What I Did On My Winter Vacation

The schools have all been closed this week (not to mention part of last week). With Presidents' Day on Monday, that will make a total of three full days of school over an eleven-weekday period. Now, I realize that there's no school during the summer and I have to deal with it and create schedules and such, but it's a whole different animal when we have to check the website each night to see what tomorrow will bring. Planning and expectations become difficult.

Finally, after the first storm was over and we'd gotten out of the neighborhood for a few hours, I felt like I could take control of the situation. And I did; I present my first (and possibly only) foray into homeschool. I made it all up using the resources suggested on the super Arlington County Snow Learning page.

Day 1

9:20 am: Morning meeting. The three-year-old chose "On Top of Spaghetti" for our morning song. We sang all three verses. He was then given a huge pile of coloring pages to work through at his leisure.

9:25: Science. I printed out two items for each girl from the Library of Congress's Everyday Mysteries page. The first-grader read about and presented a report on "How The Grapefruit Got Its Name" and "Fun Facts About Squash". The fifth-grader read about and reported on "Is a Coconut a Nut, a Fruit, or a Seed?" and "How Does Sunscreen Work?" Everyone learned something new. Next they were given the first half of a standardized science test for grades 3 and 5 respectively. (And they did very respectably.)

10:15: Art. The three older kids were given floam and the older two were asked to create a gallery of sculpted animals native to Australia and New Zealand. The three-year-old spent a long time making a perfect sphere.

10:50: Silent reading

11:30: snack

11:45: Music. The fifth-grader practiced her clarinet in one room while the first-grader was supposed to be doing one of two assignments on the keyboard. I was putting the one-year-old down for a nap and came back to a pouty and uncooperative young girl. Hmm. More musical guidance and instruction needed there, I guess. Half a concert followed.

12:20 pm: Physical Education: Yoga with Denise Austin. Lots of participation, even by the three-year-old. He does a funky tree-pose.

1:00: Writing. The girls were given the same writing prompt with 20 minutes to write and a recitation following. Today's prompt came from the 2006 Virginia Department of Education Standards of Learning Test for 5th graders. It read: "Imagine that you are suddenly able to fly whenever you want. Where would you go? What would you do? Write to explain your new talent and how you would use it." Interesting answers- too involved to go into here.

1:45: lunch, followed by recess

2:15: Math: I printed several first-grade worksheets and also half of the 2006 VA. D.O.E. S.O.L. math test for 6th graders. Just about right.

3:00: dismissal

They were very excited about the whole thing (or we wouldn't have tried to do so much!) and gave their reports to Dad that evening.

Day 2 was slightly different. Most of the first hour was spent on geography. The first-grader did a map study worksheet and some state shape-matching (from the same website as her math worksheets) and the fifth-grader did some online research and a report on Yemen. (Her conclusion was that she didn't think it was a very interesting place and didn't want to go there. Hilarious.) Next was Art and we spent a very long time making Valentine's Day cards for family and friends since I was pretty sure they wouldn't be having any class parties. I had them finish the rest of their science tests and more above-level math.

Finally, there was writing. The older one was assigned the first 2 sections of the 2006 VA. D.O.E. S.O.L "End of Course" writing test and she did pretty well. The younger one was assigned the 8th grade writing prompt: "Imagine you have a time machine and you are able to transport one person from the past to the present for one day. Whom would you choose? Write about why you chose this person and your visit with this person." She wrote about Betsy Ross (whom she mistakenly called "Betty Crocker" in her first draft) and how she wanted learn how to sew as well as Betsy did. This came complete with a drawing of a time machine. Now, it just so happened that Dad was watching the 1960's film adaptation of H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" last night, so she had some idea what one might look like. (The kids didn't watch the whole film, just enough to get their imaginations going without scaring them.) Good times.

Overall, this was a very productive experiment. The kids appreciated having structure, brain food, and fun. Yes, flying by the seat of my pants was a lot of work- maybe more than real homeschooling is since normally one would make up lesson plans way ahead and could order helpful kits, etc. Tomorrow will be a light afternoon version since we're spending the morning with Grandma. But Monday will not be a "school holiday" here at our house... three day weekends may never be the same again (cue evil laugh).

Enjoy the pictures of snow and school.

My path for the garbage bins and other backyard access.

We both did a fair amount of upper-body/lower-back strengthening exercise over the last week.

One kid even helped!

Highlighted in blue is the path I shoveled for the little guys. Two feet is too deep to be fun when you're 3.

Monday was "Indoor Fort Day" and it was used as a Native American tent- mostly.

Having Repented...

... I can now get into the Christmas spirit. No, it's not wintery, but I'm not going to let that get in the way. I heard you playing "My Heart Bleeds For You" on the world's smallest violin, so I'll not complain about the weather anymore.

I've been listening to Christmas music shamelessly since early November, but it wasn't until we got out all the Christmas books last night that things changed. (See here for a great post on Christmas books.) We also put up some of the decorations we brought with us, and NOW we feel more holiday cheer. Part of it was watching the kids get really excited about their favorite books, sit down and pour over them until their eyes were all sparkly.

