A Day in the Life ~ Snowflakes and Charity

Welcome to the December edition of a day in the life of our homeschool.  We are busy with our Advent books and charity work.  This week the theme in our homeschool is Art.  We are taking a break from an artist study to do Christmas crafts.  We are also embracing the freedom of a looser schedule, having completed the Nutcracker last week.

8:00 am to 8:30 am ~ Everyone awoke, dressed and ate breakfast.

8:30 am to 8:50 am ~ I took one look around the house and realized that we needed to do some real picking up.  The picture below is an example of our dining/school table.  We broke into teams and one team cleaned the kitchen while the other cleaned the table and swept the floor.

Wow, if this table could talk! 

Why is there toliet paper on the table? 

Just keeping it real, friends.  LOL

8:50 am to 10:00 am ~ We dropped off Tim at his Nature Center job, got gas, dropped off one more toy for the boy we "adopted" for Christmas, and bought some dog toys at the pet store (for our afternoon charity).  The entire time we were in the car today we listened to and finished SuperFudge (Literature).

10:00 am to 12:00 pm ~ We did the core of our school during this 2 hours.  We read Snowflake Bentley  (science) and The Dog Who Found Christmas (our Advent book for the day).  We then did a math worksheet ~ Jump Math for the girls and Mammoth Math for Tom Sawyer (math).  The kids did their writing assignment (Language Arts).  The writing prompt was "What does charity mean to you?" Our (art) for the day was making lots of snowflakes. Then we read the next chapter in The Life Of Fred (math).  I love the Life of Fred books.  They are filled with so much infomation.  In this chapter alone, they learned some math, Latin, German, and science.  Lastly, the girls did reading lessons with an American Girl doll book and Just a Snowy Day (Language Arts).

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ~ We had lunch and free time.  I talked on the phone and the kids played Wii Fit on the Wii.

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ~ We went to the Humane Society and donated bleach and a few dog toys.  The kids also had fun showing pictures of Boomer to the caretakers who had worked so hard to keep him alive and make him adoptable.  This charity was tied in with our Advent book that we read in the morning.  We then picked up Tim from his volunteer job and stopped by my mother's home briefly on the way home.

3:00 pm to 3:45 pm ~ We had more free time at home.  I did a bit more cleaning and Tim played with Boomer. The kids either played Legos or colored pictures at the table.

3:45 pm to 5:00 pm ~ Little Red Ridinghood had her ballet lesson while the others waited, playing a physics puzzle game on the laptop.

5:00 pm to 6:15 pm ~ Dad picked up Tom Sawyer and Goldilocks from dance and took them home.  Little Red Ridinghood and I went to get our free kids meals and some groceries from the local health food store. I love the free kids meals on Thursdays!  They are completely organic and such a deal.  Also due to some really good coupons, I got all of the food below for $32 (I know it doesn't look like much, but it's all organic and is a lot less than it would have cost without the special coupons).  We even got a very special dessert for our at-home date later tonight. :-)

After dinner, we played a noisy game of tag in the backyard.  Now the kids are enjoying storytime with Daddy, which could easily go on for an hour or more.

Blessings,

Dawn



The Nutcracker 2011

We made it!  All of the kids' hard work paid off and we successfully made it through three awesome performances of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King".  My husband and I decided that it was in the best interest of our children to work backstage every night.  We also worked the tech rehearsal and the dress rehearsal.  My husband was the runner (the person who brings the kids to and from the stage) and I was a floater who put out fires wherever needed. With our children's special needs and the controlled chaos of 100+ cast members, it just made sense for us to be available for any issues that may arise.  The following pictures are all candid shots taken by my husband and me while we were working, so they cannot be compared to my professional photographer Dad's photos from last year's performance.

Goldilocks was a toy cat. 

I am told that Goldilocks smiled throughout her dance and that she looked great.  I can't wait for the DVD to come out, so I can see the entire performance.  From the wings, she looked like she had a great time. I did manage to sneak down to the wings and see each child perform at least once.  Social situations can be very hard for this young lady, and she held her own very well backstage with limited cuing.

Tom Sawyer was a sailor
on the Maple Syrup Lake. 

He had several struggles backstage, but overall things went very well.  The DVD player with a constant Star Wars movie going did a prett good job of keeping all the young boy performers calm.  He says he loved being in the Nutcracker but is glad it is over (you and me both, Buddy).  I was able to defuse most issues backstage, but he was still very worn out and over-stimulated by the noise and crowds backstage and pressure that comes with a professional production.

