tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48205367085720047022024-03-12T22:37:11.825-07:00Outside The SandboxWe have different gifts,according to the grace given to each of us. accordance with your faith;if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach Romans 12:6-7Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-88886879529114387512014-03-25T09:07:00.000-07:002014-03-25T09:07:00.246-07:00An Ode To Doctor Who, Snow and Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk2lfw97CM0OjwYo7I2HppNZjfgBgDmY_agpjcmeBSN1sVnZdrTwNAbEJ_U6fxePULS9H6lDvZuiUVKRFZ7IzgJ0zh3lx-Ezalo6ksz62piygV_X5dLFLnbtZowVycny_guwscODc9p8A/s1600/doctorwhosnowspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk2lfw97CM0OjwYo7I2HppNZjfgBgDmY_agpjcmeBSN1sVnZdrTwNAbEJ_U6fxePULS9H6lDvZuiUVKRFZ7IzgJ0zh3lx-Ezalo6ksz62piygV_X5dLFLnbtZowVycny_guwscODc9p8A/s1600/doctorwhosnowspring.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Seriously we are done with snow.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-30090896511320380182014-03-24T08:40:00.000-07:002014-03-24T09:09:49.019-07:00A Little Fun with March Madness Unit Study and Star Wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are using the enthusiasm of NCAA tournament as a unit study to explore healthy debate habits, math concepts (decimals, probability, statistics, percentages, mean, median, mode and averages, writing algebraic expressions) and geography(history, geography and culture of a state, city or region). Using inspiration and concepts from the following resources:<br />
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<a href="http://lookwerelearning.com/2013/03/crazy-for-march-madness/#comment-1149" target="_blank">Selena @ Look We Are Learnin</a>g has nice worksheets for young children. <br />
<a href="http://www.byrdseed.com/academic-march-madness/" target="_blank">Byrdseed : Academic March Madness</a><br />
<a href="http://blog.efexploreamerica.com/2012/03/march-madness-lesson-plans/" target="_blank">The Compass: March Madness Lesson Plans</a><br />
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Some families are even using brackets to learn the Presidents. (Washington vs Jackson).<br />
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While searching for ways to make this interesting and fun I have found that Lucasfilm released a S<a href="http://thisismadness.starwars.com/" target="_blank">tars Star Wars March Madness</a> bracket pitting the Light Side of the Force against the Dark Side. The March Madness competition being played out in the bracket will be held online, where fans can vote on who should win each day’s face-off.
I know most of us have had our fill of Star Wars, but this is proving to be an interesting and engaging discussion. The whole mythology of Star Wars lends itself to great character <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">character analysis.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Plus it is just fun.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>analysis. Plus it is just fun. ;-)<br />
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Blessings,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a><br />
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<br />Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-19985055176090595392014-03-20T13:15:00.001-07:002014-03-20T13:15:30.935-07:00Welcome Spring 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1NfiQhLWOjQscuYhRaysrKv4ieSrPTuz5TYX6BhwSEkGPWa1E1ypYzU28_gqeHj9EfXaEqbxU4KMVqDC6ekL45cFlskJR61aVAXH_2aN-uemL7rdSACpmR8MsZCA1ROucrOzO0NU6R-W/s1600/snowabe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1NfiQhLWOjQscuYhRaysrKv4ieSrPTuz5TYX6BhwSEkGPWa1E1ypYzU28_gqeHj9EfXaEqbxU4KMVqDC6ekL45cFlskJR61aVAXH_2aN-uemL7rdSACpmR8MsZCA1ROucrOzO0NU6R-W/s320/snowabe.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-61994365857762376322013-05-08T09:00:00.000-07:002013-05-08T09:00:06.379-07:00Wordless Wednesday: Rainy Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA3klyW9RmkHqByBFSSORdMkOsbp-JgEbrC9KP_FdCq0sMF3QgFs09STR3S9yFJzIkIbTTIZwF7Zknx3paWoHjFyKjrxK9S13D60i2EuPZx7AeR-ptuL5kKAVNDLPLux9I0rhskq-wLll/s1600/rainyhomeschoolday.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA3klyW9RmkHqByBFSSORdMkOsbp-JgEbrC9KP_FdCq0sMF3QgFs09STR3S9yFJzIkIbTTIZwF7Zknx3paWoHjFyKjrxK9S13D60i2EuPZx7AeR-ptuL5kKAVNDLPLux9I0rhskq-wLll/s640/rainyhomeschoolday.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-37444794074607571742013-04-20T17:20:00.000-07:002013-04-20T17:20:47.916-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had an amazing time with the Cherry Blossom Unit Study at Co-Op. One mom supplied us with National Park Service Handouts from the Cherry Blossom festival, thank you Mrs. N. Another mom brought a video about the Blossoms, thank you Mrs. M. While another mom lead the class in craft techniques. The kids had some very creative interpretation of the Cherry Blossoms.
