Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Born February 27th, 1807, he led quite an interesting life, studying abroad, mastering several languages, working as a professor, enjoying fame for his work, marrying twice and tragically losing both wives. Throughout his life he wrote many plays, ballads, poems and more. Find out more about Longfellow's life and works here.

He wrote several well-loved poems including his famous The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Which begins:

Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year

He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,-

One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm."


Sudbury is the home of Longfellow's Wayside Inn, located on Boston Post Rd, which has operated as an Inn and restaurant for over 200 years. George Washington is known to have stayed there on his way to Boston.


For more, including lesson plans, click here.

Usborne

If you haven't visited Usborne lately, you should see what you are missing! Usborne Books At Home is now Usborne Books & More. With the recent purchase from Kane Miller Publishing, Usborne has acquired a new collection of great reads for your kids. Grab a cuppa java and browse the new collection, plus check out the internet only section for great deals. Looking for Easter treats? Try these.
Why not stock the shelves of your home library with the quality entertaining and educational books your kids will love to read?
Remember, reading is a gift that lasts a lifetime!

Wordful Wednesday circa 1980

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

It's a small world after all! My husband is in school finishing up his undergrad. He attends classes at night and called one evening, several months ago, to say he was working on a group project with a girl with whom I had attended elementary school. I had fun reminiscing over the past friendship and remembering what life was like in my early elementary years. His semester ended and I didn't think about it much anymore.

Fast forward to last week and I get an email from his blackberry with a photo of myself at a birthday party in the second grade! He is now in a different class with the same girl (actually a woman now, but I've never really liked that word, woman, especially referring to someone the same age as me). Anyway, she dug up this photo from way back when, and here I am at her 7th birthday party, LOL!

Can you pick me out of the crowd?



Mardi Gras!

Saturday, February 21, 2009



Fat Tuesday is here! Well, almost. I'm trying to get a leg up on blog posts since I have been so busy with work lately (not complaining...oh, so grateful!)
Anyway, if you are in the mood to celebrate you can learn all about the hoopla here. Find lesson plans here and here, though you may need to adjust them to suit your needs.
You'll find all sorts of crafts and printables here. Then, try your hand at making a homemade King Cake with a traditional recipe, one for a bread machine, or Emeril's version.
If you want something simple, try this mask template that you can embellish any way you like. You could easily make some "horns" from paper towel tubes , dig out some old beaded necklaces and have your own mini-parade.

Or, if you want to dig deeper, meander through these links at Louisiana101.com or read about Mardi Gras' rich history.

As always, please review the content of the above links before sharing them with your kids. Most of the sites I use are kid friendly, but with mardi gras... well you never know and I may have missed something so please check first. Thanks and enjoy! :D

Puppies and kids

There is no shortage of activity around here! Here are some recent photos of all things small and squirmy in our house...




Teaching Resources Online

Here are a few links to keep you busy this month:

I love PBS. The quality programming and value are great, and the online resources abound. Check out these new online activity packs for lesson plans and links by age/grade and topic. This is a site to bookmark and visit often.
If you have an early learner, these math resources for younger kids are lots of fun. And be sure to explore the site for lots more games and activities.
My oldest son has always been intrigued by wolves. We really enjoyed the In the Valley of the Wolves program.
Here is a series of free character building lessons on empowerment and positive attitudes for K-12.
And, check out Hot Chalk's daily free videos celebrating Black History month.

Happy exploring!

NOTE: Please review all of these resources for age appropriate content before using them with your kids.

Wordful Wednesday

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Three in the bed and the little on said, "roll over!"

The Science Museum of Virginia

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Who says learning can't be fun??? We had such a great time at the SMV and didn't get to do all we had hoped, so we'll definitely return soon. They have a wonderful gift shop with loads of games, books, puzzles, and science kits galore. They even serve Starbucks in the cafe...so, I ask you, what's not to love?! And if you've ever wanted your kid's head on a platter...








Check out their great online pages for more interesting stuff.

To All Mothers...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I received this in an email and liked it enough to post it here.

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade....


It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned..

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

Wordless Wednesday






A Sweet Recipe to Warm Your Heart This Valentine's Day

Monday, February 9, 2009


Giant Chocolate Chunk Cookie (enough to share...well, maybe)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease large cookie sheet. On waxed paper, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
In 3-quart saucepan, melt margarine or butter over medium heat. Remove saucepan from heat. With wire whisk or fork, stir in sugars, vanilla, and egg until mixed. With spoon, stir in flour mixture just until blended. Stir in chocolate.
Spoon batter onto center of cookie sheet and, with spatula, flatten and spread into 8-inch round. Bake 20 to 23 minutes, until cookie is golden brown. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, then slice warm cookie into 16 wedges. Eat immediately. Or cool, then wrap in foil; to serve warm, reheat in 375 degrees F oven 5 to 8 minutes.

Super yummy a la mode :P

Plus, try these paper crafts, and coloring pages and games for fun!

Visiting the NC Transportation Museum

Saturday, February 7, 2009

We recently visited the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. The museum has quite an impressive collection of vintage cars and trains, a great gift shop and a working train. We had a great time and the kids enjoyed their first "real train" ride.






Super Sites to Visit this Week

3-D Paper Crafts and Paper Toys for creative fun
The Electric Company's Website..."Hey You Guys!"
MathActive for grades K-2
Learn about weaving great tales and Native American Storytelling
American Experience: Assassination of Lincoln
History: Looking for Lincoln
Highlights Lincoln Resources
The History of Valentine's Day
More Background on Valentine
Valentine's Crafts and Activities
Valentine Printables

Wordful Wednesday - Bella Bella!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009




Here she is...our new baby. What a love bug! We are so happy to have her join our family and so far, I think the feeling is mutual.












As we were not all able to agree on a name, we combined them. This little thing's name is Isabel Elizabeth Rosebud Babydoll Rich, but I think we'll call her Bella ;D She won't be little for long though, she is full-blooded great dane.

My First Blog Award

Photobucket
Woohoo! I'm so excited. I just received my first blog award! Thank you, thank you to Crystal at The Italian Bella Diaries for awarding me this honor.

Now it is my turn to pass it on:
This is what you need to do...
Thank the person who gave the award to you, post the award on your blog or in a post, nominate 10 blogs which show great attitude/gratitude, link to the people you chose on your post, and comment on their blogs to tell them about the award!

1. The New Unschooler
2. Ready Set Read Reviews
3. 4 Peas in a Pod
4. Crunchy Domestic Goddess
5. Homeschooled Twins
6. Up North Mommy
7. 7 Clown Circus
8. The $200 Mission
9. Atypical Homeschool
10.Mom to the Screaming Masses

Please visit these great blogs and leave some comment love!

Just for Fun

Stuck inside? I'm looking out on a cold, damp, gray day. Think we'll be finding some indoor fun for the next couple of days...

How about a virtual field trip to a Commercial Dairy Farm?
Or, get started on some Valentine cards and crafts.
You could make some sweets for the sweet.
Plus, check out this link for fun ideas each day of this month.

And if this kids start to drive you batty, just take 'em down with good old fashioned tickle-torture or ambush them with a pillow fight. Once the giggles subside you are sure to feel better!

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