tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41224731930146827382024-03-14T09:41:38.935-05:00Our Little MonkeysMamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.comBlogger961125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-2799033923527906402019-11-27T13:11:00.001-06:002019-11-27T13:11:11.571-06:002019-2020 Homeschool School Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's been a long, long time since I've shared an update on this blog. Recently, I was updating some file download links because I frequently receive emails asking how to download the files. Doing so made me decide that perhaps I should give a quick update so that those who stumble across this blog can see what we're up to now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjy3uWRlGkkp_eF0G7-c8QkUvLYQ6ujzdAOpZWa7JoYGWSC0Gt1ql4pGp5oRZlyiGCzNQ_hZ_ckRV4KmN7Z1RgatnHxlSu6evPFWDnTUZgq19MTujAV0j8UzwNaF_PlbZue8Dxg7RVNkB/s1600/_DSC9212+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjy3uWRlGkkp_eF0G7-c8QkUvLYQ6ujzdAOpZWa7JoYGWSC0Gt1ql4pGp5oRZlyiGCzNQ_hZ_ckRV4KmN7Z1RgatnHxlSu6evPFWDnTUZgq19MTujAV0j8UzwNaF_PlbZue8Dxg7RVNkB/s320/_DSC9212+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We are still homeschooling. This year, our kiddos are 6th, 4th, and 3rd graders. We school at home from Monday - Thursday. On Fridays, we attend a homeschool co-op with 4 classes for each student. This provides gym, art, specialty classes (such as learning about engines, sewing, survival skills, etc) and other classes that are more fun in a group setting.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We moved from My Father's World to Heart of Dakota. Slowly, we worked our way away from HOD in order to combine children for history and science, as we enjoy sharing those parts of our day together.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We are using a lot of <a href="https://mail.masterbooks.com/te/click/52NW/80ebb3df-0313-4796-b2b1-2c1b4bc23aae?url=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFzdGVyYm9va3MuY29tL3Jld2FyZHMvcmVmZXJyYWwvaW52aXRlL2lkLzMxODk4Lw%3d%3d&h=ac773b53be86714cbf490ed276ceb2b0" target="_blank">MasterBooks</a> curriculum this year. We're finding that it's beautifully Christ-centered, great for apologetics, and easy to accomplish each day. We are doing devotions, science, and history together as a family. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HXnGdpVW_Hjo7yI8ujvCchFsKbGG2fxJwUKF3aftCoU5jst4q7LHZx-c5wyM_r3HrhiVLjLJYJZCBqGHjDmDQu-99AcgxDhxArUz0ZhNGcgYpSaDhd9JpNHA9cG-x0oyNAiLvDEq0_08/s1600/20190814_102657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HXnGdpVW_Hjo7yI8ujvCchFsKbGG2fxJwUKF3aftCoU5jst4q7LHZx-c5wyM_r3HrhiVLjLJYJZCBqGHjDmDQu-99AcgxDhxArUz0ZhNGcgYpSaDhd9JpNHA9cG-x0oyNAiLvDEq0_08/s320/20190814_102657.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Below, they are working on a zoology project, making a 'water cycle' bracelet to go along with one of their lessons.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gu1wIYTv6z9eQwfHA_O3ePwQqx-9gjvYtfIrYD-4YN6eMYbL4xP2e4iKEVWa-SoHEOuc6jzuwvZJxuZ0STl9wmmLC6XK_VQwydFBKrD5Tu2omg6KXBUBIF15gIZU9BMMKFpkZKqOTa9A/s1600/20190924_145703-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gu1wIYTv6z9eQwfHA_O3ePwQqx-9gjvYtfIrYD-4YN6eMYbL4xP2e4iKEVWa-SoHEOuc6jzuwvZJxuZ0STl9wmmLC6XK_VQwydFBKrD5Tu2omg6KXBUBIF15gIZU9BMMKFpkZKqOTa9A/s320/20190924_145703-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Currently, we are about 3/4 of the way through America's Story Volume 1. We are about halfway through Elementary Zoology. We are using the 10 Minute Bible Journey for our morning time together. (You'll also see America's Story Volume 2 and Elementary Anatomy in this stack, as those are on deck to begin when we complete our current books.)</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdAnultjR5jLjsC0tRF3_eaTerebRfcIcl44feYOR-Ds001vlYRnCq6KczhQnKWKRFDrWu72f2Up1iHnuDdUS0icPkb9BSR2ECwusyaRp1aMIRS6NMZvIlpKlwdeHYCSgG1JYGDEUwg8D/s1600/20190814_102207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdAnultjR5jLjsC0tRF3_eaTerebRfcIcl44feYOR-Ds001vlYRnCq6KczhQnKWKRFDrWu72f2Up1iHnuDdUS0icPkb9BSR2ECwusyaRp1aMIRS6NMZvIlpKlwdeHYCSgG1JYGDEUwg8D/s320/20190814_102207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our 6th grader, Alex, is using Language Lessons For A Living Education, Level 5. This is a big switch from our former curriculum, Growing With Grammar. I loved Growing With Grammar, as it's simple and covers everything well. I did notice that, although Alex is great with grammar, many of these lessons just weren't 'sticking'. I gave him the option to try LLFLE this year or continue with GWG, and he decided to LLFLE a try.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
He's also using Math Lessons For A Living Education. He began a few years back with their 4th grade book, and he's now working in their 6th grade book. Math is not his favorite subject, and this is one that is thorough, but doesn't cause a lot of tears or fighting. (This is why we gave up Singapore - it led to regular tears and anger in our home, beginning in book 3B.) Writing Strands is also in this stack, although he hasn't used it so far this year. He made it about halfway through the book last year, but we've put it on hold so far because LLFLE 5 is meant to be all-inclusive. He is also using a Proverbs Bible study that I think is really neat - it's simple, yet thorough. (This is not from Master Books, although we did order it from their website. They no longer carry this product.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgRwa585aASDEtgdBfmToD-9NxOLKbjsQPyntLiavOjJiPCCrvd8j-8MgO-zXdWz11gwoCJ7FlE0K28OTT4NgIxQvg6xPpeGQ9nGFv509EoPv-sKXBFLwuveUgNRWHudbw3FAnfHo6A0F/s1600/20190814_102234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgRwa585aASDEtgdBfmToD-9NxOLKbjsQPyntLiavOjJiPCCrvd8j-8MgO-zXdWz11gwoCJ7FlE0K28OTT4NgIxQvg6xPpeGQ9nGFv509EoPv-sKXBFLwuveUgNRWHudbw3FAnfHo6A0F/s320/20190814_102234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Max, our 4th grader, is using much of the same - Language Lessons 4 and Math Lessons 4 from Master Books. Math is for sure his strong suit! He is so good at mental math, and he's almost finished with Math 4 already. He'll be starting Math 5 after Christmas. He has Writing With Ease Volume 3 (not from Master Books), but he has not used it yet this year. We've loved the first two, but like his big brother, we are holding off on additional writing curriculum while we adjust to Language Lessons. Max also is finishing up Cheerful Cursive, which he started last year. It's my favorite cursive curriculum. I believe we bought it from Rainbow Resource. For Bible, he is using the Jesus Time provided by our church. He is probably our most diligent student, knowing that the sooner he completes his work accurately, the sooner he can go off and have fun on his own.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuz-CEZDRMb1hq42nEcRN-wq9Ni5jd99CD_U2bjSaM91KemM4-5OgKMJ2gU8Lr0TpxvVM2EgKoxxkfcyGNA111hnE1hBtOaw_ioTOpQlEEANpdZJ6TVpdh2EVtnIgGhmBWYDicKUgJd9q/s1600/20190814_101527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuz-CEZDRMb1hq42nEcRN-wq9Ni5jd99CD_U2bjSaM91KemM4-5OgKMJ2gU8Lr0TpxvVM2EgKoxxkfcyGNA111hnE1hBtOaw_ioTOpQlEEANpdZJ6TVpdh2EVtnIgGhmBWYDicKUgJd9q/s320/20190814_101527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEX7xtQ5_5FmTFtJhQVVP2tW913GX7SfC-YwyEAdJ_pkJX1mlcWI0BVOIHvS-08qECSs4Kfo9-JFQ5rw3jdTn707ereTSWLO8cACN1tD_WHVsfvmV3QhCgEDejB-0FtjN1S9RnzcgYkZA/s1600/20191009_105945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEX7xtQ5_5FmTFtJhQVVP2tW913GX7SfC-YwyEAdJ_pkJX1mlcWI0BVOIHvS-08qECSs4Kfo9-JFQ5rw3jdTn707ereTSWLO8cACN1tD_WHVsfvmV3QhCgEDejB-0FtjN1S9RnzcgYkZA/s320/20191009_105945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our 3rd grader, Jensyn, is using the same math and language as her big brothers. She has completed Language Lessons 2 now, and she is working her way through Level 3. Level 2 is in the picture, as we were still finishing it up at the beginning of the school year. (Language Lessons 2 came out last fall, after our school year had already started, so she got off to a late start.) She's also using Master Book's More Than Words curriculum, which is a neat Bible and character program. It's new this year, and she BEGGED to use it. She really likes it, and I do, too. I love the topics and themes, but I will likely have her do a more focused Bible study next year. I do miss that! We also tried A Reason For Spelling. There's nothing wrong with it at all. It's a neat program. We have decided to simplify, though, and just have her use the spelling in Language Lessons. (She also have Writing With Ease Level 2, but we are not currently using it.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwp9ob0GuoIEb2Ap3BTieqVQdi7U8RdvxBpLRA2GbS7CbX0WlEE_aRrA_Eaizq_Zw5i2BjO99zY4oDIa6AG-HUwz1BWX5kgDArMfskzSNfUZGDftaNKsiJ3HE6lhDc-ya5WTYgC2beekc/s1600/20190913_094044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwp9ob0GuoIEb2Ap3BTieqVQdi7U8RdvxBpLRA2GbS7CbX0WlEE_aRrA_Eaizq_Zw5i2BjO99zY4oDIa6AG-HUwz1BWX5kgDArMfskzSNfUZGDftaNKsiJ3HE6lhDc-ya5WTYgC2beekc/s320/20190913_094044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As far as outside interests, both boys are in a Christian program that is similar to Scouts. It is offered at a local church. They do badge work, Bible lessons, and 'boyish' projects together twice a month. <br /><br />Alex loves to be helpful and hands-on. He enjoys following Dad, learning to do all sorts of odd jobs around the house and yard. He has helped install a new sump pump, tear out a patio, fix small electronics, etc. He likes to know how everything works! He likes to research the latest technology for phones, tablets, and computers. This semester, he took an Engines class at co-op, learning how an engine works and assembling his own working engine model. He also took a survival skills class (photo above), in which the boys learned a lot of neat skills - building shelters, starting fires in the rain, making clean water for drinking, etc.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOpZ_YqLhDPUoGMPCdKIqjUrl18hFWXzM6_0m8Uic0g1Y2nt9PrguLCqaIAmkTbplqPt2gUWwB7zmzwAdW0ct1Ju38lJ0XYTUAkSzk75Y7scKuASXULp5CzGLPJij2ZO0UoHwhqKu6P2O/s1600/20191125_150308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOpZ_YqLhDPUoGMPCdKIqjUrl18hFWXzM6_0m8Uic0g1Y2nt9PrguLCqaIAmkTbplqPt2gUWwB7zmzwAdW0ct1Ju38lJ0XYTUAkSzk75Y7scKuASXULp5CzGLPJij2ZO0UoHwhqKu6P2O/s320/20191125_150308.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Max is our creative one. He enjoys acrylic painting, building Legos without any instructions, creating out of random items, reading for hours, and playing soccer. He also took the engines class at co-op, and he really enjoyed building the motor. He also took an art class, gym class, and Legos. He's all about the creativity and fun! He's an energetic kid, but he can also get totally absorbed into a book or project, and he sits still and totally blocks out the world for hours on end.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUEhiJeBHAxcWh7ypgFHZQ0pt24adtPq8IuWcTTH5v8DNILdI4N7w26nlH6zld1DnU3ch-zFMu0KGbVAPRuSWm9wz6AQTzkUYtQCS8_tAoIs6oXpvwugLfvFY2sms8uSugW1QY3a-3aTj/s1600/20191030_121426-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUEhiJeBHAxcWh7ypgFHZQ0pt24adtPq8IuWcTTH5v8DNILdI4N7w26nlH6zld1DnU3ch-zFMu0KGbVAPRuSWm9wz6AQTzkUYtQCS8_tAoIs6oXpvwugLfvFY2sms8uSugW1QY3a-3aTj/s320/20191030_121426-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jensyn is our dramatic one. I don't mean in a stage-production way. I mean in a 'you never know what you're gonna get' way. She can be quiet and sweet, or she can be feisty and spirited. She is also involved with a local girls group, similar to Scouts, that meets at a local church. They do crafts, games, and Bible lessons together twice a month.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At co-op, she had art class, gym class, sewing, and book club. She didn't love sewing, but she made a cute tote bag and some fun scrunchies! She is looking forward to a class called "Crafty Panda" next semester, where they'll try a variety of crafts throughout the semester.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She loves to draw, color, craft, cook, and bake. Her free time is often spent doodling or writing in notebooks. She often pops into the kitchen and takes over for me as I am making dinner. She has started her own little cake decorating business, thanks to some kind friends & neighbors who are willing to pay for her services. So far, she has earned $10 - $15 per cake. She is still very much a beginner, but she is proud of her efforts, and she's learning more all the time.</div>
<br />I think that about sums it up. I may try to pop in and do a yearly homeschool update post, but there are no guarantees on that, especially when you consider that the last post was from 2015!<br /><br />While I'm not quick to reply to comments, I do try to respond to contact form emails within a week. Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions or for help finding what you need on the blog.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-30403185160111240662015-09-22T16:01:00.001-05:002015-09-22T16:06:35.433-05:00Homeschool Update #3<p align="justify"><font size="4">{<font color="#0000ff">Beyond Little Hearts Unit 21</font>, <font color="#ff0000">Little Hearts Unit 4</font>, <font color="#ff80c0">Little Hands Unit 3 & 4</font>}</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">We’re now doing 4 days per week of <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com">Heart of Dakota</a> and one day of our homeschool co-op. We’ve had three co-ops so far, and we are really enjoying our current semester! It’s such a WONDERFUL group of moms and kids!<br><br>Alex is taking:<br>History Through Music, Solar System, Foods & Nutrition, Gym<br><br>Max is taking: Sign Language, Solar System, Foods & Nutrition, Gym<br><br>I asked them separately, and they chose almost exactly the same schedule! They are LOVING their foods and nutrition class! The teacher lives on a farm, and she brings fruits and veggies from the farm each week. They’ve done a tomato taste test, talked about the vitamins and minerals in different produce items, learned about ‘eating the rainbow’ each day, made a rainbow fruit salad, and made a rainbow salsa with homemade cinnamon tortilla chips. The kids are doing the slicing and measuring with guidance from the teacher, and they are truly enjoying themselves!<br><br>Jensyn is in the preschool class, where they sing songs, do a Five In A Row story and character lesson, do a craft, have gym class, and do a show and tell/activity hour all based on the weekly theme. Here’s Jensyn with a few of her preschool friends after we made a fruit salad together on “Fruit of the Spirit” day.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nxTk4j7qw0g/VgHAyBi9L5I/AAAAAAAAjy8/yCi01Marils/s1600-h/09111512098.jpg"><img title="0911151209" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0911151209" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G1ICmkjZh0w/VgHAygkDaxI/AAAAAAAAjzA/5NN_Sw43VNw/0911151209_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="220"></a><br>I’m in a mom’s prayer group, helping in a jr. high/high school archaeology class, teaching a Fun In The Fifty States class, and leading the preschool show & tell/activity hour. <em>(Here are the ‘big kids’ in the hands-on archaeology class. They’re using crushed berries to make paint.)</em></font><font size="3"><br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ufW4G-7d_hI/VgHAzDAmccI/AAAAAAAAjzI/PmNKmebl790/s1600-h/0911151020a%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="0911151020a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0911151020a" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5R7jf7J_0bM/VgHAzw1J87I/AAAAAAAAjzQ/PBOIoUyxgQs/0911151020a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="295" height="231"></a><br>We also had a homeschool day at our local library this month. It’s a new program they are hoping to get going. The theme this month was architecture. They built Jenga towers, read a fictional book about building bridges, and made structures with toothpicks and marshmallows. My kids all had a great time! (Jensyn was here, too – somehow I didn’t get a picture of her!)</font></p><font size="3"> <p align="center">Max with his friend Xander (who is also a part of our co-op)….<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EMUiG_78ZZk/VgHA0Y_ZLNI/AAAAAAAAjzY/DbzK3CgPkkI/s1600-h/09151510535.jpg"><img title="0915151053" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="0915151053" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C6t2lthQ364/VgHA1LTu9fI/AAAAAAAAjzg/f7OoIIbUVXg/0915151053_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Le9uQvzNAnE/VgHA1q10F9I/AAAAAAAAjzo/yeRd6trMJsg/s1600-h/09151510565.jpg"><img title="0915151056" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="0915151056" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fsh19xmEaiE/VgHA2b0voqI/AAAAAAAAjzw/Z6QU_WcfTn4/0915151056_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br>Alex…<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PKF8sUxi0Ak/VgHA2-BvY9I/AAAAAAAAjz4/791Wp7ULwPU/s1600-h/0915151056a5.jpg"><img title="0915151056a" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="0915151056a" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qOMcP3v-NJ0/VgHA832N4jI/AAAAAAAAj0E/lqatgvS9k2A/0915151056a_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y2eMqQQ6LtI/VgHA9u00vwI/AAAAAAAAj0I/Or91vlXHkvQ/s1600-h/09151510546.jpg"><img title="0915151054" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="0915151054" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XwuFmZu99r8/VgHA-nwTWWI/AAAAAAAAj0Q/CsI1OJ0p_V4/0915151054_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="162" height="244"></a><br><br>We also had a fun field trip to an apple orchard with our co-op friends!<br> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tBG1tviJkzU/VgHA_FpuBYI/AAAAAAAAj0c/TArCD4ZR5Aw/s1600-h/DSCN46976.jpg"><img title="DSCN4697" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4697" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yMCzVk8ZQHk/VgHBAHHkjvI/AAAAAAAAj0g/PahMNJX1jXI/DSCN4697_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="223"></a></p></font><font size="3"> <p align="justify">Now, on to the ‘meat’ of our homeschool…<br><br></font><font color="#0000ff" size="5"><strong>BEYOND LITTLE HEARTS FOR HIS GLORY, Unit 21<br>(Alex, age 7)</strong></font></p> <p align="justify">As you can see, we haven’t made a whole lot of progress through the guide since the last update. In 13 school days (including 3 co-op days and a field trip, so 9 days at home), we’ve done only one unit in Beyond. Whoops! We’ve been working on getting Alex settled into a good routine in some other areas, so we’ve made slower progress than we normally would. It’s all right – I don’t mind, as long as he’s learning. We can stretch this guide a little longer if needed.<br><br>Teaching Textbook seems to be a great fit! We finished Singapore 1B, and Alex has completed eight or nine lessons in TT3. He is excited to do math again! </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-48zJq505QXo/VgHBAmYEAUI/AAAAAAAAj0o/2dXQAcEm3KQ/s1600-h/DSCN464711.jpg"><img title="DSCN4647" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4647" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_feRQMTvH4E/VgHBBDiaQHI/AAAAAAAAj0s/9UMkV2kTkoQ/DSCN4647_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="285"></a></p> <p align="justify">He is struggling with two-digit odd and even numbers, so we’re going to take a day or two to work on this before moving ahead. Other than that, he has done VERY well with Teaching Textbooks 3! (Below, he’s working on an odd/even color by number that I printed online. We’re gonna master odds & evens with a little fun!!)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mb1P9FZjZ1Y/VgHBBWRm7pI/AAAAAAAAj00/yL00K2ldfUM/s1600-h/DSCN4707%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4707" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4707" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0r8hASd5Ow4/VgHBByQs1fI/AAAAAAAAj1A/-PSU2GPSouU/DSCN4707_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="280"></a></p> <p align="justify">Spelling. This boy. He is an excellent speller. It seems like this just comes to him naturally, and though he isn’t perfect (who is?!), he seldom struggles with a spelling word. HOD spelling is a perfect fit for him – it’s simple and quick! I’d always thought I would use All About Spelling with him, and I’d considered continuing Spelling You See (which we reviewed last year), but I just don’t see the need to complicate things since he is doing so well. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fc3EHINYNBQ/VgHBCdy86eI/AAAAAAAAj1E/ASlqaokB4Ew/s1600-h/DSCN46456.jpg"><img title="DSCN4645" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4645" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hhtgFMQEq4s/VgHBCvdd1GI/AAAAAAAAj1M/QC3GYcrDmog/DSCN4645_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="314"></a>Growing With Grammar – Beyond’s grammar program just wasn’t enough to help the grammar concepts stick in Alex’s head. I bought Rod & Staff 2, but it seemed like it wouldn’t be the right fit for Alex at this point. I kept coming back to Growing With Grammar, and it has really been a good choice. Alex enjoys it, and he is doing well with it. He’d rather rush, skip over the directions, and end up making mistakes, but when he is encouraged to concentrate, he does excellent work!<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXp-0TJTCxQ/VgHBDEQHclI/AAAAAAAAj1Y/45pCwPfjbKw/s1600-h/DSCN46265.jpg"><img title="DSCN4626" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4626" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Km1rLTqRHtE/VgHBD5IQpYI/AAAAAAAAj1g/LQMsRxRDLTs/DSCN4626_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="244"></a><br>We highlight important words in the directions (he LOVES to highlight now!), and this seems to help the directions stick in Alex’s mind. His ability to write a sentence (with subject/predicate, capital letter, and punctuation) has really grown. I am thankful to have come across Growing With Grammar! I have heard it’s repetitive over the years and kids often grow weary of it, but for now, it’s just what Alex needs!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4inWFtj5Wy0/VgHBEX2gYnI/AAAAAAAAj1o/PK9JVOeuiGM/s1600-h/DSCN46355.jpg"><img title="DSCN4635" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4635" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0IJyKESNiRY/VgHBE9qVGdI/AAAAAAAAj1w/sMzuA3x1oBg/DSCN4635_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o_qHwj4bBBQ/VgHBFX0kg8I/AAAAAAAAj10/J_qEZI_NmSk/s1600-h/DSCN46365.jpg"><img title="DSCN4636" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4636" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZPsvuQugs-U/VgHBFsDBs_I/AAAAAAAAj2A/lXAgEYd0oHY/DSCN4636_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Ahhh, the FUN of science/history lessons! Alex complains that, as he gets bigger, school is less fun and more work. He’s jealous of Max and Jensyn’s short, playful lessons. It’s true that math lessons are more challenging, grammar and copywork are harder than handwriting practice, and everything takes a bit longer. But seriously…look at this stuff…he’s still having lots of fun, active learning projects!<br><br>In history, we read about a young French pioneer named Marie. She and her family were traveling in an Indiana canoe as they relocated to Detroit. We read of the adventures they experienced along the way, the Indians they met, and the challenges they faced.<br><br>One of the projects in Beyond was to make homemade salt dough (measure and mix) and then build a canoe with toothpicks and dough, using a picture in the history book as a model. Alex LOVED this project, and I love how his canoe turned out! He is very proud of this canoe! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YLm0JPLEe2o/VgHBGJN4kPI/AAAAAAAAj2I/zflN_PBBJAs/s1600-h/DSCN46218.jpg"><img title="DSCN4621" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4621" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pR-H_W6IHWQ/VgHBGrRHOJI/AAAAAAAAj2Q/56c03eVbBLY/DSCN4621_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yqw_3z97U9o/VgHBHEBzM0I/AAAAAAAAj2Y/N8MVeWUZimg/s1600-h/DSCN46228.jpg"><img title="DSCN4622" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4622" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yz-jIzaxne4/VgHBIIK9sBI/AAAAAAAAj2g/-6lWnJ9LxpE/DSCN4622_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Here is his history book, propped with a pencil box, so he could use the picture as a model.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-an6Mjpupky0/VgHBIpmTs7I/AAAAAAAAj2o/QOQkKNuTzWo/s1600-h/DSCN46239.jpg"><img title="DSCN4623" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4623" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nuZzqenGaJY/VgHBJN6hAnI/AAAAAAAAj2w/6MiXp-WtWaA/DSCN4623_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" height="269"></a></p> <p align="justify">During this unit, we learned about different types of clouds. Alex made the clouds out of cotton balls and glued them to a paper chart. This correlated with our history lesson when Marie and her family were travelling by canoe during a rainstorm.<br><br></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y1Ov84e9BbI/VgHBJmukVII/AAAAAAAAj24/JrMrcMBKTNQ/s1600-h/DSCN46466.jpg"><img title="DSCN4646" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4646" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5kqr6i9vzvw/VgHBKBfU_TI/AAAAAAAAj3A/UTTGnRXbcI8/DSCN4646_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="247"></a><br>We also read about Marie spotting a hummingbird. After this history reading, our science reading was about birds. Then we filled several containers with different foods (rice, popcorn seeds, colored water, etc) and used a variety of household items as “bird beaks”. We explored to see which kind of “beak” was best for picking up each kind of food. This was really neat, and all three kids wanted in on the fun!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XmdApXt7Up8/VgHBKlQbRwI/AAAAAAAAj3I/Yp16BMLtXt8/s1600-h/DSCN46376.jpg"><img title="DSCN4637" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4637" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V-5erBehVlg/VgHBLBY94rI/AAAAAAAAj3Q/peBkRk2vorA/DSCN4637_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uo_l2Mt7vNo/VgHBLus-MRI/AAAAAAAAj3Y/g-r5JCN9Z4U/s1600-h/DSCN46385.jpg"><img title="DSCN4638" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4638" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MaWDlkHTvVo/VgHBMTc_sZI/AAAAAAAAj3g/JnFMKhJo-Rk/DSCN4638_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fe_jvTEG5XQ/VgHBM4BBCjI/AAAAAAAAj3o/syGtEYEKIJA/s1600-h/DSCN46395.jpg"><img title="DSCN4639" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4639" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g4rwGY8iwOw/VgHBNuODKxI/AAAAAAAAj3w/igc5pHElj3Q/DSCN4639_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="243"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iApn5GOrglU/VgHBOMNBuXI/AAAAAAAAj34/UFVkM_-7q70/s1600-h/DSCN46405.jpg"><img title="DSCN4640" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4640" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XOlxb2yXEBI/VgHBO1ZA3_I/AAAAAAAAj4A/H98Z91U_nxg/DSCN4640_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="221" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Each unit ends with a Bible study on Day 5, rather than a history lesson. I absolutely LOVE how Heart of Dakota ties in Biblical truths with the history lessons for the week. This week, we read from Philippians and talked about how the pioneers had to learn to be content with very little. We talked about feeing anxious or worried, and what it means for US to be content.</p> <p align="justify"><font color="#ff0000" size="5">LITTLE HEARTS FOR HIS GLORY, Unit 4<br>(Max, age 6)</font></p> <p align="justify">We are off to a slow, but steady start with <a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=639">All About Reading</a> Level 1! Here is the much-loved rhyming word ice cream cone project. Alex loved it several years ago, and now Max enjoyed it just as much! When he finished, Max colored the ice cream so that each family member could have a cone in their favorite flavor.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tJocJxYh_Ak/VgHBPWbd6VI/AAAAAAAAj4I/qz0JYPqvKek/s1600-h/DSCN462412.jpg"><img title="DSCN4624" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4624" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WmVfAZr-aCw/VgHBPxJo_SI/AAAAAAAAj4Q/nqIHcSDv690/DSCN4624_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MShtLJsHiNA/VgHBQTN1ZAI/AAAAAAAAj4Y/4jZ4nTgnH60/s1600-h/DSCN462511.jpg"><img title="DSCN4625" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4625" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AJJqIxfcNHQ/VgHBQxFio8I/AAAAAAAAj4g/YcdS4PsMxv4/DSCN4625_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Here’s Max working on the “Feed The Monster” activity in Lesson 3. He LOVED feeding the words to the monster!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uJXhFZ6m-JI/VgHBRXXJdbI/AAAAAAAAj4o/g7TsPYMwLYI/s1600-h/DSCN4720%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4720" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4720" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YTQkwJpmUFw/VgHBR5r9ZhI/AAAAAAAAj4w/ppcWlCdUYh8/DSCN4720_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H6PRrM36kwc/VgHBSYmyx3I/AAAAAAAAj44/_VnO9dwFktE/s1600-h/DSCN4721%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4721" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4721" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-95HjWeCP5Gc/VgHBTExKUkI/AAAAAAAAj5A/BAnVLu1BHqE/DSCN4721_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ti4lJOqFK4/VgHBTgbFPbI/AAAAAAAAj5I/mOh9SxQaf3A/s1600-h/DSCN4722%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4722" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4722" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a3U6Lndg5Y4/VgHBUFOvv5I/AAAAAAAAj5Q/tpyJdfK3bTc/DSCN4722_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="237"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We’re working through Rod & Staff’s “Going On Eagerly” book. Max enjoys it, especially the ‘finish the pattern’ pages. Beginning with the “G” book, each R&S book features a different biome. Max is not too interested in the arctic facts on each page, but I try to read those to him whenever possible, as they are interesting facts!</p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p6B7mkEgGWg/VgHBUjeAC1I/AAAAAAAAj5U/uzfNv7P8c8E/s1600-h/DSCN46278.jpg"><img title="DSCN4627" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4627" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i_hfGrxXCtA/VgHBVBnvFtI/AAAAAAAAj5c/QaVJ5Hjcqkg/DSCN4627_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="158"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8abccEg5TVI/VgHBViK5TGI/AAAAAAAAj5o/cyBPSHnN-LA/s1600-h/DSCN4716%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4716" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4716" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UdyifYsU6k4/VgHBWIXEgqI/AAAAAAAAj5s/wZjfE_eiD8A/DSCN4716_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="justify">My little math whiz is zooming through Singapore Kindergarten book B. I’m pretty sure he’ll be starting first grade math sometime after Christmas. Other than the occasional backwards number, he is handling the math with ease!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gixbbavHdFg/VgHBWbytUKI/AAAAAAAAj54/XFDbs6UFgC8/s1600-h/DSCN46329.jpg"><img title="DSCN4632" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4632" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odm7OboezmY/VgHBXLW1HrI/AAAAAAAAj6A/IwAMEgCaMuA/DSCN4632_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="239"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HjvhOgeKKL0/VgHBXjTHMhI/AAAAAAAAj6I/j3prCG2SZBs/s1600-h/DSCN46339.jpg"><img title="DSCN4633" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4633" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Qu-EdV6FtE/VgHBYHOwy7I/AAAAAAAAj6Q/8g0HOODSeAo/DSCN4633_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="237"></a><br><br>…and sometimes, we are GRUMPY about math…when it’s straight fact practice with no fun!<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9_YejN2Of8o/VgHBYpas-QI/AAAAAAAAj6U/_rRYKhak3lY/s1600-h/DSCN4709%25255B9%25255D.jpg"></p><img title="DSCN4709" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4709" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Hsle4F8moY/VgHBZMW6M8I/AAAAAAAAj6g/F8SN304ZcoQ/DSCN4709_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="190"></a> <p align="justify">After reading our Bible story, we had an activity about rain and clouds. We played with dry cotton balls, wet cotton balls, and a cup of water. We made heavy clouds and rain. Max thought this was GREAT fun!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z5s0BG0irZo/VgHBZv-KHrI/AAAAAAAAj6o/qvUwg6MXpGM/s1600-h/DSCN4717%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4717" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4717" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GGO3kTR8yZU/VgHBae-0CXI/AAAAAAAAj6w/uorbLZceBzs/DSCN4717_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0CIp5Z4EgK4/VgHBcG8tMUI/AAAAAAAAj68/3BD0MvFchbk/s1600-h/DSCN4718%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4718" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4718" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D8__pa3g29E/VgHBc8r6KoI/AAAAAAAAj7A/w571eRskxc4/DSCN4718_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UM958JkbN5k/VgHBdQWK3MI/AAAAAAAAj7I/Y8ThPrFc2ds/s1600-h/DSCN4719%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4719" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4719" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R1MQdN_g8hs/VgHBeBJ53OI/AAAAAAAAj7Q/WleqptDr-uM/DSCN4719_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="244"></a><font color="#ff80c0" size="5"><br><br>LITTLE HANDS TO HEAVEN, Units 3 and 4<br>(Jensyn, age 4)</font></p> <p align="center">{<a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/2015/08/curriculum-choices-2015.html">THIS POST</a> contains links to some of the extra worksheets we find online…}</p> <p align="justify">Somehow, we’ve made more progress with Jensyn than with the boys. I’m not quite sure how that has happened. So I’m including pictures of two different units here. It’s not much, as I somehow didn’t get many pictures of her, but she is thoroughly enjoying her school time with Mommy!<br><br>Jensyn LOVES to make playdough. Because of this, we’re doing the <a href="http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2015/04/playdough-play-mats-alphabet.html">printable playdough mats from 123HomeschoolForMe</a>. In these pictures, she made a playdough “C” (with a little help from Mama to roll the snake-shape) and is driving a playdough car around the c-shaped race track.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6mvpV-rW44w/VgHBekuIiWI/AAAAAAAAj7Y/yYFM06I1kzw/s1600-h/DSCN463415.jpg"><img title="DSCN4634" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4634" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vqi-3AIFSCw/VgHBfZhVN4I/AAAAAAAAj7g/chmj1HvVzRU/DSCN4634_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="261" height="285"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kZohoo2YRd4/VgHBf9f53fI/AAAAAAAAj7o/P9Xt3aeYUUg/s1600-h/DSCN46319.jpg"><img title="DSCN4631" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4631" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mml2UrSVLE8/VgHBgkb56vI/AAAAAAAAj7w/xQ0rlXMA9I4/DSCN4631_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="284"></a><br></p> <p align="justify">Things Jensyn loves – her Rapunzel playset and her Bible. This is from an activity related to the story of Abraham and Isaac, in which Jensyn had to hug her Bible and say she loves it more than anything – even a special toy.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Yp1tawa-YI/VgHBhDq3FpI/AAAAAAAAj74/S9IfZe_gYCM/s1600-h/DSCN46288.jpg"><img title="DSCN4628" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4628" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dsyL9GV8p-M/VgHBiEJIUII/AAAAAAAAj8A/iYiBlSAwbHU/DSCN4628_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9kjDDjAczic/VgHBig_aEYI/AAAAAAAAj8I/8vhUcJnmE0Q/s1600-h/DSCN46308.jpg"><img title="DSCN4630" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4630" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4UNnCuZTC-Q/VgHBjapYKuI/AAAAAAAAj8Q/V8-sign-Ksw/DSCN4630_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="165" height="244"></a></p> <p>We talked about how we can’t hide from God. We tried to hide (camouflage) our names, but we could still find our names. Here is Jensyn’s ‘camouflaged’ name. She is very proud of it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mYC-b-hKQ6A/VgHBj9rdCjI/AAAAAAAAj8Y/XGOOKSIHLRo/s1600-h/DSCN46498.jpg"><img title="DSCN4649" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4649" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TrrqGPU8pWE/VgHBkid92MI/AAAAAAAAj8g/Pjf8SKPib1s/DSCN4649_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="150" height="244"></a><br>In this picture, Jensyn found and circles (and connected…) all of the D and d letters on the page.<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O91d1BklCzI/VgHBlatctQI/AAAAAAAAj8o/O3bnw7nY6UU/s1600-h/DSCN46438.jpg"><img title="DSCN4643" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4643" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d2wA1rHZEv4/VgHBl-VV4VI/AAAAAAAAj8w/TdOj0ixdyNg/DSCN4643_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br>Number Four page to correspond with the activity in the Little Hands guide – Jensyn drew 4 ‘ladies’ and traced the number 4.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6RHYJWotr7s/VgHBmUfKB1I/AAAAAAAAj84/YrS7ti1R1HY/s1600-h/DSCN46448.jpg"><img title="DSCN4644" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4644" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EqdYqJnxgpo/VgHBmx7iRvI/AAAAAAAAj9A/ZJHJf7vNswE/DSCN4644_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Jensyn takes great pride in making these pages PRETTY! (It’s not schoolwork unless you can find a way to decorate it!) On this page, she traced the lines, circles the D and d letters, and then colored it pink and purple to make it pretty.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WWwFxWxugqc/VgHBnU4mTlI/AAAAAAAAj9I/zgvqgD7w2CY/s1600-h/DSCN4708%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4708" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4708" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vOoEoCbD5Fo/VgHBoCz3tzI/AAAAAAAAj9Q/QidbZWxxHYQ/DSCN4708_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mgqNTvxXcfI/VgHBoXs-FjI/AAAAAAAAj9Y/To41JUiFYCs/s1600-h/DSCN4710%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4710" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4710" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jmgbjiLSyTs/VgHBpOIxx-I/AAAAAAAAj9g/X7zKltANxns/DSCN4710_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">And…her counting page. We drew 5 ladders. Then I turned to help her brother for a few minutes. When I turned back, Jensyn had made her page pretty. In each little box (meant for the numbers), Jensyn had drawn a purple heart filled in with pink. We wrote the numbers inside the pink hearts.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VgR4kADPxH0/VgHBpvNId1I/AAAAAAAAj9o/Ne-sPz81JUY/s1600-h/DSCN4712%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4712" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4712" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCMvaSEp1K4/VgHBqRKyj0I/AAAAAAAAj9w/C3uwCk2LXWY/DSCN4712_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="266"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HapuyZ_arzw/VgHBqyxi-JI/AAAAAAAAj94/gcadNUGiUkk/s1600-h/DSCN4713%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4713" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4713" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_iozr069Etg/VgHBrQCCQHI/AAAAAAAAj-A/yP2-AUGaI2Q/DSCN4713_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="265"></a></p> <p align="justify">And last of all…she INSISTED she needed more work. So I gave her this page…color the uppercase Ds pink and the lowercase ds purple. She was all excited, but then she started to pout and say that her hand hurt. I told her she’d done enough, and she was welcome to be finished. Instead, she INSISTED on staying at the table and completing the page…with a pout on her face. Silly girly!