across the country

I'm pretty sure that my love of Lizette Greco's work came before I even started blogging. The way she is inspired by and collaborates with her children is amazing and inspiring to me, and has influenced the things that I do as well. And how fabulous that once I got to 'know' Lizette a bit, I found her to be just as kindhearted, creative, and fun as I imagined her to be. And her kids, I've discovered, are just as creative, fun, and kind as their Mama. Being that our children are all homeschooled and similarly aged, we've been talking for some time of doing a family, kid-focused swap. Our exchange began last month with the arrival of this package.

We were thrilled to see these little bits of nature, a peek at what it's like on the other side of the country. I love this - how bits of the earth are similar and so different geographically all at the same time. That amazing nest they found fallen? Oh my. It sat perched delicately on our holiday tree for most of the month, where the babes pondered it's past many times.

Definitely the highlight of the package for us, were these handmade bits by the Greco kids. A game created for us by Sophia (complete with instruction book - perfect!), and a Robot Book (an inventory of his robots, actually) by Enzo. We love these, and the kids have devoured the work that comes from fellow creative little ones.

Also included were the handwork of the Greco's in the form of these wrist cuffs! I have one of my own from Lizette, so it was a treat for the boys to get some just like mine, but from the kids!

This silver suit (really a robot suit) was found in the box and instantly became a HUGE hit (yes, as the TinMan, Lizette! Just as you guessed!). And will you look at what she sent along for Miss Adelaide? Mo! Mo the elephant! Who is very much adored already. Very much.

And she didn't forget the Mama, with these yummy treats. Craft, which I hadn't read yet, but promptly gobbled up. And those buttons and yarn from a trip of hers. (The yarn is already on needles!).

Thank you Lizette, Sophia and Enzo! Here's to many more cross country homeschooling exchanges!

Comments

[kaytee_did]

What lovely things! How exciting to receive packages full of little bits of others. Okay... not in the Hannibal Lector way that I made that sound. But you get the idea. :)

[luckybeans]

Oh! What a glorious parcel! Sounds perfect for your dear family. So thoughtful and fun.

[kristin]

it is all so beautiful. how sweet is that elephant?
love the yarn so much. what a lovely package.

[Eren]

How wonderful and so perfectly suited to you and your children. Zane is sitting in my lap right now admiring the nest and making up a story about the little bird who used to live there. Thank you.

[brandie]

those are some really lovely gifts amanda!

[Amy]

Aaaaugh!! What a happy package! Everything so lovingly prepared. I love Mo...

Seeing this kind of thing is inspiring to me. I just want to spend the day putting together care packages!

[nina]

what an amazing package! and such a testament to your families' amazing kids.

[Tasha-Rose]

VERY COOL. I love it when we can find people just like our family, especially given the very hodge podge, stick to the standards place hat we live....What a treat!

[carol]

what a fun exchange!

[christina]

what a great exchange. i love that many of the gifts are homemade and found objects. it is wonderful to see that the kids are so involved with the exchange.

many great ideas. i am looking forward to reading Greco's blog now, thank you for the wonderful link.

[Mama Urchin]

What a lovely swap.

[Grace]

Wow! What fun! It all looks fabulous! Also, though I'm not sure I "should" share this, but my sister's name is Sophia ... we're always so excited to hear of others with our names. :D

[molly]

lizette IS so inspiring. What a wonderful idea between homeschooling families.

[Dawn]

Super exchange! It is lovely to have the whole family involved.

[joleen]

oh, so wonderful! she is such an inspiration to me as well. she's going to be our featured artist for portals next issue- the same issue you're writing for- how perfect! :D

[Crystal T]

Love that birds nest...

[Liesl]

Aw. How neat that you have so much in common like this! By the way, your post is very timely. I was just contemplating dropping you an email, wondering if you would tell us all a bit about home schooling and how it works, why you like it, etc. I'm very curious about it and about what happens when the children get older. Something you'd be willing to share with us? Completely from your point of view, not an opening for debates from others, mind you.

[brooke]

What a wonderful idea! This is a great way for the children to bond with each other. Everytime they enjoy the game or the nature items sent, they will think of their friends far away.

[christina Gomez]

would anyone like to organize a swap? Just an idea.....

[Lynn]

Yay! What wonderful stuff! I've been inspired by Lizette for a couple of years now too and absolutely love her work and visit her website regularly. Enjoy your goodies (as I can see you have been)!

[NessieNoodle]

such a fun idea. I remember doing something like this similar (although not so craft inspired) when I was in school... interacting with kids from different places really is wonderful and eye opening!

[hannah]

How lovely to send found natural things, I love to see the things I recognised and some I didn't. It is amazing th different things that grow across country, and from country to country too. wouldnt it be fun to do this swap with people from lots of different places???

[leslie]

oh i need a swap buddy like that! really cute. that game complete with instructions is a great idea, i already make the games but forgot about instructions! good practice for writing too. you homeschooling moms are beyond clever! ps: what great postal workers we have to get that nest from coast to coast in good condition. :)

[Lizette]

I'm glad you guys are making use of everything. It was indeed fun. And yes, the nest did fall from somewhere around here after a windy day, without any babies in it :)