Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Fast Fluffy Fleece Scarves...

The girls and I whipped up a few last minute gifts. Some easy peasy fleecey scarves. They are warm and comfy and as you know, fleece comes in the funnest colors and prints! I've been asked by several for a tutorial, so here goes....
I used 1/2 yard of fleece for each scarf. You can totally play with the width here--I made some narrower ones for the little people. Just bring the fleece home and fold it in 3 even rows the long way. See? 1, 2, 3.Now cut, so that you have 3 long strips all about the same width.Sew all 3 long strips together using a tight seam down the middle. Make sure to backstitch or tie off the ends securely.Then, make cuts all the way down both sides, making sure not to get too close to the middle seam. You'll want these strips about 1 inch wide. It will take about a million cuts, so use a good fabric scissor, and you shouldn't get a blister (like I did.) Of course we did make 14 of these....and that might have something to do with the blister.
Throw your finished product in the dryer with a softener sheet to freshen it and fluff it. The center seam will not be as visible after you do this.
If you have a dog, you can now go out and play with him AND stay warm on a cold winter day....that or you can just beg your mom to let him in for a while.

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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Back to School!

Today is our first day back for the new school year! So far, it has gone great! I am hoping the year continues that way! I got one of my migraines yesterday, so I've been a little sluggish today from the meds last night. Not so with the 4 below...
We are completely enjoying our "new" classroom! It must be conducive to good study habits, because they were done with a days work by 1pm! I KNOW that's not going to last. :)
Here we all are. Even Kaite has her learning "material." Please don't worry--the potty chair insert she is holding is clean. She is just pretty proud of her latest accomplishment, and so am I!
Kaite telling us what she has to do during class.
"Shhh!"
Kammy is my most excited student! She is only 5, but so anxious to learn. Here she is practicing her letters. I heard her quitely saying to herself, "I can do this, I can do this, I can..."

In one corner of our class, we have an old step ladder/bookshelf. I'm lovin' it!
"Each little letter in it's place..."
Kayla~ 8th grade!
Kalli~ 4th grade!
Kammy~ 1st grade!
Mom has a busy year ahead of her, huh?
I think I'll pick up Kammy's chant,
"I can do this, I can do this, I can.....
ZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!"

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Friday, September 2, 2011

Finished Object Friday

I always enjoy Charity's Finished Object Friday so much and always mean to link up...usually I get busy and forget. Today, I remembered...so I'm sharing a "few" things I've completed over the last couple of weeks. I love the inspiration I recieve from reading these and other blogs.
The girls remembered the candy pumkkins we made a few years ago and wanted to do them again. They are so fun and easy for kids. You just need candy circus peanuts and some sort of gum drop or tootsie roll (depending if you want brown or green stems on your pumpkin. Cut the candy peanut in half and "stick" it together- cut side down, with a small cut piece of the gumdrop. Let part of the gumdrop stick out the top for a stem. Draw pumpkin lines on with a toothpick or small knife.
Today, we did up a big batch of salsa. I have a great recipe that I shared here. http://rickarennkids.blogspot.com/2010/10/some-like-it-hot.html
(Sorry, sometimes my computer won't let me link a word, and sometimes it will). Strange.
To kick of the Autumn season and the soon arrival of school, we made a Autumn looking cake. Chocolate Cake with Cappuccino Icing was a HUGE hit at our house!
We've also had an eventful week of Potty Training Boot Camp. This is one thing I have definitely been putting off and am so glad to have it an (almost) finished object. The story is here. http://rickarennkids.blogspot.com/2011/08/potty-training-boot-camp.html
With school just around the corner, we have been busy paining and decorating our new classroom! Read about that here. http://rickarennkids.blogspot.com/2011/08/wisdom-knowledge-and-understanding.html
And finally...I FINALLY completed the shower curtain in the girls' bathroom. Read that post here.http://rickarennkids.blogspot.com/2011/08/raggedy-red.html

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Friday, August 26, 2011

Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding....

Below is a shot of our classroom. I got the desks from a friend and painted them. The tops are done with chalkboard paint. I'd still like to find some chairs at some point that look more "schooly" but it all will come in time.
The old ladder in the corner is being used as a bookshelf for some of our literature books. It also holds a set of flags and a Bible for pledges.
I had taken the desks apart to paint and here hubby was working on putting them back together. Kaite saw the opportunity and used the leg for a microphone to treat us with her version of "Grace."
I did these somewhat pitiful silhouettes of my students and the bulletin board holds our own signed copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established. And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

With school beginning just around the corner, I was thinking this an appropriate “theme verse.” But, what does it mean? It uses the words wisdom, knowledge and understanding, but aren’t they all the same thing?

By wisdom is the house builded.

