Here is a movie about John McCain! It is really worth the short time it takes to veiw it.
Click on the link below and watch the videos that come up automatically. A 1-minute video will play first, followed by a 10-minute video. The 10-minute version is incredible – he truly is a hero to the country.
It is amazing to see what his courageous service to our great country and what he endured in the war camps. The story he tells about the guard that showed some kindness without any words was amazing. Then he goes on to tell the students that...
"No matter where you are, no matter how difficult things are...
There's always gonna be someone of your faith and of your belief and of your devotion to your fellow man
who will pick you up and help you out and bring you through!" -McCain
Also said about McCain by Gov. Tim Pawlenty:
"There is a saying that says:"The best sermons aren't preached, they are lived!" Look at the life of John McCain's life and you will see a life of courage, dedication, duty, honor, character, strength, patriotism in a measure and magnitude that is epic."
Wow! Did you heard Sarah Palin’s VP speech last night at the 2008 National Republican Committee? (If not, you can find them on youtube.)
What a great candidate!
I feel John McCain’s pick for VP was very smart. She's a young 44 year old, NRA member, mother of 5, who is 100% pro-life AND supports homeschooling! Her husband, Todd, is her high school sweetheart. She's a Christian who regularly attends church and considers every child a gift from God. Sarah is in favor of drilling for oil in Alaska (ANWR) and supports the war in Iraq. She's known for cutting wasteful spending and recently vetoed more than $250 million dollars from the Alaskan state budget. Over the past two years, she has earned an 85%-94% approval rating in Alaska.
I have so much hope for her being in office. I think it would be so great for a wonderful, pro-life mother of 5 to get some good press and show the world how it can be done. She knows her stuff and could do so much good in this world.
She didn’t exactly seek out this role and as Glenn Beck said “CAN YOU IMAGINE...SHE WAS A HOCKEY MOM/PTA MOM JUST MONTHS AGO? THEN SHE'S NOMINATED FOR SMALL TOWN MAYOR? THEN... BIG STEP...SHE'S NOMINATED TO GOVENOR... THEN SHE SUDDENLY GETS A PHONE CALL FROM McCAIN ASKING HER TO BE VICE PRESIDENT?CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE? "
But, yes she is a mom! I feel (from what I have seen, trying to do some research) that she still did a good job in her role of wife and mother. She wasn’t perfect, but who is?
Everyone that is going to bash her for not staying home with her children, needs to then criticize all working mothers as well. I am not willing to do that.Yet... I do struggle with her not being at home for her children. Some say she is selling her family short by accepting this nomination.
There are homeschooling moms that work from home even and many moms that stay home but they don’t actually spend much time with their children within their homes. Those that say Palin is sacrificing her family, I don’t think I can go there. She has raised some great ALL-American children that seem to have good values and a good foundation laid. They make mistakes like the rest of us but they seem to handle these things wisely.
Many politicians and their families have much worse things happen yet these things are never in the media. Why is that? Al Gore’s son was arrested during term for driving while intoxicated but it never was made a big deal. Driving while drunk or on drugs is a huge deal in my book so why didn’t these same people, scrutinize this!
As far as her pregnant teen daughter, many most politicains would have made encouraged their child to get an abortion and then no one would know. How horrific! Sarah Palin would never even think of doing such a thing!
When a child makes a decision you wouldn’t chose for them, does that make you a bad parent? If so, then we are all in that boat. We just don't have perfect children. Children have their own wills. Even as Christian parents, we pray for and guide our children the best we can, according to the guidelines in the Bible. Then we are there for them no matter what. If they make a wrong decision, we do the best we can. The other side may have aborted the pregnancy. This family would NEVER do that. The daughter could have compounded the first sin with an abortion, and no one would have known but God, and the family. Then this could have appeared lily white in front of the nation. The fact that she didn't says something to me about her strength of character, and the depth of her Christian conviction.
I hope she can do it all and show them- show the world how great moms can multi-task and still do a lot of roles WELL! That is my hope. I hope she does win and brings her voice of logic and reason, of how the normal family lives and the struggles we face daily, into the world of politics. She will have more opportunities being in the oval office and she can find more ways to accomplish her duties while still being there for her children. There will be times she needs a babysitter/other family member for the children but you know we all do this!
