The things we forget to teach...

Hannah Avery and I had a bit of an adventure this morning.  It could have turned into a minor emergency, but luckily Hannah knew how to use the phone.  Let me start at the beginning.

Some mornings (especially in the winter) we take our time starting the day, we go slow, do our chores and complete our morning routine at a relaxed pace.  This morning was not one of those mornings.  Avery's 6 month check up at the dentist was scheduled for 10:00 am.  We had a lot to do and we had to be out of the house by 9:30.  Little did I know, there would be no second cup of coffee this morning.

Hannah was eating breakfast and Avery was watching Reading Rainbow when I headed for the bathroom to get dressed.  I started to get ready, but needed something in my bedroom, so I tried to open the door.  (Here's where the adventure begins.)  The door wouldn't open!  "Hannah let go of the handle."  I shouted through the door.  "We don't have time for games this morning!"  "Mommy, what are you talking about, I'm not touching the door."  Now I start jiggling the handle, the door won't open.  I'm pulling it and pushing it, nothing.  It's locked.  Strange thing is, the door has no lock.   (I do not need this today, of all morning's, we have an appointment.)

 Hannah tried to help from the outside, but to no avail.   We have an emergency list of numbers on the fridge for her, so she got those and started dialing for help.  Mimi and Pop-Pop were both at work.  She couldn't call her Father because his cell phone was not charged and I never thought to teach her how to page him.  She finally reached my Sister.  Help was on the way.  After 45 minutes of being locked in a cold bathroom,(we have no heat in there) and worrying about what mischief the girls might be getting into, I was finally rescued.  My Sister was able to pry open the door with a knife.  Thank goodness! 

This experience taught me that even though I had prepared Hannah for different types of emergencies, we could never be prepared for everything.  We taught her the basics, she knows her address, phone number, and how to dial 911.  She knows the "Stay Safe Rules" and we have practiced fire drills and many different "What If Scenarios".  Never have we paracticed what to do if Mommy gets locked in a bathroom. 

Needless to say, what I had planned for table time got postponed.  Instead, Hannah learned how to page someone.  She also learned how to send an email and we practiced a few more phone skills.  I also added a few more numbers to our emergency phone number list.  We now have the local Police Department number listed.  As I type this, I realize that Hannah has never seen a phone book, so she obviously doesn't know how to use one.  Two more lessons to add to my lesson plans.  How to use a phone book and how to search for a phone number on the internet.  After all, what if I'm locked in a bathroom and the electric is out?  We will still need that obsolete telephone book.



An extra note.  Hannah stayed calm, even when she was frustated.  She managed to get Avery a snack, and she managed to get help.  One thing is for sure, she knows how to THINK, and that saved the day!!!!

Nemo, Blizzard of 2013

The storm started on February 8.  We saw the first snow flakes around 8:15.  The flakes were big and heavy and within 30 minutes the ground was already covered.  The girls were so excited!  Ahh, the innocence of childhood.  All they could think about was lots of snow, sledding, snowmen, and so forth.  Us adults were worried about losing power and be stranded at home for days.  We were already dreading the thought of shoveling and snow blowing all that snow.  Just thinking about it made me cold and tired. 

While I documented the storm with pictures, Hannah kept a journal of the storm.  She did a great job detailing the storm from her 6 year old perspective.  She recorded the facts and how she felt, and what her and her sister did during and after the storm.  Her journal is definitely a valuable keepsake and someday it will become a piece of history.  I was just a baby during the blizzard of 78 and all I know is what my parents told me about the storm.  Even if my children don't remember Nemo, they will always be able to look back at the pictures and read the journal.

The girls at the beginning of the storm.

As the snow accumulates.

Really cool night shots.

The  next morning.

the buried swing-set....

On the deck...

The kids enjoying the snow....

Look how deep it is.

The house...

These are pictures that I took of the girls during the storm.  We were keeping busy, waiting for the snow to stop.

The storm's entertainment, a ballet by Hannah and Avery...

Daddy needed his head shaved.

Preparing for Valentine's Day and the creation of our Valentines.

We've been studying weather and storms (the blizzard was just a great coincidence.)  We conducted a science experiment.  We tried to make a cloud.  It was not successful but we did create fog.

Since that experiment, the girls have been creating their own experiments using snow and icicles.  My freezer is full of both.  Just last night Avery conducted a snowball experiment in the bathtub.  She wanted to see what would melt first, a small snowball or a large one.

It's hard to believe that January is over already.  We only have four months of Table Time left, maybe three, if we can accomplish our lists of goals quicker.  We are starting our States Project.  This will be a long term project.  We are going to study each state in alphabetical order.  Our first state is Alabama.  Avery is excited because she loves Alabama.  She has always loved the sound of the word.  She has never been there and until recently I didn't know too much about Alabama myself.  However, while planning the unit study, I have found that Alabama is a beautiful state.  It is known for it's climate, it's landscape, many beautiful tourist attractions.  Also many important people lived in Alabama.  We will be studying all of these things and more.  We are not going to memorize a list of boring facts about each state, be tested on them and then forget them. (like I had to do when I was in school.  BORING)  I won't waste our time like that.  Instead we are going to immerse ourselves in the state's people and culture.  When we are bored with a given state we will move on. 

Here is a basic outline for our Alabama study:
 
State Capital, and State Bird
Geographic and Weather Terminology
The Appalachian Mts, DeSoto Falls, Cathedral Caverns
Famous and Important People - Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, Willie Mays, Martin  Luther King Jr, Nat King Cole
Local Foods - we will be preparing and cooking cuisine from Alabama

As I write this it is snowing!  I wish we were all in Alabama now instead of here in New England where it is cold and snowy.  I am so done with winter.  I just want to be warm again!!!!  I am looking forward to Spring and Summer.

Once Spring comes, we try to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.  Usually we concentrate on the garden and the yard.  This year I am planning a Unit Study on Plants and how they grow.  The girls will conduct a few experiments with seeds and plants, they will also help in the garden, and have their own plants that they will be responsible for.  Avery wants carrot plants and Hannah wants her own tomato plant.  I just want to enjoy the sunshine and the warmth that comes with it.