Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

God Bless America

We enjoyed a very fun and relaxed 4th of July party at a friends home. During the party we all prayed for our nation which I thought was particularly wonderful.
Bubba & Shoo enjoyed themselves mostly because that pesky Bubba just wouldn't stay in one place. So everywhere he went Shoo was sure to follow screaming "Bubba!"
 All the kids were thrilled to see the joy jump! Wayne was especially pleased to see the spread,pork & beef ribs, 4 kinds of sausage and a variety of potluck sides then followed by an amazing selection of desserts.
After a while the Texas heat became too much and the 6 and under crowd went in the house to recuperate.


So the babies still aren't really thrilled with fireworks and we lite them 2x per year! This picture looks like this because as I was taking it as I was desperately running backwards holding the upset twins.
The good news is the big kids absolutely loved it!

I hope everyone had a fun, fruitful  and fantastic 4th of July just as we did.

God Bless America, land that we love!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Top of the Morning!


Those of you with dye allergies may want to steer clear of our house on St. Patty's Day. Because these country Irish folks plan to P-A-R-T-Y!Well eat a bunch of green stuff today and I plan to keep the green food color people in business. And we'll read about the venerable St. Patrick.



Menu:
Breakfast: Green Eggs, Green Pancakes, green milk & regular oj and sausage
Lunch: Either Irish Stew or Potato Soup
Dinner: Homemade Corned Beef & Cabbage with carrots & rolls on the side
Dessert: is  a knock off of the McDonald's Shamrock Shake (not exactly traditional Irish fare!) But it will do for this shake loving crew.



We are really trying to take advantage of any opportunity we have to add a 'wee bit of fun' to each day. I hope you also enjoy the celebrating the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad it!

Blessings!

Monday, July 04, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."
Benjamin Franklin

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day, Geezer!

During the weeks before Easter we did a variety of activities to prepare for the Easter. So here is the World's Best Dad you know him as Wayne...washing Sugar Pie's feet. He has a servants heart and is always ready and willing to do whatever needs to be done. Games, Birthdays & Events are not missed by this man who is dedicated to the discipleship of his family. So in conclusion I am here to announce to all who are listening the worlds best Dad lives here! And I am not sorry I had to snatch him up!

Be sure to tell the Father's in your life...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Love, Your Geezete

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines Day


Here are the pictures from our Valentines Day 2009...We wish you Christ's Love the only lasting love on this special day!


Sunday, April 12, 2009

He has risen....

50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words.
9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
On the Road to Emmaus 13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.
17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19"What things?" he asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples 36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
The Ascension 50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.


Friday, April 10, 2009

Good Friday


for our sins, for my sins...

The Crucifixion 26As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30Then " 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" '[d] 31For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[e] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38There was a written notice above him, which read:sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]"
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Jesus' Death 44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
from Luke 23

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:1-20
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Merry Christmas from the McVays

Friday, December 19, 2008

Participating in Show & Tell

We decided to do something different since we are not schooling right now and we are participating in Show & Tell with There's No Place Like Home . So here is the frugal edition ....

This is an ornament from one of the recent College Graduate gals that come to our house every Monday Night. She purchased a painted egg from Martha's Vineyard and it's just beautiful. Luckily it was not on the tree when it fell over 2X! She knows how I love chickens and eggs as we have used emptied brown eggs to decorate our home in the country.
This is a pillow I just purchased from Goodwill for about .99 it sits in a chair near the entrance.
Here is a sign picked up at Tractor Supply in February for .33-.50 and even though we do not do Santa I thought it was too cute to pass up!

This is a grapevine wreath someone was throwing away that I use to display Christmas Cards. Folks always stop to check it out, including me! We save photo picture cards and put them in an album so each year we can see how every one's family is growing!

Finally, Mom's favorite Dad and 2 of the kids fell asleep while read Dickens's A Christmas Carol.
Merry Christmas!
RH

Thursday, December 18, 2008

PGM Choir on parade....

