Mile markers

I am not sure when you started school, but we started in late August. We are starting our 22nd week of school. I can hardly believe it!?!?! More than half way done! I like tracking our progress. I like knowing where I am and where I am going. It feels good to see what we have done and it feels even better knowing the goal is almost accomplished! We tried a new history curriculum this year and LOVE it, especially our projects. Our piano curriculum is also new. All girls are having success with that...even the 6 year old with a cast! She just showed me last week that she, in fact, CAN do her piano lessons with a cast on her arm! I haven't done as much science as I had wanted, but can focus on that in the spring and early summer...when bugs and birds are actually moving! Math is going smoothly and art has actually been getting done (well, most of the time!). So, here is to 18 more weeks of diligence and fun while we make our way through another year of homeschooling together!

Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day is Tuesday, January 20th. Your children will more than likely be asking lots of questions as they watch the news. These links are great for both the young and old!

Inauguration Day:
http://inaugural.senate.gov/index.cfm

Great fact sheet:
http://www.readinga-z.com/theme/pdfs/inauguration/raz_thin_poster_inaugfact_small.pdf

History and events:
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/uspresidents/ss/inauguration.htm

NO FIELD TRIP TODAY

Our field trip today will be postponed! It is just too cold! Stay home and stay warm!

Joslyn Art Museum Field Trip

Joslyn Art Museum Field Trip

January 15th 10am - Noon

We will have 3 tours for this field trip. Everyone will have a one hour tour and then have one hour on their own. The Prek-2nd group will do an art activity for their time. The older groups will do an art pack with an adult (back pack with activities).

Prek-2nd
Animal hide and seek, artmaking and a guided tour of the museum. Look for and encounter wild beasts, small insects, animal helpers, and household pets in Museum paintings and sculptures. Learn basic concepts such as sculpture and painting, materials artists use, textures and colors in animals and in art.

3rd-5th
Parts of art. Discover the visual language of art - color, line, shape, texture and light. Engage in simple gallery activities designed to learn how artists use these basics of visual art language to convey.

6th grade and older
Leadership - making a difference. Visit portraits of people from diverse times and cultures who represent different types of leadership. Discuss positive and negative models of leadership; study leadership roles and qualities.

Cost
Adults $5.50
Prek-2nd $4
3rd-5th $3

Everyone is welcome to stay at the end of the field trip and enjoy their sack lunches in the museum.

Back to school after the Christmas break

It is back to school for the Baker family. Two weeks of vacation and enjoying lazy days are soon over. While I had a lot of fun on vacation, I am excited to get back to our normal routines. Let's just hope the girls like it as much!

New Year Presents

Last year the girls were able to get their ears pierced on New Year's Day. This year, I wanted to do something special as well. So, Jason and I decided to give them dates throughout the year. I don't know if you are like us, but our intentions are always better than our application!

This year, however, I have a plan AND stickers for my calendar! I am excited about it and it is very do-able! We have three girls and two parents, so we have a rotation schedule.....just follow along and you'll get it, don't worry! January is Jason's date with #1, February is my date with #2, March is Jason's date with #3, April is my date with #1, May is Jason's date with #2 and June is my date with #3.....July through December just repeats! In 12 months, each girl gets 2 dates with each parent! No one has hard feelings because Dad took so and so out and not me...when will it be my turn, etc., etc.! After giving the present to the girls, they were very excited and anxious about when we would be putting their sticker on the calendar!

Have a Happy New Year!

Cookie Day!

Well....we are officially done with school for 2008. To help launch our 2 weeks of Christmas vacation, we had cookie day today! Some might think I am nuts, but I thought it would be fun to let the girls do their own cookies this year. I have already made a double batch of cookies for the cookie exchange and they were eager to get in on the action.

So, today was the day! I made a big batch of buttermilk Christmas cookies and split it three ways. They rolled, cut, baked (with some assistance from me for this step only), frosted and decorated a TON of cookies all on their own! I let them know their cookies are THEIR cookies. They can keep them, share them or give them....whatever they would like to do!

I cannot tell you how excited they were for today and how proud they were with their little works of art! I like to consider days like today my Christmas gifts to them. They will remember them because I remember the same kind of days with my family!

Enjoy the next couple of days before Christmas!

Old Schoolhouse Magazine Archives Page

This is a great link to keep handy. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine archives page has something for everyone! Check it out if you want a little refresher in the midst of winter.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs093/1101381905269/archive/1101916894812.html

Christmas is coming...

I always feel better after the first measurable snow of the year. I love the snow. So, now that we have had some snow, I have made some cookies and we are nearly done with our schoolwork.....Christmas is coming!

One of my favorite Christmas memories is pulling into the driveway of my Grandma and Grandpa's home in Casper, WY. They had a big picture window and we would just watch all the big snow flakes come down! They are now both in heaven and I miss them terribly, but this time of year always reminds me of all the Christmas celebrations at their home!

Moms Night Out Christmas Cookie Exchange

This is pretty adventurous for our group, but I think it will be fun and festive!! Please give it a try. We are a forgiving group and will love YOU and YOUR COOKIES TOO!

Come spend a fun and festive night out with other homeschool Moms! Sample delicious home-baked treats and end the party with a large batch of assorted holiday cookies to take home!

What: Mom’s Night Out
What will we be doing: Christmas Cookie Exchange
Where: Mary Hughes Home (Northwest of 180th and Center)
When: Friday, Dec. 12th 6:30pm
What to bring: 4-6 dozen of one type of cookie (we will eat some there and each person will be able to take home a nice selection to their family). See guidelines for a cookie exchange listed below.

RSVP by Tuesday, Dec. 9th...so you can get to baking!

Guidelines for a cookie exchange
All cookies must be homemade
Please bring 4-6 dozen cookies (the variation is due to the fact that some cookies are more time intensive. You are more than welcome to bring MORE than 4 dozen…please!)
Theme is Christmas cookies – no chocolate chip unless they are really different
Avoid no bake cookies
Arrange your cookies in a basket or platter…be creative (I know….but you can do it!)
Bring a large container to carry away your cookies…remember, you’ll be able to take a bunch home to your family!
Bring a copy of your recipe
If you don’t have time to bake, feel free to buy some from a real bakery!

*IMPORTANT TIP*
Bake your cookies at least 2-3 days in advance. The biggest reason for not coming is you don’t have time to bake them. This means don’t bake them on FRIDAY!!! Another reason to do it early is that it gives them time to “dry out” a bit. A freshly baked cookie is not a good cookie to take somewhere.

This Mom’s night out will take a little bit of effort and it will be worthwhile!

Ideas for cookies:
http://www.christmas-cookies.com/
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Desserts/Cookies/Christmas-Cookies/Main.aspx
http://family.go.com/food/recipe-599640-christmas-cookie-recipes-t/?CMP=KNC_fam_google_christmas_twelve_cookies