How to feel crummy about self in three short steps

Decide to move oldest daughter into her own bedroom.

Set off chain reaction of clean-up that involves relocating all old homeschool art projects and files.

Notice the items within and suddenly remember that I was once a great home educator!
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Now I know that times were different back then. We didn't have cable and my teens didn't watch America's Next Top Model, MTV's Best Week Ever or Steve's Untitled Rock show in between episodes of Seinfeld, Family Guy and Friends.

I also know that I was not tired and could actually read an entire chapter from a novel without needing a two hour nap. Or back in the day, I would take that two hour nap with the baby after nursing him or her and the nap felt purely justified and necessary for sanity and baby's well-being... Today, it just feels selfish and elderly.

Seeing all those old art projects reminded me of the power of a neighbor who lives and breathes art. I live an breathe words. Do those transfer to the kids? Seems like they do, have and hopefully will.

So what have we done over the last bit of time:

Jacob watched the Steve Job's interview online and is now plotting to purchase the new iPod. He has worked mowing lawns, painting our deck and emptying his California savings account.

The kids and I continue to read Eragon.

We read "Jabberwocky" this a.m. for teatime (complete with cheesecake compliments Mrs. McAfee).

The middle three (and Noah who could not keep from jumping in every two seconds with his enthusiastic ideas) and I worked on the reading and definitions of the poem. Two of them kept falling over sideways. They were tired.

But we did read through the poem multiple times. Lots of words to consider and not all of them easily grasped in isolation from each other. Once the ball got rolling, it was hard to stop. All agreed at the end that they understood and enjoyed the poem more just discussing its words like this!

Liam decided to copy it for copywork. Tough one for spelling!

So here's how we did it.

For instance: what is a tove or borogove?

What does "Twas brillig" mean? Is "brillig" an adjective or noun (hint: it can be either - replace it with nouns and adjectives and see if they both work). You will have to choose one and then define it.

What does "outgrabe" mean? We talked about "outplay, outwit, outlast" (from Survivor) to help us think about what "out" does to a verb. What might it do to this verb?

What words come to mind when you read "mimsy"? Do you think of "flimsy"? One of my kids thought of a friend named "Mim" who happens to be bouncy and silly.

When we looked at the word "frabjous" we could detect a hint of the word fabulous and jouyous all wrapped up together. We asked, "Does fabulous and/or joyous fit with the use of this word?"

When we encountered "vorpal," my 18 year old pulled out one of his RPGs (role playing games) and read the use of a "vorpal" sword in the game (clearly taken from Carroll's poem) - it is a sharp blade that in one blow can cut off a head. It can only be used for decaptiation in this game.

We did some math, too.

Over the weekend, we played more Quiddler, painted the deck, took Rocky for a walk, and played outside.

Caitrin is making clay figures and beads using Sculpey clay. She is also coloring big pictures from one of our design books. She's listened to "When Bach Comes to Call" and her Suzuki CD for violin. Each day she does her practice routine.

Monday was co-op. Nuff said.

Time for grad school.