Thanksgiving

Bella's first trip to Chocolate World.

This is always at the top of the kids list of

"things to do while at Gramma's"

Heading into Hersheypark's Christmas Candyland.

Note my dad with the stroller trying to veer off

to hit up a Dunkin Donuts for coffee before

we've even entered the main gates.

Rosie is beaming over the first ride on someone's shoulders

that she can remember -

it was so funny -

she didn't know what to do when she got up there!

cousins on the train


Gramma and Bella

watching the train

cousins on the little pirate ship


documenting Dad's inability to pass a
concession stand

the lights are coming on

Santa's reindeer resting up for the big night

cousins on the swing

the band they were dancing to

Isaiah's 19th birthday

Rosie and "Jack", which, incidentally, was Bella's

first word. She quickly added the expected "Mama"

and "Dada", although she did surprise me

by actually calling me "Mommy" too.

She's holding there waiting for some other

words that are half that good.

Probably something like, "go away!"

Pappy, Jack, and Bella

Thanksgiving dinner

Rosie's turkey

Anna Kate's underwater alien turkey

We went to a war museum thinking we could

enjoy the outdoor exhibits, but didn't realize that

there was apparently a 10-15 degree wind chill factor.

After near death-by-boredom, Ethan suddenly was

very interested in taking a picture of everything in this room so that

he could draw them later at home.

Brian's cake nearly burned down the house.

And I had to add another candle at the last minute -

36, not 35 - I can't keep track anymore!

our annual girl's breakfast - this is half of us :^)

We got to drive through the most beautiful sunset, I'd

ever seen in Virginia on the way home.

These pictures don't do it justice, taken through a window that doesn't

roll down, while going 70 mph.

It touched my heart, because, even though, I enjoyed

my time with my family,

it wasn't my favorite trip ever, I just

felt really off all week. Probably the fact that Bella

slept very little, and, thus, I slept very little, had

a lot to do with that. :^)

I'm so thankful for my family.

Bella crawling

Kids Stats

Bella - crawling and sitting herself up - she's really going to take off soon! I think she's going to get a second tooth soon. She hated banans a couple days ago - gagged on them. Even just a little mixed in her cereal. She loved applesauce. Ate the whole bowl up.

Rosie- quoted Psalm 113 almost perfectly for my mother until the last verse - "He gives the bear and woman a home making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!"

Anna Kate - first item on her "I'm thankful for" list today? "I'm thankful that we don't live when they stoned kids for disobeying"

Ethan - on filling out an "If I were a Pilgrim" worksheet question, "my life would be differnt because" - "NO electricity"

Need a great Thanksgiving website?

Look no further! Scholastic's got you covered. Take a voyage on the Mayflower, learn about daily life, and the Thanksgiving feast. Than be sure to go to the printables for :

readers theatre script and character puppets

a printable Mayflower board game or "Turkey Teller" game

standing paper Pilgrims and Indians

Thanksgiving stationary and recipe cards

a turkey puppet

period recipe: red pickled eggs

make oiled paper windows like the Pilgrims'

pilgrim draw and write page

bookmarks

Cute calendar and symbols

turkey graphing

make a Wampanoag picture dictionary

reward cards

make a Wampanoag house

cranberry activities

Plant pigment napkin rings are a really cool activity (that I'll probably have to save for another year)

Does anyone else find using an empty toilet paper tube for a Pilgrim hat snack holder (and maybe even the napkin rings) disturbing? Of course, you could cut down a paper towel roll.

There are a few more free printables and gazillions more if you become a site member.

Have fun, and Happy Thanksgiving!

graphic also a free Scholastic printable

Kid News

Ethan:

Chose to make his Christmas box for a 2-4 year old girl. I think that he's decided that little sisters must be his life work, for now at least.

Anna Kate:

Told me yesterday, "I want to do ballet until I'm twenty so that I can be a professional!"

Rosie:

When asked what she's thankful for: "My mom and my dad and my sisters and my brother and that we can go to sleep so we can grow. Going to play outside and have fun and come back inside and get a bath and go to sleep - all these things are so beautiful. And I will wake up and be a teenager because I grew, and I will love my children. My friends. And I'm thankful for everything. Amen."

And she always says "amen" the traditional way, not with a long a sound. :^)


Bella:

Trying to crawl - she gets in the right postition, but tends to go backwards. She covers a lot of distance, though. Loves to give kisses, and she gets pretty spastic when she sees her Gran or Pa.

Veteran's Day 2009

My great-grandfather died last week. He was a World War II veteran. So was my grandfather (different side of the family). One told great stories. One didn't like to talk about the war. He claimed to not have seen much. I think he still saw too much.

