Rite of Passage: Labyrinth's Menarche

The stories of so many women I've talked to about their own menarches have been, quite frankly either terrorising for a young teen or just plain pathetic. Mine was just plain humiliating. I had a small bleed that lasted maybe a day or two. No one had explained a lot to me, just what I'd read in some 'not like reality' scientifically based puberty books I'd read when I was 5 or 6, so I wasn't expecting a little one to come, and then two weeks later a full on one to appear when I was in class with 30 other people! The blood had soaked through my school dress, and onto the seat. The class was the worst possible choice for such an incident - wood work. My teacher actually laughed along with all the other students. He was probably embaressed and didn't know how to react, but..!! My parents made me go back to school same day and face the humiliation that can only be dished out by pubestants penned into cages can. A girl who I thought was my friend actually threw tampons and pads at me in front of two grades worth of people.

Well needless to say, I want my daughters experience not to echo anything I had to experience, but be a beautiful, welcoming into the world of womanhood. I had been thinking about this for months actually, since Labyrinth had already started Thelarche I knew it was coming. I had guessed it might happen around Dantes birthday and had started to plan for it. I was never expecting it was going to happen roughly a week before Christmas!! (I had also begun preparations for Litha too - now that I'm pagan.)

So she told me that morning it had begun, she was excited about it, we'd actually discussed preforming a menarche ritual and having a lovely meal, I wanted it to be a party with other friends, but that wasn't to be. So, to begin with Labyrinth enjoyed a bath with rose petals through it, and some incense oils infused into the bath. I put around her white, pink and red candles. I left her to enjoy that (I was flat out working on the meal), then I painted her with the best thing I had - face paint! I made goddess symbols, spirals around her body, and I told her she had gone into the water innocent, now she rose as a full maiden. She wore red silk shirt (that went to her knees) for the rest of the night so some of the marks were visable.

I read her a dedication, invited the goddess and again welcomed Labyrinth to womanhood in front of the family, and we enjoyed non-alcholic red wine as a toast. We then ate a red meat roast with salad, with red onions, fetta, red lettuce and tomotoes and fetta. The colours of white. pink and red where echoed through out. I had prepared the cupcakes above, a beautiful red velvet cupcake I can't take credit for - it came from the Zombie Cupcake book by Zilly Rosen (totally recommended.) I just made red icing and put strawberries on top. We later gave her a gift, it was a doll, and a bouquet of red flowers.

Its a memory she can cherish forever, knowing she has parents that love her enough to try and make positive and lasting memories for her!

A Week Of Art, Reptile Unit finished, YAY

Our Reptile unit is now finished. We watched the last two episodes to the Life in Cold Blood, which were Sophisticated Serpents and Armoured Giants. With worksheets, facts etc that were taken from various internet souces incl. Enchanted Learning site (fantastic but limited as they are based in the States). So I sourced Aussie facts on snakes and crocs from various places incl.
tiger snake facts here and other snakes here and croc'n'snappers here... important to know really depending where we might be living in the bush. Below for the next three are various examples of the worksheets completed, first is Labyrinth's sheet which is descriptive words about various reptiles.
Next is Kai's poem and snake picture:

...and his pictures of various reptiles complete with label.

Here Dante was required to label the various reptiles.

The rest is various artworks the children have done over the course of the last week, no where complete. Dante's Flat Lizard sunning itself on rocks (obviously inspired by the unit).Raven's Sack Boy from LBP.

Still into Scary Stuff, this is one cute monster, by Raven.

Above is Raven's Frog, below Labyrinth has drawn a swan feasting on a fish.

Labyrinth's Girl bouncing on Trampoline followed up by an ABC TV inspired drawing of Fish and Seals under the Ice.

Kai has drawn an eye view of a War Zone. He's decided he doesn't really like real war. It's a bit scary (that's an early jump, and thank goodness for that). But he still likes the fantasy of it at this stage.

And here is Kai's Striped Penguin.

This is also inspired by a drawing show on ABC TV. Dante has drawn a lovely fish/light rain/clouds and rainbow scene.

This next one of Dante's is inspired by Ice Age 3, where the T Rex is about to eat the baby Triceratops.

Next two are Dante's ZOIDS... a Death Stinger and a Command Wolf.

