Honoring Mothers Who Have Died

When I was almost 4 months pregnant, with Tyler, my mom died of colon cancer.  My first Mother’s Day came but it was hard as everything reminded me that she had died.  I tried to focus on my mother-in-law, as she was celebrating her first Mother’s Day as a Mamal, but it hurt not being able to give or do something for MY mom.  I decided there would be no more Mother’s Day for me.  I’d merely look at it as nothing more than a day just for my mother-in-law…like a birthday.

On what would have been my 3rd Mother’s Day, Ben came home from work carrying a pot of flowers.  I was angry when I saw him walking up the sidewalk with flowers and I know it showed on my face when he walked into the living room because he quickly said,

“Every year you buy flowers on my birthday for my mom, to say thank you for giving birth to me, like you did for your mom on your birthday.  You don’t do your birthday or Mother’s Day anymore and I thought it’d help if on Mother’s Day you planted flowers for your mom.  Happy Mother’s Day.”

…And, he handed me a pot of 7 daffodils, blooming ever so cheerful and yellow. 

After bawling, I planted them outside by the steps she sat on when the chemo and the cancer chilled her to the bone and the hot oppressive heat would warm her.  We had bought our house from my dad after he married a nice widow, so I walked up and down those same steps daily, remembering how I’d held her there cold and sick.  It wasn’t until I planted those bulbs that I remembered our conversations during those hot, summer days.  Conversations where she knew Ben was for me because I mentioned how he had somehow became my best friend or how she really liked him…

So, even if your mom annoys the crap out of you… honor her because there are those of us who wish for just one more day with our own annoying momma.  How do you remember or honor your momma?

This morning I found out Heidi of Honeybear Lane lost her sister in law, Alice Hansen, to an infection after giving birth to her third child, a little girl. Three children, two little boys and a newborn baby girl will no longer feel their momma’s arms around them.  It was hard at 20 to lose my mother but I can’t imagine what my life would have been like to not have had her there as I was growing up.  Please read and share Heidi’s post at Honeybear Lane.  Join me and donate to the

The Alice Hansen Family Fund

Click here to donate to The Alice Hansen Family Fund

Images of Alice Hansen family are courtesy Honeybear Lane.

Midwest Homeschool Conference in Cincinnati Part 2

Yesterday I told you about four of the speakers and mentioned I’d tell you about the Vendor’s Hall today.  Well, let me just say again…it was HUGE!  I never made it through the whole thing as I like to talk.  Would you ever have guessed that? ;)  But I thought I’d share some of the really great items I did come across.

I discovered the curriculum called Rod & Staff and I looooooved their readers.  They have simple stories that are void of any extra junk.  It’s hard to find books about family and children that aren’t Disney based.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I love Disney and I can say and sing word for word the entire ‘Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and The Beast.’  Shoot.  My wedding gown was a match for Belle’s yellow gown.  But, I want some real and honest for the kids and I’ve had a hard time finding it.  The covers are so pretty with their pencil colored images.  The illustrations are simple pencil line drawings but one was done in turquoise ink and ohmahgoodness did it hurt my eyes.  There’s also coloring books that are great for your continent bins or for inspiration to draw your own.  I have fallen in love with their Nature Book to Color.  I am wanting to hang it in my craft room it’s that pretty.  It’d be great if they came out with these colored on notecards.  I think they’d be nice for inspiration especially since they already sell cards.

I’m a big history buff.  As in I read books over time periods for fun and know all kinds of  useless facts. :)  I also have a deep passion and adoration for all things timeline.  As we were walking down the aisle (I think we were leaving) I saw the Add-A-Century Timeline by Great Space 

Group.  I think I lost all evolved skills as I literally snapped my fingers at Leann.  Tables were turned as I went all teen heart throb on an ITEM! not even a human being.  While I ooh’d and ahh’d and Leann laughed as I “Geeked Out”, the lady explained the system.  While I really did love the system I already have my own timeline set up and it works for us which means I must file this want under share how wonderful it is and hope Ben surprises me one day. 

