Kaya...Book 4 Fun

This week we completed Book 4 of the Kaya American Girls series.

The girls learned a little about sewing...

fringing...

and braiding.

They used what they learned to make these dresses and transform their dolls to look like Kaya....Not bad :)

As our Native American snack this week, we made Maple Syrup Popcorn Balls...YUMMY!!!

and FUN too!

We ended the week with a trip to the Texas Indian Market Festival

DD and DB  saw several musical performances and lots of Native American style artwork.

They each got a wooden flute. Doodlebug LOVES hers! She was also quite intrigued by all of the beautiful jewelry....no surprise. lol

This wooden carving behind the girls was AMAZING!

Dream Catchers...always a favorite.

The girls also saw Irene Bedard, the lady who did the voice of Pocahontas in the Disney movie and

Gil Birmingham, a Native American actor from the movies Twilight and New Moon, and lastly....

Doodlebug's favorite....Moses J. Brings Plenty who played in Pirates of the Caribbean.

She just thought he looked like a "real Indian."

I think the girls had a great time and learned a lot!

News From Our Little Tepee

We’ve completed our 3rd book in the Kaya American Girl series.

Here’s Pocahontas  helping Aponi with a little bead weaving.

Not exactly like the Nez Perce did it, but fun none the less.

For dinner, we decided to have something called Indian Fry Bread.  HERE is the recipe.  As my family knows all too well, I AM NOT A GOOD COOK and I’ll be the first to admit it. I don’t even own a rolling pin. That’s why the girls are using glasses to roll out the dough in this picture. Surprisingly, these turned out pretty well and the girls had a great time.

Even Chief Daddy Darling got in on the fun.

We used the Indian Fry Bread to make Indian tacos…perhaps a little multicultural.

We even added cinnamon and sugar to make a great dessert!

We ended the week by making moccasins for DD’s American Girl doll.

I think DD did a great job on these.

Next we'll try our hand at making Indian dresses.  I sure hope the girls are learning something  'cause I’m having a great time. LOL  (Most of these activities are not my own ideas, but like any successful teacher...I make good use of my resources :)

Have You Hugged Your Child Today?

The back of the car doesn't look much better!  These are pictures of Sister Darling's car after she hit an icy patch this weekend and collided with a concrete barrier.   We are soooooo thankful that she escaped with only a few bumps and bruises.  God must have really been watching over her.  I remember praying for her very close to the time that this happened.  Just the thought of how serious it could have been really upsets me.  I guess you NEVER quit worrying about your kids.  Give them a hug and tell them that you love them every chance you get!  I love you Sister D!!!

American Idol Comes to Texas

You just never know who you might run into at DFW.  When we went to the airport to pick up PawPaw today we found ourselves standing beside Kris Allen, last year's American Idol.  He was nice enough to pose for a picture with us.  Too cool!

Less Than Ten!

DD and I usually go to group violin lessons together on Tuesday nights. Last night, however, I was unable to go with her. I know how active DD can be, so I was a little concerned that she might not be able to handle the class alone. After she returned home, I asked how everything went. I asked, “Did Ms. Hanington have to get on to you for talking or anything?” DD said, “Well, yes she did.” I waited for her to expand, but she didn’t. I let a few minutes pass and I asked her again, “Did you only get in trouble once tonight?” She replied, “Well, not only once, but less than TEN!” Should I be concerned?????? You wonder why we home school????? LOL

Meet Pocahontas and Aponi

Keeping DD supplied with good reading material is quite a challenge. When DD finds a series she likes, she reads continuously until she’s read the entire series. I recently heard about an American History curriculum using the American Girl series. It’s designed to be used with students in grades 2-5. Although DD's only in the first grade, I think she’ll learn a lot. I’ve been buying AG books at a steady pace off of E-bay and Amazon. I think we’ve finally got all that we need. We plan to cover the period of time beginning in 1764 and continuing through the 1940’s featuring 8 American Girl characters and 48 books. We plan to cover one book (together) per week …although DD has already finished reading 30 of the books. We started the Kaya series last week. Kaya is a young girl from the Nez Perce Indian tribe of northwestern U.S. We’ve completed two books  and DD is loving it!

The girls enjoyed learning about some of the Native American customs and beliefs. They loved making dream catchers

and totem poles.

DD learned how to play several string games like the Native American girls played. She even showed some of these to Daddy Darling who makes a pretty mean Jacob’s ladder. LOL She also enjoyed eating salmon for dinner one night, something she probably wouldn’t have done if she hadn’t learned about Kaya’s tribe in Book 1.

DD and DB also learned about using corn husks in cooking

and making dolls.

Here are the dolls after a little paint and corn husks hair extensions.

The girls also chose Indian names for themselves...

Meet Pocahontas (she who loves to play)...DD

and

Aponi (butterfly)...Doodlebug.

A True Chinese American

Eating Cocoa Krispies with CHOPSTICKS! lol

Wearing political stickers after returning from our polling place.

The best of both worlds...