"Traveling" to South Korea

Our next country "visit" was Korea. I searched for all of the Korean children's books at our libraries. Here is what we found:

Sumi's First Day of School Ever - Soyung Pak

dear juno - Soyung Pak

The Name Jar - Yangsook Choi

The Firekeeper's Son - Linda Sue Park

Welcome to South Korea - Karen Kwek & Johanna Masse

We enjoyed all of these books! The fiction books are very sweet stories, mostly about Korean children who are living in the United States but thinking about different aspects of their lives and culture in Korea. If we revisit Korea, I will look for these books I saw at learning ALL the time!! last week.

With every country, I have the kids work the applicable puzzle in The Seven Continents of the World Jigsaw Puzzle book (which includes six 48 piece puzzles). They try to locate North and South Korea on the completed map.

We look through all of our geography books, including Atlas of the World, Our World: A Country-by-Country Guide, and The DK Picturepedia: People and Places, and read all of the pages about our country.

For an art project, I printed off a blank flag of South Korea, which we focused on during our lessons.

They painted it with the appropriate colors,

and then brushed (with a Q-tip) glue on the remaining white portion.

I snagged some dry rice from one of their sensory bins, and they scattered it all over the glue to represent the white portion of the flag. We had talked about how rice is an important crop and food in South Korea.

Here are some of our notebooking pages, which were printed from Homeschool Creations.

We were fortunate enough to experience eating at a Korean (It was also upscale vegan.) restaurant on our NYC trip in November. (I wrote about it on my food blog.) It was very cool! My oldest son with sensory issues was pretty upset, at first, about having to take his shoes off at the door - but the kids loved the atmosphere and how the seats are on the floor with holes below for your feet. They loved all of the different courses and choices - and the citron juice "tea"!

We even prepared a Korean meal at home. A couple of years ago, the kids participated in a Summer Blog Swap, and Dash was paired up with Kaden, who was adopted from South Korea. They had sent us, among many many wonderful things - a recipe for Korean "barbecue," which is called Bulgogi. We veganized this recipe using seitan, and it was delicious!!! I served it with rice, stir-fry, and kimchi.

They also sent us a Korean ornament, which we've had on display during our Korea studies

another stamp in the kids' passports after our fun "visit"

Children Grow, Children Explore, Children Learn: Geography/History Link-Up

Homeschool Mother's Journal

I have been reading other homeschool moms' journals (found at The Homeschool Chick) for a couple of weeks, so I thought I might do this when I can.

In my life this week…

I have really depended on my parents to get around. My car has been in the shop for a few days, a couple of days more than planned. (We haven't had air-conditioning in our car since it went out during our vacation in November. It was fine for awhile, of course, but after the last few weeks, I couldn't take it anymore.)

I have been trying to dig myself up out of the mess we've built up the past month or two. It's atrocious. I still have a lot to do. It will be waiting for me upon the return from my trip this weekend.

In our homeschool this week…

things were made a little simpler for me with our new computer set-up my husband worked on. For a long time, we've just had two old computers - one is a broken laptop hooked into a different monitor - and a tiny netbook. Everything is slow and outdated, but Ryan found a good deal on a small desktop to go along with a nice, new monitor and keyboard we already happened to have. Thanks, Babe! We can now even buy songs on iTunes, without waiting minutes between every click of the mouse. I think this will give me a little more time in the day by making school prep and blogging, etc. quicker.

Dash is coming along in his reading. After our two week spring break, which sort of stretched into three, he really regressed. I was in a bit of a panic, worried he'd lost everything he knew about reading so far. However, I've hit it hard with him this week, and I think he's back on track.

Sissy and I have been, at her request, working on our Ballet Unit. There didn't seem to be a preschool Ballet Unit to be found on the internet, but we've been coming up with fun stuff to do.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

The kids loved getting together with our local homeschool group at gymnastics today.

Soccer practice is always a nice little social event for the kids and me. I don't get to talk to the over age 10 crowd very often...

Sissy and I are packing for our trip to St. Louis. It's just us girls, headed to my sister and brother-in-law's place for a couple of days. I'm going to take the boys on a trip, just the three of us, as soon as school is out. I think this will be my new mode of travel if Ryan is not with us - taking one or two at a time.