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BlHpTMg5Xog/VgHBr87hHRI/AAAAAAAAj-M/DN64_R4h3AU/s1600-h/DSCN4715%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4715" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4715" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kn4wUWUxh4Q/VgHBt4tpSjI/AAAAAAAAj-Y/s3LnQAcuNHY/DSCN4715_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="274"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-31530927555078367442015-08-28T11:54:00.001-05:002015-08-28T12:06:44.405-05:00Homeschool With HOD Update #2<p align="center"><font size="4"><br>{<font color="#0000ff">Beyond Little Hearts Unit 20</font>, <font color="#ff0000">Little Hearts Unit 3</font>, <font color="#ff00ff">Little Hands Unit 2</font>}</font></p> <p align="justify">We’ve managed to fit in 12 days for the month of August, which is exactly what I’d hoped to accomplish! Hooray! These 12 days leave us with a little wiggle room throughout the school year for vacation days, sick days, and ‘I just can’t do it today’ days.<br><br>We’ll start with the fun…a local homeschool mom is offering leveled art classes for K – 12th graders at one of our area libraries. My boys are enrolled in the K – 2nd grade class, and they had their first lesson last week. What a NEAT class! They came out with smiles on their faces and fun projects in their hands.<br><br>For this first lesson, they learned about the color wheel and mixing primary colors to create secondary colors. They made these <a href="http://www.theartofed.com/2014/09/18/mouse-paint-color-wheel-free-lesson-plan-download/">cute little mice</a>. (The teacher said she gets many of her ideas from Pinterest. I was able to find the lesson <a href="http://www.theartofed.com/2014/09/18/mouse-paint-color-wheel-free-lesson-plan-download/">here</a>.)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_-1To-2IDOY/VeCRZaAG1NI/AAAAAAAAjoQ/bD2v260KiRk/s1600-h/DSCN4513%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4513" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4513" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6I2PRCJ7_aY/VeCRZ9JCJ5I/AAAAAAAAjoU/AQAOMaE4UXQ/DSCN4513_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="274"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gbQRfKbutP4/VeCRaba1hMI/AAAAAAAAjog/aw32Zo4N50o/s1600-h/DSCN4514%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4514" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4514" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jWW17O5yXts/VeCRbIuKrlI/AAAAAAAAjoo/MQNv5qfITL0/DSCN4514_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="278"></a></p> <p align="justify">Jensyn and I spent the time reading books and hanging out with other homeschool friends who were waiting on their children. But so I don’t leave her out, here’s one of her recent drawings of a group of princesses:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8m8g8CFJAwg/VeCRboQHLRI/AAAAAAAAjow/ETevhqj96K4/s1600-h/DSCN4515%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4515" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4515" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9AeNmrEF5fc/VeCRcGuqpPI/AAAAAAAAjo4/x0_zliJMrdU/DSCN4515_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="279"></a><br><br>And a little more fun – this little guy <a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/2015/08/maxs-6th-birthday.html">turned SIX</a> this week! <br>Happy birthday, Max!<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odOaRPEHRio/VeCRcvCgX1I/AAAAAAAAjpA/ljxzLcVwxg8/s1600-h/DSCN4536%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4536" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4536" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PWVFk8IG4xA/VeCRdehNnMI/AAAAAAAAjpI/8HO0_ga_FcY/DSCN4536_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="290"></a><br><br>Moving on to actual school work…<br><br><font color="#ff00ff" size="5">LITTLE HANDS TO HEAVEN, Unit 2<br>(Jensyn, age 4)</font></p> <p align="justify">We read the story of Noah’s Ark this week, so for her counting page, Jensyn (with Mommy’s help) drew raindrops. I wrote the numbers lightly in pencil as she counted, and then she traced them. She’s doing really well with counting and numbers, so we may start to do two per box and practice counting by 2s in a few weeks.<br><br><em>(Please judge her hair by this picture, not the remaining uncombed-hair pictures in this post, ha ha!!)</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ssOrWmlDmgc/VeCReFvLixI/AAAAAAAAjpQ/qLejKSwKZII/s1600-h/DSCN4509%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4509" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4509" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ACQgrPSpeWQ/VeCRew4lk2I/AAAAAAAAjpY/sbksLXwgYto/DSCN4509_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="383"></a><br><br>Unit 2’s letter is made out of dried beans. She LOVES gluing and decorating her letter!<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-80kBDZ5suTM/VeCRfuNJ6rI/AAAAAAAAjpg/spyaURrYwVU/s1600-h/DSCN4505%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4505" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4505" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dPor9KlKvHA/VeCRgFCssOI/AAAAAAAAjpk/edaNDbxKb1k/DSCN4505_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-piTTdYFi_60/VeCRgiHSnwI/AAAAAAAAjps/RZt3ZEm-Fuk/s1600-h/DSCN4506%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4506" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4506" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JZe6zXZtHtM/VeCRhFmADZI/AAAAAAAAjp0/WkYgNzczbwc/DSCN4506_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Coloring uppercase and lowercase Bs. She insists on using pink and purple, rather than the colors suggested in the directions. I love my girly-girl!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIwYYahdWXI/VeCRhqXWKjI/AAAAAAAAjqA/k34RekzyjUQ/s1600-h/DSCN4498%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4498" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4498" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vDeSXQ-7R_U/VeCRiI4ofvI/AAAAAAAAjqI/9x9C-sFqbq4/DSCN4498_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="221" height="299"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j571Euopdv0/VeCRi_A4EsI/AAAAAAAAjqQ/WLdnsgq_cSo/s1600-h/DSCN4499%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4499" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4499" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TiGy_SRwemY/VeCRjTwfqNI/AAAAAAAAjqU/2NJfL8Egsws/DSCN4499_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" height="298"></a></p> <p align="justify">She’s attempting to make Bs in the salt box. The curved lines gave her some trouble, so I’m glad our handwriting practice is very large and tactile at this point!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7YU-OfmDO_g/VeCRjzth7-I/AAAAAAAAjqg/u46jwRewb5U/s1600-h/DSCN4500%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4500" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4500" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SoMqqbkMS-8/VeCRkRrIFeI/AAAAAAAAjqo/jyPQxCAh9eY/DSCN4500_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oZBwbY0W4Ec/VeCRlIu6CCI/AAAAAAAAjqw/psvvHUW2dGw/s1600-h/DSCN4501%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4501" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4501" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4R0rdVuV79Q/VeCRlsbeogI/AAAAAAAAjq0/ITRGVfNVqBw/DSCN4501_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iuk8Jomlj9I/VeCRmC80RiI/AAAAAAAAjrA/ohEmaW82auo/s1600-h/DSCN4502%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4502" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4502" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gt_fIKCDuos/VeCRm6OVHGI/AAAAAAAAjrI/4HPbrtJlEvk/DSCN4502_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">For Unit 2, we practice the number 2. (Makes sense, right?!) We traced her TWO hands and traced the number two. I’m teaching her the Rod & Staff preschool rhymes to remember number formation, so we talked about “Around and back on the railroad track”.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TptIk9Z6tFo/VeCRnnw83AI/AAAAAAAAjrQ/LZh3LZNjWO0/s1600-h/DSCN4503%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4503" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4503" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VmHL2asSwlc/VeCRoB_6-yI/AAAAAAAAjrY/yLqJ99mzG1k/DSCN4503_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="321"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V2XuI2_DIVc/VeCRo_HJNII/AAAAAAAAjrc/mYl03rEu47E/s1600-h/DSCN4504%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4504" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4504" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3BhlnT_7p0/VeCRpd8w7GI/AAAAAAAAjrk/qLIy15a-y4g/DSCN4504_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="320"></a></p> <p align="justify">We read about the Tower of Babel, and then we made our own block towers. We started with just a random tower, and then we moved on to a two-color pattern. She thought that was easy-peasy, so we tried a three-color pattern. She had no trouble with that, either! She LOVED LOVED LOVED tower building! None of these pictures are posed – she had the BIGGEST grins as we worked on our towers together!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hYUW_MLPrU0/VeCRpxtnK1I/AAAAAAAAjrw/cCU6sBRjn7M/s1600-h/DSCN4561%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4561" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4561" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9XSsYoTYg2Q/VeCRqaZFc8I/AAAAAAAAjr4/wvS8_DX9YkE/DSCN4561_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="301"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ozPmAvpTHKQ/VeCRq36liQI/AAAAAAAAjsA/sA340VzQ61w/s1600-h/DSCN4562%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4562" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4562" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fTpqyhdR_WE/VeCRrni0vlI/AAAAAAAAjsI/vpVDq90J-Ec/DSCN4562_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="301"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TOo2rdRcbPQ/VeCRsuqhMHI/AAAAAAAAjsQ/yEgTqxzuptI/s1600-h/DSCN4563%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4563" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4563" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bZMMBqsK9C8/VeCRtGtKRmI/AAAAAAAAjsU/lKYFmoRHjoQ/DSCN4563_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="303"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-urZ-r_Hq998/VeCRtlH55pI/AAAAAAAAjsg/c652T0cBfGw/s1600-h/DSCN4564%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4564" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4564" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diK2fi5SkFQ/VeCRusVNOvI/AAAAAAAAjso/z_6FaEJuC6U/DSCN4564_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="303"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hIVRrhbTGCg/VeCRyU2KiBI/AAAAAAAAjsw/0LsmamtioLU/s1600-h/DSCN4565%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4565" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4565" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-82KhL4HHmTU/VeCRzDMTxjI/AAAAAAAAjs4/lTtyWrdFHtM/DSCN4565_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="270"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XPL86lvvdWg/VeCRzk05_dI/AAAAAAAAjtA/iEU2K4cdSSs/s1600-h/DSCN4566%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4566" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4566" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZTu30YF_PUI/VeCR0XMpV1I/AAAAAAAAjtE/_snOh4xfdr0/DSCN4566_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="269"></a><br><br>Coloring all the Bs and bs later in the week…<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IPLKBOkXiIA/VeCR037AzTI/AAAAAAAAjtQ/7BSke0mwqE4/s1600-h/DSCN4568%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4568" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4568" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AbElDNYJBAU/VeCR1jGEr9I/AAAAAAAAjtY/UJ6hezNHORg/DSCN4568_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="244"></a><br><br>Making a playdough B and a butterfly <br><em>(Playdough mat is from <a href="http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2015/04/playdough-play-mats-alphabet.html">123HomeschoolForMe</a>.)<br></em><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjvK_Iy_6wQ/VeCR2dvVzoI/AAAAAAAAjtc/vSgpJ7k7PSM/s1600-h/DSCN4571%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4571" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4571" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7KH5sxzq-00/VeCR3FIWILI/AAAAAAAAjtk/jpRLt_xl1ew/DSCN4571_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="283"></a><br><br><font color="#ff0000" size="5">LITTLE HEARTS FOR HIS GLORY, Unit 3<br>(Max, age 6)</font></p> <p align="justify">I am blessed that Max is the type who wants to get his work done! He understands that the more quickly he completes his work, the sooner he gets to go play. He does his work, he does it thoroughly, and then he’s off to do his own thing. <br><br>Each day, he starts by getting quick instructions from me and then completing his handwriting, fine motor skills, and math. I’m there if he needs help, but he’s really quite independent with these tasks! <em>(Yes, we are doing handwriting AND fine motor skills every day, even though the Little Hearts guide has you alternating days. He LOVES his fine motor skills workbooks and wants to do them every day, *I* want him to have daily handwriting practice, and he’s an older kindergartener, so he is handling it just fine!)</em></p><em> <p align="center"></em><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JV4XDbyX7w/VeCR38w1jvI/AAAAAAAAjtw/OEo5Jlyk6b0/s1600-h/DSCN4511%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4511" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4511" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IR52oKOzJ_w/VeCR4ij2lEI/AAAAAAAAjt0/hWj6x_199Dw/DSCN4511_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="243"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i73D5MoU23Y/VeCR5JafkiI/AAAAAAAAjuA/_9amnKWkTVY/s1600-h/DSCN4495%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4495" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4495" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-68EAk2jKV3Y/VeCR5-231uI/AAAAAAAAjuI/9Olx2rJQXgg/DSCN4495_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">This week, we had a “<strong>Smelling Test</strong>”. The kids though that was hilarious when compared with Alex’s spelling tests! I sent Max out of the room, randomly picked some ‘smelly’ kitchen items, and soaked a cotton ball with each item. We used lemon juice, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and maple flavoring.<br><br>I lined up the bottles (NOT in the same order as the cotton balls), read the labels to Max, and had him smell each bottle. Then I asked him to smell each cotton ball, matching it with the correct bottle. He had great fun, and he matched up the items perfectly!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BmjL5aCaSQI/VeCR6redzII/AAAAAAAAjuQ/Mbf1hmZyLqQ/s1600-h/DSCN4577%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4577" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jkA_kMi459o/VeCR7AgihOI/AAAAAAAAjuU/fhSIJwjMaeg/DSCN4577_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="245"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_6j0j2Q831s/VeCR7hENavI/AAAAAAAAjug/Vtl8nQZ44rk/s1600-h/DSCN4578%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4578" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4578" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FF5yC0-afvU/VeCR8GDmGwI/AAAAAAAAjuk/9aWLKrCNCqI/DSCN4578_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TV7RuKiU4lE/VeCR8gkqJHI/AAAAAAAAjuw/KMmBysHW96o/s1600-h/DSCN4579%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4579" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4579" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u9nZ4BZxPYk/VeCR-s7GIYI/AAAAAAAAju4/0oAr97gn8u8/DSCN4579_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="296"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2O-oKMfGSsg/VeCR_Dyt25I/AAAAAAAAjvA/iMZTiWA04C0/s1600-h/DSCN4580%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4580" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4580" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MbRbvWMllOg/VeCR_4ikCGI/AAAAAAAAjvI/9cmWZwwVnoE/DSCN4580_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="296"></a></p> <p align="justify">The rest of the family got in on the fun, too. Alex did it blindfolded. Daddy, who was working from home, did it with his eyes closed. Max tested me with my eyes closed, as well. I love how homeschooling allows us to have fun TOGETHER with science lessons!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a1yNZUXVL3s/VeCSAkPf6wI/AAAAAAAAjvQ/6HtswLWnQII/s1600-h/DSCN4581%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4581" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4581" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uMr4mOTtl1k/VeCSBL5H21I/AAAAAAAAjvU/jfRBXijXwGI/DSCN4581_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RHlQD9An8t4/VeCSBu1WrnI/AAAAAAAAjvg/T-QHmjYd_OA/s1600-h/DSCN4582%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4582" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4582" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MG14RnDFo0w/VeCSCQkZLqI/AAAAAAAAjvo/Y1HaQJh2dQc/DSCN4582_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Max is LOVING <a href="http://amzn.to/1JqpGw2">Reddy Fox</a>! I know that some families complain that the <a href="http://amzn.to/1i7tMjG">Burgess books</a> are outdated or boring, but this is our second time through Little Hearts and our second time truly enjoying these books! The daily readings are brief, and they keep my children wanting to hear more the next day! <br><br>In this picture, Max is completing his Reddy Fox ‘writing assignment’. It’s just filling words in to two blanks in a sentence. <em>(Jensyn is torturing her big brothers by hammering on an upside-down plastic bowl, and Alex is attempting to do his copywork. Real life. It’s interesting!)</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pVKuydbtCeE/VeCSC-BKI1I/AAAAAAAAjvw/mnkUl0CbfWM/s1600-h/DSCN4585%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4585" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4585" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-plh3sbKfOCs/VeCSDuRlhiI/AAAAAAAAjv0/n5027G4wjrY/DSCN4585_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="287"></a><br><br>A few more pictures of handwriting and fine motor skills work…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6FopzVdDvk/VeCSELScUTI/AAAAAAAAjv8/2xjL5tVLCvU/s1600-h/DSCN4567%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4567" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4567" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8qlufopwHfg/VeCSEs1CWsI/AAAAAAAAjwE/U4Whmf0zMhQ/DSCN4567_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="283"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_vMNKy8q_p0/VeCSE3F3ZCI/AAAAAAAAjwQ/eicAF0Zsplg/s1600-h/DSCN4572%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4572" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4572" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-peyZV3Mkf0o/VeCSFZ6_U3I/AAAAAAAAjwY/3JS6tRDo4Aw/DSCN4572_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="281"></a></p> <p align="center"><br><font color="#0000ff" size="5">BEYOND LITTLE HEARTS FOR HIS GLORY, Unit 20<br>(Alex, age 7)</font></p><font color="#0000ff" size="5"></font> <p align="justify">Alex is soooo jealous that the littler ones get to have more fun than he does. I keep reminding him that he once did those fun things, and when the younger kiddos are 7, they will be doing the same work as Alex is. Getting big is no fun, is it, Alex?<br><br>I debated telling this, as I don’t think it’s right to embarrass my child in a blog post. But the truth is, sharing this will share WHY we love <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com">Heart of Dakota</a> so very much and HOW God is using HOD to touch our children’s hearts! <br><br>I lost it on the first day of this unit. LOST IT. Alex was, yet again, stubbornly sitting at the table refusing to do his work. He says that grown ups love work, and kids love play, and he shouldn’t have to do hard work since he’s not a grown-up. We’ve had more than a few battles in our first few weeks of school, and he’s spent ALL DAY sitting at the table a few times until he gives in and does his work. He’s lost video games, snacks, and other fun activities because he doesn’t want to work. <br><br>I’d HAD ENOUGH that morning. In the 20 minutes that I worked with Jensyn, he had broken several pencils, hung upside-down from his chair, and messed with everything he could reach. He hadn’t written one work on his paper yet. Finally, I yelled. <strong>I *YELLED*.</strong> I reminded him yet again that nobody flips a switch when you turn 18, making you suddenly love to work. I told him that he had to DEVELOP the WILLPOWER to do the work and do it well, whether he liked it or not. I am ashamed to say that I yelled until my little boy was in TEARS. I apologized, we snuggled for a long time, and then we tried to get down to business. <br><br>I opened his Beyond guide to start the new week of lessons, and we looked at his Bible verse and poem for the week. <font color="#000000" size="3">Talk about a verse that hits home!!! </font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong><font color="#ff0000">Proverbs 12:24 – “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.”</font><br><br></p></strong></font> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="3">Then, we read our poem for the week – “<a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/against-idleness-and-mischief/">Against Idleness and Mischief</a>” (click on the poem title to read it). Wow. <u><strong>God knew when I’d hit my breaking point. God knew what my son needed to hear on that day.</strong></u> And guess what? Alex had a MUCH better week than he has had so far this year. Though not perfect <em>(which I don’t expect),</em> he has worked much more diligently!<br><br></font>For the record, Alex DOES still get to have a little fun along with his school. (He’s just not building block towers or using playdough on an everyday basis.) In this picture, he was doing an activity to help him review his memory verse.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8GPUKl4Kvq0/VeCSGGVwZGI/AAAAAAAAjwg/MvW-9hQUWVA/s1600-h/DSCN4512%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4512" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4512" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i_CSwCWQ1QE/VeCSG8H9cqI/AAAAAAAAjwo/n2cyi8p_it8/DSCN4512_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="322"></a></p> <p align="justify">And in this picture, we were learning about dusk by using a flashlight as the sun and a ball as the earth. It’s a lousy picture, I know…but I wanted proof that he has FUN with his schoolwork at least a few times each week! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tIn9VKdEjoA/VeCSHfjlI2I/AAAAAAAAjws/dPPqpzeJtG4/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0i_0vuF_A9k/VeCSHyfVpFI/AAAAAAAAjw4/HpvCOK9iyZE/s1600-h/DSCN4573%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4573" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4573" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9iLEcHHOqBg/VeCSIa5acKI/AAAAAAAAjw8/JuCVO4TKKyk/DSCN4573_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="219" height="297"></a><br><br>The sad truth, though, is that second graders spend more time doing things like this:<br><br>math workbook (<strong><em>LOVE</em></strong> the face, ha ha!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-azJCEDap49k/VeCSIgRoU-I/AAAAAAAAjxI/CltnkoXH37A/s1600-h/DSCN4494%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4494" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4494" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LpCykf8Au3M/VeCSJQx3PdI/AAAAAAAAjxQ/N4uGC8Uss7M/DSCN4494_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="243"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zfdlaayKTXo/VeCSJ7Ut5eI/AAAAAAAAjxY/mjBMSprCoWI/s1600-h/DSCN4496%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4496" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4496" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Seeuzry_v_A/VeCSKvvWTEI/AAAAAAAAjxg/9HGZjTxRv0Q/DSCN4496_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="244"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o0yea7701Nk/VeCSLDIscOI/AAAAAAAAjxo/jvSuOJVNJEk/s1600-h/DSCN4497%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4497" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4497" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DcybAwQqgrg/VeCSL9jlwjI/AAAAAAAAjxs/mQymAFXMnIo/DSCN4497_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="248"></a><br><br>poetry copywork – helps with handwriting, punctuation, grammar, and memorizing the poem<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8S82Xw90Xx8/VeCSMSlSsiI/AAAAAAAAjx4/POgfFAw_8ew/s1600-h/DSCN4510%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4510" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4510" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0uPjnxt1kY/VeCSM62ZAKI/AAAAAAAAjx8/JUYBdPBGyOA/DSCN4510_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="251"></a><br><br>spelling word practice<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MusvIJ2aCN4/VeCSNfG8e8I/AAAAAAAAjyI/JV0R8pp_gNQ/s1600-h/DSCN4569%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4569" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4569" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3yyUlCEHaCU/VeCSOPBxV0I/AAAAAAAAjyQ/ATUWGkmqUCE/DSCN4569_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hDKxWzNpwmg/VeCSO1c-EnI/AAAAAAAAjyY/narc0ldr-Xk/s1600-h/DSCN4570%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4570" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4570" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tp45u9pbB5Q/VeCSP42VCwI/AAAAAAAAjyc/eaUtxPN2wa0/DSCN4570_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">This week, Alex finished his <a href="http://amzn.to/1MSY452">Singapore 1B math book</a>. Hallelujah, as it’s been the cause of a lot of frustration for Alex. I really love Singapore, but I think it’s not the approach that Alex needs. We have <a href="http://amzn.to/1LAcDsL">Singapore 2A</a> if we choose to use it, but Alex would like to try <a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math3.htm">Teaching Textbooks 3</a> for a while to see how that goes. <em>(Since Singapore is a bit more advanced than other math programs, and TT is considered a little behind other programs, it’s a good place to jump in.) </em>So next week, Alex will begin doing math on the computer with TT.<br><br>He is up to lesson 11 in Growing With Grammar 2. I am liking this a lot, and Alex is, too. We use markers to highlight important words in the teaching paragraph at the top of the page, and then he has to do the writing to complete the page. I think the more writing/less oral approach is helping things to stick in his head. Right now, he’s working on subjects, predicates, and parts of a sentence.<br><br>Alex really is a very bright boy! I try not to push him too hard, as I know he is struggling to learn diligence now, and he may shut down again if he finds the workload too tough. I try to compliment and encourage him whenever possible. I hope we’re finding the right mix of hard work and fun! It’s so difficult to know, but I feel like he is doing well and learning a lot! We will continue to pray for diligence and a good attitude, for patience and wisdom for me, and that this will be a GREAT year!</p> <p><font size="1">Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. By purchasing through these links, you are not paying any extra, but you are blessing our family with a very small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting Our Little Monkeys!</font></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-89298724052771932732015-08-25T16:58:00.001-05:002015-08-25T16:58:47.387-05:00Max’s 6th Birthday<p align="justify">Max has been counting down the days until his birthday for MONTHS! I’ve never seen a child so excited for his birthday to arrive. Turning 6 was a big deal for him!<br><br>He chose to have a Jurassic World theme for his birthday party. He’s never seen the movie, nor will he for a long time, but he loves dinosaurs! <em>(I find this hilarious and ironic, as Max was beyond terrified when we went through the dinosaur exhibit at Indianapolis Children’s Museum two years ago. Keith had to take him out of the room because he was so upset!)<br><br></em>As usual, Grandma P made his birthday cake. Jessica is off to college (!) this year, so Grandma had to go it alone. She still made a wonderful cake, and Max loved it! The smaller dinosaurs on the cake are from Grandma S. When our kids stayed there for a few days earlier this month, Max found the dinosaurs and decided they would make great cake decorations. <br><br></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rC-_Va2tU0I/Vdzkp5Tm2xI/AAAAAAAAjjY/NppWATWjTgE/s1600-h/DSCN4536%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4536" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4536" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EkGdE1gS0BU/VdzkqkhooSI/AAAAAAAAjjg/7s49mXuiUZM/DSCN4536_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="273"></a><br>So far, our children have had a special friend party when they turn 5. All the rest of our birthday parties are family-only events. We were missing a few special people this year, due to heading off to college, work schedules, and sickness, but we still had a nice group to celebrate Max! That’s what our outgoing little guy wanted – a whole lot of people to come to his party! <br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c0xAqUisE0Y/VdzkrAUlsOI/AAAAAAAAjjk/yf0kEiiKaQ0/s1600-h/DSCN4516%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4516" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4516" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MxoqbYnpWBI/Vdzkri2_a1I/AAAAAAAAjjw/oGMzYPGgmr4/DSCN4516_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="237"></a></p> <p align="justify">Max knew in advance that he would be receiving <a href="http://amzn.to/1KL6SFQ">Skylanders Trap Team game</a> from us, as he was with me when I bought it. It was on clearance, and I had a $10 coupon, so I couldn’t pass up the deal.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lq-bxF20GzA/VdzksfcPhrI/AAAAAAAAjj4/Am4kw-TxgD4/s1600-h/DSCN4518%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4518" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4518" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uvxZpX6kRn0/Vdzks2biKmI/AAAAAAAAjj8/tT40wExACys/DSCN4518_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="239"></a><br>He also received a Jurassic World Lego set, a Super Soaker gun, several characters and traps for his Trap Team game, a kindergarten workbook, two Funny Gears sets, a Toy R Us gift card, cash, and several dinosaur puzzles. (Plus, Kevin & Annie gave him his presents a few weeks ago – a ginormous inflatable frisbee and a checkers game.)</p> <p align="center">It’s a little crazy with all the kiddos around! <br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Om4qfA4lHHw/VdzktaSUgpI/AAAAAAAAjkI/N8qrguq4sw8/s1600-h/DSCN4519%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4519" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4519" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gr1xjL74tew/VdzkuDk3WhI/AAAAAAAAjkM/4f6MQGfST3g/DSCN4519_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="237"></a><br><br>Lance and Jensyn having a cute moment…<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6UJXv-dGLg0/VdzkukLxS9I/AAAAAAAAjkY/bJNUm0uY5I0/s1600-h/DSCN4521%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4521" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4521" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yYko7ZZnf54/VdzkwLnR5OI/AAAAAAAAjkg/XDisbX4BuI4/DSCN4521_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="263"></a><br><br>checking out the presents<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l-isVQCcJ2w/VdzkwiOHguI/AAAAAAAAjko/n6bIiJDvFrk/s1600-h/DSCN4529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4529" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4529" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Xz7aE03K5E/VdzkxeTHXrI/AAAAAAAAjks/cINotRsNKBc/DSCN4529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="247"></a><br><br>Woohoo! Max was excited about this one!<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krgwxBl3uF4/Vdzkx6ydCDI/AAAAAAAAjk4/I0KCXeQcrVA/s1600-h/DSCN4526%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4526" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4526" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xLGSQ1H1Jtg/VdzkyWgdILI/AAAAAAAAjk8/d06dDrZnruE/DSCN4526_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTdjb2llz2w/Vdzky1kOQdI/AAAAAAAAjlI/HZnW5TNRdOU/s1600-h/DSCN4527%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4527" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4527" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sU7KQYa5KKI/VdzkzX7ZFyI/AAAAAAAAjlM/KbHfa8svJv8/DSCN4527_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>Jurassic Park birthday banner, a bunch of spiral decorations <br>left over from previous parties, and his fun dinosaur cake…<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P-lyrVxgQLY/Vdzkz09r_3I/AAAAAAAAjlY/bDZRc0xSUq4/s1600-h/DSCN4539%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4539" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4539" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zlu3bAB_rVQ/Vdzk0kLJpaI/AAAAAAAAjlc/RVKolAFXqEQ/DSCN4539_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="244"></a><br><br>lighting the candles and singing ‘Happy Birthday’<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NezCOlLN4io/Vdzk4sRH80I/AAAAAAAAjlo/mQm4RPUN7TY/s1600-h/DSCN4540%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4540" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4540" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IAAnyxtV3Y4/Vdzk5P_1WCI/AAAAAAAAjls/B-Onj93geHY/DSCN4540_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zQxfPg_UXvY/Vdzk5qbv5oI/AAAAAAAAjl4/RcXxVwa3MZA/s1600-h/DSCN4541%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4541" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4541" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--50UPeupGTs/Vdzk6ZHWzKI/AAAAAAAAjl8/D4Q9s3kMHmE/DSCN4541_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B71ElylV7EM/Vdzk77BZvgI/AAAAAAAAjmI/OhmEDfxf40E/s1600-h/DSCN4543%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4543" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4543" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7Ha9L_ouz8/Vdzk8Vww6CI/AAAAAAAAjmM/ubOGt8vOSSA/DSCN4543_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AB6R7HKw-wE/Vdzk8xfk4SI/AAAAAAAAjmY/cJb0hLdkVc8/s1600-h/DSCN4545%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4545" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4545" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Pkb4UCT4qM/Vdzk9grra7I/AAAAAAAAjmc/V816BCMjBmo/DSCN4545_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br><br>after the candles were blown out…<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HoQI6d8tuy0/Vdzk-Cf8XYI/AAAAAAAAjmo/BchpqGcQyNA/s1600-h/DSCN4549%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4549" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4549" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xqPVXeOxYTo/Vdzk-nmH8BI/AAAAAAAAjmw/9Qop49NAQY8/DSCN4549_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="344"></a><br><br>fun on the trampoline, playing with leftover boxes and bags<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E4-dsYwhVHA/VdzlA2DQsbI/AAAAAAAAjm4/BsqejDVUiLo/s1600-h/DSCN4558%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4558" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4558" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-33KvZvpXfAk/VdzlBYRj8rI/AAAAAAAAjm8/Uy1NV_4z-Qs/DSCN4558_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UqEgoXWmXSA/VdzlB8RI1iI/AAAAAAAAjnI/51A3EBDdM_M/s1600-h/DSCN4535%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4535" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4535" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ZK8GW_TlxE/VdzlCY3UDnI/AAAAAAAAjnQ/mCVDjhFX9eg/DSCN4535_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">The party was on the 23rd, the day before Max’s birthday. We wanted his actual birthday to be special, too, so we saved the Trap Team game for Max to unwrap on his special day. <br><br>On his birthday, Max picked to stay in his jammies all day. I told him we’d take the day off of school in honor of his birthday. He also chose homemade pancakes for breakfast and Kraft mac ‘n cheese for lunch. I told him I would make whatever he wanted for dinner, and he told me, “I want pizza. With sausage and pepperoni. And red peppers and green peppers. And I don’t want you to make it. I want it to come from a restaurant.”<br><br>I emailed Keith at work, and he told me to go ahead and order the pizza since it was Max’s birthday request. So we had our pizza dinner, gave Max his present, and spent the evening playing Trap Team. We ended the day with leftover cake. It was an all-around nice day!<br><br>Max, I’m not quite sure where the past 6 years have gone. In my mind, you’re this little guy…<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vYjxIQ77fAY/VdzlDLeunvI/AAAAAAAAjnY/Pjp8BTCgv0c/s1600-h/max2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="max2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="max2" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a7vmQ9v9NaU/VdzlEPw_CeI/AAAAAAAAjng/eQxYregxEGI/max2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="257"></a></p> <p align="center">…or maybe even THIS little guy….</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--rR8AfBP-z8/VdzlEgcCKII/AAAAAAAAjno/9icpH8eatCU/s1600-h/max5%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="max5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="max5" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZnbmpHIN50/VdzlFfez3FI/AAAAAAAAjnw/CYKqFaYxSGw/max5_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Somehow you’ve grown way-too-quickly into an amazing, fun-loving, energetic, dramatic, and mischievous six year old with a great big heart. We miss the baby you once were, but we love the boy you are growing to be. We pray that you’ll continue to face the world with a smile on your face, excitement in your eyes, and love for Jesus in your heart. We love you, Maxwell Corbin! Happy SIXTH birthday!</p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-81753912893410214402015-08-24T15:20:00.001-05:002015-08-24T15:20:36.510-05:00Camping 2015<p align="justify">We only fit in two camping trips this year. It’s at that point when we question if it’s worth it to own the camper! The kids overheard us talking, and they are horrified at the thought of selling the camper. So for now, it stays. We’ll see how often it gets used next year, and then bring up the discussion again.<br><br>Our first camping trip was a rather wet trip to a campground in Bristol, IN called Eby’s Pines. My brother’s family loves that campground, so we thought we would give it a try. We had a nice weekend, but the weather kept it from being a great weekend. I hope we can try again next year!</p> <p align="justify">Our second trip was close to home, as Max had a soccer game that weekend. It was hot, but the only rain came during the night, so that was nice! We enjoyed the campground, cooled off in the lake, left for Max’s soccer game and an air-conditioned lunch at McDonalds, and then headed back to the campground to jump in the lake again.<br><br>Here’s a random assortment of pictures from our second trip. I don’t think I took many pictures on the first trip because of the rain. These are all cell phone pictures, so the quality is nothing great…<br><br>LOTS of time at the beach, which was perfect for the hot weather! It’s so nice that the boys can both swim decently enough that they don’t need floaties.