martinzoo

Today was almost totally creative, and I loved it! We did sneak in a little Math (I feel guilty compelled to keep current in the curriculum). We started off making some cookies to give to our friends. GB was very serious while he concentrated on getting the frosting just right!;)

Then we started on our annual Gingerbread house. I have to admit… I just love making these houses every year. It is way more fun to do with little kids helping…. So, I better always have one around handy. GB had a great time decorating and licking his fingers to get the frosting off, and “clean” his hands…. **Warning - to those who like to nibble off these houses**

While the walls were drying, GB started working on drawing his Christmas Tree from a grid. He did an excellent job of duplicating the mirror side and then colored the whole thing.

We worked on our Christmas lapbook, adding more countries to our Christmas Around the World in 25 Days mini-book. So far, he has done 11. Today we learned about Italy and a witch named Befana. They believe she was asked by the three wise men to visit the baby Jesus when he was born. She claimed to be too busy, but later changed her mind. Alas, she couldn’t find the Wise Men or Jesus and looks for them to this day. She visits each household, on Twelfth Night, that has children and leaves gifts, just in case one of them is Jesus.

On a different note, I am SO glad to have Aquagirl home from college. On Friday, we had to make an emergency trip to Harrisonburg to bring her home. She was so sick that the Doctor had called the campus police to come bring her back to her dorm. When she got back, she instant messaged us to “come get me”, and I was VERY happy to oblige. She’ll have to take her exams after the Winter break is done, but I’m hoping she’ll retain what she learned and do much better than she would on death’s door. Already she has improved a lot. Her sore throat is much better and she can actually eat now. But mono takes months to recover from, so it may feel like a long road to her…..

Tomorrow, GB and I will continue with our Christmas Unit. I’ve updated the page with a few new pictures.. Go take a peek