Mohaus Schoolhouse Week 17

Highlights of last week include building things from the Smithsonian Maker Lab book, including a weighted paper airplane, speakers for a phone, and a plane powered by an inflated balloon.

We read great stories from some great books. We started The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, are still working our way through The One and Only Ivan, and also enjoyed lots of Christmas short stories.

Jack decided to make green eggs for lunch one day, so of course we read Green Eggs & Ham.

We are continuing through our Slow + Sacred Advent study. Week one covered the seed of advent, while last week we focused on the star of advent. We made gingerbread cookies to hang on the tree, including stars (making homemade gingerbread ornaments for our live Christmas tree is a yearly tradition of ours).

On Wednesday, we had a library visit and a cold afternoon at the park with friends to burn off energy.

Thursday both boys had Christmas parties (Isaac at preschool and Jack at his Y program). I wasn't going to be able to make either program while also picking them up on time, so I skipped and went and bought stocking stuffers for them instead.

However, I found myself in a bit of a conundrum when a friend texted to say Jack's program finished early and he was the last kid there. Thank goodness she called and offered to meet me with him halfway! We agreed to meet at Hobby Lobby and I let the boys pick out their ornaments for this year (normally I pick them out and stick them in their stockings).

That night, we visited a local live Nativity as a family. We enjoyed singing the Christmas hyms and the kids were able to make star ornaments to add to our tree.

In juxtaposition to our Slow + Sacred Advent, there were a lot of dance parties happening last week. We are introducing the kids to a variety of music, from Neil Diamond to the Beastie Boys. We want them to be as well rounded as possible.

Jack had me cracking up with his "letter to an artist" as part of his Art Study with Narration. I don't think he quite gets the point yet (or doesn't care).

We ended the week with our first play of the year, A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Chattanooga Children's Theatre. It wasn't our favorite play, but it was sweet and we are always happy to spend time with friends.

To cap off our Friend Friday, we grabbed lunch at Good Dog and the kids had a chance to write letters to Santa. Jack's only wish was that it would snow this year.

Saturday was our Christmas Party with our small group. The boys helped me make bon bons for the party (another tradition I have had since I was a kid).

Then on Sunday we attempted to see Santa at Bass Pro (but made the mistake of showing up without getting passes ahead of time). We will try again this week.

I had originally planned to do some school this week (including our annual Homeschool Cookie Decorating party), but Daniel and I both came down with a stomach bug sometime Sunday (also our 16th Anniversary), and have spent the better part of the last two days in bed while the kids fended for themselves.

So, I think we are just done for this year. We will still work on our Slow + Sacred Advent material, but I that is it. I hope you have a blessed Christmas and holiday season!