If we don’t vote people into office with families that-- have family values like us, then how can we expect to have someone there making the decisions we want made! Yes, I would prefer it be a man there but with exactly the same values and accomplishments. There isn’t a man for the spot though and she was chosen. She has every view most of us Christian homeschooling moms want to vote for. If she was a man – we’d never hesitate. And yes, I hesitate slightly too but I am hopeful she will be able to do all these roles and pray that she will just keep looking to the Lord. I hope she will succeed in all the roles she has been given! Mothers have a way of getting things done, while still being loving; having a soft and loving touch yet still standing strong! So I say- go Sarah Palin… Go John McCain. But I will be praying for you and hoping you make wise decisions!
Another blogger said it so wonderfully, I am just going to quote her because I couldn’t have said it any better!
"Folks, we are running out of time. Perhaps in 30 years, after everyone with large, homeschooling families have raised their children and their children have children that are of voting age, perhaps this country will be able to elect only godly men to political office, and make over this nation in the image of its Founders to whom the godly mandate to subdue the land and pursue life, liberty and property ownership was the essence of their vision of a free nation under God. But if Barack Obama is elected and able to put into practice his policies which are guided by principles he learned being a disciple of Saul Alinsky (who by the way dedicated his book, Rules For Radicals to Satan), then that opportunity likely will never come to godly families in this nation. His policies will set this nation back so far it may never recover. Furthermore, is not the voice of millions of aborted babies’ blood crying out to the Lord from this nation? Would we not be guilty, those of us who vote for Obama or a third party candidate who hasn’t a prayer of winning, of having blood on our hands? Are we going to get so hung up on finding some kind of fault with Mrs. Palin or Mr. McCain that we abdicate our responsibility and give the enemy an opportunity to take some more blood? Can someone please, anyone, give me the wisdom in this?
As for Mrs. Palin, a Christian woman, a mother of 5 children, a wife who admires her husband more than anyone else in this world, well, is it just possible that she is doing the will of God? Let us look at Judges 4 and 5 at the account of Deborah. As a general background, the book of Judges records the accounts of Israel’s deterioration after the death of Joshua and its failure to complete the conquest of Canaan. During these times the people go through cycles of oppression and deliverance, lack of faith in God and lack of obedience to Him and drift eventually into moral depravity. The male leaders are failing to lead the nation, and allow compromises and adopt the pagan practices of Canaan. The judges are the military and civil leaders during this period, and Deborah happens to be one of them. How she got to her position we are not told. We know she is a wife, and we know she is a mother. Here is an example of how God used a righteous woman to move reluctant men to obedience to His commands, for the sake of the nation. Read Judges 4:1-9”
Palin is like many of us moms, and how many times do we say we’d like to knock some sense into politicians?.... where here she is.. I think Sarah Palin is the sense that many politicians need!
She is a mother and loves her husband. She has hurdles to jump in life like the rest of us.
She is in the media now and gets criticized on everything. She can handle herself very well and we NEED her there! She isn’t afraid to say GOD bless America and tell everyone that she prays.
Here is what she said about her son who was born with down syndrome:
In a letter she e-mailed to relatives and close friends Friday after giving birth, Palin wrote, "Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this." She wrote it in the voice of and signed it as "Trig's Creator, Your Heavenly Father."
"Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world you live in down there on Earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome," Palin wrote.
As for people who think a baby like Trig shouldn't even be born, look around, the governor wrote. Who is perfect or even normal?
We need a good team in office and there is no doubt in my mind McCain * Palin is a great team. What one may lack, the other makes up for.
We have a strong, patriotic war HERO (I don’t use that word too often because too often is a title given too easily). He isn’t afraid of dealing with our enemy and has experience in enduring through great difficulties. That builds character!! Sarah Palin loves children and loves her family. She has family values and values the gift of life. She knows the oil business and she gets things done! She isn't afraid to go up against the Giants! Here is a mother that can multi-task and I feel she is doing a good job- no, I didn’t say she is perfect but she is trying to do a great job with all her many roles!
