Field Trip to the Kerlan Collection

On a Friday in mid October, Solomon and Nova and I went on a field trip to the U of M's Kerlan Collection.  The archive houses the personal papers of writers and illustrators of children's books.  They have first drafts, rejection letters, gallies, sketches, fan mail, correspondence between authors and illustrators, color-separated plates for inking, etched stone--just about anything you can imagine.  Another homeschool parent (who happens to be an English Professor and children's author) organized the field trip.

Meredith, the librarian at the Kerlan Collection, did a wonderful job sharing the collection with our group.  After a presentation covering what the collection has and how to request materials, we got nearly two hours to sift through boxes of materials of well known children's authors and illustrators.

The first box she opened was of from D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, (this happened to be one of the sources we referenced when making our final decision on Ariadne's name).  Solomon found an uncorrected copy of Hatchet in Gary Paulsen's box, as well as an early manuscript of Tucket's Gold filled with the editor's suggestions.

Nova plunked down with a large box of author/illustrator Don Freeman (creator of the Corduroy series), determined to get through the whole thing.

I flitted back and forth, looking at family photos of Wanda Gag, illustrations by Maurice Sendak,Tomie dePaola, and an idea journal of Anne Ursu's from The Shadow Thieves.  We were free to look at any of the 30-plus boxes they had brought up to the reading room.

Chris Van Allsburg playing with negatives

We got a special treat when Meredith offered to take the group down to the 'bat cave.'  The place where all the books are housed actually is a cave.  Ninety feet underground, nestled in naturally existing limestone caves in the Mississippi river bluff, are shelves upon shelves of books, pictures, posters, comic books, and periodicals.  There are walls so it doesn't feel too spooky--though there are giant cardboard cut-outs that appear at the end of the stacks here and there.  We ran into Officer Friendly an Paul Bunyan.  As a matter of security, no pictures are allowed so you'll just have to imagine.... Nova mentioned that it seemed sort of military, and we found out that some Urban Explores had found the site during construction and posted pictures online, claiming the U of M was building an underground missile silo.  As we passed the comic book collection, Meredith our librarian mentioned that there had been a court case attempting to ban all comic books.  There was a collective gasp from all the children.  It made me smile to know they all take their freedom of speech (and their comic books) so seriously.  The day was full of fun moments like that.

McKitrick Family Reunion

We had a wonderful long weekend with the McKitrick side of the family at the end of the summer.  Lots of food, games, and of course, catching up.  We also got to meet two new people, Chris and Sylvan.  (Well, Charles and I got to meet Sylvan last May, but no one else had).  Little Ariadne got to know everyone as well.  We missed Tom and Lehaina, who were unable to come because of work commitments, but everyone else was there.  First time in seven years!

                          

Tim and Brenda enjoyed the royal gag gift treatment for their 25th wedding anniversary (as well as some real gifts).  Marianne's 29th was just a few days away, and Leslie turned 30.  They had a joint birthday cake!

Kathy and Leslie in with all the balloons.  We had a lot to celebrate!

Everyone took turns cooking.  Sylvan and Marianne's night was a highlight.  There were also many favorite confections made by Aunt Kathy.  Double fudge and butter tarts anyone?

Just a note--all meals were gluten free.  It is possible, even with 19 people at every meal.

Everyone gathered round to see the flambe.  Cooking with fire is always a hit.  Later in the weekend we made s'mores around a fire in the backyard.     

One night there was a tornado warning just as everyone was about to go back to the hotel (or wherever their respective beds were).  We all trouped down to the basement.  As it turned Marianne and Matt had just gotten back from an expedition that left just about everyone age 3-30 with a Nerf gun.  The largest Nerf gun battle I've ever seen ensued.  The kids loved it.  I daresay the 20 and 30-somethings enjoyed it even more.  Kathy thought to grab her camera, but I did not, so if you do not know Kathy, I guess you'll have to imagine it.  The tornado never materialized.    

Risk

Aside from the Nerf fight, most games were of the board variety.  Settlers of Catan, Dominion and Risk all made an appearance.  Canasta is also ever-popular. Solomon got his first chance to play Risk, which he had been waiting for for a long time. He held his own.

More Risk.  It is a very long game.  

Canasta

If it seems that everyone is wearing blue, it is because we all gathered this particular morning (Saturday) for what I've come to think of as the blue picture. A photographer came and did a 19 person family portrait. Our instructions were to wear blue. The proofs have come in, and they all turned out very well. Les and Aunt Kathy are playing with baby Ariadne above.

The girls all enjoyed Snow White while the games were going on. (Don't worry Mom and Dad, Ariadne did not see any scary parts).

Charlotte made friends with Victoria

There were several outings as well.  A contingent went to the State Fair.  Several people headed off to the Mall of America.  I think our family decided it was the better part of valor to stay home and have a nap that afternoon.  I know those that went out had fun.  Solomon and Nova gave an impromptu violin recital.  Toward the end of the weekend Sylvan pulled out his saxophone and Nova grabbed her violin.  They jammed and Charlotte danced.  

     

{phfr}

{pretty}

Autumn is absolutely my favorite season, but it's beauty is so fleeting.  Last night was one of my prettiest experiences of Fall yet this year.  These photos are from a hike we took to Ivy Falls, not far from our house.   

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I was so, so happy to get a good gluten-free pie crust recipe!  It tastes just the way it should, and it even rolls out.  Charlotte is helping put on the top--notes. 

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The wind blew our towels in knots--identical ones!  Bizarre.

  

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Boredom set in early this Saturday.  Some days no amount of toys and books can get a three year old through two hours of orchestra/group practice.  Sometimes it helps to sit upside down.

For any of you wondering about {phfr} (pretty, happy, funny, real) this button wiill take you to the blog that initiated it.

Monday, October 1st, 2012

Hi all!  This post is just to give you some idea of what we do every day.  This is what we did on Monday.  

We started with violin.  Then the kids did Singapore Math.  At break they ran around the house and helped me make apple pie.  Then it was back to Singapore Math.

For math enrichment, we looked at shapes.  I drew a number shapes and had the kids identify them.  I asked them what shape was missing.  Solomon answered triangle, which is what I was hoping for.   Nova answered circle, which was also true.  I added the triangle and asked them what was special about it.  Solomon figured out that all the other shapes could be split up into triangles.  I let the kids try their hand at that.  Next we went over the different types of triangles.  From there we talked about angles a little bit and did an exercise to prove that all triangles angles add up to 180 degrees.  Solomon finished early, so he spent some time on http://www.mathsisfun.com/triangle.html messing around with triangle angles.

Play group was at the park with the big hill and the weeping willow.  We played for over two hours.

In the evening Ariadne's insistence that she eat too was overwhelming.  Charlotte graciously allowed her to borrow her bib, and we broke out the baby food grinder.  Broccoli seemed the best choice.   Officially her first foods were pear and apple, which she grabbed right out of my hands, but this was the first time it was on purpose (from a parents perspective).  It is also arguably her half birthday!  Since there is no September 31st, we aren't quite sure if was yesterday, or is today.