Designer Doodles- J's new passion

J always loved to draw ever since she was a little girl. But as she grew older, I noticed most of her drawings are girls with long hair wearing different costumes. So I thought she might have an interest in fashion design. This is what has been keeping her busy ever since I brought it for her the day before Thanksgiving. Here are few pages. If you are curious, the book is called Designer Doodles Over 100 designs to complete and create.





Even when her friend was over, who is also a little artist herself, the girls drew together while the boys built using blocks.

Beth's adventure by J

J has written snippets of stories and illustrated them in the past but this is the first time she's written I think more than 2 or 3 pages. The best thing is she told me she really enjoys writing. This is something she has been doing with no input/help from me. I have refrained from giving her editorial comments, as tempting as it is. That can come later; good thing we are doing some grammar work using Rod and Staff.

There was even one night where she stayed up when everyone has gone asleep and she decided to stay in the upstairs hallway to continue writing and illustrating her story. So far there is 18 pages. This Thanksgiving she has taken a break but hopefully she'll continue with her story and finish it. I think some of the inspiration comes from reading all the American Girl book which she has just been devouring. So far, the story is about an American girl named Beth who becomes friend with an Indian girl named Speaking Rain and her adventures in Indian territories.

Cover of her book

J - little piano teacher

Recently, W has shown an interest in learning to play the piano. And guess who's been teaching him? J.

J's piano teacher asked J how much she charges W, and J said, well, I don't charge him anything since we share the same piggy bank. Even he paid me, he'll just be taking the money from the shared piggy bank. Good point.

J has been also teaching herself how to play the recorder by herself with materials from the Enki 1st grade materials. Good thing since the Kunath recorder was pretty expensive. Guess it helps since she have some piano background.

W started guitar lesson little while ago. This was when we first got him his guitar.

Dance Convention and Roller Skating

This past Sat, J attended her first dance convention. She was the only "mini" from her studio to attend. J was very excited to go and came to my room little before 6:30am just as I was getting ready to wake her up. It was great experience for J to go and she learned many new dance moves. The classes was pretty fast paced for J as she was in the 8-14 years old group but she kept it up. Most of the teachers flew in from CA and they were awesome!

J's favorite class was Jazz; love the teacher too. She got her first exposure to lyrical and musical theater at the convention. They danced for 6 hours with only a half hour break for lunch. Did you know parents have to pay to watch during class? I might have to get a part time job if J keeps going to these conventions and she does want to!

While J's heavily involved in dance, W has been taking roller skating class and loving it. Daddy says this Sat. he made so much improvement his teacher recommended he be moved to the advanced class. Daddy also says his teacher said she is really proud of W and that he is one of the best students in the class. Way to go, little boy!

First times

W did his cartwheel successfully for the first times today and he is so happy. Wish I had caught that on camera. Now he is working on doing the cartwheel on his left side.

He was also brave enough to climb a high ladder.

First time J/W putting their geography knowledge onto a large map. They were super excited that I finally let them write on it.


First time I caught J eating watermelon straight out of the melon on camera.

What W/J are enjoying

Few things W/J are enjoying (that I actually have and took a picture):

1. The Children's Book of Heroes; both kids finished reading this book in no time.
2. Crafting - J made this duck entirely on her own, with not even a tiny help from me.


3. Boyscouts- W really loves his homeschool boyscout troupe and look forward to it every week. They have done quite a bit and is a lot more strict than J's girl scout group through her old school. Next trip is Monster Truck show and maybe even being a safety belt tester. Lots of exciting things.