MarytheKaytheBlog

Happy President's Day: Trivia Challenge!!

 Happy President's Day!  In honor of some of our greatest presidents, and my own personal favorites, I thought it would be fun to celebrate with some TRIVIA and VIDEOS!!

How much do you know about our presidents?  We always refer to them as our country's "Forefathers," but what do we really know about them?  The more I learn about our early presidents, the more they become my heroes!  I want to teach our children about the character qualities of great men like Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson.  I want our children to be inspired by their stories of perseverance, bravery, ingenuity, faith. 

Start some great conversations about our presidents with your kids at breakfast or dinner today--see how many of these answers they know!

1.  Who was the tallest American president?

2.  Who was the shortest American president?

3.  Which 2 presidents died on the very same day--same year?  (You HAVE to read this explanation!  I get chills every time I read about these great men who loved our country so much!)

4.  Which president had wooden teeth? (Trick question!!)

5.  Which president served the shortest term?

6.  Who was the first president with a beard?

 7.  Why did he grow a beard?

8.  Who was the only unanimously elected president?

9.  Whose inauguration speech was the shortest--only 133 words? (and took him only 90 seconds to deliver!)

10.  Which president was related to 11 other presidents (by blood or marriage)?

 Want a FUN way to introduce President's Day to your kids?  How about with a MAGIC TRICK...starring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln!

(Click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

Resources to Share With Your Family 

1)  Hands-down, the very best storyteller I have ever heard (besides my dad, of course!) is Jim Weiss.  I have had the pleasure of hearing him at a denim jumper convention tell stories about the first 5 presidents, and it was one of the best lessons in history I have EVER heard.   He made early American history come ALIVE for me that day!  I highly recommend any of his Greathall Productions, which are audiobooks he has recorded on cd.  We don't own his Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America, but I'm sure it is as amazing as his other titles.

2)  I cannot recommend this enough:  Take your kids on a family vacation to see Mount Rushmore!  Not only will your kids learn so much about our country's history, but they will have a BLAST!  I've outlined our family's trip to Mount Rushmore, and have given lots of helpful tips!

3) Animated Hero Classics, Nest Family Entertainment - We have collected some of these faith-based videos/dvds for our daughters through the years, and they are wonderful!  Why not WATCH some of these cartoons with your family today--to celebrate President's Day! 

 

  

And now, some resources for YOU!  Two historical fiction books about these great men and their wives that I read and enjoyed!  They both are considered well-researched, which is important to me.

Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark

and The Emancipator's Wife by Barbara Hambly

   

In closing, I leave you with one of the greatest pieces of writing our Forefathers helped create for our nation...a la Barney Fife!  Enjoy the video, enjoy the day!

(click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

How will YOU celebrate our greatest presidents today?

(Mount Rushmore photo credit: nps.gov)

My Recent Favorite Netflix Documentaries

 I've spent a lot of time watching t.v. recently 

A LOT.

Because, what's a girl to do when she's stuck in her sick chair for days and days and days?

And what's a girl to do when she runs out of Downton Abbey and Nashville and Parenthood episodes?

She turns to Netflix, that's what she does!  

When you don't want to make a lifetime commitment to a new television series, and you don't feel like making an emotional commitment to a whole movie, let me tell you--Netflix Documentaries are the WAY TO GO.

Low commitment, and even a little educational to boot!

Learning while being entertained is my favorite emotion.  (name that movie...sort-of)

So, since I am such a generous and giving person, I thought I'd share some of my recent favorite Netflix Documentaries.

(Netflix Documentary Disclaimer:  Sometimes you have to be careful.  Not all documentaries are exactly family-friendly.  Some of them do not edit out ANY language.  So, just be careful of the ones you watch as a family.)

  Monica & David: A Love Story - This was--hands down--my FAVORITE documentary discovery!!!  This is the true story of Monica and David, two young adults with Downs Syndrome, who decide to get married.  The camera follows them around just before the wedding, and for a year after.  This whole film made me grin like a big goober, and even made me tear up several times. 

