Social Skills

Who knew that social skills could be learned and improved upon by meeting people in everyday life around the community? Aren't social skills picked up strictly in a public school setting? Nope, and today was a perfect example.

G and I went to Costco today and after we had done our shopping, we decided to sit down and share a hot dog and a sundae. We parked our cart and looked for a couple of nearby empty seats. There was an older gentleman sitting alone at one of the tables and we asked him if we could join him. He was happy to have the company and as we ate our lunch, we sat and chatted with our new friend. He was a great grandpa and I think he got a kick out of G. I know G enjoyed talking with him. The gentleman shared about his family, his hobbies, and even a little about what life was like for him as a kid (no indoor toilets or running water in the house, which G was amazed about, and didn't believe at first). It was a great way for G to continue to develop a respect for old people and to have the opportunity to personally relate to people much older than him. When children realize the wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience that can be passed from one generation to another, and the mentors they have in their elders, they set themselves up to live rich and fulfilling lives.

Sunday School Craft

I thought this was cute. They made these stand-up crosses and then decorated them how they liked in Sunday School yesterday. I love G's message...cute misspellings and all! :-)

I-Can't-Wait-to-Grow-Up Syndrome

Translation: I wish I was a grown up so that I could do what I want like eat whatever I want and just do what I want so that is why I want to be a grown up.

Spool Knitting

G was looking at my current knitting project today and asked if I'd teach him to knit. I remember my mom teaching me to spool knit when I was little, and I thought it would be fun to try it. I don't have any spools around the house, so I had to get creative and make one from what we had...a toilet paper tube, some craft sticks, and some good old fashioned duct tape! Here's a picture of our home made spool:

I added the duct tape tips to the sticks so the yarn wouldn't slip off so easily. And here is how our project looks so far:
Here's a video on how to spool knit just in case you are like me and have forgotten how to do it.

Cat Math and Sneaky Multiplication

G has been into earning money by doing extra jobs around the house lately. He's excited to be able to spend his earned money they way we wants to. I'm happy that he's learning to save toward a goal, and that it takes work to earn money. He's also starting to understand what his money is worth, and how to read price tags. It's all good!

Yesterday he surprised me when he told me that in order to collect 7 stuffed cats (he loves cats!), he'd need to buy 4 more (since he has already bought 3), and that would mean spending $20 (since they are $5 each). Seriously...how can a 5-year-old possibly be doing this?

Daddy bought him a write-on/wipe-off place mat last night with multiplication facts on it. They did a few together, and G was so excited and was actually understanding it! Then, after being tucked in for the night, he got it back out so he could do his numbers in bed. I think it's absolutely hilarious that he thinks he's getting away with something by sneaking in some bedtime multiplication by night light. LOL!

300

We're in the middle of a math growth spurt. Out of nowhere, G will make declarations like, "5+5+3 is 13" or "2 and a half hours is 5 half-hours". The other day he sat at the table during lunch and counted to 300. It's fun to see what he comes up with...what new realization reveals itself to him. All without a set math curriculum. Little minds are amazing!

Bible Timeline for Kids

I just found this wonderful Bible timeline! This is a great way for kids to see the chronological order of their Bible stories! I can't wait to print this out, color it together and put it up in our school room!