Besides this they've been doing BOOST Math on the computer, still doing writing drills in their books, read aloud, usually to the littlest two (makes it a bit easier on Andrew and I - they aren't asking us 24/7) and to themselves from chapter books. Dante's currently reading Extreme Adventure: Scorpion Sting, Kai is reading The Donkey who carried the Wounded, and Labyrinth is reading the last graphic novel to the anime Fruits Basket.

Today we are, after lunch, going to do glass bottle and sand craft, and cooking cup cakes tomorrow.

I've started doing Uni again, as previously mentioned, which has been taking up far too much time just finding the cheapest books. Also we've brought about $200 on various green building methods and bee keeping which has also taken up lots of time reading those, but loving it. It was actually worth a lot more, but there was a huge 30% discount blanket across the store as they were having a huge birthday sale of 30 years. YAY Book City. Imagine building your main house structure for under $1.000 which is fire proof. Yeah, I'm interested.

Also been sick a bit too... and Raven poor lad, was feverish on Thursday night but now seems perfect. Monika is weaning slowly... and as I didn't manage to put up any of her artwork I owe a photo of her next time. As for now though, I'll endeavour to put up at least two posts a week or more. Q.

Happy 7th Birthday Kai!

Yes, it's the season for birthdays... and everything was cut down alot in order to afford his big present, the Resistance Retribution PSP pack... (we didn't have an activity like a family trip to the movies - that doesn't happen... although he did want to go for a laser skirmish or Zone3 activity, again, this couldn't happen... and the other toys given out were quite small really)

Young Monika above with her new Baby Bratz boy (picked up for $5 at toy world)... and she loves it, I was so happy because I wasn't at all sure how she'd take it?

Dante, Raven and Kai all recieved the smallest transformers, this is intended to be both practical and ensure they'd want to play with each other.

Labyirnth got a Littlest Petshop Pet, its a badger.

Kai recieving a gift from the only grandparents he gets to see/have anything to do with as we're estranged from the others. Reasons too personal to disclose.

Birthday party and cake time, with Nan and Poppy, the cake is an army scene meant to 'replicate' the Retribution games ... army mad boy, but he loves yellow and cuddles and he's not violent or harsh, just a great child really, just his interests lie in a place I don't understand, but I accept that it's just him.

That was how we spent the day, just relaxing and slowed right down to just enjoy it. We didn't actually even have a new DVD or anything for him to play with, the only other thing that was special was we all had a steak each for tea, under $7.. Y Bone. Even so, we all had a great time, no one was stressed or rushed and we didn't have to pander to any one elses needs, and Kai went into his birthday fully aware that if he got this PSP that there would be very little else, and a very small christmas indeed. However on the upside, he's got it now and with all our future intentions it will be great during the time we don't have access to the majority of our things and the probable lack of electricity. Anyways, it has to be short today as so much is happening! Q.

Daytrip to Orford and Pizza Night!

Beautiful Orford, and the first beach Labyrinth ever sat foot on, first beach she was taken to to swim at, and the first and only time she was aftraid of the water! She was just an early walking baby at the time... today had some business attached to it though. We got a whole heap of packing boxes given to us from a fellow free cycler. Thanks goes out to that woman and it will probably take everything we plan on taking with us to Victoria . YAY.

Raven running. Could not believe how many of the little black buggers we seen as we travelled up, but only one on the way back. Omninous or just thier feeding times? Below is little Monika, of course, having a great time.

Kai getting into it!

Dante looks comfortable, don't you think???

Monika loves getting amongst it.... she's an adventerous 1 year old, or 22 month old, whatever your take. She loves sliding too... which had me surprised as she didn't want to today, it was a manipulation thing with another girl around her age, me thinkest.

Firstly the Gluten Free Pizzas... you can get a real feel for how big they are, but how tasty? That is one thing you'd have to try on for yourself. Same again, pizza bases from the LifeStyle Bakery. Hey they should start sponsering me.

They all made their own tonight... Labyrinth decided to be different and make herself a pizza parcel... She ate this and asked for more!

Dante only ate half but he wanted to make it look artsy, so the main ingredients are around the owls eyes...

Poor Kai... he ended up being sick from travelling sickness in the car so didn't eat as much as he usually does. I think he liked the fact he didn't have to do anything once he got home though, just do his own thing on the couch.

Raven eating his little creation! He's getting to be a bit cheeky lately... born stirrer.

