Spelling

We us Spelling Power for spelling. Today for spelling we used he lacing blocks that I got for Mr. Wheels last week. She made like a cross word out of her words.

African Savannah

We are studying Africa this week. For art today we are making a mural of a savannah. Kit is using paint, markers and colored pencils. I photocopied and printed animals from one of our books. Mr. Wheels also painted and glued the animals on. He loves painting. While we painted I put on some African music. We don't always take time to do art. There are days when I don't want to make the mess, but this is what makes learning fun. We always have a good time. We had a peaceful time today.We did'n't finish today, we will have to work on it next week.n

Look What I found

I was on the internet looking for inexpensive lacing beads and I found them at Oriental Trading Company. I didn't know they had educational stuff. I was excited to get them and get started using them. I first ordered the wooden lacing beads and then I saw the letter beads and the Bible cards and I couldn't resist. I plan on using the lacing beads for Mr. Wheels to lace and sort by color and shape. They come in the same colors as the counting bears so I can use the same cups. Mr. Wheels will not use the letter beads too much. The upper case and lower case letters are together on each block, this will be nice for Kit to use for spelling. I plan to put the Bible cards in our church bag to keep them busy during church.

Wooden Lacing Beads

Wooden Alphabet Beads

Bible Lacing Cards

Colors and numbers

Today Mr. Wheels really tried to match the colors. I could see him trying to put the correct bear in the right cup. I also got the idea from another homeschool blog to use the clothes pins with the colors marked on the outside. He clips them on the outside of the corresponding cup. He didn't do it as long as he placed the bears on in he cups and on the cards.

Going to Kenya

Today we leave Europe and head to Africa. We were in Germany. I have been so busy that I didn't get to take the Germany pic today with the Kenya pic.

Baby Danced

I have reading time with Mr. Wheels most week days and back in November  2012 we had been reading Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont. He was able to finish the end of many of the sentences. We all know that our memory is not good so I decided to video me reading the book to him.  I propped the IPad down the hall from our reading place and turned it on before we started our reading time. If he knew I was recording it would have never even got started, because he would have wanted to see it before we recorded anything. I then thought that it will not mean much if you can see the book, so I edited the video to include the pages. Since I am a busy home school mom and video editing takes a while I am just getting this done. I love it and wanted to share.

Today's Alter

I have been struggling with the idea that I need to do everything right with my kids. I intellectually know that it not possible, but when the day to day things come along I work hard to be and do all things perfect. I also expect my kids to act, dress, and be good all the time. I know I can't do this but I don't want to settle for mediocrity.
I was at church last week and I saw a kid taking up the offering. His hair was a mess and he was acting a bit silly (as all kids do). When he got back to the pew his dad told him good job. I loved it. He needs to feel good about helping. I realized that I need to be more unconditional. The kids went up to children story and Mr. Wheels was driving his car and not listening. I was up front and I felt that lots of people were watching. I wanted him to sit and listen. I took what I learned from what I saw earlier, I let him drive his car. He is only 2 years old and he was not disrupting. He does not need to make me look like a good mom. We then prayed when it was over. Mr. Wheels said amen at the end so some could here. At that moment I prayed, "please Lord help me not take the glory for that. " Then a little voice in my head said, "Then you can't take the blame." I almost felt like crying. Later I made the picture that is posted here. I made it my wallpaper for my phone, because I knew that I would need to be reminded.