Little Red Riding Hood was a peppermint
in the Candy Castle. 

She loves all things theater and could have done it for a few hundred more nights (her words). She enjoyed herself on stage and backstage and needed almost no support from Mommy.

Timothy was a soldier again this year. 

He had to "die" on stage and then be dragged off by mice.  He was in the adult male dressing room, which although crowded, was plush accomodations.  He even had a chair to sit in some of the time. LOL!

Sisters

Being backstage parents is hard work.  However, my kids get so much out of this experience:

• self-confidence
• relationship-building skills
• acting lessons
• perseverance
• dancing skills
• overcoming stage fright (although none of mine struggle much with that)
• patience
• taking critism
• dealing with difficult and emotional people and situtaions
• discovering who they are
• obeying multiple authorities

My oldest has formed wonderful relationships with the young men and women in this theater.  It is such a relief to see him interacting with such nice young people after many years of having no friends at all.

The babysitting coordinator did an awesome job splitting the kids up this year.  The dressing rooms were still very crowded, as you can see from the picture above.  Howevever, the kids were divided into better ages and needs so the helpers could serve everyone better than last year.

I love to see this guy having fun.



I love the peppermint costume. 
Here is a shot from the back during warmups.

It is amazing watching all of the kids and professional dancers warming up on stage before the show.  Much of the audience is already seated, so behind the curtains the performers must warm up in complete silence.  One of the owners of the studio plays a game of Follow the Leader and all of the kids do what he does.  It is one of my favorite parts of being backstage.

Children including Goldilocks lined up on the stairs

for final curtain call. 

Thanks to everyone's hard work, another great performance is under everone's belts.  I am so thankful for the opportunities my kids are getting with this dance studio (even though I belly ache about the cost and logistics at times).  This experience and dance studio has been a real blessing for all of my kids.

Now, let Advent and Christmas begin!!

Blessings,

Dawn



Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~ Advent Begins

I love Advent.  We have made some lovely traditions to enjoy during this season.  My favorites revolve around books and charity. This morning the children were so excited about opening the first of the Advent books I had wrapped and placed under the tree.

Pretty ~

This pretty little lady is really enjoying making paper toys out of a turn-of-the-century toy book.

Happy ~
I am happy that the kids enjoy opening our Advent books as much as I do each year.  Today's book was The Other Wise Man.  This is a wonderful story about how doing good to others is the true gift we can give to Jesus.

Little Red Riding Hood is opening the first Advent book to be read for this year.

Tom Sawyer was soo happy to have a Lego Advent calendar to open this year.

We put our Nativity up this morning.  I love this Nativity!  The fact that we have found pieces with the same name as each of our children makes it extra special and makes me happy.

Funny ~
Look what I discovered when I passed the nativity later in the day.  Everyone around here has the Nutcracker on the brain.  My four children will all be performing on the big stage very soon.

Do you see the Nutcracker in the middle of the Nativity? LOL

Real ~
The kids have enjoyed knowing that their old toys are going to needy families who we found on Freecycle.  The last box is waiting to be picked up on the front stoop.  I am glad that they are coming to understand the true meaning of Christmas ~ love, giving, and caring for your fellow humans (and animals).

Blessings,

Dawn

Thanksgiving 2011 and a Christmas Photo

We had a lovely, non traditional Thanksgiving!  Since we could not eat any stuffing or pies due to our son's grain-free diet, we did something completely different. When I surveyed the kids and my husband on what was most important for Thanksgiving, the kids said eating lots of food, the dog show on TV, and using our china dishes.  My husband, who was sick, said keeping everything calm.  With all that in mind, I set out to make a great holiday.

Tom Sawyer loves using the family china.  He studied different place setting templates on an Internet wedding site and then set the table.  He did it all by himself.  He was concerned that we did not have any ice cream dishes or oyster forks (nevermind that we were not having and never have had oysters). LOL

The final menu was (all homemade except the pizza and rolls) ~

• pot roast
• grain-free pizza
• mashed potatoes
• peas
• orange-glazed cooked carrots from our garden
• baked beans
• grain-free rolls

For dessert, we had homemade banana splits with homemade chocolate sauce! Yummy!  We enjoyed playing with the Wii Fit Plus and watching the dog show on TV.  We also went on a nice walk around the neighborhood.  The kids also cleaned their rooms and sorted out toys they no longer wanted.  These are being swiftly taken away by needy families on Freecycle.  I love that the kids are pleased about blessing others.  In fact, they are the ones that reminded me that they wanted to sort their toys on Thanksgiving.

