i actually love the idea (and the reality) that we get to read books for class. before today i felt like books, real books (even if they are written at a third grade level), weren't something i could do yet. but i can, even though in reading 'far' i am also simultaneously reading my dansk-engelsk dictionary. it is a pretty painful process to watch and to think i'm going to get through three of these books in the next two weeks feels dubious. still though, it has me "excited about learning"-- though not excited about the exam.
after a repeat dinner of scrambled eggs and kale, greg made a fire outside, with william and henry's help...
and careful observation...
and i noticed these little tomatillo-like fellows, but i'm not sure what the plant is. any ideas?
later, the first fire in the fireplace...
william's been very excited about this, but unfortunately it was made after the guys were asleep, because greg took a burning log from the fire outside and brought it into the house via a ceramic pot. there are just some things you don't want your children to emulate.
7 comments:
Chinese Lantern Plant, I believe.
It *is* "Chinese Lantern" -- a type of gooseberry. I have a bunch year round in a vase -- the color stays solid orange in the bleak of winter.
I thought of you when I listened to the NPR's ideas network yesterday. They interviewed a kid (16 yrs) who, in three years, learned some twenty language. Immersion. Read. Watch TV. Listen to music. Worry less about getting it right when you talk (except for school!). Those were his words, but, I have to say, coming from Europe where most people speak many languages, I totally agree with him. And most of all I want to add -- keep enjoying this incredible thing that you're doing. I'm so envious and happy for you all at once!
Thanks Anonymous and Nina! Someone on FB also said chinese lantern. Nina-- you have them in a vase year round-- like shellaced? Just in water? Will they last all season? Or potted in some soil? Our winters don't get as cold so maybe they'll just sit outside nice and bright orange all year.
I think I've seen that 16 year old on the internet. Amazing. I know I should be listening to the radio more... but see I am hooked with listening to NPR so it's hard to tear myself from that to listen to Danish on the radio. And no TV anymore in this new house, though I could probably find plenty on the internet. Reading though-- yes! I'm excited about that, because we get Danish (free) newspapers (no cutbacks in that department here yet) and I'm always trying to figure out what's being said because I so want to read a newspaper.
All winter that is.
Actually, they don't need water or soil. They stay dry after the cut. I'll post a photo later today. Mine are faded by being in a sunny window for a year now, but I still like them.
Newspapers are great! When I wanted to get good at French I bought the Umbrellas of Cherbourg and learned the words and sang along! Again and again, getting the accent just so! Anything that is fun works.
dried, of course! i would like to see a picture. we have some now in some water.
yes, the accent is so important here and so difficult to master. this new class emphasizes prononciation much more than the old. "i want you to repeat each of these sentences eight times each when you get home."
Funny thing. When I was taking German, those long German strung together words would tie my tongue in a knot. I could not get one out with stumbling. Then I discovered if I said the word over and over just before bed, when I woke up I had it. Of course, that was just one or two words, not sentences.
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