New Years Tradition

 A mom in my homeschool group told us about their New Years tradition which I thought was pretty cool, so I just have to share it.  Every year they write prayers on strips of cloth & tie them to a tree in the front yard.  At the end of the year they take them down to put up the new prayers. 

At the end of last year our area (Georgia) had been in a drought for several years & we were under water restrictions to the point where we did not flush our toilets unless we HAD to.  We shared bath water...anything to conserve.

So as they went through the prayers that they removed from the tree, she noticed one of her children had prayed for rain.  Boy was that prayer answered!  We had the heaviest rainfall & worst flooding in our county in 500 years!  So even though it was devestating in many areas, it was what we needed & was an answer to prayer that I'm sure many of us had prayed.

How often do we pray only to forget a week from now that we had even prayed that prayer?  How often does God answer us & we don't even realize it?  Maybe we should all take the time in some form to write our prayers down.  I think when we look back on them we will realize how mighty our God is & that He does indeed answer.

Christmas Holidays

It is the beginning of the second week of the holidays...a time to spend with family & friends without all the bustle of getting ready for Christmas.   It seems a shame that Christmas is so busy because we forget the celebration of Jesus birth in the midst of it all.

Now that the New Year is fast approaching it gives me time to reflect on what is ahead for the coming year.  Yes, all the resolutions!  I want to lose weight...again.  I think if I put it in a different perspective like "why do I want to lose weight"...maybe that will help.  I feel like I am getting old so I want to be in better health so that I can continue to homeschool my son & be a positive role model & influence in his life.  How can I teach him to be disciplined when I am not?

So here is to the New Year!  Hope the end of 2010 finds you healthy, wealthy, & wise.

Christmas Day!

Christmas Day!  Wow...the holidays came quickly as they seem to every year.  We stayed home this year instead of traveling as is our normal routine.  My twin sister came with her family for a few days & it was nice to have a Christmas at home so that we could create memories for our son.

We took a day to visit the Georgia Aquarium & then went to see Alvin & the Chipmunks another day.  Last night, on Christmas Eve, we met with friends & had dinner with them & their visiting family as well.  This morning my son woke up the household with the banging of pots & pans at each persons bedroom door.  He was ready to open presents!

So as is with most of you, we had a busy holiday.  Hopefully, we all took time to reflect on the real celebration of Christmas which is the birth of Jesus Christ. With out His sacrifice to come to earth we would truly have no cause for celebration.  May His light shine bright throughout your new year.

Hunter Museum of American Art Homeschool Classes

The Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga offers home school workshops for home school learners & their families.    Each session includes a museum tour, studio art experience, & a take home packet to extend your museum experience.

Workshops are for kids age 5 - 13 years old & their providers.  Providers can explore the museum & participate in a studio art experience while their children attend the workshop.  There is no additional cost for providers who participate in the workshop.

Workshops coming soon are:  "Art as a Mirror",  February 10th, "Museum Buildings & their Architecture", March 17th, & "The Elements of Art", April 14th.  All classes are 10am - 12pm & cost is $10.00 for members & $12.00 for non-members.

Workshops are limited to 30 students so register soon to reserve your space.   Go to http://www.huntermuseum.org/ for more information.  They are also having their homeschool day event this coming Wednesday, November 18th at 10 am.

Chattanooga Nature Center

Just 15 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, located at the bottom of Lookout Mountain, you can find the Chattanooga Nature Center.   They offer educational programming Monday - Friday throughout the year.  Learning adventures are done in a "Living Classroom" where hands on field classes are taught by naturalists.

Some of the classes offered are "Birds of a Feather", "Things that go Bump in the Night", Predator / Prey Connection", and more.  If you are interested in finding more information for your group, call 423-821-1160 ext. 107 or go to http://www.chattanooganaturecenter.org/ to view other current events.  They also have birthday facilities & special Christmas events coming up soon.

Friday...already!

We finally received the H1N1 vaccine in our area so yesterday I took my son down to get his shot.  We arrived at the Health Dept. around 11am (to beat the rush), only to be told to come back at 1:00.  So we came home, ate lunch, & went back. 

We were one of the first ones there so we were able to get in right away.  They told me I could get a shot while I was there if I wanted, so I got my shot first before my son.  Now, he is 11 years old & has had shots before. However, he watched them give me mine & fear set in.  I guess it looked painful when actually it was the easiest shot I have had in a long time.

He tensed, he cried...the poor nurse was very patient but she couldn't even get close to his arm.  So she told us to go walk around & come back.  We walked out & found a quite place to sit & talk.  I told him that she was a really good nurse & all I felt was a slight pinch when it went in...after that, nothing.   I even told him we could go to Barnes & Nobles & pick up some books that he was wanting to get for his reading.

So he agreed & we went back in.  Unfortunately, fear struck again & after several attempts & coaxing we realized it was not going to happen.  My son was upset when we left & even stopped in the parking lot like he wanted to go back & try again.  I could tell he was disappointed in himself so my scolding him would not do any good.

I told him that we would check next week to see if they received any nasal vaccines, until then we have to hope he does not get sick.  Fortunately, being homeschooled he is not in a room every day with 25 kids who may be carrying the virus.

Hope all of you have better luck at getting your kids vaccinated.  If you haven't yet you can contact your local Health Dept.  We (or I) received our shots for free & did not have to show any insurance. 

Monday Musings

We have been so busy as is normal this time of year.  My husband has been working 6 day work weeks so our family time has been minimal.  He has tomorrow off so we are making Tuesday our family day.  We will still do a short day of school & then we are going to see the movie, "A Christmas Carol", with Jim Carrey. 

It is so nice to have that freedom of schedule with homeschooling so that we can fit family time in whenever it is convenient for us.  I hope that you all will take some time during this holiday season to spend quality time with your family.  Go to the movies, take a walk in the park, or just spend a day at home playing board games.   Have fun!