You are an American citizen and you have the right to vote for whoever you wish. You should look at all candidates and find out about them, but not from those "special interest" groups or just the media. Do your own research and try to find the facts! Find the BEST candidate for the job! These are the things I found during some of my recent research!
If you choose to leave a comment, please do not bash others or leave mean outlashes of emotional hype! Thank you!
Many of you that read blogs here at homeschoolblogger regularly, I am sure have read about this sad story. I have had it on my mind and heart and have been praying for them. Please pray for them as well...
Marsha is like many of us moms on homeschoolblogger, a wife, mother, teacher, blogger, friend, and much more. We have a bond in our similarities and a closeness as we share our journeys with each other through our blogs- windows into our lives.
Marsha's sweet little 3 yro.old boy went home to be with the Lord this past week after an accidental drowning in a lake behind their home.
I know this mommy’s heart now aches to teach her little boy this year, yearns to kiss his cheek and tuck him in. The things we take for granted everyday (to some degree), she is missing painfully. Marsha, your sweet child is in peace with God above-- yet I pray for your aching heart and your family! I would think it would be too hard right now to look back as the memories still bring sadness instead of joy. Looking forward is just as hard as so much is missing. So… my pray for now is that you will Be Still and let the Lord take care of you and David and your two oldest boys, giving you the peace in knowing that He is also caring for your youngest. In Christ, there are no goodbyes!
Think of the gifts that Christian gave you; his hugs, smiles and love, his favorite things and funny faces. Each day you had with him is a gift and… in Christ, there are no goodbyes. Hold on to the promise that someday you will be with him again. And, know we are all praying with you!
Previously on my blog, I blogged about the Chapman family and their recent and tragic accident, which sent their youngest daughter home to be with the Lord. This is like something the son said....
but I thought too, Marsha, you are your family can honor Christian by honoring the One who gave Christian to you!
Also as Steven Curtis Chapman said about how the Lord leaves little breadcrumbs in the journey of life for us to find...
When I read you found Christian's loved blankie, I thought of how that is a breadcrumb from the Lord for you. You have the blankie that Christian loved so much and maybe it can bring you comfort.
So many of us are praying for you... I hope you feel the prayers!
Here is a song for you!
I will carry you to Jesus, He is everything you need!
I will carry you to Jesus on my bended knees!
Anyone wishing to send a note of encouragement to this family:
Cards or Correspondence can be mailed to:
David and Marsha Drews
c/o Rachel Harris
12830 N. Cypress Lane
Tomball, TX 77377
A lot of the links I have found lately that I wanted to save are either ideas for homemade Christmas gifts or school-related links. So.. this edition of Noteworthy Tidbits is going to have a School theme.
Something I didn't learn growing up or in home-ec class was how to can foods. I wanted to try it this year and then teach my girls. I got peaches and collected equipment to give this a try but ... a few unexpected things have come my way that are more important so, we will do this next year and the peaches will get frozen this year! Anyway... Here are two great links for those starting out in canning!
Here is the best site for fun with spelling words, SpellingCity ... just type in your spelling list and have fun studying the words with word scrambles, word seaches, and games!!
Here are some for algebra... a new subject in our homeschooling recently!
Algebra Basics. Pick a problem you want to see solved. It will show you and tell you (visual and audible learning!)
This site has great tutorials. The name is a bit dumb though (Math for morons like us.-- I don't think so!- I wouldn't call anyone a moron- great, easy-to understand info though!)
Here are a few things for ...
Watch this movie for a great and simple learning tool anyone can make. My tots are going to love these! So simple and clever- I love it! Alpabuddies will make an appearance in our home soon!
Now if you want to join in on this and post some of your own Noteworthy Tidbits, please sign in with Mr linky! You can also grab the logo here and add it to your post! (Please link back to this post!)
We've missed posting our Tot School for a few weeks. My computer took a vacation (to the maufacturer's for a fixing under warranty). We have also been really busy. Tot School learning has continued, I just haven't had the time to take as many photos or to post them without my computer.
Here is this week plus a little catch-up:
As I said before, we are finishing off our basement ourselves. It's been a lot of work, fun , and family working together. Here is a little peek: (We are on the floor and ceiling now.)