Currclick was there too and I’ve purchased a LOT of their products last year as we prepared for the GAPS diet.  Most of what I bought (really all) was unit studies and lapbooks over American History.  Seriously if I had my way the only math we’d use is counting to figure out what page I was on or what year something happened. :) Luckily there’s Math-U-See and they were another vendor there that we use.  And, yes, I love Math-U-See.  I can pop in a dvd/tape (yes, we’re old school with our VCR.) and Bub gets a lesson.  It works for us and it also works very well with our Montessori materials.  I even bought all the Algebra’s and there after as I figure going through them will help me with my own math classes when I go back again to finish my elementary/special education degree.  (I think they’re calling it something different now but to the point!)

There was a lot of products that made my heart go pitter pat but one in particular was just awesome.  It’s called Ring of Fire.  I knew it’d have all three of the kids tickled and I knew I was excited by it.  First of all her logo was pieced and embroidered onto a small quilt.  That right there caught my attention ‘cause I like things made by hand.  Second of all it showed the continents and I love our continent bins and wondered if it’d be something to go with them.  But then after talking to her about the quilt she starts showing me what she has.  The company is called Ring of Fire and she sells materials that’d be perfect to go with your Montessori 6-9 history  Have you ever looked at a rock through a handheld microscope?  It was like seeing a new world.  You HAVE to check Myrna out.  She also offers a free science newsletter each month..  She has a whole package with a the rocks, book, cd and dvd and you can get the books in pdf form too which means you could put it on your kindle or droid with the kindle app (which is a very handy).  Her stuff is for all from pre-k to high school and of course mommas who get excited by experiments and activities.

Well!  That was the convention for me in a nutshell.  I did learn some things while going through that I wish I’d known before hand and I’ll share them with you tomorrow.  I really had fun and I am planning on going back next year April 4-6th.  It’ll be at the Duke Energy Center there in Cincinnati,Ohio again.  I only hope they’ll extend the hours the Vendor Hall is open so that we have more time to look next year.  HINT! HINT!

Click here if you missed Part 1 where I shared about Amanda Bennett, Cindy West, Kathy Kuhl, Diane Warring and her daughter Ashley Wigger.

(By the way…all pictures obviously belong to said folks.  They’re not mine.  My apologies for yesterday as I was a bonehead and forgot to mention it.)

Midwest Homeschool Conference in Cincinnati Part 1

I attended my first homeschool conference this weekend in Cincinnati and learned a lot.  It was different from the birth and breastfeeding conferences I’ve attended as there were as many men as women and no labor or birth talk :). I had really figured homeschooling would be another place where the moms would be in greater number but it was equal.  There was talk about curriculum, unit studies, organization of the home and the school year (something I’m changing around here.)  And, while there was never a mention about birth or babes there was a TON of momma’s slinging their babes and lots of pregnant bellies to smile at in remembrance.
But, back to HOMESCHOOLING!!  There were a ton of speakers available and the vendor hall was only half explored as I, unlike Leann, did not have a rocket strapped to my skinny bum (while wearing heels no less!) so that I could zoom through it.  It really was so very cool to see so many learning options and ideas available for purchase in one spot and I will go back next year.  I’ll tell you later about some of the neater materials too.