So tomorrow we honor those who served. The greatest generation is dying out and if you have the privelege to have these family members or friends still with you, I encourage you to go and listen to their stories while you can. And thank them. Don't forget the grandpas and uncles who fought in Korea and Vietnam and the brothers and sisters who served in the Middle East.

The US Dept of Veteran Affairs has put together a wonderful teachers guide this year. I look forward to reading through most of it with my kids tomorrow. It includes activity pages, a readers play, and coloring pages. It also has an article about the role of Walt Disney in the war effort (during World War II). Here's a nice propaganda film referenced in that article:



We'll also be reviewing "Flander's Field" and making the poppies for remembrance that we didn't get to last year.

Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Psalm Memory Challenge

This year's Psalm is 113. We crashed and burned last year during the worst of the morning sickness. This year's looking good!

Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD!

Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the LORD is to be praised!

The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
Who is like the LORD our God,
who is seated on high,
who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD!


We're also memorizing:

"Father We Thank Thee" by Ralph Waldo Emerson - the kids think it's cool to immediately be able to say nearly half of it by just saying "Father, we thank Thee" or Father in heaven, we thanks Thee" at the appropriate times. :^)

"Now Thank We All Our God" is our hymn for the month




We'll also be reviewing Psalm 100, 150, and 67 from past years, as well as "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" and other Thanksgiving and praise hymns.

Our Morning Worship readings are from the Psalms this month. We read Psalm 18 yesterday which lead to learning the praise song "I Will Call Upon the Lord".

For our writing this month we're going to have on ongoing list of things we're thankful for and some nice copywork to make into a Thanksgiving book. That's the plan anyway. :^) Here are some link for nice handwriting paper for this.

a to z teacher stuff here and more here


So will you join me in my Thanksgiving Psalm memory challenge? It can be for your family or just for yourself. Leave me a link to your post with your chosen Psalm or just write it in the comments. Let's make this a month to focus on learning to praise the LORD with every moment and every breath.

Praise the LORD!

graphic courtesy of Kaboose

Swine Flu Epidemic?

Finland downgraded swine influenza in July.

more info here and here

Nature Park Pics

Our day that was predicted to be "sunny" turned out a bit cloudy. So I had two challenges: catching the peaking sun for the best pics, and not losing all the good shots to blur from Bella's happy bouncing in the sling. Next time, Brian's going to have to carry her :^)

She decided to lay down for a pic

So Anna had to too :^)

Yep, I'm taking your picture again, babe

our Bella Grace, "beautiful gift"

We were on a mushroom hunt - Rosie, especially,

likes to hunt for mushrooms

Never know how many more of these pics

I'm going to get. I'm holding tight to and savoring

every bit of little boy that's left.

Anyone know what these are?

This one makes a pretty desktop wallpaper.

Pumpkins and Halloween

We've started working on simple craft projects while the kids listen to our read-aloud. They love to draw and paint and it is a great opportunity for them to do lots of simple projects. I can do the more complicated ones on our Art Day (Thurdays). They listen better and longer when their hands are busy too. :^)



So heading into Halloween week, here are some links I'm using this year:

1. abcteach has a pumpkin page full of fantastic stuff - I'm thinking about making Rose a new seasonal set of letters. ( I love that it has lower case letters to print for a fun matching game too.) I envision Anna's copywork this week being in the Bat and Pumpkin shapebook. Some simple projects for read-aloud time will include the cut and paste jack o lantern faces, the lacing card, and the paper bag puppet. We might even squeeze in the Paper Bag Pumpkin on Art Day. We may use the Experiment pages too, at least the one for describing their pumpkin - I really want to start nature notebooks and this would be perfect.
2. Crayola comes thru as always. This time I have my eye on the halloween message game to work on during read-aloud time - I think we're going to have to read a lot this week :^). Maybe Farmer Boy will get finished after all.
3. On Art Day we'll be using colored pencils to color in a picture of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. (He's our "artist of the month"). Then I'm planning to have them do a thumprint pumpkin patch and glass jar jack 'o lanterns (sorry, can't find links for either right now).
4. For Music Day we'll be using the fantastic Classics for Kids again. This time a program of spooky Halloween music complete with quiz and activity page.
5. Instead of memorizing a new poem this week, we'll be reviewing the ones we've learned and memorizing bones instead. Test your knowledge. I'll also be pulling out Rattle Your Bones: Skeleton Drawing Fun .

We were supposed to tackle Magnets and Electricity this week too, but I can't get to the library until tonight. We'll have to see if we can squeeze it in between the pumpkins. And did I mention that we have free tickets for a pony ride at the equestrian park that expire this week? And Anna has some extra reading to finish so that she can get her "Book-It" Pizza Hut voucher. We'd better get a lot done this week!

