Our 50 State Journey: New Jersey

Monday, March 28, 2011

New Jersey

Well we finally have internet at home...so I can update this much more often...even if it is snowing...Being without full internet access for over a year has really been a challenge for our schooling.

We finished New Jersey today...yes, behind as usual!! I knew that I wanted and needed a full day for Indians, so I merged New Jersey Native Americans, the Lennapi, and the Georgia (this week) Indians, the Cherokee, and we did an all day unit. We studies them and what their life was like then we made Native American outfits. They made baks for collecting nuts, vests, skirts for the girls and small clothes for the boys. Head bands (they did not wear full head dresses) with a couple of feathers and moccassins. Tonight for dinner we will making 'authentic' indian food. The kids will dress in their customs for dinner. I will be sure to take and post pictures.

Blueberries are the state fruit of New Jersey so many of our recipes had blueberries in them. The kids love them so they were excited for that. However, the price of blueberries is kinda high so mom wasn't so happy! We made chicken with a Spicy Blueberry BBQ sauce...it was really good! (recipe posted below) We had Atlanic City Boardwalk Fries with the chicken. Paige really didn't like the Malt Vinegar that went on them...she said "I can't live in New Jersey if this is how they eat their fries!' We all laughed. Blake on the other hand loved it. Jim's mom (now in heaven) always put vinegar on their fries, so she would have loved to see the kids enjoy them this way. We finished off our dinner with blueberry banana smoothies! I even put some in a sippy cup for Chloe...so downed it!! Yesterday morning we made a large blueberry breakfast. Blueberry filled Dutch pancakes, homemade blueberry syrup, bacon, sasuage and blueberry juice. There wasn't much left when everyone was done!!

We continued our learning on slavery, the Underground Railroad and what led to the Civil War. Paige gave a great orral presentation on the book she read on the Harriet Tubman. I was really surprised at how she remembered even the littlest details. She held the book up and showed the kids pictures as she spoke. I was really proud of her. She is really doing well with this unit.

We did a lapbook for Bald Eagles, Honey Bees and for the state of New Jersey. The honey bee is the state insect of New Jersey. We taked about what things that God calls us to 'bee'. Thankful, kind, compassionate, trustworthy and wise. New Jersey has 90 nesting Bald Eagle pairs. Did you know that the Bald Eagle mates for life? The parents work together to take care of their young. We talked about how this is similar to human couples.

Bryce is our Dino Lover...and the first nearly whole (didn't have a skull) dinosaur fossil was found in New Jersey. We went back to Genesis and talked about the creation of the flying, land and sea creatures. Some of them large like the dinosaur and some not. We drew some pictures and played some games. Then we colored about 30 little dinosaurs and hung them from the ceiling. Bryce loved 'walkling with the dinosaurs.' Bryce really enjoyed this portion of New Jersey...but he kep saying, me go there mom, me go there! So, maybe someday we can go there and he can see the hedrosauraus.

We enjoyed a package from New Jersey that had salt water taffy :) The kids enjoyed that special treat. We also had some M&M's, since Mars is in NJ and Cambells soup. It was first created and still manufactured in NJ.

We learned a lot and wish we had a couple more days, but that was not to be....so now onto Georgia...the peach state...YUM!!!

SPicy Blueberry BBQ Sauce
from the blueberry council web site

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbs molasses
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients, simmer until boiling stirring constantly. Reduce and let simmer until thick.

I added 1/2 cup blueberry pomegranate juice mixed with a little corn starch. It added a little tartness with the spicy and thickened it up a little. I cooked my chicken in it and it lost some of the intensity...so next time I will BBQ or broil my meat and then our the sauce over it to serve it.

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Meet our Family

We are a very clost knit family. I think that is why we choose early on to homeschool and have a large family. Jim and I were high school sweethearts who have been married for almost 15 years. We always knew we wanted a large family and the Lord has honored that and blessed us with 6 children. I am blessed to be able to stay at home and educate them. We have had a rough couple of years with the loss of a job, home and some other trying issues. The Lord has been faithful with His provisions. We are currently renting a small mountain cabin, living amongst God's nature and beauty. The creations and nature that surround us have us in awe most days. . Justin is our oldest son. He is almost 12. He is a great big brother and a great help around the house. He enjoys playing with Lego's, shooting his airsoft, riding his bike and taking care of Drake, his bearded dragon. Justin plans on joining the military when he is 17 and I am already mourning that loss! Paige is 10 going on 30. She is growing up so fast. She has a big heart for animals and God's nature. She is very creative and has an imaginiation that is larger then life. She likes to dance and is looking forward to starting dance lessons in the fall and loves drama! (mom and dad, not so much) Blake is 9 and ALL boy. Anything that he can shoot, hit or kill he likes. He would rather be playing video games then playing outside. Blake loves snacks and would eat all day if I let him. He is the opposite of his dad and brother and does not like anything technical or mechanical. He loves his airsoft and playing outside. Samanatha is 7. She loves wearing dresses and skirts but never wants to comb her hair. She is glad that we homeschool so she doesn't have to get ready everyday..She likes painting her nails and wearing pretty shoes. Sammi doesn't much like school, so it is a good thing that it comes quite easy for her. She is getting to be quite the reader. Bryce, our little 'dino boy', is 3 . He is the clown of our family and our entertainment most nights. He loves anything and everything dinosaurs!! Where he got that from, we aren't sure. He is enjoying 'doing school' and doesn't want help with anything. He takes after his dad and Justin and would rather have tools in his hand and working on something then anything else. He brings a smile our face all of the time. Chloe, our little princess, just turned one. She is the only one of our six, that God choose for us. She is our unexpected blessing. She was concieved when we didn't have a house, job or insurance. I was really not happy when I got pregnant with her. The Lord gave us a wake up call at 22 weeks and we learned to trust Him and to love our unborn daughter. Now, 1 year later we can not imagine our life without our little Chlo Bug. Her giggles and smiles make our day! The Lord is faithful and she is our proof. I hope you enjoyed meeting our family. I hope it will help you understand a little about us as you read our blog.