James Whistler Lesson
This week our friends were not able to join us for our art lesson. But, honestly, I feel like Liam paid more attention without the distraction of friends…or he at least focused more on his project instead of just wanting to run off to play. Lesson There’s honestly not that much on the internet about […]
Many Strings, Many Instruments
One of the joys of homeschooling is that school can happen anytime or anywhere, right? That’s what I told myself when we skipped our music lesson on Thursday and again on Friday. But when the cold, rainy Sunday came along, we had the perfect opportunity. Matt, my husband, was home and somehow we all ended […]
The Colorful Monet
On the TV was a scrolling video montage of Claude Monet paintings. It had been there for at least ten minutes before anyone spotted it. But once it was spotted the questions started coming: “What’s that?” “Are those paintings?” “Did you paint those?” “Who painted those?” “Is that a beach?” “What is that?” “Mom, what’s […]
Bang! Clang!: The Percussion Family
I don’t think there is a single mother in the world who hasn’t had a child grab some sort of stick and start banging it on anything they could find. And not just a gentle tap. But the sort of banging and clanging that just seems to cut straight to the area of your brain […]
The Making of Colors
Is there anything more fun for kids than mixing together…well, anything? Dirt and water? Cookie dough? Cake batter? Rocks and sand? Paint? Honestly, the dirtier the better right? For them at least. Not me. I used to cringe anytime we’d go to the creek and Liam would want to mix dirt and creek water. It’s […]
Instruments Have Families
When I was younger I played the piano and clarinet. I know the tiniest bit about reading music and basic instruments. Like most every child who ever took up playing an instrument, I can remember my mom constantly telling me to practice and me constantly not wanting to. One day she spoke words that meant […]
Ancient Egypt Art Project
There’s just something about Ancient Egypt that is exciting. Maybe it’s the strangeness of mummies or the uniqueness of the pyramids or the marvel of pharaohs. Whatever the reason it is always fascinating no matter the age. God did some crazy aligning of the stars these last few weeks in our house. One of the […]
I’ve Got That Feeling
Every morning before Liam starts his school work we’ve been having a dance party. In part, it’s to get some wiggles out. But if I’m honest, it really just amps him up more. My one year old and the one year old I nanny think it’s the best thing in the world though. Today’s dance […]
Art History and Cave Painting Activity
Let’s be real. When you think of art what do you think of? Maybe it’s old paintings like the Mona Lisa. Or bright paintings like Picasso. Or statues like David. Maybe it’s simply a coloring book and crayons or some bright, colored Play-Doh. There are so many ways to think of “art”. But, rarely, does […]
Year Long Music Lessons for Young Children
Sixteen years old. Windows down. Music turned up. Singing at the top of my lungs. Maybe it was Backstreet Boys. Maybe it was Simple Plan. All I know is that I was feeling great. Fast forward almost twenty years. Windows up and heat blasting. Music turned up. Singing at the top of my lungs. But […]