Back in September I went to the Denver Gem and Mineral Show. The focus this year was fossils. I was in fossil, gem and rock heaven. The competition display cases showed beautiful pieces of ancient life - ammonites, dinosaur eggs, corals, leaves, petrified woods, clams. Each piece told a story.
One of the vendors was selling Fossil Grab Bags. Who can resist a grab bag? I couldn't. I bought some for my kids so they could take them home to see what they have and then try to identify them. Between you and me, I wanted the grab bags for me, but I was a good mother/homeschooler and let my kids play with them first.
The kids opened their bags, and grabbed my fossil books and went to work. I was pretty impressed as to what the bags held. In them were some bones, shark teeth, petrified wood, rodent teeth, ammonites, clams, shells, gastropods and other goodies.
I'm usually excited about Thanksgiving each year. Family, friends, fun and fabulous food is something to look forward to. This year it's not the same. It may be because I haven't focused on the what to do's and what to makes. The only thing we've done around here is started Thanksgiving journals. Maybe over the weekend I'll get more excited about the whole thing. I could make some pumpkin bars and some eggnog bread.. that might help my mood.
I think we'll do a family craft together. We've done one when my eldest two where younger. Now that I have five children it will be more fun.
We'll make a Thanksgiving tree.
I'll cut out a tree base out of construction paper and then all my children, my hubbs and I can cut out a bunch of our traced hands in fall colors, and then glue them to the tree.
I think it'll look real neat this year with all the different sized hands.
What about you? Do you do any family crafts together?
I have had this blog since June of 2005, way back when homeschoolblogger was in beta. I was invited by two dear friends, ByHisGraceInColorado and HomegrownHearts and became hooked. For three years I blogged almost daily or at least three to four days a week. I had many readers and I met a lot of neat like-minded folks. This year was different. I didn't have the energy. I spent my days drained and even though I had creative learning ideas to share I would sit here and stare at my computer. The words just could not flow out the way they used to.
That is changed! I am back. I have my energy back and I feel great!
I haven't thought much about Thanksgiving this year. We will be going over to my grandmothers home. I'm supposed to make mashed potatoes and eggnog bread.
Kids learning: I started my two eldest on Time4Learning. I figure it will give them something different to do plus it will give me a bit more time to focus on my little ones. I have two more that are learning to read.
I'll let you know what my kids think of time4learning in a few weeks when they've been doing it for a while. The nice thing about it is there are no contracts and we can go month to month.
Here are a few of the Thanksgiving journal prompts I have come up with for my children. I will continue to add to these throughout this month. Enjoy.
What is the definition of Thanksgiving? Write it in your journal along with what it means to you?
Today I am Thankful for...
Look up Psalm 69:30 and write it in your journal. What do you think it means to "magnify Him with thanksgiving?"
Describe your favorite Thanksgiving meal?
Plan a menu for Thanksgiving day. Include recipes. If you can't find a recipe, ask me (mom) to help you find it.
Write about your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
What is something you don't like and why? Should you still be thankful for it?
Has been a long time posting.
I am reorganizing here :) Have a new header and such.
I plan to devote this blog to teaching and homeschooling ideas.
Speaking of which . . . two resources you are going to love!!
Autumn Treasures - we still have beautiful foliage here--so still a great time to do this unit study/lapbook!