The Student went for a Zen minimalist technique that was beautiful. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1WEJ0h-Ytw4Z-fE9qvfcoIZ-UfJDBgH3G4e120aKsGJTTg1_KwToaBuJqnWSki3LK1JMIwnGSmscJmuMt7Lt1VIMrAMtCGmj18RCa05hyDZh8i1x4-qxjImkpLr8SaoVp43Lpx_c1nHw/s1600/cherryblossoms2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1WEJ0h-Ytw4Z-fE9qvfcoIZ-UfJDBgH3G4e120aKsGJTTg1_KwToaBuJqnWSki3LK1JMIwnGSmscJmuMt7Lt1VIMrAMtCGmj18RCa05hyDZh8i1x4-qxjImkpLr8SaoVp43Lpx_c1nHw/s640/cherryblossoms2.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
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Books about the Cherry Blossoms:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thea-Stilton-Cherry-Blossom-Adventure/dp/0545227720/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366502062&sr=1-1&keywords=Thea+Stilton%3A+And+the+Cherry+Blossom+Adventure+by+Geronimo+Stilton">Thea
Stilton: And the Cherry Blossom Adventure by Geronimo Stilton</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Traditions-Blossoms-Seasonal-Festivities/dp/4805310898/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366501998&sr=8-1&keywords=Japanese+Traditions+by+Setsu+Broderick+and+Willamarie+Moore">Japanese
Traditions by Setsu Broderick and Willamarie Moore</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Shorts-Caldecott-Honor-Book/dp/0439339111/ref=pd_sim_b_4">Zen
Shorts by Jon J. Muth</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Blossoms-Spring-National-Geographic/dp/1426309848/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1366502204&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=national+cherry+blossoms">Cherry
Blossoms Say Spring by Jill Esbuam</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizas-Cherry-Trees-Japans-America/dp/1589809548/ref=pd_sim_b_1">Eliza's
Cherry Trees: Japan's Gift to America</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-65595731283151403112013-04-15T07:48:00.000-07:002013-04-15T09:53:50.626-07:00Washington DC Cherry Blossoms 2013 Unit Study and Co-Op PlansA sure sign that spring has arrived in Washington DC is the sighting of Cherry Blossoms. It is annual event that brings millions into the district as well area residents out of the winter hiding places to enjoy this natural notice that winter is behind us. It is one of the most beautiful experiences here in the district. This year’s blossoms were slow bloomers because of the cold weather. Once they arrived it was amazing.<br />
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So what is all this excitement over a cherry tree and Washington?
First here is a little history …<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #e06666;">The first two of the 3,000 trees donated by Japan to the United States were planted on March 27, 1912, by first lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador. The planting was marked with a small story in the newspaper. Over the next eight years the rest of the trees would be planted around the Tidal Basin and in East Potomac Park. </span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Today, 100 years later, hundreds of thousands of people come to Washington each year just to walk under the gently arching branches of the Yoshino, Akebono and Kwanzan trees. </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Many people, maybe including you, can’t imagine Washington without the cherry trees. But we probably wouldn’t be enjoying them today if it weren’t for Eliza Scidmore (pronounced Sid-more). In 1885 she visited Japan, where she first saw cherry trees. She returned to her home in Washington and spent the next 24 years pushing for the planting of cherry trees in the nation’s capital. She had no luck until she wrote a letter in 1909 to Mrs. Taft, the wife of President William Howard Taft. She loved the idea, and soon the plan for the plantings was underway. Scidmore was there when Mrs. Taft planted the first trees. </span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #e06666;">And the rest, as they say, is history. Beautiful, beautiful history.
— <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-03-16/lifestyle/35446664_1_cherry-trees-cherry-blossoms-kwanzan" target="_blank">Tracy Grant, Washington Pos</a></span></b></i><a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-03-16/lifestyle/35446664_1_cherry-trees-cherry-blossoms-kwanzan" target="_blank">t </a><br />
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<u><b>Additional History Resources:</b></u><br />
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/cherry/cherry-blossom-history.htm" target="_blank">National Park Service</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/" target="_blank">Cherry Blossom Festival</a><br />
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Hanami (a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the cherry blossoms in bloom) and the 'National Cherry Blossom Festival' (an American festival held in Washington D.C. in remembrance of the occasions in which Japan gave the United States thousands of cherry blossom trees as a symbol of friendship). Every year millions attend this festival to enjoy the blossoms. A millions more enjoy viewing the “<a href="http://www.earthcam.com/usa/dc/cherryblossoms/" target="_blank">Cherry Blossom Webcam.</a>”<br />
