Following Rabbit Trails

Alexa's "rabbit trail" is leading us back to the pioneer days. She is really enjoying the My First Little House books. We own a few of them, but we checked a TON of them out from the library. She likes to play "covered wagon" with chairs and a sheet. (Didn't you do that when you were a kid, too, mom?) I have always enjoyed Little House on the Prairie. I even had a copy of The Long Winter, but can't seem to find it so we borrowed it from the library as Taylor's current read/narrate book. She is enjoying it more than she thought she would, too. I'm thinking of doing a Little House Teatime next week (shhhh.....don't tell the girls). I have some books on hold at the library that show various crafts from that era. I think Sky will enjoy it too, but she is more into Star Wars and the 70's era. Yep, I said The 70's. The latest American Girl books are based on a girl born in 1974! Julie Albright......I might have known her. So now Skylar keeps asking me questions about mood rings, tie dye, roller skating, two-toned jeans and even Tuna Casserole, ugh! I could not stand Tuna Casserole! I had no idea it was a "70's dish". And to think I'm old enough to be a character in a historical fiction book! Ahhh!
Speaking of the library, we were in there this past week as usual. We were checking out our books and I told the librarian I had some "holds". She checked and saw my name and said, "Oh, you definitely have holds." I wasn't sure what she meant because I only reserved a few this time. She came back and said, "Wow, only 4 this week! You usually have at least 10, don't you?" I don't even know this lady, and haven't even had her the past few times, but apparently, thanks to my "hold" habits I'm known by the librarians at the checkout desk. Oh well, I guess it's not a bad thing to be known for.

Love to all!
TTFN
~Tina

Teatime for the Chair of Saint Peter

We had our teatime today. We had apple cinnamon bread (from a mix, of course), and fruit teas. I read from the Children's Bible about Jesus making Peter the head of the Church. We also said a prayer for Pope Benedict and read this coming weekend's gospel reading from the children's bulletins that we receive from mom (thanks, mom). Then I sent them off to play with Evan while I prepared the craft. I bought a kit to make decorative mini stepping stones for the yard (in honor of St. Peter...." and on this rock I shall build My Church"). So this kit was to make 4 mini stone's for your garden. I opened it up, mind you it is in the children's craft dept., and it has rubber gloves and a protective mask! I had to mix the cement mixture, then hurry up to shape it into an oval, then call the girls one at a time to do a pattern with the included colored glass rocks and mosaic tiles. They tell you it sets in under 10 minutes, so move quickly.........under 10 minutes? Try 3! The first one is a rock....with 1 sticker on it.....because we could not find Skylar. She was supposed to go first, then disappeared. So I called Taylor in, but by the time she started it was a done deal. It was already solid. Luckily this came with 4 separated packs so we were ok. Each girl did get their's done and they turned out cute. They'll look really nice once I clean up the landscaping in the spring. Next year for this feast day we'll maybe just paint river rocks for the yard. These girls love to paint!



Hope everyone is happy and healthy (or at least on the mend).
Love to all!
TTFN
~Tina

Grammar with Real Stories

I borrowed this book from the library as a way to use real books for teaching grammar. I am following Elizabeth Foss http://ebeth.typepad.com/reallearning/ at her Serendipity blog http://ebeth.typepad.com/serendipity/lively-language-lessons.html teaching Lively Language Lessons. She really has it laid out well, but I am finding I need a book of basic grammar rules. This is a great way to teach grammar, but I have to have the solid foundation to back it all up. So I ordered some books from the library and once I decide which will work best for us, I will purchase it to have on hand all the time. Here's some of what the kids have started learning......

St. Valentine's Day Teatime

St. Valentine's Day teatime on this icy day.

I read the girls one of the above books about Saint Valentine. I'll read the other one tomorrow. I explained that a lot of this was legend. We don't really know the true story for sure. Framed picture of St. Valentine with statue of Jesus, candles, heart-shaped crocheted and paper doilies.
Heart shaped banana muffins.

Creating Valentines for friends. Skylar and Spongebob (Thanks G-ma they came just in time.)

Do-it-yourself Valentines for Alexa's friends.Taylor designed her own. She definitely thinks "outside the box", but she is very creative! Don't you just love that look on her face?! I know I do. Evan was having "tea". It was actually the end of a box of wheat thins, so they were small pieces. I put them in his tea cup and gave him a spoon like everyone else and he was happy. He did not care at all for banana muffins.

Love to all!

TTFN

~Tina

Today's Co-op

Lessons of the day:

Aeronautics......



with a snack break of course,

and sharing.

Some pictures of our latest history projects.

Christopher Columbus
The book was by Edgar and Ingri D'aulaire.

Alexa's on top, Taylor's map and Skylar's timeline.

Each girl does the same lesson to a different degree. What I mean is, Alexa does coloring pages, etc, but the facts are typed up for her and we go over them as review, but she isn't expected to write anything. Skylar usually has the option of coloring or drawing, she does the maps and the writing part. I usually have it ready for her to copy. With the timeline, Alexa didn't do it, Skylar did it with my help and the info. was already printed and it became a cut and paste into the right place project. Taylor has to write the info. and make the timeline herself. Of course I am always here for questions, or at least nearby.

Mardi Gras Teatime

I hope our display of Jesus with the beads and "party" decorations doesn't seem sacrileges. It was just a fun day with Him at the center as always.

We celebrated Mardi Gras with a teatime. We touched on St. Agatha, too. I realize the two topics are at opposite ends of the spectrum, but we also talked about sacrifice with Lent beginning the next day. Daddy was home so he joined us for the brownies. He, of course, just had one. They decorated holy cards, and then made masks. These girls love to craft! I always try to have Evan down for his nap at the start of Teatime so I can read the story while it's quiet. But I let him share in the treats, which pleases him of course. And I can take him in the other room once the girls understand the craft they are to be working on. Pretty cool masks, eh?

No purple decorations on Skylar's and no yellow on Alexa's. Hard to believe two very different girls can (most of the time) get along so well.

St. Brigid Teatime

A couple of weeks ago, we had a teatime to honor St. Brigid of Ireland. We read Brigid's Cloak which is a really neat picture book. We also decorated holy cards with blue paper and stars (like on her cloak). Then the girls made their own "cloaks". They decorated T-shirts with fabric markers. I baked a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting that we colored yellow (stars) and Taylor made a green sugar crystal clover in the center. We all had a nice time. We are still working on the teatime manners, though. They tend to get "silly". Maybe it's the sugar.

I know Evan is blocking Alexa's shirt, but it is just so cute how he is hugging her!

Oh, and I took a crack at making a St. Brigid's Cross. It wasn't too hard (with internet directions) and turned out OK. I just needed more pipe cleaners. Next time I'll try it with a more natural material.

Will catch up tomorrow....hopefully.

I have lots of Teatime and schoolwork pics coming soon! As soon as the time presents itself! Right now, I need sleep.

Nighty night!