For the workshops Leann and I went together to most of them but a few we split up on.  I saw Amanda Bennett as she’s been the reigning queen of Unit Studies for years (and I swear I’m quoting Leann if only she could have done more than squeal and go all teen heart throb on her.).  We’re big on theme studies as you incorporate all your subjects (reading, history, math, science, etc.) under one theme.    For example every year we do the Human Body.  We learn our math by figuring up how many times Sunshine’s pinky nail goes around her waist’s circumference or how many of Tyler’s big toes would equal my height.  We learn our history by learning how the body and it’s functions have been seen and understood.  Tyler LOVED hearing how dead bodies were dug up so they could be …used…for scientific studies.  Last year our history study included learning the connection between a woman’s vulva and Roman Soldiers. (Minds out of the gutter…children were learning this information!)  This little bit was a nice connection between Tyler and Rhea as he was doing a personal study on Rome’s soldiers and gladiators and she is doing some Women’s studies.  Reading, science, social and cultural studies (did you know in some countries it’s polite to give a big belch or poot AT the table?!?  All 3 kids, and even Ben, found this one hilarious.) and any other areas of study are also incorporated in.
Cindy West, with NaturExplorers, does unit studies with a lot of Charlotte Mason nature and art influence she calls it “Project Based Learning” which is a much catchier title. :)  She had a really nice presentation but you could see how underprepared the conference was for her as she was out of handouts in each of her workshops after only the second to third row.  They told her to expect only 25 folks!!  I think there was only one class that didn’t have people standing along the back, sides and outside peeking in and that was because it was late Saturday when many had left.  My FAVORITE idea she gave was a tweezers walk.  You only collect things you can pick up with tweezers!  How cool is that?!   
Tyler and I struggle in math so I chose to see Kathy Kuhl’s “When Math Doesn’t Come Easily.”  She helps with discouraged, gifted strugglers or any combo of the three.. I am still AMAZED when I think about her lecture!!  It was so encouraging.  She gave me ideas to teach math to Bub who has his own learning challenges, and the girls.  One tip Kathy gave was over 9’s.  Have you ever realized that the answer to a 9 question will add up to 9?  Like…9x6=54 (5+4=9)  2x9=18 (1+8=9) so that was really neat.  But she encouraged kinesthetic games to give him a minute to pause and think about the problem/answer.  Oh and patterns.  Learning that the dots on the dice mean 5,4,3,2,1 and ‘bigger’.  We will be working on patterns more.

The dynamic duo of Geography Matters momma daughter team was the very last workshop I attended.  This one REALLY spoke to me.  One thing I have said before to Ben is I would rather Tyler hate me than to fail in preparing him for “the real world.”  But, when Ashley Wiggers talked about how we shouldn’t be preparing our kids for the real world but PROTECTING them from it well a chord was struck deep inside.  She also mentioned how if there’s anger or frustration with the child then the technique or process needs to change.  Um, hello!  Here I thought this was just a part of puberty I HAD to deal with.  Yes, deal with and Tyler probably knows I feel I’m having to DEAL with him lately.  I had forgotten that he wanted to please me as much as I wanted to please him in the midst of the scowls, mumbling and frustration and not to mention Tyler was frustrated too. :)  This workshop alone was worth the conference fee even if you missed the early bird pricing.  I’m hoping to make some drastic changes in our relationship for the better.  Luckily, I believe we still have a good relationship and I love him enough to move mountains to make it better.  I think their workshop could be summed up by saying;

It’s never too late to start over by apologizing.

So, while I go and work on being a better, more supportive momma be sure to check these lovely ladies out.  Tell ‘em Honey said ‘Hi!’ and I’ll have part dos for you tomorrow. :) 

Amanda Bennett’s Unit Studies
Cindy West’s NaturExplorers
Kathy Kuhl’s Learn Differently and
Geography Matters with Diane Waring and Ashley Wiggers

I’d like to introduce Thimble Nimble Feet, a Woodland fairy…

Technorati Tags: Waldorf,Fairy,Book Review,Thimble Nimble Feet

This lovely creature is Thimble Nimble Feet, a Woodland Fairy, from the Rocky Mountains.  Thimble and I met one day and I knew she was very special.  You see, Thimble is as tall as a human adult!  The girls and I knew when we saw her she must be a kind of dignitary for the fairies.  A way to remind children and adults not to forget the magic we carry within ourselves. 