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Here are some photos of our Hanami last week.<br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAL6lc8D7InDCBcG2FUaJB6V6JgxCOqX5KEoejewqygIjGYeqxIH1ctc_FXj_j-77XhHPZDQAE0E6OjIKN6bolTaxbzZWnYSZMZ36XQRLdT7c7ErAnlwr42UjaAhxJrGtVRW7t5Oc7Y_G/s640/cherryblossomsstatues3.jpg" width="424" /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/cherry/upload/0.060_XT90_13663_NAMA_2_1.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.nps.gov/cherry/upload/0.060_XT90_13663_NAMA_2_1.pdf</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNu3ow9dZ9B5Ld1rIpjBt152x8rDqkGiBVrKSOrBvReQW_ye70PcRY6QPni6HZwBNbAWSpYjk1nw5zqw5-qWPAtXt-phOOHyqU6hk-0xZIKTW7qjMARxdJ2vwuzGd2WoS0QtF_mpTDhR7a/s1600/mlk_2013_cherryblossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNu3ow9dZ9B5Ld1rIpjBt152x8rDqkGiBVrKSOrBvReQW_ye70PcRY6QPni6HZwBNbAWSpYjk1nw5zqw5-qWPAtXt-phOOHyqU6hk-0xZIKTW7qjMARxdJ2vwuzGd2WoS0QtF_mpTDhR7a/s640/mlk_2013_cherryblossom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you would like to extend you Cherry Blossom experience please check out the <a href="http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/in-the-community/youth-programs/youth-education/" target="_blank">National Cherry Blossoms’ website for actives including earning a Girl Scout Patch.</a><br />
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Here are the tentative plans for our co-op lesson:<br />
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<ul>
<li> First we talk about the History of the Cherry Blossoms in DC</li>
<li> Then talk about the art project that we are doing </li>
<ul>
<li> 3 make your own cherry blossoms:</li>
<ul>
<li> The guys will love these scrolls <a href="http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com/2011/05/cherry-blossom-scrolls.html%C2%A0" target="_blank">http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com/2011/05/cherry-blossom-scrolls.html </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/79339520/Cherry-Blossom-Tree-Instructions-This-colorful-craft-encourages">http://www.docstoc.com/docs/79339520/Cherry-Blossom-Tree-Instructions-This-colorful-craft-encourages</a></li>
<li> <a href="http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/cherry-blossom-art-from-a-recycled-soda-bottle/%C2%A0" target="_blank">http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/cherry-blossom-art-from-a-recycled-soda-bottle/ </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cherry-Blossom-Art-Using-the-Bottom-of-a-Soda-Bottle">http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cherry-Blossom-Art-Using-the-Bottom-of-a-Soda-Bottle</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li> Each person does their own work of art </li>
<li>Then we talk about a brief history of the library </li>
<li>Ask them about what they like about the library</li>
<li> Then make giant "Thank You" card for the Children's Library team with Cherry Blossoms </li>
</ul>
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Also there will be microscopes the set up a Cherry Blossom science station to examine the petals and buds of samples.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-39349360105807091352013-03-19T06:30:00.001-07:002013-03-19T06:30:06.136-07:0015 Goals for this Week <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx1hLkKFMQG1ZkVCRcoAyAUH4u64irnh3WPe5JZZwnSTGghTB0x2D8cO6nlTmIfQ2PrK1g-O4xCgvOQJFCQKNiS_a-wnFtUAj1MvcSllxeLWtIY7jfRZj_N0jTrIrbqc6J4nho7F7evvb/s1600/goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx1hLkKFMQG1ZkVCRcoAyAUH4u64irnh3WPe5JZZwnSTGghTB0x2D8cO6nlTmIfQ2PrK1g-O4xCgvOQJFCQKNiS_a-wnFtUAj1MvcSllxeLWtIY7jfRZj_N0jTrIrbqc6J4nho7F7evvb/s400/goals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have not posted goals in a long time. The primary reason is because I beat myself up when I don’t accomplished half of the goals. So I opted out but still beat myself up for not planning. Does that make sense? Well after rereading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Money-Saving-Moms-Budget-Streamline/dp/1451646208/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363699754&sr=1-1&keywords=money+saving+mom" target="_blank">Crystal Paine’s</a> book I realized that maybe…just maybe I am planning to do too much in one week. My type is was showing big time. This week I am going with basic goals and limiting myself to three goals per category. The primary goal this week is to access how realistic is my goal planning process. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week’s goals:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />1. Finish <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Tollbooth-50th-Anniversary/dp/0375869034/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363699573&sr=1-1&keywords=phantom+tollbooth" target="_blank">Phantom Tollbooth</a> aloud at lunch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Have a movie night with hubby and not fall asleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Have 30 minute couch time three times this week with kiddo where we talk /read/listen to any subject of his choosing, including Star Wars. