Saturday 31 December 2011

a rescue

Yesteeday while doing our daily walk, Dermot spotted a little creature on the ground, hardly moving. We very quickly realised it was a possum, but what type. I know nothing about the various varieties of possums.
It was very tiny and looked quite distressed. We contemplated what to do. We asked a neighbouring house, "do you have a box for this little possum.". She ended up fetching her Mum. Her mum knew who to contact. In the meantime we used the towel provided and scooped him up very gently. he looked barely alive.
A women walked toward us, actually she was running. she was an animal rescuer. She knew what to do.
So Dermot handed her this little sick animal and hoped it would be still alive in 24 hours. She took one look at his tail and knew it was very malnutrioned.
We had no idea what to do, so we go onto the animal rescue sites and researched a little.
This little creature was stilll on my mind all through the day and night.

Today we called into see our little possum, as its on our walking route. Isn't it funny, its our little possum now..
Kathee was pleased to see us and explained she had had a very late night / early morning, with this little possum. She had just rescued another possum, a few weeks before hand. She was puzzled as to what night be causing this. Possible human intervention..
Anyway, when we saw him today, his tail was curling and he was taking fluids and some baby foods.
He has a long way to go. It reminded me very much of the journey, the little premature babies have when they are born so early.
We are hoping we can call in and see our little fella.  We will update you on how he is going.

Saturday 24 December 2011

Merry Christmas everyone

After all the preparation, the reflections, the crafts, the gift buying, Its time for the Christmas and family.
We pray you are all Blessed abundantly this Christmas and New year.


Thursday 22 December 2011

Fashioned......

A friend recommended a really great book, called Fashioned by Faith. I researched it a little further and ordered it.
Its about a Fashion model who learnt how to say no to being put in situations and positions, as a model, that would compromise her body. It is after all the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
Brid has read the teen series, All things Girls., and we have had many heart to hearts, so it was no surprise to me that she would enjoy this book.
A few days ago, we were shopping and she said out of the blue,"I didn't realise how many immodest clothes there were until I began reading that book Mum,". I was surprised by her reaction, but she was looking at clothing in a completely new way.
We taped the Christmas carols to watch and she wanted to fast forward a few songs. when questioned why? 'They need to cover up more.
So this book has made a big impact on Brid. We have taught her the art of modesty and dressing for Our Lord, but this book explained it in much more detail.

This will take us on a journey over the next year looking at and expanding modesty, purity and boys.
Brid and I work together with another family during the year, and us Mums. we were at a loss, what subject will we cover this year with them? So this is it!.
Maybe at the end we will read and study Pygmalion. It highlighting the issues we have looked at.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Christmas Cakes

Last week several girls got together to decorate Christmas Cakes.
Brid has done this before, but this time, I wanted her to make her cake from scratch.
Brid weighed her fruit and soaked it a few weeks ago.
The smell through house was beautiful.
We carefully wrapped it and placed it in a cool storing place.

So it came to buying any decorations, those carefully chosen, we were ready to join the other girls in the yearly Cake decorating.
Cakes were turned upside down, and there tops cut off to make flat.
Marzipan was placed in all the holes and crevices. A thin layer was placed on the cake, and then the rolling of the royal icing. We purchased this, but in the past I have made it from scratch.
Busy working
and piping
So a dusting of icing sugar on each each girls rolling area, and lots of effort rolling. Much concentration and instructing by both Mums and daughters.
Brid tried really hard to roll hers, but she has not has very much practice in the art of rolling pastry or icing, so it was difficult to instruct her with the distractions around us. I ended up helping her roll her icing and she placed this delicate rolled Royal icing on her Cake. This was a really stressful but Brid & I hugged each other and got on with the job, we were there for.
getting the piping ready, oh and having a coffee
From there it was completely up to her. A few tips of how to cut off the excess icing were given.
A break for a cuppa and a chat....pheww.....and then the piping icing was made and distributed into lockseal bags.
Girls assembled, Icing bags snipped and Piping and decorating began.
The finished products were just fantastic.
Brids finished cake

I think the thing I remember the most was the icing sugar over the table, the floor, our clothes and the smiles at the end of the session.
The smiles on the girls faces as they proudly presented there cakes on to the table to be photographed, was pretty special too.
All the girls and littlies with there cakes, so proud

