Easter Lapbook

Josh made his first lapbook the week before Easter.   What is a "lapbook"? you might ask.  It can be considered a fancy poster made out of file folders.  But, it is more than just a poster with pictures.  It definitely has pictures, but can include games, puzzles, reading, writing and math skills.  Many times they are made up of mini-books and folded shapes.
In the picture below, the bottom left corner is a folded cross.  It looks like a house, but opens into a cross.  Josh wrote 4 words that reminded him of Easter.  Also on the front right are two puzzles.  One is a maze, the other is the first crossword puzzle Josh has ever done.
On the inside, Josh traced over a Bible verse and we talked about Easter using "Resurrection Eggs."  The back (not  shown) was a came on long "e" and short "e" words.
We are now working on a Science lapbook about the Seasons.
Grace & Peace,

JK

Time in Texas

While here in the States, I've taken some pictures of some of my favorite Texas sights and just some really interesting ones.
I'm sure I will add more as the year goes by!
So enjoy!
JK

Minute Maid Park and Downtown Houston

Baylor Seal - founded while Texas was a country!

Beautiful sky

Smoke from the fire in Bastrop.  Seen from the farm about 35 miles away!

Highways!

Texas Football

Blessed by Sushi

Today, Josh and I had a lunch date at a nearby Sushi restaurant.  We usually go eat sushi together when Kurt is away (since he is not a fan of seafood).  Today was the day.  I wasn't sure what restaurant to go to since we've only been in Houston for 2 months.  I knew there was one down the road from our apartment complex, but after looking it up on my iPhone, it looked closed.  Another one came up on the map just as close, so we headed to that one.

Ok, when I first saw this place about a month ago, it looked closed down because the sign on the store front looked old and faded.  But it was not!  In fact, it is a very upscale sushi restaurant...they had valet parking!!

I told Josh that he must be very good at the restaurant because there were a lot of business people eating lunch there.  He was very good!
When we sat down, there was a lady sitting alone at the table next to us.  She got her sushi right before we placed our order.  As she was leaving after her meal, she spoke to us, "Have a nice day."  I replied, "Thank you.  You, too."

We enjoyed miso soup as a starter.  I ate the mushrooms, but Josh enjoyed the rest...even the tofu!  After that, we had 12 maki rolls of yellowtail and salmon and 4 nigiri with salmon and tuna.  Josh tried to use chopsticks, but it just wasn't working.  Our waitress brought him the neatest little contraption.  It was a plastic piece that each chopstick pops into causing them to act as tongs!  Josh was so excited that he could now use chopsticks.  Josh used tongs and the sushi was delicious!  But that it not the best part...

When we were finished, our waitress came and told us that the lady who was sitting next to us had paid for our meal!  She has been trying to get her daughter to eat sushi with her and her daughter always refuses.  She thought it was so nice that you and your son were enjoying sushi together.

Wow!  What a wonderful gesture and we didn't even get to say "Thank you."  But I am saying it now...if you ever read this..."Thank you!"
I pray that God will make me more conscious of how I can bless others...especially for His glory!
JK

Catching Up...In the USA!

It's been a while since I've posted.  We spent the middle of May packing away a huge part of the house and packing our suitcases.  We arrived in the US on the 14th!
It is good to be home.
Ruth Anne graduated high school on May 20.  Josh had a birthday party at the Houston Aquarium.  Kurt could be there because he flew to Florida!  Then, 10 days later, Ruth Anne packed for summer school at Baylor.
We've spent time with Kurt's parents at the Lake.  We also had our first speaking opportunity at an RA Camp about 3 hours northeast of the Lake!  It was great fun.  Josh got to join in all the activities like fishing, swimming, cooking, crafts, and BMX bike riding!
Kurt and Ruth Anne are now in South Africa.  Kurt is working with a missions team and Ruth Anne is visiting with her friends.  I hope they have a wonderful time.  But I have to add that I am glad I'm not there...it's winter!  'Nough said!
Josh and I are still plugging away at school.  His reading is really improving!  Math is moving slower, but I really want to make sure he is memorizing each set of facts before going on.
Here are some pictures so far!  Enjoy!
JK

 Josh knows he is having his birthday twice while we are in the US.  A few weeks after his party, he asked me, "Mom, is it almost my birthday again?"

Children's Museum

We love us some baseball!  Go Astros!

Seasons Lapbook

Well, Josh finished his second lapbook this past week.  The theme was seasons.  I decided that since we are going to the USA that it was a good time to study the seasons and learn why the northern and southern hemispheres have opposite seasons.
I got many ideas and worksheets from Enchanted Learning.  I'm glad I joined that site.  They have great lessons and craft ideas.  So here are some pictures of his 2nd lapbook.

Josh got to play the sun with a flashlight (torch), while I tilted the earth and rotated around him.  We saw how the light hit the southern hemisphere and northern hemisphere differently as the earth rotates.  We put a wheel in the center with the US on top and South Africa at the bottom.  As he rotates the wheel he can tell that each country experiences the opposite season.