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personal Goals </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Memorize listen to Pastor’s sermon Big Dream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Complete 2 miles five times this week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Continue with the Early to Rise Challenge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Homeschool Goals</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Do a complete a seven day school plan and post on blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Schedule work on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Strange-Case-Origami-Yoda/dp/0810984253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363698718&sr=8-1&keywords=origami+yoda" target="_blank">The Strange Case of Origami Yoda.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Establish and post March/April Calendar with all activities and play dates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Homemaking Goals </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Do a complete a seven day menu plan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Develop a Spring Cleaning/Decluttering project plan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Start T-shirt blanket. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Business Goals </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Schedule co-op planning meeting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. Post in blog five times this week including Wordless Wednesday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. Investigate how to update blog.</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-73330340840008190212013-03-15T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-15T05:30:03.891-07:00Beware the ides of March..Literature Study<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Caesar:
Who is it in the press that calls on me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I hear a tongue shriller than all the music</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cry "Caesar!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Caesar:
What man is that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Brutus:
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.</span> </span><br />
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<i> Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 15–19</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of the ides of March we will be studying Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in the form of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeares-Julius-Caeser-Kids-Melodramatic/dp/1439213550/ref=la_B002F58HOE_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363295005&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Shakespeare's Julius Caesar for Kids by </a></span><span class="ptBrand"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeares-Julius-Caeser-Kids-Melodramatic/dp/1439213550/ref=la_B002F58HOE_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363295005&sr=1-1" target="_blank">by Brendan P. Kelso, Hannah Sidaris-Green and Shana Lopez</a>.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtHaTL3UvkrSeOMRN1SgbTmwm1PVDD1fZC9NPxEge0gVgQRf67RNqKqVKYygmYlxqgeysSwcFf2sXkWM7_njEGHqZfucSASw8RBgQKAzwZNGsP8_XpQ9CMUhx13Xd5YNl3I39xpegEW5k/s1600/61U1rHY-NZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-65,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtHaTL3UvkrSeOMRN1SgbTmwm1PVDD1fZC9NPxEge0gVgQRf67RNqKqVKYygmYlxqgeysSwcFf2sXkWM7_njEGHqZfucSASw8RBgQKAzwZNGsP8_XpQ9CMUhx13Xd5YNl3I39xpegEW5k/s400/61U1rHY-NZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-65,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-20534912292342605412013-03-14T07:50:00.000-07:002013-03-14T07:50:13.447-07:00Happy Pi Day- Homeschool Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Pi Day!</span></div>
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We will be celebrating Pi Day with Co-Op friends. We are scheduled to complete scavenger hunt, share treat and
several Pi themed games. At 3:14 pm we will sing Happy Birthday to
Einstein.</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">We will post all the fun later. But here is a peek how we kicked off Pi Day.</span></span><span class="HOEnZb" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #888888;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOoQDYP72jBxmC8y2OAXzCPCdBMRvIhTWhprsz3vyJPupNiT3XopDNfN-xzM3ba_CxTVIqGgqylWMpCF3-4kWeRt59pHu6nGGmvpYJboJ04WSpj7Hb_WsquYhGoAYy4NrTMs-oWHKnHaP/s1600/pidaypancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOoQDYP72jBxmC8y2OAXzCPCdBMRvIhTWhprsz3vyJPupNiT3XopDNfN-xzM3ba_CxTVIqGgqylWMpCF3-4kWeRt59pHu6nGGmvpYJboJ04WSpj7Hb_WsquYhGoAYy4NrTMs-oWHKnHaP/s400/pidaypancakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEKRg7YbrvVxYOVxEsQIfxPIrQwC3cirRP8FjqQKjmL_AI5pGhWoNWDhCo-d30cVlCNZ2ponAweL0hbhWCeOKPhGIyX6UPUtu7Z90AvIxBQCpuq5voTyWVsyQqjvUMJrqq7wN4Bdaz0ea/s1600/piday3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEKRg7YbrvVxYOVxEsQIfxPIrQwC3cirRP8FjqQKjmL_AI5pGhWoNWDhCo-d30cVlCNZ2ponAweL0hbhWCeOKPhGIyX