<br></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pA0qG4vhhlk/Vdt8V5MkZ4I/AAAAAAAAjfw/6KM_CnhYVGc/s1600-h/0815151540%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151540" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0815151540" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Caz7Fo5x7C4/Vdt8WpIaj-I/AAAAAAAAjf4/JV3_jr2M4S4/0815151540_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="292"></a></p> <p align="center">Using a pool noodle, filled with water, to spray water all over<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uj9cwMfGvkk/Vdt8XqUGmAI/AAAAAAAAjgA/VqbI0iXOyhM/s1600-h/0815151540e%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151540e" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0815151540e" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nfJUDW2XuSc/Vdt8YOeeg-I/AAAAAAAAjgI/2lxOLWA46ig/0815151540e_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="292"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ivl_hXmM3Q4/Vdt8Yl8NX5I/AAAAAAAAjgQ/STkS74Y7WRo/s1600-h/0815151541%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151541" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0815151541" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RlUaOaprVf0/Vdt8ZJ2tvOI/AAAAAAAAjgU/wMnpHt-kpr4/0815151541_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="295"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WAtMlx8pf2I/Vdt8ZsRRIYI/AAAAAAAAjgg/q-RNxNs1w5w/s1600-h/0815151540a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151540a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151540a" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nff24iwEZf8/Vdt8aEQwQoI/AAAAAAAAjgo/LbqlhGpZWCs/0815151540a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="355"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EFnz5dhBLNI/Vdt8alet-BI/AAAAAAAAjgw/p0i790HA_0I/s1600-h/0815151542b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151542b" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151542b" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g6YsNx62k3Q/Vdt8bP9mh-I/AAAAAAAAjg0/VCPJbVftGa8/0815151542b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="318"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w1tMVlOEvkc/Vdt8bnmWkdI/AAAAAAAAjhA/Ry_UqeBM7EI/s1600-h/0815151543c%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151543c" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151543c" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vZee6GnKQfM/Vdt8cNZlf7I/AAAAAAAAjhE/jCgSpEU8dIM/0815151543c_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="359"></a><br><br>Obstacle Course at the campground<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G33odzdihGM/Vdt8cgru-YI/AAAAAAAAjhQ/DjR1XT_iPBg/s1600-h/0815151606%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151606" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151606" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OSM1XjqoUzA/Vdt8dHD_BAI/AAAAAAAAjhU/UqTf8amLF-Y/0815151606_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="378"></a><br>obstacle course at the campground<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z3Bxh05VSPU/Vdt8dtaNtpI/AAAAAAAAjhc/gjYwdCMBg-g/s1600-h/0815151608%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151608" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151608" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZbAHsVMeQE8/Vdt8eCl-hbI/AAAAAAAAjhk/ENDjH8C8Dfs/0815151608_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="331"></a><br><br>roasting marshmallows<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O44uryXRaEA/Vdt8ersikmI/AAAAAAAAjhw/yFiO8BV-3k8/s1600-h/0815151853%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151853" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151853" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7vXqH5xEeNw/Vdt8fPUaPDI/AAAAAAAAjh0/3M1oxhyu0D8/0815151853_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6PUGmlAX8Qc/Vdt8f1fj74I/AAAAAAAAjiA/AVM2PRK3IZ0/s1600-h/0815151854%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151854" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151854" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0EqDqdalXJ4/Vdt8gYZSVwI/AAAAAAAAjiE/1uoowAS6GRk/0815151854_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="298"></a><br><br>We have a great debate over the best way to roast marshmallows.<br>Daddy and the boys like to set them on fire and eat blackened s’mores.<br>Mommy likes them lightly and evenly toasted.<br>Jensyn likes them slightly melty, but still white.<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i0oIgnBAM5g/Vdt8g-uYknI/AAAAAAAAjiQ/QuwXHHwzRT0/s1600-h/0815151855a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815151855a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815151855a" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z3jfqKIjzY8/Vdt8hn1BwKI/AAAAAAAAjiY/fIUe9VzExw0/0815151855a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="265"></a><br><br>The boys had a great time biking down this hill, over and over again.<br>I think Daddy is the one in this picture, but it’s hard to get a picture of a blur of bikes!<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DlzmZYsfzss/Vdt8iP0FiaI/AAAAAAAAjic/mntZEklSKJo/s1600-h/1439684477193%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="1439684477193" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1439684477193" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H-pFb-4VTOU/Vdt8iuZegaI/AAAAAAAAjio/al4x-WvOfoE/1439684477193_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="230"></a><br><br>Every Saturday night, this campground has a “Gotta Glow To Go” wagon ride around the campground. Kids (and parents, if you’d like) parade around the campground on a tractor-pulled wagon. Campers wave and cheer as the kids come by, and many of the seasonal sites have special light shows on their campers. It’s fun! We do this every year! This year’s ride was super-speedy. I still enjoyed it, but it was almost scary-fast this year!<br><br>Our campsite neighbors were the BEST! They were two adult couples, both of whom have older children that did not come along on this trip. They had three dogs, and our children adored the dogs. We couldn’t keep our kids away, and these sweet couples were SOOOO good to our kids. They even came out to wave to our kiddos on the glow ride route.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZV6B7I-4O8g/Vdt8jIBEs-I/AAAAAAAAjiw/e7AQC2ln3_Q/s1600-h/0815152016%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815152016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815152016" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xN_bSa5x08o/Vdt8jg4__RI/AAAAAAAAji4/vFqUbehnmJY/0815152016_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="268"></a><br><br>Alex fell asleep wearing his glowing glasses. He slept this way all night. <br>I know the picture didn’t turn out, but it is still hilarious, and I want to remember it!<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7N5lDTKNRO8/Vdt8kXaIqJI/AAAAAAAAji8/KLJ_t1kAKr0/s1600-h/0815152220%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="0815152220" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0815152220" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oiwgUwHAldY/Vdt8kg17WAI/AAAAAAAAjjE/vyjWOf3uQZc/0815152220_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" height="258"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-43831315133268227852015-08-16T16:00:00.001-05:002015-08-16T16:00:21.175-05:00Parade & Festival Fun<p align="justify">We’re not always around on the weekend of our town’s annual parade & festival. This year, though, we were home and able to attend!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o15p9r7pEGo/VdD5o7jLIgI/AAAAAAAAjbM/QQDE39Q19Jk/s1600-h/DSCN4454%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4454" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4454" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jl_G-Z5rLkc/VdD5pq8eClI/AAAAAAAAjbU/dvjU5d3hBaM/DSCN4454_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="326"></a><br>We started the (hot!) morning at the parade. The kids were SUPER excited to watch everything go by and collect candy. They did NOT love the noise of the fire engines. None of them were scared, but they all covered their ears!<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F4URT70tc28/VdD5qLs94MI/AAAAAAAAjbc/ZRlF4wZoplE/s1600-h/DSCN4455%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4455" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4455" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aV5aWS0El7I/VdD5quPEhiI/AAAAAAAAjbk/y9PbN8BPbBs/DSCN4455_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="292"></p> <p align="center"></a>Walking the landscaping rails while we waited for the parade to start.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rX4uDCDRBH8/VdD5rLQqcLI/AAAAAAAAjbs/GTDlMooJ1lc/s1600-h/DSCN4450%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4450" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4450" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-90dYaNW6rhw/VdD5rnAoPFI/AAAAAAAAjb0/XiShpGaMjJo/DSCN4450_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" height="374"></a><br>Still waiting for the parade to start…they attached their candy bags (an advertisment from a local business) to the nails sticking out of this utility pole.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IPuxApDGrJs/VdD5sIzCtUI/AAAAAAAAjb8/bDdR8Ih9Iws/s1600-h/DSCN4451%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4451" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4451" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2IkPblG1Eo4/VdD5szm9zpI/AAAAAAAAjcA/xkbVjg21hYM/DSCN4451_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="291"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qK8ZQF7a1pU/VdD5tYU7JaI/AAAAAAAAjcM/uy_usffOwhc/s1600-h/DSCN4452%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4452" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4452" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XMDzUhRZFsI/VdD5t7rxuzI/AAAAAAAAjcU/t3utcmp_dCE/DSCN4452_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" height="290"></a><br>One of the Orak cars died right in front of us. We got to watch them make a quick repair while the parade was at a stand still for a few minutes. The man facing us was saying that he can’t take his car out of gear to help, or his car has issues, too.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vz1CwO3NcQ4/VdD5ueKfxUI/AAAAAAAAjcc/5wImeZ-HAYQ/s1600-h/DSCN4458%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4458" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4458" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vfiQVz0-kzc/VdD5uz9UW2I/AAAAAAAAjcg/mW_4tZO8yb0/DSCN4458_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="266"></a><br>After the parade, we walked down to the festival at the park. Alex made friends with a clown and got some ‘clown money’ as a souvenir.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zCr1yINZx-c/VdD5vgg7WjI/AAAAAAAAjcs/Eaa3KSZrqKQ/s1600-h/DSCN4460%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4460" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4460" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4wkfVKjEOJc/VdD5wMvQKCI/AAAAAAAAjc0/-hoOzdoFHTE/DSCN4460_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="337"></a><br><br>We allowed each child to spend $5 at the festival. <br>The boys chose to use their money to buy some time on the inflatables. <br>Jensyn took her money straight to a jewelry booth and bought a pretty princess bracelet.<br><br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c9pqYVz2CUU/VdD5w7zvwlI/AAAAAAAAjc8/2GWePRWWAHY/s1600-h/DSCN4461%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4461" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4461" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JYpMZ6c5e8/VdD5xdDuPuI/AAAAAAAAjdE/2zlf4WQHmJo/DSCN4461_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="371"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FHmPhSz9yUw/VdD5yMGM6EI/AAAAAAAAjdM/XESfmh2GP-Y/s1600-h/DSCN4462%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4462" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4462" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bokruN3tUws/VdD5yuv8TKI/AAAAAAAAjdU/L9i-7QOfPVM/DSCN4462_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zC7qgAI1zhQ/VdD5zDWbEaI/AAAAAAAAjdc/ypx_QnUNqPA/s1600-h/DSCN4463%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4463" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4463" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7uD-9cp0jEI/VdD5zvUuJjI/AAAAAAAAjdg/RTW0noa-TkY/DSCN4463_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7J9QG5q9gDc/VdD50UHJ2mI/AAAAAAAAjds/yrWxBQNkCz0/s1600-h/DSCN4464%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4464" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4464" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R8-XmPZfJKM/VdD500s2nII/AAAAAAAAjdw/-lPbECI4nUU/DSCN4464_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>We had lunch, walked around, ran into some friends and chatted a bit, and then let the kids cool their feet in the fountain before we headed home for the rest of the afternoon.<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zVhVrRSjOz0/VdD51Yy_PPI/AAAAAAAAjd8/ykPL8Px4NJI/s1600-h/DSCN4465%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4465" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4465" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Hs98O-uG2Y/VdD516gWNSI/AAAAAAAAjeA/Mk3Id4ihl3E/DSCN4465_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UshuCv0VjFw/VdD52NQtHhI/AAAAAAAAjeI/fE9UvRJ6ux4/s1600-h/DSCN4466%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4466" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4466" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rIJE7oqQeYc/VdD52hrR66I/AAAAAAAAjeU/Kd_6CLMBM4k/DSCN4466_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>This little sweetheart doesn’t nap anymore, but she simply couldn’t keep her eyes open after such a fun morning. She was snuggled on the couch watching TV with Daddy, and her eyes kept closing on her. She ended up sleeping on Daddy for almost an hour. I must say…I was VERY jealous of that cozy snuggle!<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XGyk_xjEHMY/VdD53FBc6ZI/AAAAAAAAjec/T1zKzJ7eelY/s1600-h/DSCN4468%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4468" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4468" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mx9KffOwtZg/VdD5335-azI/AAAAAAAAjek/G5qL3IkxT9Y/DSCN4468_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="309"></a><br><br>At night, we headed back to the park for fireworks. We sat with a friend from church & her little boy, and our kids ran around together and played until the fireworks started. It’s impossible to take a good picture of fireworks without a good camera, but Jensyn asked me to try. <br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tAkCUFZjsOw/VdD54UrfckI/AAAAAAAAjes/Ow2GAX-g3Sg/s1600-h/DSCN4470%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4470" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4470" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SphnEgrZBiw/VdD54wi64MI/AAAAAAAAje0/_M5Ua-TUkAo/DSCN4470_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">I also took a little video for her. It’s not a great video, but I love that I will be able to look back and remember her sweet little voice at 4 years old. </p><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yCP9P7zwMWQ" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-7564594976826319082015-08-13T11:14:00.001-05:002015-08-31T11:01:01.245-05:00Curriculum Choices 2015<p align="justify">This year, all three of our children are in their own <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com">Heart of Dakota</a> guide! So far, it seems like it is completely do-able! After 5 completed school days, we’re just starting to figure out how our routine will flow to keep everyone on task, happy, and out of mischief. We’ve had a few bumps along the way (and one reaaallllly bad day!), but I think by the end of August, we’ll have a decent flow to our day!<br><br>Heart of Dakota is just sooooo easy to use, and it’s beautifully Christ-centered. As long as we feel it’s working well for our family, we will continue to use their curriculum as our core. (I’d like to say we’ll use it forever, as I think we will, but you just never know!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3xDoQFGqTZQ/VczCNQ47sGI/AAAAAAAAjXs/IlsEZQ5KCcg/s1600-h/DSCN4441%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4441" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4441" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HYd2fOWG3G0/VczCONklIWI/AAAAAAAAjX0/v71nVbGv2wI/DSCN4441_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="291"></a></p> <p align="justify">Using three different programs may sound complicated, but we have discovered the Heart of Dakota is SO easy to use that it’s really not a big deal…at least not at this point. HOD slowly eases children in to independent learning, so they are gradually learning to do more and more on their own.<br><br>We’re trying to begin our day by doing a devotional reading together in the living room. I discovered <a href="http://amzn.to/1Mmnlo7">this book</a> series through an HOD Facebook group, and I felt like it could be a good fit for all three kids this year. We are reading a devotion each Monday, and then reading the suggested Bible readings/doing the suggested activity throughout the week.<br><br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596388595/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1596388595&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=XWP2WX5566ZQ4YHG"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1596388595&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><br>As far as individual work time, I need 20 minutes to devote to Jensyn. (Alex does copywork and spelling practice, Max does handwriting and Rod & Staff workbook).<br><br>Then I need about 30 minutes to work with Max. (Jensyn colors, does her ‘worksheet’ for the day, or runs off to play in her bedroom. Alex is supposed to work on math, once I’ve given him instructions. So far, he has daydreamed, listened in on Max’s lessons, and found other ways to waste time. I *think* I can fix this issue soon when he makes some changes in math.)<br><br>At this point, I take a break to read Max his storytime book for the day. All 3 kids can listen to the story if they’d like. Kids can get snacks or drinks, too.<br><br>Once Max is finished, he can run off to play while I work with Alex (at least an hour to finish math, read history together, review his Bible verse and do a brief Bible lesson, do science, etc.)<br><br>After lunch, I can do Alex’s read-aloud and finish up any of the occasional bigger projects (art/science) that would have disrupted our morning.<br><br>Heart of Dakota is our core for each child, but they also have a few additional resources. Here’s a breakdown of child’s materials this year.<br></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff80c0" size="6"><strong>Jensyn ~ Little Hands To Heaven</strong></font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/little-hands.php"><img title="little-hands1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="little-hands1" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-649bjn5M4ZY/VczCOp0buxI/AAAAAAAAjX4/ParhxXahKX8/little-hands1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="194"></a><br>We used <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/little-hands.php" target="_blank">Little Hands To Heaven</a> with Max a few years ago, and we LOVED it! It’s simple, sweet, Bible-based, and only takes 20 – 30 minutes to complete each day. We supplement by adding a few free printable pages each day, and we will likely add in the Rod & Staff Preschool ABC series workbooks soon. <br><br>I love the <a href="http://amzn.to/1TvFgyl" target="_blank">New Bible In Pictures</a> for this age group. The stories are not told quite like a traditional Bible story book. It encourages thought and asks interesting questions.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802430570/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0802430570&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=ZHHTK4FGRJ3TNI6G"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0802430570&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><br>We have an older guide, which recommends different devotional books than the ones currently recommended by Heart of Dakota. I purchased (used, online) both of those books, but I still prefer <a href="http://amzn.to/1TvFaXn" target="_blank">Big Thoughts For Little People</a>. <em>(If I was using LHTH with a 5 year old, I would use My ABC Bible Verses, though!)</em></p> <p align="justify"><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0802430570" width="1" height="1"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414333102/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414333102&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=C2FNQHCIFAX2FY2G"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1414333102&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1414333102" width="1" height="1"></p> <p align="justify">As for the rest, I spent some time this summer collecting a variety of printables from online so that Jensyn could do a page each day and feel like a ‘big kid’. Here’s a list of some of the printables we’re using.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-usLp7bv5lXY/VczCPPiUu3I/AAAAAAAAjYE/DiwnMVpg950/s1600-h/DSCN4478%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4478" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4478" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EcnIhrB_8so/VczCPy0r75I/AAAAAAAAjYI/wf9z0OlIiZw/DSCN4478_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br><br><a href="http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/08/playdough-mats-alphabet-letters-from-to.html">Playdough Mats from 123Homeschool4Me</a><br><br><a href="http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2014/12/bingo-marker-alphabet-letter-find.html">Bingo Marker Alphabet Letter Find</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.schoolsparks.com/kindergarten-worksheets/category/alphabet-parade-connecting-letters-in-a-scramble">School Sparks Alphabet Letter “Mazes”</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://overthebigmoon.com/full-alphabet-letter-identification-printables/">Over The Big Moon Letter Identification Dot Marker Pages</a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000" size="6"><strong>Max ~ Little Hearts For His Glory</strong></font><br><br><a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/little-hearts.php"><img title="little-hearts-for-his-glory" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="little-hearts-for-his-glory" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uQVVRTWjk9Q/VczCQdshuZI/AAAAAAAAjYM/DhrEJVNR1AM/little-hearts-for-his-glory%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="244"></a><br></p> <p align="justify">We used <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/little-hearts.php">Little Hearts For His Glory</a> with Alex, and we absolutely adored it! I was very excited to use it again with Max! I just breathe a great big sigh of relief when I think about how ‘open and go’ it is. There’s pretty much no advance planning for Mom – just open the guide each morning and get started! It gets even better when you realize that this program is so amazingly Christ-centered!<br><br>LHFHG offers two Bible options. I haven’t used the other Bible option, but I do know that we really enjoy the <a href="http://amzn.to/1J2ezGl">Family Time Bible In Pictures</a>. Max loves the pictures in this Bible!<br><br></p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414315775/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414315775&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=XUKCNRMG4WYHXIPS"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1414315775&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1414315775" width="1" height="1"> <p>We are mainly sticking with HOD’s recommendations for all subject areas, but Max is using Rod and Staff’s “<a href="http://www.milestonebooks.com/item/1-10031/">Going On Eagerly</a>” book. HOD recommends books D & F for kindergarten or G & J for 1st grade. We happen to own “<a href="http://www.milestonebooks.com/item/1-10031/">G</a>”, so we’re using it.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7-0eNLaEODE/VczCQu29edI/AAAAAAAAjYY/Qdu_ft1f158/s1600-h/1-10031%25252830%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="1-10031(30)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="1-10031(30)" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ey_eXtskMvI/VczCRTrxhEI/AAAAAAAAjYk/egIxUTQ3O9k/1-10031%25252830%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">I’m also using a different handwriting choice for Max. I prefer a traditional handwriting style, yet I’m not a fan of the page setup in “A Reason For…” which is recommended by HOD. After lots of hunting, I found this <a href="http://www.upub.net/Universal-Handwriting-Kindergarten-Prodview.html">Universal Handwriting’s newest publication</a> with a fun little activity on each page. Max started it last spring, and he’s continuing through this book now. When he is finished, we will likely move on to the next book in the series in order to solidify his letter formation before he starts copywork with Beyond next year.<br><br></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sExG7_i2nA0/VczCRtLk9zI/AAAAAAAAjYs/ks1kYxDwZQc/s1600-h/151_2_300%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="151_2_300" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="151_2_300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8TAIqEcE-As/VczCSEqMl_I/AAAAAAAAjY0/HqEnILEFy4w/151_2_300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="190"></a>Max is a math whiz. It’s just his ‘thing’! So we skipped Singapore Essential Kindergarten Book A and started him off (this past spring) with Essential Kindergarten Book B. He’s enjoying it and doing very well so far! We will move on to Singapore 1A early next year.</p> <p align="justify"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1932906150&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"><br>Heart of Dakota recommends two phonics options, and while I believe these are GREAT options, we choose to use <a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=639">All About Reading</a> Level 1. Max will be starting this in September, once we have our school routine going smoothly.<br><br>Other resources are used, and you can find all of these resources <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/little-hearts-packages.php">AT THIS LINK</a>. <br><br>Other than that, we only use these extras from the LHFHG Facebook group:</p> <p>1) Bible Memory Verses the size of index cards. We’ve printed and laminated these verses to keep on a metal ring.</p> <p>2) Storytime Notebook pages to go along with the writing/drawing activities suggested in the guide. Having these printed and bound makes it SOOO easy to keep all of these projects together in one place as a keepsake. (We did NOT have this resource for Alex, and I am finding it such a TREAT!)<img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1932906150" width="1" height="1"></p> <p align="center"><font color="#f79646" size="6"><strong>Alex ~ <br>Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/byd-little-hearts.php"><img title="beyond-little-hearts1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="beyond-little-hearts1" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DTedEXei_k/VczCSm_EmNI/AAAAAAAAjY4/-Bl-z1rh6JU/beyond-little-hearts1%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">We started <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/byd-little-hearts.php">Beyond Little Hearts</a> last November. Since it is designed for age level, rather than grade level, are able to easily switch to a new guide mid-year. This year, we started up with Unit 19. I hope to finish the guide in early January, and then Alex will move on to the next guide (Bigger Hearts). <br><br>These history books are all so neat! They help to bring the early days of America to life for young learners!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932971513/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1932971513&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=5U42T5KLXJL2KEN5"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1932971513&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a> <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/history.php"><img title="pilgrims" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="pilgrims" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VvGGRCzD8z8/VczCTLK0k1I/AAAAAAAAjZA/Q98nWKyfg3A/pilgrims%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="98" height="154"></a><a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/history.php"><img title="colonial-days" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="colonial-days" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gUNbLbXYsx4/VczCTWKxefI/AAAAAAAAjZI/d7i9hlmIdDI/colonial-days%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="104" height="161"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1932971513" width="1" height="1"></p> <p align="justify">He is currently finishing the last few pages in Singapore 1B mathematics (US Edition). Singapore takes a pretty quick pace, and Alex is getting bogged down a bit at this point. Math is not his strongest subject, and he is getting frustrated. We have both Singapore 2A and 2B *and* <a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math3.htm">Teaching Textbooks 3</a> as options. (We bought a used copy of Teaching Textbooks 3 from a friend over the summer so we could check it out.)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math3.htm">Teaching Textbooks</a> does have an actual textbook, but what makes it so neat is that the lesson is entirely computerized. It’s colorful, a little bit fun, and has a great teacher who explains each detail with a visual presentation. It is self-grading, as well, so it gives students instant feedback. Alex did a few lessons over the summer, and he is leaning towards trying this. Yes, it is labeled 3rd grade, but it appears to do a little review of what Alex covered in Singapore 1 and then pick up where he needs to be.</p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math3.htm"><img title="math3textcover" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="math3textcover" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wr0iZgXOWnc/VczCTzyW7cI/AAAAAAAAjZQ/Xsz5UOEXM1U/math3textcover%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="190" height="244"></a><br>We’re also adding on <a href="http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/1gwg_Level_2.html">Growing With Grammar Level 2</a> this fall. Although Beyond includes a once-a-week grammar lesson and daily copywork, Alex was not comprehending grammar as much as we would like. I wanted something that would have him reviewing and practicing DAILY rather than just once a week. He has completed 5 lessons so far, and Alex is really enjoying this book! (We may eventually switch to Rod & Staff, which is recommended by HOD, but I wanted a simple workbook to get him started.)</p></blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/1gwg_Level_2.html"><img title="GWG_level_2_complete_set_with_tests-232x177" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="GWG_level_2_complete_set_with_tests-232x177" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sMD12gjyEH4/VczCUNdN8AI/AAAAAAAAjZY/36WTis8TnYE/GWG_level_2_complete_set_with_tests-232x177%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="181"></a></p> <p>Other than this, all of our resources are what HOD recommends for Beyond on <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/byd-little-hearts-packages.php">THIS PAGE</a>.</p> <p>Alex is going to finish the Emerging Reader series this year, and then we will decide where to go from there. I’m not sure he is ready for <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into.php">DITHOR (HOD’s reading program)</a> just yet, but we will likely read DITHOR chapter books without doing the complete program.</p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-78245865264473192582015-08-12T22:08:00.001-05:002015-08-12T22:08:52.760-05:00{Not} Back To School 2015<p align="justify">It’s time to get back into the homeschool routine in our house! I like to start fairly early in August, even if we just fit in three days per week, so that we have a little more wiggle room (for sickness & vacation days) in our school year. So we took off most of June and all of July, and now we’re easing our way back into routine.</p> <p align="justify">There’s NO WAY I can manage a regular blog post for each individual child. Although I love using the blog to keep a record of our schoolwork, and it’s so nice to be able to refer to each unit post when I need to remember details, I just can’t keep up with 3 posts/week! So this year’s plan is to put everything into one post. I’ll attempt to do it every 5 or so school days, but we’ll see how it goes.</p> <p align="left">Here are the kids with the school guides they are using this year. <br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pG5-8tqiX_w/VcwJ2_bl0jI/AAAAAAAAjSA/StrDahtO_ls/s1600-h/DSCN4441%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4441" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4441" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W0YUYv-moPQ/VcwJ3knjGXI/AAAAAAAAjSI/sr9ZZ3Ryziw/DSCN4441_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" height="360"></a></p> <p align="center">It’s a very busy kitchen table this year!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2935OT2rtsE/VcwJ4EHmZCI/AAAAAAAAjSQ/vEmJ-T4wC50/s1600-h/DSCN4472%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4472" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4472" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fU8hLj01TvU/VcwJ49theVI/AAAAAAAAjSU/doQ1Xm4q4jA/DSCN4472_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="372"></a><br><br>Here are some pictures from our first week. Jensyn gets to go first…<br><br><font size="5"><u>LHTH Unit 1</u></font></p> <p align="justify">Little Hands To Heaven is designed to be very simple and fun. The lessons should take only 20 – 30 minutes per day. LHTH has a very limited amount of worksheets. My kids enjoy occasional worksheets, though, so I spent some time this summer collecting and printing a variety of pages for Jensyn to use along with LHTH this year. We have Letter Mazes, Alphabet Playdough Mats, Dot Marker Alphabet Pages, etc.<br><br>We made pink playdough together. The stove is not hot in this picture. She measured, poured, and stirred. Then I backed up her stool while I cooked it.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l0c3pxKCLj4/VcwJ5exR2lI/AAAAAAAAjSg/hK8JXeiY7ck/s1600-h/DSCN4477%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4477" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4477" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XTFfdO9VQyc/VcwJ5w0s8UI/AAAAAAAAjSo/DKBJDbwO9Z0/DSCN4477_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="236"></a><br>After that, she used her pink playdough to decorate this letter A playdough mat. She also used a craft stick to practice writing the letter A in the pile of playdough on her plate. (Then, being the girly-girl that she is, Jensyn had to use the craft stick to draw a face, arms, and hair on her A!)<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HE_ZdEDVcuA/VcwJ6io2LNI/AAAAAAAAjSw/9LFS_8kAegc/s1600-h/DSCN4478%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4478" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4478" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nYdIUBfLeHE/VcwJ7YP7KgI/AAAAAAAAjS4/8QQq6yVtGpk/DSCN4478_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="242"></a><br><br>This is the Hide and Seek Letter Page, in which you read part of the weekly action rhyme and find/circle the letter of the week in the poem. At the bottom of the page, Jensyn practices pencil-holding/pre-writing skills by following the line to connect the uppercase A to the lowercase a.<br><br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J-KiNgxhg1g/VcwJ7x8ittI/AAAAAAAAjTA/blZAstUWF_Y/s1600-h/DSCN4473%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4473" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4473" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--yJyODW6DNA/VcwJ8ayZrSI/AAAAAAAAjTI/JwLMSjwc6Lk/DSCN4473_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">This another hands-on lesson…writing the letter of the week with glue, then covering it with cheerios. We’ll make a letter wall on our stairway to the playroom to display all of Jensyn’s letters of the week. (Max’s letters are still hanging in our stairway!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1C3VAs5bobY/VcwJ9CeQ04I/AAAAAAAAjTQ/0Gd6tA4hlww/s1600-h/DSCN4448%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4448" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4448" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wVKM3JvWhMQ/VcwJ9nByqLI/AAAAAAAAjTY/pYXUKgfbRl8/DSCN4448_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="331"></a><br>Here she is drawing and counting apples…<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qV20yeIn0O0/VcwJ-S1kfxI/AAAAAAAAjTg/g3GUWFn7dR8/s1600-h/DSCN4445%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4445" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4445" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F8X1as3sZdE/VcwJ-0OcgMI/AAAAAAAAjTo/4MCSZc4FmWU/DSCN4445_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="359"></a></p> <p align="justify">This is a Unit 1 project in which you use white crayon to draw things that God created. You then paint over the page to make your images magically appear. It’s supposed to be done with watered-down black tempera paint. This did NOT work for us when Max did LHTH, so this time, we used regular watercolor paints. It worked MUCH better, but the paper was soaking wet by the time Jensyn was finished with it!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Etb0BW7z_o/VcwJ_vqbl4I/AAAAAAAAjTw/ZXpQeIceM_s/s1600-h/DSCN4433%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4433" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4433" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w4KIwm48AAk/VcwKAK_sprI/AAAAAAAAjT4/3fENsUXNIio/DSCN4433_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="251"></a><br>Find & Stamp the Aa letters.<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h9UTiLEPws4/VcwKAtMP25I/AAAAAAAAjUA/5re1jGnMO6w/s1600-h/DSCN4435%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4435" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4435" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SNTpySX30Bo/VcwKBbs_f5I/AAAAAAAAjUI/2Vej6opwiVM/DSCN4435_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="234"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cK6fMXcipVc/VcwKB512wiI/AAAAAAAAjUQ/kLJSNk6C3xQ/s1600-h/DSCN4437%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4437" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4437" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0ATgCVTssyw/VcwKCZnoR-I/AAAAAAAAjUU/pljt0XVKGEY/DSCN4437_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="233"></a><br><br>Max is up next…</p> <p align="center"><u><font size="5">LHFHG Unit 2</font></u></p><font size="5"> <p align="justify"><font size="3">We started the year with LHFHG Unit 2, as we did a trial run of LHFHG with Unit 1 last spring to see if Max was ready for it. (He was MORE THAN ready!) <br></font><font size="3"><br>I decided to use the Rod & Staff books we had on hand, so Max is starting with Book G – Going On Eagerly. This book has a polar animals theme, so there is a little science learning mixed in with the fine motor skills and thinking skills practice found in this book. He really enjoyed it, so he will likely be doing a page every day and moving through books G, H, and I this year.<br></font><br></font><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vJQQyXhHjaM/VcwKC_nIBCI/AAAAAAAAjUg/DcheRwEXkLE/s1600-h/DSCN4479%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4479" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4479" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K5Ujz464Pr4/VcwKDdntllI/AAAAAAAAjUo/DlioZGCNhWI/DSCN4479_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="320"></a><br>Ahhh, now THIS was fun! This was the project on Noah’s Ark day. Make a foil boat (no instructions – just a big piece of foil) and see how many counters it will float. We chose to use teddy bear counters. Max and I each made a boat. His boat was the winner! Afterwards, he hopped in the tub and finished off his school day with a bathtub full of math manipulatives. (You know you’re a homeschooler when you do school naked in the bathtub, right? LOL!)<br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yvb8v5OMtYg/VcwKD7DyZcI/AAAAAAAAjUs/U2o0VkWAKLc/s1600-h/DSCN4484%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4484" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4484" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kmujh-ayMRo/VcwKETm0K0I/AAAAAAAAjUw/UuLAPK53RJE/DSCN4484_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" height="291"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-64HfSlGMKuY/VcwKE6pfAqI/AAAAAAAAjVA/2aCtsQ7vNDo/s1600-h/DSCN4493%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4493" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4493" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lAUwravzj0c/VcwKFbL0C2I/AAAAAAAAjVI/tm4oM-CSE1w/DSCN4493_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="292"></a><br><br>Each of the projects below is 1/4 of a piece of white construction paper. Max and I each colored a paper with all different brightly colored markers. Then we colored over it (PUSH HARD) with an broken, old black crayon. After this, we etched a heart into the center of our page so that the color could show through the black. This art project goes along with the lesson about Cain & Abel.