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Celine has been sewing up a storm these days.  To hear the sewing machine humming, to provide feedback for her design ideas and to see the quality work she's producing is such a blessing to this mama's heart. I feel a sense of deep satisfaction as she makes this learning her own, knowing that the way we've chosen to homeschool has given her the time she needs to pursue her own goals and dreams.

Sigh... I am a happy homeschooling parent.

One of Celine's recent projects was to sew a sock monkey for her cousin, who turns two years old the beginning of next month.  This was a paid commission from her aunt to create a handmade toy that the parents (Celine's aunt and uncle) could give to their son as a gift.  

I am so proud of Celine for accepting this project and following through.  Damien and I encouraged her to take on the project and offered whatever help she needed. But ultimately the choice to make it and the work was done by her.

We took her shopping to buy an appropriate pair of socks, helped her find a pattern, read through the instructions with her and at the very end helped her sew on the eyes and mail the finished product. But that was it, the rest was her doing. 

In case you are interested in doing a similar project this is the pattern Celine used, found at Craftbits.com. The instructions are straightforward and Celine was very pleased with the end result.

But more importantly Celine was pleased with the process. This girl loves to sew and I couldn't be happier for her. These are Celine's own words for how she feels when she's sewing, "I'm in my element!"  Music to a mother's ears. 

I'm taking a little breather from the final sorting of the girl's stuff to share with you this week in homeschooling.  

March has been a lovely month for the kids and I as we've settled into a steady late winter routine. In reality though we're experiencing an early spring but I haven't been out too much (the kids have) to take advantage of it. I just can't wrap my head around spring in March. I still have too many projects that I had planned to do indoors this month and once those wrap up I will embrace this next season. At which time we'll probably have a snowstorm!

Some of our learning has been outdoors: hikes and play dates at parks with homeschooling friends, a visit to the farm and backyard science.

Other activities have been indoors: a symphony orchestra concert, setting up marble works (like every other homeschooled kid this week who watched this amazing video), drawing lessons, making crystals using the kit Laurent got for his birthday and Celine sewing. Always Celine sewing. 

It was a good week. Most days I really enjoy being home with my kiddos (honestly).  But this week I especially felt that way. Enjoying these last days of winter (that are suspiciously warm) before the intense activities of yard clean up, gardening, bike riding, trampoline jumping and everything else that spring holds in store. 

You might have seen this coming, the somewhat regular farm report.  

It's been a while since I've written about the farm, a place very dear to our hearts.   Last month's farm day was overshadowed by the busy-ness that was February.

We didn't even actually "visit" the farm last month. Instead we drove by and picked up our veggies (in the dark) on our way home from a shopping trip. Unfortunately, farm pick-up day coincided with our quarterly trip to the Patagonia outlet, where we make a four times a year journey (1/2 hour drive) to buy most of our clothing for wicked good prices.  

But March is a new month with a much more relaxed schedule. Phew. Yesterday's farm visit was just as it should be.  A laid back, mud splattered and rooster crowing affair. With a healthy dose of "oohing and ahhing" at the new lambs.

Visiting the animals, walking in mud (mud season has arrived early here in Maine) and talking with our farmer was just what the kids and I needed.  I'm so thankful for the farm.