Connecticut~Whales and Red, White and Blue

On Wednesday we learned about whales in general and more in depth about the Sperm Whale, state animal of Connecticut. I really was amazed at what the kids already knew from watching 'Whale Wars' and Animal Planet. We learned the difference between a Baleen Whale and a Toothed Whale. Do you know which one has only 1 blow hole? Do you know which one eats over 2 tons of krill in a day?

We did a whale lapbook and the kids complained the whole time...I guess they don't really like the lapbooks! I thought they liked the creative, fun aspect of them...they don't like the writing however!! :o We tied in Jonah and the Whale, and I has expected to read the story to the kids as review, but I didn't need to. They all could recite the whole story to me! That made me smile!! :)

I searched and searched and searched for Whale recipes or crafts, and just couldn't find any. They were all fish things, and since whales are mammals and not fish I didn't want to go that route. BUT, since I could not find anything else, we had BBQ hamburgers for dinner (first hamburger sold in Conn) 'ocean' jello cups with fish and cupcakes with blue icing for water and gummy fish. Of course the kids still loved it, so all was not lost!!

Yesterday we learned about the Constitution...so everything was Red, White and Blue! We talked about the Bill of Rights and how they still protect their freedom today. I had them each choose a 'right' and draw a picture about it...of course I was NOT surprised at all at what rights they choose. The boys chose the right to bear arms and the girls the right to religious freedom and freedom of speech! Their pictures were very different however. Samantha wanted to know if she has the freedom of speech, why do I get mad when she says bad words or things that aren't nice! This allowed me to explain that there are rules on a Federal level, state level, city level and in our home. And we also have rules as a Christian. We repeated the verse they learned a few weeks back, 'Be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted.' I told her that we are first and foremost to follow God's commands, and He tells us to talk with kindness, and using bad language is not kind. All I got was an 'OHH!' I guess that was not the answer she wanted! lol

For dinner, I bit off more then I could chew. We ended up eating really late...I made a fruit tray with blueberries, strawberries and bananas, making them into a flag! We had an 'all American' dinner of BBQ chicken and corn on the cob. I made red, white and blue jello cups, Yankee Doodle Salad (of course tweaked a lot so my family would eat it) and red, white and blue 'mocktails'. The kids loved the dinner and when it was done it was worth it. I then made a red, white and blue triffle with homemade pound cake! Blake had fallen asleep while watching TV and the kids said dessert and he woke up fast and ate his...lol...that is Blake! I have posted pictures of the food...I hope you enjoy it.

We were supposed to finish up Connecticut today, but thought we would take the day off in honor of Good Friday. We planted some more seeds for Earth Day and just taking it easy. It is hard to have the kids do school when the neighbor kids are outside. I feel like a really rotten mom!! So, vacation day it is!!

Thank you for following our Blog...we hope you enjoy it!!

Connecticut...

Well, today we started Connecticut. We learned about it's early history and the kids were excited to hear that is was first explored by a Dutchman. They don't realize that only 25% Dutch blood, and a dad who was born in the US not Holland, isn't much Dutch...but they like to think that they are "Dutch to the Bone" as Justin says.

We learned about Nathan Hale and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his growing nation at only 21 years old. His last words were, "I regret that I have but one life to loose for this county" (paraphrased some :o) Those that witnessed his death were touched by his humility and patriotism. His body hung in the town for over 3 days, probably to teach a lesson to other would be spies, but I think it was more of a reminder to stand up and even die for what you believe in.

Then we touched on the state flower, we had already learned about it for another state. Then on to the American Robin, which I called a Red Robin all day, and was corrected by the kids each and EVERY time. The American Robin only weighs about 3~4 oz, about that of a CD and is about 10 inches long. They are often seen in your yard looking for worms or grubs in your lawn. They also eat berries and other insects. The American Robin does not mate for life and can lay eggs up to 3 times in a year. Each time laying between 3~7 eggs at a time. They are small blueish eggs. A newborn Robin is called a nestling. They are born knowing 3 things: 1. Sit very still in the nest not to attract predators 2. Open wide when mom comes back to the nest with food 3. as soon as they eat, poop! The kids had a laugh at this one. They poop right away so that they parents can clean it up. When they poop it is in a little sack, like a diaper, to make it easy to get rid of.

I racked my brain, for a recipe idea for dinner, in honor of the American Robin. I didn't come up with much...the internet didn't offer much help either. I finally came up with making a nest out of piled up spaghetti and I put meatballs in the middle for the eggs...not really creative, but a dinner everyone would eat! For dessert I made nests out of chow mein noodles and melted chocolate and put 2 Robin Eggs in them...nice that I could get those easily this close to Easter!

