Somethin' Different

I have always loved the Waldorf curriculum for the archetypes presented to students meet them where they are developmentally. Rather than always sticking to the "classics," I try to find similar archetypes from other cultures to include in the curriculum I present to my students.

Having read some Maori Mythology, I always wanted to share these stories with my students. They had a fourth grade feeling to them, but I just wasn't sure. Over the summer a former colleague shared a blog post (You have to scroll down a bit!) with me & it was all the encouragement I needed!

I only had about 12 morning lessons and during this time we also started covering the eight parts of speech. Nevertheless, I enjoyed teaching this block very much. I would do it again! - Of course my memory card was full just as I was snapping the pictures of student work. Nevertheless, here's a wee taste

Maui Goes Fishing (Student Composition)

Maui Slowing the Sun

Pukeko

You might remember me announcing that I'm going to stop blogging. I obviously have addiction issues. I will probably go back into hibernation for a while once school starts again next week, but since the world is ending in 2012 I better blog 'til the very end - literally. :-)

Merry Christmas!

Nuriel received a doll stroller for her little doll. The doll (in gorgeous hand-knit clothing by moi) is not in the picture. Nuriel tossed the poor lil' thing out & then took a seat in her fancy lil' dress that was a gift from Grandma... 

I hope that all of you are having a peaceful, lovely time with family & friends. Much love from our house to yours!

The [Wordless] Flying Agaric Mushroom Child

Christmas Break

Christmas Break! I'm out of town & obviously with internet access, so I decided to write a wee lil' blog post. 

Nuriel is now 15 months old. She's been crawling for 5 months now & it seems to be her preferred way of getting around. She climbs stairs, pulls herself up, walks around furniture, opens cabinets, and takes the occasional step.I'm starting to understand some of the things she says, like "lights" & "outside."

Here she is taking a rest from crawling all over the front yard at my Mom's house. I've ordered her a lil' doll stroller for Christmas and I need to finish up a doll I've been working on for way too long! I'm a believer in small Christmas celebrations.

She loves to whack the snowman. I thought the hat would fit forever, but it's finally getting too small. All in all, we are well. I must admit, I'm just looking forward to two weeks of BREAK!

Just a Brief Update

I miss this blog. I do.

I wanted to at least write a paragraph for those of you who have been following our situation for a while.

I have always known that Brent was Nuriel's father. No doubt in my mind. However, that's not enough for a court. I received the DNA lab report that establishes paternity to as close a level as genetically possible. I'm so happy for my girl!

I want to thank all of you who made a contribution to Nuriel's DNA fund & also thank you for words of encouragement. I so needed every bit during this time.

It's not over. But this is a huge step for Nuriel & myself.

And The Winner Is...

Ericasue.

Please e-mail me your address. Thanks.

And The Winner Is...

I don't know yet.
But I'll know tomorrow. :-)

Good Bye, Blog!

I blogged for almost four years, first over at Coffee, Yarn & Nirvana, then here. I really enjoyed it. I've connected with lots of people. I like writing.

But... I'm not in a place where I can continue the blog & in many ways it no longer fits me. I don't foresee these circumstances changing anytime soon. My job, my teenagers, my lil' one, continuing difficulties in different realms... It's all keeping me busy; it's making things challenging.

Thank you for reading here.
May your journey be blessed!

P.S. - The Thanksgiving Giveaway is still happening. Enter if  you haven't done so already!

Blogger Is Driving Me Nuts!

In all honesty, I don't like change much. While I appreciate some of the new features of this draft.blogger the fact that I cannot comment on my own blog posts in annoying me. Someone told me that the problem can be fixed by making the comment box to come up as a pop-up. I thought, "Nice. I know how to do that!" - I know where that option used to be, but I can't find it anywhere now? Where did it go?

Without Words

It's still hard to believe.

Phil & his students (including Noah) taking off for a balloon ride...

On Saturday we lost a great friend, colleague, Noah's former class teacher, a father to three girls, husband, musician, storyteller, 2nd grade class teacher...

Phil suffered a serious medical event at school on Thursday, his 44th birthday. He never recovered. 

Two years ago, when Noah wanted to be Jimi Hendrix for Halloween at school, I wasn't sure if it would be an okay costume for a school event. Phil was not only fine with it, but in fact let Noah use his Jimi Hendrix hat. This year Noah once again wanted to be Jimi for Halloween in high school. Phil brought the hat to my classroom Thursday morning...

For Noah's 8th Grade Commencement, I had ordered him a tie. It didn't come in the mail in time.Phil always brought ties for the boys to wear to assemblies. I asked him if he could bring a tie for Noah. He did. After the event Noah wanted to give it back to him. He told him to keep it... 

He was an amazing human being.

We are just devastated.