Birthday Celebrations

Well, this has been one hectic week with birthday celebrations. We started on Monday with Misha’s friend Damian having a birthday. This meant a drop off at Northgate in the afternoon for some bumper cars & then a sleep over.

We also needed to do our final arrangements for Misha’s birthday on Wednesday and his party on Saturday.

Unfortunately dad wasn’t able to take time off work on Misha’s birthday but he did manage to get the day before. We took this time to have some lunch at the Spur & watch a movie as our special birthday family time together.

We were rather fortunate that there was a homeschoolers’ trip scheduled for Thursday, which also happened to be Misha’s birthday. This had been a very short notice arrangement & since the entry fees were reduced so much for the group I figured it might be a good idea to take the boys so they could celebrate Misha’s birthday with some fun & rides. We got to Gold Reef by 9am, spent the day wandering around & visiting with friends & finally left again at 5pm.

Friday was rather quiet. I had a few errands after which we spent the rest of the day chillaxing in anticipation of the big birthday party on Saturday.

Misha’s birthday party started with a trip to Brightwater Commons for 3 hours of skating at the Boogaloos Skate Park. It was rather cold when we got there but that didn’t seem to deter these little ones from having fun in what little sun was shining. Even though we had a few falls, fortunately there were no injuries & the boys had a great time whilst Ouboet & his friends roamed around the centre. Unfortunately Dad wasn’t able to join since the cake needed fetching because my sister who was meant to bring it fell ill.

After the skate park we headed back home where Dad & Oma awaited with Misha’s lovely birthday cake. The kids had hot dogs for lunch followed by cake, presents & party packs. They spent the rest of the day playing games inside & outside whilst the rest of us relaxed.

All in all it has been a very eventful week & for the first time ever all but the Bakugan decorations of the birthday cake were gone by night fall.

Sweet 16

This was a fairly unproductive week where schoolwork was concerned. Thursday was filled with a whole day of science/geography by Barry from Education Support. Apart from that, we were making arrangements for Jesse’s 16th Birthday Party on Friday.

Friday was filled with a long awaited, fun filled day at Gold Reef City. We hadn’t been to Gold Reef City since Misha’s last school trip in 2006. In those days he was still to short to go on all the ride. This time though, he wanted to do some of the kiddie rides but was told he was too big. 

We left Gold Reef City at 15h30 to move the party home for cake, snacks & movies.

On Saturday Jesse spent the day at the Northgate Ice with some friends arena to test out his brand new ice skates.

Sunday was spent at home quietly but with the exception of lunch at the Spur in the afternoon.

I still find it hard to believe that my little boy has turned into such a charming young man.

How to Have a Homeschool Awards Ceremony

by: Christina Parker Brown

You can have an award ceremony for practically anyone—a homeschool group, a play group, or several moms who want to honour their kids. The size of your group will depend on how you can incorporate these ideas. It is a group effort. As the children get older, they can help with putting on the ceremony.

The aim is to keep it simple but thorough, focusing on the end of the year, accomplishments, achievements, and awards. This is a great way for family members and friends to see what you have been up to during the year, to be involved, to celebrate your children, and to better understand the homeschool experience.

Jobs

Below is a list of various duties that are carried out by parents; some parents assume responsibility for more than one duty, as needed:

• Facility Coordinator—secures a facility for the event
• Master of Ceremonies (MC)—introduces speakers and makes the evening’s events flow smoothly.
• Microphone Coordinator—brings and sets up the microphone and speaker(s). We use a karaoke machine and microphone that were acquired at a yard sale.
• Program Coordinator—develops the program (coordinates what each child/family will be doing), creates the programs, and sees that the programs are printed.
• Door Hosts—It is nice to have students greet all the guests as they come through the door.
• Introducer—welcomes everyone, explains the theme (if you have one), and tells the audience what the group has been up to during the year.
• Procession Coordinator—supervises children walking down the aisle, with or without flags, in a procession
• Food/Refreshment Coordinator—keeps track of all RSVPs and updates the group on how many people are coming, as of a couple of weeks before the ceremony. This helps with setup too, as we know how many chairs to provide.
• Decoration Coordinator—We all help with the decorations; keep it simple.
• Setup—We all help with setup, but it helps to have someone in charge, and it is good to enlist the help of kids and husbands as well.
• Clean-up—Everyone, with the exception of guests, helps with clean-up.

