Saturday, June 14, 2008

G is for Gymnastics, Graduation, Grandma and Great Adventures...





Hey Everybody! Much love and best wishes to you all.



We are all doing well, although our homeschool endeavors have hit the road...


Izaia and Meg are off to Camp Ajawah in Minnesota, where Izaia will meet up with her cousins for her first sleepover camp! Meg will be working as 'Nursie,' the all girls camp doctor.

They would love letters and can be reached c/o Camp Ajawah at 21600 Zodiac St. NE, Wyoming, MN 55092.
Indy, Angel and I are doing a whirlwind midwest circuit...soon to be seen in Racine and in the Twin Cities, where we will visit with Gammie, Uncle Craig/Auntie Jenna, Auntie Sue and cousins Q and A, Uncle Eddie and Auntie Kelly and the Parcher cousin connection, Papa and Nanny, Great Grandma Mary Jo and many other friends and family. We look forward to seeing you all!



Before our trip, we've had great adventures in:

Gymnastics (Izaia made the competitive team after open tryouts!)




Here she is after her last meet...





Graduation (Give it up for DR. Wayne Beckles!!! At his graduation party from Morgan State University)







Grandma (Yeah MO-MO!) at Angel, Izaia and Indy's Sibling Party...











Along with other Great Homeschooling Adventures...




Playing (gym class at the park!)








We hope to see you and share more with you soon.
Take care,
Daddioso




Thursday, June 5, 2008

F is for Friends, Family (and Everyone Else) being involved...

Hi Everyone! We've been having a great time getting our new student acclimated to Daddioso's home(made) school and pie shop. We've been working hard getting back into the swing of things with our homeschooling progress...







Things have been going very well and we have been laughing and learning so much while loving and cherishing our family life. Some of our latest adventures have included:







Nature walks...





Kick Ball action...


Indigo's School of Fine Photography...



Gymnastics action...




Lap Games and Board Books...




I want to give thanks to you all for your generous support and encouragement! I definitely appreciate your positive commentary and enthusiasm for our family's home(made) school journey (we are ready to celebrate our first 50 days of homeschooling)!


Many of you have asked about ways in which you can support the kids and our family in this exciting endeavor.



If you would care to spend time with us sharing the things that make you, your family, your workplace, your neighborhood, and your hobbies or crafts unique, that would be great and very welcomed. For example, a friend of Megan’s recently invited the kids over for a music lesson: they viewed an internet-based lesson on orchestral instruments, listened to a bit of Peter and the Wolf while acting out the parts, and watched Alisa play the flute and her husband, Udai, play the guitar.

If you are not living locally, here are a few specific ideas to pique your interest:



  • write monthly letters to the kids (topics include your thoughts on current events, what you are working on, or stories about family events)




  • sending simple family recipes for the kids to make


  • calling or writing with family lore, including stories about you as a child


  • sending pictures, written stories, or copies of your family tree




  • calling and reading a story to Izaia or Indigo (something Megan’s dad started over a year ago) or making tapes for the kids to listen to




If you don’t have the time that the above requires, here is a wish list for our homeschooling tool box:



  • a webcam, so the kids can visually share projects and activities with you



  • gift certificate to a local teacher supply store (Jeremy’s favorite is Learning How http://www.learninghow.com/), craft store (JoAnn's, Michael's), art supply store (http://www.utrechtart.com/), etc


  • annual membership to our local science or visionary art museum



  • envelopes and stamps


  • gift certificate to a book store (family favorites include Daedalus books http://www.daedalusbooks.com/ and Red Emma's http://www.redemmas.org/),



  • subscription to kids’ magazines (topic-related or empowering, like Highlights, Muse magazine for kids, ChildArt Magazine, etc) or copies of your old magazines for scrapbooking, etc


  • funding for sewing, music, sports, or arts lessons


As we are listed as a home(made) school and pie shop, the kids and I thought that we could send out pies and/or other treats in response to those people who share their time, energy and resources with us. You may be surprised to find a pecan pie, cornbread or other sweet treats in your mailbox very soon!




Cornbread in the works...







Thanks again for your love, your time and your consideration.


Take care,
Daddioso