Going to the Olympics, Uh-huh

Yes, indeed, I am heading to the Olympics. THE Olympics. August. London, England. Kind of thinking hot and humid and sweaty and crowded (that last one could be a severe UNDERstatement) but who cares? It's London AND the Olympics!

How exciting is that?

In preparation for my trip, I found a great picture book about London at a recent library visit. Can't do London without some great photographs thrown in.

United Kingdom, Country Explorers, by Madeline Donaldson (Lerner Publications Company, 2011) is a great book. Written at an elementary level, it's a quick and informative read. And like I said, it has great photos. The book also explains some history of the United Kingdom and covers a broad base of general information. Perfect for someone who is going to the Olympics.

Like moi.

Christmas in Williamsburg

Christmas in Williamsburg, 300 Years of Family Traditions by K.M. Kostyal with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (National Geographic Society, 2011).

Yes. I know it's May. Not even May 31st. But I took a field trip recently with my kinder students to visit a local library where one of the mom's is a librarian.

And guess what I found? A very cool book put out by National Geographic. So, Christmas in May. :) Since I've been to this historic town, it was a little like revisiting a favorite stopping place. Except we went in the summer. And it was nice outside. And they weren't decorated for Christmas.

But still, it was colonial Williamsburg! For someone who spends 99.9% of her time on the west coast, that is pretty cool.

(Mr. Q. on the phone while gazing down the streets of Colonial Williamsburg.)

This book is filled with history and connections to the past and present. Christmas traditions are explained. Photographs, sketches, and artwork decorate the pages. Written for children and adolescents (and history loving Nana's), this book is delightful. Included are many do-it-yourself projects and recipes. Excellent!

I truly enjoyed my mini-vacation into Christmas.

(Don't know what I was thinking, but this is the ONE photo of myself in C.W., sitting next to a historical figure in bronze. Just can't remember who it was.)

I have to remember to recheck out the book around the beginning of November. When I am decking my own halls and re-establishing our Quantrell family traditions.

P.S. Can you see yours truly in the reflection on Christmas in Williamsburg?

Wins - By a Hand

"If he grows into his paws, this guy is going to be HUGE."

Those were my thoughts as I traced the hands of one of my students. Reminded me of the old saying about dogs. This guy had pretty large hands. It will be interesting to see how tall he gets.

Mother's Day is upon us next Sunday, so kindergartners are busily preparing for our Mother's Tea. Prep includes card making, cleaning of desks, making of gifts, decorating...That's how I came to notice the big paws of one of my little guys.

We made Mother's Day cards from a project listed in From the Hands of A Child, Special Seasonal Art Activities for Primary Children by Anthony Flores (David S. Lake Publishers, 1987). We turned the flower basket (complete with green hands for flower stems) into a Mother's Day greeting. They are exceptionally cute.

This book is great for hand-sy ideas. I had to trace the parts for my students, but older can do their own pre-craft work.

Thumbs up for this book! (and pinkies and pointers and ring fingers...)

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, Art by James Dean

I LOVE this book! My students LOVE this book! The soundtrack for it is awesome.

Pete the Cat has some cool white shoes. But they don't stay white. And Pete is cool with that, because it's all good.

Once you listen to this book on CD and check out the neat illustrations, the song and words will be burned into your memory. My kinders cannot help but jump up and move to the music when we have this book playing.

Don't want to ruin the ending for you. We created our own guitar props and added a tail, ears, kitty nose, and whiskers to our bodies to become like Pete the Cat. And then we went walking down the street...

Best Friend

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13

Approximately 2000 years ago today, my best Friend did this.

He willingly and painfully gave up His life for me, His friend. Me, who wouldn't be born for over 2000 years. He, who is master of all time, space, and eternity, chose to take the hard way. For me.

For you.

His name is Jesus. The Name above ALL Names. Not some names. Not a few. Not just the pretty people (or the poor or the wise or the silly or this or that group). All.

"For God so loved the world (the WHOLE world, meaning the people on the whole world, including those in the past, present, and future) that He gave His one and only Son (ONE means 1, not any other number; only means ONLY), that whoever (WHO EVER, anyone can choose to believe, but choose they must do, just as Christ CHOSE to die for us) believes in Him shall not perish (ie: spend all time beyond death in separation from God) but have eternal life (that's a long time folks, eternity, to infinity and beyond)." John 3:16

Thank you, Jesus, for choosing me. And us.

Alive

Alive as heard on Music Inspired by The Story (see iTunes)
Artist: Natalie Grant

Who but You
Could breathe and leave a trail of galaxies
And dream of me?
What kind of Love
Is writing my story until the end
With Mercy's pen?
Only You
What kind of king
Would choose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars
To win my heart?
What kind of Love
Tells me I'm the reason He can't stay
Inside the grave?
You. Is it You?
Standing here before my eyes
Every part of my heart cries


My new FAVORITE song, part of a wonderful CD by a variety of Christian artists.

It's mind-boggling to imagine WHO would choose to do all that is told in The Story.

Me = humbled and grateful.

The Blue Sword

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley I LOVE women heroines and horses and adventure, especially when they are all thrown into the mix together. I very much enjoyed this adventure fantasy story by McKinley. Harry, yes, a female, discovers that she has distant bloodlines of the Hill folk. After she is taken to live with them, she learns many new things about herself - including how to fight, survive, and ride superb horseflesh! My favorite stories are where the underdog or misfit finds her place, through much toil and many challenges. And in the end, she gets a great guy. Romance! Good versus evil, clashing cultures, reconciliation...great read.