November Daybook
I desperately want to post a photo-dump, from the first day of school, all the way to Anna's fifth birthday (YES, I KNOW, she is five now. What in the world?!). BUT I have to do some serious organizing of photos to make that happen. So for the moment, I hope to whet your appetite for my thoughts by yet another Daybook.
Outside my window...
It's overcast and a bit dark looking, but neither raining nor excessively cold. A comfort to me in the increasingly shorter days of November.
I am thinking...
about the beautiful life of Chiara Corbella Petrillo. This article deeply touched me.
I am thankful...
for a cosy day home with my toddler who is currently in his housecoat eating a snack. There mustn't be anything cuter in the world than a small child in either a) footie pyjamas, b) a hooded towel or c) a housecoat. They just look extra tiny and snuggly.
Learning all the time...
Right now, a great deal about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd! Our atrium is set to take sail in just two weeks and I am pouring over materials to make, buy and otherwise set up, theory behind the practical life 'works' known to the Montessori method, and in general, lesson-planing and other administrative details that do. not. come naturally to me.
So, while I learn about this beautiful, moving, simple method of passing on the faith to very young children, I am also learning my limitations: I don't think I could manage being a working mom well. I think it seems appealing at times, actually. Yet keeping on top of my house, my kids' various needs, the demands of establishing this program, while growing a fifth little human in my vaguely weary body, well, let's just say it's been quite a bit. If and when I return "back to work," (see, as though everything I do already isn't work!), my children will be much, much older. Like, high school or beyond.
Celebrating the liturgical year...
Martinmas falls on Sunday this week and I am excited for our simple, cheerful lantern walk that we've been doing for several years now. The kids are looking forward to Modpodging some lanterns tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, it's less than a month to St. Nicholas Day, and I am all sorts of giddy about that!
From the kitchen...
I have a hankering for homemade pretzels dipped in grainy mustard so I guess that will need to happen today. I am attentive to oddly specific cravings during my pregnancy because I think they MEAN something. Actually, apparently craving vinegar-y things {pickles, mustard etc.} is an indication of a calcium deficiency. So I'll drink a glass of milk with my pretzel.
Mmm... pretzels.
I feel like Stanley Hudson already.
via GIPHY
I am working on...
my physiotherapy exercises. Apparently living a borderline completely sedentary life for almost three and half decades has health repercussions.Who knew? But in all seriousness, I have to wear a posture corrector and stretch my underused muscles daily in order to turn this misaligned ship around. My PT is optimistic that I went in to get this checked out now, rather than in my fifties, when the damage would be much worse. I guess that's a reason for hope.
I am creating...
an atrium! And a human! That's enough to wipe me out for the moment. But thankfully, it's that delicious feeling of exhaustion, where one feels spent by doing something meaningful.
I am going...
to attempt to nap this afternoon. I fell asleep on the couch reading to Elijah yesterday... at 9:25 AM. I think that's a bit of a sign to try and chill?
I am hoping...
for warm weather for the remainder of this month. I don't care if that's unrealistic. That is my desire, so I'll be upfront.
I am praying...
for the success of this Catechesis program, and for all the beautiful young souls I get to work with, and their families, too
I am reading...
Truthfully, not much. Just a lot of Thornton Burgess to the middle children, who have taken an interest in these books lately (which is exciting; Anna hasn't shown a desire to be read chapter books until recently). Oh and Dr. Seuss to Elijah.
I am listening...
to Elijah roll a truck around on the kitchen floor.
Around the house...
Decluttering! Snugging things up! Preparing for the long season of hygge we are about to enter.
One of my favourite things...
Are my lovingly curated Advent books. I will pull out my Martinmas book from the bin where the rest of the ACTUAL Advent books are kept, but leave those for the next few weeks. It might kill me with the temptation, though. November seems so pointless without the excitement of Advent to propel it forward.
This week's plans...
Since it's already Friday, let's go with NEXT week's plans -- a whole lot of home things, plus atrium things, plus physiotherapy appointment, plus midwife appointment, plus parent/teacher day, plus a PD Day. So, busy.
A little peek at my day...
Making phone calls for various appointments, shepherd's pie, and catching up on laundry. Not the washing -- that's easy and doesn't involve any hand's on work; just the putting away.
Outside my window...
It's overcast and a bit dark looking, but neither raining nor excessively cold. A comfort to me in the increasingly shorter days of November.
I am thinking...
about the beautiful life of Chiara Corbella Petrillo. This article deeply touched me.
I am thankful...
for a cosy day home with my toddler who is currently in his housecoat eating a snack. There mustn't be anything cuter in the world than a small child in either a) footie pyjamas, b) a hooded towel or c) a housecoat. They just look extra tiny and snuggly.