Things to Think About

• Location: Think sanctuary, fellowship hall, or even a recreation center of some type. If you can set up the day before, that is always a plus.
• Invitations: One mom came up with the idea of having the kids send the invitations. I love this idea, because then it becomes more than just “another thing” we (moms) are asking grandparents and friends to do. Each family sends out their own invitations. You can do this via email or go all out and make professional invites, or the kids can make them.
• Achievement Tables: We allot one table (6-ft) per family. Two to a table is best if you can pull it off space-wise and if you have easy access to tables. Otherwise, just bring card tables or use chairs—make it work. See the sidebar for suggestions about what types of items to display, as well as ideas for student performances.
• Picture Tables: If your kids don’t have many tangible things to display, take pictures of their work/projects and display them.
• It is a good idea to include a family picture or display the family’s name on each table in order to identify the child and family. Guests are encouraged to look at the tables before and/or after the ceremony.
• Theme and Decorations: We have had a Luau theme (leis carry a blessing, represent children, and traditionally express love, reverence, respect, and welcome), focusing on our support systems: family, friends, and fathers, and our gratefulness for them. Simple leis were used, in addition to some tropical lights, an “Aloha” sign, green Hawaiian grass to wrap around the tables, colorful plastic tablecloths, flowers, and candles (on the tables). Another year, we had a “Follow Your Dreams” theme with rainbow-colored crepe paper, Skittles arranged on tables, and a display of kids’ pictures designating what they wanted to be when they grow up. (Selection of a theme is totally optional.)
• Set Up: It is best when you can set up the night before (it is less stressful to just show up with the food); however, setup took only about thirty minutes. You do not need to do decorations, but it is neat to see the program, introduction, decorations, and theme all mesh. We usually have simple, modest, handmade decorations; flower centerpieces for the food tables; small pictures of kids; etc. Keep it simple, inexpensive, and uncluttered.
• Refreshments: We found it worked better to eat before the program. Everyone is hungry and it seems to settle stomachs and open ears if we eat first. Each family brings one or two dishes plus paper products and ice. We like to provide ice water and coffee for drinks. You could just do desserts or not do any refreshments at all.
• Program: This can be as simple as a Word document printed on colored paper and folded in half or as professional as you want it to be.

The Program

The commencement program could include these components: procession, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, Pledge to the Bible, group Bible verse, welcome, introduction/explanation of theme (if you decide to have one), performances/presentations, awards, slide show, and closing prayer.

• Procession: We start with a procession of kids down the aisle between the audience. One member carries the American flag, one carries the Christian flag, and two carry our group flag (decorated with our kids’ handprints.) The person coordinating this keeps the children quiet, supervises the lineup, and makes sure they start walking when the music starts.
• All of the audience is asked to stand.
• Individual children lead us in an opening prayer, The Pledge of Allegiance, the Pledge to the Bible, and the group Bible verse.
• Welcome to Guests and Introduction: When our theme was about our gratefulness for our families and for dads who support the choice to homeschool, I spoke about this subject. This is also the time to mention what we have been doing as a group: field trips/events for the year, updates about our group ministry, missions, our monthly prayer meeting, our Keepers of Their Home Club, and the pins earned this year. We have also had older children report about these things.
• Special Performances: Giving a special presentation is not mandatory but is encouraged. It offers a great opportunity for the kids to get up in front of a real audience and share about something they love or share a talent. It is a great asset to be able to express themselves, and the ideas and possibilities are endless. We consider even the saying of a Bible verse a great contribution to the success of the night. As the kids get older, they are able to do more to help put on the ceremony.
• Award Presentations: We all create our own awards. Some families hand out certificates; one family gives charms for a bracelet; other families give gifts or award medals.
• Each family, headed by the Mom and/or Dad and joined by their children, gets up and speaks for a few minutes about their children’s accomplishments during the year. Behavioral or character achievements can be described as well. The main thing is to build up our children. Encourage them. Praise them. Admire them. Edify them. (I try to write things down during the year as it can be hard to think of everything they did all year in May.)
• I cannot tell you how awesome it is to see these children beam, to be built up this way in front of their peers.
• “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29, ESV).
• Slide Show Presentation: Our group’s aspiring photographer compiles a professional slide show of all of the homeschool families who participate in the Awards Ceremony, and it is really amazing. We send her our own homeschool pictures throughout the year and she decides what makes the cut and gets it down to twenty to thirty minutes. It is an awesome way to end the night and a real labor of love. The kids love seeing pictures of themselves and their friends from throughout the year, and the people we celebrated this year (dads, family, and friends who support our homeschool journey) were especially honored.
• Closing Prayer

Our Awards Night is always a fabulous night and lasts about three and a half hours, including setup and cleanup.

