Monthly Archive: June 2014

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Kids’ Songs Packet — Summer Camp at Home!

I went to girl scout camp every summer for years… and then worked as a girl scout counselor for several years after that.  I loved when we sang songs after our meals. Those songs have stuck with me all these years.  This past school year we didn’t do nearly as much music as we normally do.  I wanted to add in some fun songs this summer… especially for my youngest....

12 Books Celebrating America 2

12 Books Celebrating America

With the 4th of July right around the corner, I thought I would highlight some books you and your kids can read that celebrate America. I’ve selected books about the American Revolution and Constitution, but also wanted to point out some books about our beautiful country. If I were to recommend just one book, it might have to be They Called Her Molly Pitcher by Anne Rockwell. It is the...

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PreK Craft: Spaghetti Yarn Art

This Spaghetti Yarn Art is a cute, quick craft you can do with your 2-5 year old. This was a really good project even for ED, who was age 2 at the time.  She could pretty much do it on her own as long as I reminded her of the steps along the way. For this activity we needed cooked spaghetti (we used fettuccine), bits of yarn or string, and glue. We had one bowl of...

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Summer Activities: SPUD (20-30 mins.)

My kids are the perfect age for introducing them to some of my childhood summer favorites.  For some reason, the kids in my neighborhood called this game “Baby in the Air.”  I think it’s better known as “spud.” Anyway, whatever the name, the kids really loved it.  This is a game that combines catch and dodge ball. We played this with four of us. It seems like 4-6 players would...

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Summer Activities: Sun-Sensitive Nature Pictures

When I was at camp years ago, we made sun prints using photo paper and photography chemicals. I remember being thrilled to work in the darkroom. This isn’t quite as exotic, but it is a quick and easy version of that with sun sensitive paper… no chemicals needed! We got our paper at Oriental Trading. It was $6.25 per dozen sheets.  (Nature Print Sun-Sensitive Paper). I sent the kids outside...

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Summer Activities: Sun-Sensitive Nature Pictures

When I was at camp years ago, we made sun prints using photo paper and photography chemicals. I remember being thrilled to work in the darkroom. This isn’t quite as exotic, but it is a quick and easy version of that with sun sensitive paper… no chemicals needed! We got our paper at Oriental Trading. It was $6.25 per dozen sheets.  (Nature Print Sun-Sensitive Paper).   I sent the kids...

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Summer Activities: Big Bubble Wands & Foam Snakes

I’ve seen these activities all over the internet, but we have never given them a try. What a huge, huge hit these two activities were! The bubble solution was easy to make, I just had to make sure I ordered glycerine ahead of time. I mixed up another batch in under than five minutes when we (quickly) ran out of our first bowlful. This is the solution we used: 1...

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6 Native American Picture Books to Share with the Kids

I was looking for Native American children’s books written by and about Native Americans.  I found Debbie Reese’s website, American Indians in Children’s Literature. What a great resource! Today I’d like to share some of the books we read together this past week.  I went with the books that were available at our library and that were appealing to the kids. 1) Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story (affiliate link) This is a...

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Summer Activities: Kick The Can

This game instantly became a family and friend favorite!  Kick the Can is cross between hide-and-go-seek and tag with a “jail” thrown in for those who are captured! This was such an amazingly fun game to play in the woods where there are places to hide everywhere! This is a great game for 4-7 players. To begin, designate a place to be the “jail.” Not far away, the can should...

Free Subscription to Discovery Education Streaming Plus 0

Free Subscription to Discovery Education Streaming Plus

A number of years ago, we had a subscription to Discovery Education Streaming Plus.  We loved it. Not only does it include videos and video clips on practically any science or history topic you can imagine, it also offers shows such as The Magic School Bus Animated Hero Classics Liberty’s Kids Tutenstein Grossology Horrible Histories Time Warp Trio Reading Rainbow Greatest Discoveries with Bill Nye Journals through Histories Myth Busters...

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Summer Activities: Sponge Ball

I’ve seen this activity several different places — over at Erica’s blog, Confessions of a Homeschooler and also at Betz White’s blog. The kids were pretty excited to make these… especially since we had an activity lined up for the right afterward! These are super fun for playing catch in the pool or just tossing around in the yard. You could get them wet and play hot-potato or use them...

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Greek Myths for Kids – Download Free Stories at StoryNory

This summer, hubby and the kids are going on a long road trip and will spend a lot of time in the car.  (I’ll stay back at home because I’m recovering from ear surgery.)  For years and years we have loved and listened to the free audiobooks provided by Natasha over at StoryNory.  We love her Katie stories and fairy tales.  This summer, though, it is time to revisit some...

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Do we Homeschool in the Summer?

I was recently asked if we planned to homeschool throughout the summer.  We often start back to school a bit earlier in August than our public school friends, but our family has decided that we need most of the summer off… at least from our more formal approach to school. For one thing, the majority of the kids’ friends have “off” during the summer, so we set up more playdates...

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Popovers — Great with Soups! Yum!

Have you ever made popovers?  They are very simple to make as long as you follow the instructions carefully.  My kids absolutely LOVE these!   These are simple to make and don’t require many ingredients: >2 eggs, well-beaten 1 cup milk 1 cup flour <1/2 teaspoon salt 1 Tablespoon melted butter Beat until smooth. Fill well-greased silicone muffin pan cups 1/3 full. It is very, very important not to over-fill...