Powdered Wig

I went looking for a fun craft to go along with our social study lesson on government leaders. It happen to fall right here around President's Day. So I thought we would talk about President's Day and why we celebrate it as well.

I happened across this website http://www.freekidcrafts.com/presidential-powdered-wig.html where we found the directions on how to make a powdered wig.

So, today in honor of President's Day we made a powdered wig. Here is Emma modeling the wig:

 

  

  

It was really easy to do. You can find the instructions by clicking on the link above.

We learned several things today about George Washington. He didn't actually wear a powdered wig. His hair was red and he powdered it to make it look white. 

We also grew up being taught that Washington had wooden teeth. It seems that is not true either, actually the  set made when he became President was carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory, held together with gold springs. The hippo ivory was used for the plate, into which real human teeth and bits of horses' and donkeys' teeth were inserted.  Ewww...gross....I'm just sayin'.

We learned some new things today...hope you did too!

Homeschool - Week One

We had a great first week of  homeschooling. The A Beka curriculum that we chose teaches them to write in cursive. So far this week we have learned the letter I and the letter U. She has done really well with those two letters, and I know she will getter better and better as we continue to practice. That's not to say there weren't a few tears shed. There may have even been a few I can't do it and but momma's spoken. Momma gave her the "we're not quitters" pep talk and dried the tears. She rallied and kept at it and wound up doing pretty good on those cursive letters.

We have been doubling up on some lessons because of our upcoming vacation in September. Which is why we covered two letters in one week. This will allow us to be on vacation and not have to worry about getting behind. We will be taking our flashcards and such to keep progressing though.

Here are some pictures from this past week.

 

This is our official first day of kindergarten photo. She even put shoes on, which I told her she didn't have to. 

Here we are working at the kitchen table. This is where we started the week out. 

Here she is at her desk we wound up and purchased Tuesday night. She made the letter I out of pretzels. 

We decided to buy a small desk because our kitchen table has benches and not chairs. After her and I sat there for two hours with no back support and her little legs hanging down it became difficult to be comfortable and still for both of us. We picked up this little desk at Big Lots for $25. Can't beat that!

Overall we had a great first week and looking forward to next week! 

WFMW - Target Dollar Spot

Since we are homeschooling now I am always on the look out for good teacher aids. I happened upon this goldmine at the Target Dollar spot a couple of weeks ago.

These are all kinds of flashcards, from your basic mathematics flashcards to USA Landmark flashcards. There were phonic, science, and animal flashcards. Also at the top of the picture next to the clock is a alphabet bingo game and a math bingo game. There was so much more stuff that I didn't purchase.

I have decided the two shelves I cleared out on my bookcase are not going to be enough room for homeschool goodies. I know all of you veteran home schooler's are chuckling at me. But, that's ok...I'm learning!

Target Dollar Spot works for me! Now go check out what works for everyone else at We are THAT family!

New Teacher in Town

That's right....there's a new teacher in town.

It's me.

Today was our first day of homeschool. My baby girl started kindergarten.

We had a great first day.

When I got up this morning, I heard some commotion and went to find her.

There she was in her room. I said "Good Morning, whatcha doin'?" She said, I have brushed my teeth, brushed my hair and now I am getting dressed. I said "Oh wow, are you ready for school?" She said, "Yes!!" Now ya'll, normally I have to MAKE her do all these things. Not today though, she was so excited to get started.

I told her we would get breakfast first and start around nine. She then told me to only give her a little bit of cereal, because she wasn't real hungry and she was ready to get started with school.

She hounded me until nine o'clock and we finally got started. I took her picture by the fireplace and made her walk out the back door and back in. She thought that was funny.

We started the day with a prayer. Then for Bible, we worked on our Awana verse. Then in phonics, we talked about the letter I. In Math we counted to 10, focusing on numbers 1-3. She kept looking at me like..."Are you serious? This is it?" I kept trying to tell her that we would be starting slow and reviewing a lot of what she learned in pre-K last year. Overall it was a great first day and she was very excited.

I hope that excitement and enthusiasm stays for a long time. I know all days won't be like this.  I know there will be days I will have to drag her kicking and screaming gently nudge her to the kitchen table. I just hope that is not for several more years. ( Just let me live in my dream world, m'kay)

We are using the A Beka curriculum. So far, I have liked what I have seen. It really lays it out nicely for the "teacher". Which is what I wanted being my first year. I just wanted someone to spell it out for me.

I have been watching everyone today update their facebooks with pictures of their little ones going off to school for the first day; can I just say I am so thankful I didn't have to kiss her goodbye this morning!!