Magic.

The Purpose of Winter

Does winter matter? Is the coldest season important? What is gained by it?

I once lived where winter was wet and green, where the smell of freshly cut grass meant only one thing: Christmas. And yet, it was the coldest season Palo Alto had and so it sufficed. However, most of the time my winters have been truly frosty.

As a child, Virginia winters were plenty cold. There was ice to scrape off the windshield in the morning, it snowed a few times each year, and I knew how to wear a scarf and hat. Next came Utah winters with blowing, powdery snow and a real need for boots. The snow on the mountains stayed from October till summer. Good times.

My stretch of California winters was interrupted by one in Boston and one in Ankara- and the two were remarkably similar. Then came the Cleveland winter- brrrrr. Lake-effect snow was compounded by loneliness and insufficient insulation. (Cleveland and I didn't really get along.)

Vermont was next: cold outside but warm inside. Yes, I had to seal up a few windows for the season and it was two years before we had heating vents upstairs, but somehow the fact that I was finally home made all the difference. We were still wet behind the ears and giddy about being Vermonters. We relished the snow and making our kids don so much gear each school day morning. Shoveling massive amounts of snow from the roof and the driveway made us feel hardy and tough. Learning the wintery ropes of Northerners was a challenge made enjoyable by doing it together.

And so, is it any wonder that my "easy" winter here in Virginia has thus far failed to inspire me at all? Yes, I brought my bin of Christmas decorations, but I don't really feel like putting them up (I will, though). My good sweaters are nearly useless so far. The children balk at wearing their coats because they know it's just "not that cold".

Without truly feeling the need to button up, snuggle up or find my down slippers, preparing for Christmastime feels like the marking of just another annual event. Somehow, for me, real Christmas is much more difficult and that makes it more meaningful. The joy of the Grace given at Christ's birth is sweeter when life around you is unbearably frozen. The warmth of celebration and light is cozier when the alternative is so very dark and cold. Winter and Christmas are the great opposites, each a foil for the other.

My husband is on his way to Australia today. I am trying to get my mind around Christmas traditions that include the beach and BBQ's. If I had to celebrate Christmas in shorts, I would lack a certain element of gratitude and appreciation. Not that it can't be done, mind you, but it would be hard for me. In fact, it is hard for me to feel seasonally cheery as I sit here in a house that's 65º... without the heat on.

Fortunately, I have 24 more days to get my act together and find a way to achieve that powerful, deep joy that only comes once a year at this great season.

Maybe it will snow....

O, Shenandoah

Sunday morning we took the opportunity to drive out to Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park and take a beautiful fall walk in the woods. The air was blue and crisp, the surroundings were breathtakingly beautiful, and the company was sweet.

We parked at the first visitor's center and found three caterpillars right off. We made wishes on milkweed seeds and then headed off on Fox Hollow Trail, a 1.2 mile loop. We stopped for everything, including an impromptu family photo. The girls made sure we all had forest animal aliases (a fawn named Spot, a squirrel named Nutsy, a bobcat named... Bob, you get the idea), and everyone delighted in finding interesting things along the trail.

This trail meanders past a tiny cemetery that predates the park and is the final resting place of Lemuel Fox and his daughter, Gertrue. It also goes past a field of thistle and milkweed where we saw lots of little buggy critters. The easy 1.2 miles took us- yes- one hour. It was as much my fault as any small child's, stopping to take pictures every so often and picking up beautiful leaves for a project I have in mind.

These kinds of walks are fairly common in our family life. They are one of the things that keeps us all on the same page and binds us together a little more. I look forward to every single one.

The Roosevelts, Part 2

As part of our DC education this year, I'm trying to get to all the new monuments and memorials in addition to the old ones I've never seen. We crossed Roosevelt Island off the list (and will probably return several more times) and now I can also say I've been to the FDR Memorial as well.

Franklin was a fifth cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt and Eleanor was Teddy's niece. FDR was paralyzed from the waist down due to an infection which may have been either polio or possible Guillain-Barré syndrome. He was elected to four terms as President, though he died of a stroke less than six months into his last term. He saw the country through all the crises between the years 1932 and 1945. His death came less than a month before V-E Day (May 8) which began the end of World War II.

The memorial is vast due to the commemoration of each presidential term. It was dedicated in May 1997 by President Clinton and is the only Presidential memorial to feature a tribute and statue of the First Lady. (Eleanor was also very politically active and was the first US delegate to the United Nations.) The memorial is made of beautiful rosy granite and includes water as a major theme. I quote wikipedia:

"Running water is an important physical and metaphoric component of the memorial. Each of the four "rooms" representing Roosevelt's respective terms in office contains a waterfall. As one moves from room to room, the waterfalls become larger and more complex, reflecting the increasing complexity of a presidency marked by the vast upheavals of economic depression and world war. When the memorial first opened, people were encouraged to wade into the fountains and waterfalls. Within a matter of days, the National Park Service prohibited people from entering the water because they were unable to get insurance.

