Johnny Appleseed

After finishing our unit on Johnny Appleseed, it seemed only fitting to end the unit by learning how to make an apple pie on "National Pie Day".

Below are the pictures of Turbo's apple pie.

I was super pumped on how Turbo managed butter and pie dough on his hands with his Sensory issues! Such a champ!

And of course, no day would be complete without silly pictures!

Finished Pie! Now to wait for Daddy to get home, eat some yummy dinner, have some pie for dessert and commence with Family Night games!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today with Tank being off of school, we had a MLK Holiday. To start out, we watched a video on MLK Jr. on Brain Pop Jr.! After watching it, we watched a YouTube video of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. To my surprise, Turbo watched it with interest.

Source: youtube.com via Carrie on Pinterest

After discussing what segregation was, we labeled different things in the house for "Blacks Only" and "Whites Only".

Once they understood the different colors of race, we made a craft showing that all colors can be friends, and that we are to always love our enemies.

Then I asked Aidan to summarize Dr. King's Dream, and then to write his own dream.

Do You Like Pumkin Pie?

Happy Thanksgiving! Who likes pie? I figured I would bring reading, writing, math, and science into the kitchen and teach the boys how to make pumpkin pie. I gave each of them $5 with clear instructions to find pumpkin pie makings that were on their lists, and took them to the store to gather our ingredients. When we got back, I asked Turbo to conduct a survey of who likes Pumpkin Pie. After he created his presentation, we set to work on making a pumpkin pie. While reading the recipe, both boys made a pumpkin pie and put it into the oven to bake: it smelled heavenly. Then I asked Turbo to write down how to make a pumpkin pie; basically write a recipe on how to make it. He did very well...surprisingly for a boy who doesn't like to write!

Time To ReTHunk some things...

This past year has really been a struggle for Turbo. This kid is a challenge every second of every day. I sometimes wonder why God bestowed upon us this boy the way He did. I keep telling myself that I'm the best mom for him, I'm the best mom for him...that he is a BLESSING!!!! Like Dory...Just keep swimming, just keep swimming... As we neared the end of 1st grade a half of a semester early, we realized that Aidan and I were struggling... A LOT...with Connections Academy. It is a great program and curriculum but definitely not for an ACTIVE young boy. We will finish out the rest of the year (2012) and without getting too much into our decision, we will begin schooling him a different way in 2013. With friends who have been in the Homeschooling "Business" a long time at my side, we will tackle this year with a new definition of school for this guy. On the same note, Tank is still in Preschool and loves it. His vocabulary has improved dramatically and his ability to communicate without grunts is a dream come true. I can honestly say for the first time, this kid can look at me and say, "I Love You" and I understand it...more importantly, so do other people! That is pretty much the best present I could ever get! He will be re-evaluated in June to see if he qualifies for another year of preschool, I pray that he does, really...Preschool and therapy have proven to be the best thing for Tank. So as we enter into the Holiday season, we have returned to our original goals of homeschooling and will pursue this for the rest of the school year...only to ReTHunk again in the summer. Gotta love change...

Four Mile Historic Park - Field Trip

Every Friday, Turbo goes to what we call, Friday School. It is really an Options Program for Homeschoolers, called Homeschool Etc. They have a 3 1/2 hour day that includes, reading, writing, art, music, chemistry, P.E. etc. (ha!). They also venture out on field trips. Monday morning was one of those field trips. After dropping Tank off at Preschool, Turbo and I drove to Denver to meet up with other families. The Four Mile Historic Park is a unique park in that the House, The Four Mile House, is the oldest building in Denver, about 150 years old. Pioneers knew that when they stopped at the Four Mile house, it was exactly 4 miles to the intersection of Colfax and Broadway...West. There was also a 9 Mile House and a 12 Mile House, but unfortunately they have not survived. While on tour, Turbo got to see what pioneers experienced 150 years ago. For instance, he experienced chores such as sweeping the boardwalk, beating dirty rugs, and drawing water from the well to do the laundry. We also got to feed the chickens that were in the coop.

Next, we visited an outdoor kitchen where the kids were able to see a wood burning stove and make cornbread.

Then the kids were able to experience a one-room school house complete with slates and chalk and the McGuffey's Reader.

We were able to play games that the pioneer children played. I believe Turbo excelled in this area. Unfortunately, we had to leave a bit early to make it back to pick up Tank from Preschool. We missed the Celebration part where the kids were shown how to have a good ol' fashioned hoe down. Something tells me that Turbo would have rather stuck with the Pioneer Games.

Boy Scouts for Turbo

"I promise to do my best. To do my duty to God and my country. To help others. And to obey the law of the Pack" This year, Turbo is old enough to join Cub Scouts. He is PUMPED! But also that he gets to spend time with dad. My Tiger Scout

After frantically getting his patches on.

Let the Scouting begin.

He's so proud!

LEGOS - They can be used to teach the Bible...Whooda Thunk?

I've been trying to find something more interesting to AMP up our time in The Word. The Bible stories we have been reading to the boys at night are great, but in this day and age, technology seems to have an edge on our kids' attention spans. A friend showed me this link to different stories using LEGOS...freaking awesome! AND! There is a LEGO Bible out there too. Guess what the boys are getting for their bdays!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LvvHXaKZPE&feature=share&list=UL9LvvHXaKZPE