My favorite thing this week was…

going on a date with my husband. We've somehow managed to squeeze in three dates lately. (Limitless, dim sum, and Source Code) I am getting used to this!

What’s working/not working for us…

I've read a lot about the "sensory diet" as regards to my oldest son who has definite sensory issues. ( A sensory diet is a "carefully designed, personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day. Just as you may jiggle your knee or chew gum to stay awake or soak in a hot tub to unwind, children need to engage in stabilizing, focusing activities too.)

It has suddenly occurred to us how much our 6 year old son benefits from ideas of the sensory diet, as well.. He is so much happier if he has gotten a half hour of me chasing him/tickling him/wrestling with him. Or if he has just returned from soccer practice/game. Or playing tennis with Ryan. Because I devote so much attention on my children, I forget that the "type" of attention really matters, too. Just because I don't personally require physical exertion (or to be chased, ha!), I know that there are other things I really need in life in order to do my best. He cuddled in bed with me last night and read 3 books aloud without getting frustrated or complaining - because Ryan had taken him to play tennis right before that. I know this all seems like common sense. It's not a new concept to us that our middle child is high energy and loves physical activity. BUT we are trying to put in extra effort to make sure his little body and brain are being supported and stimulated in the right way for him BEFORE we begin expecting the other stuff. It's just an experiment; we'll see how it goes.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

...looking forward to our homeschool convention next month. I asked my husband if I could attend one of the Great Homeschool Conventions, but the only one left this year is in Pennsylvania in June. He didn't really reply. (I guess that wasn't a no, per se...) I'm wondering what states in driving distance to Arkansas have really good homeschool conventions???

...praying about next year. Who, What, Where, When, etc. A lot to consider.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

One afternoon I took the kids to see Hop. It was really cute and entertaining. I love the movies that are a mix between "real movie" (with someone I like such as James Marsden) and animation.

The other day, my 4 year old daughter and I were talking. (She loves to talk! If I'm, for some reason, NOT talking to her and starting up a good conversation, she will definitely get it going, "Let's talk about our day." or "Let's talk about what I did at dance class." This is a funny, interesting thing to my husband who never had sisters.) Anyway, I said, "Will you always tell me about your life? Your friends and school, your job, your boyfriends...everything?" She replied (very matter-of-factly), "Well, my boyfriend is (her brother's name)...and (her other brother's name)."

Project 365: a painting, some armor, and gymnastics

Wednesday, April 13

One of our home's newest works of art! My 10 year old painted this; it's a self-portrait. I love it! It's hanging in the kids' bathroom, but I love it so much I may find a place for it downstairs.

Thursday, April 14

He said this is his "armor."

Friday, April 15

The two little ones had homeschool gymnastics today. It's one of their favorite days of the month.

I don't know what is up with these two. It's like they automatically latch onto one another to pose for pictures. Which is really sweet, of course, and they do this off camera, as well. Yet, they fought like CRAZY this afternoon. It drove me BONKERS. They started fighting in the backside while waiting in the car line to pick up their big brother. And there was hardly anything I could do about it because we were in the middle of the car line! They were pounding on each other, screaming, stealing stuff from one another, and I had to keep driving. I'd be more concerned, but I have definitive memories of rolling around on the ground, in pain and causing pain to my brother. And we love each other a lot.

My Easter Post

The Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Walburg is one Easter book we have read this year. Amidst the time of being worried about his sick sister and also wondering about the meaning of Easter eggs, a young boy learns the true story of Easter. He realizes that an egg looks like a small version of the stone that was rolled away from the tomb. And that "just as a chick breaks out of an egg, so had Jesus broken free of the tomb of death." He is told that "Easter eggs remind us that Jesus conquered death and gives us eternal life."

There is a unit with lapbook on this book available at Homeschool Share, that I would like to do, if we have time.

Here are some of our other Easter books:

What is Easter?, Bunny's Noisy Book, The Very Best Easter Bunny, Just An Easter Egg, The Bunny Who Found Easter

Sunrise Hill, The Story of Easter, The Toddlers Bible Easter Book, Looking for Easter, Word Bird's Easter Words, Happy Easter Dear Dragon, Today is Easter!

