Thursday, October 29, 2015

American Girl class: Kit week 1 (time #2)

This week in our American Girl class, we reviewed the book, Meet Kit and discussed the Depression era. I told some stories that my grandmother had told me about life during the Depression. 

For our craft, we made a felt sports banner with white felt and stickers. I cut a long triangle measured 8" X 20" for each girl. I gave the girls some felt and foam stickers and had some felt scraps that the girls could cut. The banners were not very sports oriented, but were much more flowery and girly! 

 For our snack, we had Sponge Cake & Iced Tea, like Kit's mother and her friends ate at their Garden Club meetings.  The girls mostly liked the cake and the sweet tea that we had. 

Also in book 1, Kit moves out of her room into the attic. Many people lost their homes during the Depression and had to live in a home with many people, like Kit's home, or in an apartment. We had a printed paper suitcase, you can find the template here. The girls seemed to enjoy coloring them and they wrote what they'd pack if they needed to move, or what Kit would have packed in her suitcase.
 Cutting our flowers and letters for their banners...
 The banners are white, same color as the table!

 I loved their creativity and variety of what to put on their banner flags...
 The finished products!

 The 2:00 class working on their pennants...

 They worked more slowly and carefully... I helped this girl with her letters, but I was drawing on the back of them, didn't think about them coming out backwards-- oops! She liked it anyway!

 I really enjoyed the class this week, and I'm looking forward to talking more about Kit over the next several weeks!


The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Homeschool First Grade: The Glorious Flight!

We had an enjoyable week in First Grade homeschool last week! It is a joy to work with my first grader who still enjoys her schoolwork so much!
We read these two books by Olivier Dunrea, I think they may be my favorites! She read most of them on her own, which was doubly fun!
She matched clothespins with letters on them to cards that had words on them. I found  this idea on Pinterest, and it was a good beginning spelling challenge for her!

Our book this week in Five in a Row was called "The Glorious Flight" by Alice and Martin Provensen. It is about an aviator named Louis Bleriot, who invents his own airplane and flies in France, and over the English Channel to England. We enjoyed discussing France and England, doing a French flag, and looking at the area where he took his flight. We discussed new vocabulary words, the strong title, parts of the airplane, and more. Bethany wrote a few sentences from the story, we discussed perspective and viewpoint in art, and learned about Roman Numerals in math. Then on Friday, we made and flew paper airplanes! We tried a few different designs and learned how they flew, and then modified it to make it better. I got fun photos of the planes flying!


Another thing I found on Pinterest to help with spelling was these printables that Bethany could match Scrabble Apple tiles too (Scrabble tiles or Bananagrams tiles would work too). She did pretty well matching the letters!
Have you ever read The Glorious Flight with your kids? We recommend it!
Next week we will be discussing Grandfather's Journey. It's wonderful too!


Verses about flying and wings...

Genesis 8:6-8
After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark 7 and sent out a raven,and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground.

Psalm 90:10
Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

American Girl class: Rebecca week 6 (time #2)

We had a delightful American Girl class this week! We read Changes for Rebecca (book 6 in Rebecca series) for class this week. We discussed the book, and Hollywood a little bit. I was going to bring pictures to show the girls, but I forgot! : - (

After we discussed the book and Hollywood, we got into our craft. We made a leaf garland using old magazines, cardstock and a 36" piece of twine. I got the idea and directions here. I gave the girls three small pieces of white cardstock each. Then they looked in the magazines and found red, yellow, orange and brown pieces to cut out. They added the colored pieces that they cut out to the cardstock with glue. When that was done, I had them trace leaves and cut them out. It worked well to trace on the back of the cardstock that they glued on. I found the leaves to cut here. (I didn't use all of these leaves on this page though.)

I also printed a family book for Rebecca, but most of the girls didn't have time to do it. I got the printable here. It is a printable book that you can cut out, layer and staple. You can have the girls write the names of Rebecca's family members on the pages. I forgot my stapler, so the few girls that did make the book, couldn't staple it together. Oops!

My daughter's finished product...
The 2:00 class...