 No Impact Man - Now, let me be clear here.  I have no interest whatsoever to live with no carbon footprint.  I know you earthy people and vegetarians would have a cow (or a big fat carrot or whatever you earth cookies say) at the way I live.  I mean--I drink Coke out of styrofoam and don't feel a bit guilty!  My way to "save the environment" while using disposable diapers was to wrap them really tight and small.  But, all of that said, I was fascinated by this man's year-long experiment.

 Waiting for Superman - Inspirational teacher movies make me cry every single time!  I have the highest respect for teachers who give their lives loving students.

  Hungry for Change - Now, again.  Don't worry.  I'm not about to turn vegetarian on ya.  However, I thought this documentary about diet and food was so interesting.  The best thing I took away from this was: Don't change your eating habits by restricting foods.  Change by ADDING IN something good.  Yesss!  The more good you add in, the more your body will crave the good stuff, and the "bad stuff" will get crowded out.

 Inside the Mind of Google - I actually have watched several of these industry documentaries...about Walmart, Target, etc.  Watching this made me want to WORK for Google--at their home office!  Free lunch in their amazing on-site restaurants!  Free dry cleaning!  Free child care!  Sounds like a fun place to work.  Plus, ya know, you get to spy on the whole world.

 Word Wars (Bad Language alert!!!) - Who knew that there are people who play Scrabble professionally?  People who spend all day--every day--playing Scrabble.  There is a whole Scrabble culture out there that I didn't even know existed.  It's not necessarily a culture I want to join in, but I sure did enjoy learning about it!

 Susan Boyle an Unlikely Superstar - I enjoy learning about people's "stories."  I've often wondered what happened to Susan Boyle after her instant rise to fame.  Leave it to Netflix to answer all of my questions!

Have you seen any fascinating documentaries recently?  Do tell!!

I have a dream...that my house is clean and my children get along

I have a dream...that this stupid crick in my neck would go away.

I have a dream...that I have a massage scheduled tomorrow that I didn't know about, and that somebody else paid for.

I have a dream...that there is an Icee machine in my kitchen.

I have a dream...that my bank account has an extra 3 zeros at the end.

I have a dream...that mean and rude people would have a lifelong case of gas, and canker sores all in their mouths.

I have a dream...that buttercream frosting and chocolate bon bons are actually GOOD for you.

I have a dream...that I lose calories AND gain muscle just by watching television.

I have a dream...that kind and helpful people would get $1,000 bonuses for every kindness.

I have a dream...that my maid and chauffeur and nanny have just been on vacation, but are returning tomorrow.

Do YOU have any dreams?

Today, I am dreaming impossible dreams in honor of the great Martin Luther King, Jr.  I write about him every year on this day, and our family watches his speech every year, too.  (More than once, because *somebody* always gets a little caught up in his melodious voice and masterful use of language.) Our family also likes to watch the movie about sweet little Ruby Bridges, who helped CHANGE OUR WORLD, with her little pint-size self, and giant-life courage.

 

I am proud that our daughters are growing up color-blind, and ignorant of prejudice.  I realize that some of that is because of where we live and work--and that ignorance and prejudice are still alive and well in other parts of the country and world.  

Like so many other evils in the world, we have to talk to our daughters about prejudice and hatred, so they can understand, even if they do not experience them.  We try to help them understand what the Civil Rights Movement was all about, and why it was so important for our country to change.

If we don't talk to our daughters about the true history of our country, how will they know to appreciate what we have?  

And how will they know how important it is to preserve what we have?

 

So, dream on, dear readers!!  And Happy MLK Day!

The Most Imaginative Place I've EVER Been!

Can you remember being a kid, and experiencing the thrilling wonder of exploring the woods behind your house and discovering a secret creek?...Or being allowed to explore your grandmother's chest of drawers deep inside her darkened closet, and your sheer delight of finding boxes of sparkly jewelry or stacks of old-fashioned hats nestled into colorful round boxes?

That is the BEST way I can think to describe St. Louis' City Museum.   Or, rather, the way I FELT the entire 6 hours we were there recently.

My husband Dave and I giggled when, halfway through our visit, I asked him, "How many times have I said, 'This is so AMAZING'  today?"  But, I just couldn't help myself.  The City Museum is just that:  AMAZING.