6UPUtu7Z90AvIxBQCpuq5voTyWVsyQqjvUMJrqq7wN4Bdaz0ea/s400/piday3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Zz6qoCxYJmFQRthZn0oWZ_TBKe7dwH3Hky2LcWH87gDlPokr03Md6XToHxObCL5pP34R8gbPRm4H9gO0_HbAzxZaQOvEOrctOq-csd3kjY2n4CqZRIe5sSvF23GZtHRRvR0eAEqpJNlY/s1600/piday4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Zz6qoCxYJmFQRthZn0oWZ_TBKe7dwH3Hky2LcWH87gDlPokr03Md6XToHxObCL5pP34R8gbPRm4H9gO0_HbAzxZaQOvEOrctOq-csd3kjY2n4CqZRIe5sSvF23GZtHRRvR0eAEqpJNlY/s400/piday4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2wL7uV-Ta56lG34jeUyQGc-je8aoYJUEZdKf3seacVxSlGJOgSG_xLEAIc-Vkr2NcfY2POI5PzSXCg95d_TrxJ3wwZBqEEaUcmdlL_A2-DAoVrZus0qyzORWyd1FyeJRZeW947l_hwFa/s1600/pidaypancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-21608410532608048782013-02-19T07:47:00.000-08:002013-02-19T07:47:03.254-08:00Fine Motor Challenge: Cat's Cradle Every month I try to have a fine motor challenge for the student. This month I went "old school" with <a href="http://www.klutz.com/activity-book/Cats-Cradle">Klutz Cat's Cradle Book.</a><br />
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According to the description: Great for building fine-motor skills and following directions<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjua2Akvw8XSa57P1nYD_xXACTKAcPscdbsNzGecYQQcpJD17MBq8AeHDab-BKodAN0QxsK7-yLe6-SA6V57ohKes21dOimeFDd1BNRIMGoFNU9-srXh1Lz-6iAQtHRGXJ0rBRPiTp513Zb/s1600/catscradle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjua2Akvw8XSa57P1nYD_xXACTKAcPscdbsNzGecYQQcpJD17MBq8AeHDab-BKodAN0QxsK7-yLe6-SA6V57ohKes21dOimeFDd1BNRIMGoFNU9-srXh1Lz-6iAQtHRGXJ0rBRPiTp513Zb/s400/catscradle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT_yL9UOyAC-OSuDd2iPL1pQ4VvaYmRjylzDbpvwYMRcDzvWaO5kC3ezVhenZib_UhJaKd-0ELb4ZL5jrl9B4riC6DOfGSWx2C__drhvmCZapagx_Z3XfvQouA5lu7NC7f0AUd8ppRhQB/s1600/catscradlespread1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT_yL9UOyAC-OSuDd2iPL1pQ4VvaYmRjylzDbpvwYMRcDzvWaO5kC3ezVhenZib_UhJaKd-0ELb4ZL5jrl9B4riC6DOfGSWx2C__drhvmCZapagx_Z3XfvQouA5lu7NC7f0AUd8ppRhQB/s400/catscradlespread1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJn6dT61__9s4wBeu-g7VPLM5CTtn0qgvptpiqM54Gro8XkJNugzXV6IkY1zfgadW2fiHWohUu9oIfuPfyCbkeOeGGEUhFqNfLybA0xjrYtD2xrlFoZwoLsfO0opX-_3-2chBMi-dxNc5p/s1600/catscradlespread1.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-57107099009559027002013-02-14T05:53:00.001-08:002013-02-14T05:54:27.951-08:00Happy Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG47YB-VMes1f63eemUt0ToYMoC9xMaVP9R15U__kZcLECyA-y5zaBFfCu9OZ5jHRRWfV3zpHmqvO-zuNQezHQk9CbMWr36ibQ9NY7BURj259XoFvMl2lfwsL4kppkeZ4hTcwUnB0yOXL_/s1600/539847_482144185182251_1310258441_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG47YB-VMes1f63eemUt0ToYMoC9xMaVP9R15U__kZcLECyA-y5zaBFfCu9OZ5jHRRWfV3zpHmqvO-zuNQezHQk9CbMWr36ibQ9NY7BURj259XoFvMl2lfwsL4kppkeZ4hTcwUnB0yOXL_/s400/539847_482144185182251_1310258441_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-44780408794993981352013-02-13T13:57:00.002-08:002013-02-13T13:58:59.496-08:00Wordless Wednesday:Ninja Grippy Socks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK-6MDZQHfX6QTeBAytOqIC8LF15f2yD3W1Bq40bOfzVBtKmxmLXL8GlNwilvgUdbKCGgJSoqmNNH3cLE-QEUod38Ac3zQs-BJTigzu8KOz-Ya6RBuDhLd-O8hisn83aHIaVuPa3y1xGt/s1600/Ninjagrippy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK-6MDZQHfX6QTeBAytOqIC8LF15f2yD3W1Bq40bOfzVBtKmxmLXL8GlNwilvgUdbKCGgJSoqmNNH3cLE-QEUod38Ac3zQs-BJTigzu8KOz-Ya6RBuDhLd-O8hisn83aHIaVuPa3y1xGt/s640/Ninjagrippy.jpg" width="610" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-43294937828352087272013-02-13T10:24:00.001-08:002013-02-13T10:24:41.277-08:00QOTD: What are the ashes all about?Ash Wednesday Lent in Two Minutes<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m3L3c23MfC0" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-79449007881648854822013-02-01T04:39:00.002-08:002013-02-01T04:39:44.113-08:00Go Red and Save Your Heart!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goredforwomen.org/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbGGwKu0KlG3Xrj8_rLI9Fnv8PPndZRQoJvUv9JERTAt5Tbn3GQpkan3KS9PRmdY19PE0tL3DyDoWlLU9B8TNvM5wQHBWEi7N82qEl9cYj2LNdoAFGpUmeUMGCOpv_GrKdMC-NaqY4_98/s320/GoRedForWomen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-17050911274337800962013-01-31T17:02:00.000-08:002013-01-31T17:02:01.824-08:00Teaching the 57th Inaugural<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpsS_nNbP6hnuxMUOODI7k2kt0zPnfas67Tksd117EGkcipqAysytoQmHL8LS1lnRq6w7fuz2IHH8SNoHUbkckKgPaxi3XxoO-VnscuCUeY1KWySTnx0_X443ooiPV1u6T9D6kbhAtBuM/s1600/07d375d02c3b15589a5d79539b3d5597_13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpsS_nNbP6hnuxMUOODI7k2kt0zPnfas67Tksd117EGkcipqAysytoQmHL8LS1lnRq6w7fuz2IHH8SNoHUbkckKgPaxi3XxoO-VnscuCUeY1KWySTnx0_X443ooiPV1u6T9D6kbhAtBuM/s1600/07d375d02c3b15589a5d79539b3d5597_13.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Congratulations,
You've received a badge! </span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's what Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studie</span>s said:<br />
<i>Thank you, Guidemom, for participating in the conference 'Teaching the 57th c.' We look forward to your continued involvement in the Smithsonian Education Online Conference community.
