Southern Snow - A Rare Treat

From Three Weeks Ago: This is Anna Kate standing in flurries excitedly exclaiming, "I have snow on my finger!" (swiped from the bag of mulch.) That was pretty much it for that time.



Yesterday and today were our annual Ice and Snow days for the year. that's about how often we get a snow that you can play in. and it was a good crusty snow this time, perfect for sledding.

that's how far the sled would go

my family loves the way the ice molds, then

comes off the magnolia leaves in imprinted sheets

Anna Kate handed Bella a piece of ice, which

she thought was very neat for about one minute -

then she started yelling about how could it

made her little fingers!

Black History Month

This is kind of my pros and cons on the topic.

The first con is the way these things change names. I suspect that African-American History Month is the pc name nowadays, but I'm not looking it up right now. The name thing is, I think, irritating to many "European" Americans. Seriously. Can't we all just be Americans?

That, I suppose, is, albeit it in a somewhat convoluted way, the point. Equality of all Americans, and the historical lack thereof.

Which is why I do, typically, observe in our home school, this focus of history. If we haven't previously focused on the lives of prominent African American, I make a point in February to point out some of the movers and shakers. Read books about their lives. Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman. The latter, by the way, was one of Ethan's first favorite historical characters - she was one of mine in elementary school too.

These men and woman truly made a difference in history to change this inequality. so learning about them, and how they changed things that were horribly unjust is my biggest "pro" for a month with this theme.

This year we spent a day once again learning about the work of Dr. King. Our primary American history text this year follows a simple timeline of American history with each chapter being a biography, starting with Columbus and ending at the turn of the century with Billy Sunday. Along the way we will learn about Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver (who I fear will generate as much confusion as Martin Luther of the 95 Theses and Dr. King).

But here is my big "con" question. Why are people focused on and studied this month just because they are African American? Famous football players, an astronaut, a newscaster, whatever. If they were the first to break into a field dominated by bias and prejudice,marian Anderson, for example, then, yes, this is historically significant. But if they just happen to have a certain skin color, why are we spending time learning about them anymore than the guy beside them that is white, yellow, or brown? I think it's missing the point. Or at least, what I think the point should be.

Homeschool Freebie Newsletters That You Want in Your Inbox

I love freebie newsletters. I'm building archives in my documents folders. Just save the free files in your documents, creating folders for each subject as you go along. Then when you're putting together a unit on the American West, just check and see if you have anything in you Social Studies folder. The free stuff may even inspire a whole new unit idea.

So here are some of my favorites. I've probably shared them before, but I'll put them all here together this time.

Dover Publications - these samples come to your inbox once a week. Fine art coloring pages, clip art, presidential paper dolls, preschool activities, origami - it'll make you jump up and down and clap. :^)

Currclick- note the "free stuff" link on the left side of the front page. You will get a weekly e-mail with a free product download each week. This is a great site for buying lapbooks and copywork files that you can instantly download. I've gotten great sets of illustrated Scripture copywork for $.50 - $1.50 here.

Learning Page - sign up for a free membership that gives you "no strings attached" access to the worksheets. You'll also receive an e-mail to notify you of new sets of worksheets. This used to be once a month, but the site's been undergoing some changes recently. However it remains a treasure trove for the 3rd grade and under set. Mine it!

Time for Kids - this is Time magazine's student publications newsletter. It will link you to the new worksheets for each month. Most can be done without the publication, and they are usually very relevant. Recent newsletters have contained New Year's resolution and Olympic worksheets, for example. There are also lots of archived articles and worksheets. Find the newsletter link at the bottom right corner of the page.

The Homeschool Freebie of the Day - Add this one to your bloglines! Each day you get a new download. Free products offered by other, often independent, publishers. Books that are public domain in pdf format. Radio shows from the 30s-50s on mp3. You're gonna love it! Right now they're downloading The Big Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock, in several parts. Don't miss out. Add this one to your bloglines, or sign up for their mailing list.

