Weekend Update

This week has been so crazy. I have no idea how I was able to keep up with this blog. I am determined. 

Saturday we went to the Lowes Build and Grow Workshop. It was safety day. After they built their firetrucks, we got to walk around and see all sorts of safety helpers and equipment. They climbed in a firetruck, ambulance, Red cross truck, and Coast Guard boat. They also got to sit on a beach patrol jet ski and strangely, Santa's lap. I am not sure what he was doing in Florida in September but Hershey really wanted to say hi. He was equally fond of McGruff the crime dog. He gave him a big hug and showed him he firetruck we built. For the rest of the day when he saw him he yelled, "THERE MY DOGGY FRIEND!" I also got the kids finger printed and photographed for the year. I have their info in a safe place in case I ever have to file a missing child's report. I hope I never have to use it.

After the safety day we met with family for lunch and spent the afternoon with them. 

We went to church Saturday evening and learned about Moses. A lot of people think that Ramses was the pharaoh from the Exodus story but the facts all point to Thutmose III being the correct pharaoh. It makes so much more sense. Thutmose and Moses are similar names which was common with Egyptian brothers. Also Thutmose III's eldest son died before he would ever reign as pharaoh. Oh and a bunch of archaeological finds from the period of his reign point to the evidence of the plagues. History is so cool. 

Today I had a lazy morning. For those of you do not know what that means, see the definition of a lazy day here.  Then we went to a birthday party for the afternoon. This evening I ran to Walmart to get material for the boys Halloween costumes and coolant for my busted radiator. I wish I could say it was a quick trip like it SHOULD have been. But I did say it was Walmart so it might not surprise you that it took over an hour and a half. Luckily I had something easy to make for dinner. We had homemade burritos. The kids were happy with them anyway. 

AAAAANNND... I am ready to collapse but I have to go through all their school work for this week and pack backpacks to take to the dentist tomorrow. I am sure we will be there all day so we may as well get our work done. 

Handicrafts

We are Charlotte Mason homeschoolers. If you don't know anything about Charlotte Mason, you should look her up. 

Charlotte believed that part of a child's regular schooling should be reserved for what she called handicrafts. Handicrafts are not the same as arts and crafts. Handicrafts should be learning something useful that will benefit them and others in the future. Some examples of handicrafts that we have done in the past have been cooking, sewing, making jewelry, oragami, and wood working. 

Today I took the boys to Lowes for their Kids Clinic. They each got an apron, goggles, a hammer and a kit to build binoculars. It was so cool. The instructions were easy for them to follow. The tools were easy to use. Skittles only needed me to help him once. I showed him how to use the claw on the hammer to pull out a nail. Twizzler needed a little help holding the pieces together as he nailed them. For the most part though, they were able to get it done on their own. Hershey cheered them on as they worked. 

When they were finished, they earned a patch to put on their aprons. They are very proud of their binoculars. They really work too. I can't wait to sign them up for the next event. 

Sew Much Fun

1. Twizzler got an A on his math. He was very proud of himself and announced his score with his hand in the air ready for a high five. 
2. Skittles started reading a new book. Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary. I LOVE Bevelry Cleary books. When I was a kid, I read all of the Ramona series.
3. Hershey and I read a book about feelings a few times. By the third time through he was able to "read" it to me. 
4. In DC4K we learned about money. We learned about the difference between a want and a need. We talked about wasting money on things like leaving the light on when you are not in the room, buying junk food, and toys. Under needs, Twizzler wrote, "Mommy." That made my night. :D
5. Tonight when I told Hershey, "I love you." He replied, "I know." I said, "You know?" He said, "Uh huh, I make you happy." Then he gave me a big hug. 
6. Since I had the afternoon free, I was able to get some sewing done. Twizzler was watching me very intently so I asked him if he wanted to try. He jumped at the chance. 
   
7. Skittles has been asking to sew for about a year now. I have been starting him out with some hand stitching but today I let him try the machine. He sewed an entire soaker with just a little bit of help from me. He even pinned the material before stitching. 
   

When we were done I had 5 handmade soakers ready to go in the diapers I have been working on. 

        

Skittles asked me why I like sewing. I told him it is fun to me. It relaxes me and takes my mind off of the stress I am usually obsessing over. I love that when I am done, I have created something that is useful. It is special too because I made it myself.