Potpurri II

We are back to listening audio books in the car. We heard Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, which we had read before, Betsy-Tacy, which the girls enjoyed (and the parents too :-), what a clean, sweet, and charming story of a friendship), the Just So Stories (a bit over the roof for them, we will go back to this or the book at the right time. For now they love The Elephant’s Child because we have it and I can read it slower than the narration), and now we are listening Pippi Longstocking

I can see how I’ve read before some objections since Pippi, in the beginning chapters, tells her neighbors Tom and Anika that yes,’that which I said is a lie’, -she was saying that people in Egypt walk backwards, and in India they walk on their hands, and tells them that people in the Belgium Congo lie all the time, and if I occasionally do, it may be because I stayed there way longer than I should have. She makes up stories). But in my perception of the issue, Pippi is not a ‘real child’, she doesn’t have parental guidance, and she doesn’t behave according to the norm (by the way, I propose she is the incarnation of the ‘ unattended and neglected unschooler’, ha ha ha ha). I believe children and parents alike can live some eccentricity through Pippi and that rebellious spirit that doesn’t conform but helps us question our norms and see things different, also making us value our ‘securities’ in a different light and dimension.

A friend gave us this zoo domino. She loves games and plays many with her family. I’m looking forward to a game night, but my husband thinks they are too young though I say they can play some card games, dominoes, who spill the beans, Candy lane…he prefers UNO, Mexican train, etc. Little Bean is still 3 and a half, but smart, so who knows, maybe we start playing games us three and dad will join.

For math we are doing MEP, level 1, (but not every day). and I love the exercises they always involve movement and manipulatives. I have to adapt them (we don’t have class peers to come to the front), but I find other things that go with the concept being taught, and I incorporate them in our daily life, not just if/when we ‘do school’.

We’ve continued making some experiments from the book PROVE IT. This one was another water one to prove that soapy water is heavier and has a stronger pull than clear water. Since the men arms were in the way, we just cut pieces of paper and surely the one in the soapy water sinks faster.

We went to the duck park last Saturday and (so sad I forgot the camera) we observed the ducks closely. We were by ourselves, the pond had a couple of new families and looking at those small ducklings, the geese, and feeding them had a lot of impact in the girls this past time.

From our library sale findings, The Elephant’s Child story is charming, beautifully illustrated, and a home favorite.

Finally we are almost finished with Pinocchio. We have three more chapters. We had to return it to the library months ago, and had to wait for it for long. This is the version we adore, by Roberto Innocenti. Blue Heart seems to be clicking and projecting herself a lot in the readings about Pinocchio wanting to obey but not succeeding, and following Lampwick to Playland.

Also from our sale findings, A House is a House for Me is my ultimate rhyming, logical thinking, lovely book favorite. It’s written with exquisite ingenuity.

Do you know Veronica? a conspicuous hippopotamus? A tale about being careful what you wish for. Another family favorite. We also read Veronica at the farm and other books by Roger Duvoisin, a marvelous author.

Lastly The Scarlet Letter. I have a few pages to finish, and I came across the ending but did not stop to see details, however I have an idea and it’s not a happy ending, but well, from the first page you know that. I believe no matter how it ends, I’ll still have profound admiration for NH and this his novel. I remember Blossom said that she did not know before reading it that someone could say so much with words. I agree, I bet I’m not the first or last to say that his writing is so unique, it’s like making feelings, emotions, traits be tangible with his descriptions. The whole pace of the book is perfect.