Harmony Academy - Homeschool Blogger

Dance!

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 22:06:00 -0500

Our church Praise Dance Team made its debut appearance last night. We were at a World Impact Gathering for missionaries and Church plants. I was soooooo proud of all of them. This is a picture of their final pose. They will perform for the first time at our church on Easter Sunday.

Happy Birthday!!

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:53:00 -0600

Happy Birthday!! Our eldest daughter has hit double digits!! She chose China as her theme this year and we had a great time celebrating together.

A Little Fun...

Sat, 3 Jan 2009 23:53:00 -0600

I saw this fun little activity on another blog, and so I thought I would give it a whirl...

Find your new name...

1. Witness Protection Name (mother's and father's middle names): Sue Wayne

2. NASCAR Name (first name of your mother's dad and father's dad): Lloyd Alfred

3. Star Wars Name (first three letters of your last name, two of your first): Gra-je

4. Detective Name (favorite color, favorite animal): Pink Butterfly

5. Soap Opera Name (middle name, city where you were born): Joy Mansfield

6. Superhero Name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink, add "the" to the beginning): The Green Dr. Pepper

7. Fly Girl/Guy Name (1st two letters of your first name, last two of your last): Jent

8. Gangsta Name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie): Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip

9. Rock Star Name (first pet's name, childhood street name): Ginger Warren

This was pretty funny...I think I'll have the kids try it!

Snow in So. Cal!

Fri, 2 Jan 2009 00:54:00 -0600

Now this is what I love about Southern California! It was 68 degrees at our house so we bundled up, drove 2 hours and got to play in the snow!!! What a blast!!!

Happy New Year!!

Fri, 2 Jan 2009 00:44:00 -0600

Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to 2009!!! We had a great New Year's Eve...we went to a family bowling night and our youngest 3 got to bowl for the first time..."glow in the dark bowling" none the less!! (That's where they got all the party gear they are sporting in the picture!) Then we came home to play games and eat snacks until midnight when our neighborhood lit up with fireworks like the noon day sun was shining! The next morning I commented to my eldest that our dog didn't even whine during all the gunshots and fireworks...and he said, "I guess he's just gotten used to it." So Titan (our dog) and all the rest of us had a great night! This morning we watched the Rose Bowl parade and part of the game. What a relaxing fun time! We missed Daddy (He's on a youth group trip) and Papa and Gramma who couldn't be with us this year...but all in all we started the year off in a great fashion!

Mmmmm...yummy...

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:25:00 -0600

The fudge is on the counter cooling, the peanut butter squares are in the fridge chilling, and the nuts and bolts (Chex Mix) are baking in the oven. I just love the smells of Christmas! This was our 2nd big baking day...so I'll post some pix from our first baking day a few weeks ago when we made peanut butter squares (yes, we devoured them all...that's why we're making more), chocolate snickerdoodles, mint cremes, peppermint candy canes and chocolate chip cookies. It's so fun to have everyone baking at the same time...we made goodies...and good memories.

From Our 'Hood to Yours...MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:10:00 -0600

Merry Christmas!!

Aren't they precious angels!!?? Actually, this is the last picture I took at the end of all our nice, smiley, posed shots. I shouted, "OK, be silly!!" and this is what they all did spontaneously. I guess they really have become Third Culture Kids. It made me laugh so much that I put it first...but I have also included the "Aren't they so precious!!" pictures as well, because...well...they are precious...

Merry Christmas!!!!

Power House Christmas Party!

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:52:00 -0600

Last Friday we had a blast hosting a Christmas party for the adults in our church. What an amazing fun time! First we went caroling around our neighborhood. We sounded pretty good by the last house!! Then the kids went to their party at the church (Thank you volunteers!) while the adults headed to our home. Everyone brought a snack to share...and the food was yummy.

We divided into 2 teams and gave each a bag of wrapping paper, tape and bows with which they had to create an angel (Team #1) and a Christmas tree (Team #2). Here are the results! (Pretty great don't you think?!)

Our tree enjoyed her costume so much that she wore it home...walking 4 blocks!

The other contest was "Building a Gingerbread House." Here are the final products....along with a few action shots!

How sweet is fellowship in the family of God...especially when we are celebrating the most amazing gift of all time...our Messiah!

Christmas at Power House

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:22:00 -0600

During December we have had some special events at our Power House, our church. Two Sundays ago, we held our 3rd Annual Bethlehem Breakfast...except this year it was a brunch, and instead of the traditional pancakes and sausage, we served pancakes and fried chicken. (The chicken was donated by another church!) Everyone enjoyed the menu change!

After breakfast we had an interactive play. One person is randomly selected from each table to play a role in the Christmas story. Each table is given a bag full of props to create the costume for their character. When they hear their character named during the narration, they come forward to act out their part. This year one of our children drew the star...so he got to be a sheep. It is such a fun way to remember the true reason for celebrating!

Getting decorated to be a sheep.

Mary and Joseph and their donkey.

All the characters at the manger: a star, an angel, inn keeper, camel, donkey, 4 shepherds, 3 sheep, Mary, Joseph and 3 wisemen...Don't they look great?!

After the play we toook each individual or family's picture at the manger. While that was occurring we had crafts at each table. We had a wonderful time.

This past Sunday (Christmas Sunday) we were so blessed because 2 very diverse groups (a motorcycle club and a church) donated enough toys to bless each child and youth from Power House with 2 gifts. The kids were very excited to receive the gifts. Another individual also provided money so each family could receive a special book about Christmas and a cross ornament. We cooked 400 hotdogs donated by the motorcycle club, and some of their members served the lunch. It was a great day. It is amazing what can be accomplished when the family of God pulls together to accomplish His purposes. We are so thankful for the volunteers and donations that God has provided!

Some of the motorcycles parked outside the building where we meet for church.

Serving lunch.

Advent

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 23:57:00 -0600

I enjoy this season of the year so much. I love the wonder and the anticipation as we get ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

We got our tree on Monday and decorated the house that day too. There is nothing like the smell of a freshly cut tree, even if it is so hot that we turned on the air conditioner in the car on the way home from the tree farm!

Each morning during Advent we light our Advent wreath and have special devotions. Then we add one more circle to our Jesse Tree. We also take a link off our chain to count down the days until our Savior's birth. The children have chosen their favorite recipes, and so Monday afternoon we shall commence baking. The children have also drawn names amongst each other so they are now each on a quest for the perfect gift for the sibling whose name they drew from the hat.

One last note concerning advent...this is one of my favorite websites. It's an advent calendar with all kinds of ideas for different celebrations, including advent wreaths, a Jesse tree, carols, crafts, Christmas around the world and vocabulary. It tells you suggestions for each day of Advent in each category. No matter how you want to celebrate Advent, this site has it all coordinated!