Supporting Exlporation
Samantha Stopple
Hi all,
I have been struggling lately with my five year old's
growing independence. She is really wanting to explore
more of her environment/ the home. I find I am
frustrated with the mess, we also don't have a large
enough kitchen to keep the messy art, science, cooking
play in...
So some examples of things I find she does:
Yesterday she found the food coloring, open it up and
was mixing it with water. She likes to do a lot of
water experimenting but I'll find her doing it in the
carpeted living room...sigh
What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
parent?
Peace,
Samantha
__________________________________________________
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I have been struggling lately with my five year old's
growing independence. She is really wanting to explore
more of her environment/ the home. I find I am
frustrated with the mess, we also don't have a large
enough kitchen to keep the messy art, science, cooking
play in...
So some examples of things I find she does:
Yesterday she found the food coloring, open it up and
was mixing it with water. She likes to do a lot of
water experimenting but I'll find her doing it in the
carpeted living room...sigh
What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
parent?
Peace,
Samantha
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/
demetria
----- Original Message -----
From: "Samantha Stopple" <sammimag@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2000 4:19 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Supporting Exlporation
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I have been struggling lately with my five year old's
> growing independence. She is really wanting to explore
> more of her environment/ the home. I find I am
> frustrated with the mess, we also don't have a large
> enough kitchen to keep the messy art, science, cooking
> play in...
>
> So some examples of things I find she does:
>
> Yesterday she found the food coloring, open it up and
> was mixing it with water. She likes to do a lot of
> water experimenting but I'll find her doing it in the
> carpeted living room...sigh
>
> What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
> variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
> helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
> parent?
>
> Peace,
> Samantha
>
>
Samantha
I cannot guarantee that I am sane but my house is
1. always a mess
2. always in the process of cleaning the house
3. always in the process of proceeding with a project.
My husband and I decided to be okay with the mess. As long as we had clean
up days and we decicided that the whole family had to clean, Momma is not a
maid.
I am at one with the mess.
Take Care
Demetria
http://www.demetria.com
>
> __________________________________________________
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>
>
Samantha Stopple
> I cannot guarantee that I am sane but my house isIt's not the mess so much yet I am not one with the
> 1. always a mess
> 2. always in the process of cleaning the house
> 3. always in the process of proceeding with a
> project.
> .
> I am at one with the mess.
mess and am not sure I ever will be but...
Some of it is an issue of how much. I want her to be
able to explore colors like mixing the food coloring
but I also want to be able to find food coloring when
I need it. She will incoporate nuts and raisins into
unedible food concotions. (She has been doing
concotions - thats what we call them but has been
limited to salt, flour water , and sugar sometimes.)
I guess I was trying to get across and issue of her
needs and our/family needs.
Hope that makes my question clearer. (yet to ramble on
I can see that you idea to embrace the mess was your
solution to the problem but maybe I am looking for
another one?)
Peace,
Samantha
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/
Have A Nice Day!
Hi,
I only have a minute, and have not read other's posts, but you
might try setting the messy stuff up in the tub.
Kristen
-----Original Message-----
From: Samantha Stopple <sammimag@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2000 1:19 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Supporting Exlporation
Hi all,
I have been struggling lately with my five year old's
growing independence. She is really wanting to explore
more of her environment/ the home. I find I am
frustrated with the mess, we also don't have a large
enough kitchen to keep the messy art, science, cooking
play in...
So some examples of things I find she does:
Yesterday she found the food coloring, open it up and
was mixing it with water. She likes to do a lot of
water experimenting but I'll find her doing it in the
carpeted living room...sigh
What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
parent?
Peace,
Samantha
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/
Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
Addresses:
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Unsubscribe: [email protected]
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Valerie
I find I am
frustrated with the mess, we also don't have a large
enough kitchen to keep the messy art, science, cooking
play in...
Samantha,
Try letting her do her science/art experiments in the bath tub. Preferably
naked. We've had lots of bath tub science, involving peanut butter, food
coloring, bubbles, shaving cream, etc.
Valerie in Tacoma
frustrated with the mess, we also don't have a large
enough kitchen to keep the messy art, science, cooking
play in...
Samantha,
Try letting her do her science/art experiments in the bath tub. Preferably
naked. We've had lots of bath tub science, involving peanut butter, food
coloring, bubbles, shaving cream, etc.