Raspberries

Children's Museum

Ethan's birthday party

his actual birthday

The Party

He originally wanted a Zelda theme, but it was rather difficult to put together due to the Zelda games serious undermarketing, so eventually he morphd it into a general game theme. We borrowed a wii, put out Twister, board and card games, hooked up the Nintendo 64, and played.

The balloons on the chairs were his idea.

pin the tail on Epona :^)

Jesus' Birthday Party

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is having

a birthday party for Jesus.

We'd done a pageant a few years ago, before she can remember,

but it was that Rose angel in the middle that just had to act

out this story - and she wanted to be an angel - the one

above the manger, to be exact.

The outifts are made from clearance ($2!) fleece blankets

from Walmart and since there were no white blankets -

plastic tablecloths and gold garland from the Dollar Tree.

With a few belts and scarves thrown in, of course.

Everyone agreed that the perfect Mary was dark haired and lovely.

Ethan, however, was a little less enthusiastic about being

Joseph. I think he was afraid of all the "married" jokes

that his sister might inflict upon him.

The children all insisted that Bella be the baby, even thought she's

not "quite" a newborn - and the wrong gender for the role.

She really didn't want to lie in the manger - she was much more

interested in crawling around.

I thought the cake was pretty, but I'm never sure what to

do about the candle, and I never think about

that ahead of time. It is tradition, though, for

all of the children to blow it out together.

They also enjoyed a beaded wreath craft,

watching "Small One", a hot potato-like gift passing

game with a gift that was wrapped several times and

contained party favors, and Christmas charades.

Aunt Eloise's birthday

It started with asking if Aunt Eloise was doing anything for her birthday (a few days before Christmas) and then a request to bring her over and I'd have a cake to surprise her.

But I am me, and they are my children, so it kind of morphed into a bit of a birthday tea party.

Bella thoroughly enjoyed her first tea - I think it was tangerine zinger. :^)

Silly Boy

Bella Grace - almost 8 months

Ethan's Birthday Letter - Nine Years

Sweet boy,

I feel change in the air. Nine years old is not a little boy anymore. Christmas and your birthday weren't full of action figures and toys, but things like ds games, an aquarium, nerf guns, a crossbow, and ocarina, and lunch out with mom and dad. Of course, the little boy still came out in fits of absolute giddiness at being out to lunch or getting an unexpected gift, but my boy is growing up.

I want to stop it, and then, again, I don't. Because I'm already seeing glimpses of the extraordinary man you're going to be. Your tender heart, that, while sometimes is far too easily bruised, also is so very sensitive to the things of God. You're a people-pleaser, but even more than that you're a God pleaser. You feel personally every misuse of His name. You are not afraid to speak for Him to friends and teammates. You care about doing what's right. And you can't stand to be in sin. When you were caught doing something wrong recently, you were so very upset. Much more upset with yourself for doing wrong than for the discipline you received.

But I can't pick you up anymore. I remember thinking about when the last time I carried you would be, but then I don't remember if that was it, or if it came later.

But you're too big to carry now. Uggh. I wasn't done carrying you. I'll always carry your sweet little boyness in my heart. Pausing here while I put myself back together...

So yes, back to the pet thing. I kept thinking about what to do, this too busy, too allergic mama. But you asked to spend your Christmas money on a goldfish, and the time was right. (You ended up with a beta, though.) You name him Nick. And said he needed a middle name, so I suggested Sebastian. And you said, yes, Nicholas Sebastian --------. I hope he doesn't break your heart. I hope he's a hardy little beta.

Cub Scouts was a big part of your year. You are growing to be a lover of outdoor things. You are seriously bummed that a January birthday doesn't make a nature hike party or camp out a very good idea. I don't think you realize how much you are like your dad in this love of nature. It's so hard for him to do those kinds of things with you now, but he loved them too. Still does. And I'm glad that you guys can still do some of these things together. Cub Scouts makes that a little easier. And you are so cute in your uniform. I know you'll hate that I said that, but I think you still secretly like being told that too, even if you have hit the gagging phase tolerance level for sappy things. Yep, you used the word "sappy" today and knew what it meant. Didn't know that was on your radar.

