Back to the Bible Field Trip

In September, we are going to go visit Back to the Bible. They are an organization located on the north side of Lincoln. They are a worldwide Christian ministry that is dedicated to leading people to Jesus. They use radio, TV, internet and other media to share the gospel. The tour starts at 9:30am and directions are located on their website at http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Visit-Us.html.

September Meeting

The September meeting was well attended with over 45 kids....half of which were boys! The kids learned some great information about sign language and then had a blast with a water balloon activity. Thank you to everyone for coming.

2010-2011 KNIGHTS Information

Check your email for the most up to date information for the Gretna KNIGHTS. It has lots of information about group meetings, field trips and mom nights out!

Lake Day

It is time for the Lake Day in South Bend!

Let us know if you are coming and we will give you directions.

When: August 17th 1-5pm

Where: Niemoth's Home

Bring: Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, float toys, life jackets for kids and a snack to share with the group!

KNIGHTS Meetings 2010-2011

It is almost time for the KNIGHTS meetings to begin. We are planning the activities for the year and wanted to get your feedback. We are going to have a focus on life skills again this year since it went so well last year. We are looking for to cover 16-18 life skills. Here are some initial thoughts in no particular order:

• Basic mending
• Math games
• Sign language
• Hand games
• Self defense
• Idioms
• Fire safety
• Food pyramid/nutrition
• Praying
• Braiding
• Game shows

What else would you like to include? Let me know what you think and what you are looking for this year!

Getting ready for back to school...

We are getting ready for back to school at our house. You might wonder what that looks like. Well, it includes all the normal stuff. We buy new school supplies, I get my book list together and decide what I need to purchase, I coordinate the calendar with classes, sports, etc. We also are in great need of cleaning out our old school spots and paper stashes. WOW! Where did all of this paper come from? So, in the next couple of weeks, the Baker girls will be busy cleaning out their old papers from previous school sessions that have been stashed! I try to keep just one box of keepsake school papers for the girls by grade level (but honestly haven't been that good at doing it the past couple of years). Hopefully, most of the papers we find can be tossed and maybe we'll find a jewel or two to keep!

Earlier Filing Date

Just a reminder that the new filing date for Nebraska is now July 15th.

The Nebraska Department of Education has updated their website address. The new link is now:
http://www.education.ne.gov/FOS/OrgServices/ExemptSchools/Default.htm

Neat link

We are doing a year end review and needed some answers about government. Found this site and really thought it was neat and would share it! ENJOY!

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/

BONUS Field Trip - F&M Bank

Join us for a bonus field trip to F&M Bank. RSVP's required! Contact Shana if you plan to go as space is limited!

What? Banking workshop on saving and financial education

When? Friday, April 30^th at 1pm

Where? F&M Bank in Gretna

How much? It is FREE!

Who should participate? The program is intended for later elementary students (ie: 3^rd-5^th grade), but younger siblings (or of course, older siblings) who understand the money concepts will be allowed to attend as long as they are not a distraction for the group.

National Teach Children to Save Day is an annual event that has already helped reach over 3 million children nationwide. The program's goal is to encourage bankers to reach 5 million students before the end of 2011, the 15th anniversary of Teach Children to Save.

Representatives from F&M Bank will give a presentation to your group discussing the difference between needs and wants, how savings accounts and compounding interest work, and we have an activity book for each student. A bank tour will also be given while the students are at the bank. The presentation will take about 30-40 minutes and the material works best for groups of about 25 or less.

Apple Field Trip

In April, we went to the Apple retail store for a field trip. One class did iweb and one class did iphoto! Everyone had fun and took home a free t-shirt!

Field Trip Planning Ideas

Even though we are all starting to "wrap up" our school year, planning for the homeschool group is in full swing! I am currently putting together ideas for our field trips for 2010-2011. I have some fun new ideas as well as our traditional main stays! If you have any ideas you would like to share or recommendations for our group, please share them! Have you heard of something fun and wonderful? I would love ideas on career oriented field trips so the kids could learn more about different types of careers next year! I would also love to visit a factory type of business (ie: oriental trading)....but not sure who to contact about that! Put your thinking caps on and share your thoughts with me! Thanks!