We also wrote what we were thankful for in our Thankful book.  Ever since we got married, we have pulled this book out each Thanksgiving and everyone in attendance who was capable of writing has added to it.  I enjoy reading what has been said over the years.  Some are sweet ~ like being thankful for siblings written in child scrawl and others are funny, like being thankful for Legos.

Lastly, we finally got a good picture of the kids.  I gave up on having the dogs in the photo.  It is good enough.  Now, I just have to choose which photo and order it as a Christmas card. Which do you like best?

Blessings,
Dawn

Friday Wrap-Up ~ Socialization

What's on My Mind

Homeschoolers are often asked if they are worried about socialization or how their kids are socialized.  Actually, I rarely get this question; but when I do, it always amazes me.  Usually it is asked by someone in a social setting where my kids are obviously being socialized -- such as dance class, the pool, or Wal-Mart.  (Why do people in Wal-Mart think they can ask you and say anything to you they like?).  The definition of "socialization" is ~ A continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.  This means that we are all being socialized from infancy through death by the people we interact with daily. 

I recently had a most interesting conversation with a mother who is considering homeschooling.  Her son is being adversely socialized in the public school system, so she wanted to homeschool him.  However, her main concern was that he would miss future socialization opportunities by being homeschooled!  I assured her he would have ample opportunities.  In fact, I had just been thinking to myself that I needed to find a way for my children to socialize a bit less so I could get my kids through their lessons.  LOL!  With all that in mind ~ Here is our very social but also very typical week.


Last Weekend ~

Our oldest child (21) was invited to an awards ceremony for volunteers of the nature center where he has logged thousands of volunteer hours since he was 12 years old.  He has the record of the longest running volunteer that attended the party.  He received gifts of a new scarf, wild flowers seeds, and a huge manual on Wild Life Rehabilitation (a strong interest of his). 

 My camera was really acting up, so
I did not get any decent pictures of my own kids.

Also last weekend, our younger three attended a multi-generational party for a two year old and five year old.  They have known both children all of their lives, and we cared for the two year old in foster respite twice in infancy.  (Her foster mom had to be out of town for a few days, so we got to love on her.)


Monday ~
One of our children had her weekly speech therapy and vision therapy appointments.  Our other children talked with other kids in the waiting rooms.  Our sons also had dance/fencing classes that evening.


Tuesday ~

We got together with some other homeschooling friends and made our Operation Christmas Child boxes.  Lots of socializing going on during that.  Later in the day, our oldest daughter had dance class.


Wednesday ~

The kids went to a weekly library program that is attended by about 20 regulars.  They made all kinds of gross concoctions in class that day.  The wonderful librarians knew that my son had food allergies and had gloves ready for him so he would not be affected by the cornstarch.  That was so touching to me.  Our oldest also had rehearsals for the Nutcracker that evening. 


Thursday ~
Our oldest worked all day at his volunteer job and our youngest daughter attended ballet class.


The Next Few Days ~
Over the next few days, we have three doctor appointments, five hours of Nutcracker rehearsal, a parade to attend and a Mystery Murder Birthday Party that my oldest will be attending.  There will also be socializing at church on Sunday.  Then it will be Monday and another, similar week begins!  Now, anyone want to ask me if homeschooled kids are getting enough socialization?


Blessings,
Dawn

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~ Weather in the Mountains

Pretty ~ We attempted our annual Christmas photo this week.  It was a total failure, but we had a lovely time out in nature.  One thing that is amazing about living in Appalachia is how going up or down a thousand feet in elevation can really change the temperature. 

I thought this was the perfect winter backdrop for my Christmas photo.  At our home a thousand feet below, it was also pretty but in the 60's on that particular day.  It was a whole different story on the Parkway.

Happy ~ I am always happy to see my husband enjoying himself out in nature.  He is surrounded by chaos at work and usually doesn't see the outdoors for eight hours a day (doesn't even have a window to look out).  We're not complaining, though. We do feel very blessed that he has a good job with benefits.

My hubby with large icicle

Funny ~ I took at least 20 pictures and they were all rather pitiful and funny.  Considering my time constraints, I may have just thrown in the towel and used one, but I am a professional photographer's daughter.  No, I will have to do better.  I will have to try again.  We were trying to take a picture with both dogs, too.  I know, I am totally nuts.  Every time our oldest child tried to kneel behind the little ones, a dog jumped on him.  Then there was the issue of the kid that would not take his jacket off.  I had to pay him 25 cents to remove his coat in some of the pictures!  Oh, the shadows were not helping me, either. Here are a couple attempts.  LOL!