The PGM Homeschool Choir won First Place in the Music/Band/Marching Band category in the B/CS Christmas Parade on Sunday! The Resonant Ringers bell choir performed "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" on our float "Reindeer Music Games. The Aspiring Angels rode on the trailer behind the Resonant Ringers and we rang our hearts out and as Parker so aptly captured our other job: "Wave & Smile Boys, Wave & Smile" from one of our favorite movies Madagascar.


The funniest thing during the parade was when I asked Pearsy to please say Merry Christmas to all of the people. She said in her sweet little voice "okay Mama." And then preceded to screech, holler at the folks with the most threatening "MERRY CHRISTMAS" you've ever heard outside of a Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol.

Thank you Mrs. Lassiter, Santini, Beam, McElheny and anyone else I am forgetting for putting this all together!

NOW HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS...or we'll send Pearsy after ya!

RH

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Another McChristmas Tradition


We read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20 (Birth of Jesus) about 20 times this month and we discuss all the aspects of the Christmas story every night. Right now since our curlies are little we have them find the symbols of Christmas A-Z and each night we see what new things we've noticed and we discuss the significance of the items we find. Last night we had an impromptu census and PK ran around and took the census. Sometimes we even hot coco, snacks & a roaring fire.

To Make your A-Z Symbols of Christmas: Take two sheets of paper, tape them together, write A-Z down the side. DO NOT MAKE IT COMPLICATED you have enough stress during the Christmas holidays. It does not need to be green & Red or scrapbooked just written and enjoyed and focused on Christ. Then write down as many things as you can next to each letter, and be sure to let the little ones who can write to write.
Merry Christmas!

RH

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Now performing at the George H. Bush Library....


The McTrio...Yes the girls were ringing their hearts on the 6th of December at the George Bush Presidential Library. I just thought it was so cool my girls were playing in a Presidential Library! Here the little dears are ringing their little hearts out, this is Pearson's second concert as you can see she is now a professional. After the concert the girls got to decorate ornaments (for free) in one off the rooms off of the rotunda and they really enjoyed that too.

Merry Christmas!
RH

Friday, December 12, 2008

2 McVay Christmas Traditions

A Christmas Carol
We love to read and read & read some more over here at Rooster Hill so one of the things we do every Christmas is read Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol. It's a great story of redemption and it gives us the opportunity to discuss how even the greatest sinners can be redeemed! We will also discuss how this is the picture of repentance that Scrooge does an about face and turns away from his wicked ways and become generous lover of people.

Coloring...The Night Before Christmas (Dover Coloring Book)
Perhaps we are not smart enough to do a puzzle instead we color! Each year we write our name, age and year on a page and color. We can only color for 15 minutes at a time to avoid scribbling (from the kids and adults). When we pull it out we all enjoy going through the book to look at the pages we have previously colored!

These are just two of our fun Christmas Traditions we think it's so important that as Christians we do not beat the fun out of Christmas. Now hear my heart my kids know that there is no Santa and that Christmas is about Christ. I want them to remember all the fun we had reading, coloring and sitting around as a family in Christ's month and that he is our head and that He is loads of fun.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Let it Snow.... (global warming?)

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build" Eccl 3:1-3 and yes there is even a time for snow in Texas!

This ain't yer ordinary Texas winter!!! As you can see it's not exactly Tahoe snow but we will take what we can get! When Micah got here this morning Donna informed us that it was snowing. So we woke all the curlies up bundled them up and sent them outside. Our first tragedy was Parker decided that she wanted to jump on the trampoline without her boots. But we warmed up her tootsies and back outside she went without even a call to the good Dr. B. In case you are wondering why I posted a picture of a ball of snow on the ground....That is a Texas Snow Man! They were so proud. Immediately after the picture in which they are holding the snowballs PK announced "Snowball fight!"... and pegged her sister dead in the middle of the chest with her snowball. Now that's a picture I would of liked to get. Finally, little PH made her way out of her cozy comfy bed (okay we shook her, picked her up and dragged her out of bed, she normally sleeps until about 10 am) and we captured this 'impromptu' shot on the side of the trampoline.

Today, school will be delayed a bit and the day will be savored a little longer. On days like today it's easy to be joyful as I see my curlies eyes light up as they see the snow and make a snowman.