Sewing

I finally got my sewing machine set up! (actually my mother-in-law got it set up - don't ask how many years I've had it).

Tonight I made Ethan's Link tunic and hat for his costume. Tomorrow I need to make his boot shoe covers and a cape for Anna Kate's Goldilocks costume. I also need to get bows for Anna and Bella and a blingy jacket for Rose. She needs a jacket anyway, but I can't find the right one. Denim would be perfect - I can add the bling - I just need it to be cheap.

But I'm picking up scarves at the Dollar Tree asap. Because as soon as the Halloween costumes are out of the way - my next project are dollar baby legs. I found this fantastic blog called Dollar Store Crafts tonight and she linked to this project. I checked out the Dollar Tree website and I'm hoping that mine has these, because I've been wanting to get some Baby Legs for Bella, and these are definitely a better buy.

One Thousand Gifts

Anne shared this quote day before yesterday:

"If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and all perfection, he must tell you to make a rule to yourself to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you.

It is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing.

If you could work miracles, therefore, you could not do more for yourself than by this thankful spirit. It heals and turns all that it touches into happiness."

William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life

I was convicted and decided to renew my attempt to list my many gifts. As often as possible.

7. Black crows on colored maple against blue sky

8. Grocery shopping that is finally done (at least for a day or two)

9. Bella sleeping quietly

And Rosie's list :^)

1. A mommy and a daddy

2. A big Jesus

3. Brothers and sisters

Yummy Dip

Try this Mexican Style Refried Bean Dip. I made it yesterday for Ethan to take to his first football practice tailgating meet and it's delish!

I Have the World's Best Eight Year Old!

Bella woke up from her nap, so Ethan went to entertain her while I finished Rose's music lesson. He just brought her out. He'd changed her diaper and dressed her!

A little while later he said, "And she was poopy too! That's the grossest thing I've ever done."

Orionid Meteor Shower

This is the annual meteor shower from Halley's comet debris. The best part? It peaks at 6 AM EST, so you can watch it and get sleep. :^) Check Space.com for more details.

View from the Other Side: Paper Towels

Okay. Here's my new series. Ever wonder what "those people" in the corporate or manufacturing world are thinking? Ever wish you could ask them or tell them what it's like over here? Well, they may not listen, but I'm going to tell them.

First up: paper towels.



Dear Sparkle,

It's so nice that you have new prints. I especially like the fall print that looks great in my kitchen, and the seashell print that is perfect in my bathroom.

But I don't understand why they all come in muliple packs that always include a spring print. Don't you think that if I like a print, I might really just want the same one?

You're not selling any more paper towels this way, because I don't throw the spring one out. In fact, I'd be far more likely to stick with your brand if you always had my favorite print available without having to buy the other ones.

I'd buy lots of seashell paper towels, Sparkle. But if I have to keep ending up with teakettles and spring flowers to get them, I'm going to switch to Scott's plain white ones. (I know you have plain white ones too, but I'm bitter.)

Sincerely,

Alicia

Bath mat saturation

Anyone else have this problem? Found any good solutions? I sent a certain young one out to hang up the now-saturated mat on the back deck rail a few days ago, but now said mat is caught in a rain-dry-rain-dry cycle that may render it "never heard from again". I'm thinking a retractable clothes line over the bathtub - that could come in handy for drying out other things too...

Mamas

After singing several songs including "There is a Fountain" and "Nothing But the Blood", we read a chapter on "God is Holy" from Leading Little Ones to God. One of the the end of chapter questions was "How do we know that we are sinners?"

Ethan quickly answered, "Because the Bible tells us so." Rose quickly added, "And our mamas." Ethan smiled and responded, "Mamas are good blessin's!"

Calling All Tag Lovers

Does your baby love tags? Then he or she will probably adore these. Bella's love of tags has already manifested itself and she was thrilled when I pulled a couple of these out for her.

Our Kids Speak in Song Lyrics

Brian picked up Bella and said, "Baby, Baby."
Ethan, who was sitting nearby asked, "Do you love her with the sweetest of devotion?"

Sweetie Bell

Don't Miss This Homeschool Post (Even If You Don't Homeschool)

Anne at Holy Experience has shared "A Day in the Life of Homeschooling: 7 Rungs". Don't miss this. If it was a book, I'd give it 5 stars and tell you to buy it - so go read the article that will only take you a few minutes, okay? Then tell me if it doesn't renew your vision.