Learning all the time...
Right now, a great deal about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd! Our atrium is set to take sail in just two weeks and I am pouring over materials to make, buy and otherwise set up, theory behind the practical life 'works' known to the Montessori method, and in general, lesson-planing and other administrative details that do. not. come naturally to me.
So, while I learn about this beautiful, moving, simple method of passing on the faith to very young children, I am also learning my limitations: I don't think I could manage being a working mom well. I think it seems appealing at times, actually. Yet keeping on top of my house, my kids' various needs, the demands of establishing this program, while growing a fifth little human in my vaguely weary body, well, let's just say it's been quite a bit. If and when I return "back to work," (see, as though everything I do already isn't work!), my children will be much, much older. Like, high school or beyond.
Celebrating the liturgical year...
Martinmas falls on Sunday this week and I am excited for our simple, cheerful lantern walk that we've been doing for several years now. The kids are looking forward to Modpodging some lanterns tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, it's less than a month to St. Nicholas Day, and I am all sorts of giddy about that!
From the kitchen...
I have a hankering for homemade pretzels dipped in grainy mustard so I guess that will need to happen today. I am attentive to oddly specific cravings during my pregnancy because I think they MEAN something. Actually, apparently craving vinegar-y things {pickles, mustard etc.} is an indication of a calcium deficiency. So I'll drink a glass of milk with my pretzel.
Mmm... pretzels.
I feel like Stanley Hudson already.
via GIPHY
I am working on...
my physiotherapy exercises. Apparently living a borderline completely sedentary life for almost three and half decades has health repercussions.Who knew? But in all seriousness, I have to wear a posture corrector and stretch my underused muscles daily in order to turn this misaligned ship around. My PT is optimistic that I went in to get this checked out now, rather than in my fifties, when the damage would be much worse. I guess that's a reason for hope.
I am creating...
an atrium! And a human! That's enough to wipe me out for the moment. But thankfully, it's that delicious feeling of exhaustion, where one feels spent by doing something meaningful.
I am going...
to attempt to nap this afternoon. I fell asleep on the couch reading to Elijah yesterday... at 9:25 AM. I think that's a bit of a sign to try and chill?
I am hoping...
for warm weather for the remainder of this month. I don't care if that's unrealistic. That is my desire, so I'll be upfront.
I am praying...
for the success of this Catechesis program, and for all the beautiful young souls I get to work with, and their families, too
I am reading...
Truthfully, not much. Just a lot of Thornton Burgess to the middle children, who have taken an interest in these books lately (which is exciting; Anna hasn't shown a desire to be read chapter books until recently). Oh and Dr. Seuss to Elijah.
I am listening...
to Elijah roll a truck around on the kitchen floor.
Around the house...
Decluttering! Snugging things up! Preparing for the long season of hygge we are about to enter.
Are my lovingly curated Advent books. I will pull out my Martinmas book from the bin where the rest of the ACTUAL Advent books are kept, but leave those for the next few weeks. It might kill me with the temptation, though. November seems so pointless without the excitement of Advent to propel it forward.
This week's plans...
Since it's already Friday, let's go with NEXT week's plans -- a whole lot of home things, plus atrium things, plus physiotherapy appointment, plus midwife appointment, plus parent/teacher day, plus a PD Day. So, busy.
A little peek at my day...
Making phone calls for various appointments, shepherd's pie, and catching up on laundry. Not the washing -- that's easy and doesn't involve any hand's on work; just the putting away.
That Stanley gif! Love that episode! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm so intrigued by Montessori and even moreso CoGS...how did you start learning about it, like are there websites/books for just little old me and my toddler to learn some things or does it have to be official?
And YES! I feel the same way-- I wouldn't juggle working and home life very well...grateful I don't have to at this point.
Hi Laura, thanks for your comment! As for learning about the Montessori method and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, if you wanted to actually become trained to TEACH in this method, it is a lengthy, detailed process. But if you're simply interested in learning about how to incorporate some of these ideas into daily life, my two favourite resources books are "The Religious Potential of the Child" by Sofia Cavaletti (the co-founder of the CGS program) and "The Good Shepherd and the Child" -- which walks the reader through the actual presentations used in an atrium. But to get an idea how it "works" -- because on paper, it almost sounds far-fetched; what do you MEAN, children will sit quietly engaged in cutting strips of paper or moving around wooden sheep for lengthy periods of time? -- I can't recommend enough sitting in on an actual atrium in session. You can contact one nearby to you and the catechists are more than happy to have observers. To watch how a session flows sparks SO many ideas to bring how into one's own home!
DeleteThank you so much!! I will look into the books and I wouldn't be surprised if our Catholic community has a CGS atrium around here...a mom's group I was in last year had one for the 3-6 yos!
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