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zChOeZqrb60/VcwKGNJKY0I/AAAAAAAAjVQ/FGNaEg3T0Ns/s1600-h/DSCN4474%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4474" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4474" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bpcns3NaGkk/VcwKGp8yF_I/AAAAAAAAjVU/Fh879nmoGlQ/DSCN4474_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br>Handwriting – I’m soooo oddly particular about what I’ll use for handwriting because I really prefer a traditional handwriting. The writing lines must be ‘just so’, and no letters can be funky looking. . I think we found a winner for Max this year! It’s Universal Publishing’s newest kindergarten handwriting book, and it has a simple, fun thinking skill activity in the middle of each page…sometimes it’s a maze, sometimes it’s a matching game…but it’s always something that keeps the page from becoming too boring.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mqsv_5epY_s/VcwKHMM2dBI/AAAAAAAAjVg/DoFAUTrM3Hw/s1600-h/DSCN4442%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4442" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4442" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lwosTUgOfcA/VcwKHnZ0o0I/AAAAAAAAjVo/UvOaz33qFXw/DSCN4442_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="271"></a><br>We skipped Singapore Essential Kindergarten Book A, and we started with Book B. Max is a math whiz. Even this is too easy for him, but I didn’t want him to get overwhelmed with Singapore 1st grade, as it progresses quickly. So we’re easing in with Kindergarten B, and then we’ll move on to Singapore 1 in January.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H5FLywAcEzo/VcwKIRrZaVI/AAAAAAAAjVw/DJfx4fexv8g/s1600-h/DSCN4436%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4436" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4436" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2o12Eydvpqk/VcwKI93JLvI/AAAAAAAAjV0/fxO6qM9xg9Y/DSCN4436_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="294"></a></p> <p align="center">Last of all, here is Alex’s first unit…<br><br><u><font size="5">Beyond Little Hearts, Unit 19</font></u></p> <p align="justify">He’s starting to get annoyed about having his picture taken. His ‘smile’ is actually the start of a smirk because he is proud of ruining the picture by hiding his work with his hands. In this picture, Alex is illustrating his poetry book as an end of the week project.<br><br>This week’s poem was “Monday’s Child”. We looked it up to be sure, and Alex was born on a Wednesday. He was less than thrilled to find out that Wednesday’s child is full of woe. By the end of the unit, we were both joking about it, though.<br><br></p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QNXIPIUUjoE/VcwKJaW56dI/AAAAAAAAjWA/rZoHHVrIl04/s1600-h/DSCN4482%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4482" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4482" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n3Z_--JmIw8/VcwKKarIwPI/AAAAAAAAjWI/BkJdK6STd-A/DSCN4482_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="279"></a> <p align="justify">Math is not Alex’s strong suit. He’s finishing up a few pages at the end of his Singapore 1B math book, and he is NOT happy about it. We’ve had some very rough moments as he has worked through these pages. I am giving him the two options for 2nd grade math, and right now he is seriously leaning toward Teaching Textbooks rather than moving on to Singapore 2A.<br><br>Spelling and grammar? Language is DEFINTELY Alex’s strength! He aced his end of the week spelling test without much effort.<br><br></p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PH_tYutDDms/VcwKK-75m9I/AAAAAAAAjWQ/ySmXpOPjLI4/s1600-h/DSCN4483%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4483" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN4483" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1wjbSLBTEVo/VcwKLUcmxjI/AAAAAAAAjWU/FlzoSB_ucuE/DSCN4483_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="378"></a> <p align="justify">He LOVES his new grammar book! (Seriously. What 7 year old LOVES a grammar book? Alex, you’re awesome!) We opted to have Alex take the CAT test in June, and he did not do well on the grammar portion. I decided he needed a bit more than what the Beyond guide offers, so I ordered Growing With Grammar Level 2. I had no idea he’d do it joyfully each day, though! That’s a pleasant surprise!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rOmj2PY_cm4/VcwKL9LhvlI/AAAAAAAAjWg/GI2VacxwSps/s1600-h/DSCN4438%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4438" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4438" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YzX35Rf7-A/VcwKMnEl8gI/AAAAAAAAjWo/ZoGXrrzIRy0/DSCN4438_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="302"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QIQi_cHxbsk/VcwKNEi8CQI/AAAAAAAAjWw/1SCWPWy7O1w/s1600-h/DSCN4439%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4439" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4439" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yI54pmQ3AWw/VcwKNgpKMeI/AAAAAAAAjW0/tF0KOhPyeSM/DSCN4439_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="299"></a></p> <p align="justify">This history lessons in this unit told the story of a little Puritan girl named Remember. Throughout the week, we learned of how Remember’s mother had to leave her home alone for several days while she went to care for a distant neighbor who was very ill. We read of how Remember used her time wisely, how she made homemade soap, and how she saved herself from being kidnapped by an Indian. <br><br>We also read of how she made a sand pattern on to decorate the kitchen floor. Alex made his own ‘sand’ pattern using glue and cornmeal.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-negldOOmN0o/VcwKN4YXn9I/AAAAAAAAjXA/LvXWGhOq05w/s1600-h/DSCN4446%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4446" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4446" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fj6KxOSZkQc/VcwKOZdzTcI/AAAAAAAAjXE/-RYl21mkVlw/DSCN4446_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="305"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1g2ZPsb8Us4/VcwKOzdhU7I/AAAAAAAAjXQ/GubUh5g5trc/s1600-h/DSCN4447%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4447" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4447" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fr_myEWwuAg/VcwKQdJJ2HI/AAAAAAAAjXY/GBLZvuhRgXM/DSCN4447_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="305"></a></p> <p>That’s about it for this week. I’ll probably do a separate post soon to list out all of the resources each of the children are using this year. </p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-40862714875984696452015-03-17T21:26:00.001-05:002015-03-17T21:27:36.364-05:00Beyond Unit 5 (Alex)<p><em>(Still playing catch-up. We did this unit in January 2015.)<br></em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wRSiFrMbLUk/VIyVKWU4q8I/AAAAAAAAiK4/HBUgScfjJyk/s1600-h/beyondbanner.jpg"><br><img title="beyondbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory, BLHFHG, Beyond, HOD, Heart of Dakota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vgXxO598HaU/VIyVK92bRTI/AAAAAAAAiLA/DBmbQ2JJTyc/beyondbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="114"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZ0qqHv1c7k/VIyVLbZNHtI/AAAAAAAAiLI/f1cf_CHNPlw/s1600-h/readingbanner.jpg"><img title="readingbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="readingbanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZyD2cm3JtYI/VIyVL_A_NgI/AAAAAAAAiLQ/mQrngHlea6E/readingbanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>We read about Love Bradford, a little girl who came to Amsterdam on the ship. Her father was unable to make the initial trip, and she lived with a Dutch family for quite some time while waiting for her father to make the journey to America.<br><br>We learned what Dutch homes looked like, and we learned how the houses leaned to the side. We learned how beds were tucked into the kitchen walls. We compared Dutch houses with our own homes. <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8g-8tI4qdgM/VIyVNVMiMyI/AAAAAAAAiLo/KR8RxIqznfk/s1600-h/biblestudybanner.jpg"><img title="biblestudybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="biblestudybanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OwaRTV8-esM/VIyVN2qORGI/AAAAAAAAiLw/22rbkgiB62g/biblestudybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>I love how each day’s Bible Study box has a few questions to help children think about the meaning of the verse & to connect that verse with both the history lesson and their own lives. Each Day 5 includes a separate Bible passage and study questions.<br><br>I’ve been sharing weekly details most of the time, but I don’t want to do that every week in case I give away too much of the details of the guide. I would never want to overshare so much that I keep someone from buying the guide, so every few weeks, I’m going to “not share”!<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F7Dzeu1weyw/VIyVODVIksI/AAAAAAAAiL4/R2YHqFLg4Dc/s1600-h/languagebanner.jpg"><img title="languagebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="languagebanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_V1XnURoRVY/VIyVOudG6QI/AAAAAAAAiMA/hlq3vN9mlfs/languagebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> This weeks’ grammar lesson was about recognizing and writing ‘asking sentences’, otherwise known as questions.<br><br>This week’s spelling words had the short ‘u’ sound.<br></p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mrgpDw4Wt08/VQjiQ0LuldI/AAAAAAAAjRA/Vqsu62hLa4k/s1600-h/DSCN3564%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3564" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3564" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ebsvhaMJQRw/VQjiRco--2I/AAAAAAAAjRI/R44_Qc6a26k/DSCN3564_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8p6_9lb5JVo/VIyVUSv6-lI/AAAAAAAAiM4/K98SW8qQ64o/s1600-h/mathbanner.jpg"><img title="mathbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="mathbanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OYCTnsRA0oA/VIyVU42Ch4I/AAAAAAAAiNA/QSw5ADJhcbU/mathbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>Still pluggin’ away at Singapore 1st grade<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtzQDFZn0pA/VIyVWREoVzI/AAAAAAAAiNI/JxqEZJg0IXE/s1600-h/geographybanner.jpg"><img title="geographybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="geographybanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YIF-jxxFBVA/VIyVW7KdkjI/AAAAAAAAiNQ/9_134zJ6QHk/geographybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> We looked at a globe and explored how much of the world is covered with water. We named the 5 oceans, and we talked about why most major cities were built near the ocean or large bodies of water.<br><br>We’re occasionally using some of the history notebooking pages found in the Facebook group, and Alex labeled the oceans on this unit’s page. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rzk2owrXSHs/VIyVZZ-kOEI/AAAAAAAAiNY/2BKf3cA_bDE/s1600-h/storytimebanner.jpg"><img title="storytimebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="storytimebanner" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WuzWJElNUiI/VIyVZ5-YF0I/AAAAAAAAiNg/4xGduJkW958/storytimebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">We chose <u>A Lion To Guard Us</u> as our adventure book for storytime! This was a wonderful read, and all three kids enjoyed listening to this story. I love how it turned into a sweet time of snuggling and reading to all three of my kiddos each afternoon! <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064403335/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0064403335&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=ZPEQM3TUPK2Q7D6U"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0064403335&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZIDzepIe1Xo/VIyVb3O2uWI/AAAAAAAAiNo/28pHk6YoH5M/s1600-h/poetrybanner.jpg"><img title="poetrybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="poetrybanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lfow7p_xczU/VIyVcYWNLBI/AAAAAAAAiNw/vemHOCfSIw0/poetrybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>This week’s poem was “Song For A Little House”. Alex used it as copywork, and he illustrated the poem at the end of the week. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39OYOSOV8Ew/VIyVgj0ueBI/AAAAAAAAiN4/poTY7eYXEsA/s1600-h/artbanner.jpg"><img title="artbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="artbanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fXwexU4P_tc/VIyVhIG0s1I/AAAAAAAAiOA/gZpkGQID4SE/artbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">We read about Love Brewster, patiently waiting for her father to come. She was given a beautiful tulip plant to raise while she waited.<br><br>For artistic expression this week, Alex cut a flower pot from brown paper and a tulip from pink paper. He glued the tulip on a green popsicle stick, and we cut a slit in the blue paper along the top of the flowerpot. He could make his flower grow. (Jensyn loved this, and she claimed it as her own later!)<br><br></p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NVpWPbh9UYM/VQjiSJsEJCI/AAAAAAAAjQQ/sEJNSHay8jw/s1600-h/DSCN3563%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3563" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3563" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zEcReXglmwI/VQjiSkgLsdI/AAAAAAAAjQY/zfoMC8lKIuU/DSCN3563_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="431"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9cNgY1eqXk/VIyVkueJRFI/AAAAAAAAiOI/xxjRJmcREvE/s1600-h/sciencebanner.jpg"><img title="sciencebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="sciencebanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9r-XmwyVFA/VIyVk2nekCI/AAAAAAAAiOQ/2pXlrCD2Xl4/sciencebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">We talked about how light moves in waves through space, and we compared it to waves of water. It’s been too long for me to remember clearly, but we didn’t exactly follow the book’s directions. It may have been an activity suggested in the science book, rather than the one in the HOD guide?<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q5ts_Z7gSCU/VQjiTV5J47I/AAAAAAAAjQg/Asqq8IjoePI/s1600-h/DSCN3561%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3561" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3561" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QnQEihAdIj4/VQjiU2TdsAI/AAAAAAAAjQo/ToEXixarjCs/DSCN3561_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="302"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tCy3qpCs7oQ/VQjiVYPmU4I/AAAAAAAAjQw/0KG-85nUyGM/s1600-h/435%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="435" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="435" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s1nVSfDyOEU/VQjiWD-juGI/AAAAAAAAjQ4/UCc40EqnNHE/435_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="302"></a><br>We usually do two science days each unit, but I try not to share everything. First of all, I don’t always take pictures. Secondly, I don’t want to share it ALL…I just want to remember some of what we did & give you, the reader, a glimpse into what Beyond is all about!<br> </p> <p><em><sup>{Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking through this link, our family will receive a small percentage of your purchase price. Thank you!}</sup></em> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-79737400309719249812015-03-17T16:45:00.001-05:002015-03-17T16:45:48.071-05:00Beyond Unit 4 (Alex)<p><em>(I am trying to get caught up! We did Unit 4 in January, and it’s now March 16th. You’re going to be bombarded with posts in the next few weeks, because I am determined to get through it all!)</em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wRSiFrMbLUk/VIyVKWU4q8I/AAAAAAAAiK4/HBUgScfjJyk/s1600-h/beyondbanner.jpg"></p><img title="beyondbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory, BLHFHG, Beyond, HOD, Heart of Dakota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vgXxO598HaU/VIyVK92bRTI/AAAAAAAAiLA/DBmbQ2JJTyc/beyondbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="114"></a> <p>This is my typical view during school time…3 kids busily working on something. That something may be school work, a coloring page, a puzzle, or slicing paper into teeny-tiny pieces (Jensyn!).<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OW42IFLhk5U/VQigUvep2fI/AAAAAAAAjMo/ReQ4sBMBV_A/s1600-h/DSCN3542%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3542" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3542" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--JRq8Lguk0k/VQigVRxfYOI/AAAAAAAAjMw/o4LWOsAJ9jo/DSCN3542_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="272"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZ0qqHv1c7k/VIyVLbZNHtI/AAAAAAAAiLI/f1cf_CHNPlw/s1600-h/readingbanner.jpg"><img title="readingbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="readingbanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZyD2cm3JtYI/VIyVL_A_NgI/AAAAAAAAiLQ/mQrngHlea6E/readingbanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">This unit’s theme was the Pilgrims leaving England for Holland. They encountered many challenges in leaving England! We learned about canals instead of streets, windmills, storks, and dikes. We made our own playdough dike to show how it kept the water out of Holland. <em>(I dropped this dish the next day, shattering it to itty-bitty pieces. It was one of my favorite casserole dishes!)</em><br> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lras533gE0Q/VQigV6Ew7TI/AAAAAAAAjM4/UEFzHD2Xtco/s1600-h/416%25255B11%25255D.jpg"></p><img title="416" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="416" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nbFNV-YuMao/VQigWc-c2nI/AAAAAAAAjNA/ZwJmaH8HAoU/416_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="333"></a> <p> I don’t have a picture, but we added “Pilgrims in Holland, 1608” to our timeline folder. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8g-8tI4qdgM/VIyVNVMiMyI/AAAAAAAAiLo/KR8RxIqznfk/s1600-h/biblestudybanner.jpg"><img title="biblestudybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="biblestudybanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OwaRTV8-esM/VIyVN2qORGI/AAAAAAAAiLw/22rbkgiB62g/biblestudybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>The Bible verse for this unit is Matthew 16: 19 – 21. In the picture below, Alex is reading his Bible verse aloud.<br><br>This year, we’ve used a file in the Facebook group to print out all of the Bible verses. I then cut & laminated them, and we’re adding each verse to a binder ring. This way, all the verses are handy for review purposes.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OeCMOJujI_4/VQigXFQcVYI/AAAAAAAAjNI/XmtzAdbenx8/s1600-h/DSCN3531%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3531" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3531" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2LzBRTeSGB8/VQigXvW5sbI/AAAAAAAAjNM/4vIokynOEzw/DSCN3531_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="331"></a><br>Day 5’s Bible study reminded us to think of others before thinking of ourselves. We want to have a heart that desires to please God and serve others. <br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F7Dzeu1weyw/VIyVODVIksI/AAAAAAAAiL4/R2YHqFLg4Dc/s1600-h/languagebanner.jpg"><img title="languagebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="languagebanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_V1XnURoRVY/VIyVOudG6QI/AAAAAAAAiMA/hlq3vN9mlfs/languagebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>Day 5’s grammar assignment was to read several statements that I wrote on the white board. Alex then had to find the subject and the predicate in each sentence. <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZKxrUEIbVCg/VQigX_SdD8I/AAAAAAAAjNY/_A00zz1OqPI/s1600-h/DSCN3560%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3560" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3560" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QqAuCTKaWBc/VQigYQ07-wI/AAAAAAAAjNg/otHGs_9LxQk/DSCN3560_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <br>Alex loves words. He won’t admit it, but he has a large vocabulary. He catches on to new words quickly, and he’s often trying out new words as he converses with us. He enjoys doing a written test (or copying his words) each day, so he had several pages like this throughout the week:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X-pDbHdApVw/VQigZIthUnI/AAAAAAAAjNo/68OtFS3Mk-M/s1600-h/DSCN3527%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3527" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3527" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3A3rFLHa14I/VQigZnxvGoI/AAAAAAAAjNs/Mw4UTZXRLLk/DSCN3527_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="293"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pJ8Qcb09iMY/VQigaApJ9fI/AAAAAAAAjN0/Vkmm01o7HUs/s1600-h/DSCN3544%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3544" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3544" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S4Tf4i52Zkc/VQigalMxeKI/AAAAAAAAjN8/EVqh4slGJvE/DSCN3544_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="295"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8p6_9lb5JVo/VIyVUSv6-lI/AAAAAAAAiM4/K98SW8qQ64o/s1600-h/mathbanner.jpg"><img title="mathbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="mathbanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OYCTnsRA0oA/VIyVU42Ch4I/AAAAAAAAiNA/QSw5ADJhcbU/mathbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>a quick peek at where we were in Singapore 1…<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E_L-G5aAWCk/VQigbPXAY0I/AAAAAAAAjOI/g5XpiJIwcsA/s1600-h/DSCN3559%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3559" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3559" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uyu6_vHjrjY/VQigbu0cA0I/AAAAAAAAjOM/jPWqXSilWfg/DSCN3559_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="351"></a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtzQDFZn0pA/VIyVWREoVzI/AAAAAAAAiNI/JxqEZJg0IXE/s1600-h/geographybanner.jpg"><img title="geographybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="geographybanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YIF-jxxFBVA/VIyVW7KdkjI/AAAAAAAAiNQ/9_134zJ6QHk/geographybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a></p> <p align="justify">We read about the city of Amsterdam and the way it looked like it was floating in the water. We found it on the globe. We also discussed the horizon and directional words (north, south, west, east) and using a compass.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rzk2owrXSHs/VIyVZZ-kOEI/AAAAAAAAiNY/2BKf3cA_bDE/s1600-h/storytimebanner.jpg"><img title="storytimebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="storytimebanner" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WuzWJElNUiI/VIyVZ5-YF0I/AAAAAAAAiNg/4xGduJkW958/storytimebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">We finished up Gladys Aylward’s story. What a wonderful, yet intense book and adventure! Other than changing a few words (I believe the word prostitute –or something to that effect – was used to describe a setting that made Gladys uncomfortable, and I wasn’t about to explain that to my 7 year old) , I read the story ‘as is’. I think it was good for Alex to be aware of what it means to serve Christ as a missionary. As I write this on March 17th, Alex *still* mentions Gladys and her adventures from time to time. I know this story has stuck with him!<br><br>We also watched the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JDUB7S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002JDUB7S&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=KZYMV5M656KXQHZK" target="_blank">Torchlighters video of Gladys Aylward</a> upon completing the book. It is MUCH more child-friendly, although it only tells a small fraction of Gladys’ story. It was a nice way to wrap up our biography reading! <br><br></p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JDUB7S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002JDUB7S&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=KZYMV5M656KXQHZK"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002JDUB7S&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco" width="167" height="219"></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZIDzepIe1Xo/VIyVb3O2uWI/AAAAAAAAiNo/28pHk6YoH5M/s1600-h/poetrybanner.jpg"><img title="poetrybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="poetrybanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lfow7p_xczU/VIyVcYWNLBI/AAAAAAAAiNw/vemHOCfSIw0/poetrybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">This week’s poem was entitled <u>Daybreak</u>. We’re continuing to read the poem each day, using it as copywork each day, and then have Alex illustrate the poem at the end of the week. We printed & coil bound the poems at the beginning of the school year so Alex can have his completed poetry book as a keepsake if he’d like. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39OYOSOV8Ew/VIyVgj0ueBI/AAAAAAAAiN4/poTY7eYXEsA/s1600-h/artbanner.jpg"><img title="artbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="artbanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fXwexU4P_tc/VIyVhIG0s1I/AAAAAAAAiOA/gZpkGQID4SE/artbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>This week’s art project was to make barn doors from a sheet of red construction paper. Alex had to listen to instructions to learn how to properly fold the paper and use white crayon to draw the Xs on the barn doors. After that, he had to copy his Bible verse and paste it inside the barn. (The barn goes along with Day 5’s Bible study.) <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vpHJc7s7EPk/VQigcCS3lvI/AAAAAAAAjOY/5G4nWWv10qY/s1600-h/DSCN3556%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3556" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3556" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-42OIEzjYaak/VQigcsrJzXI/AAAAAAAAjOg/kH9Qu_NGjjE/DSCN3556_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="271"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uiaics-OPu4/VQigdX9ukkI/AAAAAAAAjOo/XzjydlWwntM/s1600-h/DSCN3557%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3557" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3557" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XrHViXvSvXQ/VQigd_Wd1-I/AAAAAAAAjOs/I3GN_O5YeaY/DSCN3557_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s2I32c3QdNY/VQigeb7XoiI/AAAAAAAAjO4/9nEDE4e66H0/s1600-h/DSCN3558%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3558" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3558" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YsToANnB0Ng/VQigfIE1vVI/AAAAAAAAjPA/_TPaiTWIqtA/DSCN3558_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="242"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9cNgY1eqXk/VIyVkueJRFI/AAAAAAAAiOI/xxjRJmcREvE/s1600-h/sciencebanner.jpg"><img title="sciencebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="sciencebanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9r-XmwyVFA/VIyVk2nekCI/AAAAAAAAiOQ/2pXlrCD2Xl4/sciencebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">After reading about how the Dutch captain’s ship got a hole in it and almost sank, we learned about how surface tension holds up ships on the ocean. We then did our own experiments with a dropper bottle and a penny to see how many drops of water we could fit on the penny.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2XeY8ZGcvt0/VQigfreLImI/AAAAAAAAjPI/YTFgoDhZN3E/s1600-h/406%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="406" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="406" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mzPCeLpZe0k/VQiggS8jHeI/AAAAAAAAjPM/kBzWL4BMqfY/406_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ur0QTLvNdEA/VQiggtBL3UI/AAAAAAAAjPY/8fatrjaCl38/s1600-h/408%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="408" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="408" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DW_TT9au3sM/VQigheSyAkI/AAAAAAAAjPg/DWWJTh3zO20/408_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gSZtIe6IUis/VQigh35ewqI/AAAAAAAAjPo/256wu8J0oI4/s1600-h/DSCN3533%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3533" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3533" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QCltK3Izdj8/VQigikUJpkI/AAAAAAAAjPw/iJBkrKUeuQs/DSCN3533_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br> </p> <p><em><sup>{Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking through this link, our family will receive a small percentage of your purchase price. Thank you!}</sup></em></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-15019047382217017422015-03-16T15:43:00.001-05:002015-03-16T15:45:34.831-05:00Beyond Unit 3 (Alex)<p><br><em>(I am trying to get caught up! We’re currently on Unit 11. We did Unit 3 around Christmas, and it’s now March 16th. You’re going to be bombarded with posts in the next few weeks, because I am determined to get through it all!)</em><br><br><img title="beyondbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory, BLHFHG, Beyond, HOD, Heart of Dakota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vgXxO598HaU/VIyVK92bRTI/AAAAAAAAiLA/DBmbQ2JJTyc/beyondbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="114"> <p>Alex wasn’t letting me take pictures for a while, and it’s important to me to respect his wishes on that, so we have some weeks that are very lacking in pictures. This is one of those weeks <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qo8NgOZYy_I/VQdARUKTKpI/AAAAAAAAjKk/_vWteuE9A6Y/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZ0qqHv1c7k/VIyVLbZNHtI/AAAAAAAAiLI/f1cf_CHNPlw/s1600-h/readingbanner.jpg"><img title="readingbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="readingbanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZyD2cm3JtYI/VIyVL_A_NgI/AAAAAAAAiLQ/mQrngHlea6E/readingbanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">In Unit 3, we read about trouble with King James in England. We learned how the Pilgrims were forbidden to worship outside of King James’ church. They were caught worshipping in a barn. The men were put in jail. <br><br>We played a really fun, active dice game to see if we’d end up in King James’ court or in prison. Each number on the die stood for a different action (“Go to King James’ court – take one step forward” -OR- “Put God before the King – take 2 steps back”) We played this game again and again! <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8g-8tI4qdgM/VIyVNVMiMyI/AAAAAAAAiLo/KR8RxIqznfk/s1600-h/biblestudybanner.jpg"><img title="biblestudybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="biblestudybanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OwaRTV8-esM/VIyVN2qORGI/AAAAAAAAiLw/22rbkgiB62g/biblestudybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a>This week’s Bible verse was Romans 12: 9 – 10. Again, we practice in fun ways like galloping until Mom says ‘freeze’, then reciting the verse…over and over again <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qo8NgOZYy_I/VQdARUKTKpI/AAAAAAAAjKk/_vWteuE9A6Y/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"><br><br>The Friday Bible study helped us think about what to do if someone hurts you.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F7Dzeu1weyw/VIyVODVIksI/AAAAAAAAiL4/R2YHqFLg4Dc/s1600-h/languagebanner.jpg"><img title="languagebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="languagebanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_V1XnURoRVY/VIyVOudG6QI/AAAAAAAAiMA/hlq3vN9mlfs/languagebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>This week’s grammar concept was subject and predicate. We made 5 cards with a subject and 5 cards with a predicate. Then we mixed and matched to make silly (but complete!) sentences. Alex had a lot of fun with this!<br><br> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ApyzSxIyHkc/VQdARxFfg6I/AAAAAAAAjKs/neOvteaT_Jc/s1600-h/385%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="385" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="385" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Brks7B7zO3M/VQdASZ8GCcI/AAAAAAAAjK0/P7mwxP4qMnA/385_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="275"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uVmSuK1iI-I/VQdATFWe7KI/AAAAAAAAjK8/y3UVIkFZOnE/s1600-h/386%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="386" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="386" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sRKcHhZdQ5I/VQdATusDEvI/AAAAAAAAjLA/OtXNLD6o9E0/386_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="271"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FMfa04qEq0M/VQdAUckmVDI/AAAAAAAAjLI/ZHJZInaC-88/s1600-h/389%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="389" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="389" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sruWeYqdwU8/VQdAU4RC7RI/AAAAAAAAjLQ/6206aRtQmEg/389_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="224"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oqmhhn6dwBE/VQdAVHWC8_I/AAAAAAAAjLU/ddDqTCTodH4/s1600-h/390%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="390" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="390" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lzXITdi4ZpE/VQdAVpqwFnI/AAAAAAAAjLc/SQQoHlDB_C4/390_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="226"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IeffOQ8pJaM/VQdAWINBZTI/AAAAAAAAjLo/0C3fzHDGVJM/s1600-h/DSCN3516%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3516" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3516" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--briDxVJfk8/VQdAWxtywQI/AAAAAAAAjLs/OFf04rk3tHo/DSCN3516_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="219"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rbiIjuBH9WY/VQdAXH8L4-I/AAAAAAAAjL0/bmjxOKc1PMc/s1600-h/392%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="392" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="392" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qGCVkU2Wuww/VQdAXiFlSLI/AAAAAAAAjL8/FeHqgTkoZwA/392_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="221"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8p6_9lb5JVo/VIyVUSv6-lI/AAAAAAAAiM4/K98SW8qQ64o/s1600-h/mathbanner.jpg"><img title="mathbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="mathbanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OYCTnsRA0oA/VIyVU42Ch4I/AAAAAAAAiNA/QSw5ADJhcbU/mathbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a>I went through a phase of not taking many pictures! We were still working through Singapore 1A, going slightly faster than Beyond’s schedule.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtzQDFZn0pA/VIyVWREoVzI/AAAAAAAAiNI/JxqEZJg0IXE/s1600-h/geographybanner.jpg"><img title="geographybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="geographybanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YIF-jxxFBVA/VIyVW7KdkjI/AAAAAAAAiNQ/9_134zJ6QHk/geographybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>We read about Magellan’s route, discussing how the world is round and not flat. We looked at a globe, looked at the horizon, and looked at a map in one of Alex’s history books. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rzk2owrXSHs/VIyVZZ-kOEI/AAAAAAAAiNY/2BKf3cA_bDE/s1600-h/storytimebanner.jpg"><img title="storytimebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="storytimebanner" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WuzWJElNUiI/VIyVZ5-YF0I/AAAAAAAAiNg/4xGduJkW958/storytimebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p> continuing to read <u>Gladys Aylward</u> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZIDzepIe1Xo/VIyVb3O2uWI/AAAAAAAAiNo/28pHk6YoH5M/s1600-h/poetrybanner.jpg"><img title="poetrybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="poetrybanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lfow7p_xczU/VIyVcYWNLBI/AAAAAAAAiNw/vemHOCfSIw0/poetrybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>We read a poem called <u>Uphill</u> aloud together each day. Alex used it as copywork and draw a picture of the poem. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39OYOSOV8Ew/VIyVgj0ueBI/AAAAAAAAiN4/poTY7eYXEsA/s1600-h/artbanner.jpg"><img title="artbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="artbanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fXwexU4P_tc/VIyVhIG0s1I/AAAAAAAAiOA/gZpkGQID4SE/artbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">We didn’t do it. Art is at the bottom of my importance list, and since it was Christmas-time, we had plenty to keep us busy. It was meant to be a picture of a pretty, trailing vine on a stone wall…remiscent of the garden walls at the Brewster family’s inn. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9cNgY1eqXk/VIyVkueJRFI/AAAAAAAAiOI/xxjRJmcREvE/s1600-h/sciencebanner.jpg"><img title="sciencebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="sciencebanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9r-XmwyVFA/VIyVk2nekCI/AAAAAAAAiOQ/2pXlrCD2Xl4/sciencebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>We read about Queen Anne admiring the Brewster’s garden, so for science we learned about bees and pollination. We used crushed crackers to show how bees spread pollen.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XX5rHKyKl5M/VQdAYLIlPlI/AAAAAAAAjME/vw1AGpVlxGg/s1600-h/DSCN3322%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3322" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3322" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9Jh7ETB9X30/VQdAYk1sJ3I/AAAAAAAAjMM/kowgVd2jPQA/DSCN3322_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="267"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We also had a science lesson about light and darkness, using black paper, white paper, and a flashlight. It went along with the history reading about the Pilgrims meeting in the dark to make it harder for King James’ soldiers to spot them.</p> <p><em><sup>{Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking through this link, our family will receive a small percentage of your purchase price. Thank you!}</sup></em> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-14407361033298086592015-03-16T11:04:00.001-05:002015-03-16T14:23:04.353-05:00Beyond Unit 2<p align="justify"><em>(I am trying to get caught up! We’re currently on Unit 11, and I have only posted Unit 1. We did Unit 2 before Christmas, and it’s now March 16th. You’re going to be bombarded with posts in the next few weeks, because I am determined to get through it all!)</em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wRSiFrMbLUk/VIyVKWU4q8I/AAAAAAAAiK4/HBUgScfjJyk/s1600-h/beyondbanner.jpg"></p><img title="beyondbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory, BLHFHG, Beyond, HOD, Heart of Dakota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vgXxO598HaU/VIyVK92bRTI/AAAAAAAAiLA/DBmbQ2JJTyc/beyondbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="114"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZ0qqHv1c7k/VIyVLbZNHtI/AAAAAAAAiLI/f1cf_CHNPlw/s1600-h/readingbanner.jpg"><img title="readingbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="readingbanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZyD2cm3JtYI/VIyVL_A_NgI/AAAAAAAAiLQ/mQrngHlea6E/readingbanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>This week, we read about pioneers from England settling Jamestown. Did you know that Jamestown was settled BEFORE the Pilgrims came to America? Jamestown was settled in 1607, and the Pilgrims founded the Plymouth colony in 1620.