tess — A Familiar Path

Toddler tales

August 23, 2010 by Melissa Filed Under: homeschool, kids, tess

If there were ever a reason I’d want to call it quits, pack up my datebook and Sharpies and put my kids on a bus every morning the reason would be Toddlers!

Toddlers turn the organized, functional school room into a zoo.

Toddlers make those quiet moments of gentle, inspired learning, little more than noisy chaos.

Toddlers laugh at your silly ideas to keep them busy and occupied while you attempt to teach 3 other children.

And make you regret ever believing those books that tell you all kids should have opportunities to be creative even if it makes a mess.

Toddlers make even the calmest, kindest mothers resort to threatening words when they find them standing on the table for the 10th time that morning. (not that I would fit into the kindest, calmest category)

Toddlers make life and learning very challenging for their older brothers and sisters.

But, life challenges make for a more well-rounded education. Don’t you think?

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Seventeen months

May 27, 2010 by Melissa Filed Under: daily life, tess

The days seem to be just flying by lately. We get up every day and I have good intentions of doing lots of hard work on all the school, but most days we just do the bare minimum before they have flown out the door and disappeared.

The pool next door is a great temptation. So, I more and more of my days are spent alone with Tess. Sometimes we go outside and see what’s blooming.

She has become a whirlwind of trouble. She’s fearless now, climbing, meddling and snatching all forbidden items. Yesterday, I discovered her moments away from dipping my iPod into the toilet. My ipod, my cell phone, my Carmex and the toilet are the most tempting things for her.

While Ruthanne was here she dipped her hands into the potty and assaulted Ruthanne’s son with potty water. She’s trouble, I tell you.

Adorable trouble. She’s growing curls in the back of her mullet. And I love them.

Headband from The Pleated Poppy.

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How does she know about dandelions?

May 5, 2010 by Melissa Filed Under: tess

Today she’s sick and cranky, clingy and sad. But just the other day we were outside and I was wondering:

How does she know dandelions are to blow?

Because she is child number 4 there are a lot of things that slip by me. I’m not always the one to teach her pat-a-cake or Jesus Loves Me. And I know I didn’t teach her about dandelions. I suspect a big sister let her in on this secret.

While were were outside that evening she saw one. She ran and snatched it up, putting it to her mouth.