December 11, 2009

7 Quick Takes: December 11, 2009 (Volume 24)

in arts and crafts,children,gifts,homeschooling,humor,media,shopping

~ 1 ~

I have recently read about a lot of people doing more relaxed schooling during December (or some portion of December). I thought this sounded like a great idea, and so we started doing just that this week. Of course, with having had a busy week, it was an easy decision.

While we have continued with math lessons and practicing piano each day (and social studies read alouds for the week), our days this week having also been filled with activities like: games, Legos, problem solving at the grocery store, going to Mass, a science lesson of watching someone’s heart on an echocardiogram (thanks for taking one for the team, Jack), some video/TV watching (MythBusters one afternoon, and The Nativity Story one night after a Reconciliation Service), lots of free reading time, crafts, and whatever else pops into our head that has educational merit that is something we don’t normally do. Can I just tell you how fun it has been?

Next week, we are looking forward to doing some baking as part of school, as well as Christmas “party” school day with one of our favorite homeschooling families.

~ 2 ~

Happy Birthday today to one of the best men I know — my Dad. We love you like crazy!

~ 3 ~

Why is it that my kids all name jobs that they want to do when they grow up that have nothing to do with going to college? It’s not that I’m a snob about it, but darn it — I want those kids to all go to college. When I was their age, I was saying that I wanted to be a teacher.

What do my kids want to be?

1. A Walmart employee (or maybe a hotel owner — so there may be some hope for college there!)

2. A Build-a-Bear Workshop employee

3. A hair stylist, ballerina, tap dancer who works at Noah’s hotel (see number one)

Good thing you aren’t allowed to pick your profession when you’re five years old, huh?

~ 4 ~

I love kids books that crack me up. This week, we read Falling For Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox, and that’s exactly what happened. Everyone in the house laughed about it. It is such a cute story, works on rhyming, and is just down right hilarious. (It would seem that Rapunzel just can’t hear what Prince Charming is saying while she is high in her tower.)

If you haven’t read it, be sure to either pick it up or check it out from the library. Too cute!

“Rapunzel, do you have any rope?”

Rapunzel dropped a cantaloupe.

~ 5 ~

Just love the new Dockers “Wear the Pants” campaign that they started. If you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out.

~ 6 ~

The baby shower that I threw for my sister-in-law last weekend went really well! It was nice to have so many people over, and she and her husband got a lot of great things.

And, as a side bonus — we got our house so clean! Thanks to everyone in the house (and my Mom too!) for helping to clean the house and get food ready.

~ 7 ~

I’ve been working on knitting (with my loom) a blanket for Christmas. Christmas is now two weeks away, and while it is the correct width, it is only about nine inches long right now. I’m either going to have to get to work or I’m going to end up wrapping it still attached to the loom with an IOU with it.

Wish me luck!