Last week, we went to the free summer movie: Veggie Tales, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. It was a fun adventure as we usually watch our movies at home! The movie was really good! (Sorry the photo is blurry. I couldn't get it better in the dark movie theater and didn't want those around me getting upset with my constant camera noises)
We also had another new adventure! It was "Peanut"s first dentist visit. Our dentist does something called kid's day where he only sees kids and has a theme with FUN and prizes. Guess what the theme was!
Yes ... PIRATES. He got to dress up, get a free bag of loot and a free (shaved) italian ice. He entered a drawing and won a Fisher Price little pirate boat. What an awesome adventure. The dentist visit was a huge success. He sat and did exactly as they told him and didn't seem scared at all!
On a day last week, we spent time outside. They played with an inflatable hoover disk (a great $1.00 Store toy. Even though it doesn't last long, it provides a good bit of fun while it lasts!)
Then they did a little swinging...
...and had a picnic!...
They especially liked the sandwiches cut in cookie cutter shapes!
Another day, we did some "Paint with Water" books. A great way to let them paint with little mess!
There was some of this...
... and a little of this...
This picture was taken at our church's annual Corn Roast. It is a wonderful outdoor picnic where the gospel message is preached (by a campfire) after an evening of great fun- all outdoors!
This Christian comedian really had me laughing HARD! I wouldn't say he is proper but he is so-o-o funny! The funniest thing for me is I did shop at Dress Barn before. (I actually really like the dress I bought there too!)
I recently saw this neat idea for a journal jar and hope to make some. I can prepare it in one sitting and then not worry later on when I need more prompts, etc. It will be ready to go when my children are ready. Plus it can be a self-led activity.
I think it would be a great gift as well. I thought it would be even neater and more "my thing" if I changed it a bit and made it a Sketchbook jar. The prompts would be ideas of what to draw in a sketchbook. Once the jars are made up I can put a small/medium sized sketchbook with it for a unique homemade gift!
I made the prompts into labels to place inside the jar! The artist can just pull out a piece of paper, glue it on the page and start to draw. The label could be placed on the actual drawing page (in a corner) or placed on the back of the page. I hope to include a space for them to add the date as well. The prompts could even be printed out on sticker paper so they can just simpy be stuck onto the sketchbook page!
Here is my list of sketchbook ideas:
Draw a picture of an opened umbrella, make the print or design on the umbrella anything you'd like. (if possible, get an umbrella and place open in front of you!)
If there would be life on another planet... draw a city on that planet
Draw a scene of something you can remember from your earlier childhood.
Draw a scene from an airplane window.
Draw a sandcastle.
Draw a view of something placed under a magnifying glass.
Design a piece of furniture that is made using only circles
Draw a vessel that you could travel in to go around the world.
Draw a piece of sculpture to be placed in a beautiful garden. (Once happy with your sculpture, maybe find some clay and try to sculpt it.)
Pretend you are an architect and just got a job to design a dog house for the King or president's pet pup.
Make a design using only words on your page.
Look closely at a leaf and draw it.
Start by writing a large number in the center of your page. Now, make it into a drawing of anything you wish
You started a new business as a child entrepreneur, draw your company's logo.
Think of something that bothers you that you wish you could improve within our world. Make a poster to get others to agree and help you change this problem.
Play your favorite music. Draw a picture that expresses how this music makes you feel as you listen.
Draw a small section of your room. (Once done possibly hang this picture right at the section of your room!)
Draw something floating in water.
Find a quote, verse or famous saying you like. Write it on your paper and then draw around the quote expressing the mood you feel from this saying.
Draw what you think your home might look like in the future if you could design it just how you would like.
Draw a new method of transportation.
Draw an open egg and something coming out of the egg (for extra fun, you could even glue cleaned egg shell pieces to your drawing)
Think of an interesting movie you'd like to see. Now, draw a costume that you might see someone wearing in this movie.
Draw a road to an imaginary land.
Lie down on your floor and draw something you see from that perspective.
Draw the clouds.
Draw yourself as a robot.
Draw your favorite tree in your yard.
