The Fun of An Unplanned Day

This past week, we continued with our regular studies and completed Creation to the Greeks week 27. However, there were a couple of days when I wasn't feeling the best, so we had a much lighter work load. One day, the kids spent part of the morning drawing and making up their own stories. So, later that afternoon, we stopped at a friend's house (another homeschooling family) and used the opportunity for the kids to practice "public" story-telling. I had them stand in front of their friends with their story notebooks and tell their stories. They both enjoyed that, and it was a good experience for them.

The next day, we spent a good part of the morning reading on the couch. We read various books from the library, and one that I recently purchased at our homeschool curriculum swap. It is one of ten books in the "Tales of Virtue" series for children. This one was called "Stone Soup" and was meant to convey the virtue of cooperation.

After reading the story, and discussing it, my 9yo son said, "Let's make stone soup!" Hmmmm. Well, it wasn't in my original plan but, since he brought up the idea, why not? After all, the only ingredients in the soup are potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and salt & pepper. JJ says he wants to be a Chef someday when he grows up, so why not foster that and begin teaching him how to cook? Just call it Home Economics. Even if he decides to do something else when he is grown, at least he will have some cooking skills, right? So, fortunately, I just so happened to have some carrots in the refrigerator already peeled. They just needed to be chopped up, so JJ got to work doing that...

While he chopped the carrots, I peeled some potatoes and put EL to work chopping those...

We didn't have any cabbage on hand, so I added some frozen green beans to the pot instead.  Then, we added salt and pepper, and I also snuck in some beef bouillon for some added flavor. We did, however, leave out the stone!

Next, JJ stirred the pot and we waited for it to boil...

Once the vegetables were tender, we each had a bowl of warm, homemade vegetable soup for lunch!

I so enjoy taking advantage of unplanned days like this - unexpected opportunities to use for teaching, learning, cooperating, and spending quality time together.

Go check out "Stone Soup" from the library, and have fun making your own memories...



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OT History Continued AND A Cool Eye Trick (CTG Weeks 24-26)

OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE & HISTORY Topics Covered over the past few weeks:

• The events surrounding Easter/Resurrection Sunday
• King David & Bathsheba
• King Solomon & how he turns from God
• The prophet Elijah vs. the false god Baal
• Elisha takes Elijah's place
• Elijah taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire
• India's Caste System
• The religions of Hinduism and Buddhism

Here are some pictures...

On Palm Sunday, Road Runner got up on roller skates again for the 3rd time. When we first arrived at the rink, she wasn't thrilled about skating. But, after tightening her skates and having some of her favorite music played, she began enjoying it. We have learned that if you ask her if she wants to do something, she will generally say no if it is an activity she is not used to doing. But, if we want her to try something, we tell her to give it a try and gently ease her into it.

During the week before Easter, we watched The Jesus Movie, read books about Easter, and decorated eggs with some friends.

We spent Easter Sunday with my parents and had the kids search for plastic eggs after lunch.

The following Sunday, we attended another Easter Egg Hunt especially for families with autistic children. I don't have any pictures to share, but it was a beautiful day, and a fun event.

~*~*~*~*~

SCIENCE Topics covered:

• Bugs and Slugs
• Seeing things at different distances

This is a neat eye trick... roll up a piece of paper into a tube and tape it shut. Look throught it with one eye and, while keeping the other eye open also, put your hand next to the paper about half way down. If you look carefully, you should be able to see through a hole in your HAND! We all tried this and it worked. Very cool to see.

One Lovely Blog Award

Recently, this blog was awarded the “One Lovely Blog Award.” It was a nice surprise, and an honor. Thankyou to Brandy at CASTLE ACADEMY for giving me this award!

Now it’s my turn to share the prize with others! It was a tough decision, as there are many wonderful blogs out there. However, I was only supposed to choose 15. So, here are the winners!

Valerie @ VALERIE WRITE NOW
- A pastor’s wife, homeschool mother, and writer.

Amy @ CAJUN JOIE DE VIVRE
- Homemaking ideas from writer/speaker Amy Baliss

Betsy @ MRS. PRICE IS RIGHT ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING
- A homeschooling mother with fun and humorous posts that are honoring to the Lord

Carie @ LIVING, LOVING, AND LEARNING WITH THE LORD
- A homeschooling mother who shares about her life using many various topics

Lauren @ MAMA’S LEARNING CORNER
- A great website that shares free printable worksheets.

Melissa @ THE BLAIR BUNCH
- Another homeschooling mom who shares about her family’s adventures

Daneille @ SNOWDEN WITH THE FAM
- Devotions, encouragement, and helpful advice on raising godly children - from a long-time homeschool mom

Charity @ VANDERHOOF HOUSE
- Words of wisdom from a busy homeschool mom

Linda @ SPIRITUAL MEMOIRS 101
- An inspiring blog with a focus on Deuteronomy 4:9, “Always remember the things you’ve seen God do for you, and be sure to tell your children and grandchildren!”

Mukkove @ KOVE’S BLOG
- A children’s book author and homeschool mother from Alaska.

Cindy @ FOR ONE ANOTHER
- A long-time homeschool mom sharing advice and tips from her life.

Stephanie @ A YEAR OF SLOW-COOKING
- Tons of slow cooker recipes from author and public speaker, Stephanie O'Dea.

Brandi @ LIVING SOLA GRATIA
- Ideas from a homeschool mom

John @ A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
- Weblog of author and speaker, John Koessler

Lainie @ MISH MASH MAGGIE
- Encouragement from a homeschool mom who uses My Father’s World curriculum.

The rules for accepting this award are simple: Follow the blogger who felt moved to present it to you (if you don't already). And, in turn, search for 15 more bloggers and blogs who you feel deserve this award.

Have fun and be encouraged!