proud of him.  It took an entire school year, but we managed to get him an IEP, for which we are grateful, and believe will make 2nd grade a whole lot smoother for him.

"I'm going to miss her", he said.
"That's a good thing", I replied.
"I know", he added, "it basically means I love her".


"Mama, in sharing time...when everyone shared one thing they were proud of...my eyes got real watery and I almost cried".

Although he doesn't like be touched by others because of his SPD, he wanted a photo with his school chums.
 

In the late 90's, I spotted this atoms journal in SoHo on my walk home.  I felt compelled to buy it, but it sat on the shelf unused.  Over the years I filled several other journals, but not this one.  Little did I know that I would eventually give this journal to my little boy.   "Oooooh atoms...I LOVE IT!!!", he squealed.



 It has officially become his "Gratitude Journal"...a fun and meaningful project to encourage him to practice his writing skills over the summer.

A few days ago he drew a Copperhead snake, taking great care to ensure that its head was the correct shape of a venomous snake.  I decided to laminate it and make it into a special bookmark to encourage him to keep reading during his summer vacation.
 
I've organized his books with these old metal tab dividers that I had left over from a project so that he can find what he's looking for a little easier...
 




and I created a gallery wall in our staircase to display the art that he made to help him feel connected with his first grade experience and ease the transition into summer vacation.
 












Transitions can be difficult for him and although he didn't particularly enjoy first grade, he said that he already misses his classmates and teacher.  I promised that he can invite his pals over as often as he wants.  For the last two days our home has been full and with it, our hearts.
 
Photo by A. Holt

Field Day

"I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?" - Mary Oliver

Field Day and...

early dismissal.






















3 more days!

Teacher Gifts

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled.
The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over
and let the beautiful stuff out." - Ray Bradbury























It's the last week of school and I'm just as happy as he is!  He made these mugs using a Pebeo ceramic marker.

1. Draw
2. Let set for 24 hrs
3. Place on sheet pan in oven and set temp for 300 degrees for 35 minutes
4. Allow to cool completely before removing from oven

*Featured on The Crafty Crow!

Transit of Venus

"O Venus, beauty of the skies, 
To whom a thousand temples rise, 
Gaily false in gentle smiles, 
Full of love-perplexing wiles" - Sappho 

After some hunting I found my old eclipse shades from 2000 and we headed to Sully Park to watch the transit of Venus. 





















 We were blessed with a quick glimpse before a blanket of clouds covered her.  I snapped a quick photo through a local astronomer's scope...





















What I love about it is the reflection in the sun - my hands and a person seated in the grass.  The words of Ram Dass echoed in my mind...

"We're here to awaken 
from the illusion of separateness”

Moment

She sits on the floor near the window in her studio, sipping coffee and leafing through Sabrina Ward Harrison's latest treasure. The weight of the crisp pages as they turn beneath her fingers makes the music of her early rising. She runs her hand gently over the surface admiring the tooth. It reminds her of cotton and a memory of a summer long ago...of her grandfather's pajama shirt, of her grandmother's faded bandana softened with age. She lifts her coffee mug to greet a neighbor walking her dog, then lifts the book in the air like a blessing. Her neighbor squints, smiles, then continues on her way. Much said without words.