Today we had a Thanksgiving party with our homeschool friends. All the kids dressed up as Native American's and Pilgrims: we did crafts, read books/poems, sang songs, played games and enjoyed a feast together! I wanted to share some pictures with you from our day.

http://www.hopedreambirth.com/November2007_ThanksgivingParty/images/img_4913.jpg http://www.hopedreambirth.com/November2007_ThanksgivingParty/images/img_4912.jpg


November2007_ThanksgivingParty (http://www.hopedreambirth.com/November2007_ThanksgivingParty/)

Elias and Hannah beaded their own belts and necklaces. Their head pieces are from feathers they collected from our chickens and then they ran the sewing machine (with mom's help) to sew them in place. It was a very fun day :)

Also note from the pictures that Elias recently lost both his front teeth and that Hannah just lost another bottom one! At first it felt like they were never going to loose any teeth but now they are falling out like crazy (3 in the past few days!).

Sarah

That's neat! We're trying to get our hs'ing group to do more. Right now it's more like a mailing list.

That's neat! We're trying to get our hs'ing group to do more. Right now it's more like a mailing list.

Our group consists of 6 moms, each with 3 children (most only have 2 that are 'school' age).

We have been meeting together every other month for a mom's only meeting (we are uping this to monthly). We usually meet in the later evening (like 8pm- after kids are on their way to beds with dads) and sometimes we have all soaked our feet in foot tubs around the room (or at the very least cookies and hot tea available). We discuss book recommendations (for kids both read aloud and audio and for mom's to read personally), new ideas and events coming up (aka our family is going to such and such play and if anyone else wants to come here's the information), we also talk about upcoming group events and classes. Lots of mini-outings come up in this meeting; such as joining momA for a zoo day, or joining momB for a trip to the beach. Lots of good ideas for books and things in the area come up from this meeting.

Actually group planned and orchestrated classes and events happen about once a month to every other month. For the big group activities we pick a theme (we've done dinosaurs, pilgrims/natives, spring, fall, summer....) then each family brings a craft to share (all supplies, and instructions) and a food to share. Often mom's will bring an additional craft, if they are so inspired, or a game or book that is on the theme. We usually go to a library meeting room (they are free- this time we met at my church) and we set up one table for all the food and one table for each craft station. We also bring a big blanket for the book area. Each family goes around as a unit to each table and does their crafts, lunch all together and stories are sprinkled throughout the day to help in transitions. (aka when food is being set up it is helpful for one mom to take all the kids to the blanket and read them a story- or if people are getting wild then we might sit for a poem or something). Classes are offered by mom's as they want to (no requirements to ever offer a class); each mom sets their own class size, age group, requirements, price, dates/times- you get the idea.

Our biggest goal of our group is to bless each other and we state that often. The idea sharing and mom time at our mom meetings is invaluable. The group parties are exhausting and a blast. The classes are few and far between but always wonderful. No one feels pressured to lead anything and therefore everyone feels inspired to share ideas (because they won't get 'stuck' with administrating anything).

If you need any ideas of things we've done in the past feel free to ask. I have print outs from past crafts I've led and classes I've hosted.

Sarah

I am also part of this group and have felt SO blessed to have them. It has brought a whole new level of homeschooling and education to my life that I cherish and adore. The other moms are always full of ideas and if I am stumped on something I have someone who is invested in the same exact thing to bounce ideas off of. The group has been invaluable to me as a teacher/parent educator.

I enjoy being able to share ideas and crafts and rescources with the group and right now am trying to establish a more secure unit study library for our group so we can all use the groupings of items that would be great for studying things like life cycles/butterflies, your body, pioneer days, etc... It has been great to study these things and then add to each subject. And always surprizing what people have on a subject that can be added to a unit study box. :) And you wouldn't believe the help and love I have gotten from these mamas! It has been such a wonderful addition to my life. :heart:

And here is Cyan from the party:

http://www.hopedreambirth.com/November2007_ThanksgivingParty/images/img_4970.jpg

http://www.hopedreambirth.com/November2007_ThanksgivingParty/images/img_4946.jpg

As you can see... we all really get into it. :) The kids LOVE how involved we are. In fact, I think they think it's normal. I keep wanting to tell Cyan esp that not all mamas wake up at 6am and make them a full pilgrim outfit for a party. She wont get it... probably not until SHE is a mama... but hell... it makes for a really good day and lots of great pictures. (Those chicken feathers on top of Sarahs kids heads in that picture, are from HER chickens... isn't that cool? Talk about two lessons in one. ;) )

Val

That's so cool - I wish I was more organized *sigh* I'm actually debating public school because I'm feeling so disorganized and isolated right now.

Sarah, I need to get that computer game from you sometime soon.

that is such a great event...i really like it!

how fun!! You are giving me many ideas!!