Why I love teaching in a Charlotte Mason school

Today I listened to this in preparing to teach my 3-year olds about American Robins. I even discovered that American Robins and European Robins are completely different birds, w/ different scientific names. (Don't laugh, I'm new at this, folks!)

I came across this beautifully illustrated book: The King of the Birds. The back page is a key that lists the 48 different birds that are illustrated on page 12 of the book. Absolutely gorgeous. (I keep an Amazon wish list for Ellie because I come across so many great living books in our school library.)

I read up on Mary Cassatt in this book, looking specifically at this painting. Last week the kids had fun lounging like this Little Girl in a blue chair that I brought in from the office. Their imitations of her expression were priceless (next year I'll bring my camera)!

In short, I love the fact that as I plan my lessons for this week I am learning right along with the kids; what better way to spend a morning while Baby Girl takes her nap?!

Little Miss Chatterbox

I think we're in for it. The last couple of hours went something like this:

It's all happening so fast!

This month I feel like someone pulled a lever that has propelled us into Full Speed Ahead; Ellie is doing so many new things these days I can hardly keep up!

She:
*signs more, eat, up, and all done (the last is always accompanied by taking off her bib)
*has taken a few very timid "baby" steps without holding on (I've seen it twice about a week apart); she can walk just fine holding onto my pinky, but is just very reluctant to let go

*covers her own eyes to play peek-a-boo
*rocks her baby back and forth when I sing rock-a-bye-baby
*can crawl up stairs and go down them backwards (her daddy taught her this)
*is stuck on the word bobby- not sure if she just likes the sound it makes or if she's trying to say bunny or something, but she has said it a hundred times this week!
*LOVES to say uh-oh; I think she purposely drops things so she can have a reason to say it!
*greets everyone we pass in the grocery store with an enthusiastic Hi!!
*has gotten super cuddly w/ me b/c she's hit full-on Stranger Anxiety phase and I just eat it up!
*immediately looks around for Bunny when I get her up from her nap, and then shows her to me, then kisses her multiple times on the nose (*adorable*)
*identified where mommy's nose is for the first time yesterday
and,
*screamed Dada! when Currie walked into the room tonight!

She is such a little munchkin, and I just love her to pieces!!