Thursday, February 21, 2013

Week 24 ~ Pushing Through the Never Ending List

In My life ~ The stress this week was more manageable than last week. I am thankful for that. We still had a host of doctor appointments to get through, and I am patiently waiting for a call back from the Duke doctor on what to do next for Goldilocks. I know that my endless To Do list will become more manageable with time. It is just hard right now because we had to put so many things on the back burner, while we sold the old house, bought the new house, moved and renovated. Now, everything seems to be the priority, and I need to just take it one day at a time.

Presidents Day ~ We had so much fun with our annual Presidents Day scavenger hunt. We hid the first 25 presidents, which brought us to the turn of the 20th century (right where we are in studying American history). This year we did activities or listened to a story at many of the stops in our scavenger hunt. This helped tame the wild running and screaming we have experienced in past years. For example, they built a log cabin for Abraham Lincoln and listened to the Declaration of Independence for Thomas Jefferson.

Key to Photos, clockwise ~ John Adams standing next to a book filled with his and Abigail's love letters; Rutherford Hayes is in a pile of Easter eggs, since he started the first White House Easter Egg Hunt; Abraham Lincoln, who was born in a log cabin; James Garfield, who could write in Greek and Latin at the same time with his right and left hands; James Madison standing next to his famous wife Dolly; Franklin Pierce, who struggled with deep mourning for his son who died in a train accident during his presidency.

Books We Read or Listened to This Week ~
  • U.S. Presidents The Oval Office All Stars
  • Life of Fred Cats
  • The New Social Story Book
  • A Picture Book of Thomas Jefferson
  • Abe Lincoln The Boy Who Loved Books
  • Andrew Jackson
  • Dolly Madison Saves George Washington
  • Mr. Lincoln's Boys
  • Garfield books
  • Two Minute Mysteries
  • Casey at Bat Maestro Classics
Games We Played ~
  • The Way Things Work (great physics game)
  • Guess Who
  • Apples to Apples
What We Watched ~
  • London Hospital (found this one on Prime Amazon and I love it ~ the kids are a bit grossed out by it, though)
  • Hotel Transylvania (just the kids)
  • The Walton's a few shows from Season 5
  • Downton Abbey (Can you believe they killed off Mathew? I'm way more devastated about that then I should be, since it is a TV show.)
What is Working for Us ~ The kids are really enjoying the white board during writing time. I write down on the white board the words they ask how to spell during writing class. I have a few perfectionists who will not write if they think the spelling is wrong. Using the white board is helping them so much with flow of thought.

All The Rest ~  The kids start extra rehearsals this weekend!! They will be performing in Swan Lake before we know it. In addition, the aerial arts class that my daughters are in will be holding its own show. Each of the girls will be doing their own solo. They are very excited and busy picking their songs. Unfortunately, there is some trouble brewing with another classmate. A boy in the studio is bullying my son. So far, I haven't caught him red handed, but my eyes are on him and he knows it. The studio is aware of it, too, and seems to be on our side. If you have a child on the autism spectrum or with social awkwardness, I highly suggest the book New Social Story Book. This book is helping my son so much. We are working our way through the chapter on Bullying this week.

A Picture To Share ~ My kids love the balloon artist at our local health food supermarket. He is always there for the Kids Eat Free night. He accepts only donations for his art, and the kids are even adding some of their own coins in each week.

Blessings, Dawn

13 comments:

  1. ugh, I'm only on Season 2 of Downton Abbey. I didn't know they killed Matthew. I heard they had killed another but didn't know who. I am so anxious to get through so I can watch these!!

    Sounds like your President's day was a blast. Next year, we're coming to your house!!

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  2. I love your President's Day hunt sounds wonderful! I know exactly what you are talking about in terms of finding the right doctors for your kids. We are trying out a new one this coming week for Alex. I am praying that it will be the right match for him. I know your kids will do really well in the play!

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  3. HI Dawn -- I'm praying for you to keep taking it one day at a time and for you to see God and his grace in each moment. Hang in there....

    Your President's Day resources are great. I'm adding them to my pinboard for next year!! Great ideas :-)

    Hugs to you!

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  4. Grrrr...bullying always upsets me. I hope that situation is settled quickly. It's great that you have found a book to help your boy handle it.

    I totally agree with the feelings about the house and moving and everything needing attention. We are finally getting to a point at six months post-move where it is smoothing out a bit.

    Presidents Day ideas are wonderful!!!! I may just have to incorporate some of those for next year.

    Aha! moment for the white board spelling. I have a couple of young ones who are the same way and writing it on the white board is a perfect solution. Thanks for sharing!

    Have a great weekend!

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  5. Praying for you, Dawn, as you plow through the appointments. You know I understand!

    I always love reading about your Presidents Day scavenger hunts. I didn't know that about James Garfield - very impressive!

    I'm sorry about the bullying. I think it's as hard on the parents as it is on the child. I really like The New Social Story Book.

    I'm convinced that I'm the only person on the planet who's never seen Downton Abbey. I may have to rectify that!

    I'll keep praying for you!

    Blessings,
    Denise

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  6. You have quite a bit going on! I'll keep you in my thoughts.

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  7. Wow! Your blog is jam packed with info and resources! I hope the stress settles down for you. I'm new here so I'm going to take a look around and get myself up to speed! I would never have thought of celebrating President's Day with a scavenger hunt. What a great way to make a boring (at least I think it's boring!) holiday fun!!

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  8. I LOVE the President's Scavenger Hunt!! Tell me more. I want to know what you did for every one. What an awesome idea!! Never heard of London Hospital, we will have to check it out. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN about Downton Abbey!! ARGH!!! Another great week Dawn. Still praying you will hear good news about Goldilocks.

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  9. Great President's day stuff! I find the letters John and Abigail wrote to each other so interesting. I had to read them for a literature class I took long ago. I am going to go add that book to my wish list.

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  10. Love your President's Day scavenger hunt! Sounds like you had a very busy week - I hope next week contains less stress. Thanks for visiting Treasured Chapters!

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  11. Your President's Day scavenger hunt sounds like lots of fun!

    P.S. I too am so sad about *Matthew* being killed off Downton Abbey:(

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  12. So sorry for the bullying that has been going on! I'm hoping it has stopped or that he is caught. (((Dawn))) I know this is hard on your mama's heart. Hugs to you friend!

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  13. Love the picture...thanks for linking up with HammockTracks.

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