Brids cake at home- its a present for Grandad

A selection of the cakes decorated

Wednesday 14 December 2011

There were two dancing girls

Brid and Louise have always been dancers, whether it be Ballet or Jazz or Irish Dance. Louise always danced everywhere she went and Brid is just the same.
When Brid was little she liked to dance at the end of a movie at the cinema. She would run to the front and dance to the closing song, She would even dance down the aisles of the grocery store. Not much has changed, she still loves to dance, in fact they both do.
Louise began dancing when she was 2. Ever so cute in her tiny tot bubble dress and tiny pink ballet shoes. Her hair was so wispy it couldn't go into a bun. She was very good at remembering her routines.
When Louise was around 10 or so, she was introduced to the world of Irish Dancing. Her first teacher was Christie, from the Riverdance production that toured Australia.
Her interest in Irish Dancing continued and she still loves it. Brid was introduced to Irish dancing when she was a little girl and began her journey of learning its intricate steps.
So this year, we have 2 lovely daughters performing in 2 separate shows. Louise performed in the 'crn' Irish Dancing concert and Brid in her Ballet studio concert.
Brid, has worked very hard and was awarded a couple of very special awards this year. Most Improved and the Encouragement award for Jazz & Classical.
Here are a selection of photos of the girls.

Louise (R) with her best friend Jaye


Brids Ballet tutu this year


.
Sisters, looking too much alike.

Brids special  trophies this year




Wednesday 30 November 2011

Wednesday 23 November 2011

coming close to the end of the school year..

The school year here in Australia. is coming to a close. Most schools pack up there books and bags and head for summer holidays from mid December.
We are winding down our official schooling as well. But we can't wind down life learning.
Brid is finishing off a unit study  about Blessed Juniper Serra and his life. She has journeyed to Spain, Mexico and looked into missionary work. She is making a start in this area herself.
Fr Brown has grapped her attention on our ebook reader. I am sure that series will be complete soon.
Maths will come to a hault as well. Will we continue with Maths Online? We will finish this level and reassess it early next year.
So I have asked Brid to complete all areas of work she is working on before mid December.
Ideally I would like to concentrate our days on the season of Advent. It has come around too quickly, but as we organise our christmas decorations into various boxes, it is no trouble to locate the Advent Box. We are looking at various Advent crafts and ideas at the moment.
She has enjoyed reading Apologia Anamtomy & Physiology, making the occasional journal entry, and creating a great board game.
Earlier this year we began a faith text from seton.Witness to Faith. It is there new yr8 text. Some would consider this too schoolie. But it has been a walk through our faith, through the centuries. We won't be completing this as Brid is taking this slowly, enjoying and soaking it in. It has given her a greater understanding of our faith, and thats always a good thing.

Next post, I may share with you the different areas Brid and I have decided we would like to tackle.

So for reading in the holidays I purchased a series called My story. WW1. Brid loves these books and as they were on sale at book depository I could afford to splurge a little.She has already began reading one of them. I need to hand these out individually, or else no chores or work of any kind gets done. Is this controlling, maybe, but its also teaching self control and discipling ones self.


Tuesday 15 November 2011

a camping surprise...


A while ago, we headed down south to a Catholic Homeschool camp. It was designated as a tent camping week.
My initial reaction, was no.., we wouldn't be going. End of that.
We were however asked to go to fill in some spots in the play that is acted out each year.
In the past, the religious sisters in the local area assisted the children to put on two plays. One for the little ones. One for the older ones. So in there memory, Sarah wanted to keep this tradition. This looked like it may slip away, so a few families said they would help out. We were told we could stay in the house that the Pauline Fathers had just purchased, but, be camp side until bed time. I really didn't need to ask Brid. I knew her reaction.
So off we went car packed, script in hand and a little nervous as to the 'camping facilities'.
It was an easy 3-4 hour drive and just off the highway.
The days were filled with the usual daily Mass, rosary and talks to the various age groups by religious orders. The first day was the talk by the Mgls. That was great to hear there message. Unfortunately I missed most of it, as we arrived at the end of the talk.
We were Blessed to hear the Immaculata Sisters that afternoon and the next day. This order was born from the lay Immaculata community and from WYD08. So a young order- well not quite an order if you think in official church terms.
The best part of the week was being able to chat with my friend Sue and her girls. We were able to talk without using the telephone or writing emails, or meeting in the cyber world somewhere. That was a real Blessing.
Brid & I met up with lots of old friends and were acquainted with a few new faces.
It was real camp cooking on BBQs and an old sink for washing up.
The girls and boys took turns in washing and wiping up duties and each older girl was allocated a large family to assist with there meals. This encouraged new relationships with people the girls may not know, and helped them attain a greater sense of responsibilty and charity.
Every day the children placed in there teams for athletic sports. It was quite warm for the children running but it certainly expelled there energy. A meal and drinks were well received after there late morning activities.
The play was read and re read every day and rehearsed until it was the final day. No matter how prepared or unprepared the groups they now needed to perform there plays.
Brid was given the role of Amelia the Abyss. The lines she had been given to learnt were of the narrator, so she needed to quickly learn new lines. She was at a disadvantage but she rose to the occasion.


