Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Christmas Fun Days 13, 14, 15!

I don't think our schedule will be settling down until sometime this coming weekend!  So, again here is another recap of some of the things we have done. 

I think Tinsel has been tired like we have been.  So much rushing going on and trying to keep up with the kiddos is exhausting!  He has brought the nativity cards and prophecy cards, but seems to forget a joke or to-do card from time to time.  I guess he figures we have enough to-do right now and doesn't need to add one more to the list!  Haha.


Saturday, we took the kids to Ice Age Dinosaurs Alive.  Little Man wanted to go as part of his birthday gift.  He was really into it and enjoyed himself.  The displays were nice and informative.  However, I think the whole thing was a bit overpriced.  Oh, well....you live and learn and let the kids have fun.








After the dinosaur outing, we grabbed pizza and guess who was there.  Santa!  Boy, did that surprise Little Man.  I wish I had thought to take a pic!

The children had their Christmas Encounter choral program that evening.  My parents came up to hear them sing.  Our church always does a great job with the music programs.  Afterwards, we went out to eat and Little Man went home with my parents. 




Sunday morning, Egee and I headed off to church services.  We then had a few hours to run a couple of errands before heading back to day two of the Christmas Encounter program.  Santa Claus came through the neighborhood on the firetruck before we left for the program! 


D-man came to hear her sing tonight.  She was so excited that her big brother would be there.



Monday morning, we trekked over to my parent's house to pick up Little Man.  We then went to Life Way book store to see the Compassion Experience.  We learned about two children that lived in poverty and how Compassion has helped them become successful adults.  It was very eye opening for the children.  We discussed third world situations and how children often suffer.  We will begin to pray about which child God would like for us to sponsor and begin a sponsorship in January. 




Saturday, December 13, 2014

Simple Times Farm

We stepped back in time to a more simple way of life on a recent field trip.  We visited Simple Times Farm with one of our homeschool groups.  I fell in love the moment I set foot on the property.  Oh, how I wish we could do something like this!

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The farm is ran by a family that has home schooled their own children.  The parents and children live on the farm and put on the tours.  They moved to the area and lived totally off the grid for a year, but today have a few modern conveniences.  The tour area has none of the modern conveniences, therefore the area feels very colonial.

We were introduced to the colonial time period by Mrs. Eubanks.  She explained the era to the children and asked several questions.  It was a full participation presentation.


Mrs. Eubanks daughter, Melissa, introduced the children to art of spinning wool.  She explained how the wool was collected and then how it was processed.  The first part was to pick the wool.  She told them that children as young as three years would help pick the wool.  Then the picked wool had to be carted or combed.  This job typically fell to a child of five or six years.  She explained why the process was important and that children generally did this chore for thirty minutes at a time.  Finally, the wool was ready to spin.  She then demonstrated the process as her mother explained different ways to spin the wool.  It was very interesting.  Through the spinning process, the wool could be made into thread or yarn.  They showed various examples and explained the process of dyeing the wool to get different colors of yarn.  Egee was very interested.



After the spinning demonstration, we began a tour of the livestock.  We learned about the turkeys, chickens, donkeys, billy goat, emus, roosters, goats, sheep, guineas, and dog.  If the animal had a name, it was considered a pet.  If the animal was not named, it was considered food.  The Eubanks are completely self-sufficient in the meat department.  Mrs. Eubanks told us that it wasn't a good year for their turkeys having poults.  They had a snake problem and lost the turkey eggs to the snakes.  So, they have put golf balls in the nests of the turkeys and are trying to rid the area of the snake problem.


The children then learned about washing clothes the old fashion way.  They dipped the rag into the water then applied lye soap to it.  Next, they rubbed it on a wash board.  After it was scrubbed, it was put into a large pot to be rinsed.  They used a long stick to swirl the rag in the big pot of water.  After the rag was rinsed, it was lifted from the pot and ran through the wringer.  Finally, it was pinned to the clothes line to dry.  The children had a blast washing the rags.







We then made our way along a trail to the open pasture/farm land.  This part of the tour used a moderen trailer and tractor.  No one minded that we mixed the modern with the colonial.  We learned about the orchard and garden, the honey bees and conservation, rescue horses and rice fields.  It was a nice little tour.



Back up the path we headed, after the hayride.  The children made candles the old fashion way.  They dipped their wicks into the wax and then into cold water and then back into the wax and repeat a dozen or so times.  Finally, the candles were ready to dry and harden.


As we waited on the candles to harden, we went to learn about the sheep and goats and then feed them.  All the children enjoyed feeding the animals and the animals enjoyed being fed.




After feeding the animals, we made our way to the tool shed.  Antony showed the children how pegs were made and explained why the colonists made pegs.  Each child was able to help make a peg.  They had a great time.



Lastly, it was time to make butter.  Each child was given a small mason jar filled with cream.  They were instructed to shake the jar.  As they shook the jar, they sang a song.  At the end of the song, they had produced whipped cream.  A bit more shaking resulted in a butter and buttermilk.



We had a lovely time at Simple Times Farm.  We all agreed that we would love to have a place just like it.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Christmas Fun Days 9, 10, 11, and 12!

This has been a busy week!  Wrapping up tidbits of schooling, choir rehearsals, library classes, basketball practice, Christmas parades, etc. have kept us going nonstop. 

Tinsel has been busy moving from place to place. 




We were cold, but enjoyed the Christmas parade.  Egee was in it with her dance company.




The choir is sounding great during their rehearsal.  Can't wait to see the performance!


We had a wonderful field trip to Walnut Grove Plantation!  The children learned about games during the late 1700s and made a toy.  We then toured the grounds and learned more about the era.  Our tour guide was great! 





Our schedule isn't looking any less busy for next week!  Even though we are busy, we are enjoying every moment and look forward to every day.  Tis' the season!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Christmas Fun Days 6,7, and 8!

Okay, things got a little busy this weekend and I didn't have a chance to be at the computer.  So, here is the recap of what fun we have had the last three days!

Saturday, December 6

Rain, rain, go away!  We didn't get to attend the Christmas parade this morning.  It was cold and pouring rain.  Oh, well....extra sleep for the kiddos.

Tinsel had fun last night playing Scrabble.


Egee had her dance Christmas Party in the afternoon.  She had fun with her friends.





Sunday, December 7

We were up early to attend the 9:30 service at church.  Little Man and other G-Tunes choir members sang for the congregation.  They did a great job!



Out with friends for lunch and then home to rest before going to the G-Tunes musical.  Big brother D-man was able to join us today.  That made it extra special for the kiddos.

The G-Tunes musical was fantastic.  Everyone did a great job!




Egee stayed at church for her choir Christmas Party.  She said it was great and even had a fondue fountain!

Monday, December 8

Tinsel tried to disguise himself today.  He must have known it was going to be a cold dreary day again today.  He ordered pumpkin muffins and apple cider for a treat.  Yummy!


We did a bit of school work and much housework today.  Trying to stay on top of things!



Now off we go to dance!