Valerie in Tacoma
Valerie
She will incoporate nuts and raisins into
unedible food concotions. (She has been doing
concotions - thats what we call them but has been
limited to salt, flour water , and sugar sometimes.)
I guess I was trying to get across and issue of her
needs and our/family needs.
**Okay, here's another one: There's an Usbourne book (probably more than
one)..."Rainy Day" or maybe "Messy Art"...anyway, there's great recipes for
food art. Or maybe it's time for her to start making cookies for the family?
Valerie in Tacoma again
unedible food concotions. (She has been doing
concotions - thats what we call them but has been
limited to salt, flour water , and sugar sometimes.)
I guess I was trying to get across and issue of her
needs and our/family needs.
**Okay, here's another one: There's an Usbourne book (probably more than
one)..."Rainy Day" or maybe "Messy Art"...anyway, there's great recipes for
food art. Or maybe it's time for her to start making cookies for the family?
Valerie in Tacoma again
Cory and Amy Nelson
Samantha-
I don't have any btdt with my daughter since she's 18 months and just
starting to want to get messy in the house :).
I had a few thoughts, though, about making her exploration a bit "neater."
If she loves to experiment with the water and food coloring, how about
buying one of those huge pieces of plastic that you put underneath a
highchair to catch all of the food? Then you could get her a big bowl of
water (maybe even something like a baby bathtub?) and let her go crazy even
in the carpeted living room.
I can't remember if this was in "You Are Your Child's First Teacher" or if
somebody once mentioned it to me, but I think it really helps put my child's
messes into perspective to look at all of the toys strewn about or whatever
it may be and see it as them being an equal member of the family. It's her
space, too, and if I'm going to have my books and papers all over the house
then I'm glad she feels comfortable to leave her toys and crayons
everywhere, too. Of course that doesn't mean we shouldn't teach them about
picking things up :).
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated" -Indigo Girls
I don't have any btdt with my daughter since she's 18 months and just
starting to want to get messy in the house :).
I had a few thoughts, though, about making her exploration a bit "neater."
If she loves to experiment with the water and food coloring, how about
buying one of those huge pieces of plastic that you put underneath a
highchair to catch all of the food? Then you could get her a big bowl of
water (maybe even something like a baby bathtub?) and let her go crazy even
in the carpeted living room.
I can't remember if this was in "You Are Your Child's First Teacher" or if
somebody once mentioned it to me, but I think it really helps put my child's
messes into perspective to look at all of the toys strewn about or whatever
it may be and see it as them being an equal member of the family. It's her
space, too, and if I'm going to have my books and papers all over the house
then I'm glad she feels comfortable to leave her toys and crayons
everywhere, too. Of course that doesn't mean we shouldn't teach them about
picking things up :).
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated" -Indigo Girls
> What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
> variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
> helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
> parent?
Tami Labig-Duquette
Samantha,
My kids used to do the same thing! It was a phase they out grew but my
goodness, the patience it took! My Mother said I and my sisters used to make
"shooki skaki ( our terminology at the time), and would put anything and
everything in it. So I guess it is a phase, though how long I am unsure!
But, one day it will be taking apart the vcr,clock radio or something else
just to see how and know how it works. There is a book ( dont remember the
name or author now) that says children like this will be scientists, or
chemists etc. So I always just pretty much went with the flow until the next
phase started.
Tami-who offers no help, just insight!
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
My kids used to do the same thing! It was a phase they out grew but my
goodness, the patience it took! My Mother said I and my sisters used to make
"shooki skaki ( our terminology at the time), and would put anything and
everything in it. So I guess it is a phase, though how long I am unsure!
But, one day it will be taking apart the vcr,clock radio or something else
just to see how and know how it works. There is a book ( dont remember the
name or author now) that says children like this will be scientists, or
chemists etc. So I always just pretty much went with the flow until the next
phase started.
Tami-who offers no help, just insight!
>From: Samantha Stopple <sammimag@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Supporting Exlporation
>Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 13:19:16 -0800 (PST)
>
>
>
>Hi all,
>
>I have been struggling lately with my five year old's
>growing independence. She is really wanting to explore
>more of her environment/ the home. I find I am
>frustrated with the mess, we also don't have a large
>enough kitchen to keep the messy art, science, cooking
>play in...