It was a wonderful end to the week long camping experience, which I still have reservations on.  

Monday 31 October 2011

A month of Writing

Brid is preparing to write a novel for the month.  She has the outline in her head and has been busy planning plots and characters.
Years ago, Brid wouldn't put a sentence together, now she plans on writing a novel for the month. We have freed our week up so she can participate.
(I want to join her, but my mind just won't come up with a plot, an idea ......., so for the time being, I will support and assist Brid in her writing endeavours.)
So people from all over the world will be dedicating this month to writing. It should be very exciting to see how everyone fairs.

There are forums and groups springing up from everywhere to support each other in there challenge.
As a Young Writer, Brid can nominate how many words she is going to challenge herself to do. As an adult, it is 50 000 words.

So excuse Brid and myself, if we get so caught up, we forget to post on our Blogs.





Wednesday 26 October 2011

Strewing and Tuesdays

A fellow Blogger Faith, posts her strewing each Tuesday. I like to share our adventures as well from time to time.
Recently Brid asked to play Monopoly. She wanted to play against her Dad. Dermot is very competitive, so this was going to be a challenge. As she set the game up, I explained that Dad plays to win. She didn't seem at all concerned.
We have two versions of Monopoly - the normal London Street and Stations, and the Irish- Dublin Version. We set up the Irish one- of course...
Mum and Dad arrived as they were playing so it haulted the game for a while, but they endeavoured to get back to it.
The game proceded with lots of rule looking up- you see as the baby of the family, we all helped brid, so she didn't need to know the rules as such, she just took it at face value what we said.
I helped as Banker  for a while, but brid did all these jobs, including a wonderful negotiation of property that her Dad needed to mortgage.
He wanted her to take several properties in return for one entire street-  ....!! just as she was about to enter that straight on the board. She negogiated well, and did not give in. Oh ok, I had to tap her under the table. She was getting a little generous with her Dad. BUT from  experience, you don't do that, because he is good at climbing back....
Within half an hour, she had her Dad nicely bankrupted and was very pleased at being the Winner....Dermot had to accept defeat.  It was a fun game and boy was Brid pleased with herself.

Our next Strewing was about health and vitamins. and the pronounination of vitamin- the root word. Well it developed into a discussion and fact finding around cells and the components of a cell, various vitamin deficiencies and lots of lively discussion.Brid has been reading Exploring Creation- With Anatomy and Physiology. Great series. A friend and I swapped Astronomy and this one. It a little textbooky, but Brid really enjoys this series. She uses the book exactly how she wishes too. Often this is just reading, sometimes notebooking, some times drawing.     


Thats our Tuesday Strewsday......

Sunday 16 October 2011

The joy of ereading....

It arrived. Yay!!! We have been waiting patiently for our e reader. I had several books I was planning to download straight away.
We researched and decided that this one, was the one for us.

There was a pre purchase special so we took the plunge.
There was a little hitch with the delivery company. They were unable to leave it without our being there to sign it, but a lovely neighbour was happy to do this for us.
I excitedly opened it up. My first impression, it was a very small thin piece of techno equipment.
We are slowly getting used to how to download, although I didn't do the best job today. I thought I had lost my first purchase.Oh Dear !! My first purchase was this delightful book to the right.
Dermot had downloaded a few books that are in the Literature for Young Ladies recommendations, so I thought I would be OK. I had watched him. I just missed one step. I will be better
 next time.
We still need to configure the Wifi with our Wireless network, but if we can't thats OK. We have several items sourcing the Wireless router so Dermot & I  are reluctant to change the setting to accommodate this feature. When we have added and changed The router in the past, only to find it difficult to reconnect all the other computers and printers etc.
As soon as we had it all sorted we showed Brid. She found a book and  started reading  The Jungle book-taking it outside and enjoying the story.
She also began drawing a couple of unique drawings for me. It has a touch screen.
So there we have it. Our new electronic reader.