Easter Bunny Saves the Day, Peter Cottontail's Busy Day,

Barney's Easter Party!, Peter Cottontail's Easter Egg Hunt

And most importantly, two of our Christ-centered Easter books:

The First Easter by Carol Heyer

This book has vivid illustrations, and my 5 year old especially likes it. He has asked more than once "where that book is that has the pictures of Jesus with his friends."

The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt

I'm very fond of this book; it's one that makes me teary-eyed, much like this one. I have said I have a fondness for books in which characters (for some reason, mostly inanimate objects used as characters) realize their potential or what matters in life.

The three trees on the hill wish to be a treasure box, a mighty ship, and a giant tree that makes people think about the greatness of God. They are disappointed, at first, to become a feed box, small boat, and lumber...until they realize the importance of that feed box being used as a manger, that small boat used to hold Jesus during a miracle, and the lumber being turned into the cross that bears the crucified Jesus. At first, the third tree feels ugly being used in this way...but then learns that God's love changed everything. And now when people looked at "the third tree," they would "think of God."

My kids are actually extremely curious about the Easter books which include the crucifixion account. I brought out my photo album from my (and Ryan's) trip to Israel during college.

1st pic: This spot is believed by many historians to be the tomb of Jesus. (We also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, another possible location of his tomb. Regardless of the actual location, the experience of visiting the entire area is AMAZING; I lack the words to describe it. I hope I can take the kids one day.)

2nd picture: the empty tomb visitors can walk into

3rd picture: "the place of the skull" (Golgotha) in the side of the rocky hill, one possible clue to the authenticity of the location

The kids loved looking at these pictures. I think it makes it seem much more real to them. It's one thing to look at a picture book and consider the printed illustrations. I think it's a good idea to google pictures of Jesus' garden tomb and the entire region to help clarify to kids that this is not just a good story; it is a real piece of history.

Easter Sensory Tub

split peas & Great Northern beans, plastic eggs (which are good for filling & scooping), bunny rabbit & Happy Easter picks, miniature baskets & 3 ceramic crosses from Hobby Lobby

little gems hidden throughout as "Easter eggs"

We also have the gardening tub out right now, which is good because usually they're all 3 crowding each other out at one tub. I'm such a fan of these sensory tubs because even though I usually spend around $10 to make them (but will reuse items for next year), they play with these much more than they would a toy I'd spend the same amount on.

The Craft

So this is my little plug for the chickens. We always use a non-chicken egg alternative for decorating eggs. With wooden, ceramic, paper-mache, plastic, etc., there is plenty to choose from, and you don't have to worry about how the chickens were treated (if you didn't raise them yourself)! :) This carton of ceramic eggs (plus paint) from Hobby Lobby cost $2.50 for 6. The paper-mache (plastic covered in a thin layer of cardboard are 3/$1, and this bag of mini-eggs were $1 (50% off).

Here are some of the eggs the kids have painted over the years as our table centerpiece. I try to remember to put the kids' names and the year on the bottom of the eggs.

The kids made these simple Easter baskets at MOPS. If your child is like my youngest (who loves to carry around bags of any kind filled with stuff), this is a good one. Simply cut out the top portion of a paper bag, leaving the middle, then tape the two sides together.

Easter Treat

I make Easter bunny shaped fruit trays for the kids. I think I will also make a cross-shaped fruit tray this year, as well.

Egg-celent links:

stART

Read, Explore, Learn

Kids Get Crafty

Preschool Corner

Geography/History

The Homeschool Village

Princess Birthday Party

My daughter celebrated her 4th birthday this year with a Princess Party. She has been talking about her "princess party" for almost a year. There was no getting around it; there was GOING to be a Princess Party.

The Invitation

The Decorations

Party Favor Purses

The stash: mini-notebook and Disney princess crayons, various Disney princess stickers & pictures, paper ring, organic lollipop, and nail accessory stickers.

