Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Christmas highlights 2015

We had another fantastic Christmas this year! We had a wonderful time with family, are enjoying our new gifts, ate lots of delicious food, had beautiful Christmas services, watched Polar Express, played games, ate more great food, laughed and even saw Christmas lights again! God is so good! 
 My daughter and my hubby led the worship at the Christmas Eve candlelight service, my favorite!
 My niece and daughter watching the "Polar Express" with Grandma. <3 p="">
 Christmas morning, kids opening their stockings together...
 My sister and niece during present opening... in new jammies!
 The girls were quite excited to receive new legos, watches and a lego storage box!
 Love Bethy wearing her new hooded "My Little Pony"pajamas!
 My sister got a new biking helmet!
 Kids at Grandma's playing with new toys...
 Bethany opened her new camo pjs!
 
 Bethany loves her new Gerald and Piggie that Grandma and Grandpa gave her with a new book!
 We gave my parents a cute little diffuser!
 I got a new PURPLE winter coat from my hubby! I LOVE it!
 My sister read Christmas stories to the kids before bed, even though it was another late night!
Our cute niece and their dog, waiting for her Daddy to come back, climbing the stairs. We miss them, our house is quieter without them all! The time went by so quickly, as usual!



Luke 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Preschool math games

When I needed some homeschool activities for my preschoolers to keep them busy while the older kids were working, I wrote down this list. Since I am a preschool teacher by degree, I love that age. I have no more preschoolers now, wah! They're so busy and so fun!

Preschool Math Ideas

Counting with yellow counting board/ buttons
Count money/ play store/ cash register
Count dots on dominoes and dice
Writing numbers-- lots of great printables/ tracers online, 
     *I liked these, and the rhymes they have too.
Brainy Baby 1, 2, 3 cards
Abacus (I made one from a kit I bought online)
Matching games (stickers on juice can lids/ index cards) 
     *How to make matching game: here
Color identifying game/ I Spy something...
Plastic colored shapes- sorting, tracing
Fish math game
Number match puzzles (index cards cut in two parts)
Math cards (1 on one card, 1 dot on other, etc.,)
Money book (from a kids' meal or bank)
Go Fish
Shapes puzzles
Playing Yahtzee with the family!


Graphing- by color, type, favorite
Foam blocks (shapes, building, counting)
Cars/ ramps (measure distance)
Measuring tape, rulers
Measuring cups, spoons with rice or corn in bin
Scale/ Weigh him/her
Big/ Medium/ Small sorting (bears?)
Matching socks, shoes, counting pairs (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
Counting shapes, fruit (play food)
String beads/ necklaces
Clock/ time book
Trace and Cut shapes
Put cards in order (sequencing)
Stacking cups, containers
Telephone numbers (memorize ours)
Counting keys (free from key shop)
Transportation card sorting (stickers on cards)
Sports matching game, Cars matching game (stickers)
Count to ten in Spanish
Lap booking in preschool!

Books: Eating Fractions, Swahili Counting Book, M & M counting book, The Doorbell Rang, 1, 2, 3 (Anne Geddes), Ten Black Dots, Piggies; Ten, Night, Eight by Molly Bang, Who Sank the Boat?; Alexander who Used to be Rich Last Sunday
Little Blue and Little Yellow, Inch by Inch (both by Leo Lionni), Three Pigs/ Bears


Songs: 1 Potato, 2 potato; 5 little monkeys; 5 little ducks; One, Two Buckle my Shoe; Ten in the bed; One of our Number, Ten little speckled Frogs, etc.,

You can find another post about things to do with preschoolers in other subjects here. What else do you do? Any other ideas to share?

I hope these tips and ideas help you in your working with your children! The time really does go by quickly... my oldest will graduate next year!?!


Psalm 127:3-5
Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.


Deuteronomy 11:18-21
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates,  so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Bethany's 7th birthday!

Our youngest daughter had a joy-filled birthday recently! She enjoyed her family party after Thanksgiving, calling it her "Half-birthday" since it was early. She had a dual party with her cousin who is two weeks older. She loves her new books, toys and clothes!
 Books from cousins...

 Cool shirts from Auntie...

 Singing "Happy Birthday" together...

 At home, our girl with her #7 pancake... how can it be that she is already 7?!?!
 The "My Little Pony" centerpiece display at her party, that was the theme...
 Some things we set up since it was her GOLDEN birthday this year!

 A COOL shirt from big sister...
 Frozen shirt and jacket from Uncle...
A fun book from Grandpa and Grandma...
She got several more shirts, pants, legos, DVDs and clothing items. She also got a new Razor Scooter with light up wheels! SO cool! I think she will play with it more when the weather is nicer!

It was a wonderful celebration, and we're so thankful for our friends and family that joined us! Bethany is a joyful girl (unless she's hungry) and we're glad that God gifted her to us!

Genesis 2:3
Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Psalm 119:164
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.