Reading Aloud Workshop

This workshop link was emailed to me in a message about Classical Education. It focuses on reading aloud and the impact of mastering language, thought and speech. ENJOY!

http://www.classicalscholar.com/homeschool_courses/reading_aloud/player.html

2010 Homeschool Track and Field Day

Registration is NOW open for the 2010 Homeschool Track and Field Day! It is a fabulous day full of fun and being around a great group of families!

Be sure to register online at www.homeschooltrack.org.

• If you are returning family, simply log in using your previous username and password. In the event you forgot your password, please email me and I will reset your password.
• If you are new, please register by creating a website user name and password. Please enter "omahahen" as the first time HEN password.

We are looking forward to a great event this year!

Spring...

Oh, how I am ready for spring to come! The kids need to run outside, the yard and garden both need some attention and I need some sunshine! I have heard that this week may be the last week of winter (even though spring was supposed to be here last Saturday). Here is to hoping we are outside next week with our schoolwork!

Kids Eat Free

Here is some updated Kid's Eat Free info:
EVERYDAY:
Denny’s – kids eat free – 4-10pm
IHop – free kids meal w/ adult entrée – 4-10pm
Roja – Happy Hour in back room – 5-6:30 - $1.50 tacos, $2 margs, ½ price apps

MONDAY:
Upstream (170 & Center) – kids eat free w/ adult entrée
Doc & Eddie’s (168 & Harrison) – kids eat free
Texas Roadhouse – Kids eat free – 1 per adult entrée
Sam & Louie's (downtown Elkhorn) – buy one pizza, get one free
Grandmothers – $.99 kids meals
Grisanti’s – Kids eat free w/ adult entrée – 4-10pm
Julio’s West (123rd & Center) – Kids eat free
Sizzler – For each adult salad bar you get 2 free kids salad bars
Spaghetti Works – Kids eat free – 2 children per 1 adult entrée
Summer Kitchen – Kids eat free
Fudrucker’s – 4-9 pm – kids 12 and under eat for $.99 – drink included
Buffalo Wild Wings – kids 12 and under eat for $.99 – 5-8pm
Indigo Joe’s – kids eat free – 5 to close
Hectors - Hector’s kids eat free w/ paid adult meal
Old Country Buffet - 1 kid eats free per adult meal purchased.
Quaker Steak and Lube-Council Bluffs. kids eat free, 2 kids per adult.

TUESDAY:
Applebee’s – Order 1 adult meal and get 2 kids meals for $.99 each
Doc & Eddie’s (168 & Harrison) – kids eat free
94/95 – $.99 kids meals
Grisanti’s – Kids eat free from 4-10 w/ adult entrée
Paradise Bakery – Kids 12 and under eat free after 4pm (2 per adult entrée)
Fazoli’s – Kids eat for $.99 with 1 adult entrée from 5-8
Sizzler – For each adult salad bar you get 2 kids salad bars for free
Summer Kitchen – Kids eat free
China Buffett – Kids 10 and under eat free w/ adult entree
Fudrucker’s – 4-9 pm - kids 12 and under eat for $.99 – drink included
Godfathers – kids 10 and under eat free buffet – 5-8pm
Lonestar – kids eat free with adult entrée – drink included

WEDNESDAY:
Pepper Jax – Kids eat free – 4-9pm
Doc & Eddie’s (168 & Harrison) – kids eat free
Jason’s Deli – for each adult entrée get 2 kids meal free – kids 12 and under
Sizzler – for each adult salad bar you get 2 kids salad bars for free
Perkins – free kids meal with adult entrée – kids 12 and under – 4-9pm
Old Chicago - starting at 4pm kids make their own pizza. Kids can pick from a variety of toppings, add their toppings, cheese and sauce to the dough!

THURSDAY:
Applebee’s – for each adult entrée get 2 kids meals for $.99 each
Paradise Bakery – Kids 12 and under eat free after 4pm (2 per adult entrée)

SATURDAY:
Perkins – free kids meal with adult entrée – 12 and under – 4 - 9pm

SUNDAY:
Red Zone BBQ – Kids eat free
Valentino’s Buffett (138th & P) – Kids eat free buffet all day
Jason’s Deli – Kids eat free all day
Planet Sub – free kids meal with adult entrée
ZZZAP! Lazer Tag 11108 Q st. Family night Sunday Noon to 9pm 1 adult gets 2 kids in free. Buy 3 games get a fourth game free. 1 adult and 2 kids can all play 4 games of Lazer Tag for $15!

