Learning About Local History

We recently visited our local history museum and learned so much more about the area in where we now live. Cities and even smaller towns often have a local museum and I really encourage you to check these out! It's amazing the things you will learn.

Our small town has three local museums: one for history, one for fire vehicles and other transportation, and one for a resident's circus collection.

At the history museum one of the workers (and I imagine a local historian) gave us an introduction and then provided the kids with a scavenger hunt which required them to actually read about the displays (thus requiring learning) in order to complete the hunt. The kids had a great time with it!

getting an introduction and group instructions

learning about the tobacco wars in the early 1900's

a broom-making machine

Next we crossed the street to the fire and transportation museum where the kiddos once again had a scavenger hunt to complete. I think this museum may have been the favorite. The kids really seemed to enjoy all of the fire equipment and vehicles.

with some of our homeschool group

photos and fire hats

a vintage gas pump

a vintage buggy

Finally we wrapped up our field trip next door at the Circus Museum where a local citizen had donated his extensive collection of circus memorabilia. I was just thankful there weren't any big clowns...haha Of course, the biggest hit here was the fun house mirror--those are just always fun, aren't they?

circus posters

playing in the fun house mirror

beside a vintage horse ride

And that wraps up our local history field trip. We had such a good time learning about our area!

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The Making of an Egyptian Death Mask

We are learning all about the ancient world this year with Story of the World I and loving it! We've been learning a lot about Egypt, of course, which is completely fascinating. Most recently we have studied the New Kingdom of Egypt, which includes the story of King Tut. So we decided making an Egyptian death mask in the style of King Tut's would be a fun project. First since it was too cold at the time to paper mache in the garage (it probably would have frozen instead of dried-ha) and it was too messy to do it in the house, we decided to pick up a couple of cheap craft masks at Hobby Lobby. Next we cut out cardboard shapes to complete the shape of the death mask, attaching them with hot glue. Vince even put a little detail on the *beard* with the hot glue per The Princess' request. Then the kiddos started to paint them with this metallic gold tempera paint. It worked okay for the cardboard, but would not coat the plastic of the mask. We thought maybe a second coat ...

One Way I Refresh During the Summer as a Homeschool Mom

As our homeschool takes some time off this summer, my mind almost never stops thinking of and planning ahead for the upcoming school year. This is probably because I'm Type A and an obsessive planner...lol Whatever the reason, I do enjoy this season of planning. But I also need to be refreshed as a homeschool mom. Homeschooling can be incredibly exhausting and all-consuming. It's not easy and it's a lot of responsibility. And I take that very seriously when I am researching curriculum and planning toward the next school year. So also taking some time to rejuvenate and refocus myself is very important. How do I do this? Each summer I take some time to read something inspiring and motivating that speaks to me as a homeschool mom. Some of my fave reads from past years--that I have nearby on my shelf and refer to often--are Educating the Wholehearted Child, The Well-Trained Mind, The Charlotte Mason Companion, A T...

Arkansas' Crimson Clover

One of my favorite things about Spring is the crimson clover that grows along the highways and interstates here in Arkansas. I say Arkansas because this is where I first grew to love it. We actually saw some in Mississippi on our way here and I saw it in our town in Alabama for the first time this year. But it spreads like that, each year it grows and looks even more beautiful. I'm not sure who decided to plant it in the medians of the interstates , but it was genius! It seeds itself and just comes back more lush the next year. I always want to take pictures, but of course it's almost always in the median of a very busy interstate~which is a little dangerous for photography. However, the other day I found the perfect patch of it on the side of a not-too-busy highway, so Vince obliged me and pulled over:) Isn't it beautiful? I just had to share it with you...

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