Our snack this week was lemonade, squeezed on our own from lemons.  You can find the snack recipe here. We didn't have lots of time to do this either (the craft took longer than I expected!), so one of my helpers made it in the first class and I did in the 2nd class. It was yummy, and pretty easy too!
That concludes our study of Rebecca! We liked her story, some of the girls are a little sad to move on! But next week, we begin KIT! She is from the time of the Depression, and has a neat story too!


Some verses about leaves and trees...
Jeremiah 17:8
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Daniel 4:12
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.

Luke 21:29-31
He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Homeschool First Grade: Mike Mulligan

This past week in first grade, we studied and read the book, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton. We've read this classic story and enjoyed it many times, and we enjoyed studying it and reading it again this week. The personification and illustrations make it obvious why this book is well-loved. Since Mike Mulligan is not written to be in any specific place, we didn't talk about a flag or use a map. We talked about the land of "make-believe", and we enjoyed studying the art, imitating and drawing trees, making our own steam power, discussing the flexibility that we need to have at many times in life, and taking good care of the things we own. Bethany also made squares and played on her geo-board with rubber-bands.
On Monday, she did her math and writing in her own little niche in the corner! : - D
 Working on the geo-board...
 We made our own steam power using the tea kettle and a pin wheel... the girls thought it was pretty cool how we got it to spin!
Have you read this great book? We love it, it is a classic! Next week we'll be reading another great book, The Glorious Flight!


Exodus 37:25
They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it.

Jeremiah 5:1
[ Not One Is Upright ] “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.

Mark 2:4
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

My teenage driver

This week has been a big one in our lives, our teenage daughter got her driver's license! She is a good driver, and will learn to navigate, as she is not good at that! The first few times of her driving while I was in the passenger's seat was pretty weird, I have to say. We have adjusted to her driving though, since she has had her driver's permit for one year. She drove over 50 hours, and some had to be night-time hours. I think that is many more hours than I had driven when I got my driver's license years ago!


I was thinking this week that having a teenage driver is a good way to jump start your prayer life! As she drives off on her own, I pray and pray. I am not in the van to "control" her and guide her. She has to manage it all on her own! So I am relying on God more now as I send her off down the road, that He will guide and control her, as well as protect her. I have been reminded of a song by Cheri Keaggy, which I heard her perform in concert. When she talked about this song, she spoke about her son driving her car, and how she prayed for him as he left. I have remembered that...It is about this very thing, your child growing up, driving and more, so I will include the lyrics here...


Here I am again, now my boy is ten
As I pray for him each night
My heart remembers when
He was very small, now he's grown so tall
Reading books, and running fast and playing ball.
My how time flies, tears fill my eyes.

[:: CHORUS ::]
I'm still praying for you, my boy,
And proud of all you've done.
No matter what this life may bring
You'll always be my son.

Tugging at my heart,
driving my old car
Call me when you get there,
please don't go too far
Soon you're twenty-five,
found yourself a wife
God has blessed your union with a little child.
My how time flies, tears fill my eyes.

[:: CHORUS ::]
I'm still praying for you, my boy
And proud of who you've become
And though you are a Daddy now
You'll always be my son.

Jesus on the cross,
sent to save the lost
Fighting just to catch a breath
The Holy Son of God
Mary on her knees echoes her son's plea
My God, my God why have you forsaken me?
Still she knows why He came
You can almost hear her say

[:: CHORUS ::]
I'm still praying for you, my boy
Hang on, you're almost done
No matter what the people say
You'll always be my Son.
I'm still praying for you, my boy
The victory's already won
And even though you have to die
You'll always be my Son,
let Your Kingdom come
Christ, the Holy One.

Read more here 

You can listen to this song here.
=====================================


What a beautiful picture she created of a mother's love! I love how she says, "How time flies..." because I have really been thinking that lately. The days are long but the years are short... I feel honestly like it was just yesterday that she was beginning kindergarten! But I know that God always has been with her and will continue to be. What a comfort to any mom, but especially one with a teenage driver.

Psalm 86:16
Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.

Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.