Wisdom.
Wisdom is the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Wisdom often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that one's principles and not feelings determine one's actions.
The house spoken of here refers to the life as a whole. Not only the inside, but not only the outside either. The house is where the family lives and learns (whether your house is a homeschool house like mine or not). The house of God, the church of the living God, is built by Wisdom, that is, by Christ; on a good foundation, a rock, upon himself, against which the gates of hell can never prevail. My “house” may be unique and may stand out on my block, but I must follow God’s blueprint. There is no glory in being exactly like all the others and at the same time, there is no salvation found in being different simply for the sake of being different. The previous two verses warn us against envying another man’s house or studying destruction. See, the evil man studies as well, but his study is that of mischief. Wisdom says that I alone am responsible for this house. To tear down another’s house will not aid the building of mine. A critical spirit or a tongue that tears down others will only make my own foundation weak.

Understanding.

By understanding is it established.

Understanding is a relation between the knower and an object of understanding. Understanding implies abilities and dispositions with respect to an object of knowledge sufficient to support intelligent behavior. The prosperity of a one's family is continued and secured by his prudent conduct. The church of God is established by Christ, who is understanding as well as wisdom. Every true believer is established in Christ, and in the faith of him; and that as he has more and more an understanding of him and of divine things. I think understanding is like step two. It’s knowing how to accomplish what you already know to do. It’s not only KNOWING that I need God to guide me as I build, it is understanding how to hear his voice and sense his direction. Without understanding, wisdom will never get the house built.

Knowledge.

By knowledge is the house filled.

Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something, that can include facts, descriptions, information, and/or skills acquired through experience or education. When I become familiar with God, he can then fill my life with all precious and pleasant riches. Things that are both of worth, value, and usefulness, and for ornament and delight; the more private and retired parts of a man's dwelling house, as well as his shops, warehouses, barns, and granaries, shall be filled with all kind of valuable substance. This may be understood spiritually, of the fullness which the church has from Christ, and of those unsearchable riches of his she receives from him; and of those treasures of wisdom and knowledge, which the chambers of the soul of a believer are filled with by him; and of all the riches put into them, which are both precious and pleasant; such as precious promises, pleasant doctrines, the valuable truths of the Gospel, and blessings of grace.

This is my prayer for my house (my life) and the little houses (the children) my husband and I have been given the privilege and responsibility of helping to build. I plan to keep these things in mind during the coming school year.

The Bible always amazes me...how powerful it’s message. As occurs over and over throughout the Bible, I also saw here a clear message of holiness.

1. Wisdom sees the need.
2. Understanding accepts the cure.
3. Knowledge brings the filling of The Spirit.

Sources: Biblios, E-Sword,

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Bragging again....

You'll have to excuse me or "ex-out" real quick here. I am going to brag a bit on my 7th grade History student. Below is just a small part of her State History Project report notebook for this semester. I found this portion on religion very interesting. All her information sources are listed in the bibliography of course, but I am not listing them here.photo source: sondahl
Idaho History--Religion

Along with all the others who came to Idaho, were those who came bringing faith and coming to share the Word of God. We would call them missionaries. Religion played an important part in Idaho's development. As we already stated, Idaho's oldest building is a mission, the Caltaldo Mission. It is currently located right off I-90 at Cataldo. Cataldo is in Northern Idaho.photo source: sondahl.com
Some time before the early settlers began to come to Idaho, Circling Raven, a powerful chief of the Cour de Alene tribe had a vision foretelling the coming of the "black robes". He felt that these peopl would bring new spiritual power to his people.
In 1831, four members of the Nez Perce and Flathead tribes went to St. Louis looking for someone who could teach them about the Bible. This would cause us to think that there was a hunger for the Word of God. The first church service in Idaho was held at Fort Hall in 1834. It was a funeral, conducted by methodist minister Jason Lee. Lee had planned to start a mission among the Flathead tribe, but they did not accept him because he did not wear black robes.
One of the first missions in the west was built by Henry and Eliza Spalding. Henry and Narcissa Whitman were nearby as well, though further west toward Washington. The Spaldings did a lot in Idaho. They opened the first school, their daughter was the first white child born in Idaho. They printed a song book and parts of the Bible in Nez Perce. The Spaldings also worked to teach the natives how to farm. Up until then, the natives were mostly hunters and gatherers. Some of the natives did not like the changes and all the new settlers. In anger, a few of them killed the Whitman's and destroyed the Spalding's mission.
A few years later, Father Pierre John DeSmit arrived. Father DeSmit wore the black robes of the Catholic priest and was accepted by the descendants of Circling Raven.
Mormons came west in the late 1840's. Their leader was Brigham Young and they came not as missionaries, but seeking to escape religious discrimination. They were looking for a state of their own, one they could rule themselves. Though most of them settled in the Salt Lake area of Utah, a few crossed the border into Idaho. Franklin was Idaho's first permanent settlement, consisting mostly of the Mormons. Trouble came when other religions began to disagree with the Morman way of life, especially the practice of polygamy. Eventually the leaders of the Morman church urged their people to obey the law and marry only one wife. Lawmakers, however, denyed the Mormons the right to vote when they first wrote the state's constitution. In fact, it wasn't until 1984, that they changed that law, although it had been ignored for many years.
The first Jewish governor in the United States was Moses Alexander elected in Idaho in 1914.
Idaho's religious history was shaped by many people of many different faiths.