Even Monika got her own pizza (helped by Daddy to make).

And tomorrow is Kai's 7th birthday, yeah they nearly all happen at once around here, four in 3 months! Generally a poor time. Its cute though how Monika finds it a little bewildering!

I'm off to relax now as I am tired, Q.

Reptilian Friends, Scaries, Art and Cupcakes

Above: Kai's War. Below: Dante's Scorpion Fish eating Bees.

Above: Labyrinth's Fantasy House and Garden.

Below: Raven's Chimera (see Resistance: Fall of Man)...So we're a little bit lax in screening 'violence' from our children's viewing pleasure. They do actually realise it's make believe and fun even if they are a bit young.

Above and Below: Raven's Halloween Book or some parts of. I didn't help him with any of it, I just can't believe how quickly he is picking up writing! He asked for this little book too, so no coersion, totally natural stuff going on here, his chosen genre and his rapidly advancing abilities... It might be a bit hard to see, but those are properly formed words, something on par with Kai's writing about now (he's just about to turn 7).

Cupcakes....

As part of our lessons (and finally getting the right time), we made these lovely Gluten-Free Cupcakes premixed by Basco. Wow, they are nice, and highly recommended, that icing and chocolate flakes come with... It isn't much fun for the kids though, one to break an egg, one to pour in some rice milk, one to scream "when is it MY turn???" not to mention that all five were interested in helping today...

Well, this week has been all about Life In Cold Blood , determined to finish off this learning unit, so far this week we've watched Dragons of the Dry and Sophisticated Serpents, and done quite a few lessons. Naturally since there are thousands of snakes/reptiles I kept it down to just a few to concentrate on... Frilled Neck Lizard, the Vieled Chameleon and the Anaconda so far. I'll be honing in on our Aussie Snake Friends soon. When we move to Victoria, Dante's put in the order to convert his fish tank to a reptile one and have some tiny snake, can't recall what he called it, but they eat ants apparently. I'd much rather a mountain dragon lizard or some such personally. But that's off the topic a bit, can I help it being focused on our dreams???

I haven't even mentioned I'm taking a different approach. Lately they've been a bit restless and bored, so I'm upping the ante with lessons, so they have to read aloud for 15 minutes/to themselves for 15 minutes, do 20 minutes of structured math, do set lessons (in this weeks case it's the reptiles), do some form of art work (usually drawing), and write 5 sentences. Not a huge amount, you're probably thinking. Plus they have to have their chores done before we can start (they've been quite neglectful of that - who wouldn't if given the opportunity). Other than that their time is their own, and given a day they get all that done by lunch (not yet but getting closer) they are welcome to play with computers/PS3s etc. Oh, and they are going to start learning to type so they can blog weekly.

Obviously it was timely today so we got to bake the cupcakes. There will be other bonuses and extras to be given out randomly to help them be happy little achievers.

Just one more thing... had an interesting conversation with the eldest two today. Dante was complaining bitterly that he wanted to be a "normal boy" and not have to be in trouble lots. I asked him what he thought a normal boy would do? He just shrugged his shoulders, so I reminded him. Of the extra stress of getting up early, getting ready, no time for playing games/watching TV just eat and out the door to school, to sit down and be bored and write for ages, and have 1 hour of play and eating broken up by this and that and having no real choices about what was going into his head (they have totally autonomy about WHAT they learn here, as previously mentioned)... then home to more reading homework (and this is only from what I remember from him in preschool (his school was pushing very early literacy he was doing preschool - where's the fun in that? What ever happened to a carefree childhood without homework in primary school?) With mum or dad rushing around to make tea and cut lunches for the next day, an early bedtime so it can all happen again in the same rushed/stressed manner the next day. He brought up the long bus rides and the pushing around and lack of seating (well the bus we had to get on from his school was just that... primary/high/college and uni students in the same space practically, you can imagine.... and if not that the struggle to get a parking spot in front of the school with active patrols of policemen telling you to buzz off and come back later to pick up older students (even if they were due out less than 10 minutes later). And Labyrinth perked up and told me something she'd never ever admitted to before (she used to complain about going back to school until she decided being home was much more fun and relaxed)... "Yeah, and you don't have to be told you're doing everything wrong and not to talk/do that and have the teacher yell at you all the time."

Just made me realise what a wise move it was taking them out of their childhood prisons, Q.