Happel Happenings
Monday, August 26, 2013
Mon 8/26
Cheers!
Friday, August 23, 2013
wed-fri 8/23
Yesterday we busted out the cuisere rods which was a big hit for Rowen. He can only handle so much coloring... and since he knows his letters, there's pretty much only coloring for activities during the "intro."
Next week, we may sprint through a couple days at a time so we can get started on the "Sun" unit. We picked up a bajillion books on the sun from the library (what? that's not a number?) and he's really excited about it... we'll see!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Tuesday 8/20 - 2nd day of school
When we got back home, we counted to 21 on the calendar, discussed yesterday, today, and tomorrow, recited our bible verse (Ps 24:1) and sang the "days of the week" song.
We then did our bible study, and learned that on the 2nd day, God made the sky, and divided the water above from the water below. Rowen and Charlotte got to color the #2 and cut it out (or cut it up, depending on the child. See photos on instagram #happelhomeschool) and then they colored the sea, and the clouds on another sheet of paper for their creation books.
We sang our song (several times) "This is my Father's World" and then looked it up on Youtube, which the kids *really* enjoyed. Their favorite is Alli Roger's version:
and we watched it repeatedly while they crafted! (and I got a headstart on dinner! woot!)
Monday, August 19, 2013
First day of Homeschool!
The first ten days are EASY. I think they're designed to be an intro to homeschool- to teach your five year old to sit still for 10 minutes at a time :)
This morning, we went for a short walk around the block (with backpacks on, of course!) and then sat down at the table to begin learning about Creation.
Both the kids loved it (a few photos on Instagram under #happelhomeschool.) We spent about a half hour, colored name tags, talked about the calendar, cut & colored a number 1, and cut & glued the "light/dark" page for our creation books. (Yes, Charlotte did everything w/ Rowen. Why not?) and then finished it off w/ a preschool activity (Kids Puzzle- gross motor, sorting.)
Next week is the 2nd week of the intro & Creation. After that, our first unit (of 26) will be "Sun." We'll be covering the letter "S" at the same time.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
October in the Happel House
We started off October w/ Rowen's third birthday- he wanted a fire-truck party so a fire-truck party he got! Matt and I built him a cardboard fire truck out of two boxes from a washer & dryer (kindly donated by standard TV & appliance- I may just go there and pick up boxes from time to time for the kids to play in! seriously!)
We checked out a billion fire-truck books from the library (which he's enjoying in the above photo.) I made my first ever shaped cake: a fire truck of course. Thank heavens for the internet, you can learn to do anything! It was chocolate w/ a vanilla buttercream, and more red food coloring than I care to admit.
Knowing our house is small, we only let him invite five friends, and it was still a packed house w/ all the siblings. So much fun, though. We put red/orange/yellow streamers up for fire, and some black for smoke,
And now we have a pretty little jar to open every month until next apple season! Score!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Jelly Jar Labels
Aren't these fun? I'm organizing a Preserves Party this month and I seriously can't wait to swap spreads with all my friends. The point was to do a little work and end up with a lot of jam, but I can't help myself. I just keep making more! So far I've made a boysenberry freezer jam, a strawberry fig jam, some wild plum preserves (think pork chops or goat cheese/hazelnut ravioli) and some fig preserves (just dying to top a round of brie, to be baked in puff pastry. Right?) I'm REALLY hoping someone makes peach preserves and let's me know so that I don't run out and make some myself... though there are still several others rolling around in my mind!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A Day in the Life of a One Year Old
A Day in the Life of a One Year Old
June 7th 2011
5:40am- you came into bed w/ me to nurse. When you were finished, you rolled onto your tummy, tucked your knees under and fell asleep.
7:02am – awake chatting w/ your sweet little raspy voice, “heh-ey”
7:04am- changed your very yucky poo- still a little tummy bug.
7:07am- nursin’
7:14am- I carried you outside to let the chickens down and check on the garden
7:20am- play time. A current favorite, the bead maze,
then pulling apart legos and handing them to me to put back together,
putting them back in the lego bucket,
and then a brief look at the 100 animals book we checked out from the library.
7:43am- getting cranky. I took you to your room and handed you your bunny-blankie (paw in mouth) and you took it and snuggled your head onto my shoulder. Yep, time for a nap! It’s earlier than usual, but you’re not feeling yourself quiet yet. I wrapped you up in your pink fuzzy blanket, turned on your sleep sheep, and left you to dream.
8:01am- you never fell asleep, just relaxed in your comfort zone. Now you’re giggling a little bit with your brother, who must be awake.
8:24am- I just left your room after nursing you & lying you back down
9:00am- you’ve been asleep for a little bit now, that’s more like your normal nap time. After leaving you @ 8:30 you cried some more, I picked you up and let you out of your crib for a bit but you were not happy. Saddest little birthday girl ever! So, I’m happy you’re sleeping peacefully now. Hopefully it’ll be a good one and all the restoration you need.
9:16am- went in your room and you were awake! Oh well, but you seem much happier now! We need to get ready to go to the grocery store.
11- got back from winco & nursed right away- you were DONE w/ that shopping trip!
11:15am – lego time w/ brother while I make lunch
12:03pm – all done w/ lunch, time to play w/ brother some more!
12:30pm- crawled into the kitchen to find me. I changed you, kissed your tummy & made you giggle, and nursed you to sleep.
1:30pm- you woke up and sat yourself straight up- your newest skill- and cried out because you’re still tired and couldn’t get back down & comfy. Tucked you back in w/ bunny-blankie.
2:40pm- awake, sitting up! Nursed and down to play.
3:35pm- pots and pans
3:50- nursin’ some more
4:00- shopping w/ mommy- rite aid, dollar tree, and joanns. Big girl! You got a few “pretty girl” comments while we were out. This was an out-of-the-ordinary afternoon trip, but we had to get a few things for your big party on Saturday.
I never got to record the rest of the day, but a typical evening looks about like this:
5:00- you come crawling into the kitchen, crying desperately for something to eat while I’m making dinner. I sit you in your chair and find something in the fridge to throw at you. Frozen peas, cheese, left over cooked meat, diced fruit, whatever! You usually cheer right up w/ a little finger food to put in your mouth.
5:30- time for the rest of the family to eat dinner. Half the time you’re happy to have more on your plate, the other half you’re done eating after I finally sit down and so I clean you up and nurse you while I eat.
6:30- we go for a walk as a family or you have play time w/ Daddy and Brother. Once in a while this includes a bath- which you scream throughout the entire duration. You hate baths. Tonight, however, you got to open your first birthday present! You've been eyeing baby dolls for a while, so that's what we picked out for you. You thought she was great and chewed on her hand- because that's how you say "i love you," isn't it?
7:30- bed time! Nurse, cod liver oil, diaper & jammies, stories w/ Daddy and Brother on the couch, and down for bed. You usually cry for a little while, then I nurse you, and lay you back down to fall asleep.
Love you, baby girl! Happy First Birthday!