Draw what it might look like inside a tornado.
Draw a dream you have for the future.
Draw yourself on your wedding day.
Draw something you miss about being younger.
Draw something within your favorite hobby.
Draw a place that is special to you.
Find a cupboard in your home, open the door and draw what you find inside. (Look for an interesting arrangement).
Draw a close-up of a doorknob or a key.
Draw an animal sleeping.
Design a new postage stamp.
Think of your page as a piece of stationery or a greeting card, draw the design for it.
Draw a family heirloom.
Draw your reflection from a mirror but do so with an expression on your face.
Draw a circus scene.
Crumple up one piece of newspaper, then open once again. Lay it on a table then draw it.
Draw a still-life of popped popcorn.
Draw a pair of shoes.
Start a puzzle. Stop working on the puzzle with pieces laying around it. Draw this scene.
Draw a window and the scene outside of it.
Draw how you think you will look when you grow up.
Draw something that makes you laugh.
Draw the world's most awesome playground.
Draw four different things that have are the shape of a triangle.
Draw what you might see inside a cave.
Draw a scene of what it might be like if you could sit on a cloud.
Sit on the floor draw something you see when you look up.
Draw a shelf like you'd see in a toy store.
Draw a picture of your favorite book.
Draw a still-life of fruit. (add colors but not the actual colors of the fruit in real life).
Find something you can make an impression/rubbing of. Place the item under your paper and rub a pencil or crayon over top the paper until the rubbing is made. Draw a picture around this rubbing using it as part of your drawing.
Draw a pile of something, like a pile of toys, a pile of buttons, etc.
I just wanted to keep my list here and add to it as I think of things.. I thought maybe others might like this idea especially if you are looking for things to make as gifts for birthdays or holidays coming up! I know I have a long list of gifts I'd love to make for others and will soon start to work on them with my children.
I am sure I mentioned here before that I like to be organized! (It doesn't mean I always am but I try!).
Here is a wonderful planner! It will help not just in organization of our homes and schools, but it is also full of charts, lists, articles, helpful information and good recipes. I was very impressed with The Schoolhouse Planner. It goes above and beyond any other planner I've seen before.
The Schoolhouse Planner is delivered electronically so it arrives quickly and I love that I can add our scheduled events and it's always there within my computer. I can also print it out. I see myself printing a copy for a binber, one for our car, my purse, the kids, and even one for my hubby.
There are forms for schooling like planning and recording sheets, an objectives page, a curriculum list, discipleship and Bible memorization, books read list, crafts completed, loan and borrow materials list, field trips, extracurricular activities, nature journal page, a science lab sheet and much more! How amazing!
Then... there are the household forms like a grocery list, monthly and weekly menu planners, chore charts, garden pages, address book, prayer and Bible reading, budget pages and again much more.
Plus, there are all the extras between each month too! For instance there is a list of days to celebrate reminding me of Daylight savings time and all the holidays including Grandparents Day. I was pleasantly surprised to find some tasty (yet simple) recipes. I will also go to this planner when looking for a Timeline of Inventions, artists, composers, Countries with their capitals, states and their capitals, Kitchen conversions, Tips for Teaching Writing and many other great articles.
So I guess you can tell this is a very extensive planner. It would be nice for anyone but is especially great for the homeschooling mom so... go check it out Here!
While you are shopping, you may want to check out The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. It is a wonderful resource for any homeschooling family. Its pages are full of articles, product advertisements and information, plus much encouragement and inspiration from homeschoolers just like you!
No matter how you choose to homeschool or how many students you have, I am sure you will find many tips, ideas and/or encouraging helps within this great publication. What could be better? Well, the fact that you can now subscribe to the digital version and it will come to your inbox to be downloaded! Once in your computer, you can read at your leisure, and it will always be just a click away and not lost in a pile of other magazines. Another neat thing within this magazine is that any website address printed within the magazine, whether in an article or an advertisement, has a link right to the site. You just click on the address and it takes you right to the website. That is very convenient! I love this great feature. This magazine is a great resource for the homeschooling family!
I just watched the 6 part series of when the Chapman family was interviewed on Larry King Live.