Saturday 15 October 2011

Scotts Last Expedition.

Late last week a few families took an excursion to the Australian National Maritime Museum. I was trying to find an exhibition on the Everest Climb, when I stumbled across this one.
I thought, that would be a good one to see. We hadn't studied much on Antartica or Scott for that matter, so we should see it.
I then noted that the Exhibition was soon to be finishing.
So I asked a couple of homeschooling Mums would they like to join us.
We began our adventure early in the morning. We rose early. Dermot dropped Brid & I to the ferry. We caught it and then walked the 5 minute trip to the station. We purchased our tickets and selected our Carriage. We were meeting 2 other families along the way, so we chose a spot in the train that would best suit us all- with 3 adults, 3 teen girls and 4 young men. Each party joined us and our adventure began.
Soon someone was saying are we there yet. Well 2 hours later we were there.
The Museum is at Darling harbour so we walked from Central Station to the Big water playground at Darling Harbour. There the children ate lunch and we chatted and ate lunch. Umm, we had a little incident with a seagull snatching a sandwich from one of the ladies hands. All We saw was a scurry of birds on the ground and wondered what had happened until, " they look that straight from my hand".  It was a little scary.
Anyway, we moved on to the exhibition. It was rather an amazing exhibit. I knew very little about Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his Expedition.
He travelled on the ship the Terra Nova, from Cardiff, Wales stopping several times along the way. His last stop was NewZealand to prepare for the trip to the South Pole.
The food, the luggage thet took was incredible, but nothing could prepare them for what they would come up against.
There was another explorer as well- Amundsen. He had reached the South Pole. Scotts' exploration was regarding the Emporer Penguin. The trip had the best naturalists ans scientists of the day. Many were interviewed but few were accepted. This is what the Maritime Museum wrote up about the Exhibit:
Scott and his companions outside there hut

-One hundred years after its tragic end, the definitive story of British explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica is being told in this major international exhibition.
Scott's Last Expedition reunites the artefacts used by Scott and his team together with scientific specimens collected during the 1910-1913 expedition for the first time since their use in Antarctica. When Scott set off on his second journey to explore the Antarctic on board the former whaler Terra Nova, he could not have predicted the tragic ending. He and his four companions died on the return trek from the South Pole two years later, having lost the race to be the first.
To commemorate the centenary of the expedition and celebrate its achievements the Natural History Museum, London, the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand and the Antarctic Heritage Trust, New Zealand, have collaborated to create this international travelling exhibition. The premier venue for this unique exhibition is the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, New South Wales-

It was a very moving exhibit. There were various replicas and originals of the clothes and artefacts of the last journey. There was also a full sized replication of the hut that the 20 or so men called home for 3 years. It had positions on the floor for were beds were the table the heater the laboratory etc.
The part that was most sad were the diary entries, of Scott as he and his companions lay dying in there tent many many miles from the base nut. The weather was extreme, the cold biting and there food had run out. There were found 5 weeks later and there resting place is Antartica -were they died.
.
He thought there work would go missing and no one would know of there blight or there discoveries.

This Expedition took place for a theory of the embryo of an Emporer Penguin egg. It was many years later discounted.

So we walked away, enlightened , saddened and pleased we had made the effort to see this exhibit.
A coffee and afternoon tea was in order before we walked the 20 minutes back to Central station for our train home- 2 and half hours away.

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Girls Retreat..

