This is going to be my last special Words on Wednesday post. This time next week the girls will be back in school and life can return to normal.

Or what passes for normal around here!

This endeavour of mine hasn’t gone according to plan (when do they ever, right) but I am pleased that I tried it. That we tried it! For this really was a joint effort – mine and my girls. I think I can safely say I’d do it again but with some changes.

Better preparation.

This was a last minute idea so quite often I was madly writing their lessons late at night or first thing in the morning. Not ideal.

Lower expectations.

Not sure why I thought the kids would be excited to learn about the proper way to clean a toilet or make a bed but …. hey, live and learn. Next time, simpler lessons for the little one, and fewer expectations of perfection all around!

More hands-on activities.

The favourite lessons were the ones where they had to look up something, find something, make something, or go somewhere. Noted!

Add some way for them to give back.

The older I get, the more I feel the need to give back. Continue reading »

If you’ve been following along with my special Words on Wednesday posts this summer, then you know I’ve almost completely abandoned them.

Almost.

Last week though, I got the notion into my head to teach my girls to sew.

(insert hysterical laughter here)

While shopping at Walmart for a couple last Back To School supplies, I took the girls over to the fabric department to see what they had in the way of quilting fat quarters. In my head I thought a few small pieces of brightly patterned cotton would be perfect for a simple bag or pillow case. Nothing fancy. Just straight seams. That would be easy enough, right?

You know what? It was!

(insert totally shocked face here)

Continue reading »