Steven Curtis Chapman, grammy-winning Christian contemporary singer whose songs are touching and powerful has faced a horrible family loss and struggle. In May, one of his sons accidentally ran over their youngest adopted daughter. Yet through it all they stayed strong in their faith, growing in their faith and now sharing their faith to try to win souls for the Lord as hard as it may be for them. I really love how Steven explains some of this- his feelings and the way he deals with it all, etc. Their family support is inspiring when so often in this world the family is not given its level of true importance, this story shows how important the love of your family is! Family is a wonderful gift that God has given to us!
It's worth the time to veiw it. It's so inspiring. Grab some tea, watch the interview then grab a family member and give them a hug!
Here is the 6 part series:
Here things they said that are such sweet reminders of our purpose and of the goodness of God in ALL times!
The older son, Caleb said that they honor Maria by honoring the One who gave Maria to them! He says he wants to live his life not being ashamed of what he's been created to do- share the gospel and right now by sharing Maria's story he can spread the gospel to others.
A question was asked about something Steven previously said about "little breadcrumbs in our journey of life". He explains that the breadcrumbs are little reminders that God leaves us here on Earth to let us know that He's there and he cares. I love the breadcrumbs the Lord leaves in my life. They often give me chills, smiles and so very often make me stop and say "Thank you" to the Lord above. Recently I read a review on something and thought how nice that item would be to have, never thinking of it again really, until at a yard sale and there is was. God placed it right in front of me! A breadcrumb and a gift from Him!
Our God is an awesome God! May those around us that do not know God but know us, come to know God by knowing us!
This is something new I am starting to do here on my blog!
I am a fairly organized person! I have lists all over the place and notebooks full of ideas. I have two huge binders filled with ideas from magazines, library books, etc. I like to have a place for everything and I try to keep everything in its place (once we are finished using it). It isn't always easy but I try. I find that organization gives me peace. If an area/room is organized, you can find what you need when you need it-- saving time, energy and reducing stress. Just looking at a huge mess is stressful.
I found though that I wasn't able to easily keep all the good ideas I find online. I started printing some of them and adding them to my idea/craft notebooks but wanted something simpler. So I decided that I would keep them all here within posts that I call Noteworthy Tidbits. This way I can come back into these posts and get the particular link I am looking for. That project I saw last week won't go unforgotten any longer (I hope!). Enjoy the links! If you would like to do this too, let me know in a comment. If there is a lot of interest, I will try to put a Mr. Linky onto a future Noteworthy Tidbit entry.
I printed some of these paterns for button cards! So cute! Just add buttons. I will go to this link often to make stationery sets! Make about 6 buttons cards, stack them and tie with a bow. A great gift!
Another great gift idea: Lovin' From the Oven plus a cute and clever presentation: Individual Pies in a jar!
This link gives me a great idea to try to make these really neat 3D silhouette placemats. Having that dainty detail in the corner of a placemat would just make anyone eating there happy (I think!).
I am refinishing an old desk to put in my girl's room to be used as a vanity or work area. I thought this patchwork decoupage idea would be so whimsical to do to the top of the desk. Then I just need to find some cool new knobs!
A neat idea for homemade Christmas gifts: I think the older kids would enjoy making these Ice Candles with me, too!
Another great homemade gift idea: Here is a video that shows how to make this Year in Review Scrap-Lap book! I love this for the kids! (It even encourages them to write more and practice neat handwriting since it will be a keepsake item!)
The last two things are things I hope to incorporate into our Tot School soon:
Here is a neat color rainbow made from scrap paper. Simple but fun and a great assignment for learning/revewing colors.
Princess Streamers: Our ribbon wands are getting worn out and broken so we might just have to make these: Simple and so lovely!
Hi everyone! I hope to have some new posts soon. I have a lot of good things in the works but..
My computer decided to take ANOTHER vacation! This is the second time we had to send it back in for work to be done on it (while under warranty). Ugh! Things are much harder and take longer when not done on your own computer, etc. so I may be doing a double Tot School next week.. plus lots of great things I've been wating to post will be up as soon as I can get back on my computer. (I estimate a week!)
They say my computer will take High priority since it is the second fix, etc. ... We'll see!