>
>So some examples of things I find she does:
>
>Yesterday she found the food coloring, open it up and
>was mixing it with water. She likes to do a lot of
>water experimenting but I'll find her doing it in the
>carpeted living room...sigh
>
>What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
>variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
>helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
>parent?
>
>Peace,
>Samantha
>
>
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products.
>http://shopping.yahoo.com/
>
>
>Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
>Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
>Addresses:
>Post message: [email protected]
>Unsubscribe: [email protected]
>List owner: [email protected]
>List settings page: http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
>
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Julie
Hi Samantha
My eldest is very similar and has handed the trait down to her youngest
siblings. :-) We have a box of stuff which is just for "science
experiments" which we keep under the kitchen sink. It has the necesseties
of food colouring, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, and then we add other
stuff, such as out of date food stuffs, cheap food stuffs, pulses, free
samples of hair/perfume products that come through the post, yeast and
sugar, coffee granules, powder paints, things that dissolve and things that
don't, all sorts of stuff. And it is seperate from the stuff we use for
cooking/baking so when we want to bake, we know to go to the baking cupboard
and the ingrediatns will be there. And we have a lot of fun as the kids now
have lab coats and goggles to use! They do this around the sink area but we
still get stains on the work surface which can be scrubbed clean when I can
be bothered. It has been getting more sophisticated lately, checking PH
levels, actually writing recipes and baking cakes, using a chemistry set to
determine what colour flames come from different materials. Of course they
do the latter with their scientist father, but usually, they can be left at
the sink concocting stuff. It is great that you are taking her need to
explore seriously. I hope that some of the suggestions here can help. :-)
Peace
Julie
My eldest is very similar and has handed the trait down to her youngest
siblings. :-) We have a box of stuff which is just for "science
experiments" which we keep under the kitchen sink. It has the necesseties
of food colouring, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, and then we add other
stuff, such as out of date food stuffs, cheap food stuffs, pulses, free
samples of hair/perfume products that come through the post, yeast and
sugar, coffee granules, powder paints, things that dissolve and things that
don't, all sorts of stuff. And it is seperate from the stuff we use for
cooking/baking so when we want to bake, we know to go to the baking cupboard
and the ingrediatns will be there. And we have a lot of fun as the kids now
have lab coats and goggles to use! They do this around the sink area but we
still get stains on the work surface which can be scrubbed clean when I can
be bothered. It has been getting more sophisticated lately, checking PH
levels, actually writing recipes and baking cakes, using a chemistry set to
determine what colour flames come from different materials. Of course they
do the latter with their scientist father, but usually, they can be left at
the sink concocting stuff. It is great that you are taking her need to
explore seriously. I hope that some of the suggestions here can help. :-)
Peace
Julie
[email protected]
Hello Samantha,
Our house is one big project - drawing and painting in the kitchen, play
horses in the living room, science experiments in the bathroom and my dh is
doing some 'improvements' to the house!
The best advice is to remember that a tidy house is a form of feminine
creativity supression and muck right in there with the perpertrators of the
mess. You'll find it so much more fun than cleaning!
Ok, here comes the practical stuff. Ask yourself seriously how much you want
your house to look as if no children live there. You will recognise straight
away that this is impossible and impractical. Ok, that's the first step. Then
decide, with your children and any other interested parties, how you want the
house to be. Do children want run of the house? Do parents want a sanctuary
from the mess of living (be warned, if you go for this option, the first time
you leave it messy, one of your children will notice and keep telling you
about it!) Once you have decided how you all want your house, change it to
suit. If money is tight and you've all decided you should all be able to
paint in the carpeted room, stick plastic bags together to make a washable
rug. If your bedroom is no go, respect that your children may choose the same
option etc. etc. Be creative in your thoughts and you will find you can all
be happy. Also IGNORE any comments from friends, family and well meaning
in-laws!
Good luck!
Caroline
Our house is one big project - drawing and painting in the kitchen, play
horses in the living room, science experiments in the bathroom and my dh is
doing some 'improvements' to the house!
The best advice is to remember that a tidy house is a form of feminine
creativity supression and muck right in there with the perpertrators of the
mess. You'll find it so much more fun than cleaning!