</i>
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<i><br /></i>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-7260924693299372132013-01-18T13:08:00.001-08:002013-01-18T13:09:32.747-08:00Explaining The Card CatalogToday's writing assignment was how to use reference material as a source for writing. In the lesson discussion it introduced the card catalog. I remember spending days on this in elementary school and being bored out of my mind. We spent a whole week looking through the cards labeling each section over and over again. I was NOT looking forward to sharing this experience with my digital kiddo. <br />
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Thankful I did not have to worry. The K12 program introduces the card catalog as point of history and moves on to a digital exercise of how to search in the library. But in the interest of due diligence I wanted to actually show my child an actual card catalog. Easy? No. There is not one in the whole county. Even the historical small libraries are digital. They only place we can find one is downtown at the Library of Congress.<br />
Field Trip!!!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-AXUjFKCfUvuOTF513yGBBfeI4bRaCMyFt8vnKM2YrI_17ANkgncKM9k_RidAH8UK41Uoh2O1XN7gRK10c711HEOLwXQTIQQyXOpr0ebJh4CBJseES9vFhg-h6igNxRzYDiwQStA6uKs/s1600/card-catalogue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-AXUjFKCfUvuOTF513yGBBfeI4bRaCMyFt8vnKM2YrI_17ANkgncKM9k_RidAH8UK41Uoh2O1XN7gRK10c711HEOLwXQTIQQyXOpr0ebJh4CBJseES9vFhg-h6igNxRzYDiwQStA6uKs/s400/card-catalogue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We did find a movie on Brain Pop Jr. and YouTube about the card catalog. Enjoy!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2WoNJywS6Cs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-66004704121692281832012-12-14T13:30:00.000-08:002012-12-14T13:30:01.875-08:00Homeschool Co-Op: Homemade Christmas Gifts<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our weekly co-op has done a great this semester in focusing on giving. The kids have done a great job giving this year with cards sent to the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes">Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes</a> and over 10 boxes full gifts for <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/">Operation Christmas Child</a>. In that spirit of giving this week we focused on homemade gifts for relatives and friends. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Station 1- Clay decorations:</strong></span><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><a href="http://niccolaontuesday.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/3-tuesdays-till-christmas.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">http://niccolaontuesday.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/3-tuesdays-till-christmas.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><a href="http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/snowflake-christmas-tree-ornaments.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/snowflake-christmas-tree-ornaments.html</span></a><br /> </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Rolling Pins </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Christmas Cookie Cutters </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Buttons </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Quick Drying Crayola clay </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Paint Brushes</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Paint</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><br /> </span></li>
</ul>
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Station 2- Ribbon Tree Christmas Card for Kids</strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><a href="http://blog.memetales.com/2012/12/ribbon-tree-christmas-card/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>http://blog.memetales.com/2012/12/ribbon-tree-christmas-card/</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><br /> </strong></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Sheet of thick paper/card </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Curling Ribbon </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Star</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Tape</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Glue </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Scissors </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Station 3- Christmas Shrinky Dinks (kids 7 and older)</strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Station 4-Thumbprint Reindeer Card</strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/dubien-family-la-thumbprint-reindeer.html" target="_blank">http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/12/dubien-family-la-thumbprint-reindeer.html</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMIw5YkQ0JsYEV2jrS1gAjd3MedO72TYbC2-Cel3su0pKHH1S8k7de_8ezVDEEK2YV6SPd07eQf0UwfcfpoYui1AQGRrjR2vSfv8WVDqy-MDupX3N6KqLWySDUA-UWnjoY9ygYvIFPh6a/s1600/samplereindeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMIw5YkQ0JsYEV2jrS1gAjd3MedO72TYbC2-Cel3su0pKHH1S8k7de_8ezVDEEK2YV6SPd07eQf0UwfcfpoYui1AQGRrjR2vSfv8WVDqy-MDupX3N6KqLWySDUA-UWnjoY9ygYvIFPh6a/s1600/samplereindeer.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">paper</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">brown paint</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">brown marker</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">googly eyes</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">black and red construction paper</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">glue</span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">scissors</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">The plan was to do each of the activities in stations with 3-6 kids at each station. Well that was the plan but the kids (as kids will do) split into their regular groups of close buddies. We had a mom at every table to hang out with the kids as well as help out. It went smoothly and everyone seemed to have fun. The boys did all the crafts and for those with boys you know getting them to do crafts is like pulling teeth. But boys being boys we got some interesting takes on traditional Christmas themes.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDA3Ov70Z-R5ZGbaCEPD75ozDtz308D4rAUGPT2YdoyFSmrnpdO87yKLWoorr8AQzNsnD8xqNcgG9R92_v2DIyZc9-sJFhl-XkWxO8ZsPdTcqh5UcN0ShC_gBSrfTCpgNKP5el6CnzdYRb/s1600/snowboardingreindeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDA3Ov70Z-R5ZGbaCEPD75ozDtz308D4rAUGPT2YdoyFSmrnpdO87yKLWoorr8AQzNsnD8xqNcgG9R92_v2DIyZc9-sJFhl-XkWxO8ZsPdTcqh5UcN0ShC_gBSrfTCpgNKP5el6CnzdYRb/s1600/snowboardingreindeer.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span xmlns=""><span xmlns=""> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Like these snowboarding robotic Cyclops reindeer.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUWkCGTiifYSkDQM3kVBCiBWQkrJf7sUjimjXXz1lEXr8PS0yjD8nCW4rUxAlnVg73EICp-VUigptDE1-hZS79wxY7-1-ftcnUaD6sFCj7KwaF4FGCNB2EI-ojqsZzsZ8c3da115l3Lwt/s1600/ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUWkCGTiifYSkDQM3kVBCiBWQkrJf7sUjimjXXz1lEXr8PS0yjD8nCW4rUxAlnVg73EICp-VUigptDE1-hZS79wxY7-1-ftcnUaD6sFCj7KwaF4FGCNB2EI-ojqsZzsZ8c3da115l3Lwt/s1600/ornaments.jpg" height="193" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: start;">Or these beautiful multicolored clay ornaments.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJEc2XdfvghZl4s0YW1b6xVnv5MU6LBgT7cYdhEFfsT-WTMkCVYvRiXBPmVzne8VxxeVU3kONFeifvs7h4eJvJL3ZJdEM3PynX5zsg95Y687IGImdwEnHoseEBq1bXQovI08jQ0-JfMdX/s1600/stealthelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJEc2XdfvghZl4s0YW1b6xVnv5MU6LBgT7cYdhEFfsT-WTMkCVYvRiXBPmVzne8VxxeVU3kONFeifvs7h4eJvJL3ZJdEM3PynX5zsg95Y687IGImdwEnHoseEBq1bXQovI08jQ0-JfMdX/s1600/stealthelf.jpg" height="343" width="400" /></a></div>