This past week we had Vacation Bible School (VBS) at our church. I am the craft leader along with one other leader. So... I was quite busy. We do not use pre-bought kit crafts. We come up with our own things and try to make them good take-home useable items! We open it for Free to ages 3 to 14. "Peanut" was part of VBS. "Precious" was my little shadow helper! Each night they did a craft and played outside. Peanut also learn a verse each night and listened to the lessons on Jonah's Journey with his age group (and group leaders).
Besdies VBS, we did a few things for Tot School...
We had some outside fun one day with Bubbles!
"Precious" caught one on her arm!
Then we played a round of golf:
"Precious" took a turn too. No one won.. except the heat. We stopped and headed inside. It was just TOO HOT outside. I think they will really enjoy this activitiy though another day when it is less humid.
Another Day, "Precious" joined in the Fun while I was painting my oldest daughter's nails. She got her toenails painted too. She was so cute!
I guess this activity wasn't TOO educational but we did review the color PINK! Also it is a good life skill for a young lady!
It was a fun mother/daughters time!
She likes her pink toenails. She was so cute showing the ladies at VBS!
Another day, we had to go to a hardware store with daddy. We found ourselves waiting while daddy was looking for and finding exactly what he needed in one part of the store.
While we were waiting we saw this display:
Since we are potty training, this was pretty appropriate and we COUNTED the potties!
One, Two, Three Potty- Four Five Six Potty! - My counting Cutie!
Then we moved onto COLORS:
We gathered the Free sample paint cards in all the rainbow colors plus pink, brown, gray, white, and black. We reviewed them until dad was ready. I hope to use them to make a simple colors book for them! What a great FREE colors lesson. They had FUN when usually these trips are pretty boring and/or exhausting! Peanut even got to ride with a COOL tube in the back of the cart.
Then on the way home we watched one of these movies I got at the Dollar Store. They are great for each a buck!
This week has been hard for me to get my Tot School post done. We have VBS this week and I am the craft leader along with one other lady. We don't do kit crafts. We come up with and buy everything for each of our crafts. We try to make really great take-home gifts that are also inexpensive (buying things on clearance.) Having something every evening has kept me from getting a lot done yet it has been wonderful seeing so many kids learning about the Lord and having a great time, too! (I'll try to post some of our crafts later on!)
So here is last week's tot school...
We tried a clothespin relay. They liked it but it was harder for the youngest to work the clothespin.
I just put a variety of small toys in one tub and had them transfer them to an empty tub at the other side of the room!
Since the clothespin was too hard for "Precious" to work, I switched them to plastic kitchen scoops. They both then had a lot of fun!
They did this for quite awhile especially my little girl. They kept going back and forth from tub to tub. Simple but fun!
Then they played this game...
It is a fishing (magnetic game)
Another day, "Precious" enjoyed watering (misting, really) my outdoor flowers pots while I grilled supper. I use the spray bottle of water at the grill just in case the flames get high. She loved using it over at the flowers.
We had a game of Cranium's Balloon Lagoon!
Then I DID get our sand box set up...
...and they had a great time playing in it.
We also picked lots of raspberries! (Anyone have a good raspberry recipe? I'd love it!)
If you want to see what other participant's did in their Tot School, click here!
Summer time is a great time to continue or begin our ministry of hospitality. I am ready to start hosting families more regularly. I love the times we have with others when we have families into our home for supper, games, or just sitting and chatting!
Summer is a great season, a wonderful time for sipping lemonade on the porch with a friend or hosting a cookout, tea parties, picnics, and what better time to sit by the garden! As homeschooler moms we can extend our hospitality to having moms and their kids over for lunch. (Stick supper in the crockpot for your family- then enjoy your time with your friends with no fuss or rush)
Hospitality isn't just fun though it teaches us and our children many great lessons!
"An open heart is an essential ingredient for hospitality. An open heart will bring about an open door in an open home. It is not the food or the house that makes hospitality. It is the heart."