Josh also did a craft for each season.  He also cut out pictures of different types of clothing worn for each season.  He did a great job and was very proud of his book.
Now...we are on holiday so that we can get packed for our trip to the USA.  We are all very excited about seeing Ruth Anne and the rest of the family.
Ruth Anne graduates May 20!  I am so proud of her.  She made a big decision to finish high school in the States.  She made the honor roll and is graduating with a wonderful GPA.
Blessings!
JK

Easter Lapbook

Josh made his first lapbook the week before Easter.   What is a "lapbook"? you might ask.  It can be considered a fancy poster made out of file folders.  But, it is more than just a poster with pictures.  It definitely has pictures, but can include games, puzzles, reading, writing and math skills.  Many times they are made up of mini-books and folded shapes.
In the picture below, the bottom left corner is a folded cross.  It looks like a house, but opens into a cross.  Josh wrote 4 words that reminded him of Easter.  Also on the front right are two puzzles.  One is a maze, the other is the first crossword puzzle Josh has ever done.
On the inside, Josh traced over a Bible verse and we talked about Easter using "Resurrection Eggs."  The back (not  shown) was a came on long "e" and short "e" words.
We are now working on a Science lapbook about the Seasons.
Grace & Peace,

JK

Josh on the Drums!

Last week, the first Two Oceans Cluster met together. A team from Orlando, Florida came to lead us in worship and take care of our children while we were in meetings. They were such a blessing to all of us!

One night, we had a talent show...more of a comedy talent contest...Anyway, Joshuwa joined part of the worship team for a song. Josh had a blast playing the drums to the song, "Wipe Out." Unfortunately, in my video, you can't hear the music, but you should be able to see just how much fun Josh had!

Enjoy!

JK

Salt

Yesterday, I made some Pico de Gallo for our Mexican food dinner with our journeymen. Tonight, I pulled it out of the fridge and tasted it. Something was just not right. So I decided to add some salt, since I hadn't salted it the night before. OH MY! What a difference the salt made. It brought out the flavors and made them blend so nicely together. So, it made me think...

Matthew 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything..." Salt is a preservative, but it also adds lots of flavor. It brings out the natural flavors!

As a Christ-follower, am I bringing out the "flavor" of the gospel? Do I make Jesus appealing to others? Does Jesus "taste" good to the culture I am trying to reach for Him? Do others know how much I love Him? Is it evident?

Wow! I am salt...and I sure don't want to lose my flavor and be good for nothing.
My church is salt...

Just my thoughts while cooking!
JK

An Exciting Month

February has been an exciting month. For my birthday, Kurt booked a sushi class for me andhim. We had a great time learning to make sushi. Kurt is not a fan of fish or any kind of seafood. But I am so glad he went to the class with me. I love being in the kitchen with him!

We also went to the U2 concert at FNB Stadium (Soccer City). Josh went with us and loved it. We still listen to his U2 CD every time we are in the car! I did not go to a soccer match during the World Cup at Soccer City. It was my first time to be in the stadium. It was beautiful. However, although it was beautiful and modern, we did experience "Africa" while there. We waited 1 1/2 hours in line for a hamburger! And, of course, many of the small kiosks selling drinks were out of stock before any concerts began! Life in Joburg...don't let the modern, western feel fool you! Love it!

JK

Gold Mine Hike

Last week, Josh & I joined several homeschooling families for a hike and picnic at a nearby nature reserve. The children went on a guided hike and learned how gold was found and mined many years ago. While the kids hiked, the moms got to know each other and ask many questions about homeschooling. I enjoyed connecting with other homeschooling moms. We all shared our views, ideas, and tips on homeschooling.

The kids hiked for about 3 hours! When they returned we had a picnic lunch. Josh had a ball. On the way home, I asked him what he had learned. I was amazed at all the things he remembered! His favorite thing was panning for gold. He said he found some...but I never saw it!

JK

First Day of Homeschool

Today was Joshuwa's first day of homeschool. We took it quite easy. He did some Math with a curriculum called "Math-U-See." I think it will be a very good curriculum for him. It is hands-on and visual.

Our Reading & Phonics curriculum has not arrived. So, I began searching the internet and found a free online curriculum called "Progressive Phonics." It looks really good. I gave Josh a list of words to read so that I would know where we need to start in that curriculum. Tomorrow, we will dive right in. I am hoping that by May, he will be on a Grade 2 level.

I will also be incorporating Language Arts, Science and History through a website called "Lesson Pathways."

Our gardner's daughter, Violet, and her cousin, Beauty, joined us for school today. They will

also come the next two days before they leave for the village, where they stay with extended family and attend school. Josh loved having friends join him at school.

For PE, we played with a huge frisbee! I tried to hula hoop, but Josh was the best of all 4 of us!

JK