School on Sunday

     We have recently started reading the modern Amelia Bedelia novelette series, and the second book is all about Amelia's adventures with dogs. This has sparked an interest in Laura about different breeds of dogs. We were googling images of different dog breeds, and Laura was especially interested in Bloodhounds because they were featured in the book (she may or may not have pretended to be a Bloodhound on our walk to and from the library story/ craft time, complete with pretend peeing on people's lawns!). She is also now lobbying for us to get a Teacup Pomeranian (the 'teddy bear' dogs). I told her I don't like little dogs, but that she can get whatever kind of dog she likes when she moves out. (She has not accepted this as an answer, but I think we have compromised that if she saves up her allowance she can get one.) ;)

doggy's blurry because no flash allowed

     I was telling my mom about Laura's interest in different dog breeds and asking for suggestions on how we could explore it further. She suggested we go to a dog show. We looked up where we could go watch a dog show locally, and found there was an agility competition close by today. So we took the girls to go watch the different dog breeds run the agility course, and some of them even got ribbons, just like the dogs in the book!  There wasn't actually a huge variety of breeds there, and we definitely didn't see any Bloodhounds or Pomeranians, but who knows, maybe we will still get a chance to see them someplace else. Perhaps we should take a trip to the dog park? We also went to the mall and visited the calendar store, which had an entire wall of different dog breed calendars, so we spent a long time discussing and looking at those. Its so fascinating to me how many subject areas you can incorporate into these discussions (genetics re: my mom's mixed breed pup, math re: how long will you have to save your allowance to afford a puppy, economics re: supply and demand pricing, etc.). Mom also lent us her huge encyclopedia of dogs, and suggested making a matching game with pictures of different dog breeds so Laura will be able to learn their names if she wants. I'll probably work on that tonight. We also are planning to visit the pound this week (Amelia Bedelia ends up getting a pound puppy at the end of the book.) Who knows, maybe we will buy her the Teacup Pomeranian.... calendar. For Christmas. ;)

    I just adore being able to have our village educate my children; having my mom be an active participant in Laura's schooling is so great. I can't imagine Laura being in school all day and not having the time or resources to fully dive into her interests as they arise - I love being able to educate her this way. Even (especially?) on a Sunday.