Matthew 15:36
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

American Girl class: Kit class #6 (time #2)

We had another delightful class in American Girls this week! This was our final class for the fall semester, and the craft that I was a little nervous about! After we reviewed the book, Changes for Kit, I explained our craft.

In preparation for making mittens with polar fleece, I had bought red polar fleece every time I was at the craft store and saw it on clearance. It was a great way to buy it! I cut two pieces of red fleece for each girl, and measured it 12" x 12. Last time I did this class, I traced my ten-year-old son's hand, and my six-year-old daughter's hand, added three-quarters of seam allowance around, and made two tracer patterns for each. This worked well, since the girls were 6, 10 or in-between. I think only 2 of the 16 girls made them a little small! (Sorry, moms, I tried to encourage them to use the bigger tracers!)
My daughter took some photos of me sewing!
After they traced onto the fleece with a washable marker, they cut out the mittens. (The nice fabric scissors worked the best for this...) I explained that the girls needed to be sure they were cutting correctly, because I didn't have extra fleece for them if they made a mistake! Thankfully, I had moms who helped me and that made it easier too. Once the girls had their four pieces cut out (front and back for each hand), they brought them to me or another mom (thanks again to my mom volunteers that helped me sew on machines, it was so easy!)

Showing off their mittens!
 I left the cuff open, and the girls could add an old sock cuff to it if they wanted a cuff. I think they are fine the way they are! Most of the girls were quite happy with them, and it was a nice time of year to make them! I was glad it was an easier craft than I thought it would be... schwoo!

 The 2:00 class made them too!


For snack, we had Soup kitchen soup and homemade bread, which most of the girls enjoyed. 


I had thought maybe we could play checkers & dominoes, but we didn't have enough time. I read about President Roosevelt, his first "Hundred Days" in office and "The New Deal," from the Welcome to Kit's World book.

It was a wonderful class, but I can hardly believe that we are already finished with Kit! Next semester we'll study Molly and Julie! I'll miss seeing all these great girls over the Christmas break...


Exodus 26:31
“Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker.

Proverbs 31:21
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Matthew 27:27-29
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

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

This week for class, we read Kit Saves the Day!, which is book 5 in the Kit series. We discussed Hobos and the Hobo lifestyle too.  I wrote down some hobo signs that I found on Pinterest and had the girls guess what they were.

Then we began our craft, which was Reporter Notebooks, much like Kit may have written in. I bought small spiral-bound notebooks on sale in August during school supply season. The girls each got one notebook, a piece of red card stock measuring 3" x 4 3/4". I also gave them a piece of white cardstock measuring 1 3/4" X 4 3/4".

First, they decorated the white cardstock with stamps and stamp pads. Several of the girls made really cute designs, and great color combinations. After the white cardstock was all decorated, they applied glue to the back and glued it in the center of the red piece. Then the girls glued the red piece of cardstock to the notebook front. The girls enjoyed the craft, and several even stamped on the inside of the notebook! If you don't have a supply of rubber stamps on hand as I do, then you can use stickers instead.


 For snack, we had boiled potatoes, pinto beans, as Kit was given in jail. None of our food was moldy or cold though! Most of the girls liked the snack, even though it was plain (as it was planned to be!) 

 I read several pages in the Welcome to Kit's World book, about inexpensive fun, how they didn't know they were poor (because everyone was poor), and another page about how a teacher bought an expensive doll and gave it to a girl who had been in an accident.  

Girls stamping with ink pads...


It was another fun class, I can't believe we only have one week left-- where did our semester go?!



Exodus 26:14
Make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.


Joshua 2:20-22

But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” “Agreed,” she  (Rahab) replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Thanksgiving 2015 highlights

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving again this year. We took a week off of school, enjoyed the rest and sleeping longer in the mornings. We had family here on Sunday night and Monday, and then we followed them to Joshua's mom and sister's home about an hour from here. We enjoyed lots of time to chat, laugh, eat well, play games, go for walks, read books, watch a little TV (Who knew "Cupcake Wars" was such a fun show?!), sleep well, chat and laugh again, eat more delicious food, watch a movie, play more games, visit the Christmas tree farm and shop a little bit too. 
 Bethany reading books to her Tio and Tia...
 Bethany (in purple) and her cousin got their hair curled by Auntie Allie!
 So pretty and bouncy!
 The following day, Mallory had her hair curled too...
 Also very bouncy and fun!
 We went to the Christmas tree farm...
 Chose and cut our own tree this year...
 All crowded together for a selfie...
The following day we celebrated our little girls' 7th birthdays (one the week before and one the week after Thanksgiving).

 Such fun gifts she received!
 The silly girls the next day after we opened family Christmas gifts...
The four big cousins before we left... they had some fun silly times too, like licking each others' elbows...? They thought it was hilarious!

What a blessing family times can be to our hearts! We will have to wait several months until we are squished together again!


Psalm 122:8
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”

Acts 10:1-2
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Hebrews 2:11
Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
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