It was quite a weekend..
We were send out an invitation to this weekend some time ago. It was just what we have been looking for. Teens 13 to 18 were called to a weekend of their journey through teenage hood.
The weekend arrived. There were 9 girls and 2 mums to stay at a homeschool mums home.
She wasn't able to be present, but she felt committed and comfortable to leave us the hospitality of her home. Thank you so much.  Her Son stayed to help us, as we needed.
We arrived a little late, thanks to the long weekend traffic. But Thanks to God we arrived safely.
Now reality check. 9 girls all in the same room. !!! oh my, I was taken aback- me the control freak..
'Ok Leanne its Ok', I said to myself.  I would leave that worry for another time.
There were people to meet and say hello to.
We had the Religious Sisters of Mercy already and waiting for us to arrive. Mums from Homeschool camp to say hello to and a quick catch up with the ones I knew.
The Sisters shared a meal with us all, and took the Girls straight into the comfy loungeroom to watch Little Women. The girls were asked to reflect on this in there lives. They were asked to observe silence and enjoy a good nights rest. .....
bedtime...
Well, I must say, the sleep and rest didn't happen.
the girls were very excited. Some of them don't see each other for many months. So it was a time to come together as young women, but as friends and have a special weekend together.
It also happened to be the weekend of St Therese's feast day, so she was especially central in Brids and my day.
The girls were up very early, leaving lots of time to get them ready for the day. I made sure they were ready, so Sarah could take the girls early to the Sisters residence by train. We were up so early we had mostly prepared the evening meal, so I was left to finish as much as I could.
I myself went off to meet up with friends for the day. But beforehand, I found a lovely church close to were we were staying to begin celebrating St Therese of Liseux and her feast. I was delighted to find that Adoration and Benediction were offered after Mass. What a way to begin my day.
I prayed for the girls and the Sisters. I hoped they were having an inspiring and lovely day together.
My day was filled with news from a family I only see at homeschool camp. It was a great day, ending all too soon.
On arrival  'home', I chatted and waited for the girls to arrive as we completed the cooking of our meal. The girls arrived with many wonderful stories. They celebrated Mass on arrival, were able to attend Confession, Adoration and Benediction were offered later in the day. So Talks, meals, games so much to fit in, and the girls were not shy to tell us about there day. I asked them as we ate our evening meal together to share one thing each they enjoyed.
that photography course came in handy
After dinner the decision was unanimous, Everafter- the movie. There was a lovely atmosphere that evening as each of the girls settled in to watch and explain parts of the movie that way not have been understood by others.
Volleyball
All to son it was bedtime,  and the clocks were due to change to Daylight saving time. Therefore, 1 less hours sleep. We explained this to the girls. 'oh no'..they said. They hurried to get organised and into bed. This time they slept much better, awaking early again, as we had another day with the Sisters planned. This time we were to take them in by car. All the girls gear had to be fitted into our 2 cars. Joy oh Joy, that was  a challenge, but achievable. Did I tell you it was Raining- not sprinkling but raining..It was a 25 min trip, and I was following Sarahs' Husband this time. I was unfamiliar with the roads, but we managed to follow with no wrong turns. yah!!
This time we were able to attend Mass with the girls at the Church next door to the Convent. Beautiful Mass and a Priest so reverent to The Eucharist.
We had been invited to lunch, so Sarah and her husband there little children and myself occupied ourselves drinking coffee and chatting in a coffee shop until the hour arrived.
All the girls at the Sisters

It was a very Blessed weekend. The girls really enjoyed there time together and with the Sisters. They will remember this weekend for a very long time. Thank you so much Sr Moira and your Sisters.



    

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Homeschool camp- september 2011


Every year in September, many families around Australia make a trip to the Northern rivers Catholic homeschool camp. It’s in a little seaside village.
It is a really relaxed and enjoyable camp, and this year was no different.
Its quite a long drive from our home so we stay overnight along the way. This year we stayed with Erin and family.  It was a real treat. In the morning we were up with the sun, and I was informed that my Daughter had found the library.  I teasingly said, “I hope she remembers this is not the camp”.
So after taking two of her girls with us, we drove to our sunny location.
The week was filled with spiritual talks given to various age groups.
Every day there was fun activity that we did in a group, including kite flying at the beach on the day 1.
The exploring of the rockpools of a close by beach was quite a hit, with some of the kids walking along the beach with Fr Rizzo and others choosing to stay and continue exploring the rockpools.
Confirmations and 1st Holy Communions were celebrated with the local Bishop, with a lovely Angelic choir singing the hymns of the day. It was lovely seeing other homeschooling families who were not attending the camp for a short time at the Mass.
Mackillop team
I think the hymns at our daily Masses really added to the serene and peaceful atmosphere in our little Chapel. Mass was of course, central to our week. Adoration & benediction was scheduled daily in the afternoons.
Most evening we had events that the children would play in their teams- Trivia and impromptu games organised by s local hunter young adult were really fun & exciting.
finishing the long distance event
Of course these type of camps would not be the same without spiritual talks. The children were broken into age groups and lead in many areas of church teaching. The mums and dads were not left out. The Mums took an hour in the afternoon to reflect on the liturgical year, while the Dads chatted there men’s business in the evenings. I was not privy to their talk topic.  
This year the sports carnival was changed to the area closer to the cabins as there were birds nesting in our usual spot and they were very protective of their young. It was a fun day and I was so proud of Brid. She ran really well and helped the little ones when they needed to.
The 4 real mums
There was a lovely mix of families this year and it was a very Blessed and happy camp, meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones. It was lovely to meet our 4real mums again.
Thanks Lynn and Erin for you enormous effort that you put into each camp every year.