On our drive to the City Museum that morning, right after the new year, we were worried about the $12/person entry fee, and really hoped we were making the best choice for our last day in St. Louis during our quick and last-minute getaway.  After it was all said and done, Dave and I both agreed--that was $48 WELL-SPENT!  It was by-far our favorite St. Louis attraction!

From the moment we walked in, and were told by the sweet girl at the Admission window, "There aren't any maps of our facility--we invite you to explore and discover today!" I KNEW this was going to be a wonder-filled visit.

Every square inch of the City Museum is creative, thoughtful, mysterious, and artistic.

There are gorgeous mosaics on the floors and walls and columns, and all of them tell imaginative stories.

There are tunnels to explore, trees to climb, nooks and crannies to discover--a child's (and parent's!!!) imagination paradise!

 Every inch of the museum was created by a team of 20 artists, using building materials reclaimed from its city, to create a magical playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel--all made out of unique, and found objects.

To experience the fullness of the wonder, Dave and I had to join in, and explore right alongside our daughters.  We climbed treehouses, explored hidden caves and dark tunnels, and even slid down the 10-story slide!  I was so happy I'd changed into my tennis shoes in the parking lot.  I couldn't have explored as easily without sensible shoes.
  I felt comfortable letting our daughters explore together when the tunnels got a little too small for my taste.  I would not have felt comfortable letting my 8-year-old explore alone.  So, if you plan to go--decide ahead of time what scenario would make you most comfortable.  The City Museum is well-staffed, but we didn't always notice the staff, and there ARE a lot of dark tunnels and nooks and crannies...

I really liked the fact that a staff member was at the darkened cave area and outside play area entrances, very carefully admitting children WITH a parent.  They also made sure children were with the same parent upon exit of these areas, too.

What a delight that the cave area was completely hands-on!  In fact, I'm not sure we found ANYTHING that was hands-off or off-limits.  It was an explorer's PARADISE!

Just when we thought we'd explored every cool nook and cranny of the Museum, we climbed the stairs and found MORE whimsy and delights around every single corner!

Oh look!  The Architecture Museum was just around the corner!  Showcasing original architectural pieces from buildings of Louis Sullivan, considered the father of modern architecture, and his chief draftsman George Grant Elmslie, later an important architect in his own right.

And around another corner...a circus!  We were sad the Circus Harmony tumblers and aerialists weren't flying through the air while we were there, but one of them sure was doing some impressive yoga.

How about a huge indoor "skateless park" to run off some energy after lunch?  Yes, thank you!  I must admit...that running these bowls made a certain mama feel...a little older than she is...in her mind!

It took us a while, but we finally found the human hamster wheel!!  It did not disappoint!

I had to throw in my picture--just to show you that I WAS THERE, too!

And, of course, who could ever forget the OUTSIDE of City Museum?  The antique airplanes and connecting metal tunnels and catwalks are the first things you see when walking up.  Our girls COULDN'T WAIT to explore the dizzyingly high tunnels!  As you can tell, I watched from ground-level.  To take pictures, of course!

I could post 100 more pictures (literally) from our day of exploring St. Louis' City Museum, and I wouldn't even begin to capture its MAGIC and WONDER.  I'm sure it's why they don't issue maps of their sprawling building.  The whole experience is about hands-on exploration, and mysterious discoveries, and wonder-filled moments around every corner.

I haven't felt more like a child in a very long time.

The whole experience was amazing and thrilling and happy and smiley...and maybe the very best day our family has ever spent together.

Have you been?  What was your favorite part?

To tell you the truth...

In honor of Tuesdays, and Tell Your Truth Tuesdays like my good friend Carissa usually writes about, I thought I would tell you some truth.

Wait.  That doesn't sound good.  That sounds like every other day, I'm not telling the truth...

Well, surely you know what I mean.  Right?

 

Here's the deal:  I haven't written much lately, and I'm sorry.  There are lots of reasons why I haven't written...but since I love lists, I'll sum it up in 3 reasons.

 

1.  I haven't had anything brilliant to say.  (Uh...unlike other days, when I have LOTS of brilliant things???  I think not!!)  Call it a slump, a writer's block, a search for more writing purpose.  In the almost 3 years I've written this blog, I've been faithful to write fresh material 4-5 days every week.  In the last 6 months or so, I've been extending myself extra grace and permission not to write, when family and life have taken precedence.