Tour guides describe the symbolism of the five main water areas as:
• A single large drop- The crash of the economy that led to the Great Depression
• Multiple stairstep drops- The Tennessee Valley Authority dam-building project
• Chaotic falls at varying angles- World War II
• A still pool- Roosevelt's death
• A wide array combining the earlier waterfalls- A retrospective of Roosevelt's presidency"

Many quotes from his speeches and writings are carved on the walls and even my 9 year old had heard "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." There are also bronze sculptures depicting men in a bread line and someone listening to a "fireside chat" on the radio. Even his trusty dog, Fala is immortalized. One section contains an installation which can be seen and/or felt. At the end- just past the restrooms- there is a path down to the lovely tidal basin walkway.

Thinking back, there's plenty to dislike about the man and even his policies, but also plenty to admire. It's a beautiful memorial either way: thought-provoking, restful, well laid-out and open until 11:30pm.

Visiting the Farm

Just so they don't forget their rural roots, I took the boys to Kidwell Farm. We met up with some other church moms and little ones. It was great to watch all the little eyes get big, watch them pet the goats and talk to the bunny and chickens. I love farms.

Some of the effects seen here are courtesy of Rita at http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/. She's an amazing inspiration.

Let the Merriment Begin!

Today was the third of our on-going "Second Saturday" series. My husband dreamed up this idea of leading a family excursion to a local sight or event on the second Saturday of every month. It's been great! So far we have been to the National Zoo, the D.C. Monuments and Memorials and today we ventured farther north to Anne Arundel County, Maryland for the thirty-third annual Maryland Renaissance Festival. My sister and her two girls joined us and it was fun for all.

First, you park in a huge field, not unlike the parking at the Addison County Fair, but slightly nicer. Then, you mosey up to the big tudor-style "Passport to Merriment" ticket area. We got there just as it opened, so the King and Queen and members of the royal court were on the balcony of said structure, with an announcer introducing them. They fired the canon and opened the gate with much cheering on the part of the many costumed festival goers. There were some really serious costumes, too. This festival has lots of hard core followers- of all ages- and they were dressed to the nines. I understand you can even have your wedding here in the chapel. 

The physical set-up is really impressive. It's a forested area and the buildings are permanent. Many have been around long enough to grow nice moss on their roofs, too. There are shops selling period costumes, leather goods, pottery, herbs, beeswax candles, blown glass, celtic-style jewelry, feathered masks, hammocks woven on-site, Robin Hood hats (hats of all kinds, actually), clever hand-crafted games and puzzles, silk purses, wooden swords, etc. The six-year-old got her face painted by the most professional face-painting artist I've ever seen. No wonder it cost $8.

Entertainment at the Festival is really top-notch.  There are no fewer than seven stages or pavilions. There is almost always something going on at several simultaneously: storytellers, musicians, dancers, mimes, magicians, shows with lots of audience participation, and straight live theater. It's all very family-friendly with many of the shows aimed right at younger audiences. This is really good stuff and beats regular County Fair entertainment by a very long shot. There are also the wandering or non-stage artists: the group of female mimes on stilts, the arial acrobats, the guy in the owl-bear costume (ok, maybe he was just an attendee), Robin Hood, the members of the royal court who wander the lanes, etc. In fact, see here for a complete listing of the in-house cast. Amazing.

Next, there are the games and rides. Well, one ride that we saw, anyway. There's a long, steep polished wooden slide for which you pay $1 and ride down on a fabric mat. My sister and some of the kids went twice and the second ride was really rather thrilling and fast. There is also a wooden ship in the playground area, and somewhere there are pony rides. There are games of physical skill like the hammer and bell, a very tricky Jacob's ladder game, and even a small juggling school. If you're a good knife-thrower, you could win at several booths, and there are also several other games of chance. I saw a small maze and was tempted to see if I could get lost, but refrained.

Finally, there's the food. Of course, what's a Renaissance Festival without a good leg of mutton? Well, this one has plenty of tough roasted turkey drumsticks which come pretty close. We bought two. We also ate pizza calzone-on-a-stick (really yummy), quesadilla, orange and berry slushies, and my sister got a chicken pot pie, soft pretzels and funnel dough sticks. But there were way more items that we didn't try and many of them were either on-a-stick (mac and cheese?!) or wrapped in dough and/or deep fried (yes, even pickles). Actually, a lot of the food looked really good and we wished we could have tried more things like apple dumplings, beef stew in a bread bowl, crab cakes, etc.

The oldest girl wanted to stay forever, the six-year-old was in awe of everything, the two-year-old loved the slap-stick mime show, and the baby was the most enthusiastic cheerer at the jousting match. Oh, didn't I mention the jousting match? Yes, real horses, real men in real armor, real lances. A few broken ones and some dented armor, but no one was hurt. We all walked away from our half-day sojourn in the Middle Ages smiling and wishing we could go back again next week.

See Rennfest.com for lots more information.