Football wasn't really your forte as it had been in years past, but that's okay. I'm glad that you ended up enjoying it after all, and I'm sorry the weather didn't cooperate as well. You have so many talents it's hard to know what I ought to be signing you up for! I also want you to have friends and get lots of exercise. You love swimming and are good at that. But you also are finally interested enough in learning the piano to practice, and you'd like to learn how to play your guitar. And art. The drawing and now sculpting are way beyond me, but I want you to have the materials you need. You were so excited to get modelling clay tonight!

There's so much I want to teach you, but already at age nine I feel like I'm running out of time. So much to learn, so little time. Your time with me is half gone. Half gone! Is it possible? Be still my soul. I'm so glad I'm not a mama bird with just a few months, eighteen years is flying by, but I know you'll be ready. Your daddy is pouring his heart into you. He wants you to know God and to know His Word thoroughly so that your foot doesn't stumble. And he teaches you diligently. I want you to absorb God's words, hiding them in your heart. This is the best thing I can teach you, because His words give life, are eternal, and will accomplish His purposes in you.

Last year you were overwhelmed by the lack of boys in your life. But you have taken great joy now in being the best big brother to your little sisters (well, usually, the older they are the more they can get on your nerves, huh?). And you've made your first really good friend in our neighbor, William. I'm glad that you finally have a boy in your life on a regular basis, you wouldn't believe the things mothers start to feel responsible for and guilty over. I'm praying this year that William will come to know and love Jesus as you do, so that you can be the best of friends for a long time.

Bella Grace is a beautiful gift to all of us this year, but I will never forget your sweet face shining with tears of joy as you held your baby sister for the first time. I knew that you planned to watch over her for the rest of her life. I hope she survives it :^) - she's blessed to have a brother like you.

You are always volunteering to go with me on errands, especially at night, and I love your chattering company.

What do you love this year?

1. Zelda. I finally found a Link costume I could make for you for Halloween. Wish I had been able to do that when you were still in the dress-up stage. You don't play dress-up much anymore. Some days I miss my four year "superhero of the hour".
2. Your nintendo ds. Rosie got a Leapster 2 for her birthday and thus began the descent of handheld gaming systems in our household. Before long, Anna Kate had bought a Leapster off Craigslist and you were gathering together every penny you had to get your ds. You got it off Craigslist too and have loved it. I'm still just amazed at how easy they make a 10 hour car trip. If only Bella could play a ds!
3. At the beginning of the year you still vacillated between Star Wars toys and Transformers. But now you say that you're not into those things anymore. You want a nature bedroom now. We bought pine garland and pine cones in after Christmas clearance. We'll see if this is a new phase or the new you.
4. You loved shooting the bow and arrow at the Cub Scout sleepover and also shooting, there, and occasionally with Pa. I think that Nerf Gun and the crossbow may figure big in this new year.
5. Drawing. If you're not on the ds or computer (can't forget Guild Wars), you're probably drawing.
6. And your mp3 player was a permanent fixture this year - until you got your ds. Did I mention that you love that thing?

In school, math is a little trickier because we're still working on those times tables. The cursive writing is starting to get a bit more comfortable. The reading is so much better! Now to make you love that enough to do it on your own more :^) You're getting there. You enjoy science and social studies too.

I always wonder what really important stuff I've forgotten in these letters. But I guess I'll just say, "I love you" and I still "wanna wake up every morning to your sweet face." Just like when you were three.

Forever and for Always,

Mommy

New Moon

I finally made it to the movie! Not too bad. :^) I enjoyed it.

But I'm kind of bothered by the fact that anyone seeing this movie (including myself) will find themselves wishing that Bella would end up with Jacob. I find this disturbing because anyone who's read the books knows that Edward is her true love - and you don't mess with that! (Yeah, I'm the type that was mad at the end of Enchanted for that very reason.)

Good grief.

Oh, and by the way, they played this preview at New Moon. Squeal. Love, love, love. Please don't mess this movie up, people, because it looks like it could be my new favorite.

Bella Grace - 7 months