Homeschool Art the Pink Robin and A Special Easter Card

Today, Caitlin and I decided to paint the Pink Robin for the next bird in our bird painting series. She picked it, and DJ will be doing a colored pencil version later this week.  In case you are wondering the Pink Robin lives only in southern Australia, what a bummer.   I painted mine onto a gift bag, and hers is on acid free acrylic art paper. Mine is not exactly how I wanted, but I am my own worst critic. I painted an Easter gift bag as well, but you will have to visit my other blog to see that one. Caitlin then spent a very long time designing and painting a very special Easter card for her Nonie. She actually wants to give it to her this Saturday when she goes over to sew with her, so I guess it is a very early Easter card, lol.

As part of my desire to teach my children to do random acts of kindness, they have started their letter writing monthly to their grandparents, and weekly phone call to my mom, just to let them talk and hear from them. It is a very simple way to reach out to the ones you might not get to see all the time in your busy day. Let them know you are still thinking about them. Plus, for Caitlin it helps her work on her Grammar skills.  And without my prompting, Caitlin donated her gift card she won for learning the books of the Bible, to one of her friends that just had surgery.  This made me so proud. 

Painting the Bluejay and JOY Hand Painted Christmas Gift Bag

We usually do Art Class on Monday evenings, but this week it was done on Tuesday. This week was Caitlin's turn to pick the bird, and she picked the Bluejay, a truly beautiful bird. DJ and Caitlin both decided to do colored pencil drawings this time, and I did mine in acrylic paints. If you go back, to two years ago, when we first started you will see the amazing progress we have made. Next week we are painting the Turkey, and then the kids are taking a break for a bit. I have not decided how long yet, but I want to get some more painted gift bags done for the holidays and birds are not necessarily on my mind for that. The bag below is my second gift bag. This one is JOY with Baby Jesus and his parents in the O. I really am pleased with the way it came out. If you are interested in any of my bags you can visit my Etsy store.

We had Run Club today, and then continued with our testing for the week. What do you think of our Art work?

Halfway Through the School Week

We are halfway through week nine of our school year.  You know what that means, right?  Next week is our last week of the first quarter.  One quarter out of the way already.  This is when I do report cards, and evaluate the lesson plans and curriculum we are currently using.  I honestly am not thinking anything needs to be changed, however for Caitlin I might be adding more stuff to hers.  She has progressed so nicely with her writing that I might push her just a bit more. 

So, what have we been up to this week?  Monday, while the kids did Science and History, I conquered one set of shrubs out front.  They really do need to be trimmed and cut back at least twice a year, or they just become a massive mess.  I always check for bird's nests and other critters that might be living in there, first.  We do have lizards that take cover in there, but there are lots of places they can do this safely besides the shrubs.  It is hard work, and I was plenty tired.  Since Caitlin is studying Simple Machines, in Science right now, I told the kids to come up with as easier way to move the trimmings to the fire pit using equipment we already had.  One of them held the wheelbarrow in the upright position while the other filled it with a rake and shovel.  Then after setting the wheelbarrow back down they pushed and then dumped them into the burn pit.  A simple machine that made their job much easier and faster. 

Since I have allergies, I should have known better than to play in dirt, leaves and shrubs for such a long time, as by Tuesday my head was congested and working towards my chest.  I guess I never learn, since I plan on doing the rest of the shrubs soon.  We did get in Run Club despite my tight chest. 

DJ's Language Arts class is working towards the quarter final next week.  I am making up his final exam myself, since we don't have access to that exam.  He read The Outsiders, and he has to do a book report in 300 words or less using proper punctuation, spelling, grammar and paragraph structure.. This is a challenge for him since he likes to write way more than is necessary.

Today, I didn't accomplish much, the phone has a funny way of sucking up my time, but the kids did awesome.  Pictured below are their Stellar Sea Eagle art work from Monday.  No extra things this week, as I have to work this weekend, but next week is another busy one planned.

