History Stop: Mayflower and Pilgrims

We did a couple of things for this time period. Not much because we have done a lot with Pilgrims in past years. I wanted to do a little so we could work it into the timeline. We read some books and did some crafts.

We learned about the Mayflower and how the trip was not fun.  It was actually pretty gross. (Sorry, but I am a girl and I can not imagine being stuck in the bottom of a boat that long without a shower or a bathroom!)  We learned why they came to America and what they took with them.

Pie Pie decided she would bring her Webkinz, clothes, blanket, pillow, notebook and colored pencils. Pretty good choices!

Some of the books we read were:

Food and Recipes of the Pilgrims by George Erdosh

This is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore

The New American Colonial Times 1620-1689 by Betsy Maestro.

We used History Pockets.

We also watched a video called Dear America: A Journey to the New World. The Story of Remember Patience Whipple.

Here's another craft we did that showed the girls how the Pilgrims dressed.

We are slowly making our way into the Colonial Time Stop. I'm trying to figure out how to transition into that time period. There will be a lot more fun when we get there! We're gonna make a quilt. A little one, but it's still a quilt!  See you at the next stop!

Smiles

When I first decided to to go ahead with my idea to post pictures that bring a smile to your face I was a little nervous. I only had one picture! I felt this was something that was needed. We all need a smile now and then. I feel these pictures are a special gift because they are not planned they just happen. They are a gift from God to us! He loves laughter and smiles!

It's Not YOUR Birthday!



I just love this picture! It was by pure chance I captured it! We had just finished singing Happy Birthday to Pants and she was about to blow out the candle when my Nephew decided to help her. No worries though, he didn't actually blow it out. Pants didn't seem to mind either. He'll be invited next year, we don't kick you out of the family for helping your cousin! 

We hope you get your wish when you blow out your next Birthday candle, especially if somebody helps you!

Smiles,

Nikki!

It's All About Thankfullness

We usually like to do a craft project in November to remind us to be Thankful. The last couple years I have drawn a turkey and we have filled in feathers with what we are thankful for. 

This year I decided to do something different. There is a reason for the change. I was in charge of a craft at our homeschool group recently. We ordered a craft and it hadn't arrived by the day before we needed it, so I made a back-up.  I just knew if I didn't the craft would not arrive on time.  So I made a craft and the purchased craft, of course, arrived just in time. Anyway,  I had the extra craft all cut out.  It was bunches of leaves and birds to make a garland. Enough for thirty kids! So, that is what we are using this year. We are writing what we are thankful for on birds and leaves and hanging them up. Here's a little sample:

Pants's Thankfullness

Mommy, Daddy, Pie Pie, Abby, birds, leaves, dogs, Nanners, Poppy, Nah Nah, Olivia, Aunt J. and turtles

Pie Pie's Thankfullness

Webkinz, Daddy, library, Pop Pop, Nanners, t.v., Archie, My family and AWANA

My Thankfullness

Daddy, coffee, chicken tortilla soup, Pants and Pie Pie, Nanners and Pop Pop, Grammy and Grumpy, friends and Sparks and Cubbies

We are not finished, so don't be sad if you didn't make one of our lists! I'm sure you'll get on there!

Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His Name.
Psalm 100:4

What are you thankful for?!

11/11/11 Pant's Birthday!

Pie Pie had the idea recently to put pictures of them when they were babies in a post. I thought this was a great idea! Their Birthdays will be the perfect excuse to feature their baby cuteness.  Thankfully Pants's Birthday is first, it may take some time to locate baby pictures of Pie Pie. I found some pictures of Pants for you to enjoy.

Pant's First Birthday! She already loves Nanners's Cake!



She's almost two here! Gorgeous!

My little fairies.



Silly Pantsy!

Pants's third Birthday!

My cute Little Monkey.

I feel very privileged that my baby girl shares her Birthday with Veterans Day! I want to take the time to thank everyone who has served or who is serving our country! Here are some links I got from a friend if you would like to write a letter to a soldier. We recently had the opportunity to do this, but  I would like to do it again! Please join me! 

amillionthanks.org 

letterstosoldiers.org

Happy Birthday Pants!

We love you!

Smiles

CANNONBALL!

Look at that Hair!

I'm not sure exactly when this picture was taken, but I remember the fun my girls had playing this game! Pie Pie and Pants thought it would be fun to play Cannonball. This is usually a game played in a pool, but that did not stop my girls. They got creative and made a pool out of a blue blanket on the floor. They would run and yell "Cannonball!" as they flew through the air to land on the blanket. I, of course, did what any self-respecting mom would do. I took pictures! I made sure they weren't hurting themselves too! So there's your smile for the day! I hope you enjoy it! Please send me pictures if you have one of a moment of happiness that makes you smile! You can share it with me on Facebook and I can share it on my blog! 

Smiles,

Nikki 

Smiles

Silly Horsey!

Wesley

I knew there was a reason I liked this horse. I wrote about him earlier in Riding Mr.Diesel. We were at Pie Pie's horse lesson on Friday. During his brush down after their ride Wesley thought it would be funny to stick out his tongue. He was right. We had many giggles over his antics. I wasn't sure if I could get a picture of him doing his trick, but he was very compliant, as you can see! I was very excited to get this picture! I hope you like it as much as we do! I promise it was much funnier in person. You'll just have to use you imagination!

Smiles,
Nikki!

Flavorful Friday

Sweet Potato Pie

from Debbi Fields' Great American Desserts

I'm going to try to feature some pies this month in honor of Thanksgiving. Pie is definitely a must at my Thanksgiving Feast! I'm going to start with my husband's favorite. If I ever want to make him happy, I just make him one of these pies! I've tried many different Sweet Potato Pie recipes and this one is our favorite.

These pictures are from Daddy's 30th Birthday! Instead of cake we had a Pie Bar!

Daddy enjoyed the featured pie, Sweet Potato!

Ingredients:
Crust (I use store bought but you can make your own if you like.)
4 Tbsp. of unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes, fresh or canned unsweetened, well drained
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup milk
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Fit the crust into the 9- inch pie pan, trim and crimp the edges. Cover the shell with aluminum foil and line the foil with pie weights. Bake for ten minutes. Remove the pie weights and foil, and bake the crust five minutes more. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
3. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
4. Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and cream together until fluffy, four to five minutes using the electric mixer on medium speed. Add the mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, and milk, and beat until combined. Add the vanilla, spices, and salt, and blend well.
5. Pour the filling into the prebaked crust and bake the pie for 55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the pie to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes. The pie can be served warm or at room temperature.