Well, tomorrow is the Sperm Whale and Praying Mantis...should be an interesting day!!

California Return Packages

Dear friends that have blessed us with packages. We are working on our return package to you. We have come up with a few additional ideas and needed for our tax return to be able to purchase them...We also are making a CD of pictures of our lives to share with you. We will be together with our extended family on Easter, so will be able to take more pictures and add them. I hope to have them in the mail in about 2 weeks...
Thanks for the patience...I hope you will find it is worth it!!

Thank you all again for your packages...you have blessed our family with your thoughtfulness and generosity!

Best laid plans....

I am reminded this week why we homeschool year round and why I don't write out our schedule in ink...becuase they change...

We were supposed to start with Connecticut this week. But between sick kids, not having ink for my printer a mommy with a headache for 4 days now and rabbit trails with Georgia...we are not on Connecticut...that will be next week. While this is a huge stress to me, not being where I want to be, my husbands reminds me that this is why we homeshcool. So I just need to relax.

I hope that during the summer we will be able to catch up, maybe take only one week a month off not every 3rd week...we will see how that goes. But for now I am behind, seems to be the story of our lives the past 3 years...and I am trying not to stress about it!!

If you are sending us packages...then you have an extra week!!!

Georgia Done...

Well it took us into the first of this week...but we have finished Georgia.

I don't know why, but I am always amazed when I see God at work so evidently. This week I tried to tie in even more Bible lessons/stories/verses to the kids studies. Some I already had written on the computer while others I researched to go with the said lesson. And another listed Bible verses at the bottom of a page I printed (before reading). How many of these stories all the same Bible verse for them...then at church with my parents last week they preached on the same verses...then an email that I get with weekly Bible verses for kids memorization had the same verse...I guess that the Lord really wants us to learn this...so we took an extra couple of days for the lessons and are trying hard to implement them into our lives.

What are they...be kind and compassionate ALWAYS. Do not answer a wrong with a wrong. HHMM...while I first started thinking of my kids and how much they need hear this. They don't always talk kind to their siblings, they don't always talk with respect to their parents and my boys always seem to want to duke it out. I don't know about your house, but I am always saying, 'don't touch each other!!!'  Then as we were talking about the verses and how they relate to our lives I started to feel the shame...the conviction. How can you expect this from your kids when you don't do it?? I admit, as a sinner and work in progress, I do not ALWAYS speak with kindness.  I do not always show compassion. So we decided this is a family  challenge. We will all remind each other to show kindness and compassion.

Then at the post office we got a package for a state that we had done over 3 weeks ago...in the package was the most amazing book...The Butterfly Effect. I recommend it for everyone to read!! I explains that while we may think a certain person has done something amazing we need to look back maybe many generation to see those that layed the ground work for him to be amazing. Well the same can be said for negative influences. If we don't show love and compassion what will it do to those around us? Will they grow up to be confident children? Will they know they are loved? Will they know they can do anything they set their mind to or will they be to scared to try? So the butterfly effect can be used for good and not so good.

So what effect will you leave? on your family? at your work? with your neighbors? everyone you encounter? Will they see Christ's love and compassion through your words and actions?

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as Christ has forgiven you.

Galatians 5:22 ‘But the Spirit gives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Philippians 4:5- Let your gentleness be evident to all...Do not be anxious in anything...

Thessalonians 5:15 God tells us, ‘Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.’

Georgia

We started on Georgia, the 4th state in our study yesterday. We learned about the early history of the state and it's journey to state hood. Justin remembered learning about Gen William Sherman's "March to the Sea" in his history book last year, so he was able to tell us about it. How horrible for the residents of Atlanta to be forcibly removed from their homes and when they return their whole town had been burned to the ground. But the residents were strong and their perseverance in rebuilding made their town even better then it was before!!

Yesterday we learned how Dr. Pemberton accidentally created Coca Cola...he was looking for a new formula for his popular nerve tonic, stimulant and headache remedy. When he thought he a winner he took a barrel down to the local pharmacy (which he owned) and let the customers try it...they said it was "delicious" and "refreshing". He sold it for $.05 a glass. His partner came up with the name Coca Cola, since the ingredients were from the coca plant and the cola nut! HMMM now know why it helped with headaches?? lol Dr. Pemberton sold the Coca Cola company to  Asa Chandler in 1891 for $2300.00. That years capital topped $100,000.00 and in 1919 it sold or $25 million dollars.