Ok, here comes the practical stuff. Ask yourself seriously how much you want
your house to look as if no children live there. You will recognise straight
away that this is impossible and impractical. Ok, that's the first step. Then
decide, with your children and any other interested parties, how you want the
house to be. Do children want run of the house? Do parents want a sanctuary
from the mess of living (be warned, if you go for this option, the first time
you leave it messy, one of your children will notice and keep telling you
about it!) Once you have decided how you all want your house, change it to
suit. If money is tight and you've all decided you should all be able to
paint in the carpeted room, stick plastic bags together to make a washable
rug. If your bedroom is no go, respect that your children may choose the same
option etc. etc. Be creative in your thoughts and you will find you can all
be happy. Also IGNORE any comments from friends, family and well meaning
in-laws!
Good luck!
Caroline
Tracy Oldfield
WOW what a positive viewpoint! Atm, I would see a
bloody big mess! Do you want to come and chair the
group I'm setting up? LOL, or maybe not...
Samantha, you're a step (or several) ahead of most
people just having this attitude. How to support the
exploration... how about a big tray for Christmas
that's for this kind of thing to be done on? Hey, what
a great idea, wonder where I can find one?? (and I
mean 'big!' we could use one for the Hama beads...)
Tracy
water experimenting but I'll find her doing it in the
carpeted living room...sigh
What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
parent?
Peace,
Samantha
bloody big mess! Do you want to come and chair the
group I'm setting up? LOL, or maybe not...
Samantha, you're a step (or several) ahead of most
people just having this attitude. How to support the
exploration... how about a big tray for Christmas
that's for this kind of thing to be done on? Hey, what
a great idea, wonder where I can find one?? (and I
mean 'big!' we could use one for the Hama beads...)
Tracy
>>>Yesterday she found the food coloring, open it up andwas mixing it with water. She likes to do a lot of
water experimenting but I'll find her doing it in the
carpeted living room...sigh
What I see is a kid who is interested in exploring a
variety materials. So I am wondering how others have
helped this exploration yet remained sane as the
parent?
Peace,
Samantha
Tracy Oldfield
OK, here's another which my mum is using (i don't have
the patience or tolerance or whatever to give this much
free rein) have smaller quantities of the things which
get used (in our case, drinking chocolate powder)
accessible to the child, but your main store out of
reach.
Tracy, who can't believe that's two in a row! LOL
It's not the mess so much yet I am not one with the
mess and am not sure I ever will be but...
Some of it is an issue of how much. I want her to be
able to explore colors like mixing the food coloring
but I also want to be able to find food coloring when
I need it. She will incoporate nuts and raisins into
unedible food concotions. (She has been doing
concotions - thats what we call them but has been
limited to salt, flour water , and sugar sometimes.)
I guess I was trying to get across and issue of her
needs and our/family needs.
Hope that makes my question clearer. (yet to ramble on
I can see that you idea to embrace the mess was your
solution to the problem but maybe I am looking for
another one?)
Peace,
Samantha
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of
Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/
the patience or tolerance or whatever to give this much
free rein) have smaller quantities of the things which
get used (in our case, drinking chocolate powder)
accessible to the child, but your main store out of
reach.
Tracy, who can't believe that's two in a row! LOL
It's not the mess so much yet I am not one with the
mess and am not sure I ever will be but...
Some of it is an issue of how much. I want her to be
able to explore colors like mixing the food coloring
but I also want to be able to find food coloring when
I need it. She will incoporate nuts and raisins into
unedible food concotions. (She has been doing
concotions - thats what we call them but has been
limited to salt, flour water , and sugar sometimes.)
I guess I was trying to get across and issue of her
needs and our/family needs.
Hope that makes my question clearer. (yet to ramble on
I can see that you idea to embrace the mess was your
solution to the problem but maybe I am looking for
another one?)
Peace,
Samantha
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of
Products.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/
Tracy Oldfield
This is what bugs me when I tidy up, cos there's very
little of my stuff around. Except the washing up, you
see. which dh does most of. Cos I use the 'puter all
the time, LOL.
Tracy
It's her
space, too, and if I'm going to have my books and
papers all over the house
then I'm glad she feels comfortable to leave her toys
and crayons
everywhere, too. Of course that doesn't mean we
shouldn't teach them about
picking things up :).
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated" -
Indigo Girls
little of my stuff around. Except the washing up, you
see. which dh does most of. Cos I use the 'puter all
the time, LOL.