Homemade Costumes That I Would Choose For My Kids If They Had No Opinion (e.g. My Favorite Easy Ideas, courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Martha Stewart's website has a ton of great ideas for costumes.

1. I first saw these 6 Hair-Raising Ideas in the Marta Stewart Kids magazine that sadly doesn't exist anymore. My two favorites are the Rose Garden and the Ice. I think they might have a real chance with my kids in a couple of years when they're past the regular "dress-up" phase.


2. She also has some cool family costumes. My picks are the Outer Space and Woodland Creatures (instructions here).


3. And how sweet and easy is this Leaf Garland Costume ?

Costumes

Well I thought that I was going to have a theme going this year. The Family Fun issue came a few weeks ago and had sea costumes. Ethan decided that he wanted to be an octopus, Anna the jellyfish, and Rose the mermaid. So I bought a lobster outfit for Bella at that weekend's consignment sale. I had a feeling that some or all of them would change their minds.

I was right.

But I think that we mostly have it nailed down now.

Ethan saw a cape with sleeves that came with a freaky skull mask. Why do they have to make everything so freaky?!?!?!? It was really the sword (Not included) and cape that he liked. He's kind of getting a bit too old for the kiddie costumes. He was Anakin last year, but he's pretty much past the dressing up stage. Yes, my little boy who a few years ago was always in costume has pretty much given up that game.

Soooo... We looked all around the costumes and for a while a vampire type cape and pumpkin mask (freaky one) held some promise as a not-too-macabre headless horseman. Understand, he's not out to be macabre, although it doesn't bother him, it's just the cool stuff all comes with those kind of masks.

Finally we ended up with an adult size hooded black velvet cape. He's going to wear it with a slow in the dark black t-shirt with green neon rib cage that I'd bought him. And green light sabre, or glow stick daggers. Whatever. I just don't want him scaring little kids.

I actually, finally, (after looking the past couple of years) found a pattern for a Link costume that I could actually pull off. I was very hopeful that we could return the cape and go for that, but he's kind of attached now. Arrgh.

Rose decided pretty early on that she wanted to be Hannah Montana. She spends her whole day dancing and singing (to the point that Ethan was almost in tears last evening begging her to please stop), so I couldn't really object. Especially when I knew that Hannah wigs were on clearance at Walmart. I snagged one for $3, along with two Hannah denim hats and 2 ribbon headbands for $1 each. Last night we added a bright pink petticoat skirt and a singer set of purple inflatable guitar, huge microphone, headset and hair clips for a total of $10.

Anna Kate chose Goldilocks somehow. She already had a green pioneer-type dress with pinafore, so we added a $10 pair of shiny lace up boots. I'm pretty sure her main motivation for choosing this is that she loves to have pillow curlers put in her hair. My worry is that it will rain and they'll immediately fall out, or that she'll have to wander around all day in curlers, but she's happy. Brian and I will have to wear bear masks, although I'm hoping to find some kind of headband. And if I can find a cute one at a good price, Bella will be Baby Bear, otherwise Anna Kate will use a build a bear bear.

Because the lobster costume is on the small side and not really what I would have picked to begin with.

So what are your kids going to be for Halloween? If you don't do Halloween, do they have a favorite dress-up outfit or are they hoping for a new one from Halloween clearance?

P.S. A commenter on the Walmart website said that she bought ribbon to lace up the boots and they looked like boutique boots. So that is their destiny. Won't they look cute with read ribbon laces at Christmas?

Pinano

I love the way Rose talks. She just told me, " I am going to play the drums and sing, and lou [you] are going to play the pinano, because you are good at that."

Apples!

Today we had to do our "apple day" to go along with our apple-picking trip this past weekend.

So...

We headed to our friends house loaded with supplies. She made supper - and apple crisp.

First we made wormy apple finger puppets. I printed a few of these apples for the younger crafters.

While they worked on that I read:

A Day at the Apple Orchard

Apple Farmer Annie

Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains - one of my favorite books!

Then I passed out these hidden picture puzzles, and Dara read Johnny Appleseed .

Next we apple-stamped some vinyl tablecloths. You can see one drying in one of the photos - I'm hoping the fabric paint will be permanent on the plastic tablecloth - I was too cheap to buy fabric tablecloths for kid art.

We were going to do more apple-stamping on cardstock, but the kids were stamped out - unusual for them.

So we moved on to making mini candy apples. We used butterscotch chips (which won hands down), cinnamon chips (also good), and crunchy peanut butter rolled in mini chocolate chips.

I invented an "Old Maid"-style math game last week, where you try to get matches that add up to "10" or any other number you choose. I printed these on red construction paper to play together. But I forgot about it.

Some days I'm really glad that my head is attatched.