Thimble is also a writer!  She has created an amazing book called “Thimble the Fairy’s Acorns & Tea".   Sebastian Patch, a good friend and local mouse, has drawn all these beautiful illustrations that make the words come to life.

The other day we were leaving to pick up our raw milk when we noticed Mr. Raven had delivered a package!  A package from Thimble!  She had sent to us an autographed copy of her new book (oh, she also has some more stories and they’re being illustrated by Sebastian, that sweet little mouse!  I’ve recommend cucumber in stream water to soothe his poor paws from all the painting he does.

As we opened it up further we discovered acorns to plant, fairy dust, some frozen dew, a smooth pebble from her fairy stream and some fairy birdseed for the window sill!  But, she sent one more gift!  A cd of HER!  It’s amazingly magical hearing her play her fairy flute!

As you listen to it you can catch glimpse’s of your local fairies coming to check it out.  A few times the girls went running off after a fairy all excited, forgetting in their exuberance how shy and delicate the fairies are.  I think they’re starting to realize they have to listen to Thimble and me and be calm and still as they read aloud.

The poems are beautiful and simple.  Perfect to read any time to your little ones.  I have read it many times to the girls.  The nice thing about having children in multiple ages is how they can read to the younger ones.  Rhea is ALWAYS reading ‘Acorns & Tea’ to Sunshine which I am grateful because it allows me to get some cleaning and work done!

I highly recommend you order a copy of ‘Acorns & Tea’ by Thimble the Fairy and be sure to look for more of Thimble’s poems that give us a glimpse of the fairy’s world.  By the way, Thimble said she’d be happy to offer a cd just like the one she sent Rhea and Sunshine when you purchase a copy of ‘Acorns & Tea.’  Just be sure to tell her Honey at Mondorfment sent you!  You can see a trailer of ‘Acorns & Tea’ by clicking here! 

And, as thimble says….

“Wishing you a sparkly and magical day!”

Honey

 

Would you like a USA 3 part card freebie!?!

Technorati Tags: Montessori,USA,Contient Bin,homeschool,3-6,6-9,9-12,freebies

Here are two card sets I made for the USA.  The sets cover; the USA and territories, the flags, when the state or territory was inducted into the Union, each one’s bird, flower, tree and

nickname as well as the postal abbreviation.  Then, there is the capitol along with the state.  The second set covers the pictures of the state/territories bird, flower, and tree.  There is also the addition of each territories postal abbreviation as well as the capitol.

I made the sets into two because I thought it’d be something you could add in as an extension later.  After all there are 87 pages of USA set 1 and 85 pages of USA set 2.  And that’s a LOT of pages! :) 

Now, the question is …how do you get them?  I’m curious about who downloads the materials I make since the file site doesn’t require a name so leave your email addy, become a follower of Mondorfment and I’ll email them to you.  If you’re already a follower just say so and leave your addy.  If you’d prefer to keep email private please email me at Mondorfment@gmail.com.  Also, if you’d be kind enough to hop over to facebook and like Mondorfment I’ll send you the second set too.  Just don’t forget to leave your email address or email me at Mondorfment@gmail.com and let me know so I can send them to you.

We’re using these cards for more than our continent bins.  We have used them as 3pcs but I took the top half and made little books for Sunshine out of them.  I then gave her the bottom half so she can cut and paste to her hearts content.  I’ve noticed she’s starting to copy the names and such in her own journal.  Tyler and Rhea are also taking and creating their own books but they’re adding journaling, answering specific questions and such to it.

I’d love to hear how you plan to use them with your monkeys.  Be sure to check out one of my real life bloggy friends Leann at Montessori Tidbits Trekking Across the States and for some more great state ideas. 

Sharing the link instead of the download is always appreciated but if you try to sell these cards I’ll put a hex on you that’ll require three 29 year old virgins chanting tongue twisters, while riding a unicorn and eating a bag of 3 year old Snickers to get it removed.  And you know how hard it is to find 3 year old Snickers.

Honey