Lies Young Women (and probably OLD) Believe Link

Here is a link to a great resource for the young women (and old) in your life! It was published in one of The Old School House Magazine Newsletters....what a great resource.
http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/assets/files/LYWBpp204-5.pdf

March Meeting

Our March Meeting will be Friday, March 5th- Gretna KNIGHTS Monthly Meeting – Life Skills: Conversation skills, Sportsmanship and Art Appreciation! Come join in the fun!

New Homeschool Orientation Meeting - March

New Homeschooler Orientation Meeting
Monday, March 8th 6:30-8:30pm
Gretna City Hall
204 N. McKenna Ave.
Gretna, NE 68028

New homeschooler orientation meetings give new homeschoolers or families interested in homeschooling the opportunity to ask questions, obtain help with paperwork, receive lots of helpful information about resources and activities in the Omaha metro area, as well as connect with other parents who are just beginning the home education journey. Plase spread the word to those you know who are new to homeschooling it or considering it. HEN members, as well as non-members, are welcome! Call or email Shana Baker for information at sbaker5@cox.net or 332-4449. Note: please do not call city hall for meeting information.

More winter sports!

For February, we will be going SKIING for our field trip. We hope you can join us!

If you would like to go with us, please email me and let me know the ages of those attending by Friday, Feb. 19th! I will need to make one payment for the group so I will be asking that you mail or get me the payment by Wed., Feb. 24th.

Here are the details:

What: SKIING
Where: Mount Crescent Ski Area
http://www.skicrescent.com/
When: Friday, Feb. 26th
Time: 9am – ??? (They are open until 9pm)
Cost(s):
$44 - Adult (19 and older) lift ticket and equipment rental (includes skis, boots, poles)
$29 - Youth (6 to 18) ) lift ticket and equipment rental (includes skis, boots, poles)
Kids 5 and under are free with adult purchase
$10 - 90 minute ski lessons for youth and adults
$6 - kids meal ticket (includes 2 chicken strips, fries, drink and cookie)
RSVP Deadline: Fri., Feb. 19th
Payment Deadline: Wed., Feb. 24th
Other notes:
A restaurant is available on site. If you want the kids meal ticket, you must include it with your pre-payment.
As a group we save quite a bit, normal adult rates are $54 (we save $10) and youth rates are $44 (we save $15). Lessons are normally $40 (we save $30)
Tubing will NOT be available on Friday. It is only available on the weekends right now.
If you cannot make it at 9am, I think that will be okay. I will put your tickets aside with your name on them so that when you arrive they will be ready for you.

Welcome to Mt. Crescent
Located in the Loess Hills of western Iowa, Mt. Crescent Ski Area is just 15 miles northeast of Omaha, Nebraska. We provide Midwest skiers with a variety of slopes to both intrigue new skiers and challenge experienced ones. Runs reaching up to 2,000 feet offer a 300-foot vertical drop. Uphill capacity is 3,600 skiers per hour with our double and quad chairlifts. Lighted for night skiing and equipped with the latest snowmaking system, our ski season runs from early December well into March. As long as we receive a few nights with temperatures below 20 degrees for maximum snowmaking, no natural snow is required! Our trails can all be covered with two to three feet of fine, well-packed snow!
A newly remodeled two-story day lodge complete with year round sundeck is home to the Mountain Cafe & Bar. Enjoy hearty, winter fare complemented by your favorite beverage. Ask about lodge rentals for special events, corporate retreats and holiday parties, we have a full line of catering options to suit your needs.
The lodge also offers a full service ski and snowboard rental shop stocking 1,000 sets of modern ski equipment, including skis, boots and bindings by many of the leading manufacturers. And for snowboarders, we have added a full line of the latest boards and boots to outfit a wide variety of riders. If lessons are needed, our PSIA certified and trained ski and snowboard instructors offer group, semi-private and private lessons.

February Meeting

Our February Meeting will be Friday, Feb. 5th- Gretna KNIGHTS Monthly Meeting – Life Skills: Germs and hand washing, Valentine’s Day Project for KGBI and money facts!

Sledding fun

For our January field trip, we had a blast sledding at the Chalco hill! What a great time to get out and enjoy the outdoors!

January Meeting - Cancelled

There was no January KNIGHTS meeting held due to the weather!

Ice Skating Downtown

For December, we enjoyed ice skating downtown at the Conagra ice skating rink!