<br><br>In these pictures, Alex is adding Jamestown to his timeline grid. <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VbqpqKK84Zw/VQb-5FfNTjI/AAAAAAAAjIU/NGscCGa-eHs/s1600-h/DSCN3295%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3295" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3295" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jQ3fGnQAtG0/VQb-5y9crcI/AAAAAAAAjIY/vAhpfmmxvoQ/DSCN3295_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_KCu3BXKZNo/VQb-6cFw2rI/AAAAAAAAjIk/hjk-elQRJ9g/s1600-h/DSCN3296%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3296" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3296" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ds6KhjNh6TU/VQb-7O7a07I/AAAAAAAAjIs/iBUR_DI2I0Y/DSCN3296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8g-8tI4qdgM/VIyVNVMiMyI/AAAAAAAAiLo/KR8RxIqznfk/s1600-h/biblestudybanner.jpg"><img title="biblestudybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="biblestudybanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OwaRTV8-esM/VIyVN2qORGI/AAAAAAAAiLw/22rbkgiB62g/biblestudybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>This week’s Bible verse was Galatians 6:9. We compared how we should not grow weary of doing good with how the men in Jamestown worked hard and thanked God for their blessings. I love how each day of the unit has a few questions to help children relate the verse to their own life, and most days have an active way to practice the verse with motions or exercise. Alex and I enjoy doing these little exercises together!<br><br>Each week includes a reading from a devotion book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1880960478/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1880960478&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=JLUSMI7Z6RIJPKJN" target="_blank">Morning Bells</a><u></u>. Though this is an old book, and the writing and language styles are not typical of what read we often read, there is much to be learned from reading this book. Alex doesn’t care for it, but the lessons seem to stick in his head anyway.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F7Dzeu1weyw/VIyVODVIksI/AAAAAAAAiL4/R2YHqFLg4Dc/s1600-h/languagebanner.jpg"><img title="languagebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="languagebanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_V1XnURoRVY/VIyVOudG6QI/AAAAAAAAiMA/hlq3vN9mlfs/languagebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>I really wasn’t sure how we’d handle spelling this year. I considered Spelling You See, Level B. I really believe that <a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/2014/04/review-spelling-you-see.html" target="_blank">Spelling You See, Level A</a> gave Alex a great deal of confidence in spelling. I also really wanted to try All About Spelling, Level 1. I’d purchased it at our homeschool convention last spring, as I’ve been so thrilled with <a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=639">All About Reading</a>.<br><br>Beyond has spelling built into the guide, though, and that’s what Alex chose when given his options. He really likes using the index cards to copy the words on to the white board or on Lego spelling paper pages that we found online. He is using List 2, which is 2nd grade spelling words. This boy is really quick to pick up on spelling concepts, and he’s breezing through the words with ease!<br> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ym1jZFq8lCw/VQb-7hdvQ2I/AAAAAAAAjI0/Pj7horsR-gs/s1600-h/DSCN3323%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3323" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3323" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iOYJnTIYWOA/VQb-8QZkFJI/AAAAAAAAjI4/pjePlpMQdbc/DSCN3323_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="243"></a> <p align="justify">Days 1 – 4 are spent working on spelling and copywork. Day 5 of each unit is devoted to a grammar concept and copywork. This unit’s grammar concept was finding the correct place to put a period to separate run-on sentences.<br><br></p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8p6_9lb5JVo/VIyVUSv6-lI/AAAAAAAAiM4/K98SW8qQ64o/s1600-h/mathbanner.jpg"><img title="mathbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="mathbanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OYCTnsRA0oA/VIyVU42Ch4I/AAAAAAAAiNA/QSw5ADJhcbU/mathbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>Uh, I have no pictures & I have NO idea where we were at with math at this time because we’re going at Alex’s pace. We were somewhere in the middle of Singapore 1A <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bxyrx1FolEE/VQb-9E-K4TI/AAAAAAAAjJA/ctnhG6oMngY/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"><br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtzQDFZn0pA/VIyVWREoVzI/AAAAAAAAiNI/JxqEZJg0IXE/s1600-h/geographybanner.jpg"><img title="geographybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="geographybanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YIF-jxxFBVA/VIyVW7KdkjI/AAAAAAAAiNQ/9_134zJ6QHk/geographybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>I can’t find a picture, but Alex learned about map skills, drawing a map to show how to find Sally’s missing little brother Richard. (These are characters in our history reading.) <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rzk2owrXSHs/VIyVZZ-kOEI/AAAAAAAAiNY/2BKf3cA_bDE/s1600-h/storytimebanner.jpg"><img title="storytimebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="storytimebanner" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WuzWJElNUiI/VIyVZ5-YF0I/AAAAAAAAiNg/4xGduJkW958/storytimebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">We continued to read through Gladys Aylward, learning about this brave missionary to China. Although this was the most challenging chapter book I’ve ever read to Alex, I am so glad we read it. It has opened his eyes to challenges, the courage of missionaries, and what it means to truly live out our faith. It has also helped him learn to sit and listen to a long chapter book. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZIDzepIe1Xo/VIyVb3O2uWI/AAAAAAAAiNo/28pHk6YoH5M/s1600-h/poetrybanner.jpg"><img title="poetrybanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="poetrybanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lfow7p_xczU/VIyVcYWNLBI/AAAAAAAAiNw/vemHOCfSIw0/poetrybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> </p><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sfNxRMHPMwU/VQb-93CktsI/AAAAAAAAjJM/tJAADysPYT8/s1600-h/DSCN3297%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3297" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3297" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G3T3eIzQHpE/VQb--ZW1qYI/AAAAAAAAjJQ/gbMqPJu86VI/DSCN3297_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="309"> <p align="justify"></a>We printed all of the poems from the files in the Beyond Facebook group, and I had them bound into a book. Each day, Alex copies two lines of the poem to practice copying, handwriting, spelling, and proper punctuation and capitalization. At the end of the week, he illustrates the poem.<br><br>Copywork is not his favorite thing, but I am seeing him improve as we continue through Beyond.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LZPNqxKb4-g/VQb--0BF3tI/AAAAAAAAjJc/Ec69z699E_U/s1600-h/DSCN3317%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3317" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3317" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-23u-3eZrDOg/VQb-_n65VtI/AAAAAAAAjJg/S_YI59rjvNA/DSCN3317_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="255" height="346"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bdw6RJUpXTo/VQb-_8yJcZI/AAAAAAAAjJo/Z2ywVxXaWPs/s1600-h/DSCN3324%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3324" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qOk3RpxVaEA/VQb_Ap-NPqI/AAAAAAAAjJw/BsLTRJR2XPI/DSCN3324_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="344"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39OYOSOV8Ew/VIyVgj0ueBI/AAAAAAAAiN4/poTY7eYXEsA/s1600-h/artbanner.jpg"><img title="artbanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="artbanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fXwexU4P_tc/VIyVhIG0s1I/AAAAAAAAiOA/gZpkGQID4SE/artbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">The Day 5 Bible study was to read and discuss the story of Ruth and Boaz. After doing so, the Artistic Expression activity involved making an accordian-folded field and brown/black pieces of grain to stand in the field. I can’t find a picture. It was a good lesson in following directions to make an art project turn out correctly. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9cNgY1eqXk/VIyVkueJRFI/AAAAAAAAiOI/xxjRJmcREvE/s1600-h/sciencebanner.jpg"><img title="sciencebanner" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="sciencebanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9r-XmwyVFA/VIyVk2nekCI/AAAAAAAAiOQ/2pXlrCD2Xl4/sciencebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">After reading about how Sally’s brother caught a baby squirrel, we learned a little about squirrels in science. We learned how tree squirrels can stretch and flatten their bodies to glide through the air.<br><br>We explored this by dropping a crumpled paper ball and a full, flat sheet of paper. We looked at which one fell faster, and we talked about how spreading out flat could help the tree squirrel to glide.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DXWLDadhcCQ/VQb_A9E1BUI/AAAAAAAAjJ8/5TgQeLgIc4g/s1600-h/DSCN3294%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3294" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3294" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qdZvFp3-slc/VQb_Br3RNEI/AAAAAAAAjKA/EVSC4zzhwqw/DSCN3294_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="302"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zFE8ARKmrwo/VQb_B1nD-cI/AAAAAAAAjKM/7KTZPvKBAS8/s1600-h/DSCN3293%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3293" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3293" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jyoWBKYs9Ns/VQb_CmC85wI/AAAAAAAAjKQ/WNcM1KABMC4/DSCN3293_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="301"></a><br> </p> <p><em><sup>{Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking through this link, our family will receive a small percentage of your purchase price. Thank you!}</sup></em></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-1666997827536864402015-02-03T16:16:00.001-06:002015-02-03T16:16:34.020-06:00January Photo Dump (and a RAK !)<p align="justify"><br>What?! It’s February 3rd, and I’m posting the January photo dump already?! Wow. Don’t worry – it won’t happen again. You’ll probably have to wait until May to see the February pictures, ha ha!</p> <p align="center">We haven’t taken the kids bowling in a very long time, <br>so it was about time to go again…<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qne2355NP84/VNFIgdeqcwI/AAAAAAAAjDY/I1Zv3Wy9gWU/s1600-h/DSCN3545%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3545" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3545" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RyUkvmxyNMs/VNFIhGKUZhI/AAAAAAAAjDc/tcaLAcwV24o/DSCN3545_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eOXGp0ShWns/VNFIhiD2kPI/AAAAAAAAjDo/eKvjODoxkJ4/s1600-h/DSCN3546%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3546" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3546" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gHc5WeFf8ts/VNFIiJNXM1I/AAAAAAAAjDs/fPFC74DMoMk/DSCN3546_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br><br>Alex refused to use the ball ramp, so his score was lower than Max or Jensyn. <br>That annoyed him, and he refused to recognize that their scores were higher because <br>they were using the ball roller. He was very frustrated. Everyone else had fun, though!<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fdqAGRJVMm8/VNFIikaQPtI/AAAAAAAAjD4/pXLBBHFFyjQ/s1600-h/DSCN3548%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3548" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3548" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y0u4lHsQvmo/VNFIjD7D5NI/AAAAAAAAjD8/9zkVf45cMc8/DSCN3548_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="302"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q-SHJi8RAfg/VNFIjTF5JaI/AAAAAAAAjEI/mC0FTf7d_QI/s1600-h/DSCN3552%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3552" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3552" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BnDI-aD3VF4/VNFIj_JR6JI/AAAAAAAAjEM/NsqHe3J-6Pk/DSCN3552_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="300"></a><br><br>Birthday party fun<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uVL2AZoEvYE/VNFIkaywWXI/AAAAAAAAjEY/n9zGtUPp1FQ/s1600-h/DSCN3591%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3591" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3591" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2R6Gt3uLyIE/VNFIlKLGYuI/AAAAAAAAjEg/w2CC8Cy6rw4/DSCN3591_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="194"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-huic6XToZS4/VNFIlkhtkGI/AAAAAAAAjEo/Hn2ndBHaB5w/s1600-h/DSCN3596%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3596" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mG2WN41NBI4/VNFImc5E2HI/AAAAAAAAjEs/35-zX3M1B38/DSCN3596_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="197"></a></p> <p align="center">Crazy Lego creations – Alex specifically asked me to take & post this picture.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sJrMcw2GQdc/VNFIm6Yp4xI/AAAAAAAAjE4/jAwS5DfpuII/s1600-h/DSCN3538%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3538" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3538" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--BOkDLr1I0s/VNFInecMHzI/AAAAAAAAjE8/UF7jTDXujPk/DSCN3538_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="344"></a></p> <p align="center">cousins…boy, do we love this happy little guy!<br>(And Jensyn, in case you ever wonder, you’re going through a phase <br>where you don’t want to match. I did NOT dress you like this, I promise!)<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-siKK5QSchxI/VNFIn-WaXwI/AAAAAAAAjFI/V6ptvXxxqQE/s1600-h/10526193_10153140738753816_6219000802851650_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="10526193_10153140738753816_6219000802851650_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="10526193_10153140738753816_6219000802851650_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JIuEmntlwhI/VNFIoZz6tII/AAAAAAAAjFQ/8F5e-jhJ3DM/10526193_10153140738753816_6219000802851650_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="333"></a></p> <p align="justify">Now, for the Random Act of Kindness that caught us totally off guard…<br><br>After Alex’s Upward game on Saturday morning (31st), Keith suggested that we go to Steak & Shake and an indoor fun center. The forecast called for HEAVY snow on Saturday night and Sunday, so he thought it might be nice to get out of the house for the day since we’d likely be spending the next few days at home. <br><br>At Steak & Shake, a lady (around 60ish?) was sitting alone across the aisle from us. I kept catching her smiling as she watched our kiddos. When she finished her meal, she got up & stopped by our table for just a moment to say that we had a beautiful family. We smiled, thanked her, and she went on her way.</p> <p align="justify">20 minutes later, as Keith is pulling out the coupons and getting ready to pay, the waitress walked up and said, “Save your coupons for another day.” <br><br>We looked at her, wondering why she would say that. Then she said, “Do you remember the lady who told you that you have a beautiful family? She paid for your lunch. She wants you to know that you reminded her of her son, who she doesn’t see very often.”<br><br>Oh. My. You sometimes hear stories of this happening, but we certainly never expected it to happen to us! My eyes just filled with tears at being the recipients of such a sweet kindness! We look forward to finding a time to pay it forward!<br><br>Moving on to Jak’s…I’d hoped Keith could use his cell phone (which takes great pictures), but his battery died. So we only have a few lousy pictures from my cell phone. The kids LOVED Ballocity – a climbing structure with tunnels and slides and lots of foam balls. They played in there for an hour!<br><br>Then the boys tried the lower level of the Sky Trail, which they loved! Max thinks he would like the big one, but he’s two inches too short. Alex was tall enough for the big one, but had no interest in trying it! (It was really high up! I would have done it, but even I would have been a bit nervous!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OndR0WVB4UE/VNFIpNLFeyI/AAAAAAAAjFU/n4Sn6tffYtc/s1600-h/jaks3%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="jaks3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jaks3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-05HtC9FaKXo/VNFIp19g-NI/AAAAAAAAjFY/pf89422N66c/jaks3_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JFoF5OzCXQM/VNFIqICJkLI/AAAAAAAAjFk/4xDT-hn2VWs/s1600-h/jaks1%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="jaks1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jaks1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vNkeyfDZDp8/VNFIq_EtG_I/AAAAAAAAjFs/9Ud38WfcVOg/jaks1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I2_gtA3rQC0/VNFIrBhf3RI/AAAAAAAAjF4/3Tt43rnnXvk/s1600-h/jaks2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="jaks2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jaks2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PkPwo_FCVV4/VNFIs1Xip9I/AAAAAAAAjF8/U7MTRGxyLtI/jaks2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="305"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SybzvGD70Iw/VNFItZyPEpI/AAAAAAAAjGI/HOLTCJ-_zl0/s1600-h/jaks3%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="jaks3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jaks3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-npT1Sbkt3Ds/VNFIt6vWJyI/AAAAAAAAjGM/vAViIpUMNLM/jaks3_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="303"></a><br><br>We tried this little music game, where you stomp on the pictures. Jensyn liked it a lot!<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eKw_5xjcsIE/VNFIudSp0OI/AAAAAAAAjGY/S9Vrzgl-sh0/s1600-h/jaks4%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="jaks4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jaks4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9Ol5DB2Z55s/VNFIvAtNH9I/AAAAAAAAjGc/Lk3E5suIFTY/jaks4_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="313"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bydZ0gDJ1wc/VNFIvnRxp_I/AAAAAAAAjGo/gF6Yl8XQUVU/s1600-h/jaks5%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="jaks5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jaks5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vo8NpG85Zps/VNFIwExrglI/AAAAAAAAjGs/y0ttwPU5o94/jaks5_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="313"></a></p> <p align="justify">We played a little skee ball, a few arcade & crane games, and just did what we could to use up the points on our card. Each child picked out a piece of candy and a bouncy ball in the prize shop. It ended up being a really fun day, and we did get the predicted snow (11 inches), so we’re glad we had a chance to get out and have a great time burning off energy!</p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-42674748873917262672015-02-03T11:13:00.001-06:002015-02-03T11:13:14.544-06:00MFW K Unit 6 – Turtle (Max)<p align="center"><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/p/mfw-k.html"><font size="3">{CLICK HERE}</font></a><font size="3"> to view the rest of our MFW K unit posts. <br></font><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/2012/11/mfw-k-unit-6-tt-turtle.html" target="_blank"><font size="3">{CLICK HERE}</font></a><font size="2"><font size="3"> to read our 2012 Turtle Unit post with our older son.</font><br><br></font><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MuqLQ70p05E/VDKfNkMHzqI/AAAAAAAAhBY/3XvHxmp7Ons/mfwk_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><br></p> <p align="center"><font color="#f79646" size="5">In this unit, we learned the letter Tt for turtle.<br>Our Bible words were: I don’t quit; I persevere!<br></font><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xo--fkOmILE/UJLYLsR9jlI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/r2G_3-WkN_4/s1600-h/books4.jpg"><img title="books" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="books" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-egwKKCiQKIw/UJLYMBioClI/AAAAAAAAQ8s/AKqUUhFhUNY/books_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p> <p align="justify">These are the books we enjoyed throughout the week – click on any book image below to read the book description on Amazon. (We love to buy used copies; they’re usually in good shape, and the price is right!) <br><br>Too much time has passed, and I can’t remember which non-fiction books we read besides the two shown below. Whoops! Oh, and my kids always laugh at Mr. Putter & Tabby Run The Race. It’s a silly story about perseverance.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547248245/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0547248245&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=6Q3HA22PSVTMNLKE"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0547248245&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0547248245" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/082341373X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=082341373X&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=YWPXXTSWILJIMUTC"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=082341373X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=082341373X" width="1" height="1"> <br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580891497/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580891497&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=KVBYUL3LRC3LCWGL"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1580891497&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1580891497" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939160219/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1939160219&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=YBKCVJR5NHLGLWFJ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1939160219&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1939160219" width="1" height="1"> <br><br><em><font size="1">Book links are Amazon affiliate links.<br>If you purchase through these links, you are supporting our family. <br>Thank you!</font></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8gIY4GAeNdQ/UJLYPt2Q6hI/AAAAAAAAQ9U/0FBiWt5p3zE/s1600-h/calendar2.jpg"><img title="calendar" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="calendar" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WEF4mAeHLM0/UJLYQUog3LI/AAAAAAAAQ9c/NGYnEDQseZM/calendar_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="justify">So, let’s just be honest…some days I remember to do calendar with Max. Other days, I forget. So we are not getting very far on our calendar board! He knows his days, months, and numbers. He’s starting to sound out CVC words. He’s learning every day. So I’m not a failure (ha!), but calendar? It happens when it happens.<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-br-kl0VBUMs/VNEBfC4WCuI/AAAAAAAAjAg/ayJ3z7r-k7k/s1600-h/DSCN3525%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3525" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3525" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BXqiKJ4_LtI/VNEBfqKeWwI/AAAAAAAAjAk/Wbn2aiMd5hE/DSCN3525_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="234"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p6FOgHKHsGU/VNEBfyWvecI/AAAAAAAAjAw/2Q-Dsy6TtIs/s1600-h/398%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="398" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="398" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5PoeBowFgCI/VNEBgtCdwfI/AAAAAAAAjA0/ThGRj22SDLw/398_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="250"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mFMtg8SNNeo/UJLYTt4vbyI/AAAAAAAAQ-E/hBVA1d22sh0/s1600-h/bible2.jpg"><img title="bible" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bible" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SDybX76qwn0/UJLYUT7fMPI/AAAAAAAAQ-M/vbh8Ka7AukE/bible_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br><br>Perseverance. Running the race set before us.<br>Good stuff!<br><br>I don’t have any pictures, though.<br>Poor second child – let’s see if I even manage to post pictures of<br>Jensyn when it’s her turn for MFW K!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E5Gqdlcgto8/UJLYX1smNyI/AAAAAAAAQ-0/-6fwMYlN9oE/s1600-h/phonics2.jpg"><img title="phonics" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="phonics" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y7Qt8XPuCnY/UJLYY0JOsMI/AAAAAAAAQ-4/B9iEc_OEkko/phonics_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">Learning about T and it’s /t/ sound.<br><br>Reading words! My little boy is READING WORDS!</p> <p align="justify">Granted, he read ‘Sam’, ‘Ann’, and ‘man’…so it wasn’t much, but those are words, and he could read them! I wish I’d been able to snap a picture at the moment he realized he had READ! He looked at me with this amazing look of awe and said, “I can READ?”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-19-lrfY_KSA/VNEBhHcqHoI/AAAAAAAAjBA/Z0NIGC-uTv8/s1600-h/DSCN3320%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3320" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZLkaC337vTw/VNEBhqhYkSI/AAAAAAAAjBE/37WJz65Ct2w/DSCN3320_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="282"></a></p> <p align="justify">Honestly, I think that this is my FAVORITE thing about homeschooling (academically, anyways…). There’s something so special about being the one who is sitting there with your child as he figures out how to put the sounds together to make words. It’s pretty amazing to watch a child’s eyes LIGHT UP with joy when they realize they’ve read a word! I’m so glad to be the one to watch my children’s excitement at learning to read. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H3pSOatnoSQ/VNEBiERo2-I/AAAAAAAAjBQ/i2YqcDy-KqM/s1600-h/DSCN3506%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3506" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3506" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-473BU3DuRoI/VNEBi-ZNvNI/AAAAAAAAjBU/9K7CIuzlsxY/DSCN3506_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="275"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JuSm7bUskBc/VNEBjRCMQSI/AAAAAAAAjBc/vrYjnV4PjLI/s1600-h/DSCN3522%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3522" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3522" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o-QelhXKJXo/VNEBj2pf3DI/AAAAAAAAjBk/9sMcnL5LeIg/DSCN3522_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="366"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HKvPlhbrYBw/VNEBkJ5nBeI/AAAAAAAAjBw/FcQXtssj-PA/s1600-h/DSCN3521%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3521" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3521" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FbVslSXPKJ4/VNEBkhiYneI/AAAAAAAAjB4/XUW_SBjvGSo/DSCN3521_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="251"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7M2xp0JJQvY/UJLYo6k5vBI/AAAAAAAARBE/f3YxJHrXlCA/s1600-h/handwriting2.jpg"><img title="handwriting" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="handwriting" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Pts96YrsvQ/UJLYpLn9pcI/AAAAAAAARBM/yWSbSv5dAgE/handwriting_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TZ94d4Z9auI/VNEBlbBu5jI/AAAAAAAAjCA/K6Ao5CyNOUg/s1600-h/382%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="382" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="382" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jKq3dnQGtRM/VNEBl1eScGI/AAAAAAAAjCI/uG-w5BjjS_0/382_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T3mHE98uZN0/UJLYqqdCBTI/AAAAAAAARBo/9Aqhpu8LV1g/s1600-h/math2.jpg"><img title="math" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="math" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-boB7H05niww/UJLYrfSrXYI/AAAAAAAARBw/Je7P8NEI1Xg/math_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br><br>Alex neved liked cuisenaire rods all that much, but Max really enjoys this activity!<br>I love how each child is so different!<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4UhMXRagBGw/VNEBmjND_4I/AAAAAAAAjCQ/GbVJWmO24DU/s1600-h/DSCN3520%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3520" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3520" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jw-DPdy44l8/VNEBmxrh77I/AAAAAAAAjCU/x_xDQigcWFA/DSCN3520_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dzmCPEFJ2uI/VNEBnSj-CkI/AAAAAAAAjCg/NJx1Vi0xnmg/s1600-h/DSCN3524%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3524" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3524" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9rQ_mLBQTSE/VNEBoBezZ6I/AAAAAAAAjCk/NaZm6tZ9WLA/DSCN3524_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="246"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5QkmfEPCcX8/UJLY3sAHsiI/AAAAAAAARD8/q7yVAiq6HxU/s1600-h/science2.jpg"><img title="science" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="science" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0LojzY8wd74/UJLY4bxRmmI/AAAAAAAAREE/MaTnhV5IQEc/science_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="justify">I don’t think we did anything too ‘science-y’, other than reading lots of good books about turtles. We did read some great non-fiction, though!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vIQpW7VoQjk/UJLY4z2hPjI/AAAAAAAAREM/1QVEjaP91O8/s1600-h/art2.jpg"><img title="art" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="art" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q3HcOqlQawg/UJLY5eCj1yI/AAAAAAAAREU/FJlwE4lfcRs/art_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br><br>We made this cute little guy with construction paper, tissue paper, and clear contact paper.<br>Max was pretty proud of his cute little turtle.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bt2FTK6tvoI/VNEBoU5QbGI/AAAAAAAAjCw/6t0achVLvS0/s1600-h/DSCN3319%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3319" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3319" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gYen0u85Wsc/VNEBoz_SKcI/AAAAAAAAjC0/LQNxb5NY0ZM/DSCN3319_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a6aodo8K6Cs/VDKftVcLkUI/AAAAAAAAhI4/wYA_JajLoWo/mfwk2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"> <br><em>(Jensyn is 3.5 years old.)</em></p> <p align="justify">I don’t insist on participation from Jensyn. She is free to join us or to wander away, but so far, she almost always wants to be a part of MFW K! She sits with us as we read picture books, does the art or science projects, and completes papers or puzzles at the table. She loves the Lauri alphabet puzzle included in MFW K!<br><br>We’ve filled a canvas bag with preschool workbooks and a crayon box. She LOVES to sit at the table and do her own “work”!<br><br>She loves to sing the “A-A-Apple” song with us, and she loves to sing the Days & Months songs with Max, as well.<br><br>She can write her name with a reminder or two if she get stuck on how to make a Y or S. She can count to 20. She knows most of her uppercase alphabet letters. She’s starting to color in the lines, although her color choices are usually hilarious! She knows all of her colors, and I’m pretty sure she knows her shapes.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-46JaEMzvjKY/VNEBpiW7JxI/AAAAAAAAjDA/l7X116fTyPs/s1600-h/DSCN3508%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3508" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3508" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-niSNu-AuSnM/VNEBqevgumI/AAAAAAAAjDE/Zvg6YXfkIgU/DSCN3508_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="313"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-31360956880085088292015-01-30T12:23:00.000-06:002015-01-30T12:23:00.073-06:00Christmas With Grandma & Grandpa P<p align="justify">Finally! I’ve found the pictures – for some reason, these were NOT downloading to the computer. They’ve been stuck on the camera, even though I’ve transferred all of the pictures to the computer multiple times. I had to find an alternate method to get these to the computer. Ugh.<br><br>From my spot on the couch, I didn’t get great pictures…but here’s what we have of Christmas Day at Grandma & Papa’s house…<br></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yd_1sNzSAIM/VMp6j81zQ0I/AAAAAAAAi3g/GEPxiKtqQtM/s1600-h/317%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="317" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="317" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dw2b6OGWR6A/VMp6kZwcHmI/AAAAAAAAi3k/_dyzcXGRmUo/317_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RwsAL8DW5PQ/VMp6kziN3PI/AAAAAAAAi3w/aik6JdZ16Io/s1600-h/318%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="318" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="318" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KFfAnDVbdGc/VMp6lxBqN6I/AAAAAAAAi34/L6lA_zsSqIc/318_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="347"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x9maTAHg198/VMp6mh6yuLI/AAAAAAAAi4A/YHh3KHyX8xo/s1600-h/319%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="319" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="319" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fGHSPQerBkk/VMp6nO60yvI/AAAAAAAAi4E/gqyKyIiQswg/319_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="329"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GKe0S7U5yxQ/VMp6nhw71XI/AAAAAAAAi4Q/yz4Xk4okQuo/s1600-h/320%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="320" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q3is-qfiaS0/VMp6oWDLWlI/AAAAAAAAi4U/ocU53mO1FBQ/320_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="329"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lcEgo_ONlmc/VMp6o6hKKbI/AAAAAAAAi4g/B4LG2P7Qr8k/s1600-h/315%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="315" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="315" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IHLKXQKabBY/VMp6pZxYMxI/AAAAAAAAi4k/ECBrfglr19s/315_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="336"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EiR0SckY-fk/VMp6p-2uIxI/AAAAAAAAi4w/a_y4Aepz3iI/s1600-h/329%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="329" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vbb5kSeXy5Q/VMp6qdJ2abI/AAAAAAAAi44/xI43H-wtEIU/329_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="336"></a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3qBz-pp7Jg8/VMp6rBrv2zI/AAAAAAAAi5A/qCywZvXNcz0/s1600-h/330%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="330" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="330" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E2F4zsJYb5A/VMp6rgZe43I/AAAAAAAAi5E/nM9_jYxl13E/330_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="342"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5a7bUtoakbw/VMp6sLRuDsI/AAAAAAAAi5Q/5UMYgpwD1Jo/s1600-h/332%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="332" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="332" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1rG6BJ0QnFk/VMp6srFpLOI/AAAAAAAAi5U/Otl_GDWijUU/332_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="342"></a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vyBZC-M3XvM/VMp6tfE6mSI/AAAAAAAAi5g/4o8b38ob9Ac/s1600-h/334%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="334" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="334" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mFkCOsU61Xw/VMp6tzOvDpI/AAAAAAAAi5o/k9oI_BGAFKQ/334_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="351"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dHeAM9qqIE8/VMp6uQFAdXI/AAAAAAAAi5w/Mj1vBpYyX98/s1600-h/322%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="322" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="322" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yiBvTMs2meY/VMp6u2JlwQI/AAAAAAAAi50/YM2IgwGFddc/322_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="350"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7x36KEBf0Ns/VMp6vXhTMGI/AAAAAAAAi6A/bqGDZ8gRyAY/s1600-h/335%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="335" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="335" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GcBndFl1bWA/VMp6wMk9XkI/AAAAAAAAi6I/r9h5yjbkESs/335_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="251"></a><br><br>annual gag gift for Kevin – a string cup phone to make <br>long distance calls to Jessica at college this fall<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Z3H7NfFjLQ/VMp6wjOyXkI/AAAAAAAAi6Q/NiMvKBaa9mA/s1600-h/336%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="336" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="336" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gwfvdTVlTAs/VMp6xbC4R5I/AAAAAAAAi6U/q2K9CbC8idU/336_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="287" height="228"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TeE8U9sEISg/VMp6xn4v8AI/AAAAAAAAi6g/0ix4mNTo2j0/s1600-h/338%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="338" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ScJkCyK8w98/VMp6yQUgaYI/AAAAAAAAi6k/1bKTcRTzUPk/338_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" height="267"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-34173693887186469582015-01-30T11:16:00.000-06:002015-01-30T11:16:00.146-06:00Seven<p align="center">Let’s go back in time for a moment. A little over 7 years ago, this very exhausted couple welcome their first child into the world on the day after Christmas. (Little did they know that 3 years later, they’d have THREE children and still be just as exhausted, ha!)<br><br></p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEZkb5cXdojeGlAxojp3HemRDmqeA5_1QhIwO7I6mqzsdkj18qU7M4516KHz9Fmyi65DLBexmdMPxs3rjEc6Stm1Qv5xmK8PNG2iW0jZYqwme6EHuFv6p4WYqhHVgrSeew714BjANa24/s320/Alex+12-26-07+050.jpg" width="348" height="264"> <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25Z_lyaXJjarryvP6dqIkkluy8aW-MVsRQDG6GjGvGtUaEZ8uEYaBZGW3gt47OGjhWuqkE9XqIevR3bd4tcCYA4oKtOLz5dtuuWgGDe12vk70VabL6ov3w07mVHQQMMw7U80TZV0SAS4/s320/Alex+12-26-07+090.jpg"> <p align="justify">Now we have a seven year old. I’ve had a month to get used to that, and it still seems impossible. Alex has done a whole lot of growing up, but he’s still our baby!<br><br>With his birthday so close to Christmas, we wait until mid-January to do a family party. We still have to acknowledge his special day, though. This year, we had a pretty lazy day – the girls of the family went shopping in the morning, and then the guys of the family went to see a movie in the afternoon. In the evening, we had Alex’s favorite food – pizza – and we gave Alex our presents for him. <br><br>This year, he got a Captain America pixelated t-shirt, Nutella & breadsticks snack cup, and the much-wanted Skylanders SwapForce game. After receiving the game, he wanted to pose for pictures with his siblings.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c2dxlRr3n2o/VMprD5FM6oI/AAAAAAAAixo/t5lbIYEH6w4/s1600-h/DSCN3476%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3476" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3476" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Dr4UfDiXeA/VMprESDi7DI/AAAAAAAAixs/h3f99Rjasws/DSCN3476_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="343"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c7ZOPtJPIRM/VMprE73KmuI/AAAAAAAAix4/Vv2Cw70M0TM/s1600-h/DSCN3478%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3478" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3478" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JGxb3W2KUPs/VMprFVkZGEI/AAAAAAAAiyA/7Z5qYcev8DY/DSCN3478_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="294"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nRfLMHUYzDQ/VMprFyoLGbI/AAAAAAAAiyI/huLCJQzjFZs/s1600-h/DSCN3479%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3479" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3479" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IgguwawOeG8/VMprGrDD20I/AAAAAAAAiyM/xP_aZJW5h0I/DSCN3479_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="294"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JlE_kvOIhuA/VMprHNrhsMI/AAAAAAAAiyY/WaQtec_ekcY/s1600-h/DSCN3480%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3480" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gGjVos9ytGI/VMprHu0P0YI/AAAAAAAAiyg/icO6rykWvhY/DSCN3480_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="265"></a></p> <p align="justify">Alex’s family party was last weekend. He picked a TMNT theme this year, which really surprised me. I thought he’d go for Skylanders! <br><br>The party was simpler this year because we didn’t do the cooking – since was TMNT party, we HAD to have Alex’s favorite food – pizza! We found a good online deal AND a coupon code for Pizza Hut, so we sprang for pizza. Along with that, we had chips, veggies & dip, and fruit. (Thanks for the fruit, Deb!) Grandma S always does pigs in a blanket, but we skipped that this year since we had plenty of pizza.