<span xmlns=""><br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">My personal favorite was the Ninja Elf. As stated by my son " Because you need stealth to be an Elf."</span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was a great day with great families whom we love.</span></span><br />
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Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-14241790012338884292012-12-12T14:24:00.001-08:002012-12-12T14:24:42.374-08:00Reflections of a Grady Doctor: More of The Best of What's Around.<a href="http://www.gradydoctor.com/2012/12/more-of-best-of-whats-around.html?spref=bl">Reflections of a Grady Doctor: More of The Best of What's Around.</a>: I have a friend who is having a very hard week. Today is the anniversary of something very hurtful for her and I am really, really thin...<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-14504576176888886812012-12-12T14:19:00.000-08:002012-12-12T14:19:00.331-08:00Wordless Wednesday: Plant Science<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6BGhBEi91AVXHTKWQn0TmoJ0Z342OwFDocrwnITwY_FcYJ75dbnnwxoyZAwmqkklImr8_jQfUC1rs_D4YNPu4B6Cy0CbfDSJcuhv9q1lTnBWOWF5aC0rbBEGUbMJc9mQ6uHsBN4Wa2-n/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6BGhBEi91AVXHTKWQn0TmoJ0Z342OwFDocrwnITwY_FcYJ75dbnnwxoyZAwmqkklImr8_jQfUC1rs_D4YNPu4B6Cy0CbfDSJcuhv9q1lTnBWOWF5aC0rbBEGUbMJc9mQ6uHsBN4Wa2-n/s400/DSC_0594.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Click on picture to see the details. </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-58778159899915660872012-12-11T21:09:00.001-08:002012-12-11T21:23:43.589-08:00Homeschooling Plans for 12/12/12<span xmlns=""></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZItfSugR3r5OBXNdI8pJPXOsUL9TIska3YqeAgo8xSJVEyMoaWyznaaJ2ZuPathrFmBDmufEYv-yEydKxZ0YvXjeAmjngwiRYjYNF5IqbjPDUKusH7iZhwflVfOfBAxq4yywLgF0L0dJl/s1600/december12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZItfSugR3r5OBXNdI8pJPXOsUL9TIska3YqeAgo8xSJVEyMoaWyznaaJ2ZuPathrFmBDmufEYv-yEydKxZ0YvXjeAmjngwiRYjYNF5IqbjPDUKusH7iZhwflVfOfBAxq4yywLgF0L0dJl/s320/december12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Anyone have any plans for 12/12/12? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns=""> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Here are some suggestions from across the web:</span></span></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Read 12 books or list your favorite 12 books</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Do 12 acts of random kindness</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Eat 12 different foods</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Dance for 12 minutes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Play 12 super-short games </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Take 12 pictures</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Make a pyramid out of 12 cups</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Go to the store and buy something to make for dinner that costs $12.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">See what you can make using 12 Legos.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Send 12 friends an email, text or letter to let them know they are special</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span xmlns="">Give 12 hugs </span></span></li>
<li><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Name 12 things you're thankful for</span></span></li>
</ol>
Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-69724087679109676962012-12-05T16:00:00.000-08:002012-12-11T21:02:07.849-08:00Field Trip: Christmas 2012 White House Tour<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">I have always dreamed of visiting the White House during Christmas. Every year since we moved into the area I always think about it in December which is months to late to arrange. Well this year thanks to goal setting skills learned from <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/01/3-things-that-will-keep-you-from-goal-setting-success.html">MoneySavingmom.com</a>, I actually remember to do it in August. Our co-op group was so excited about the prospect as well. Many have lived here all their lives and never visited the White House. One week after the election we received the conformation email. We were going to the White House!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">In typical homeschool mom style I pulled all the resources about the White House for a two week long unit study.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Our-White-House-Looking-Out/dp/0763646091/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354368097&sr=1-2&keywords=the+white+house">Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Guide-Washington-D-C-Revised/dp/0152061258/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354368179&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Kid%27s+Guide+to+Washington%2C+D.C.%3A+Revised+and+Updated+Edition">A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Revised and Updated Edition</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Capital-Mysteries-White-House-Stepping/dp/0375825576/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">Capital Mysteries #4: A Spy in the White House</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Tree-White-House/dp/080506768X/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354367581&sr=1-12&keywords=white+house">A Christmas tree in the White House</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/If-Walls-Could-Talk-Family/dp/0689868634/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354367964&sr=1-15&keywords=white+house">If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">Also we reviewed "How to greet the President" packet that we got from our amazing etiquette teacher Mrs. L. for Maryland. Details of the class here….</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">We also talked about "Expectations":</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">What do think The White House will smell like at Christmas?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">Who would be in residence when we visit?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">What behaviors are expected of guest in The White House?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">What behaviors are unexpected at The White House?</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">What's the dress code?</span></span></div>