The Royal Banquet

chips, olives, salsa, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, vanilla cupcakes, organic raspberry lemon-aid

Side note: I cringe and could almost cry when I look at the cupcake toppers. Someone (there are a few potential culprits) who was kindly and graciously helping me with last minute touch-ups finished off the cupcakes using the castle picks, not the crown picks that I started using (so they don't match!) I know it's terribly inconsequential, but I cringe, nonetheless. (I didn't even notice it until I got the pictures back.)

The Party Begins

Who's that knocking at the door?

It's Sleeping Beauty, coming to wish "Belle" a happy birthday!

She even brought her a birthday present, a beautiful initial necklace from gremadcha. Sleeping Beauty stayed for awhile, helping the little princesses with their crafts and posing for pictures with each of them.

(Sadly, Sissy had gotten over a cold or something that week, had been feeling fine for a day or two, then woke up the morning of her party feeling a little under the weather again. So she has sleepy, puffy eyes in her pictures.)

She had been very clear from the start that one of the main activities she wanted at her party was DANCING. So that is what they did. I had put together a playlist including:

1) Part of Your World, 2) A Whole New World, 3) Once Upon a Dream, 4) I See the Light, and 5) Beauty and the Beast.

The Craft

When the girls got to the party, they colored these little princess pictures (and ate their snack) while they waited on everyone to arrive. A funny story: Sleeping Beauty leaned over and asked my niece C (who is working on her treasure box here) what she was coloring, and C very simply stated, "You." She was, in fact, coloring a picture of Sleeping Beauty.

Another cute story about Sleeping Beauty (somehow I don't have a picture of this!): my 2 year old nephew P LOVED her. LOVED her. He did not want her to leave and cried when she walked out the door.

Each princess (and prince - obviously, my 10 year old son was not going to miss out on a craft opportunity) was given a heart shaped cardboard box to decorate, using markers, crayons, stickers, and jewels.

After her box was decorated, she could fill it with "treasures," which included shiny stones, jingle bells, craft jewels and flowers, pink fairy godmother dust (actually cake sprinkles), and other assorted shiny or pink goodies.

I knew that filling the boxes would be a hit since my daughter loves "filling things." Especially if those things are shiny or sparkly.

all of the little girls at the party with Sleeping Beauty

Mid-party costume change! Birthday girl gets to wear two different costumes during her party. She is wearing her new birthday necklace, too.

My niece G also dressed as Rapunzel. Have you seen the movie? Rapunzel uses a frying pan as her weapon.

The Cake

I'm sure people wonder why I don't just go buy a cake that's much cuter than this one - but since I do not eat eggs, dairy, or artificial food coloring, I have to bake it myself (and I'm not a cake decorator!).

I got this idea from Eclectic Musings. Hers is much, much cuter, of course! I was rushing at the end and was having a hard time with my sandwich baggie as a piping bag. I liked the idea of using a cut-out cookie to decorate the top of the cake, regardless. I wanted to use Rapunzel because my daughter's hair is so long, and she talks about Tangled all of the time.

Thankfully, my kids are very gracious and love their Momma's feeble attempts.

Opening Gifts

opening the tutu made for her by cousin G and aunt Michele

opening the mom/daughter devotion book I got for her

my kids mixed with

all of the cousins on my side of the family

After the rest of the party-goers went home, I packed up some princess crown nut butter and fruit spread sandwiches,

and my sister-in-law Michele and I took Sissy, Dash, and my nieces W, G, and C to see Tangled, which was fortunately still playing at the theater.

Party supplies:

invitations, paper lanterns, plates, napkins: Hobby Lobby

plastic Tangled cups: Wal-Mart

window birthday signs: Hobby Lobby mixed with homemade

party favor boxes: Hobby Lobby mixed with Wal-mart ribbon and other accessories

birthday princess hat: Party City

crown cookie cutter, cupcake wrappers: Hobby Lobby

napkin holder & stand-up princess cut-outs: Disney party pack from local store

other: tulle, fabric for tablecloth

cake, cupcakes, & frosting: Dr. Oetker's vegan, organic vanilla mixes

interior design consultation & implementation: Cary Murphy :)

Link-up: ABC and 123 Show and Tell