</p> <p align="center">Party Highlights…<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kbaHC_kK1Cc/VMprIUx7JII/AAAAAAAAiyo/pGwngT4w8cY/s1600-h/DSCN3572%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3572" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3572" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h134ubYGhyo/VMprIzXSjUI/AAAAAAAAiys/4SSocCPd3ko/DSCN3572_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GVIWAjdJXsk/VMprJTIh8tI/AAAAAAAAiy4/w2EIdeKSPUU/s1600-h/DSCN3574%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3574" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3574" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T4UbQpdTFbA/VMprKFpNXaI/AAAAAAAAiy8/zBufuqTJSg8/DSCN3574_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br><br>presents – Transformers socks, Ninjago Legos, Switch & Go dino, Skylanders characters, Super Luigi U video game, basketball shirt & shorts, Ninja Turtles book, and Donatello stocking cap<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yf0de10mmrE/VMprKtFrrwI/AAAAAAAAizI/9_cpefozbTw/s1600-h/DSCN3575%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3575" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3575" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HtQSbc-rumc/VMprLLLFvuI/AAAAAAAAizM/jXMy_znCjSs/DSCN3575_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="169"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wo1Si-Vg5xo/VMprLVL-dAI/AAAAAAAAizY/d4oirlKE7Vo/s1600-h/DSCN3577%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3577" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A29bGWiQ8rI/VMprL6jidHI/AAAAAAAAizg/701ea8_HWyk/DSCN3577_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>Yep, all 3 kiddos have Ninja Turtle shirts (even a pink one!) that I found <br>on Target’s website for dirt cheap with free shipping!<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I0BMeAsdY64/VMprMS5rs6I/AAAAAAAAizo/mz19vP6vQAA/s1600-h/DSCN3578%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3578" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3578" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NOkmxW-QOxQ/VMprNFZPuhI/AAAAAAAAizw/Nyui2aN6_N4/DSCN3578_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="195" height="244"></a><br><br>sweet Lance looking on in the middle of the chaos…<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mx_EKFgN1go/VMprNuvV0xI/AAAAAAAAiz4/4wLjBWhJzD0/s1600-h/DSCN3579%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3579" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3579" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mEw0dbZX9Js/VMprOMOobWI/AAAAAAAAiz8/Ut554Gs3flo/DSCN3579_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="176"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RuiZdMm4Pn4/VMprOqq5EXI/AAAAAAAAi0I/rehWyoGRxM0/s1600-h/DSCN3581%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3581" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3581" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xwpWT-wlaZw/VMprPCCnTzI/AAAAAAAAi0Q/gGr5ahFiwDA/DSCN3581_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="244"></a><br><br>Cailin popping bubble wrap…<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3yTh8HkgUq8/VMprPi6P7-I/AAAAAAAAi0Y/gBeEndWXXgc/s1600-h/DSCN3583%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3583" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3583" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9UMmVTbdMgw/VMprQDDHZnI/AAAAAAAAi0c/Iz4fce8j4ac/DSCN3583_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" height="287"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zxb46CJf9p8/VMprQdw_xwI/AAAAAAAAi0o/nDOnO3d9DE4/s1600-h/DSCN3584%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3584" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3584" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zoyVktOaRhs/VMprQ9xhJkI/AAAAAAAAi0s/AGvB9AMRO7U/DSCN3584_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="286"></a><br><br>Alex’s last super-special cake – Jessica is heading off to college in August, so the amazing cakes by Grandma P & Jessica are coming to an end. I’d say they went out with a bang, though – a TMNT Pizza Cake with cookie crust, candy toppings, and rice krispie treat ninja turtles? You can’t beat that!<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sMhsdcihXf8/VMprRS04Q2I/AAAAAAAAi00/pB3wSY00jNs/s1600-h/DSCN3589%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3589" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3589" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pRtvUbQRcHU/VMprR8x1JeI/AAAAAAAAi08/NU6zGyeX_qs/DSCN3589_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="252"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jkVlvlzDwJk/VMprSKX-1zI/AAAAAAAAi1E/NOFrncBpWKA/s1600-h/DSCN3585%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3585" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3585" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K_OgvJ_sq_M/VMprSi8kTQI/AAAAAAAAi1I/eBe4dXPQR44/DSCN3585_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="255" height="252"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZCXR0iwb3f8/VMprTJKpL2I/AAAAAAAAi1U/B6yOjaZGCDc/s1600-h/DSCN3591%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3591" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3591" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xLSFeNa9fqs/VMprTo_UipI/AAAAAAAAi1g/1iL_Jn9wAHE/DSCN3591_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="235"></a><br><br>Here’s a picture of the pizza – cookie dough crust, gummy soldier green peppers, gummy bear onions & red peppers, round red gummies sliced thin & topped with crushed red velvet sprinkles (pepperoni), and chocolate cluster sausages. What imagination!<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jrNQ8TQBzzM/VMprUSMh4iI/AAAAAAAAi1o/WMkMkF0NbQk/s1600-h/DSCN3604%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3604" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3604" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-heRmoXsyAns/VMprVC-Z7iI/AAAAAAAAi1w/uy94J7-bmy4/DSCN3604_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="224"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9oEGn5fOCfM/VMprViec67I/AAAAAAAAi14/U4VQm0BkrlA/s1600-h/DSCN3590%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3590" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3590" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7HXRHsgRxco/VMprWDkNcKI/AAAAAAAAi18/UAleABrgJwA/DSCN3590_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-snUMspHsaZU/VMprWvzKd_I/AAAAAAAAi2I/PwI5Ik44tqQ/s1600-h/DSCN3596%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3596" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HXihMA5YYe8/VMprXL4rdWI/AAAAAAAAi2M/yTVCfDLEAo0/DSCN3596_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sMxT_t27h1M/VMprXnQm9nI/AAAAAAAAi2Y/YubFsOk76BY/s1600-h/DSCN3597%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3597" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3597" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2ByjwNcPeWc/VMprYIB2hnI/AAAAAAAAi2c/aoRo8xNlPdI/DSCN3597_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RvTTzariuUg/VMprYjW9bqI/AAAAAAAAi2o/onqddJcZ1js/s1600-h/DSCN3598%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3598" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3598" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q-H2tMfqE6o/VMprZKFe6rI/AAAAAAAAi2w/l1eORVoCWKU/DSCN3598_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4BMD6rAgU8E/VMprZlr0txI/AAAAAAAAi24/qW7DBKH8zp4/s1600-h/DSCN3601%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3601" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3601" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HOyA1v8G16k/VMpraQTXxQI/AAAAAAAAi3A/AgTN4O5RDTw/DSCN3601_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="249"></a><br><br>futile attempt at a cousins picture with Lance,<br>but there were too many distractions!<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0LfCC02b-Z8/VMprbBVTwoI/AAAAAAAAi3I/Fs35DNcCHa8/s1600-h/DSCN3602%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3602" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3602" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T901ix132Y8/VMprbyId8RI/AAAAAAAAi3M/1-U8yKNyF1A/DSCN3602_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="257"></a></p> <p align="justify">Seven. Not sure how we got this far, but you are turning into one wonderful young man, Alex! We hope and pray that you will continue to grow just like Jesus did – in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men! We love you!</p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-7794098430957503582015-01-29T13:02:00.001-06:002015-01-29T13:02:27.673-06:00Christmas Morning at Home<p align="justify"><br>Cinnamon rolls – Alex has now recognized this is our tradition, and it’s not Christmas morning without these! We’ve done canned cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon roll bread, and now we’ve moved on to amazingly good homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s definitely a tradition that will be sticking around!<br><br>The other part of this tradition is sticking a candle in the cinnamon rolls & singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus! We do open presents first…but we don’t play with presents or do anything else until we’ve sung Happy Birthday! <em>(We went to church on Christmas Eve, and all month long we read the “Jesus Storybook Bible” advent plan, finishing it up on Christmas Eve before putting the kids to bed.)</em></p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MZJrNV2lrfo/VMqDZAiaTlI/AAAAAAAAi64/BXesfWchdXE/s1600-h/310%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="310" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="310" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pvTpxNJAGAs/VMqDZ5bxjrI/AAAAAAAAi7A/nWsxaVLaO3s/310_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="295"></a> <p align="justify">We have an every day rule that kids may not get up for the day until 7 AM. That rule still applies on Christmas day, but we had two little boys read to go at 7 AM. We had to wake Jensyn, our sleepyhead, and give her a few minutes to realize that CHRISTMAS was worth being roused from her cozy, warm bed!<br><br>Peeking at what’s under the tree. Santa doesn’t wrap, and one of Jensyn’s presents from Mom & Dad wasn’t wrapped because it was too big to easily wrap. (It was a gently used Klip Klop Stable that I purchased from a friend whose daughters had outgrown it.) So that was their first stop…checking out the unwrapped gifts.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YAw0PwiDnq4/VMqDavlO-qI/AAAAAAAAi7I/2LJQwb6x2io/s1600-h/275%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="275" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="275" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5Kn74eIGkr8/VMqDbLw5XuI/AAAAAAAAi7Q/0inziyS5p9A/275_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="246"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_nd7nzk8yVA/VMqDbuYsoGI/AAAAAAAAi7Y/qPYttexZFrg/s1600-h/276%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="276" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="276" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z_JQ0RpxQ6A/VMqDb7SoB7I/AAAAAAAAi7c/L9940tph6Hw/276_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="170" height="245"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tt3trd1MDw0/VMqDciXt7RI/AAAAAAAAi7o/sERtmI673FI/s1600-h/277%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="277" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rxv2EtlHr5Y/VMqDdId6alI/AAAAAAAAi7s/vowe4EEiZt0/277_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lCaLsHdPrho/VMqDdhXLNZI/AAAAAAAAi74/HZT81OCmAYM/s1600-h/278%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="278" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="278" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0XlobiPkt-0/VMqDePXlPWI/AAAAAAAAi8A/GyUnJ2YcKL8/278_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>moving along to stockings…<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gIX_xR5HPFY/VMqDej6hMPI/AAAAAAAAi8I/lbNMi6B4V5k/s1600-h/280%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="280" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="280" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O3f_CGxZDcc/VMqDfEGstWI/AAAAAAAAi8M/PEu1rL1Cmqs/280_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DAAkb22PG8o/VMqDf0_kThI/AAAAAAAAi8Y/UHpCkt8Fkss/s1600-h/283%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="283" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="283" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rOXe9wSqD2s/VMqDgZdUCkI/AAAAAAAAi8c/IC_8JldW3JE/283_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7xO6KkZN53A/VMqDg_m_LyI/AAAAAAAAi8o/r3fZzJmcqxk/s1600-h/284%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="284" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="284" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n2qq2DrK12c/VMqDhejhqOI/AAAAAAAAi8s/2pYR_7XTDVU/284_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="240"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vted4AVdq1I/VMqDh4cplxI/AAAAAAAAi84/cSC0twrdMTU/s1600-h/285%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="285" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="285" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fNZ65f85GE8/VMqDieaYWBI/AAAAAAAAi88/ug6B-My5ddQ/285_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br></p> <p align="justify">Stockings were pretty simple – a small coloring book/dot-to-dot book, a candy cane of Hershey’s candies, a regular candy cane, some character band-aids, and either a book (Jensyn) or a TMNT coloring set with markers (both boys). I think stockings were under $10/child.</p> <p align="center"><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bkVKVXNsovo/VMqDiyF269I/AAAAAAAAi9I/IA00dtbGFdk/s1600-h/286%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="286" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="286" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0LXWGx0N5jM/VMqDjWxc1VI/AAAAAAAAi9M/yH_r5dNKHec/286_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-015PHtkLtZM/VMqDj7EsTiI/AAAAAAAAi9Y/5zqZz4BJyVg/s1600-h/288%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="288" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="288" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_iHJEM_VymQ/VMqDkTiUUnI/AAAAAAAAi9c/gsQ-iWJ8sPY/288_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2H2Xw5gzyH0/VMqDkwKXDBI/AAAAAAAAi9o/EeHE2x-Zffk/s1600-h/289%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="289" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="289" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1CJFkYMl5hI/VMqDlRTuh4I/AAAAAAAAi9s/gAvkOv-huXM/289_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bwhs29mXHpU/VMqDl28tzAI/AAAAAAAAi94/gfjzkj2x9U4/s1600-h/290%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="290" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="290" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TMsawlSFvQg/VMqDmVNIITI/AAAAAAAAi98/weKF1_3gACE/290_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nc1IoykUPkc/VMqDnEeHNPI/AAAAAAAAi-I/CyB6sUbO5uU/s1600-h/293%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="293" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="293" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-37I8I1-N7P0/VMqDnhr85yI/AAAAAAAAi-M/NkuJCisTlF0/293_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>And now opening the wrapped presents from Mom & Dad<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2GrCOjbClt4/VMqDn7GqyrI/AAAAAAAAi-Y/LjRuT5VHq2A/s1600-h/294%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="294" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="294" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xiwk89bh7dI/VMqDofy9dPI/AAAAAAAAi-c/4okQiLm_dXw/294_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sKjBPEmFGAA/VMqDpMhwDZI/AAAAAAAAi-o/NUQGIBPeKww/s1600-h/296%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="296" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="296" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HzEsxuySzCk/VMqDpp2hInI/AAAAAAAAi-s/QOFSEP_PKGc/296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>As usual, each child got 3 gifts from us. This year, we limited gifts to about $30/child total.<br>(Thank goodness for GREAT sales & for buying gently used toys!)<br>Max: K’Nex, Switch & Go Dino, and TMNT t-shirt<br>Alex: Batman Lego set, Bumblebee transformer, and TMNT t-shirt<br>Jensyn – Klip Klop Stable, new Sofia dress, and TMNT pink t-shirt<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gWbc9OoGoZ0/VMqDqVdmXyI/AAAAAAAAi-4/weBfhl0y2f8/s1600-h/298%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="298" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="298" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3Zu9BaZ3YWU/VMqDrvbbKLI/AAAAAAAAi_A/cqPNd0AKIK0/298_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8umx3zg0Z8k/VMqDsMK76eI/AAAAAAAAi_I/cV1uB_tN3TI/s1600-h/299%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="299" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="299" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C_JXZHA75P8/VMqDsu5waOI/AAAAAAAAi_M/u97twWPRgUc/299_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">It was after this that the kids started to realize they hadn’t spotted their Santa gifts yet. Then the boys discovered a Wii U hiding in the corner! (How did I not get a picture of this?! Our Wii died in early December, so the boys were THRILLED to have this! It was their biggest Christmas wish!) <br><br>Jensyn finally looked up and saw the beautiful, pink, handmade tablecloth playhouse over the kitchen table! If you can’t tell, she loves it! All 3 kids play in it, and it’s a great place for lots of imaginative play! <em>(My friend Erin made this…I’ll have to post more pictures sometime, but it was a labor of love that included my mom & sister helping me select fabrics and use a ZILLION coupons at the fabric store & then a lot of hard work by Erin to make this into a reality!)</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-56ki88oreWg/VMqDswhDfqI/AAAAAAAAi_Y/FYF-JzJQB_E/s1600-h/303%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="303" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="303" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NbbOiz4VnDs/VMqDtoYAW8I/AAAAAAAAi_c/GbO3Uk9C0bU/303_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="217"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CKBG3sT_DFU/VMqDt0Lkn1I/AAAAAAAAi_o/p-rHQG1j4Xg/s1600-h/304%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="304" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tEKj6zdYzos/VMqDupblInI/AAAAAAAAi_s/wFq1ahLyHF8/304_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="217"></a><br><br>Daddy opening his gift from the kids…<br>and the Christmas aftermath - crazy wrapping paper & toy mess!<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QK3bk1Kzqqc/VMqDvEDKTxI/AAAAAAAAi_4/PD5fQQSmc68/s1600-h/309%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="309" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="309" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9t38Djixgd0/VMqDvhzcXZI/AAAAAAAAi_8/uqOLZlKzKoI/309_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cd3cuZL4krc/VMqDwOpXTsI/AAAAAAAAjAI/UjSDEUIa5ig/s1600-h/307%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="307" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="307" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1o8dX-EyXWc/VMqDwnxA3QI/AAAAAAAAjAM/Tdd5EHc8_5A/307_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-46411078755606421852015-01-29T10:46:00.001-06:002015-01-29T10:46:39.303-06:00Christmas with Keith’s Cousins<p align="center">Still catching up on Christmas posts<br>I couldn’t find these pictures anywhere, but now they’ve magically appeared, hooray!<br><br>Christmas with Keith’s cousins…<br><br>baby Nolan’s first Christmas<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--OewnbP_Zvs/VMpjxMkeTDI/AAAAAAAAivA/E-zzqEyXNeM/s1600-h/DSCN3483%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3483" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3483" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qq6JavtSNkQ/VMpjx_-gATI/AAAAAAAAivE/PPskQeicDw0/DSCN3483_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="268"></a><br>our 3 kiddos…<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8wdZl1V7Gqo/VMpjyDRyfPI/AAAAAAAAivQ/EzuyVJDtgfA/s1600-h/DSCN3484%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3484" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-idH-u0Te0s8/VMpjy8i5ObI/AAAAAAAAivY/t8bGIcNnW-Q/DSCN3484_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9MYRgzn_Wes/VMpjzcj_pvI/AAAAAAAAivg/lEibXRge7jY/s1600-h/DSCN3489%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3489" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3489" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--5OfbstTQHQ/VMpjz4spueI/AAAAAAAAivk/P4Xez89CLsg/DSCN3489_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sF3tz8RKhPo/VMpj0T2-V3I/AAAAAAAAivw/fcqW2zJfFA0/s1600-h/DSCN3490%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3490" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3490" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PYWT58dol5c/VMpj0xOu9_I/AAAAAAAAiv0/cSMkYOjCQR8/DSCN3490_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>Cailin<br>(and Kari & Eric’s first married Christmas)<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rifrXMGzKPA/VMpj1uJjjpI/AAAAAAAAiwA/lgrLNTVy0as/s1600-h/DSCN3492%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3492" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3492" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OvlmeY52mwU/VMpj2Wk1i9I/AAAAAAAAiwE/ipndNwhkByE/DSCN3492_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="320"></a></p> <p align="center">Reagan’s first Christmas<br>(a whole bunch of first Christmases this year!)<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GZomyFVlN6s/VMpj26OVnbI/AAAAAAAAiwQ/f03Hq_hjWWY/s1600-h/DSCN3494%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3494" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3494" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ggi9VxGegLQ/VMpj3UecrjI/AAAAAAAAiwU/CD9ULRBbUYs/DSCN3494_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="263"></a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AKeG2vVycbE/VMpj302c_CI/AAAAAAAAiwg/5sD290o1Lx4/s1600-h/DSCN3496%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3496" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3496" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3x1V88_G3Qg/VMpj4WQvlJI/AAAAAAAAiwo/zPdzc8pdaxQ/DSCN3496_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="359"></a><br>playing the gift card trivia game<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-udO9ig2BeaM/VMpj46LoDYI/AAAAAAAAiww/yeceG-UwxGg/s1600-h/DSCN3495%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3495" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3495" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UC_jc2aA9eM/VMpj5TDfa5I/AAAAAAAAiw0/wcRrbcSy4Fc/DSCN3495_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="285"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aH2y21vt1dk/VMpj587T43I/AAAAAAAAixA/9-YtdX3r9xo/s1600-h/DSCN3498%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3498" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3498" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gR6bWL2I5Uo/VMpj6awE1vI/AAAAAAAAixE/pvCc0F6WAts/DSCN3498_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="251"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fXWjHhACPOU/VMpj63cFGqI/AAAAAAAAixQ/JAJ2amk9B_w/s1600-h/DSCN3499%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3499" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3499" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jHsP1EJWNVY/VMpj7sNW4BI/AAAAAAAAixU/nulN0dfq96o/DSCN3499_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="268"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-76337044710333474532015-01-13T15:57:00.000-06:002015-01-13T15:57:00.295-06:00November Photo Dump<p>Jensyn & her little friend Ben at church – for several weeks, they walked around holding hands every time they saw each other. On this day, Jensyn looked at Ben and said, “Ben, if you have boogers, I have Kleenex.” (Now if that isn’t true love… Ha!)<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SOmgeLqR3Oo/VLLxuW4RdCI/AAAAAAAAin8/yAXqefp2-CM/s1600-h/jensyn%252520ben%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="jensyn ben" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="jensyn ben" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jwaXuT8Guyg/VLLxvEQOgpI/AAAAAAAAioA/KWdIP9TK_4s/jensyn%252520ben_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="339"></a></p> <p>We went out to see the Christmas lights on one of our favorite local houses, where it’s all set to music. This was on November 29th, so it’s in with the November pictures.<br></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iWWxWoYpsgg/VLLxvlauJwI/AAAAAAAAioM/eexVXujU-ZE/s1600-h/DSCN3245%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3245" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3245" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vqzit6p0a2A/VLLxwHj8prI/AAAAAAAAioQ/tzbSiSmj4sQ/DSCN3245_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="251"></a><br>snuggles with Daddy<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FlicBaNZZpw/VLLxwm0vetI/AAAAAAAAioc/voTx3gnjGKM/s1600-h/DSCN3240%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3240" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-av4hSenQPuI/VLLxxNzm3DI/AAAAAAAAiog/uY6XS7wnAnk/DSCN3240_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="350"></a></p> <p align="center">Max - caught playing with his sister’s dollhouse…and a pile of attacking dinosaurs!<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1LUhEVWvxuY/VLLxxq-T28I/AAAAAAAAios/FmMpwya9OyA/s1600-h/DSCN3214%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3214" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3214" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vWxQFcAwwIg/VLLxyMftxSI/AAAAAAAAiow/oaiPzNG93cg/DSCN3214_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PRc3YHDLRcM/VLLxy7BpWFI/AAAAAAAAio8/KREfIjGRuLs/s1600-h/DSCN3216%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3216" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3216" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PlinfAkH3iU/VLLxz_xBvII/AAAAAAAAipA/iwj7meyBKYo/DSCN3216_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a><br><br>Alex’s “Texas Toast”, made by painting the bread with colored milk before toasting it.<br>This was part of his school work one day, and he was REALLY proud of it!<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q99VZA12efY/VLLx0fApCsI/AAAAAAAAipM/uuMTaXWHVkI/s1600-h/DSCN3077%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3077" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MxBbLRDCUnE/VLLx094mVuI/AAAAAAAAipQ/ZLmuyRTush4/DSCN3077_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="208"></a><br><br>playing with cousin Lance when he came to visit<br>(this might have been October, but it’s in the November pictures…)<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SNWiPvuDs8M/VLLx1H5YZeI/AAAAAAAAipc/jBZus-S2hUY/s1600-h/DSCN3069%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3069" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3069" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hljxs0Qw4_M/VLLx17_3IRI/AAAAAAAAipg/jLvCJoFzdaI/DSCN3069_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="305"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K-0XOowzKwk/VLLx2L8Fq3I/AAAAAAAAips/mDfZ-8QyeB0/s1600-h/DSCN3070%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3070" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3070" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U2OeyPSq4U4/VLLx2zH7omI/AAAAAAAAipw/sYVRIAR6t4w/DSCN3070_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="305"></a><br><br>co-op end of semester program<br>(I can’t remember if I posted these)<br><br>display table from the bug class that I taught<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6_-drU-cPH8/VLLx3RS0pHI/AAAAAAAAip8/R2L-pzp4tMA/s1600-h/DSCN3172%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3172" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3172" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bhJ8QIgWNIk/VLLx36lLjKI/AAAAAAAAiqA/Gg5ejPQaHN0/DSCN3172_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="268"></a><br><br>Alex’s music class playing handbells<br>(he’s third from the left, in the back with a white shirt)<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FhfWrjzJXI8/VLLx4aKfa2I/AAAAAAAAiqM/uPodjd-i7_s/s1600-h/DSCN3185%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3185" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3185" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i7N2RWKm16A/VLLx5CmBBqI/AAAAAAAAiqQ/4me12hvq_Pw/DSCN3185_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="194"></a><br><br>Max & Jensyn’s preschool class singing<br>(in the center – gray shirt & pink sweater)<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-23Yt4i-OmTc/VLLx5vrPfmI/AAAAAAAAiqc/syZ9aE2lxXk/s1600-h/DSCN3194%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3194" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3194" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j3ziUxnkFG4/VLLx6S1_3mI/AAAAAAAAiqg/evPkPlpfCNY/DSCN3194_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="218"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rN_t0UI83Zo/VLLx6ku_MFI/AAAAAAAAiqs/gvNl_QRRKGs/s1600-h/DSCN3199%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3199" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K3JFALO2c2w/VLLx7augJdI/AAAAAAAAiqw/twf95ZG-1c0/DSCN3199_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="226"></a><br><br>another trip to the museum<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QHaWqRvXVHk/VLLx73ubooI/AAAAAAAAiq8/2Nf3Gsy2_0I/s1600-h/DSCN3081%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3081" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3081" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v5BpriWqu_s/VLLx8gMaBRI/AAAAAAAAirA/NDx6POA-cps/DSCN3081_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LNbwqWE4xSM/VLLx85ky2vI/AAAAAAAAirM/_RaX6spi-Sw/s1600-h/DSCN3091%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3091" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3091" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9giNzTyDNc4/VLLx9piT_pI/AAAAAAAAirQ/-Jy-AImvfJE/DSCN3091_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ip0BVbsdCQ4/VLLx-I1P1HI/AAAAAAAAirY/SwkKNEPtetw/s1600-h/DSCN3092%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3092" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3092" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6nbDt7tUg_8/VLLx-iG_AzI/AAAAAAAAirc/-LBy2gB59Hg/DSCN3092_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kzp5TZpKPl4/VLLx_CUBiqI/AAAAAAAAiro/nRJ7NOhW_no/s1600-h/DSCN3093%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3093" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3093" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1fRr6HCyfZU/VLLx_jYWqGI/AAAAAAAAirs/3Oagn3oXz3A/DSCN3093_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nTmvclzKn-Y/VLLyAFblEeI/AAAAAAAAir4/sQY_TUx82qc/s1600-h/DSCN3095%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3095" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3095" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J2V7oKZlWqA/VLLyA6chiEI/AAAAAAAAisA/36VFraI-f-U/DSCN3095_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ky_ulonwRsU/VLLyBVE9QtI/AAAAAAAAisM/1_3f9TRe5Ts/s1600-h/DSCN3096%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3096" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3096" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8ZxmeJ2Lov8/VLLyB6m_5HI/AAAAAAAAisQ/N624crS05Xk/DSCN3096_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OicQsOwtOKo/VLLyCpNeAwI/AAAAAAAAisc/OMZ9vKIPjTM/s1600-h/DSCN3104%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3104" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3104" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_ygOCetmDcs/VLLyDTHBnPI/AAAAAAAAisg/V0Qh6tOboIg/DSCN3104_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BXGV9-Y_jtk/VLLyDh6MbZI/AAAAAAAAiss/u0OquaPOUf8/s1600-h/DSCN3106%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3106" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3106" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FJ5SH9xIfZc/VLLyETPFHrI/AAAAAAAAisw/NCt8TtasKYg/DSCN3106_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ii-fcUInfXk/VLLyFEoRMsI/AAAAAAAAis8/_ryRhfd4uNo/s1600-h/DSCN3116%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3116" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3116" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WsT7tTYpWm4/VLLyFnhtMRI/AAAAAAAAitA/dsnry2vGCnw/DSCN3116_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bb5xW9d1adE/VLLyGARNgaI/AAAAAAAAitM/aK-Vz7taQjU/s1600-h/DSCN3118%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3118" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3118" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v6T1q70snic/VLLyGpQvvpI/AAAAAAAAitU/mc7VL5iZD-g/DSCN3118_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TkBIhiy3fAs/VLLyHQqQcQI/AAAAAAAAitc/0Pe16a9n6GU/s1600-h/DSCN3119%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3119" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3119" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UseobTVwgx4/VLLyIDeKrnI/AAAAAAAAitk/rivHwMskYYA/DSCN3119_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v2SOLRbgwRc/VLLyIl1I8rI/AAAAAAAAits/XrZUgkUM_Hg/s1600-h/DSCN3123%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3123" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3123" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-htlVUEr_1_M/VLLyJBZ02ZI/AAAAAAAAitw/VfRubPYBxyc/DSCN3123_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-72047442755028759032015-01-12T15:26:00.000-06:002015-01-12T15:26:00.128-06:00December Photo Dump<p align="center">(Many of these are off of my phone, which has a lousy camera, so the photo quality stinks!)<br><br>There’s something very special about ‘catching’ your boys reading!<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3WckWOihdgY/VLLqf_BEiHI/AAAAAAAAij8/7ZFdNDgRz9I/s1600-h/dec2014boys%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="dec2014boys" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="dec2014boys" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1VisIop931s/VLLqgZUfpRI/AAAAAAAAikA/gPLP7sThlYk/dec2014boys_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="318"></a><br><br>playing with Max’s amazing new marble run (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009AEXFPY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009AEXFPY&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=TLTI3QOK3JW75ABO" target="_blank">Q-ba Maze Mega Stunt Set</a>)<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PDvP15AQTc4/VLLqgz0slFI/AAAAAAAAikM/iUJ3pvKTHP4/s1600-h/marblerun1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="marblerun1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="marblerun1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Llr3vttj-gA/VLLqhtNWkQI/AAAAAAAAikQ/Evha7Q44X0k/marblerun1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4UM5raqQvCw/VLLqhwj0IOI/AAAAAAAAikc/n3qll84WUbo/s1600-h/marblerun2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="marblerun2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="marblerun2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PQQgxIsOPgM/VLLqikOuoOI/AAAAAAAAikg/nmxOeZGWGEA/marblerun2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br></p> <p align="center">donut hole snowmen that we made & brought to a friend’s house<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-owKRGccsDsM/VLLqjDElh_I/AAAAAAAAiks/lNRofa-fZY8/s1600-h/snowman%252520donuts%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="snowman donuts" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="snowman donuts" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D2QocQ3RuyE/VLLqj2VqkXI/AAAAAAAAikw/1oKUKXIY_Io/snowman%252520donuts_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XFJO4XisA1I/VLLqkLd_VXI/AAAAAAAAik8/OQ2vKVNR0Kc/s1600-h/DSCN3280%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3280" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3280" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7y49j8U9gq4/VLLqk3y985I/AAAAAAAAilA/U41Ok8w9_GY/DSCN3280_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a><br><br>mini Hershey bars wrapped with grocery bags & decorated to look like snowmen…the kids made these with a friend & gave them out to the kids in their Sunday School class<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CBnSYN1qqbI/VLLqlX4Su9I/AAAAAAAAilM/BWyuOaNlwyY/s1600-h/DSCN3299%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3299" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3299" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MJ606XlL45Y/VLLql6ZOBQI/AAAAAAAAilQ/RITxBiQAAcs/DSCN3299_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S1cDHfRMq8k/VLLqmfAWv2I/AAAAAAAAilc/3z5r6pukEGs/s1600-h/DSCN3300%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3300" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KLf3d1DdR1w/VLLqm-ute8I/AAAAAAAAilk/R-hgdzWMfj4/DSCN3300_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>Alex’s Christmas program at church<br>(Alex is directly under the left side of the doorframe in the top picture)<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gnbyp1q67_I/VLLqnp5k-lI/AAAAAAAAils/SfE1VpnMLAc/s1600-h/DSCN3306%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3306" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3306" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xghIvnzjtPM/VLLqoMbv3II/AAAAAAAAilw/ra5t9Tjh1O8/DSCN3306_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oYYwE0ceMnQ/VLLqovmB2vI/AAAAAAAAil8/htv5NJoxMHc/s1600-h/DSCN3302%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3302" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3302" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ldzWh8Fo4Ks/VLLqpJIWf-I/AAAAAAAAimA/ngDrDKr9wjo/DSCN3302_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="245"></a><br></p> <p align="center">Santa came to our library! All 3 kids talked about him all morning, but then Jensyn was too shy to talk to him once we got there.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TqEA6JVYpj8/VLLqplDalCI/AAAAAAAAimM/_WfYE60KljE/s1600-h/DSCN3286%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3286" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3286" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uu_QJcdvM-E/VLLqqPo7DXI/AAAAAAAAimQ/kTO0cHBYeAs/DSCN3286_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="369"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z5k7BGtTKxM/VLLqqjM7nfI/AAAAAAAAimc/LtANTUq7aaQ/s1600-h/DSCN3287%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3287" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3287" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XLbJGdvU0VA/VLLqrcbmL8I/AAAAAAAAimg/bBrLMMCamy8/DSCN3287_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="369"></a><br><br>They had a table of props at the library, so we had a little fun!<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JWDx8cUOV4E/VLLqrzK2HvI/AAAAAAAAims/WiJD4OG5OVs/s1600-h/DSCN3291%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3291" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3291" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O_kgqjQUfZg/VLLqsaVmIqI/AAAAAAAAim0/XAu-2lFqSOU/DSCN3291_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="262"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ei1h7gNuwOs/VLLqtG8JFcI/AAAAAAAAim8/1dj7PVM7-s8/s1600-h/DSCN3292%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3292" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3292" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2YBUuAqfL3A/VLLqtv-V9PI/AAAAAAAAinA/lqGEHJZt8QY/DSCN3292_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="261"></a></p> <p align="justify"><br>This is what I get for taking a shower while the couch cushion cover was in the wash…one of the kids sat on the couch, mindlessly picking a hole into the cushion while watching Netflix. Sigh. I got out of the shower to find stuffing all over the living room. We restuffed it, duct-taped it back together, and put the cushion cover back on. <br></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iKJQ_JXv1r8/VLLquPKWbII/AAAAAAAAinM/UxlVtWaLsFk/s1600-h/DSCN3263%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3263" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3263" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3lo1a84mqQE/VLLqunJhN2I/AAAAAAAAinQ/iw1WHCulgdI/DSCN3263_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="267"></a></p> <p align="center">baking cookies…and eating brown sugar crumbs <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tFROiXdk560/VLLqvMXIQrI/AAAAAAAAinY/FQwZq3-8Xyw/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sTQu88LhDRA/VLLqv2oZGoI/AAAAAAAAink/5ZERCaey4mE/s1600-h/DSCN3258%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3258" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3258" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TlGJnxgwOko/VLLqwR2WEvI/AAAAAAAAins/5bsmiPHFo2U/DSCN3258_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="255"></a></p> <p align="justify">Alex eating Gelsosomo’s Pizza on his 7th birthday. We realized while eating that, 7 years ago to the day, we’d all had Gelsosomo’s Pizza on the day Alex was born. The family went over to the restaurant for dinner, and they brought back pizza for Keith & me since that’s what I was craving!