</li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><br />A lot of these questions were answered at <a href="http://www.ourwhitehouse.org/fieldguidewhouse.html">The White House</a> website. Also we came up with a list of our own for personal conduct so there would be no confusion to mar the experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns=""><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">It was a beautiful cold clear sunny early morning as we made our way toward Pennsylvania Avenue. We were all a little giddy with excitement as we passed through the gates of The White House grounds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone in the line was smiling and excited, the adults more so than the kids. God Bless the Secret Service they were friendly yet imposing at the same time. Think about their daily jobs to give their lives to protect the executive branch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">Once we were cleared onto the grounds I had to stop before entering the mansion. For some this may seem a little dramatic but it is how I truly felt at the moment. Here I was an African American women raised in a southern town who still today practices self induce segregation was about to step into the building where the President of the United States lives. The granddaughter of a lady who had to fight just to vote and marched in many a Civil Rights march while being forced to enter buildings through the back door..her granddaughter was entering The White House. In that moment I missed my grandmother so much it hurt. But I looked into my son's face and I saw her there…in his eyes ..the eyes that was ready to go inside The White House.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">From the minute you enter it is overwhelming. It smells of holly and cedar while shining with twinkling colored glass décor. Your mind is stuck on "Ohhhhhhhhh" then "Hey, I know that portrait of that first lady", then back to "Wow look at that tree"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">The staff there is amazing. They don't allow cameras but they will let you use your camera phone. They graciously took pictures of us as a family and answered all of The Student's questions. (Okay little mom brag here. He knew every single portrait of the president s that we saw. Plus he was excited to see them.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Student was amazed that President Lincoln ate off this china. He got really quiet and said "Mom, he was in this place. He really ate off stuff that is here." I think this is when The White House became "real."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a visit to the National Mall we wondered what it looked like from the inside of the mansion looking out. Well, it is amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gingerbread House with a candy Bo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These good people filled the whole tour with wonderful music.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" xmlns="">It was amazing day spent with family and friends.</span></div>
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<br />Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-4073941050972958712012-12-03T15:00:00.000-08:002012-12-03T15:00:01.737-08:00QOTD: What is the oldest school in the world?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week we were discussing colonial America and how they educated their young. Which promoted the question... What is the oldest school in the world?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Student first pass guess was Oxford. A Google search brought back lots of data which lead us to narrow the search to "universities" and "still in existence."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found some information here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://collegestats.org/articles/2009/12/top-10-oldest-universities-in-the-world-ancient-colleges/" target="_blank">Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World: Ancient Colleges</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wikipedia provide us with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_universities_in_continuous_operation" target="_blank">list of oldest universities in continuous operation</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bestcollegerankings.org/2011/what-are-the-15-oldest-colleges-in-the-world/" target="_blank">15 Oldest College in The World</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The list varies because of definitions of continuous but Oxford does make the top 10 in each list.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-8289421625074113222012-12-02T20:52:00.003-08:002012-12-02T20:52:40.784-08:00Handwriting is Brain PowerHoagies' Gifted Education Page highlighted an article linking handwriting to increase brain function. I agree with most of the data, especially how handwriting is good for adults as well as children.<br />
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<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704631504575531932754922518.html">How Handwriting Trains the Brain</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4820536708572004702.post-69955000882680960282012-11-21T16:10:00.001-08:002012-11-21T16:10:53.944-08:00QOTD:Why do Christians use the Fish symbol?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ichthus / Fish Christian Symbol </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Definition and Meaning of the Ichthus / Fish as a Catholic Christian Symbol
Catholic Christian symbolism in art provides a clear graphic illustration which represents people or items of religious significance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the definition and the meaning of the Ichthus / Fish symbol?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Ichthus is the Greek word for fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ). The initials of the word Ichthus are also used as a Christian acronym of the following </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greek words: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I=Jesus </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ch=Christ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Th=Theou(God's) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">U=Uios(Son) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">S=Soter (Savior) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using the Ichthus acronym IChThUS means "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christians also use to draw one half in the sand and if the person completed it you knew they were a Christian. It was a way to safely ID a fellow believer.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/312/FDA641B057226ACCEA7FF58196D30928.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Mom Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03152647152711146972noreply@blogger.com0