Tracy
It's her
space, too, and if I'm going to have my books and
papers all over the house
then I'm glad she feels comfortable to leave her toys
and crayons
everywhere, too. Of course that doesn't mean we
shouldn't teach them about
picking things up :).
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated" -
Indigo Girls
LisaKK
> exploration... how about a big tray for ChristmasGo to a resturant supply house or a Sams/Price Club type warehouse and look
> that's for this kind of thing to be done on? Hey, what
> a great idea, wonder where I can find one?? (and I
> mean 'big!' we could use one for the Hama beads...)
>
for their baking sheets. We have a huge metal tray useable for sorting
legos, bead, or for creating a salt map on.
I want to make one of those round cloths with a drawstring edge for the
legos and k'nex.
Lisa
Cory and Amy Nelson
That's a good point, Tracy :). Now that I think about it, I really not have
a bunch of "my" stuff laying around the house. Maybe I just have to get
messy. LOL
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated" -Indigo Girls
a bunch of "my" stuff laying around the house. Maybe I just have to get
messy. LOL
Amy
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated" -Indigo Girls
> This is what bugs me when I tidy up, cos there's very
> little of my stuff around. Except the washing up, you
> see. which dh does most of. Cos I use the 'puter all
> the time, LOL.
Elizabeth Hill
Tracy Oldfield
Oooooo! aren't we all getting creative and unschooly! Stop it at
once!!! LOL
Tracy
once!!! LOL
Tracy
> >I want to make one of those round cloths with a drawstring edge
> for the
> >legos and k'nex.
>
> Oh, yeah! And since my son almost always makes spaceships
> with Legos and K'nex, maybe I should make a large one out of the dark
> blue fabric with fancy stars and comets on it. Hmmmm....
>
> Betsy
LisaKK
> Oooooo! aren't we all getting creative and unschooly! Stop it atNot only that Tracy, I actually watched Martha Stewart and now I know how to
> once!!! LOL
>
use those little grommet thingies. <VBG>
Lisa
Helen Hegener
At 6:02 PM -0800 12/21/00, Cindy Ferguson wrote:
I'm on the road (we don't have a TV at home). What can I say? I like
her style...
<g>
Helen
>I've been watching Martha lately too. That's kind of scary, Lisa!Well... I do subscribe to her magazine, and I enjoy her TV show when
>I was actually considering subbing to her magazine too!!
I'm on the road (we don't have a TV at home). What can I say? I like
her style...
<g>
Helen
Julie
OK, mmm, I will prabably end up feeling very silly, but what are little
grommet thingies?
Julie
who is trying to get over her institutionalization and fear of asking
questions :-)
grommet thingies?
Julie
who is trying to get over her institutionalization and fear of asking
questions :-)
>to
>
> >
> Not only that Tracy, I actually watched Martha Stewart and now I know how
> use those little grommet thingies. <VBG>
>
> Lisa
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
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>
>
Elizabeth Hill
Valerie
At 6:02 PM -0800 12/21/00, Cindy Ferguson wrote:
I'm on the road (we don't have a TV at home). What can I say? I like
her style...
<g>
Helen
Well, since we're doing true confessions...the only time I've ever watched
she gave me a great idea for my daughter's 7th b-day party. I bought a
special cake pan to make mini-doll cakes, the one where the cake is the
skirt and you put a cake doll in the middle. But with these mini-cakes you
put a Kelly doll (Barbie's littlest sister) in the middle. I got a different
one for each guest, only about $3 each on sale, and put them (starkers) in
the cakes. Then the girls got to decorate their own cakes. (the craft) Very
messy, very fun. I took a photo of each girl with her cake and doll, then
they ate them. (dessert) While they ate, I washed the dolls and put them in
gift bags with the dolls' clothes. Ta-da! Party favors!
--Valerie in Tacoma
>I've been watching Martha lately too. That's kind of scary, Lisa!Well... I do subscribe to her magazine, and I enjoy her TV show when
>I was actually considering subbing to her magazine too!!
I'm on the road (we don't have a TV at home). What can I say? I like
her style...