Which brings me to #2...

2.  For the first time in 7 years, I haven't been in charge of my 7th grade daughter's education.  This has been a wonderful change and transition into public school for Rebecca.  However, not teaching Rebecca has also been a transition for me.  I had NO IDEA how stressful, and out-of-control our lives had gotten in the past couple of years.  I am grateful for the intense curriculum schedule our daughters' homeschool academy required these past 3 years, but it also took a toll on our family--and me.  

For the first time in at least 4 years, I am taking a much more relaxed approach to schooling.  (I am still homeschooling our youngest in 2nd grade.)  I have spent these first 2 1/2 months of school breathing easier, and tackling some home projects that I haven't had time for.  

This relaxed approach (to schooling AND to life) has helped me regain my passion for educating and engaging my daughter's creative little mind.

Which brings me to #3...  (It's funny how all of this is connected!)

3.  I have been on a year-long search for the best way to help my sweet little 2nd grader learn.  I started noticing some gaps in her learning last year--in de-coding words, spelling, and handwriting.  Not only was her homeschool academy teacher noticing these gaps as well, but Sara Beth was starting to feel "behind" and "not as smart" as some of the other kids in her class.

I knew Sara Beth was really smart--I just knew there was something "not clicking" with phonics and handwriting.  I can't tell you the number of hours and topics I've googled, as well as the number of educators' brains I've picked, trying to figure out what her issue is, and how best to help her.

We decided to keep Sara Beth home from the homeschool academy this year, so that she can gain some confidence as we find the key to her learning gaps.  I've visited with some educational specialists, and recently had her tested by a vision therapy specialist.  We are still waiting on some conclusive results, but I can see that we are on the RIGHT PATH, and there is SUCCESS in Sara Beth's near future!!  Hooray!!!

In case any of you are struggling with learning issues with your little ones, I'll mention some of my FAVORITE DISCOVERIES on this journey so far.  I promise to write a whole post soon on these educational discoveries!!!  But, in the meantime, I'll just list them, in case you want to check them out.

All About Spelling and All About Reading - Can't say enough wonderful things about these programs!!!!  Hands-down, the best programs for Sara Beth right now!

Handwriting Without Tears - Love.  Sometimes we don't even do a full lesson.  We do just enough for Sara Beth to experience success, before feeling frustrated and tired.

Five in a Row - In keeping with our relaxed learning this year, this program has been a wonderful tool for gleaning some geography, social studies, art, and language arts from beautifully illustrated story books we read together.  We don't do it every day--we just use this resource to enrich our school week.

Being more committed to reading interesting books to Sara Beth every. single. day.  I want her to love reading.  The best way I can keep that desire kindled in her while she deals with some learning and vision frustrations, is to READ TO HER.  Read to her interesting and exciting books--that she begs me to "read just one more chapter, Mom!"

Okay, that's enough truth for your Tuesday.  *smile*

What's YOUR truth today?

 

Image credit: A Young Girl Reading, Jean-Honore' Fragonard, National Gallery of  Art

Let's do some learnin' Linky Dinks

Lately, I've been scouring the web for some educational help for my cute little 2nd grader that I homeschool.  I don't know about you, but I LOVE when I can find creative and fun ways to teach new concepts.  I also LOVE great educational phone apps.  I thought it would be fun to share some of my recent finds with you.  

I'd sure LOVE to hear about some of YOUR great educational finds!

 

Let's get this show on the road with some DANCING!!!  Nothing gets the brain ready for learning like some heart-pumping movement!  Come on, kids, get up outta ya chairs and let's get moving!!  (This is the same guy who is famous for Double Dream Hands.  If you just said, "Huh?" then you HAVE TO click here first!!!)

Click here if you can't view the video below

 

How fun is this activity I found on Pinterest?  Reinforcing spelling AND counting money!

Source: teacherspayteachers.com via MarytheKay on Pinterest

 

 

This is a FUN idea for early reading!  Especially for those learners who like to MOVE.

 

THIS is just what we need right now for addition and subtraction practice!  PragmaticMom compiles a whole list of addition and subtraction games and phone apps.  Right this minute, I'm going to grab 10 pennies and try out the subtraction game!!

