Presidents' Day Exploration

Presidents' Day Exploration

 I don't remember ever doing anything at school for Presidents' Day.  Maybe we did a coloring page.  Maybe we listened to a short lecture about either the life of a president or the executive branch of government.  I don't remember.  All I remember from my childhood about Presidents' Day is that my mom-- once she became a U.S. Postal employee-- got the day off work.  

Standing in front of the Carter Presidential Museum.
And No, That is not a tiny hat on Spencer's head;
it's just poor planning by the photographer!

But I'm lucky.  My boys have taught me that history is Super FUN.  You just have to close the textbooks and go exploring.  So for the last five years, that is what we have done.  And Presidents' Day this year was no exception.

For the past several weeks, we have been reading, thinking, and talking about our first president, George Washington.  There is a presidential election this year.  Denver and Spencer have both been reading biographies and asking questions about what a president can and cannot do.  

Presidents' Day was a wonderful opportunity to visit The Carter Center in Atlanta and learn about Georgia's only homegrown president, Jimmy Carter.  None of us had ever been there.

Inside the replica of the Oval Office.

The Carter Center Museum is full of interesting photographs, paintings, and facts about the life of Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter. We all learned new things.  Spencer seemed particularly fascinated with Carter's humanitarian work and the Carter Center's invention of a water filter that looks like a straw. Denver loved learning that Jimmy Carter served on a submarine in the Navy.  I loved seeing photos of Carter's early life and reading about his childhood.

Lunch out with two of my favorite guys.

We read, looked, talked, and got our fill of information in a relatively short amount of time.  There was much more to learn; but when the head is full, the learning stops.  Don't try to cram more in!  

And we ALL learned something.  What did we learn?  Some facts about Jimmy Carter and his life; exploring history is FUN; and being with your family is GREAT. That is enough for me.

An incredible painting.
Look very closely and you'll see more!

  

What Lies Beneath

American Alligator.  Photo by Denver Degonia

Black Monitor.  Photo by Denver Degonia

Most of my best laid plans end stuffed on a dusty bookshelf while real life and learning happens unexpectedly and in all directions. This is the lesson I must repeatedly learn. Luckily, I find myself amazed and grateful to witness the unexpected.

Today, while Spencer attended the Atlanta Zoo's Homeschool Academy and learned about various species of marsupials, Denver and I wandered through the zoo in freezing weather.  We had hours to pass, and most of the animals were off exhibit.

Chameleon photo by Denver Degonia

Luckily, we found our way to the new amphibian and reptile house.  I didn't know how long it would last.  Denver is not known for patience. The first animal of great interest was a big, green chameleon.  Look at it's eyes!  Watch the way it turns its feet and grips the branches!  Let's take a picture!  

Gaboon Viper photo by Denver Degonia

Within moments, Denver had a new passion-- photography!  I showed him how to use the camera on my phone and he was off.

He spent the next hour and a half taking photographs and we talked about each animal.  Denver was delighted with the challenge of getting good angles and clear pictures.  He wanted to talk about the details of each species-- where they lived, what they ate, which were venomous, and which were endangered.  

Say Cheese!  Photo by Denver Degonia

He repeatedly exclaimed, "I can't believe I'm so good at taking pictures!"  We spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening talking about reptiles.

Basilisk.  It can run across water!
Photo by Denver Degonia

Who could have planned such exuberance and interest?  Not me.  But I am so grateful to have been there.  I never know what interests and discoveries lie unseen, waiting for the right moment to surface.

Our Happy  Photographer.
He let me take a picture!

What a Homeschool Monday Can Be

Brave Sir Denver celebrates a Victory

I never dreamed a Monday morning could be so pleasant. 

Between math, writing, history, and reading, we have doggy dress up time.  

We leap from our American Revolutionary War studies back to medieval times and the boys build a castle with cardboard and wooden blocks. They create new costumes and play knights.  We have a chess game.  

