More da Vinci

It's going to be a rainy weekend.  Tournaments are already cancelled.  So, I see some reading in our future.

Continuing our Leonardo da Vinci study, Mary Beth is reading Leonardo da Vinci. More complex than last week’s biography, this beautifully illustrated book details the life of one of the most amazing people who ever lived. Diane Stanley is an incredibly gifted author-artist and her illustrations truly make this book a feast. Patrick is fascinated by The Second Mrs. Giaconda; he’s looking for his own clues to the Mona Lisa mystery. And Christian, who has some experience of his own with writing entirely backwards, is enjoying poking through The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. The writing in the book has been transcribed from da Vinci’s notebooks (where he wrote reams of notes entirely backwards).

It is interesting to me to see how different our da Vinci study is this time around. Last time we studied da Vinci (five years ago), it was very much a picture study. Michael is so intensely interested in art that the scientist and inventor held little appeal for him. Christian, on the other hand, sees da Vinci in a whole new light. There is little doubt that this is multi-faceted genius, indeed.

Paddy's Turn (age 11)

I am from freshly painted soccer fields, autographed Nike soccer balls, and ripped up backyard nets.

I am from the brick house on Kettle Lane with toys in the front yard and goals in the back.

I am from the grass of soccer fields, the bluebells at Bull Run (not far from the soccer fields), heat and humidity of Memorial Day tournaments, hauling dirt for the front yard garden--lavender, daisies, and daylilies.

I am from Daddy trips to Colorado, to Minnesota, to England, to Florida and from Beanie, Superman and Bee.

I am from born athletes and good cooks.

From “Pass it quicker” and “Don’t stop running.”

I am from Father Bob baptisms and donuts on Sundays and lighting candles at the Shrine.

I'm from Fairfax, Virginia and Italy and Poland, from Spaghetti Carbonara to eating more dough than cookies.

From dancing when they scored at Reading to winning the National Championship in Orlando with Mr. Lee.

I am from lapbooks and notebooks and workbooks galore.

I am from trophy shelves and more trophy shelves and bigger trophy shelves. From ribbons and medals, hanging from my bed rail. I am from souvenir jerseys and bobbleheads and every season’s media guide.

Poetry Friday

This week's poetry is at Blossoms and Bees, where it is the introduction to our latest rabbit ant trail!

Rain at Last!

Last night, after weeks of being teased with forecasts of thunderstorms that never happened, it finally rained.  And it really rained!  For about four hours, we had constant thunder and lightning and torrential downpours. Three inches of rain were reported at the airport closest to us.  I think we got more :-).  I love weather.  I'm not sure why, but storms really fascinate me.  Christian and I were awake to watch much of it, until we were diverted from the show by Michael's frantic call that his basement bedroom was flooding! Well over a foot of rain had collected in the window well and water poured in through the window.  It was a long, long night that lasted into the early morning.  Today is going to be a slow day for Mom, indeed. We have lots of towels to wash and a nap to take.  With more storms predicted throughout the weekend, it's definitely time to read our rain books:

Down Comes the Rain,

Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll,

and Storm in the Night.

It's Signing Time with Nicky and Katie!

Every once in awhile, one of my children sets us off on a rabbit trail that becomes part of the family culture.  About eighteen months ago, Nicholas (then four), was fascinated with a wooden sign language puzzle I had on the alphabet shelf.  When he lifted the knobbed pieces he could see which sign stood for which letter.  He was completely focused on learning those signs.  And then, he began his campaign for more.  "Teach me how to talk with my hands!"

I found some beautiful and very effective books, The Handmade Alphabet and The Handmade Counting Book.  Quickly, he mastered those alphabet signs and the number signs and still, he was unrelenting in his begging for more.  Lissa wholeheartedly suggested the Signing Time DVDs.  I ordered the six that were available at the time.  A family addiction was born.  We all learned the songs; we all learned the signs.  I got to know Rachel Coleman, the woman behind the amazing videos, and was so inspired by her story.  We've been singing and signing ever since.  There are more volumes in our collection now and we've moved on to other resources like American Sign Language the Easy Way and The American Sign Language Phrase Book.  Talking with our hands is something we just do. 

We had always dabbled  a little with signing simple things for our babies.  Now, we're all looking forward to Signing Time board books and Baby Signing Time videos and a brand new baby to learn all those signs!

Yesterday, all alone in the kitchen, I started singing one of my favorite Signing Time songs, Shine.I went to the website to find the lyrics and learned I must not be the only mom who loves the songs for herself. Now there is a CD of all the songs that resonate with parents.  I thought about how much Signing Time and sign language have become a part of who we are as a family.  And I was so glad my four-year-old took me by the hand and led me down this lovely trail.