Flags and Wrapping Paper

Two weeks ago we started into our study of the later haft of American History.  We have picked up were we left off last year with learning about the slavery and the Underground Railroad.  

Dare-Devil Boy has expressed that's he's enjoying the books and the subject covered this year so far.  Even though it has been the first two weeks.  A huge improvement over the previous years when he looked at the books and wanted nothing to do with them.  I'm so glad that we've changed into a program that he loves and has great books that he enjoys.


In the last two weeks we've learned about the Underground Railroad and have gone into learning about the Civil War.  Like every year we've done some great projects that help in our learning.  It takes a lot more planning on my part, but learning is more fun for my hands-on kids.
 

Fort Sumter Flag

Here is Dare-Devil Boy making homemade wrapping paper.  We would use it to wrap gifts a few days later.

Beyond doing hands-on projects, games and other things one thing my family enjoys are the period style meals.  I try hard to find recipes from books, the web and friends that will fit with whatever time period or unit we are covering.  In the course of doing so my family finds meals or things that they like and I get to add in something new to my menu of cooking. 

Sausage & Apples with Hoppin' John.  It was one of the best meals yet. 

Playing Alone

Wonder Girl's Tent/House

One of my favorite things to see in our house is when all my kids are playing quietly by themselves.  There is no screaming, yelling, crying and someone saying,"MOM!! ______ touched or hit me!!!".  It is during those times that i get a chance to make dinner, post on this blog, even work on making a few thing for school for the following week, or clean my house.

Wonder Girl Playing in her tent/house

Today I caught Wonder Girl doing something that she loves to do and something that I'm always having to clean up.  She had made up her own tent/house with all the blankets she had on her bed.  Inside she was working on her own computer.  She is dressed in her ballet dress and I was informed later that she going to go dance later for me.

Hondo Playing House

I even manged to catch Hondo playing nicely with Wonder Girl's doll house.  He was intent on rearranging all the furniture in the house and making sure all the dolls had taken a bath.



Dare-Devil Boy was working hard on his school.  Recently he's been doing school independently.  He'll still come to me for an help, but mostly he's doing it without me.  

What do your kids do by themselves?  

The Force is Living with Us

Okay I will readily admit that I am a geek when it comes to things like comic books (In both Marvel and DC world.), Star Trek (Yes, I'm a Trekkie.  Something I discovered as of late.  A result that came from growing up with a father who is a Trekkie himself.), Tolkienite, and even more recently Doctor Who fan, among other things.  

But when Dare-Devil Boy wanted a Padawan (a Jedi in training for those that don't know) haircut from Star Wars I wasn't to keen on it.  (Yes, I'm become a Star Wars nerd too.)  Why would you ask?  Well to be frank I though it was crazy and look even stranger.  It would take any months me stating N-O, NO! to this haircut, before I would finally give in.  

My husband took Dare-Devil Boy to get it cut.  And I will admit he doesn't look as bad as I thought. So now he's sporting around a braid (An extention that was put in.  His hair was never that long.) and a tiny ponytail.  So as for now I have a Padawan in training walking around the house and a few more Star Wars battles taking place to save the us from the Empire.