"With sophisticated technology, we strive to see w

"With sophisticated technology, we strive to see what is beyond us, but are often blind to the myriad sparkling facets that lie so close at hand. We think we're seeing when we've only scratched the surface. Our acuity at this middle scale seems diminished, not by any failing of the eyes, but the willingness of the mind. Has the power of our devices led us to distrust our unaided eyes? Or have we become dismissive of what takes no technology but only time and patience to perceive?"

I’m reading the loveliest book right now. ‘Gathering Moss’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer has me highlighting and underlining like crazy. The way she writes prose about moss but intertwines them with overarching themes and events related to human life and emotions.... Remarkable. What are you reading lately? 🌾

Which outfit do you like? 1 or 2? It’s been a

Let’s talk for a minute about themed units in ho

Let’s talk for a minute about themed units in homeschool.

As a former kindergartener teacher, I planned my whole year around themed units. The more things I could study at the same time the better. Or so I thought.

But the truth is, Charlotte Mason didn’t go out of her way to have her students learn through unit studies or exhaust herself trying to make everything relate. She did study literature, history, geography in the same time period. But mostly left it up to the child to form those connections and relations in an organic way. She called this, “the science of relations” 🌿

So instead, I’ve chosen to put themed units to the side and let my daughter learn each subject independently. And guess what? She makes connections ALL the time. Our learning still overlaps CONSTANTLY!

Here’s an example of how this played out in our homeschool last week:
My five-year-old and I were doing a Rembrandt picture study of “Titus as a Monk” (one of his works) and I recalled how The Sound of Music and Madeline, 2 of our favorite books/movies, had nuns in them. I explained the difference between a monk and a nun.

A minute or so later after our discussion about the painting she exclaimed, “there was a monk in the emperor story!” She remembered how “The Emperor and the Kite” by Jane Yolen had a monk who “said a prayer every day”.

Another example is when my daughter exclaimed as she is making a block tower castle, “mommy, I made something! It’s symmetrical!” She was so proud to show off her symmetrical castle (a term we had learned in math that previous week).

Yet another example that was such a coincidence: in U.S. History, we read about Lewis & Clark and their expedition out west 200 years ago. That same weekend, our friends asked us to go on a hike with them right along the Lewis & Clark trail! My daughter got to see some of the places they discovered all of those years ago.

So all of this happened with zero planning or thought on my part. So if you’re stressing in your homeschool planning about whether everything aligns or not, don’t! Let those connections and relations form organically! You’d be so surprised! #lichomeschool #livingincolorbabywearing

Do you exfoliate? It's something I've started maki

Do you exfoliate? It's something I've started making a regular part of my skin-care routine. As a busy homeschool mom, I just don't have the time to get facials like I wish I could, but at-home facials are the next best thing!

This charcoal clay mask is from @esmiskinminerals. It's an Australian-made, cruelty-free and paraben free product that I've been putting on before I hop in the shower. The bentonite clay neutralises harmful bacteria, buffs away dead skin and purifies your pores. Doing this mask once or twice a week has helped improve my complexion. Check it out at the link in my latest story! #partner #esmiskinminerals

The scent of pine. Stacks of books by the bedside.

The scent of pine. Stacks of books by the bedside. Rainy walks in the afternoon, foraging mushrooms. Hot apple “snyder” with oatmeal cookies for dinner. #thegoodlist
.
.
#lichomeschool #raisingnaturalists #enwc

Trading in costumes for crafting this year. 🍁 (

Trading in costumes for crafting this year. 🍁 (And maybe every year from now on.) My five-year-old loves to create. I, on the other hand, am not the most crafty person. But as a homeschool mom, I’m learning slowly! Thankful to mamas like @woodlark who share their talents on IG so that I could spend time doing this with my daughter. She absolutely loved it. Seeing her beaming face as the pumpkin transformed into a little forest house made all of the hot glue burns worth it. 💯 #lichomeschool