I cannot express in words what this night has done for my children. It is my hope that these ideas will help you build up your own children. It is worth it.

Achievement Tables (Sidebar)

What to include: favorite books, crafts, projects, lapbooks, notebooks, scrapbooks, artwork, Boy Scout badges and awards, projects, papier-maché, posters, science projects/experiments, musical instruments, Keeper At Home pins, etc.

Out of the box ideas: One mom used a Barbie car to symbolize her daughter’s driving lessons and a piano music box to symbolize her daughter’s piano lessons. One time I printed photographs of my daughter demonstrating various ballet positions and attached the photographs to a piece of poster board. Several of our kids were in a play and I took a photo of them “in character.” The photograph was made into a poster print, and I framed it with a frame I found at a yard sale. One child made an Eiffel Tower out of Popsicle sticks. Favorite captured bugs or small, caged pets can be displayed as well. Anything goes. You want your kids to be proud of their table, so get them involved. Creativity is key.

I really encourage my kids to be in charge of this. They are mindful of the things they do during the year, and we designate a box they can put their stuff in as the year progresses. Some things do not make the cut in the end. This year we did not have as many projects as we had in previous years, and I thought it would be hard to get much together, but they always seem to run out of room!

Performance Ideas (Sidebar)

We have enjoyed performances by a trombone player, pianists, and a flute player. One child created a digital picture show to music in which she honored her mom and dad’s anniversary (very touching). Children have sung songs, played musical instruments, presented interpretive dance routines, recited The Gettysburg Address (a 4-year-old did this!), and recited passages from stories such as The Lord of the Rings. Children also have recited the Lord’s Prayer and the books of the Bible.

Children can present demonstration speeches or highlight something from their achievement tables or just tell about something interesting. They could also read a Bible verse, a poem, or a short story they wrote. Be creative.

 

Christina Parker Brown is a writer who has homeschooled since 2001 when her first of three children was in preschool. In 1998 she founded a play group that has evolved into a Homeschool Adventure Group. She loves to write about her faith, family, and adventures and considers herself as much of a student as she is a teacher. Contact her on her blog at www.akahomeschoolmom.blogspot.com.

Copyright 2012, used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in the February 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the trade magazine for homeschool families. Read the magazine free atwww.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps atwww.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.

Birthday Celebrations

This has been quite a busy week for us. Although Misha’s birthday is only on Wednesday, I had to move his party forward one week due to the school holidays starting & his bestest buddies being away next weekend. We made and sent out invitations & party packs. We planned birthday cake & arranged with Oma to make it for him.

On Tuesday Jesse & I dropped Misha at the zoo for the Honey Badger club whereafter we stopped to buy his party pack contents. Janna fetched the boys from the zoo and allowed them some time to play afterwards. He had insisted the previous day that his hair was too long so I took him to have his hair cut after playing at Joshua’s.

Of course he insisted on filling his party packs when he got home too, saving mommy some time having to do it.
On Thursday we had Gerhard & Keanan over for guitar lessons and a sleepover later so they could join us for ice skating on Friday. Their Technology and art lessons had been posponed to Monday afternoon.

Friday was once again full day at the ice rink. Misha had asked for a weekend sleepover with his bestest buddies. Matthew & Joshua joined us at the ice rink after school. By 4pm the older boys were tired of skating all day, so we headed home.

On Saturday morning we took Misha & his friends to Fourways for their 2 hour long birthday party Lego lesson.

Whilst waiting for them to complete their lesson, their lesson we went to the Spur for some coffee.