We laugh and talk about a science experiment using magnetic putty.

On nice days, we can finish early and take a hike with the dogs. Sometimes we go to the Montessori School and see friends' presentations-- especially when there are snakes!

Hiking with Max.

When other people don't understand why my boys don't want to go to school, I wish they could be here on these days . . . where life just flows . . . rich and sweet like chocolate fondue.

Reading to Audrey by the fire this morning.

Princess Audrey.
Photo by Denver Degonia

Spencer never ceases to amaze me with his
thoughts and observations.

He played his new song several times
through and then looked around at his
imaginary audience:
 "Hot Crossed Buns, Everybody!"

Fancy Almond Butter and Banana Sandwich
with Umbrella . . . but of course!

Meeting Dylan's python, Bumblebee.

It's Simple. We're Happy.

Spencer and Denver FINALLY
solved the magic squares puzzle--
it only took us two years!

Denver teaches me both to be open to new ideas, and to give LOTS of hugs. Many times each day, he hugs me and says, "I'm happy!" 

I've learned that he is hoping I will say, "Me, too!"

Today on his clarinet Denver learned Beethovan's Ode to Joy.  He says that's the classical version of Pharrell Williams's Happy. 

It was cold and rainy all day today.  We mostly stayed inside, ate cheddar broccoli soup, and watched movies. 

Denver and buddy, Michael, practice emergency first aid
this week in cub scouts.

There is a steady fire in the woodstove.  The sky is nearly dark. We're hoping for snow. 

Simple.  Happy. 

Yesterday we made SLIME!

This boy is always ready for a science experiment!

Denver and Spencer biking the Oxford trail.

Denver's Dream Come True

Jubilant after the first clarinet lesson with his Mimi, Denver shouted as he entered the house, "I can play a song!"  

After playing his song for me (many times!) and letting me sing along (again . . . many times!), he announced: "Finally!  All my dreams are coming true!"

Mr. Know it All

Enjoying a Magic Treehouse reference book
about the Revolution-- accompanied by
General George Washington.

 He cried inconsolably after our first Wikipedia game (a game similar to Trivial Pursuit).  

"I care more about history than any of you, but I didn't know any of the answers."  He looked at me with hurt surprise.  "I didn't know there was so much to know!"

It's true.  There is so much to know if you want to know it all.  And right now, Denver wants to know it all about the American Revolution.  And he's on his way.

Writing a letter with quill and ink.

Denver's current favorite library picks.

.

The game that unhinged his confidence
and led to more reading and questions.

Reflections from 2015

John and I circa 1985.

Another year is nearly behind us.  Like a favorite trail, my mind lovingly touches each familiar memory.  So much gratitude . . . 

John Robert is thriving in his first year of high school.

Denver and Spencer are thriving at home and in their classes.

John Robert at his first high school
swim meet . . . munching snacks
between events.

John is happy in his work.

I am fulfilled by all my roles (except housekeeper; I need some help with that one!).

Breaststroke

My parents and John's parents are healthy.

We are healthy.

Our street . . . a beautiful tunnel of trees.

There is joy in our home and in our lives.

Spencer hauling fencing with Dadders and Bob.

John and I with friends at a Christmas party.

Photo by John Robert

John Robert's moving selfie with Spencer photo bomb.

Christmas Eve on the Square

Denver and Spencer with the new mountain bike!

Thanksgiving Day bike ride with the boys and my father on Eastside Trail

Spencer with Star Wars lego sets

Denver and Momma on a special field trip.

.

Denver writing with quill and ink . . .
just like the writers of the Constitution.

John Robert and his new appendage.
Happy 15th Birthday, buddy!

Denver LOVED his art class
this fall.

Spencer and partner in robotics class.

Denver loves collecting these dolls . . . Uh,
HISTORICAL FIGURES.

Denver and his Rembrandt inspired
portrait of Jake.

John and I in 2015.