<g>
Helen
Well, since we're doing true confessions...the only time I've ever watched
she gave me a great idea for my daughter's 7th b-day party. I bought a
special cake pan to make mini-doll cakes, the one where the cake is the
skirt and you put a cake doll in the middle. But with these mini-cakes you
put a Kelly doll (Barbie's littlest sister) in the middle. I got a different
one for each guest, only about $3 each on sale, and put them (starkers) in
the cakes. Then the girls got to decorate their own cakes. (the craft) Very
messy, very fun. I took a photo of each girl with her cake and doll, then
they ate them. (dessert) While they ate, I washed the dolls and put them in
gift bags with the dolls' clothes. Ta-da! Party favors!
--Valerie in Tacoma
Tracy Oldfield
Sheesh! Can't leave you alone for a minute! G'wan,
get back to your frilly apron, then...
Tracy
and now I know how to
use those little grommet thingies. <VBG>
Lisa
get back to your frilly apron, then...
Tracy
> Oooooo! aren't we all getting creative andunschooly! Stop it at
> once!!! LOLNot only that Tracy, I actually watched Martha Stewart
>
and now I know how to
use those little grommet thingies. <VBG>
Lisa
Helen Hegener
At 7:27 AM -0800 12/22/00, Valerie wrote:
four little granddaughters I'll be sure to remember that terrific
idea! Thanks for sharing!
Helen
>While they ate, I washed the dolls and put them inWhat a magnificent idea, Valerie! My only girl is 20 now, but with
>gift bags with the dolls' clothes. Ta-da! Party favors!
four little granddaughters I'll be sure to remember that terrific
idea! Thanks for sharing!
Helen
Helen Hegener
At 9:35 AM +0000 12/22/00, Elizabeth Hill wrote:
When we all went up the mountain behind our house to get this year's
Christmas tree we spent some time cutting lots of interesting seed
stalks and weed skeletons, too. Tall golden feathery things, and
short brown seedy things, and gray-green leafy branches of
something... and branches of magnificent bright red rose hips and
lovely stems with white berries in clusters... I'd planned on making
wreaths with them all, but dd Jody tucked everything into one of my
tall crocks and stood it beside the tree and I've just been delighted
with the effect and haven't wanted to make wreaths out of them after
all. We also found several pine branches with huge pinecones on them
and she put them in a big glass bowl beside the crock - it all just
looks so Martha Stewart-ish! <g>
Helen
>It certainly doesn't look like Martha lives around here.Well.... here neither, Betsy. <g> But I sure like her ideas.
When we all went up the mountain behind our house to get this year's
Christmas tree we spent some time cutting lots of interesting seed
stalks and weed skeletons, too. Tall golden feathery things, and
short brown seedy things, and gray-green leafy branches of
something... and branches of magnificent bright red rose hips and
lovely stems with white berries in clusters... I'd planned on making
wreaths with them all, but dd Jody tucked everything into one of my
tall crocks and stood it beside the tree and I've just been delighted
with the effect and haven't wanted to make wreaths out of them after
all. We also found several pine branches with huge pinecones on them
and she put them in a big glass bowl beside the crock - it all just
looks so Martha Stewart-ish! <g>
Helen
LisaKK
>Sigh.. we are a family of 6, 2 of us are suburban dwellers, two of either
> When we all went up the mountain behind our house to get this year's
> Christmas tree we spent some time cutting lots of interesting seed
> stalks and weed skeletons, too. Tall golden feathery things, and
> short brown seedy things, and gray-green leafy branches of
> something... and branches of magnificent bright red rose hips and
> lovely stems with white berries in clusters...
need to move to the woods or refill our perscriptions. <eg> The other 2 are
very lucky, they're happy anywhere.
I'd planned on making
> wreaths with them all, but dd Jody tucked everything into one of myMaybe you could send Jody over??
> tall crocks and stood it beside the tree and I've just been delighted
> with the effect and haven't wanted to make wreaths out of them after
> all. We also found several pine branches with huge pinecones on them
> and she put them in a big glass bowl beside the crock - it all just
> looks so Martha Stewart-ish! <g>
Not only are we not well decorated this year, we are just barely decorated
at all. I started cleaning in order to decorate....and well, I'm still
cleaning. I even purged my bookshelves!
Lisa
Helen Hegener
At 4:28 PM -0600 12/22/00, LisaKK wrote:
example, I tend to go all out for Christmas, displaying my ages-old
collections of unique bells and reindeer (some are truly
magnificent!), my seasonally appropriate needlework wall hangings, my
four sons' huge collection of nutcracker dolls (the smiling little
men are gracing various alcoves in the kitchen this year - it's
almost scary to go in there!), and of course the lights strung
everywhere, the garlands, the wreaths, the candles...