 

Is it just me or does this one look totally crooked? 

Real ~ Our carrots are still growing and doing great.  I am pleased with my tiny fall garden.  The kids just pick a carrot when they are hungry.  Of course, Boomer (dog) has learned how to pick them when he is hungry, too.  He is ALWAYS hungry!

Please join Like Mother, Like Daughter for more great PHFR.

Blessings,

Dawn



Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~ Preparing for the Nutcracker

Pretty

We are pretty much in Nutcracker mode around here.  All of the kids are in the Nutcracker again this year but with different roles.  Little Red Riding Hood is a candy cane, Tom Sawyer is a (Buccaneer) sailor, Goldilocks is a toy kitten, and Timothy is a soldier (same as last year).  With the extra rehearsals and the kids' normal classes, we are at the dance studio about 12 hours a week for now on.  That is on top of our regular weekly doctor appointments and getting our school time done.  I am going to be a busy Mommy from now until early December.  (My Mom says I'm a very busy Mommy all year long. LOL)

This is last year's performance.  
Little Red Riding Hood is on the left of the front performers.

Timothy is the soldier in the center. 

Didn't my Dad (a professional photographer)

take great shots last year?

Hearing my kids' excited voices about extra rehearsals, costumes and being on the big stage is enough to keep me motivated during this very busy season.  They all really love the stage!

Happy

I am so happy that I have all of our Advent books organized and wrapped for the countdown to Christmas.  Below the picture is the list of  our books and the activity that will accompany each one.  The kids really love this tradition, and we all look forward to it each year.

The kids and I made the wrapping paper.  What a fun art project.

1. The Other Wiseman - Put up Nativity
2. Just A Snow Day - Make snowman garlands
3. Grandfather's Christmas Tree - Decorate the Christmas tree
4. Night Tree - Finish decking the halls
5. Silver Packages - Donate to a toy drive
6. The Legend of St.Nicholas - Ornaments with toys in them will be hidden on tree
7. The Legend of the Pointsettia - Make a fleece baby blanket for donation to the teen mother program at the YWCA
8. The Dog Who Found Christmas - Donate to the Humane Society
9. Silent Night - Go to the annual Return of Bethlehem performance
10. An Ellis Island Christmas - Attend a Christmas party
11. Grandfather's Christmas Camp - Drive around looking at Christmas lights
12. The Twelve Days of Christmas - Donate food to our local mall's Christmas food drive
13. An Amish Christmas- Bake Christmas cookies
14. The Baker's Dozen - Give a baker's dozen of cookies to several neighbors
15. Christmas in the Trenches - Make Christmas cards for veterans
16. The Tree of Dancing Goats - Take banana bread to our doctors' and therapists' offices
17. Animals Christmas Carol - Feed wild birds
18. Santa Comes to the Little House - Make homemade peppermint candy
19. Winter's Gift - Wrap siblings' gifts
20. The Chanaukkah Guest - Make a Hanakkah recipe
21. The Crippled Lamb - Donate to a children's hospital
22. The Christmas Menorahs - Play the Dreidal game with our Jewish friends
23. Christmas Tapestry - Christmas songs on Youtube or else looking at more Christmas lights
24. The First Christmas - Evening service at our church

Funny

We will probably not be doing any more hikes until the dead of winter.  Between the Nutcracker, Christmas and the increased number of roaming bears in our area at this time of year, the woods are not a likely adventure for the next month or two.  However, I just love the picture below.  Boomer, our mixed Lab-Great Dane young dog, is so afraid of water.  Unintentionally, he happened to run into about 10 inches of water while chasing a leaf.  Then he realized where he was.  Boy, did he get out quickly!  What a funny dog!

Real

Dealing with my son's grain-free, egg-free, corn-free, soy-free diet is hard everyday, but doubly so when I can't take a chance on any inadvertent mistake and mess him up for a whole week when he needs to be in top form for performing.  Somehow I must stay on top of our diet and make sure we are fed three healthy meals each day.  We are fortunate to have a few food options out of the home in a real pinch, such as eating at the health food store or buying a fast food Angus burger.  These options are expensive, however, and still require forethought on my part.  For instance, ketchup and mustard have corn in them, unless they are organic.  So I made these cute little frozen ketchup and mustard pumpkins that can be packed on a day when I think we may end up needing to buy a hamburger on the road. 

I also need to make some cookies and bread

out of these grain-free flours.

Blessings,

Dawn