Mark 15:39-41
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.  In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Homeschool First Grade: How to make an Apple Pie...

Last week in first grade, we read How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman. We had a lot of fun talking about the different parts of the world, finding them on a map, laughing at the illustrations and the text, and counting in the story. On Friday, we concluded our week by making an apple pie, using the recipe found in the back of the book! It was very yummy!

We did not make a homemade pie crust as it instructs in the book, but we used a store-bought one. We ate with store bought ice cream too. I didn't know how much we would like it after the large dinner that we had, but we ate it up! I kept thinking how American it was, since we were watching baseball championships the same night-- as American as apple pie and baseball! : - D
 Our process...
 Before we baked it...

After we baked it... yum! It was a fun theme this week, and we really enjoyed this book, and using our own home-grown apples from our backyard trees!


Proverbs 7:2
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

Proverbs 25:11
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.

Zechariah 2:8-9
For this is what the LordAlmighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— 9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

American Girl class: Rebecca week 5 (time #2)

This week in American Girl class, we discussed Rebecca to the Rescue (book 5 in Rebecca series). I had also printed pages from Wikipedia about Coney Island, and showed the girls some pictures and read parts of the pages in class. I also read parts of the back of the book. 

For craft, we made a paper bag for prizes, and then we played games to win small prizes. We played bowling and we play beanbag toss. In the 2:00 class, we had enough time to play Hullabulloo. The girls liked playing the games a lot!  For prizes, I meant to bring candy that I had at home, but I forgot it. I did bring lots of stickers and plastic bracelets. The girls really liked them!
 Coloring their brown paper bags...
Our snack this week was Root beer and Coney dogs. (hot dogs in buns with chili sauce). Most of the girls liked the snack, especially the root beer! The snack mom also brought ketchup in case the girls didn't like the chili. There was about 1/2 of the girls that didn't want chili. 

 Eating coney dogs for snack...
 Playing bean bag toss...
 Girls in the middle of the room, waiting to play games...

 The bowling set that we used was one with animals on it that we got as a gift years ago, and my kids still play with it!  The girls waiting to play games...

It was a very fun class! We only have one more week left of Rebecca before we begin KIT! The semester is going quickly...


1 Corinthians 9:24
[ The Need for Self-Discipline ] Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Fall Break trip!

We enjoyed a lovely time at a friends' cabin this past week for a few days. It is a few hours away, located in the mountains. It features such beautiful views that never get old. We worked on a puzzle, watched a few shows (Iron Will and the new Annie), did a little homeschool, went shopping in town and to the pool. It was just the R & R that we needed, we only wished that we could have been there longer!
The views are incredible there!

Daddy played a silly game called "Fibber" with the girls...
The girls put the Fibber glasses on their chairs... silly!

We went to the spot where we got married before we left town, it was a lovely day!
Sure love God's beauty in the mountains! Never get tired of this!


Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

Isaiah 49:13
Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Friday, October 9, 2015

Mallory's 9th birthday!

Our middle daughter Mallory had a very fun American Girl themed birthday party this past weekend. She turned NINE years old! What a joy she is to our family, and such a sweet, funny, smart and fun girl she is! What a blessing from God, we are so thankful for her life! We enjoyed celebrating her with family at her party. Several of our friends were out of town because of Fall Break. 
 A new sparkly shirt with a dog on it...
 A new movie from her cousins... yea!
 A cute sweatshirt from Auntie...
 New Frozen leggings...
 A sparkly sweatshirt!
 She got two stuffed Olafs, Olaf wall clings, and an Olaf fleece blanket!
 She had an idea what was in this box...
 A new American Girl doll of the year, Grace! Here is the book...
 She loves brushing Grace's hair, and changing her clothes...
 Her fun Star cake...
 It was layered white and red velvet...
On her actual birthday, she had a #9 pumpkin pancake!

It was a fun few days! We sure enjoy our Mallory girl!

Psalm 92:1
[A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.] It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High...

Mark 15:24-26
And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.

Luke 17:17
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten (lepers) cleansed? Where are the other nine?
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