Last week, we made it 14 hours in the car with a f

Last week, we made it 14 hours in the car with a five and two year old with NO SCREENS. Yep. I didn’t even know it was possible.
.
.
What did we bring? Music, water wow pads, books, drawing and art supplies, paper, and ourselves! And you know what? It was great! The trip went so well and there were very few stops. We talked a lot to them too... more than we would have if they’d been watching a movie or playing an electronic game.
.
.
We cut out screen time for our family around two years ago, but we haven’t done much traveling since then. When my eldest daughter was younger I realized that I had started using the tv as a distraction to avoid negative behavior. That’s until I started researching more about positive parenting. It was a sort of all-encompassing “aha!” moment, and absolutely freeing. All of those tantrums and whining I kept trying to avoid were actually GOOD for my child...And developmentally appropriate! She needs to let those feelings out! I learned that masking them with a screen could actually be detrimental to their emotional health if done too frequently. So that was it. My youngest will be three in March and I can count on my hands how many times she has watched TV. Why? Not because I feel like I’m “better” or because I’m making it “forbidden” but because we legitimately spend our time elsewhere. We spend our time outdoors, reading, or doing activities as a family! We don’t have time for screens. I just want to encourage you...you can change your lifestyle for you and your children if you wish to!
.
One quick disclaimer: This is my experience with screen time. Everyone is different and chooses to do things differently for their family. I respect that and encourage that. Lastly, I always like to add this to my screen-time posts because it’s important...if you’re going through a difficult season (new baby, death of someone close to you, divorce, anything that depletes you) and you just need time to yourself and there’s no other way or you’re using screens and feeling guilty. Don’t. It’s a season! Just keep the doing the best you can!
.
Girls dresses + socks: @thesimplefolkco c/o
My dress: @outerknown_womens c/o

Grabbed all of my cozy fleece jackets and sweaters

Grabbed all of my cozy fleece jackets and sweaters out of the storage bins to add to my closet! It was time. 🍂🌲 #larissawears #homeschoolmomstyle

We let the craziness of this year get to us and al

We let the craziness of this year get to us and almost traded our beloved forest for desert landscape once more. Never again! 🌲 Where is your happy place? Maybe it’s my childhood, growing up in Southern California and all, but I also love a good sandy beach. 🔆

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- Member Sign-In
- Become a Member

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• January 13, 2017

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I'm Larissa. A mama to daughters and wife to my college sweetheart. I am passionate about sustainable fashion, whole foods recipes, and Charlotte Mason home education. I also love being outdoors with my family. You can usually find me sporting a wide-brimmed hat, with a baby on my back.

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"With sophisticated technology, we strive to see w

"With sophisticated technology, we strive to see what is beyond us, but are often blind to the myriad sparkling facets that lie so close at hand. We think we're seeing when we've only scratched the surface. Our acuity at this middle scale seems diminished, not by any failing of the eyes, but the willingness of the mind. Has the power of our devices led us to distrust our unaided eyes? Or have we become dismissive of what takes no technology but only time and patience to perceive?"

I’m reading the loveliest book right now. ‘Gathering Moss’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer has me highlighting and underlining like crazy. The way she writes prose about moss but intertwines them with overarching themes and events related to human life and emotions.... Remarkable. What are you reading lately? 🌾

Which outfit do you like? 1 or 2? It’s been a

Let’s talk for a minute about themed units in ho

Let’s talk for a minute about themed units in homeschool.

As a former kindergartener teacher, I planned my whole year around themed units. The more things I could study at the same time the better. Or so I thought.

But the truth is, Charlotte Mason didn’t go out of her way to have her students learn through unit studies or exhaust herself trying to make everything relate. She did study literature, history, geography in the same time period. But mostly left it up to the child to form those connections and relations in an organic way. She called this, “the science of relations” 🌿

So instead, I’ve chosen to put themed units to the side and let my daughter learn each subject independently. And guess what? She makes connections ALL the time. Our learning still overlaps CONSTANTLY!

Here’s an example of how this played out in our homeschool last week:
My five-year-old and I were doing a Rembrandt picture study of “Titus as a Monk” (one of his works) and I recalled how The Sound of Music and Madeline, 2 of our favorite books/movies, had nuns in them. I explained the difference between a monk and a nun.

A minute or so later after our discussion about the painting she exclaimed, “there was a monk in the emperor story!” She remembered how “The Emperor and the Kite” by Jane Yolen had a monk who “said a prayer every day”.

Another example is when my daughter exclaimed as she is making a block tower castle, “mommy, I made something! It’s symmetrical!” She was so proud to show off her symmetrical castle (a term we had learned in math that previous week).

