Kindling that has fueled past fires.....

Winter Olympics Although it's not until Feb 10th, I am resource gathering for the Winter Olympics. There is so much to delve into!

Winter Camp We are looking forward to WellSpring Winter Camp. I haven't talked to the kiddos much about it yet, since the parents are still in deep planning mode, but I am looking forward to a week spent with our homeschooling friends in the depths of a chilly grey winter!

Dinosaurs K's interest in dinosaurs is a complex thing. She loves dinosaurs, but is very picky about what is scary and what is not scary. Aparently anything non-fiction is not scary. Because those were real dinosaurs and they are now dead. However anything like dinosaur toys, or books with dinosaur comics are scary.

Kirsten The American Girl, Kirsten is fueling learning about life in 1854, pioneer American style. Also in a round about way K is learning about money. She really wants an American Girl doll Kirsten, but I have said that she will have to buy it herself, as they are quite expensive. We had a big discussion about it, and when it comes up again we will begin assessing her allowance, how much she has saved, and how much it will cost etc.

Seasons...Advent Advent is the season in the Christian year about preparing for the birth of Christ, so we have been welcoming in the Christmas season by celebrating Advent! We've made an advent wreath, and have been lighting the advent candles at each meal. We sing a song about the candles and what they mean when we light them. K and L have advent calendars with a small piece of chocolate each day!

Seasons...Winter We celebrate Winter Solstice on December 21st. (Although we got together to celebrate with our WellSpring friends on the 19th) The Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year! We're going to learn why. K's winter nature responsibility is keeping the bird feeder stocked with seed.

Our place in the world We welcome Uncle Justin and his girlfriend Ksenya from Russia on Dec 20th, and Uncle Carl from London on Dec 21st. (L is excited to go to the airport two days in a row!) We are working on making welcome signs, and learning how to say "hello" in Russian. We found Moscow and London on the world map. K is helping organize some fun things to do while we are all together for Christmas.

Seasons...Chinese New Year We are reading books from the library about Chinese New Year, and planning a special celebration with our WellSpring friends.

© Anna Noack-Brown 2005.