2 Cor 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
"I am convinced that if we learn to open our hearts and our homes in a sweet, simple way, we can reach far more people for the Master and lift many more burdens than the church at large is presently doing. If we must wait until the house is perfectly cleaned, or the budget can stretch to make an elaborate meal we will miss many, wonderful opportunities. The stay-at-home mother can be a missionary in her own home if she learns a few valuable lessons from the Master. Jesus met people wherever they were and served them there with out any fanfare. He gave what he had even if it was only fish and bread."
As much as I like creative set-ups and themes, I realize this is not necessary and must not be a prerequisite to hosting. Lovely settings and things are nice but not necessary. Sometimes we may have them if time permits and other times things may need to stay simple.
By trying to keep up with the housework as much as possible we will be able to be better prepared when an opportunity is in front of us. This doesn’t mean the house must be perfect. As long as it doesn’t look like a tornado hit or totally dirty, as this may make your guests feel uncomfortable. This is when order, organization, simplicity and chores help out a lot.
Another aspect of being hospitable is that your children learn to give, to share and to minister to others, if you do it willingly. Involve your children in the preparation teachng them along the way. They will learn lessons from the kitchen about more than just food prep...
and table setting... but also how to better love others (that is if we use this time to be with our children teaching them and allowing them to help where they can.)
It is so easy to give in to the temptation to grumble and complain about the extra work and the burden of needing to provide for others. Perhaps that is why Peter sagely advises us, “...Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
This is a lesson I need to work on. I sometimes get caught up in trying to have everything as perfect as I can. When really, I do need to work on having the meal and home ready but more so work on having my heart ready. This is what I was forgetting in the past- taking the time to pray with the Lord. He will then stay with me to help me. An author challenged me by saying that she takes a bit of time to go aside and prepare her heart for her guests. When she prays for them and for help to minister to their needs she finds that things go so much better."
"A Christian home in today’s world is a miracle that must be shared. When we give in Jesus’ name He sanctifies our simple gift of love and our kitchen table becomes an altar where fires are lighted that burn in other’s souls. We can share the Bread of Life and the Living Water while we share our meal and fellowship"
" And last, but not least, your hospitality must begin at home. Our children and husbands deserve the same grace and the same love that we extend to others. We greet a guest with a warm welcome. Our children however, are often welcomed with, “take off your muddy boots, or pick up your toys immediately.” They need to do these things but we need to temper our commands with sweetness and love. Kindness and respect for our own families every day is a prerequisite for true hospitality. Like the statement “Charity begins at home,” so does hospitality.
May it be said of us, as we serve our brothers and sisters in Christ....“ “...they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” 1 Cor 16:15
On a fun note:
Keep a guest book/ journal! Have it out so guests can sign it. It is so simple yet a fun keepsake to look back through and see who was there when. The guest(s) can put their address down for easy contact and the comments are fun to read and to remember the time(s) you spent together.
Most quotes, other than the Bible verses were taken from a wonderful article entitled An Open Heart and Home by Rachel Weaver. I have no idea who she is but she wrote a lovely article. You can read her whole article at this blog, Hidden Creek Homestead. The segments I used were the noteworthy tidbits I wanted to remember!
The flower arrangement in the back was store bought!
I saw the idea in the magazine Everyday with Rachael Ray. I changed it a bit by collecting an assortment of glasses, different sizes and shapes and arranged them together. (The original idea was just one glass). Single ones may be nice spaced out around the table but I like the arragement for the center. I hope to do this at an upcoming tea party (garden theme) I plan to have for our sewing teacher.
It is so simple and easy yet looks so nice. Just collect some glasses and small serving cups. Cut fresh flowers from your garden that you feel would fit in the glass well. Turn the glass up-side-down on top of the flower. Place a candle on the top.
Sep. 5, 2008 • 11:11 AM
My computer took a vacation (to the maufacturer's for a fixing under warranty). We have also been really busy. Tot School learning has continued, I just haven't had the time to take as many photos or to post them without my computer.
(I actually really like the dress I bought there too!)
This is the second time we had to send it back in for work to be done on it (while under warranty). Ugh! Things are much harder and take longer when not done on your own computer, etc. so I may be doing a double Tot School next week.. plus lots of great things I've been wating to post will be up as soon as I can get back on my computer. (I estimate a week!)
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