A Fun Way to "Explore the Classical World"

Knowledge Quest has recently published "A Child’s Geography: Exploring the Classical World" by Terri Johnson.

This book is a wonderful way to introduce your children to Ancient History!  Terri Johnson did a spectacular job writing a “living history” book that teaches children (and adults too) about the “Classical World” as you journey around the Mediterranean Sea.  The book is written much like a travel log, describing life and culture in various countries such as Greece, Macedonia, and Italy.  Not only does she describe how people used to live, she also relates it to how people live today.  The stories are so interesting and the descriptions so vivid that it makes you want to “travel the world!”

In addition to the narration questions at the end of each chapter, the author has also included several internet links (like this one) to videos that describe the topics being studied.  The included CD contains recipes from the Mediterranean countries, extra reading suggestions, timelines, travel log, and additional activities for each chapter.  There is even a prayer guide for each country!  I am thankful that the book is written with a biblical perspective as well!

My boys and I look forward to learning so much this year as we study “A Child’s Geography: Exploring the Classical World!”  

Memory Verses 6 & 7

I  didn't realize I had forgotten to post my memory verse in the middle of March.  I was trying to remember why...maybe it was because we were so busy with this...

Our church performed an Easter Musical called Bow the Knee.  It was a TON of work but so worth it...several people got saved.  I think it had been 15-20 years since Center had taken on a musical like this. And it left a HUGE impression on so many...especially the CHILDREN!

So here are my verses:

#6
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."  
Romans 14:17

#7
"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;  indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance."  
Psalm 16:5-6

Flat Ethan Travels - South Africa

This year we are Exploring Countries and Cultures as we learn about World Geography.  As a fun addition to our curriculum, we created a "FLAT ETHAN" to travel around the world.

We got the idea from some friends that told us about their Flat Stanley projects.  We quickly checked out the book Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown from the library.  The book is about a young boy named Stanley who is accidentally squished "as flat as a pancake" when a bulletin board falls on him.  Stanley is very, very flat but otherwise fine.  The story tells of Stanley's adventures being flat.  He can slide under doors, go down into sidewalk grates, and even fold himself up small enough to fit into an envelope and be mailed to excited and interesting places.

So...we started asking people we know that either live in other countries and states or are traveling abroad.  We are hoping that "FLAT ETHAN" travels to every continent.  We have almost accomplished that!  We have had a blast learning about different countries, cultures, and people as we have received pictures from our friends throughout the year!

I will post highlights from all of his travels in the coming weeks.  Here is the first one...FLAT ETHAN's TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA!

Laura (Green) Orr, one of my former PALs from Redwater, is living in South Africa this year.  She was so sweet to take all of these pictures and to write a really cool letter to Ethan, explaining his travels with her and her husband!  Just click on this link to go to her blog and read about her life in South Africa right now!  Thanks, Laura, for helping us!

Scripture Memory 2013

I'm participating in Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture Memory challenge again this year.  We are already on verse 5!  (I am so behind in blogging!)  It's not to late to begin if you'd like to join us!  It's never a waste to "hide God's word in your heart!"

Verse 1
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Verse 2
Isaiah 26:8-9
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You;
Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
My soul yearns for You in the night;
in the morning my spirit longs for You.

Verse 3
Deuteronomy 6:23 (ESV)
And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.

Verse 4
Deuteronomy 10:20-21
Fear the Lord your God and serve Him.  Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.  He is your praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.

Verse 5
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

February in Pictures

We have had another one of those busy weeks, months, years...

I often think I need to blog about this or post pics to facebook or scrapbook,
but life happens & then I collapse into bed...

So I thought I'd just post a few pics of what we've been up to the last few weeks...and maybe, just maybe, someday I'll have time to get back into blogging. :)

Missions Fair for our area churches...

 We met missionaries from all over the world!  Amazing!

Did you know Ethan is holding an African-crested porcupine quill?

(I didn't know that it was called that either...Ethan informed us!  He had seen this on Wild Kratts (his favorite PBS show), so he wanted to keep visiting this missionary's booth!  At the end of the Missions Fair, he said, "Mom, I just HAVE to touch that African-crested porcupine quill one more time!

 Miss Ruth posing for a picture with Ethan.  

She is Eric's Music Ministry Assistant (and what a blessing she is!),

 and she's a retired missionary to Swaziland.  

 After seeing all of her "loot," I informed her that we could just come to her 

house when we get to the continent of Africa in our World Geography studies. :)

 A missionary from China is teaching Ethan how to use chopsticks!

 This missionary from Niger is showing the children a log that they use for the water well.

 An impromptu birthday dinner with friends.

 100th day celebration just so happened to fall the day before Valentine's, the day before I flew off to Amarillo to visit my college roommate. (Could life get any busier???)  But I was determined for Ethan to have as much fun as Mrs. Kelly made it for Evan's kindergarten year!  

 And fun we had...

 We did crafty, mathy activities all day long!

 A snacky lunch of 100 items (10 of each)

(He really didn't eat half of it...he was too busy playing.)

All decked out in his 100th Day gear!

So...the next day was Valentine's Day...Eric & the boys drove me to

Dallas to fly to Amarillo to visit my college roommate for a Scrapbook Retreat!

What a wonderfully strange Valentine's Day...

We stopped at Panera Bread for lunch...

And here's my lovely husband!

Ok, here's a better picture. :)

Here is where we spent nearly 3 days scrapbooking...

so much fun!

Look at all of these ladies & all of their scrapbooking treasures!

I had to plan & pack only what could fit in two 50-lb. bags!

Me, my college roommie, Deena, & her friend, Velvet

(I look really tired in these pictures...I wonder why...)

 And on the way home from Amarillo, 

we had to make a little stop to visit the Lorick's...

(can you guess who the oldest is here?)

 to meet this sweet little cutie pie!  

Kenzi is a precious blessing from God!

So...that's a little recap of our last few weeks of busy Beechem life.  

We had a wonderful Women's Conference at church today, so this week we were busy getting that ready.  We had a great time...Tammy Whitehurst did an awesome job teaching us about keeping 

Joy in our Journey!

Christmas Around the World - Day 1

In our World Geography studies this year, we are going to "travel the world" 

to see how people in other countries celebrate Christmas.  

We are going to attempt to make a treat from each country and 

make some type of ornament or craft to represent the countries as well.

Today we began with South America. 

We made these delicious 

Alfajores de Dulce de Leche Cookies.

Ethan had a fabulous time helping me make the cookies.

And we all enjoyed eating them as well!

Where is Ethan?

Every night when we go to bed, I always check on the boys &

 give them a kiss goodnight. (Shhh...don't tell Evan!) 

When I checked on Ethan last night, this is what I saw...

Do you even see a body part anywhere? 

  

It took me a minute to find his hand.

And then, I uncovered his precious face!

And when I showed him these pictures this morning, 

my boy with such an imagination giggled so much!  

He couldn't believe I took a picture of him!  

He said he was trying to keep the light out!