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QEEP0ANA3NQ/VLLzUnEJVGI/AAAAAAAAiuA/UQB-DUbjf1c/s1600-h/alex%252520birthday%252520pizza%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="alex birthday pizza" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="alex birthday pizza" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B4ec8f4luOc/VLLzVDQv3tI/AAAAAAAAiuE/TqapAgmr7YY/alex%252520birthday%252520pizza_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="244"></a></p> <p>On the weekend before Alex’s birthday, we went to HuHot (one of our favorite restaurants, but a VERY long drive from home!) for dinner & free birthday s’mores! How often do you get to cook s’mores at the table in a restaurant…for free?! What fun!</p> <p align="center"><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uCRUM_2qn2Q/VLLzVp4MfpI/AAAAAAAAiuQ/56A1khaaUq8/s1600-h/alex%252520huhot2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="alex huhot2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="alex huhot2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--hLyY88ewuI/VLLzWc7i7SI/AAAAAAAAiuU/4mfNhmpTIp4/alex%252520huhot2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="313"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YcNYeJxtobM/VLLzW9tNfzI/AAAAAAAAiug/DvSX5N047D8/s1600-h/alex%252520huhot%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="alex huhot" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="alex huhot" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zOD7964wLLY/VLLzXp8GUpI/AAAAAAAAiuk/v3k97D52JnU/alex%252520huhot_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" height="196"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-60898736163555535922015-01-11T14:19:00.001-06:002015-01-11T14:19:44.947-06:00Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa S<p align="justify">It’s still amazing me to me that we can find a way to get everyone (except Derek…) together for a family Christmas, considering the size of our family! Derek was unable to get a Christmas leave from his base, so we won’t be seeing him for a while. But we did get to call & sing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” to him! See?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hiM0QYz6HqY/VLLajEIFeLI/AAAAAAAAifU/ANw366S6DfI/s1600-h/DSCN3380%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3380" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ssc41dx4_XU/VLLaj1mMZRI/AAAAAAAAifY/6YK14K2x9lQ/DSCN3380_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="236"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IVlYTDFRte0/VLLakcke6bI/AAAAAAAAifk/NLrDk5Q9-8Q/s1600-h/DSCN3381%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3381" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y8whndW8GMw/VLLak2CFNJI/AAAAAAAAifo/f-_ee_9JpsE/DSCN3381_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="237"></a><br><br>We started with a yummy dinner, followed by hanging out in the basement, where the grandkids get to open presents…<br>I missed out on a lot of pictures this year. Sorry, nieces & nephews, but I figured it’s better to not post your unflattering pictures!<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Lol2Q9tl5I/VLLalTp-yRI/AAAAAAAAif0/Y6f9RpBQdy0/s1600-h/DSCN3329%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3329" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AmTJchHyQl8/VLLamL0mhxI/AAAAAAAAif4/9O_HfFLkigc/DSCN3329_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2FrQWyJBHZU/VLLamoyVK5I/AAAAAAAAigE/2UmBVVfw2_Q/s1600-h/DSCN3330%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3330" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3330" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YCuPzirWEV0/VLLanQ7yaXI/AAAAAAAAigI/AH5VxTQlkYE/DSCN3330_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r2B9o3Lqqq0/VLLanl4ZfsI/AAAAAAAAigU/NimZaan7BhE/s1600-h/DSCN3334%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3334" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3334" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YVvDxt10H_8/VLLaoReeMPI/AAAAAAAAigc/JBT-jFy6vf8/DSCN3334_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nKaWhF7B0ak/VLLao7iaUgI/AAAAAAAAigk/fFEvjiTGh9A/s1600-h/DSCN3338%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3338" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WMPjDNYBd8o/VLLaphJX35I/AAAAAAAAigs/2xG2R-zUvT8/DSCN3338_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wky5K8_ChNo/VLLaqMj1OwI/AAAAAAAAig0/x7BPoGlQyfE/s1600-h/DSCN3337%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3337" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3337" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SeEnQgu9gns/VLLaq0EpUeI/AAAAAAAAig8/Vpl8CMKVr88/DSCN3337_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D75Ogf_RX5A/VLLarSA78nI/AAAAAAAAihE/oYYWTOFWmZE/s1600-h/DSCN3339%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3339" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3339" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2CfQ1NHqn5k/VLLasPCtTAI/AAAAAAAAihM/2RJRFTS4VRg/DSCN3339_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="182" height="244"></a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-70XiOwnpPgQ/VLLaskux4hI/AAAAAAAAihU/tD_Auxlx68E/s1600-h/DSCN3341%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3341" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MXc18g5TBDo/VLLatBYOWVI/AAAAAAAAihY/QaYV8j8zFwM/DSCN3341_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="176" height="244"></a><br><br>As usual, Justin had to open his presents without ripping any paper!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Ki0fbqvB7g/VLLatlaXmTI/AAAAAAAAihk/p2UTCzhjsaw/s1600-h/DSCN3348%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3348" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3348" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4b5lachrErU/VLLaufA6q1I/AAAAAAAAiho/d7B2Li94x9c/DSCN3348_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="188"></a><br><br><br>Jensyn wrapped Kathryn’s gift and wrote the names. She was very proud of herself!<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lWswt31bOlA/VLLau2hTSSI/AAAAAAAAih0/i8n7wwr72bk/s1600-h/DSCN3343%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3343" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3343" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yR4FemkV6EU/VLLavuQrwuI/AAAAAAAAih4/DS0ih0Hu6DQ/DSCN3343_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br><br>And this little guy brings such joy to the party!<br>Isn’t he adorable?!<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hf-5tpbPudc/VLLawCDX2cI/AAAAAAAAiiE/4x6wjhnACsk/s1600-h/DSCN3352%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3352" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3352" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5KSth5WjYKY/VLLawwxggMI/AAAAAAAAiiM/0JJxrbXgVrY/DSCN3352_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="192"></a><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HhK2YujLVQI/VLLaxgl4JVI/AAAAAAAAiiU/QpxuC1JSC18/s1600-h/DSCN3359%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3359" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BKUHxgpI5xQ/VLLayD8SBsI/AAAAAAAAiiY/j-C2zLcXob8/DSCN3359_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8b9UQWJxqy8/VLLaykA_-rI/AAAAAAAAiik/lolBiJb_7Ss/s1600-h/DSCN3364%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3364" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3364" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y9P4zusSziI/VLLazIoleUI/AAAAAAAAiio/rQAZ9FgOtXs/DSCN3364_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-noLSDSamDNE/VLLazj8HUzI/AAAAAAAAii0/sEkRgWGRJis/s1600-h/DSCN3378%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3378" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3378" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GHbTZr8R4MQ/VLLa0f7eLHI/AAAAAAAAii4/yNpUhnGM_xg/DSCN3378_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>Once all the kids have opened their gifts, we leave them with their new toys and head upstairs for a grown-up Christmas time (which is interrupted by kids, but still more peaceful).<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ey2X_i9s1Ec/VLLa1LlnbJI/AAAAAAAAijE/ffxpfJY55nA/s1600-h/DSCN3388%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3388" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3388" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uzYDbjKeOdY/VLLa10_MrEI/AAAAAAAAijI/nUjCicIJRYo/DSCN3388_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rEHZY_fVNh8/VLLa2eVivbI/AAAAAAAAijU/ngDOa2luvxM/s1600-h/DSCN3396%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3396" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GiRUb5l6KYY/VLLa20cRxbI/AAAAAAAAijc/vNme8fovIeA/DSCN3396_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XYcA5o_TZIY/VLLa3c5B3TI/AAAAAAAAijk/h6RsVVBcA1I/s1600-h/DSCN3399%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3399" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3399" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZP6TVKAlsAs/VLLa3-ur5XI/AAAAAAAAijo/J2kojcQVJes/DSCN3399_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Afterwards, it was on to yummy desserts…and no time for playing cards. We’re hoping to get together sometime just for fun and playing games!</p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-88839927717238783522015-01-09T21:49:00.001-06:002015-01-09T21:49:27.616-06:00Build A Bear Fun<p align="justify">We don’t do Build A Bear unless the kids receive a gift card or choose to spend gift money there. It’s been a while since we were there, and the kids have been itching to go. With that in mind, I added Build A Bear gift cards to their Christmas list. All three kids were blessed with 3 gift cards (wow!), so we made a fun trip to the mall during Christmas vacation.</p> <p align="justify">This was Jensyn’s first opportunity to make her own Build A Bear, so she was SUPER excited and just a bit giddy! She has watched her brothers do it before, so she knew just what to do! <br><br>Our sweet and silly little girl chose to do an Anna bear with an Elsa dress. She had enough on her gift card to get the bear, a Frozen song button, dress, and panties. <em>(Leave it to a little girl to be proud that her bear has panties, hee hee!)</p></em><em> <p align="center"></em><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jIiTRuSShIE/VLChJ0Gc0II/AAAAAAAAidc/XYe0C-eb820/s1600-h/IMG_20141230_140217%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><em><img title="IMG_20141230_140217" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20141230_140217" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LlLbRt2eG2g/VLChKrFjHmI/AAAAAAAAidg/j16976ySRWU/IMG_20141230_140217_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="407"></em></a><em> </em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ycAwh3G_JAA/VLChLAhsD-I/AAAAAAAAids/22A0XpN8Fmg/s1600-h/IMG_20141230_140258%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><em><img title="IMG_20141230_140258" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20141230_140258" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-za7n5Ex2Qy8/VLChL2mmuKI/AAAAAAAAid0/BsKl2RsJdbU/IMG_20141230_140258_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="405"></em></a><br><br>Jensyn was so cute & sweet that everyone around us was smiling and talking about her…she was just oh-so-excited to make her first bear!<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tT30SZRmGdE/VLChMcWQbrI/AAAAAAAAid8/amOgj3vBWFA/s1600-h/IMG_20141230_140225%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><em><img title="IMG_20141230_140225" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20141230_140225" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C1xzlF8bnq4/VLChNCPvNfI/AAAAAAAAieA/HuSrcoDREHs/IMG_20141230_140225_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="361"></em></a></p> <p align="justify">Alex has been itching to make a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, so he got his Mikey, complete with sound and weapons. He also got a Batman costume for a bear he already owns.<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sLYNBJsQq9E/VLChNkj953I/AAAAAAAAieM/KiUy8C_Htck/s1600-h/IMG_20141230_135519%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20141230_135519" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20141230_135519" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uYiORAetsFQ/VLChOIpBGPI/AAAAAAAAieQ/2fUehAVK7ZE/IMG_20141230_135519_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="451"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7-O-gPFwl78/VLChOlAwtGI/AAAAAAAAiec/K_rKVudm-lQ/s1600-h/IMG_20141230_135540%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20141230_135540" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20141230_135540" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZvYccbK1M8o/VLChPXF9y7I/AAAAAAAAieg/uGOXBbsx3rI/IMG_20141230_135540_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="452"></a><br><br>Max got a Spiderman bear, but since there were no Spiderman sounds available, he chose to put the Star Wars song in a Spiderman bear. He opted for no clothes, as he liked his bear just as it is. Because of this, he’s still carrying enough on his gift card to get another bear sometime! I was really surprised that he was able to restrain himself & save the rest for another trip. That was a rather mature decision, and I’m impressed!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HpyeKrWicTc/VLChPyCx52I/AAAAAAAAies/PEBTyPOccPo/s1600-h/IMG_20141230_135831%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20141230_135831" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20141230_135831" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a2yh37oKF3A/VLChQTueNkI/AAAAAAAAie0/V8zpPz2qqac/IMG_20141230_135831_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" height="401"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H5rTBax-bcw/VLChQ7fAM9I/AAAAAAAAie8/ZjSNmyckCHo/s1600-h/IMG_20141230_135948%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20141230_135948" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20141230_135948" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8WqLfPKL-Po/VLChRRTIQRI/AAAAAAAAifA/adTrQZ-6xA0/IMG_20141230_135948_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="399"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-4009950223358596472014-12-20T15:06:00.001-06:002014-12-20T15:06:19.750-06:00MFW K Unit 5–Nest (Max)<p align="center"><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/p/mfw-k.html"><font size="2">{CLICK HERE}</font></a><font size="2"> to view the rest of our MFW K unit posts. <br></font><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/2012/10/mfw-k-unit-5-nn-nest.html" target="_blank">{CLICK HERE}</a><font size="2"></font><font size="2"> to read our 2012 Nest Unit post with our older son.<br><br></font><font color="#ff0000" size="5">Be sure to read the math section for a fun little giggle!</font></p> <p align="center"><img title="" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="MFW K, My Father's World Kindergarten, kindergarten homeschool" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MuqLQ70p05E/VDKfNkMHzqI/AAAAAAAAhBY/3XvHxmp7Ons/mfwk_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><br><br><font color="#f79646" size="5">In this unit, we learned the letter Nn for nest.<br>Our Bible words were: God takes good care of me!<br><br></font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xo--fkOmILE/UJLYLsR9jlI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/r2G_3-WkN_4/s1600-h/books4.jpg"><img title="books" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="books" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-egwKKCiQKIw/UJLYMBioClI/AAAAAAAAQ8s/AKqUUhFhUNY/books_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">These are the books we enjoyed throughout the week – click on any book image below to read the book description on Amazon. (We love to buy used copies; they’re usually in good shape, and the price is right!) <br><br>Max’s favorite was The Perfect Nest. It’s a cute and funny story, though not very believable! I always enjoy The Best Nest – we own this book and read it often in our home, even when we’re not on a bird unit. A Nest Full of Eggs is a very good informational book.<br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561455709/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1561455709&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=NK3J5KQ3WB6GXEWC"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1561455709&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1561455709" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439569915/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439569915&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=YPI4YSG3SQO67LDF"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439569915&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0439569915" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763624306/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0763624306&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=XK7N462UGVGI74PX"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0763624306&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0763624306" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064451275/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0064451275&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=TQ75X3ZS3SILQPYZ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0064451275&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0064451275" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001YI6TSE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001YI6TSE&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=VGNUCIFAQGBQYYQP"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001YI6TSE&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=B001YI6TSE" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394800516/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0394800516&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=ZO33VCT6JXVJE7CS"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0394800516&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0394800516" width="1" height="1"><br><br><em><font size="1">Book links are Amazon affiliate links.<br>If you purchase through these links, you are supporting our family. <br>Thank you!</font></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0w8eyL6aGXM/UJLYMuPx55I/AAAAAAAAQ80/X21XCuvFgcY/s1600-h/video2.jpg"><img title="video" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="video" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9edy-ss4TAc/UJLYNNXMw3I/AAAAAAAAQ88/3kpwp2L_JWg/video_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">Once or twice a week, we start our school day with a YouTube playlist of 4-6 songs/videos that go along with our current school lessons. <br><br><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7f6TsHA0kTM" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe><br></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8gIY4GAeNdQ/UJLYPt2Q6hI/AAAAAAAAQ9U/0FBiWt5p3zE/s1600-h/calendar2.jpg"><img title="calendar" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="calendar" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WEF4mAeHLM0/UJLYQUog3LI/AAAAAAAAQ9c/NGYnEDQseZM/calendar_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">I didn’t get any pictures of calendar time this week!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mFMtg8SNNeo/UJLYTt4vbyI/AAAAAAAAQ-E/hBVA1d22sh0/s1600-h/bible2.jpg"><img title="bible" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bible" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SDybX76qwn0/UJLYUT7fMPI/AAAAAAAAQ-M/vbh8Ka7AukE/bible_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br><br>God takes good care of me!<br><br>We read about Elijah and the ravens. God can even use BIRDS to care for his people!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E5Gqdlcgto8/UJLYX1smNyI/AAAAAAAAQ-0/-6fwMYlN9oE/s1600-h/phonics2.jpg"><img title="phonics" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="phonics" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y7Qt8XPuCnY/UJLYY0JOsMI/AAAAAAAAQ-4/B9iEc_OEkko/phonics_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">Learning about S and it’s /s/ sound.</p> <p align="center">Max LOVES to sort out his picture cards from each unit. At some point, we’re going to either take over the entire kitchen table or force him to choose just a few envelopes rather than ALL the picture cards. I can’t fathom doing all 26 envelopes at the end of the year!<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZFUgPC4_p-w/VJXkd0ZUqXI/AAAAAAAAiYM/g16IRR9eFcg/s1600-h/DSCN32689.jpg"><img title="DSCN3268" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-veGlf1df8Xc/VJXkeZ5nCiI/AAAAAAAAiYQ/sjDHrvQbm1U/DSCN3268_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="359"></a><br><br>circling the pictures that begin with /n/</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eQWq6kcjMB8/VJXkexAdsJI/AAAAAAAAiYc/MD0QCw6hKWE/s1600-h/DSCN32258.jpg"><img title="DSCN3225" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3225" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ppqWyQkW63A/VJXkfAqEtQI/AAAAAAAAiYg/V2iZj73pwjo/DSCN3225_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Max is just LOVING the worksheets in MFW K! I honestly thought he might struggle with these, but I underestimated my boy. He’s breezing right through and ALWAYS excited!<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sBjkpk1-b_Q/VJXkfjt3GqI/AAAAAAAAiYs/JOpkY2Pw34Q/s1600-h/DSCN32518.jpg"><img title="DSCN3251" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3251" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KJOBZIE-9W0/VJXkgNt05bI/AAAAAAAAiYw/cz0oWcP_6Os/DSCN3251_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="317"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07UmyyYEBLo/VJXkgt1W7wI/AAAAAAAAiY8/2ipB_J-KJh0/s1600-h/DSCN32528.jpg"><img title="DSCN3252" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3252" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FzLZaTjbPCo/VJXkhBqt15I/AAAAAAAAiZA/Jo2ty-N0A24/DSCN3252_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="317"></a><br></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7M2xp0JJQvY/UJLYo6k5vBI/AAAAAAAARBE/f3YxJHrXlCA/s1600-h/handwriting2.jpg"><img title="handwriting" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="handwriting" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Pts96YrsvQ/UJLYpLn9pcI/AAAAAAAARBM/yWSbSv5dAgE/handwriting_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br><br><em>(my own page…available </em><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/p/mfw-kindergarten.html" target="_blank"><em>HERE</em></a><em> for MFW K users only)<br></em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gJDSYagJk_E/VJXkhlMHOsI/AAAAAAAAiZM/eUl78U5vlmA/s1600-h/DSCN32279.jpg"><img title="DSCN3227" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3227" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--t_I9bU8ZhI/VJXkiX-fpSI/AAAAAAAAiZU/JDh4wRYW3t4/DSCN3227_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="366"></a><br><br>I asked Max to circle his favorites, so he circles the ones he TRACED rather than the ones he wrote on his own. (Stinker, ha ha!) I circled my favorites that Max wrote on his own.<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qI7Co42AClE/VJXkiyMVruI/AAAAAAAAiZc/QFTo-2HVa5I/s1600-h/DSCN3325%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3325" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3325" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fvbzKe1X_M0/VJXkjVXzZLI/AAAAAAAAiZk/hf09lMqabuU/DSCN3325_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="336"></a><br>working on his picture page & writing N and n<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J3EemBT_rr8/VJXkkQSfSkI/AAAAAAAAiZs/M1WHn1jNnTM/s1600-h/DSCN32707.jpg"><em><img title="DSCN3270" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3270" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0qNJ2gDJFr0/VJXklBE8s8I/AAAAAAAAiZw/Y74zNVcL9Ww/DSCN3270_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></em></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T3mHE98uZN0/UJLYqqdCBTI/AAAAAAAARBo/9Aqhpu8LV1g/s1600-h/math2.jpg"><img title="math" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="math" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-boB7H05niww/UJLYrfSrXYI/AAAAAAAARBw/Je7P8NEI1Xg/math_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br></p> <p align="center">writing 5s – short neck, belly fat, Mr. 5 wears a hat!<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-atUR0VHZDMw/VJXklW5k7aI/AAAAAAAAiZ8/VZYN4lx19hU/s1600-h/DSCN32287.jpg"><img title="DSCN3228" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3228" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-drgp8vebuqo/VJXkl6VNddI/AAAAAAAAiaA/sLEzKJQN9lI/DSCN3228_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>cuisenaire rods N page<br>(Alex didn’t really care about these, but Max LOVES them!)<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U0Yacw2kCPM/VJXkmlOM2rI/AAAAAAAAiaM/Bi4o9S7Uqmg/s1600-h/DSCN32727.jpg"><img title="DSCN3272" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3272" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zH7W31U1OFI/VJXknJGKSgI/AAAAAAAAiaU/Wj1uXGaVBlA/DSCN3272_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>weekly MFW K math page<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eLilYECVDJw/VJXknngBu6I/AAAAAAAAiac/ES2ZyuGKZgo/s1600-h/DSCN32487.jpg"><img title="DSCN3248" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3248" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9R3LUwwZBY0/VJXkoccwpuI/AAAAAAAAiag/gsV62M8KMaM/DSCN3248_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>Max wanted to start with number 1, even though it was in the middle of the page. <br>I told him to draw 1 egg in the nest. <br>He did. 1 *fried* egg. Ha ha! I laughed SO HARD!<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0TdRsJfHu0I/VJXko4wYe1I/AAAAAAAAias/qT0GhC_WBA0/s1600-h/DSCN3253.jpg"><img title="DSCN3253" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3253" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7_b1lM1NN8E/VJXkpVCHFZI/AAAAAAAAiaw/nAS86XsdjUI/DSCN3253_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="317"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JrHGZsZ9cEE/VJXkpi3FHpI/AAAAAAAAia4/jpEiEOE8hFo/s1600-h/DSCN3246.jpg"><img title="DSCN3246" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3246" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z74EkIqbqyk/VJXkqbhiBrI/AAAAAAAAibA/TvFWzApvV-U/DSCN3246_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="316"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5QkmfEPCcX8/UJLY3sAHsiI/AAAAAAAARD8/q7yVAiq6HxU/s1600-h/science2.jpg"><img title="science" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="science" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0LojzY8wd74/UJLY4bxRmmI/AAAAAAAAREE/MaTnhV5IQEc/science_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">The nest unit is about more than just birds – it’s about animal homes. Besides reading about animal homes, Max also did this cut & paste page to match animals and their homes.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1YD7yEQl_5c/VJXkqmBV3dI/AAAAAAAAibM/DQTMK13rivs/s1600-h/DSCN32299.jpg"><img title="DSCN3229" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3229" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7_4fEKIqcNs/VJXkrDF61VI/AAAAAAAAibQ/4-_58dn3-DE/DSCN3229_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="284"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vIQpW7VoQjk/UJLY4z2hPjI/AAAAAAAAREM/1QVEjaP91O8/s1600-h/art2.jpg"><img title="art" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="art" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q3HcOqlQawg/UJLY5eCj1yI/AAAAAAAAREU/FJlwE4lfcRs/art_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br><br>We made birds nests from brown cardstock, paper scraps, and plastic Easter eggs.<br>For instructions, <a href="http://sharpmoms.com/2012/04/baby-birds-in-a-nest-plastic-eggs-paper-plate-craft/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6IzWxS7qmFI/VJXkrrT5QAI/AAAAAAAAibc/4BdEPfVm3es/s1600-h/DSCN32776.jpg"><img title="DSCN3277" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eyBatfzQ32Y/VJXksboCMuI/AAAAAAAAibg/e76RkSecJ1M/DSCN3277_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h39VN5q0GrI/VJXkst2u9_I/AAAAAAAAibo/3a3z-J_BQnQ/s1600-h/DSCN32798.jpg"><img title="DSCN3279" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3279" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B0xKz6ZfzUc/VJXktMliniI/AAAAAAAAibw/IsGd-z85Kvc/DSCN3279_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="177"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P8K6BpsjIjI/UJLY-wKGOtI/AAAAAAAARFM/6-IHjTZ01Iw/s1600-h/snacks2.jpg"><img title="snacks" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="snacks" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1G3Hsj08SCU/UJLY_SEirpI/AAAAAAAARFU/g-Am5D2YNSs/snacks_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Uh, do you remember what I said with the last unit? That something’s gotta give? For the apple unit, we skipped cute crafts. For the nest unit, we skipped snacks. What’s sad is that I even BOUGHT the chow mein noodles and jelly beans to do this snack. We just didn’t have time to squeeze it in. Maybe if we’re bored some random, snowy day in January, we make birds nest snacks for no reason <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n1mNZ3_7818/VJXktcf31DI/AAAAAAAAib4/KdPZjW6eQ38/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile2.png?imgmax=800"><br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YzyvjJbXx88/UJLZFmnPWvI/AAAAAAAARGM/Ct5JZAsKw8o/s1600-h/other2.jpg"><img title="other" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="other" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zz8tcetBbJM/UJLZGOsTp2I/AAAAAAAARGU/yEBbpJt52cA/other_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="justify">Technically, I suppose this picture should go under phonics or handwriting. But I really wanted to highlight how different it is going through MFW K with a second child. Each child has their own interests, strengths, and weaknesses – making it a totally different experience for me as a mama!<br><br>I love how excited Max is about drawing pictures of words beginning with N. His drawings make me smile. I wish you could hear how he’s describing the pictures as he draws – it’s so sweet!<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oiufhowKGW0/VJXkuAExcyI/AAAAAAAAicA/GIk20Rklxvk/s1600-h/DSCN327111.jpg"><img title="DSCN3271" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3271" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SqtBqW7xX2Q/VJXkuVZHcRI/AAAAAAAAicM/PaS6rPlkVFI/DSCN3271_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="393"></a></p> <p align="center">This letter find is from my free <a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/dschurma/baby-birds-preschool-pack" target="_blank">Baby Birds preschool pack</a>. <br>Max loves to hunt for the letters!<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yyd4YFMpaug/VJXku74HzQI/AAAAAAAAicQ/Abv2SEi4Qx4/s1600-h/DSCN3328%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3328" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3328" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UG_okNq898w/VJXkvXuugFI/AAAAAAAAicY/p9sQkGyB5tE/DSCN3328_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="219" height="284"></a></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a6aodo8K6Cs/VDKftVcLkUI/AAAAAAAAhI4/wYA_JajLoWo/mfwk2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"> <br><em>(Jensyn is 3.5 years old.)</em></p> <p align="justify">I didn’t do so well with getting pictures of this little munchkin doing her MFW K pages this week. She did her typical pages, but she also BEGGED for more. I planned to wait until she turned 4 to pull out the Rod & Staff preschool workbooks, but she needed something and I was desperate…so she’s doing the “About Three” workbook and loving it! The hard part is getting her to slow down and wait for me to read the instructions – she just wants to start circling and X-ing and tracing!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aMWf05SARxU/VJXkviggOyI/AAAAAAAAick/Q0PqFxBpn_o/s1600-h/DSCN326513.jpg"><img title="DSCN3265" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3265" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--2n53iW-sJE/VJXkwZoKB6I/AAAAAAAAico/0vpvwzZXvc8/DSCN3265_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vQhuJjcyhuM/VJXkwz-4CAI/AAAAAAAAic0/C7Ces1cpPoI/s1600-h/DSCN32268.jpg"><img title="DSCN3226" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3226" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z8RouLbyn8w/VJXkxSKo_KI/AAAAAAAAic4/RrIqDXf9Zes/DSCN3226_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="244"></a></p> <p>Our table full of learning (on a rather organized day…when the table doesn’t look like it exploded!)<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yVVFTtO_kbY/VJXkyAsmdKI/AAAAAAAAidE/ITM3dnVdLqs/s1600-h/DSCN32248.jpg"><img title="DSCN3224" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3224" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lgMXu6b9AWE/VJXkyn9KLPI/AAAAAAAAidI/xHx0gT0SYYg/DSCN3224_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="268"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-50606086865632383752014-12-15T21:31:00.001-06:002014-12-15T21:31:50.709-06:00MFW K Unit 4 – Apple<p align="center"><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/p/mfw-k.html"><font size="2">{CLICK HERE}</font></a><font size="2"> to view the rest of our MFW K unit posts. <br></font><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/2012/10/mfw-k-unit-4-aa-apple.html" target="_blank">{CLICK HERE}</a><font size="2"></font><font size="2"> to read our 2012 Apple Unit post with our older son.<br><br></font><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MuqLQ70p05E/VDKfNkMHzqI/AAAAAAAAhBY/3XvHxmp7Ons/mfwk_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><br><br><font color="#dd8484" size="5">In this unit, we learned the letter Aa for sun.<br>Our Bible words were: <br>If I stay in Jesus, I will have much fruit!</font><em></p></em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xo--fkOmILE/UJLYLsR9jlI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/r2G_3-WkN_4/s1600-h/books4.jpg"><img title="books" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="books" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-egwKKCiQKIw/UJLYMBioClI/AAAAAAAAQ8s/AKqUUhFhUNY/books_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a> These are the books we enjoyed throughout the week – click on any book image below to read the book description on Amazon. (We love to buy used copies; they’re usually in good shape, and the price is right!) <br><br>Max loved <u>How To Make An Apple Pie and See The World</u>, and we all enjoyed the rest of the books as well. <u>Down The Road</u> is a neat story that I’d recommend. We made our apple pie using the recipe found in the back of the Amelia Bedelia book.<br> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1575051931/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1575051931&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=KQT4TDHO6TRJKL5V"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1575051931&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=1575051931" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152024719/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0152024719&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=3LINPZN7U2KTZN7S"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0152024719&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0152024719" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061964115/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061964115&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=D6KUF5RLXRIIPHFM"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0061964115&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0061964115" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761323643/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0761323643&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=PQK5MG5TMYNWVLJM"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0761323643&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0761323643" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142401242/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0142401242&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=DLCC7R35A55XDLAX"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0142401242&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0142401242" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679880836/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0679880836&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=HJYBW3FSZDB2FGQJ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0679880836&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=0679880836" width="1" height="1"> <br><em><font size="1">Book links are Amazon affiliate links.<br>If you purchase through these links, you are supporting our family. <br>Thank you!</font></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0w8eyL6aGXM/UJLYMuPx55I/AAAAAAAAQ80/X21XCuvFgcY/s1600-h/video2.jpg"><img title="video" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="video" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9edy-ss4TAc/UJLYNNXMw3I/AAAAAAAAQ88/3kpwp2L_JWg/video_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">Once or twice a week, we start our school day with a YouTube playlist of 4-6 songs/videos that go along with our current school lessons. <br><br>During this unit, we watched Johnny Appleseed.<br><br><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/484AJlOnOnc" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe><br></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8gIY4GAeNdQ/UJLYPt2Q6hI/AAAAAAAAQ9U/0FBiWt5p3zE/s1600-h/calendar2.jpg"><img title="calendar" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="calendar" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WEF4mAeHLM0/UJLYQUog3LI/AAAAAAAAQ9c/NGYnEDQseZM/calendar_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="justify">We don’t exactly do calendar time the MFW K way. We print a calendar page from <a href="http://www.mamaslearningcorner.com/preschool-calendar-notebook/" target="_blank">HERE</a> (<em>preK and K options available</em>),<em> </em>and Max fills in the numbers. (Sometimes I do, too, depending on the day.) I wrote November at the bottom, and he traced it.<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QSVtBg_bHNo/VI-mm-HNWAI/AAAAAAAAiOg/82QU3KDsmzE/s1600-h/DSCN316810.jpg"><img title="DSCN3168" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3168" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zaBikCY-mFI/VI-moHJ4k9I/AAAAAAAAiOk/Tp7Q4FtpZ9M/DSCN3168_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">For the rest of our calendar time, we’re using a foam board that we can bring out during school time (and put away later, as our kitchen table is our school room). Right now, we’re:</p> <ul> <li> <div align="justify">adding a straw for each school day to our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/160996229X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=160996229X&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=HLO2X2WYU4RHFEPF" target="_blank">place value pocket chart</a></div> <li> <div align="justify">writing that school day’s number on the MFW K 100 Chart (not pictured…on the left side of the board)</div> <li> <div align="justify">singing a Days Of The Week and Months Of The Year song while Max points to the day/month on the board.</div></li></ul> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mFMtg8SNNeo/UJLYTt4vbyI/AAAAAAAAQ-E/hBVA1d22sh0/s1600-h/bible2.jpg"><img title="bible" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bible" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SDybX76qwn0/UJLYUT7fMPI/AAAAAAAAQ-M/vbh8Ka7AukE/bible_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">During this unit, we learned about the Fruits of the Spirit. We read Bible verses, had short discussions, and made a mini book and did a coloring page. (You’ll see those below in the art section, although they are nothing fancy!