Merry Christmas Eve!!

Colonial Days

Recently while Kevin was in Vietnam we wrapped up a unit study on "Colonial Days of Early America." I can't begin to tell you what a great time the girls and I had learning together. And I say "together" because I am completely convinced that I slept through elementary school as a kid. I'm not sure who is learning more, my kids or myself. Anyway, I thought I would share some photos with you of how Colonial Days happened at the Colon Elementary School before any more time passed. We have since moved onto the Revolutionary War, but knowing me it will be Easter before I get those pictures posted. So, enjoy for now...


We used Evan Moor history pockets and the good ol' public library as our guide through Colonial America.



And it worked out just perfectly that I had a few seasoned teachers in the house for a week to help us wrap everything up with all of these projects. Thanks Mom and Dad!
(they are both retired high school teachers)



Every little girl needs and apron before they start to cook!




A true Colonial Feast of country ham, johnny cakes, homemade apple butter and eggs...





Making slates with Pop...notice his cup of coffee...I've never seen him teach class without one! (but I bet he never taught with a cup as strong as mine)


Creative Quilt Making - I have fallen in love with fabric glue - no need to ever sew again!



And although Daniel Boone and Kentucky aren't technically "Colonial" I couldn't let the opportunity pass for my mom to teach a little Kentucky history to end the week.

Now, on to the American Revolution!

Vacation Favorites

Our California vacation will definitely go down in the record books as one of the best times we have shared as a family. In 6 days we hit Santa Monica Pier, California Adventure, Disneyland, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, American Girl Place, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the LA airport. Seven out of the 9 stops were fantastic. I could have done without LAX and Hollywood. (Minus the big Hollywood sign on the mountainside, my 1950's image of Hollywood was completely dashed)

We took over 250 great pictures and narrowing them down to just a few favorites is next to impossible. But here is at least one from each place. . .and maybe a few more. AND if these aren't enough and you're just dying to see more, go to Kevin's blog for his own favorites. FYI - he is much better at narrowing them down than I. Enjoy!

Witches and Leopards and Groovy Girls, Oh My!

My Home School Top 10

When people hear that we home school, one of the favorite questions they almost always ask is, "What curriculum do you use?" There is no telling how many times I have rattled off the list of the good, bad and ugly that I have tested over the years. I have never been able to stick with just one company that produces a full curriculum of study. All companies have their strengths and weaknesses. And though there are many great things out there I have yet to try, I thought I would take a few minutes to compose my Top 10 List as of today.

So here you have it. . .from Kindergarten to 5th grade, here is Amy's Top 10 (but in no particular order). . .I won't bore you with the details as to why, but if you ask, I'd love to share.

1. Abeka Language/Phonics/Spelling (Click Here)
2. Singapore Math for K-1st (Click Here) and Math U See for 2nd-5th (Click Here)
3. Apologia Science - today this is probably my favorite (Click Here)
4. Anything written by Jean Fritz for U.S. History (all at the library)
5. You Tube videos of Bill Nye the Science Guy and SchoolHouse Rock
6. Kay Arthur Inductive Bible Studies for Kids (Click Here)
7. Evan-Moor History Pockets (Click Here)
8. Sonlight Curriculum for read-a-louds and chapter book reading - I don't use the entire curriculum (Click Here)
9. Heroes of History and Christian Heroes:Then and Now from YWAM (Click Here)
10. Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland (Click Here)

First Day of School

It's that time of year again! I can hardly believe that my girls are in 5th, 2nd and 1st grades. Even though we home school, they are in an all day Friday school program every week. To read more about it you can see Emma's blog (Click Here) where she wrote about her new school year.

September 8, 2009 - Happy 6th Birthday, Olivia!

Olivia had to postpone her birthday party this year for a few weeks because Mom and Dad's weekend schedules have been so crazy, but here are a few photos of the big day. We called this "Family Birthday Party - Part 1." This weekend it's Chuck E Cheese time, so more photos will be coming later. . .

You can click on each picture to make it larger. . .

It's the Little Things that Make Me Happy

Joy and Happiness are two very different things.

Joy is a choice. It is a gift freely given from the Father no matter what circumstances of life come our way. It's there. It gives us a sense of peace and "lightness" in our step no matter what the day might bring. We just have to grab it and hold on tight.

Happiness, on the other hand, is found in the little things that unexpectedly happen throughout life. Happiness is that thing that sort of makes us giddy for a brief time and then fades away as life progresses, only to make it's appearance again at yet another unexpected, perfect moment.

For example, here are some little things that have brought me "Happiness" this holiday weekend. . .

The $1.99 rack at Gymboree























Perfectly sweet peaches from the Farmer's Market























The purchase of a french press that makes a perfect cup of coffee























A great haircut



What more could a girl ask for??? So here's wishing you true joy and lots and lots of unexpected happiness, not just this holiday weekend, but every day. . .just when you need it.





What little things make you happy?