Our Family Circus

I picked up a box of flashcards in the $1 section of the states with some information on each card as well as location. We do what we call, "The Nifty 50 States." The children have developed a journal with a spread for each state. Dolly started her journal last year. As she read or learned about a landmark, she recorded it in her journal. It was her journal that assisted in our trip to D.C. this year. Each of the big kids draw 2 cards every other day or so. They list the state and capitol in their journal as well as anything else they know about that state from their cards and from their sibling's cards. They locate the state on the map and practice saying the capitol. Billy is learning to spell the states as well. He is quite proud of spelling Massachusetts and Dolly is of course proud of M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I! They are making travel plans and hopefully all of the early American History stuff we just learned is falling into place for them as they see the locations. They ...

Public school started back this past week. I thought about the boys that have graced our yard this summer and how quiet our days were about to become. I also thought about the excitement that the first day of school holds and that some of those little guys would be going home to empty houses. I wanted them to have someone to tell about their day! So, we hosted an ice cream party. The kids and I did some grocery shopping to pick out goodies for the celebration. The boys all showed up (as usual) and were pretty excited. One guy brought his little sister. I was so glad to see them and hear them talk about their day at school. I have truly grown to love these fellas. Before we ate, I prayed with them thanking God for their great day and the fun summer we had together. This masterpiece had blueberries in the bottom of it. The sillies with ice cream on their faces. This masterpiece had EVERY choice in it. After ice cream, I had a few water balloons for them. Then they climbe...