 

Middle school alert!!!  How about some cool songs to help your 5th-8th grader learn science or grammar facts?  Love.

 

I admit.  I am a big sucker for How it's Made kind of shows.  I found the one below on how the mail is sorted just fascinating!

Click here if you cannot view video below

 

 

It's so easy to forget how even a simple craft can delight even your oldest learners!  

 

What a FUN--and educational--placemat for your Thanksgiving meal!

 

Okay, TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!

What are some great educational resources you've found lately?

A little giggle for your day

And even better--it's a MATH giggle.  Those are the very best kind.

Enjoy, my friends.  I hope your day today is filled with lots of little giggles...

 

Happy weekend, good people!!!  

Do ya have some fun plans in this beautiful Fall weather?

A New Family FAVORITE!!! The License Plate Game!

I just have to tell ya'll about our family's new FAVORITE car game!!!  It's the U.S.A. License Plate Game (board) by Melissa & Doug.  (And nobody's paying me to talk about it, dangit.)  I have my friend Janna to thank for the idea in the first place.  

Here's how we play (and how Janna's kids taught us):  We keep the game board in our car at all times.  The License Plate Game re-starts every month on the 1st.  All states' "license plates" on the board are turned so that the license plate picture is showing.  Starting on the 1st, whenever we see a car with a license plate not turned over on our board, we turn it over.  (The plates are attached with sturdy elastic bands)

That's it!  It's EASY!

And guess what?  My kids are LEARNING while playing.  They are not only learning state names and placement on the U.S. map, but they are using their BRAINS riding in the car--instead of being "plugged in" to electronics.  

Even more thrilling for my girls, is that they are in a huge competition with Janna's kids (even though Janna's kids don't know we are!!)--because they know that Janna's kids' record is 43 license plates in a month.  My girls are DETERMINED to beat that record.  We've had the board about a week now, and we are up to 41 plates already.  Of course, our hardest plates here in the Midwest are Alaska, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and several of the North Eastern states.

 Now, I will say that living in a tourist town definitely helps with this game.  However, this would make a GREAT gift for your family's next car trip.

And you tourist town folks--I CHALLENGE YOU to try to beat our girls!  I have some pretty competitive girls at my house...as well as a mercilessly competitive husband...who would probably rather drive our daughters around parking lots filled with cars (and license plates!) all night long, rather than lose a challenge.

So, who's in?  Everybody run out and get yourself a License Plate board, and let's get our kids busy using their brains in the car!

Locally, I bought my board at Mardel's, but Toys R Us also carries them.  You can also buy them online at Amazon.

(No one paid me, or gave me anything to talk about the License Plate game.  Dangit.  I'm just telling you about it from the goodness of my little heart.  But, if Melissa & Doug happen to ask about me--please send 'em my way, and be sure to say I accept both cash money and alll-expenses paid vacations)

It's Teacher Gift Time!

This is one of my favorite little teacher gift ideas.  I am actually re-posting this, in case you didn't see it the first time around.  I love this idea because it is quick and easy--which is what we all NEED this crazy time of year!

------------

How about a Sonic Happy?!!

Just today I needed some last-minute gifts for our daughter's choir teachers.  I love to be able to give small, thoughtful gifts to the adults who help with our church's children's musical.  Somehow, I had forgotten all about these gifts...until THIS MORNING--the MORNING of THE MUSICAL.   AAAHHHHHH!!  Sometimes, I really wonder what is wrong with my feeble brain.

The quickest thing I could think of was a $5 gift card from Sonic.  Because WHO doesn't like Sonic???  And, in my world, Sonic = Happy. 

In order to help the Sonic gift card look more thoughtful and creative...you know--to AMP IT UP a little...I thought it would be fun to place the card inside a small Sonic cup and wrap it in a clear cellophane bag.

Stick around here a while, and you'll find that I use these bags for everything!

Quickly, I printed up some colorful gift tags that said,

"Thanks a 'TOT' for helping with our choir!"

(Update:  My niece used this idea for her school teacher, and chose to use this cute phrase:  "Thanks for all you 'TOT' me this year!")