BTW....Al Gore where are you why can't we find you it's snowing in central Texas! Additionally, this has been a very cold fall & winter for us.


Letting it Snow,
RH

Monday, December 08, 2008

PGM Chior does Christmas in the Park with friends

Let me start this post with two facts....First of all my camera died before I took my first picture. Argh...it's Pearson's debut into the world of bell ringing. She will be marred for life and sending me her shrink bills which will say "Very few pictures exist to verify this child's early existence..." Pearson I just want you to know Mommy tried.... Well, after my realization of the impending psychiatric bills my husband calmly reminded me that we had just purchased a battery and a new charger that were still in the car. Then he asked me if I had I tried it yet.While I was wondering if we were actually newly weds and not But even before I could answer he dashed off to the car and saved the day with a 1/2 charged battery. Hooray for hubby's...so there are no too adorable pix of the kids ringing their bells. Just a couple of adorable kids sitting and watching the older ones ring!

The second thing I wanted to mention is that it was thirty some odd degrees and in Texas that's cold!

None the less some brave and warmly dressed friends (The Watters & Fernando M.) made their way out to see our little girls ring their little hearts out! We went on a hayride and walked the park to see the lights close up. We were even blessed by the Lutheran Church across the street had a live nativity set up. At the nativity we ran into the Apel's with their sweet little kiddos.

We love Christmas in the Park and we go every year the lights are spectacular and they add a little more to it each year. They also serve free hot chocolate & cookies to go along with the free hay rides. All in all not to bad for Choir Concert #1.... in 3 days a concert a day every mom's dream! Is my washing machine empty I've got to wash more choir clothes....

Ringing our way to Christmas,

RH

Saturday, December 06, 2008

It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas...


During Christmas I really try to practice frugal decorating techniques because it is the one time of year I really have to work on impulse shopping! So here is a frugal decorators tour......
On top of this antique pie safe that was given to us (as long as we moved it ASAP!) I placed some boxes that held a gift from one of Wayne's vendor's & the 12 days of Christmas book (I desperately wanted and out of the blue) my step Mom sent me two years. I then moved the cast iron cross ($3) from the Warrenton Antique fair from it's regular spot, across the room, near the gifts. Because Jesus gave us the gift of eternal life.

We also have this very country looking tree skirt which was purchased at Albertson's for about $2 after Christmas reduced from something like $30. I put the Norman Rockwell Art Book (a homeschool book doing double duty purchased for about $2) up and opened it to the Christmas themed pages. I must admit I have already caught the children enthralled and thumbing through the pages.

I use an old grapevine wreath someone was going to throw out to hold our Christmas Cards.

Here is my front door though after looking at Kelli's page I am going to add my sled basket to the little table on the front porch and fill it pine cones & evergreens. I just decorated it with a craft I did in MOPS (Mother's of Preschooler's) several years ago and my annual Pointsettia purchased from Wal-Mart for $3.99. I love pointsettias and just wish I could afford to have several more!
Now on to the tree..all of the ornaments on my tree probably total about $5-8 because they are all bought well after Christmas when Wal-Mart is begging you to remove things so they can set up for the next sale. I know for a fact I have never paid more then 1.00 for a box of ornaments.
Sadly, last year we went into our yard (acres) and cut down at tree but it kept tipping over, was as sharp as a box cutter and I broke about 1/2 of my ornaments. So back to the Christmas tree lot for us this year and we purchased a $39 tree. Wayne will not let me get a nice artificial tree and end the yearly expense, his frugality has limits.

My top 3 frugal Christmas decorating suggestions are to:
  1. Really, look at the boxes, gift tags, bows & ribbons etc.. that folks give you and see if you can use them in your Christmas decorating.

  2. Then buy Christmas decor after Christmas and continue to check for it well into the new year.

  3. Finally, keep your eyes open at Goodwill & Garage Sales all year long. I got the cutest little Christmas half apron for $1.50 at a local thrift store.
  4. Just like anytime I am decorating I only keep things I like, no matter how cheap or free an item is, if I dislike it will smush my Christmas spirit.