Everyone loves it at first, but by about December 28th we're all
thinking it's a little gaudy and ostentatious.... but our youngest
son's birthday is Dec. 31, and he always wants the decorations to
still be up for his birthday. So they stay, usually until about the
2nd or 3rd, and by that time I'm so tired of all the colors and
textures and confusion - lovely as it is - that I go on a rampage and
start packing away, sorting the clutter and tossing out almost
everything that gets in my way as I go, and by the time I'm done we
don't even need to bother with spring cleaning!
<g>
Helen
>Not only are we not well decorated this year, we are just barely decoratedAh, that comes *after* Christmas, dearie. Following my dear mother's
>at all. I started cleaning in order to decorate....and well, I'm still
>cleaning. I even purged my bookshelves!
example, I tend to go all out for Christmas, displaying my ages-old
collections of unique bells and reindeer (some are truly
magnificent!), my seasonally appropriate needlework wall hangings, my
four sons' huge collection of nutcracker dolls (the smiling little
men are gracing various alcoves in the kitchen this year - it's
almost scary to go in there!), and of course the lights strung
everywhere, the garlands, the wreaths, the candles...
Everyone loves it at first, but by about December 28th we're all
thinking it's a little gaudy and ostentatious.... but our youngest
son's birthday is Dec. 31, and he always wants the decorations to
still be up for his birthday. So they stay, usually until about the
2nd or 3rd, and by that time I'm so tired of all the colors and
textures and confusion - lovely as it is - that I go on a rampage and
start packing away, sorting the clutter and tossing out almost
everything that gets in my way as I go, and by the time I'm done we
don't even need to bother with spring cleaning!
<g>
Helen
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/22/2000 6:08:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,
HEM-Editor@... writes:
<< Everyone loves it at first, but by about December 28th we're all
thinking it's a little gaudy and ostentatious.... but our youngest
son's birthday is Dec. 31, and he always wants the decorations to
still be up for his birthday. So they stay, usually until about the
2nd or 3rd, and by that time I'm so tired of all the colors and
textures and confusion - lovely as it is - that I go on a rampage and
start packing away, sorting the clutter and tossing out almost
everything that gets in my way as I go, >>
LOL I do this the day after Christmas.... People think I am so strange, but
we have never lived in what you could call a big house and by the time
Christmas is over I am more than done!
Teri
co-author <A HREF="http://eho.org/cunschool.htm"> </A>C<A
HREF="http://www.championpress.com/unschoolingmain.html">hristian
Unschooling: growing your child in the freedom of Christ</A> Available for
preorder now!
HEM-Editor@... writes:
<< Everyone loves it at first, but by about December 28th we're all
thinking it's a little gaudy and ostentatious.... but our youngest
son's birthday is Dec. 31, and he always wants the decorations to
still be up for his birthday. So they stay, usually until about the
2nd or 3rd, and by that time I'm so tired of all the colors and
textures and confusion - lovely as it is - that I go on a rampage and
start packing away, sorting the clutter and tossing out almost
everything that gets in my way as I go, >>
LOL I do this the day after Christmas.... People think I am so strange, but
we have never lived in what you could call a big house and by the time
Christmas is over I am more than done!
Teri
co-author <A HREF="http://eho.org/cunschool.htm"> </A>C<A
HREF="http://www.championpress.com/unschoolingmain.html">hristian
Unschooling: growing your child in the freedom of Christ</A> Available for
preorder now!
Elizabeth Hill
[email protected]
In a message dated 00-12-24 11:35:23 EST, you write:
<< I tried thinking about a decorating theme for my house <<g>, but
realized that I already have one. It is: " Explosion in the Museum
Gift Shop "! >>
Wow, I like that!!
Mine's like explosion in the museum long-term-storage and restoration area.
Not as high-class as yours I bet.
Sandra
<< I tried thinking about a decorating theme for my house <<g>, but
realized that I already have one. It is: " Explosion in the Museum
Gift Shop "! >>
Wow, I like that!!
Mine's like explosion in the museum long-term-storage and restoration area.
Not as high-class as yours I bet.
Sandra