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E5Gqdlcgto8/UJLYX1smNyI/AAAAAAAAQ-0/-6fwMYlN9oE/s1600-h/phonics2.jpg"><img title="phonics" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="phonics" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y7Qt8XPuCnY/UJLYY0JOsMI/AAAAAAAAQ-4/B9iEc_OEkko/phonics_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">Learning about A and it’s /a/ sound<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GBLrjo76D-A/VI-moh_uJAI/AAAAAAAAiOw/vjLhLQfcxAo/s1600-h/DSCN314310.jpg"><img title="DSCN3143" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3143" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a8HAM4FPdt4/VI-mpHAF_6I/AAAAAAAAiO0/aDpmAqX4kW0/DSCN3143_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>writing the correct beginning sound by the pictures<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tgWIrF89GUQ/VI-muXafl3I/AAAAAAAAiPA/a0KZpGDtJYw/s1600-h/DSCN31499.jpg"><img title="DSCN3149" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3149" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hNtv8Q02EJI/VI-mu-jfNyI/AAAAAAAAiPE/8-Q6bs2LEnc/DSCN3149_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QVTqCge8YgI/VI-mvYR9xWI/AAAAAAAAiPM/l5o6uKjU5Xs/s1600-h/DSCN314810.jpg"><img title="DSCN3148" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3148" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-772w1ogagoM/VI-mv9RW3XI/AAAAAAAAiPU/cYwxWHNC6mo/DSCN3148_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Max opted to color and write the correct letter <br>rather than cutting/pasting the correct letter in the box.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1gi0fMdhu3k/VI-mw_qrW4I/AAAAAAAAiPg/JI4Fn3dNX2w/s1600-h/DSCN31549.jpg"><img title="DSCN3154" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3154" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5xHEHJusabs/VI-mxdbrdqI/AAAAAAAAiPk/Gk0rEk1MsSg/DSCN3154_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="251"></a></p> <p align="center">sorting picture cards by beginning sound<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ESgcQYDMr4I/VI-mx4ceZXI/AAAAAAAAiPw/i3LZY2FlmC0/s1600-h/DSCN316310.jpg"><img title="DSCN3163" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3163" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZcRsW9PkZ24/VI-myYwAjlI/AAAAAAAAiP0/tAvpF2kYyKQ/DSCN3163_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="302"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6qkf0UYjpQA/VI-my-nwIOI/AAAAAAAAiQA/5tozWM_5z2s/s1600-h/DSCN316410.jpg"><img title="DSCN3164" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YQXYVu8srjI/VI-mzt9Y16I/AAAAAAAAiQE/prT9hNYMJK4/DSCN3164_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="301"></a><br><br></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7M2xp0JJQvY/UJLYo6k5vBI/AAAAAAAARBE/f3YxJHrXlCA/s1600-h/handwriting2.jpg"><img title="handwriting" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="handwriting" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Pts96YrsvQ/UJLYpLn9pcI/AAAAAAAARBM/yWSbSv5dAgE/handwriting_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a><br>letter A, number 4<br><br><em>(my own page…available </em><a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/p/mfw-kindergarten.html" target="_blank"><em>HERE</em></a><em> for MFW K users only)<br></em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LoIKQSNjGUw/VI-mz2PkFvI/AAAAAAAAiQM/ajOw1PJDcoc/s1600-h/DSCN316710.jpg"><img title="DSCN3167" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3167" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wOWXLgPCaZc/VI-m0sUY6gI/AAAAAAAAiQU/9RElPsS3UtE/DSCN3167_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><em><br></em> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T3mHE98uZN0/UJLYqqdCBTI/AAAAAAAARBo/9Aqhpu8LV1g/s1600-h/math2.jpg"><img title="math" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="math" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-boB7H05niww/UJLYrfSrXYI/AAAAAAAARBw/Je7P8NEI1Xg/math_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">MFW K recommends using real apples to do a graph, but we did it a little differently using a page I created. It’s available here on the blog if you’d like to use it. Just look under the MFW K tab.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MQeu673xHKc/VI-m6QPw2sI/AAAAAAAAiQg/5vI-4bHwaxc/s1600-h/DSCN31599.jpg"><img title="DSCN3159" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3159" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ue_1sQJsvoY/VI-m60hvfzI/AAAAAAAAiQk/E2jXK_kNxfw/DSCN3159_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YUm3rktP5oM/VI-m7CrsUwI/AAAAAAAAiQw/TJDxqTc-PvI/s1600-h/DSCN316011.jpg"><img title="DSCN3160" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c9VZK64ixuc/VI-m7iYusbI/AAAAAAAAiQ0/Hh7_HhKBUbo/DSCN3160_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>MFW K attributes graph, cuisenaire rods A page<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2eU_1VJT5kE/VI-m8CPNayI/AAAAAAAAiRA/Eu9JJeafUK4/s1600-h/DSCN31428.jpg"><img title="DSCN3142" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3142" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V30u_pQqUUg/VI-m8uiWNII/AAAAAAAAiRE/LkZN97enick/DSCN3142_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kgjVFO7zs9Q/VI-m9M72yvI/AAAAAAAAiRQ/HkxN1s4eaa4/s1600-h/DSCN316913.jpg"><img title="DSCN3169" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3169" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-19ysC3YRjSo/VI-m9g-SbHI/AAAAAAAAiRU/vE3j4Cpnm4M/DSCN3169_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br>Max LOVES math, so I made the page below for him based on one on that I found (for free) <a href="http://wildaboutteaching10.blogspot.com/2012/09/numbers-galore-resources.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I prefer a different tracing font than what she used, so I designed my own. I don’t plan to share it, due to copyright, so I’ll just direct you to the <a href="http://wildaboutteaching10.blogspot.com/2012/09/numbers-galore-resources.html" target="_blank">original author’s site</a>. <em>(Site has been removed…I’m not sure how to share it with you, sorry!)<br></em><br>We’re using raisins, chocolate chips, and other fun items as manipulatives to fill in the ‘ten frame’, and we’re then using the food to work on ‘even/odd’, ‘1 more’ and ‘1 less’. He may eat the snacks when he’s finished with the page. <br></p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lON6GMKxrbM/VI-nA69-jCI/AAAAAAAAiRg/Ikls1_iyAIE/s1600-h/DSCN307213.jpg"><img title="DSCN3072" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3072" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q68IQK5eAQY/VI-nCilTFWI/AAAAAAAAiRo/xkiImwSjJfQ/DSCN3072_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5QkmfEPCcX8/UJLY3sAHsiI/AAAAAAAARD8/q7yVAiq6HxU/s1600-h/science2.jpg"><img title="science" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="science" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0LojzY8wd74/UJLY4bxRmmI/AAAAAAAAREE/MaTnhV5IQEc/science_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="center">We read about apples and apple orchards, visited an apple orchard (in September), <br>and we did a fun apple taste test using the printables from 1Plus1Plus1Equals1.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fr04DaRn6IE/VI-nC_m6U_I/AAAAAAAAiRw/u0zGmUX_u0s/s1600-h/DSCN31299.jpg"><img title="DSCN3129" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3129" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-leUvtuGtp3w/VI-nDgEB6JI/AAAAAAAAiR0/5HQEQt9gtA4/DSCN3129_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="275"></a><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZvqF-dGWRNc/VI-nENONLwI/AAAAAAAAiSA/onHKhfsRidU/s1600-h/DSCN31329.jpg"><img title="DSCN3132" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3132" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cp29HkQyTXs/VI-nFULMqZI/AAAAAAAAiSE/t4AQ5qf75V8/DSCN3132_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="274"></a><br>Max absolutely LOVED this taste test, and he declared that every apple was delicious!<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G1IZJd4n7zE/VI-nF9khCVI/AAAAAAAAiSQ/AuVV3sZYM9s/s1600-h/DSCN313310.jpg"><img title="DSCN3133" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3133" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4E60JFBUGEk/VI-nIavxEYI/AAAAAAAAiSY/8lTZef9wUUA/DSCN3133_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vIQpW7VoQjk/UJLY4z2hPjI/AAAAAAAAREM/1QVEjaP91O8/s1600-h/art2.jpg"><img title="art" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="art" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q3HcOqlQawg/UJLY5eCj1yI/AAAAAAAAREU/FJlwE4lfcRs/art_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a></p> <p align="justify">I know it’s not as cutesy as what we did with Alex a few years ago, but it’s what we had time to do…fruit of the spirit coloring page & mini book. With co-op preparation and a big brother with schoolwork, as well, it’s hard to fit it all in. Since we did so much baking, something had to give!<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pBkJcvUjPO8/VI-nI0tOljI/AAAAAAAAiSc/RLQQz11O590/s1600-h/DSCN321212.jpg"><img title="DSCN3212" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3212" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hdgX3JI_do8/VI-nJcJSIRI/AAAAAAAAiSk/GamoqICAbcU/DSCN3212_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_wjhRl9Bmas/VI-nJk4LI1I/AAAAAAAAiSs/HfVUSL_hfjw/s1600-h/DSCN32139.jpg"><img title="DSCN3213" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3213" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m2EQCQis7-M/VI-nKBjFs5I/AAAAAAAAiS0/-pqY3mMxKTM/DSCN3213_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P8K6BpsjIjI/UJLY-wKGOtI/AAAAAAAARFM/6-IHjTZ01Iw/s1600-h/snacks2.jpg"><img title="snacks" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="snacks" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1G3Hsj08SCU/UJLY_SEirpI/AAAAAAAARFU/g-Am5D2YNSs/snacks_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Max absolutely loves to help me in the kitchen. He was SO excited to purchase apples and help me make applesauce and apple pie. He was SUPER proud of his own little apple pie, just like Amelia Bedelia’s little apple pie!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HzS5OzJ79K0/VI-nNgH8gmI/AAAAAAAAiTA/kB1KeByq5PQ/s1600-h/DSCN313910.jpg"><img title="DSCN3139" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z9VRxfUuklY/VI-nOmWKL7I/AAAAAAAAiTI/0QtIE9HjhdU/DSCN3139_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="361"></a></p> <p align="center">our baking projects in progress…<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P3VWzIVl6M8/VI-nPASj47I/AAAAAAAAiTM/MwmI9z0HTcc/s1600-h/DSCN313512.jpg"><img title="DSCN3135" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aaW-dxPe1QA/VI-nPgHjTmI/AAAAAAAAiTU/avHkeaKozTQ/DSCN3135_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vnKUW3xOtiw/VI-nQiINyoI/AAAAAAAAiTg/3k5YlAxPuSE/s1600-h/DSCN31348.jpg"><img title="DSCN3134" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3134" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yuYe571MddU/VI-nRErURmI/AAAAAAAAiTk/mxyaQ_rpXHY/DSCN3134_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AdsrAPR7lSA/VI-nRk9tLHI/AAAAAAAAiTw/YJdWUQIjExQ/s1600-h/DSCN31408.jpg"><img title="DSCN3140" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3140" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w3wm7M8y2vg/VI-nWHPSEKI/AAAAAAAAiT4/C4k1b-sYMME/DSCN3140_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nHxcQxTgSZs/VI-nWmQyBsI/AAAAAAAAiUA/AYv_h1OPxls/s1600-h/DSCN31418.jpg"><img title="DSCN3141" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3141" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tB7znCrd4rw/VI-nW0M9IiI/AAAAAAAAiUE/i3d_QtgI7HE/DSCN3141_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br></p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YzyvjJbXx88/UJLZFmnPWvI/AAAAAAAARGM/Ct5JZAsKw8o/s1600-h/other2.jpg"><img title="other" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="other" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zz8tcetBbJM/UJLZGOsTp2I/AAAAAAAARGU/yEBbpJt52cA/other_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="44"></a> <p align="center">We went on a field trip to the apple orchard with our co-op friends!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iuwkuHIvarI/VI-nXskEBiI/AAAAAAAAiUQ/4fbL3Kjg1pw/s1600-h/DSCN24956.jpg"><br><img title="DSCN2495" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN2495" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h6NcOcH3Qi0/VI-nYGuZyqI/AAAAAAAAiUU/JVWAoCzZemg/DSCN2495_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="254"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hAyScBQEdow/VI-nYi761PI/AAAAAAAAiUg/MGDGgzjj4hY/s1600-h/DSCN25047.jpg"><img title="DSCN2504" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN2504" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lfNJ5dCIASk/VI-nZMt1CgI/AAAAAAAAiUk/ERYAov8fFi4/DSCN2504_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="312"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TfsdKvoh5Lw/VI-nZ1jUA9I/AAAAAAAAiUw/QwID14Po5yo/s1600-h/DSCN25086.jpg"><img title="DSCN2508" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN2508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rtmuu7NQphc/VI-nao1aSjI/AAAAAAAAiU0/LqohkkP9Fwc/DSCN2508_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="246"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a6aodo8K6Cs/VDKftVcLkUI/AAAAAAAAhI4/wYA_JajLoWo/mfwk2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"> <br><em>(Jensyn is 3.5 years old.)</em></p> <p align="justify">I don’t insist on participation from Jensyn. She is free to join us or to wander away, but so far, she almost always wants to be a part of MFW K! She sits with us as we read picture books, does the art or science projects, and completes papers or puzzles at the table. She loves the Lauri alphabet puzzle included in MFW K!<br><br>My only goal for her this year is to learn the uppercase alphabet letters, and you may notice that in many of the activities that she’s working on…</p> <p align="justify">I’ve designed lots of pages that can be used to keep a preschool sibling busy while you’re working with your kindergartener. You can find most of these pages <a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/p/mfw-kindergarten.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and even more in the photo albums of the MFW-Kindergarten Facebook group. </p> <p align="center">cutting apples (with butter knives) to make applesauce & apple pie</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dc9EYqlSfVQ/VI-nbGA-69I/AAAAAAAAiVA/H0szMNeMK4g/s1600-h/DSCN3136%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3136" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3136" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iHGWl8AoI70/VI-nboj8ZDI/AAAAAAAAiVE/qJCtt87XWJ0/DSCN3136_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fNCaDlpZuTY/VI-ncB8-47I/AAAAAAAAiVQ/2wh4PhfJ_Ec/s1600-h/DSCN3137%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3137" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3137" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IoGsD87sv5M/VI-nc-St4VI/AAAAAAAAiVU/R181G_STCz8/DSCN3137_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br>using pattern blocks to build letter A (pattern block alphabet pages from <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com" target="_blank">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a>) and playing with the cuisenaire rods</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zxh7H_GytTk/VI-ndMt5ZtI/AAAAAAAAiVg/A0qS2WHJ-Vc/s1600-h/DSCN3166%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3166" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s8rSyRuac44/VI-nd3c_hPI/AAAAAAAAiVk/FsYZEBp1zPk/DSCN3166_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rLETPNUsrsU/VI-neXQpChI/AAAAAAAAiVw/0aeAmqIN7GU/s1600-h/DSCN3170%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3170" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yJewF_D6T5k/VI-nfMSc49I/AAAAAAAAiV0/MyYYbH2UCrI/DSCN3170_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br><br>gluing pictures on top of their shadow (my apple preschool pack) and tracing letter A</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4ypNiZawZLI/VI-nfolMrEI/AAAAAAAAiWA/4PIY42x7mto/s1600-h/DSCN3156%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3156" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3156" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pyAGBNTcOas/VI-ngSRCAgI/AAAAAAAAiWE/MFWaa8ZCocM/DSCN3156_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7-m_JGFG5FE/VI-ngtq98uI/AAAAAAAAiWM/keF7SNvZQPU/s1600-h/DSCN3157%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3157" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3157" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u9X5dpRvXtQ/VI-nhNW0r6I/AAAAAAAAiWU/lAgbL1sSHeo/DSCN3157_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">alphabet tracer</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X9kSbjVnAoM/VI-nhuEERLI/AAAAAAAAiWg/xoVUAnHFj8s/s1600-h/DSCN3158%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3158" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3158" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TTSQYh4Z_AU/VI-niGKKgCI/AAAAAAAAiWk/uq6wTvAGa3c/DSCN3158_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">hard at work</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nTtUcuSKPIo/VI-niiUBgCI/AAAAAAAAiWw/Ee68yxRERwo/s1600-h/DSCN3147%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3147" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3147" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qODrJ203MI4/VI-njGBnJ0I/AAAAAAAAiW0/1lLq8F2dpg8/DSCN3147_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bvonFi6x7Mg/VI-njjqwcgI/AAAAAAAAiXA/YtnMIJx9-CU/s1600-h/DSCN3152%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3152" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3152" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dlFK_1i9gi0/VI-nk9RbahI/AAAAAAAAiXI/FESwzsvmAc4/DSCN3152_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wOsFvXpE3XQ/VI-nlkK4IxI/AAAAAAAAiXQ/Gxo65X5FJuU/s1600-h/DSCN3153%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3153" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3153" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uQB_p9dzFJs/VI-nmak4o5I/AAAAAAAAiXY/eXr0sH5jcsY/DSCN3153_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fcKY_5lIATc/VI-nnNq_UVI/AAAAAAAAiXg/0qUYz51-yQc/s1600-h/DSCN3145%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3145" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3145" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wRZjkiBB59A/VI-noP0jePI/AAAAAAAAiXo/6ocNMYOnDZI/DSCN3145_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4k5YI2fq23E/VI-no9j0YgI/AAAAAAAAiXw/kRJosHiMLwo/s1600-h/DSCN3146%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3146" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3146" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mSjIAEuhuZw/VI-npeuUPQI/AAAAAAAAiX0/4n2t1fJW0q0/DSCN3146_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122473193014682738.post-12893099132198140392014-12-13T13:38:00.001-06:002014-12-13T13:41:53.311-06:00Beyond Unit 1 (Alex)<p align="justify"><img style="border-top-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=missschurmasseco&l=as2&o=1&a=B002JDUB7S" width="1" height="1"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wRSiFrMbLUk/VIyVKWU4q8I/AAAAAAAAiK4/HBUgScfjJyk/s1600-h/beyondbanner.jpg"><img title="beyondbanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory, BLHFHG, Beyond, HOD, Heart of Dakota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vgXxO598HaU/VIyVK92bRTI/AAAAAAAAiLA/DBmbQ2JJTyc/beyondbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="114"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="2">I’m pretty sure I’m posting this too soon. I still haven’t posted the last few units of Little Hearts, have I? It’s just that we are SO excited to now be using </font><a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com"><font size="2">Heart of Dakota</font></a><font size="2">’s Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory program for Alex! We started in November 2014, and my tentative plan is to finish by December 2015. This program is adaptable for children ages 6 – 8. To read more about our choices for this homeschool year, please <a href="http://mamasmonkeys.blogspot.com/2014/07/back-to-homeschool-2014.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>.<br><br>I want to start by saying that we are <u>THRILLED</u> with this new program. <font color="#ff0000"><strong>We loved Little Hearts For His Glory, but Beyond is EVEN BETTER</strong>!</font> At the end of our first week, Alex HUGGED his history book and told me how much he loved it. Seriously – what child HUGS his history book?! Many days, all three kids crowd in to listen because they all enjoy it! I think this is going to be a wonderful year with Beyond!</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VZ0qqHv1c7k/VIyVLbZNHtI/AAAAAAAAiLI/f1cf_CHNPlw/s1600-h/readingbanner.jpg"><img title="readingbanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="readingbanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZyD2cm3JtYI/VIyVL_A_NgI/AAAAAAAAiLQ/mQrngHlea6E/readingbanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a></p> <p align="justify">Here’s a picture of Alex adding the first few pictures to his timeline. (This timeline is printed from the files of the Beyond Facebook group.) He is THOROUGHLY enjoying the history in Beyond so far, and so am I!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ketti_-5mu4/VIyVMbIjPzI/AAAAAAAAiLY/qbX4lpsd4hU/s1600-h/DSCN3273%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3273" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3273" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-epGBrwyMtXQ/VIyVMyMPo6I/AAAAAAAAiLg/rQEtae3jXCM/DSCN3273_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></a><br>The book “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932971513/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1932971513&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=RJA2ADJRTDYYHM2E">American Pioneers and Patriots</a>” tells the history in story format, and each day leaves you hanging just enough that you truly look forward to the next day’s reading.<br><br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932971513/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1932971513&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=RJA2ADJRTDYYHM2E"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1932971513&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a></p> <p align="justify">In unit 1, we read about pioneers from Spain settling in to St. Augustine, FL. The stories are told through the eyes of a boy named Pedro and his sister Catalina as they journey to America on a ship from Spain. <br><br></p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8g-8tI4qdgM/VIyVNVMiMyI/AAAAAAAAiLo/KR8RxIqznfk/s1600-h/biblestudybanner.jpg"><img title="biblestudybanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="biblestudybanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OwaRTV8-esM/VIyVN2qORGI/AAAAAAAAiLw/22rbkgiB62g/biblestudybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a><br>In this unit, Alex learned Psalm 4:8, and we talked about how it related to US and how it related to the history stories we read throughout this unit. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with how Beyond gently introduces the concept of relating Bible verses to your own life. I’m really enjoying this with Alex!<br><br>We’re printing all of the Bible verses on 3x5 cards and laminating them, keeping the verses on a ring to flip through and review.<br><br>Beyond has a lot of fun, hands-on ways to practice reciting the verses – jumping jacks, running in place, and other energy-releasers to break up the seatwork of other areas and get some wiggles out!<br><br>One thing that I’m loving so far about Beyond is that there is a Bible passage (separate from the unit memory verse) each week on Day 5. WE read this verse together, discuss it, and related it to our lives and the history stories we’ve read during the current unit. So neat!!! This week even had an art projecr relating to the Bible verse.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F7Dzeu1weyw/VIyVODVIksI/AAAAAAAAiL4/R2YHqFLg4Dc/s1600-h/languagebanner.jpg"><img title="languagebanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="languagebanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_V1XnURoRVY/VIyVOudG6QI/AAAAAAAAiMA/hlq3vN9mlfs/languagebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p align="justify">Each unit has two spelling lists, an easier list and a slightly more challenging list. Because we’ve been using Spelling You See, the easy lists in the early units of Beyond are too simple for Alex. We’re doing List #2 for now, until/unless it becomes too challenging for him. He was super excited for this spelling format, so we’re going to stick with this for a while rather than starting on All About Spelling. (This isn’t a staged picture – it’s Alex’s page when he got up to grab a quick drink.)<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Po_2DvDY5vQ/VIyVPLzJ9VI/AAAAAAAAiMI/lwFQytSWoeo/s1600-h/DSCN3238%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3238" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3238" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JjdlEZ89CCA/VIyVPmEh7BI/AAAAAAAAiMQ/w0blb60O5N4/DSCN3238_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="251"></a><br>For each unit, the spelling words are written on index cards. On the first day, Alex looks at each word on the card and then writes it down. We’re using the sheet below on day #1. Throughout the week, he continues to copy the words or write them from memory. Some days, we use our white board. Later in the week, he only has to write the words he’s had trouble spelling. Those words are written in a fun way, such as rainbow words. </p> <p align="center"><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aJKjK425E1M/VIyVQBar_jI/AAAAAAAAiMY/51TWzDu1xLg/s1600-h/DSCN3250%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3250" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3250" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YR6dg4ulbDI/VIyVQk02EEI/AAAAAAAAiMg/kO7QHtbxPRU/DSCN3250_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LElTfer2QH0/VIyVRirlmhI/AAAAAAAAiMo/jVsfNofxQ6I/s1600-h/DSCN3269%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3269" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3269" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OuOuo0LncqA/VIyVSNzVmaI/AAAAAAAAiMw/UpCDA4OrxM4/DSCN3269_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p align="justify">Days 1 – 4 are spent working on spelling and copywork. Day 5 of each unit is devoted to a grammar concept. This unit’s topic was sentences/sentence fragments. It’s all oral, and Alex enjoyed it! At the end, he had to dictate one sentence about himself, and then he rewrote the sentence as copywork.<br><br></p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ca0u0HNiL4M/VIyVS0tqtSI/AAAAAAAAiFw/w66mrIk7i6E/s1600-h/DSCN3278%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3278" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3278" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BstpsQa_D7U/VIyVTS-V3qI/AAAAAAAAiF4/FXm4ckO0epQ/DSCN3278_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="230"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8p6_9lb5JVo/VIyVUSv6-lI/AAAAAAAAiM4/K98SW8qQ64o/s1600-h/mathbanner.jpg"><img title="mathbanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="mathbanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OYCTnsRA0oA/VIyVU42Ch4I/AAAAAAAAiNA/QSw5ADJhcbU/mathbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <br>We’re still pluggin’ away at Singapore 1A, approaching the first set of review lessons. Alex does very well as long as he’s not distracted. He’s beginning to learn how to choose an operation (+ or –) when looking at the pictures and number sentences.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0swgC4n9ZKo/VIyVVfCZVyI/AAAAAAAAiGQ/LZkI2t-jgy0/s1600-h/DSCN3267%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3267" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cbkm5zEMCf4/VIyVV-FSAxI/AAAAAAAAiGU/Vt_R5rrIzK8/DSCN3267_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="219" height="297"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtzQDFZn0pA/VIyVWREoVzI/AAAAAAAAiNI/JxqEZJg0IXE/s1600-h/geographybanner.jpg"><img title="geographybanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="geographybanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YIF-jxxFBVA/VIyVW7KdkjI/AAAAAAAAiNQ/9_134zJ6QHk/geographybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>For our first geography lesson, we made the earth out of masking tape and then labeled the continents. Alex hopped, jumped, and did other actions to move from continent to continent.</p> <p><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i_6KnRS5QJQ/VIyVXUe9kRI/AAAAAAAAiGw/3J0cgtgTE9Y/s1600-h/DSCN3232%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3232" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3232" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EX1ztuVGj4Y/VIyVXxuahiI/AAAAAAAAiG0/ewB-dfZ3bog/DSCN3232_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J6Eb9fLnw6Y/VIyVYYPF5KI/AAAAAAAAiHA/fwV7uKHIiRA/s1600-h/DSCN3234%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3234" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3234" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0zeNBnJ-WIs/VIyVY-QynFI/AAAAAAAAiHE/yn3tZlnbM1Q/DSCN3234_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="229"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rzk2owrXSHs/VIyVZZ-kOEI/AAAAAAAAiNY/2BKf3cA_bDE/s1600-h/storytimebanner.jpg"><img title="storytimebanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="storytimebanner" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WuzWJElNUiI/VIyVZ5-YF0I/AAAAAAAAiNg/4xGduJkW958/storytimebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a></p> <p align="justify">Storytime in Beyond covers each genre of literature, beginning with biography. The appendix of the guide lists several suggested books, and I chose <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576580199/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1576580199&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=C32PVBZBI7UGP6OE">Gladys Aylward</a>. It’s the largest book I’ve ever read with Alex, and this has been an adjustment for him. I really wanted to give it a try to see what he could handle, and also because I love the idea of reading missionary books with him. It’s definitely a stretch, but I feel like it’s been good so far. </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576580199/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1576580199&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=C32PVBZBI7UGP6OE"><img title="DSCN3236" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3236" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TmtoNNnwCzQ/VIyVaSuC0oI/AAAAAAAAiHg/GCD3ZxhM4eM/DSCN3236%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>To introduce the genre of biography, Alex had to fill a bag with 5 items that helped him explain who Alex is. Here he is showing me his items…<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WvvsBUg0hyY/VIyVa5hyEzI/AAAAAAAAiHo/C12tdg49e4c/s1600-h/DSCN3235%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3235" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3235" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pU421DzYwN8/VIyVbknjWNI/AAAAAAAAiHs/kiDaIHdkndI/DSCN3235_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>I look forward to renting <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JDUB7S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002JDUB7S&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=DAXGKH7TLGNUC45C">this video</a> on Amazon once we’ve completed the Gladys Aylward book. It’s a 37 minute cartoon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JDUB7S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002JDUB7S&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=DAXGKH7TLGNUC45C">Torchlighters story of Gladys Aylward</a>. Alex saw me looking it up, and now he’s very anxious to watch it as well. The book has 20 chapters, so we’ll have a few more weeks before it’s time to watch the video.</p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JDUB7S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002JDUB7S&linkCode=as2&tag=missschurmasseco&linkId=DAXGKH7TLGNUC45C"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002JDUB7S&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=missschurmasseco"></a><br> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZIDzepIe1Xo/VIyVb3O2uWI/AAAAAAAAiNo/28pHk6YoH5M/s1600-h/poetrybanner.jpg"><img title="poetrybanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="poetrybanner" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lfow7p_xczU/VIyVcYWNLBI/AAAAAAAAiNw/vemHOCfSIw0/poetrybanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a></p> <p>Little Hearts had a weekly rhyme, and Alex usually didn’t care much for it. Beyond has a weekly poem, and Alex really enjoyed this first poem. We read it together each day, and he had this poem (“The Storm”) memorized the by end of the week.<br><br>The poem is read every day. You add your own motions to the poem, color a picture to go along with it, use it as copywork for handwriting practice, etc. We printed and bound all of the poems for the year so that Alex will have a poetry book as a keepsake.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pIoUiz6x358/VIyVc3YVOoI/AAAAAAAAiII/lkrWWznHuJY/s1600-h/DSCN3237%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3237" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3237" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j8ViPso6euM/VIyVdYUO3wI/AAAAAAAAiIM/jEjuppmbAZ0/DSCN3237_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="justify">So I should say that Alex loves reading, reciting, and coloring the poem. He does NOT enjoy the copywork. It’s his least favorite part of Beyond so far. It takes him FOREVER to copy two sentences per day. It could be finished in 10 minutes if he tried, but it usually takes him close to 30 minutes because he procrastinates, looks around the room, asks questions, and stares off into space. <br><br></p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zjJMfBKvlGE/VIyVduwX0gI/AAAAAAAAiIY/_c82z0bJmeM/s1600-h/DSCN3257%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3257" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3257" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_I9aIZ6zfUc/VIyVeQgYKmI/AAAAAAAAiIc/QAUhqk4_X2c/DSCN3257_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="286"></a> <p>He absolutely loved illustrating the poem. Now, drawing isn’t a great talent for him, but he enjoys it! I love the thought he put into illustrating this poem. It not only matches the poem, but also the history stories we’ve read this week.<br><br></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SMboGTU33q0/VIyVes8XQGI/AAAAAAAAiIo/mzXphIP3ASw/s1600-h/DSCN3274%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3274" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0PiQRQPnlH4/VIyVfVMxG-I/AAAAAAAAiIs/2yd7PqW-Ofs/DSCN3274_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="232"></a><br>See? It’s certainly not the most beautiful drawing I’ve ever seen. It’s not going to win any awards. It’s so special to me, though, because Alex is SO excited and proud of his poetry book! (We’ve finished Beyond Unit 2 already, and he’s still just as excited.) When he’s excited about schoolwork, it makes me a happy mama! I hope he’ll continue to be proud of his work and that this book will be a great keepsake for him.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ii9Y3kUQHSA/VIyVf0WD4BI/AAAAAAAAiI4/8WNHrHxsn_Y/s1600-h/DSCN3275%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><br><br><img title="DSCN3275" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3275" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H-kA7_CXw50/VIyVgWGemyI/AAAAAAAAiI8/cg6IZNvX-vs/DSCN3275_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="305"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39OYOSOV8Ew/VIyVgj0ueBI/AAAAAAAAiN4/poTY7eYXEsA/s1600-h/artbanner.jpg"><img title="artbanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="artbanner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fXwexU4P_tc/VIyVhIG0s1I/AAAAAAAAiOA/gZpkGQID4SE/artbanner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a></p> <p align="justify">The Day 5 Bible study was to read an discuss Psalm 18:1 – 6. These verses talk about the Lord being our stronghold and our shield. We all made shields from cardboard. Alex’s had to represent what is written in the Bible verse. Max made a Captain America shield, and Jensyn made a heart-shaped shield. Fun for the whole family!</p> <p><br></p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4vzzTB1fC7Y/VIyVhVLqsCI/AAAAAAAAiJY/vfdzEzgJIkw/s1600-h/DSCN3283%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3283" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3283" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OO1hG5Gbx08/VIyViG_EglI/AAAAAAAAiJc/Xh3YWnjWqlo/DSCN3283_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="241"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nW9TxMdTJQM/VIyVibloXGI/AAAAAAAAiJo/d3aQsM00iHc/s1600-h/DSCN3284%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3284" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3284" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6BzpSBTv3B8/VIyVjNwAQhI/AAAAAAAAiJs/4YmjH94BpF0/DSCN3284_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5DXTTq-bgmc/VIyVjonKV3I/AAAAAAAAiJ4/LzVqWohfHz0/s1600-h/DSCN3285%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3285" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3285" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iGb12GbgcwQ/VIyVkKkEFXI/AAAAAAAAiJ8/kS_HKwpj7Oo/DSCN3285_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br><br></p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9cNgY1eqXk/VIyVkueJRFI/AAAAAAAAiOI/xxjRJmcREvE/s1600-h/sciencebanner.jpg"><img title="sciencebanner" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="sciencebanner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9r-XmwyVFA/VIyVk2nekCI/AAAAAAAAiOQ/2pXlrCD2Xl4/sciencebanner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="72"></a> <p>We learned about the names of the oceans, read about the oceans, and we made ocean currents by squirting water under a toy boat to watch how the boat moved from the current we made.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oNYbjCtdNV4/VIyVlRRMTAI/AAAAAAAAiKY/QtBhW7l0otc/s1600-h/DSCN3254%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3254" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3254" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YtYsg-0mIUk/VIyVl6VV22I/AAAAAAAAiKg/vPzLo9Gqcg4/DSCN3254_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="288"></a></p> <p>We read about sea creatures that the pioneers from Spain may have encountered on their journey to America. After this, we learned about how blubber keeps some sea creatures warm in the cold water. We experimented with Crisco, a plastic bag, and a big bowl of ice water. See Alex’s smile? He likes this slimy activity!<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S5eo6W8YpiM/VIyVmkhf2uI/AAAAAAAAiKo/MK1ZXEAtXJo/s1600-h/DSCN3261%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3261" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3261" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3WTSm6ErJPU/VIyVnDr_OnI/AAAAAAAAiKs/Aq_nmnUaSxE/DSCN3261_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="272"></a></p> <p><em><sup><font size="2">{Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking through this link, our family will receive a small percentage of your purchase price. Thank you!}</font></sup></em></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:771a3e20-e28d-4a4f-b26c-e09806112055" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/BLHFHG" rel="tag">BLHFHG</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Beyond" rel="tag">Beyond</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HOD+Beyond" rel="tag">HOD Beyond</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HOD" rel="tag">HOD</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Heart+of+Dakota" rel="tag">Heart of Dakota</a></div> MamaDuck76http://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.com0