Cherry Blossom Trees, Yellow Warbler and Geography

It was a long weekend of work, and then Monday was a busy blur. On Monday we grocery shop, then we did Art class. Monday evening was our 4H meeting. So, you can see, I didn't have time to blog. Caitlin is doing Ancient Chines Art this week, for History class. One of the assignments you could do was to paint a Cherry Blossom Tree. I love Cherry Blossom Trees. But, they will not grow here in the warmth and humidity of Florida. Since we have been painting birds for weeks, I decided on the Yellow Warbler to add to the Cherry Blossom Tree. You can see the results below. DJ did not put his in a tree, and since it was not his History assignment, I let it slide. He will be doing more art work this week for Medieval Times. I try to do a matching candle jar for each painting. I had run out of jars, so not all of them got one. This one did and I really can not wait to see it lit up with a candle. My kids hate painting on glass, so I don't force that issue.

We are supposed to go to Run Club today, but it looks like rain will make that impossible. I posted the other day the popsicle stick game for learning Geography and the States. I have decided to make virtual tours for each state, to go with it. This is a long process, and I only have two states done. Since we won't be starting until after the Christmas break, I have plenty of time to finish it. It will be saved to my Pinterest board, and I will share the link when it is completed.

A Day Filled With Art

Monday is usually Art Day, here at Melissa's Homeschool, and today was no different. The kids did all their regular school work, and we do Art in the evening. My husband was just promoted to Assistant Chief, at the fire dept. So that is exciting, and great for him. We are very proud of him. My job is getting on my last nerve, but that really is not a whole lot of anything new. Caitlin finished reading, Sunset of the Sabertooth. One of the activities she had to do, to finish out the activity was to draw a picture that really stuck out in her mind. So she drew a Sabertooth tiger on a rock. This is a Magic Tree House Book, and she really loved it. She is doing, Dolphins at Daybreak next. I really like the worksheet she had for the last one, but if she didn't we will move on to a different book review format. Basically the one I liked has a chapter review at the end of each chapter. She has to name the main idea of the chapter, then the supporting events that support the Main Idea. I think I am going to continue with that. Then at the end of the book, she has to draw a picture of an event from the book. This is a nice way to ease her into book reports.

DJ is studying the Middle Ages, for History, so he went on a virtual tour of a castle, and then had to draw a sketch of it. You can see the beginnings of his sketch. I will share the completed picture, when it is done.

We are up to our third bird in our Art class. DJ really does not like to paint, so I let him switch to drawing with colored pencils. This is his preference. Caitlin made her Ruby throated Hummingbird over water with a small flower. Mine is very fat, lol. Caitlin said maybe it is going to have a baby. I reminded her that in the bird world, the boys are pretty. So, he is just chubby. At first I was very disappointed with the flowers, but as I started to look at my paintings in more of a geometric shape way, I got them more how I wanted them to look. They are bigger than I wanted, but all in all I am pleased. I will try it again, with everything just a bit smaller. Next week DJ wants to do the Swallow Tail Kite. So, that is what we shall do. To see my first canvas painting, visit my other blog, Melissas Jewwely and Gems. My paintings are available to purchase in my Etsy shop. Some I give as gifts too.

Painting Birds with Acrylics

Our Art class is on Mondays, after dinner, because it is just too hard to fit it in during school hours. We continue to work our way through the Audubon Bird Book. Today we painted Mourning Doves. We have Mourning Doves in our yard, and they make the nicest cooing noises. Mourning Doves forage on the ground and are fast flyers. The White Peacock, is obviously not a Mourning Dove. I did that one also. I have a friend that loves the White Peacock. I wanted to see how it came out first, before I put it on canvas. I have two canvas, and have not ever painted on canvas. Both of them will be gifts, so wish me luck with that. I have so many things I want to paint, with not a lot of time. Both kids decided to have their mourning dove sitting on a rock. I am trying to get them to realize how much nicer the painting looks when you do the background first. They still grumble, lol. My Mourning Dove, I decided to have in flight. I love that shot, and it reminds me a lot of inspirational images and quotes that encourage you to fly or free yourself. Mine will be available to purchase in my Etsy store. Next Monday, is the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. Ooh la la can't wait for that.