Yet another example that was such a coincidence: in U.S. History, we read about Lewis & Clark and their expedition out west 200 years ago. That same weekend, our friends asked us to go on a hike with them right along the Lewis & Clark trail! My daughter got to see some of the places they discovered all of those years ago.

So all of this happened with zero planning or thought on my part. So if you’re stressing in your homeschool planning about whether everything aligns or not, don’t! Let those connections and relations form organically! You’d be so surprised! #lichomeschool #livingincolorbabywearing

Do you exfoliate? It's something I've started maki

Do you exfoliate? It's something I've started making a regular part of my skin-care routine. As a busy homeschool mom, I just don't have the time to get facials like I wish I could, but at-home facials are the next best thing!

This charcoal clay mask is from @esmiskinminerals. It's an Australian-made, cruelty-free and paraben free product that I've been putting on before I hop in the shower. The bentonite clay neutralises harmful bacteria, buffs away dead skin and purifies your pores. Doing this mask once or twice a week has helped improve my complexion. Check it out at the link in my latest story! #partner #esmiskinminerals

The scent of pine. Stacks of books by the bedside.

The scent of pine. Stacks of books by the bedside. Rainy walks in the afternoon, foraging mushrooms. Hot apple “snyder” with oatmeal cookies for dinner. #thegoodlist
.
.
#lichomeschool #raisingnaturalists #enwc

Trading in costumes for crafting this year. 🍁 (

Trading in costumes for crafting this year. 🍁 (And maybe every year from now on.) My five-year-old loves to create. I, on the other hand, am not the most crafty person. But as a homeschool mom, I’m learning slowly! Thankful to mamas like @woodlark who share their talents on IG so that I could spend time doing this with my daughter. She absolutely loved it. Seeing her beaming face as the pumpkin transformed into a little forest house made all of the hot glue burns worth it. 💯 #lichomeschool

Last week, we made it 14 hours in the car with a f

Last week, we made it 14 hours in the car with a five and two year old with NO SCREENS. Yep. I didn’t even know it was possible.
.
.
What did we bring? Music, water wow pads, books, drawing and art supplies, paper, and ourselves! And you know what? It was great! The trip went so well and there were very few stops. We talked a lot to them too... more than we would have if they’d been watching a movie or playing an electronic game.
.
.
We cut out screen time for our family around two years ago, but we haven’t done much traveling since then. When my eldest daughter was younger I realized that I had started using the tv as a distraction to avoid negative behavior. That’s until I started researching more about positive parenting. It was a sort of all-encompassing “aha!” moment, and absolutely freeing. All of those tantrums and whining I kept trying to avoid were actually GOOD for my child...And developmentally appropriate! She needs to let those feelings out! I learned that masking them with a screen could actually be detrimental to their emotional health if done too frequently. So that was it. My youngest will be three in March and I can count on my hands how many times she has watched TV. Why? Not because I feel like I’m “better” or because I’m making it “forbidden” but because we legitimately spend our time elsewhere. We spend our time outdoors, reading, or doing activities as a family! We don’t have time for screens. I just want to encourage you...you can change your lifestyle for you and your children if you wish to!
.
One quick disclaimer: This is my experience with screen time. Everyone is different and chooses to do things differently for their family. I respect that and encourage that. Lastly, I always like to add this to my screen-time posts because it’s important...if you’re going through a difficult season (new baby, death of someone close to you, divorce, anything that depletes you) and you just need time to yourself and there’s no other way or you’re using screens and feeling guilty. Don’t. It’s a season! Just keep the doing the best you can!
.
Girls dresses + socks: @thesimplefolkco c/o
My dress: @outerknown_womens c/o

Grabbed all of my cozy fleece jackets and sweaters

Grabbed all of my cozy fleece jackets and sweaters out of the storage bins to add to my closet! It was time. 🍂🌲 #larissawears #homeschoolmomstyle

We let the craziness of this year get to us and al

We let the craziness of this year get to us and almost traded our beloved forest for desert landscape once more. Never again! 🌲 Where is your happy place? Maybe it’s my childhood, growing up in Southern California and all, but I also love a good sandy beach. 🔆

Just your annual autumn reminder that black and br

Just your annual autumn reminder that black and brown can ABSOLUTELY be worn together! Do you wear black with brown? 🍂 #larissawears
.
Outfit:
@wearpact tank
Super old cardigan
@madewell jeans
@nisoloshoes boots
@lackofcoloraus hat

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