I punched a hole in the corner of each, and slid them into a ziploc bag.  (An easy way to print these creative gift tags is with MS Word, using the insert "Word Art" feature.  I used the rainbow-colored template to type out my message.  After sizing my message to the size I wanted on the page, I copied it, and pasted it 5 more times down the page.  Literally, this took me 60 seconds to create and 60 seconds to print.)

I gathered some yellow ribbon, cut into appropriate lengths, and slid those along with some cellophane bags into the same ziploc.

I also thought it would be fun to have some colorful M&Ms in the bottom of the Sonic cup, for the gift card to rest on top.  (If I'd had some Hershey's Kisses, I would have LOVED putting those in the cups.  M&Ms are what I had on hand, so that's what I used.)

 

Here's a pic of my very-quickly gathered supplies to take in the car with me to Sonic:

At Sonic, I ordered 6 $5 gift cards, along with 6 small cups and straws, and 2 empty bags.  It took 2 tries to get Mr. Sonic to understand what I was asking.

I began assembling those puppies right there in the Sonic parking spot!

First, I plopped a handful of M&Ms in the bottom of each cup, then placed the gift card on top.

 

Then, I put on the lid, slid in a Sonic's happy red straw, placed the cup into the cellophane bag, and tied on the yellow ribbon and gift card.

 

Voila!  You have zee Sonic Happy!!!  Doesn't zees just make you SMILE?

I placed the 6 Sonic Happies into empty Sonic sacks to transport them into church.  I sure did notice lots of glances toward my Sonic sacks.  I think they were wondering if I was transporting TOTS into church!  Yum Yum, me love tots!!

There you have it!  A QUICK, CREATIVE, THOUGHTFUL and INEXPENSIVE gift idea! 

 Those are my 4 favorite words when it comes to gift-giving!  How about you?

(Need MORE teacher gift ideas?  Click here!) 

What is your favorite teacher appreciation gift?

Linked up with:

Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family

The Denim Jumper Convention: VOTE on which denim jumper I should wear

Well, hello, dearest readers!  It's that time of year again... That time of year when I attend the Denim Jumper Convention--also known to some of the more serious (boring) crowd as "The Homeschool Convention."

But, why would I call it the Homeschool Convention, when Denim Jumper Convention is much more fun to say??

In anticipation of the Denim Jumper Convention this weekend, I was going to write a long post about why I homeschool...or some of the great things that have come out of homeschooling...or about how we homeschool...  But, as homeschooling life typically does to me--I have run out of time.  I've been busy reading Uncle Tom's Cabin to Rebecca (nearly put myself to sleep in Chapter 43!), and helping Sara Beth make a giant posterboard timeline of Moses' life.  Oh, and watching an episode of My Fair Wedding with the girls while we ate Chinese takeout for dinner.  (Because Mama was too tired to cook!)

In lieu of a very scholarly and highly entertaining (I'm sure) post about homeschooling in our family, I am offering you the chance to VOTE on WHICH DENIM JUMPER I should wear this weekend...you know--to the Denim Jumper Convention.  (How many times can I say those words...Denim Jumper Convention?  Ha!  Said 'em again!)

 

Here goes!  Please vote for only ONE choice.  I know these jumpers are VERY DIFFERENT in style...Just pick the one you like best:

Denim Jumper #1  (always a classic...especially when paired with my anklets and Keds.)

 

Denim Jumper #2  (a little racier, as it shows more leg)

Denim Jumper #3  (the embellishments just make it special, don't they?)

Denim Jumper #4  (a little more form-fitting--but don't worry--not too much!)

 

Okay, what do you think?  Which Denim Jumper is the snazziest and most stylish???  I want to be sure to STAND OUT this weekend at the convention.

And while I'm rubbing elbows with my fellow Jumpers, I do hope you fine readers have a wonderful weekend!  I'll be back here on Monday to tell you all about the convention!  Or, feel free to find me chatting about it on The Twitter.

Goodnight, good people.

(Okay, okay...In effort to remain honest...I must confess...I have not owned a denim jumper since 1992, when I sold my last one at a garage sale.  But...I secretly wish they would come back into fashion--they were SO comfortable!)

What exciting things are you doing this weekend?