After the Lego lesson we headed home for a bring & braai with family & friends. We were concerned with the weather since it was cold & looked like it would start raining. Thankfully it held out & the kids were able to play outside for much of the day.

Fortunately we were able to braai all the meat on my grill in the kitchen. The weather held out until most of the guests had left. We had a massive thunderstorm & lots of hail. The last of our guests left at 10pm & Jesse joined them for a sleepover. Matthew & Joshua remained for one more night. Joshua was fetched this morning & Matthew this afternoon. We went for coffee this evening when when we collected Jesse.

Misha's 10th Birthday Party Photos

Tomorrow Jesse’s doing the Meteor & Comets course with Education Support and Misha will join a homeschooling friend to try out some group learning activities in a co-op type setting. If he enjoys that, he’ll be joining them twice a week in future. Tomorrow afternoon they’ll catch up their Technology & art lessons. On Thursday evening Jesse’s joining his bestest buddy for a week’s holiday at Ngwenya lodge, so the next week we’ll be short one child again, during which time daddy was planning on having Misha’s room fixed & painted.

Technorati Tags: SacHS Blog,2012,Grade 4,Grade 9,Celebrations,Birthdays

Chillax & Celebrate

And here we've reached the halfway mark of another year and the end of our first week of school holiday.

I was quite impressed with Misha this week. He was home alone with me all week & not once did he request a friend to play with. After all this time home educating he's finally managing to entertain himself & has become less dependant on friends to keep him busy. Instead he helped me bake muffins & entertained himself with games inside as well as outside. On Wednesday he helped me bake pancakes. Thursday morning he ate up Daddy's pancakes & insisted to make new ones before dad got home. However by Thursday evening he was missing his Ouboet & couldn't wait for Friday when Jesse was due to arrive back home. Then on Friday he insisted on surprising Ouboet with some pancakes which he made with very little assistance & then he crowned himself the "pancake masterchef".

Last Saturday our eldest turned 15 & with him having been on holiday with a friend, today became the chosen opportunity for his birthday party. We set out to the Northgate Ice Arena for an early afternoon start at 12pm... Although very noisy & cold the kids seemed to have had loads of fun. By 5pm all the adults were quite happy that they were all done & ready to head home.

Of course Misha opted to go home with a friend for a sleepover & Jesse brought his bestest buddies home for some more fun & gaming...

Having wrapped up Jesse's birthday, now it is time again to plan for the next one our list. Clive will be 42 next Sunday, so that doesn't really leave all that much time in the planning department which besides cooking & baking do not rank very high on my gifts & talents lists... At least the next birthday is only in September, leaving ample time to sort out arrangements... but for now I'll head to bed & allow myself to dream up some ideas for Sunday...

Merry Christmas

It’s been a week since we finished & I’m still struggling to recover. I don’t know if it’s normal but I’m finding it hard to shut off from reading home education related emails, websites & books. I guess after a few days of scrap-therapy I might just feel different.

Jesse’s been off to the coast with a friend since last week & we’re missing him terribly. I miss the regular “Sit on Mommy” time sessions although this 14 year old is way to big to fit on my lap anymore. He has outgrown me by far and pretty soon I will probably also lose the weight advantage for all those fun wrestling matches…

I’m still finding it extremely hard to believe that it’s this time of the year again. Last year I vowed to do my Christmas shopping early so as not to have to brave the traffic in the centers during peak season, but alas I failed miserably at that… this year has passed me by so fast that I haven’t even had a chance to think about getting presents yet.

Somehow the Christmas fever seems to have bypassed me this year, or maybe it’ll still hit me later. We finally put the Christmas tree up this week because Misha wanted it up.

The closest I’ve managed to get to crafts or ideas thus far is this digi-scrap greeting card and since my brain is just too tired for creative writing at this stage, this will be a very short blog post just to thank you for all your valued contributions by means of comments & suggestions into our first year of home education.

In the interim we would like to wish you all a very blessed Christmas and all God’s richest blessings for 2010.

Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope.

This post features on the South African Carnival of Homeschool Bloggers (SACH Bloggers) where South African home schoolers share experiences, ideas, philosophies and much more. You can join the carnival too by heading to the South African Carnival of Homeschool Bloggers sign up page. We hope you enjoy the carnival as much as we have!

SA Home Schooling Blog Carnival #13