some of the girls

Friday 9 September 2011

Homeschool resource / book meme:


How Blessed am I. I was tagged twice within a day by two lovely friends Michelle & Erin.So here I go...

 1.One homeschool book you have enjoyed.
There have been many books I have enjoyed. ....  

Suzie Andres- A Little Way of Homeschooling: and then her other book  Homeschooling with gentleness.... Thank you Sue and Leonie for lending me these books. Now I really would like to have these books as resources.

A Mothers Rule of life.. holly Pierlot. Thanks Tricia for lending me this one, all those many years ago.  

2. One book/ resource I wouldn’t be without.
Now thats a hard one..
My Blogging Friends
Home Ed community
Google search.
4 real community  and on this email list group

3. One resource you wish you never purchased
I would say the general Science Apologia. I got rid of it quick smart.
Well trained mind was a necessary read to decide I wasn’t that type of teacher and it  wouldn’t suit our learning style.

 4 One resource you enjoyed last year
Geography- Physical GeographyBrenda Runkle. I love Geography, and we have always looked at Geography but this book took us into a lot more depth. Brid thoroughly enjoyed it.

 5 One resource you will be using next year.
Now thats too hard.
The library, book depository if they are considered resources. Of course they are

Elizabeth Foss'- Literature for Young ladies ideas. We are really enjoying this collection of books.

6 One resource you would like to purchase.
A year with a Novel. We have seen it, We have it to look at. So I have touched and looked at the content. But now will we really use it to its potential.?? Brid really likes it.
An ipad and a ebook reader- its on the list.

7 One resource you wish existed.
I like  Erins suggestion a Junior Didache’. 

But for me.. its not until I see a need that I realise we do need it. Like the list of books for Women of History unit we are doing.

 8 One homeschool catalogue you enjoy reading?

I could say Bethlehem books. – but I rarely use homeschool resources catalogues because my resources are my like minded friends, and brainstorming with them.


9 one homeschool website you use regularly.
Our Blogs
Our hunter home ed board.
4 real learning community.
Occasionally Aussie homeschool board

10 Tag 6 other homeschoolers.
Leonie
Gae
Tricia
Anne
Joyfilled families
benmakesten
Marina

I would really love to read your responses. Come join in the fun.....








Wednesday 7 September 2011

a current affair

Last Sunday evening, after everyone had left after Fathers' day celebrations we fell into the lounge chairs, turned the TV on and watched 60 mins. We view it with great care. Brid has always been quite sensitive to many areas of the media.
The last report was discussing the anniversary of 9-11.
I watched her as we viewed this report. She really had no idea about what 9-11 was all about.
So afterwards, the questions were asked.
I could have easily just said we will discuss this in the morning, but I resisted.
It was the right time and place right now. The TV was switched off.
The Kingfisher Encyclopedia was taken from the shelf by Brid. She read aloud what was written about this world changing event.
We talked about various aspects, she knew the geography, We discussed the ins and outs of this current affair.
It was a wonderful opportunity that couldn't have been orchestrated any better.
She was ready to listen with more mature ears and understand the complicated issues surrounding this horrific event. She may not understand totally, but hey!, nor do I, and thats OK.

We have been travelling around a lot in history at the moment and I am pleased we have been, because it made it easier to explain and pin various issues for her.
Was this just an opportunity or a Classic strewing?

Thursday 1 September 2011

Our finished works-

Our Unit on St Gianna Molla took us all over Italy, We met her family, we looked at WWII...
We looked at Our Lady of Good Counsel...

Brid graphed Pregnancy Statistics, she continues to write a diary of an unborn baby.




And then we bounced to the "National Treasure" dvd for a snapshot into early  American history.


George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Declaration of Independence, Liberty Bell........

It was completely up to Brid how she chose to document it....and decorate these strewing ideas....

Wednesday 31 August 2011

wordless wednesday

What my pair get up to on a cold day for morning tea....they read of course...