That thing is mixing watercolor paints, Mr. T’s newest fascination. In the lid of the watercolor palette he blends paints, first one color and some water, then a bit of another color, then another. New shades develop with each step, and he studies them all. He quizzes us: “Do you think I made this color [...]

A few things that have me all worked up right now: Finished books. I finally got to this one. It’s the tale of Kingsolver’s family’s year-long experiment to grow as much of their own food as possible–and to eat locally-grown food when they couldn’t raise it themselves. Parts of the book preach to the choir if [...]

  When I told Lulu to smile, she said, “No, I’m Frida” (who never smiled in her self-portraits.) The other day, Lulu, Mr. T and I went to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the MOMA in San Francisco. If you’re local and you haven’t seen it, it closes on September 28, so vaya!  It’s a [...]

So Lulu and Mr. T want to learn about China. Here’s their brainstorming list: learn to write in Chinese symbols with ink read about Chinese goddesses and myths write a Chinese version of an American Fairy tale (Lon Po Po comes to my mind) learn the history of chopsticks research and prepare Chinese food (“Potstickers!” [...]

I’m a traditionalist. I don’t believe in not going to school until after Labor Day. So yesterday that’s just what we did. You following me? Most mornings my kids and I work together for a few hours. I refuse to call it “school” or “schoolwork”; on the other hand, the routine of it means we [...]

For the first time, one of my kids has started school. Granted, he’s sixteen and more than ready for this. Still, it feels like a big step. Growing up, H was always happy with his status as a homeschooler. He’s a very stubborn willful independent-minded kid, and he liked how homeschooling gave him the freedom to make his [...]