In honor of Coca Cola, we had a Coke dinner...thanks to the Coca Cola web site I had plenty of recipes to choose from. We made Coca Cola BBQ sauce that we put over pork chops, Coca Cola baked beans, Coca Cola banana bread and Coca Cola cake with Coca Cola icing...it was all VERY good. All 10 pork chops and the whole huge pot of beans were gone!!! And I was so glad that I only had salad for dinner because I had 2 pieces of the cake...it was probably the best cake that I have every had!! Loved it...I have posted the recipes below!

Today we talked about President Jimmy Carter, a former peanut farmer. Living during the Great Depression and through segregation, his parents taught him how to be a kind generous person. I tied in a Bible lesson on being kind and compassionate. A much needed lesson in my home! We studied Ephesians 4:32, 'Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as Christ forgave you.' And Thessalonians 5:15, "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but ALWAYS be kind to each other..." We also touched  on the fruits of the Spirit. If we have these fruits hidden in our heart then we will find it easy to be kind and compassionate. We took on a family challenge to give daily compliments to each other and find ways that we can show random acts of kindness. We will write down these acts and put them in each others bags...at the end of the week will go over them and see how we blessed (or didn't bless) each other! We want to see who does the most random acts of kindness this week!! There will be a surprise and certificate for those that do well!! We are also memorizing these verses, so that when kind words are not spoken we can refer to them! Notice that I say WE and not the kids...I know that I also don't talk with grace and compassion and don't always show kindness, especially when the kids are pushing my buttons. But, God says ALWAYS, not when we want to and not just when it is easy...but ALWAYS. To me that means it is not negotiable, but a command from God.

Keeping with the peanut theme we went on to learn about George Washington Carver and the history of the peanut. We ended with playing peanut BINGO. Paige had a pouty moment so she stomped to her room while we played the game. Bryce just wanted to eat the 'Goobers' that I got them as a treat! For dinner we kept with the peanut theme and had Orange Peanut Chicken with orange flavored brown rice, Peanut Butter Bread and salad with peanuts and oranges. Not as big of a hit as some, but still all got gone. We wanted to make microwave peanut brittle and homemade peanut butter but ran out of time...so we will try to do that tomorrow...I have been looking forward to the peanut brittle for a couple of weeks!!

Well tomorrow we will learn about Martin Luther King Jr, segregation and also the Georgia peach...while we enjoy the great 'Peach`o's' from Tara and her family from our Georgia package!!


Here are 'our' Coca Cola recipes, thanks to the Coca Cola web site!

Coca Cola BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Coca-Cola (or similar cola)
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 onion large onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 3 tablespoons chili powder

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook slowly for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Coca cola cake

Cake:

2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups small marshmallows

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons cocoa

1 cup Coca-Cola®

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

3 tablespoons cocoa

6 tablespoons Coca-Cola

1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, sift sugar and flour. Add marsh- mallows. In

saucepan, mix butter, oil, cocoa, and Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil and pour over dry

ingredients; blend well. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk just before adding to

batter along with eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Pour into a well-greased 9-

by-13-inch pan and bake 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and frost

immediately.

To make frosting, combine butter, cocoa and Coca-Cola in a saucepan. Bring to a

boil and pour over confectioners' sugar, blending well. Add vanilla extract and

pecans. Spread over hot cake. When cool, cut into squares and serve.

Coca~Cola Baked Beans

• 2 cans (16 oz.each) great northern beans
• 1/2 can Coca~Cola
• 1/4 cup onion - diced
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper - diced
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1 T. prepared yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 6 strips bacon

Preparation -
Saute 2 strips of bacon with onion and green pepper until lightly browned. Drain off fat, then stir in all other ingredients except the remaining bacon. Bring to a boil. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Place the remaining bacon strips on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 325º for 45 to 50 minutes.

Banana Bread with Coca Cola

2 cups ripe bananas mashed
2 1/2 cups dark brown sugar packed
1/2 cup oil or melted butter
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
2 tsp baking powder
3/8 tsp salt
3 1/4 cups flour
1 cup coke
1 cup mini chocolate chips [optional]
1 cup chopped nuts [optional]

Set oven to 300ºF. Pam 2 loaf pans. 
Mix together the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla.
Sift dry ingredients together except chocolate and nuts.
Mix dry ingredients with the sugar oil mixture, adding the mashed bananas and the 1 cup cola. Add chips and nuts if using.
Spoon batter into prepared pans. Set pans on baking sheet.

Bake for 1 hour 20 min or until bread tests done.