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Sunday, January 30, 2011

McCall, Idaho Winter Carnival

Here are a few pictures of that little trip I was talking about in my previous post. I'm posting some pictures and I also copied Kayla's report paper she wrote on the trip. She is currently taking a course in Idaho History and although it wasn't required, I thought it couldn't hurt to make this trip a learning experience as well. I love snow and winter. I keep telling the hubby that I think I'm "called" to a more wintery climate, but so far he and God don't get it. :) These first 2 pictures are scenery shots on the trip up.
And now--from Kayla:

My family went on a little vacation to McCall, Idaho. They were just getting ready for their annual Winter Carnival. I am taking Idaho History, so mom had me write a report. She is typing it for me below. It is interesting. There are also some pictures of our trip.
The first carnival took place in 1924. It began with the largest train ever to enter McCall. It had 248 people on board and one of them was Idaho's govornor C. Moore. The very first carnival was called, "Payette Lakes Sports Carnival. It lasted three days. One of the biggest events was the dog sled races. They also had ski joring, which is when a skier is pulled by a horse! They had toboggan races and raced homemade snowmobiles on the frozen, snow-covered lake. These 'snowmobiles' were actually vehicles set on steel runners and driven by an airplane engine and propeller. Eventually, the carnival turned into an "ice break-up contest." People would buy tickets and guess what day, hour and minute the ice would break up on the lake. The person guessing the closest, won a prize. The last contest was in 1941 at what time gambling had become illegal. In 1965, the "Winter Carnival" began again and has continued to this day.

McCall can get up to 400 inches (33.3 feet) of snow each winter. One of the coolest things about the Winter Carnival these days are the fantastic ice sculptures. They might be animals, disney characters, Christmas or winter scenes. Whatever they are, they have amazing detail and are very beautiful! They are on nearly every corner and in front of nearly every store and shop. The sculptors work hard shaping the snow and pouring on water to maintain the icy surface. Awards are given for what judges say are the best. The town of McCall is beautiful with trees and snow. It is right on the Payette Lake. McCall has a population of 2,554. It is about 2 1/2 hours from our house on clear roads.

In January of this year, my family went to McCall. We stayed January 25-26. We stayed at the Western Mountain Lodge. We had a lot of fun! We looked at all kinds of sculptures, and since we were there a few days before the carnival began, we got to watch them working. There were bears, trains, trees and all kinds of other stuff all made out of snow! We were wondering why there were dragons, so we did some research and found out about the legend of "Sharlie." Some people say that they have seen a huge dragon, or sea creature and think it lives somewhere in the lake. Other people say there is no such thing and that it must be a log, a giant sturgeon, or even a herd of moose crossing the lake. This year, McCall is 100 years old, so we saw lots of sculptures with the number 100 as well.

McCall is a beautiful little town. It was founded in 1911 by Tom McCall. There was an article in the newspaper while we were there that talked about McCall's history. Tom McCall's daughter was McCall, Idaho's first schoolteacher. His son later became the first forest ranger. They were alone when they first came to McCall. They traded with an earlier setter named Denver, his homestead for their best harness, team and wagon. Someone asked Louisa, Tom's wife if she was lonely or discouraged in those hard early years and she said, "No, I had my family."
We also went sledding at Bear Park while we were there. The sledding hill ends in the lake, but don't worry. The lake freezes over every winter.

Enjoying pizza at Blue Moose Pizza.
Sledding at Bear Park.
Payette Lake.
Working on a sculpture with a chainsaw.


Back to Mom (Karen). Hope you enjoyed it. I thought she did quite well and I loved that they had fun too! We have gone I think 4 years now and I'd love to make it an official tradition!

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

1st Day of Christmas~Snow Day!

I plan to join Melissa and the others for the Days of Christmas link up. For the first day of Christmas, we have SNOW!
Around here, we LOVE snow days!Without exception!
The foot (give or take a few inches) we received overnight was put to good use!
Kaite loves wearing her hat! In fact, she took her nap with it on! I think maybe she was "Dreaming of a White Christmas!"
Daddy went in to work a little later than usual so that he could play with the little ones first.
They thanked him repeatedly!!!
"J.I.N.G.L.E. Bells"...Yes, we love our Christmas music too!
And our snow-covered pines (okay...blue spruce).
"Come on! We're going for a sleigh ride!" Well....actually it's a 4-wheeler, but sort of a similar idea. =)After many, many trips around the pasture...
We came in and enjoyed a warm bowl of oatmeal.Hhmm...snow and oatmeal. Two touchy subjects. Either you like them or you don't. Personally, and speaking for the family...we like!
I like my oatmeal with lots of butter, white sugar and a little cream. I like my snow with more snow!
How about you?

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...and underneath are the everlasting arms...Duet. 33:27