My focal point is Jesus and I try to think about how each element of the decor can teach my kids a truth about Him. The red reminds us he shed his blood on the cross, gifts remind us he gave us the gift of eternal life....

Merry Christmas,

RH

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Christmas Decorating Challenge

I love Christmas time it is my favorite time of the year! We start playing holdiay music as soon as Thanksgiving dinner is eaten and we play it until the new year! We Read Dicken's a Christmas Carol every year and talk about what it means to be redeemed and repent! I decorate for Christmas each year and I try to add little things here and there just so the house feels different as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior! I'd love for you all to link your Christmas posts regarding decorating ideas, family traditions, recipes and all things Christmas . I'll post some of my ideas soon but in the meanwhile show me what you've got! I'm not sure how this works as I have never hosted a challenge but on your marks get set....get go!

Mrs. M

Please put a link to your decor, food or ideas by clicking on Mr. Linky here!


Friday, November 28, 2008

Homestead Heritage's 21st Annual Thanksgiving Craft & Children's Fair Weekend



November 28th - 30th

This is an intentional Christian Community aimed at self sufficiency. This Fair is about all things old timey. They are open all year long if you miss the 21st Annual Homestead Craft & Children's fair. If you long to be self sufficent, love history, you're green or just want to know more about gardening and pottery this is the place for you! You may see the McVay's, Supercinski's & Benavides wandering about.......

Here is the information from their site:

Join us for our 21st annual Homestead Craft & Children's Fair at Brazos de Dios. Bring the whole family and plan to spend the entire day-there's something for everyone to enjoy, from young to old. Be sure to dress warmly for those chilly, late fall evenings.
Craft Demonstrations
Agricultural Exhibits
Working Homestead
Music
Outdoor Food
Activities for Children
Gift Shopping
Barn Raising
Annual Auction
And Much More!
Craft Demonstrations
Each day in the craft pavilion, you'll find a wide variety of ongoing homestead craft demonstrations - woodworking with hand tools, pottery, sewing, quilting, spinning, weaving, broom making, basket making, leather work and more.
Shopping
While you're here, plan to do some Christmas shopping-we have hundreds of handcrafted gifts and specialty items from which to choose.
Agricultural Exhibits
At Heritage Farm, our working homestead, watch agricultural demonstrations including draft horse farming, sheep herding with a sheepdog, cow and goat milking, butter and cheese making, brick-oven bread baking and cider pressing, as well as exhibits on beekeeping, poultry raising, farm animals and more.
Music
Gather under the music tent with us for gospel songs, bluegrass msic and more each afternoon of the Fair, as well as Friday and Saturday evenings.
Activities for Children
For your children, we offer hands-on activities, including beeswax candle dipping, felting, making soap balls, learning to cross-stitch, shaping a wooden spatula and more.
Outdoor Food
Throughout each day we offer tasty food at our outdoor concession booths and kiosks-try a sizzling beef sausage-on-a-stick or a spicy, grilled chicken gordita. Sample our fresh whole wheat bread baked in a brick oven or try one of our specialty flavors of ice cream.
And Much More!
You'll also find horse-drawn hayrides, artwork, children's writings, children's books, Homestead Farms specialty foods, solid wood furniture, letterpress printing, an audiovisual presentation, a baked goods sale and more!
See You at the Fair!
ANNUAL FAVORITES
At the Working Homestead
* Draft Horse Farming
* Sheepdog Demonstration
In the Craft Pavilion Area
* Making a Windsor Chair
* Working Wood by Hand
* Wheel-Thrown Pottery
In the Music Tent
* Children's Choirs
* Evening Music
On the Fairgrounds
* Horse-Drawn Hayrides
* Apple Cider Pressing
* Candle Dipping
* Barn Raising
* Homestead Gristmill
* Toy Sailboats
At the Food Court
* Shish Kabobs
* Hamburgers & Fries
* Maple Pecan Ice Cream
* Hot Apple Cider
At the Food Kiosks
* Kettle Corn
* Apple Cider Donuts
* Sausage-on-a-Stick
At the Community Hall
* Children's Writings
* Children's Books
BARN RAISING
Come give us a hand on Friday and Saturday as we raise and assemble a historic barn frame using traditional hand methods.
HISTORIC
BUILDINGS TOUR
Allow time to take the historic buildings walking tour, to see buildings including a 1760's New Jersey barn, an 1830's Missouri cabin and an 1860's New York smokehouse.
RESTORED GRISTMILL
Be sure to walk over to Homestead Gristmill, our 1760's restored gristmill where we grind whole wheat flour and cornmeal.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving





...Now, get off the computer and go enjoy some time with your family!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Thanksgiving Unit Study


Okay, this is the first time that Rooster Hill Academy is journeying of the beaten path to do a Mom planned unit study on "Thanksgiving" including a lapbook or notebook. It will include the , Mayflower, Indians and finally Thanksgiving traditions. Normally, I would want to have it all planned out in fact this was my planning weekend but instead of planning I spent the weekend in bed and in the bathroom with a stomach virus. So there are not neatly typed plans for the next week much less the next two weeks. I have a general idea of what we are doing and I will keep you appraised on our progress and what we learn as we go through this. I think it's kind of appropriate that just like the pilgrims had to rely on the Lord in their journeys we will be relying on his guidance in our schooling.
The one thing all of the little planner pages I have found keep emphasizing is to have listed out what you want the kids to learn. Since my kiddos do not know anything about this time in history I am going to give them a pretest and then at the end I will have them do the same test and see what they know. Now my test I am just going to ask them some questions and then record their answers and I'll add these to their lapbooks. At the end of the unit I will have Peyton write a paper about what she knows about Thanksgiving, Parker can dictate one to me and Pearson can dance sing and twirl all around the homeschool room.

I am really excited about a book I picked up at Cavitt Corner a little resale store in Bryan for .89 I didn't know if it was any good then I saw it listed in a couple of my Charlotte Mason books as great resource...Pilgrim Stores by Margaret Humphrey's. This will be the spine of our study and we will read a little each day for the three weeks.

The first week we will read "Three Young Pilgrims" by Harness. The second week we will read The second week we will read Squanto friend of the Pilgrims . Then we head into the third week with another book I am really looking forward to that is great for the elementary ages is by Alice Dalgaleish ...The Thanksgiving Story. I picked that up at the Local Homeschool Store for $3 (1/2 price!!!). This week we will also read portions of Turkeys, Pilgrims and Indian Corn as we discuss the symbols of Thanksgiving.

History/Literature (often overlaps in CM Studies): The 4-6 books scheduled to be read see above. Label the Mayflower and perhaps build a replica of the Plymouth settlement, maybe an Indian village for the second week, Food preparations for the third week. (Misc books used: Nature Study the Easy way by Cindy Rushton, If you sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, Time Travelers CD from Homeschool in the woods)

Readers for Peyton: Dear America The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple & Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern

Now for Science I found..... Levers , growing food "Indian Style", pilgrims warmth

Geography...Obviously the voyage and a discussion of the weather and land forms. We discussed Holland and looked at pictures of canals, windmills & clogs. Map of the route from Plymouth England to Plymouth, Mass in America.

For Language Arts : Proper Nouns (introduce & reemphasize), Copy work (Thanksgiving themed lined paper)& Memory: A Prayer for Thanksgiving by Robert Luis Stevenson Peyton & Thanksgiving Prayer by Edna Mae Busch for Parker & Descriptive Writing assignments at the end. We will also discuss poetry and write a poem.

I wanted to provide everyone with some links for Thanksgiving studies that I found over the past few weeks:

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/across_the_wide_dark_sea.php - Lists about 6 books that cover Thanksgiving and provides an outline for what the woman says will take a week it looks like two weeks of work to me. We will use a lot of the great stuff she has laid out for us here.

Enchanted Learning a McVay favorite has lots of miscellaneous stuff for Thanksgiving. I just remember when I was in school how much I loved to color the holiday color sheets and I want my kids to have those memories too.

Treasure Box's Harvest of Science: Has the Fishy Science & Keeping Warm Science activities.

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