Capitol Day 2012

Oklahoma Home Educators Day is held at the State Capitol every year in February. This was our 3rd year to participate and it seems to be getting bigger and better each year. Amazingly, there were approximately 2,300 home schoolers that participated this year! We had fun walking around the Capitol looking at the artwork on display and architecture of the building, sitting in on meetings, and saying "hello" to our State Representatives...

The girls with Representative David Derby

The girls with State Senator, Rick Brinkley.
Rick also used to be our pastor when we first
moved to Oklahoma from Texas & he dedicated
Mackenzie at church after she was born ;-)

This is a picture of Collinsville taken back in
the day. The girls are pointing at the current location
 of Scoops & Grinds, one of their favorite ice cream shops.

One cool thing that happened that afternoon is Governor Mary Fallin gave a speech and made a proclamation that it was Oklahoma Home School Week. It was nice to know that we had her support! We were actually listening in on the floor above where she was speaking. We were watching over the balcony and could hear her but couldn't see her. My daughter, Mackenzie, said, "Mom! I think we need to go down a level so we can see her better." Reluctant on my part, we went down a level and there she was right in front of us. She finished her speech and turned around to walk back to her office. We were right there so my girls gave her a bag of cookies and she paused a minute for a picture with them. She looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Thank you for making your child's education a priority." Then she was whisked away by her security guards. So the lesson here is I suppose it's good to listen to advice from your kids on occasion ;-)

Afterwards, we took a "field trip" to the Outlet Mall...

Then we had dinner with some of my old friends from back in the day. Always so fun to see them and catch up on life...

We are already looking forward to another great Capitol Day next year!

Valentine's Day 2012

We've had fun celebrating Valentine's Day with our homeschool co-op this month. We recently went to the Baptist Village Nursing Home and sang songs to the residents and gave them valentines...

We also had a big Valentine's party and celebrated by making crafts, exchanging valentines and of course,  eating...

So much fun and I'm so thankful to be part of such a great group of families! ;-)

One-Year Mother Daughter Devo Videos

The girls and I have been enjoying reading the One Year Mother Daughter Devo this school year. It has great devotions that are funny, encouraging, interesting, and spiritually thought-provoking. Occasionally, it tells stories of real life phenomenas and encourages the reader to look up clips on the internet that goes along with the stories. We've gotten behind on looking these up so I thought I'd post a few here for my girls to watch and enjoy...

"JESSICA THE HIPPO"

   

"After you watch a clip of this amiable beast, talk about some things that appear to be good on the outside but aren't good on the inside. Discuss why we shouldn't indulge in certain TV shows, movies, books, music, or friendships. Ask God for discernment to make godly choices every day."

"DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING"

"Some prejudices are really obvious, like disliking people with a different skin color. But some prejudices aren't so easy to see. God created everyone. He doesn't play favorites and He's more concerned with our hearts than with our outside. Take time to thank God for his love for you and everyone."

"FAITH LIKE POTATOES"

"Consider watching 'Faith Like Potatoes'. It's an amazing true story about faith. It involves a lot of patience - and potatoes!"

"WHY CHEETAHS RUN SO FAST"

"Watch how fast a cheetah runs. Notice how its body moves, especially the tail. God truly designed the cheetah to run. He designed us to run, too. (1 Corinthians 9:24) Are you ready to run this race of bringing people to the knowledge of Jesus Christ?"

"BOLAS SPIDER"

"You won't believe your eyes when you watch what a bolas spider can do. Thank God for his creativity!"

"JASON McELWAIN"

"Every time I watch the video of Jason making those shots, I get tears in my eyes. When I see the crowd fly off the bleachers, going crazy for Jason, I know that God was jumping up off his throne, dancing in circles for him, too. God takes such pleasure in us. He loves it every time you achieve something because He made you and He loves his creation."

"SUPERB LYREBIRD"

"I wonder what's in the throat or voice box of the lyrebird to give it the ability to make those sounds. The apostle Paul knew it was important to try to reach every kind of person with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He did what he could to find a common ground with everyone he came across in order to bring each one to salvation."

Oklahoma State Capitol Scavenger Hunt & Lesson Plans

While there are many interesting things to see at the Oklahoma State Capitol, I have chosen 5 things to look for on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th floors for this Scavenger Hunt. Good luck finding everything!

1ST FLOOR:

Kate Barnard - Kate Barnard was the first woman in American history elected to state office as well as Oklahoma's first commissioner of charities and corrections. Though she could not vote for herself in the 1907 election, she overwhelming received more votes than the first governor of Oklahoma, Charles Haskell.

Indian Blanket Quilt - In 1986 Nettie Wallace was commissioned to create a quilt depicting the Oklahoma state wildflower Gaillardia pulchella, known as the Indian Blanket. The Indian Blanket was adopted as Oklahoma's state wildflower according to House Bill 1649 during the 1986 Legislative session.

David L. Payne - David L. Payne is known as Oklahoma's original boomer and has been called the father of Oklahoma for his push to settle the unassigned lands which Payne considered to be public domain.

Robert L. Williams - Governor Robert L. Williams was responsible for the completion of Oklahoma's domeless capital and oversaw every detail. He believed the dome would be a "useless ornamentation" because he strongly wanted to stay within budget.

The Earth and I Are One - "The Earth and I are One" is a mystical painting of a meditating Native American sitting amongst Oklahoma's state wildflower, the Indian blanket.

2ND FLOOR:

Dr. John Hope Franklin - Born in Rentiesville, Oklahoma, John Hope Franklin graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa and went on to become a nationally recognized historian and civil rights advocate. Franklin said it was his desire "to weave into the fabric of American history enough of the presence of blacks so that the story of the United States could be told adequately and fairly."

Sam Walton - Samuel Moore Walton was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma on March 29, 1918 and later moved to Missouri with his family. In 1962, he opened the first Wal-Mart in Rogers, Arkansas. Soon a chain of Wal-Mart stores sprang up across rural America. Walton's management style was popular with employees and he founded some of the basic concepts of management that are still in use today. Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the United States.

Spring Morning Along the Muddy Boggy - Spring Morning Along the Muddy Boggy is one of four paintings in Wilson Hurley's Visions of the Land: The Centennial Suite that represents the four quadrants of Oklahoma's diverse landscape.

Sunset at Roman Nose Park - Sunset at Roman Nose State Park is one of four paintings in Wilson Hurley's Visions of the Land: The Centennial Suite that represents the four quadrants of Oklahoma's diverse landscape.

The Guardian (9' Version) - Enoch Kelly Haney's colossal statue The Guardian stands prominently atop the Oklahoma State Capitol dome where it was lifted on June 7, 2002. The 17 feet tall statue holds a staff that reaches 22 feet into the sky. This monumental project was completed in ten months and demanded 4,000 pounds of bronze, which was cast in 50 sections. The Guardian is a reminder that just below him within the halls of our grand Capitol, the true guardians of Oklahoma, our legislators, are working everyday to improve this already magnificent state.

4TH FLOOR:

Carl Albert - Born in McAlester in 1908, Carl Albert was elected the 46th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1971, the highest elected office ever held by an Oklahoman.

Will Rogers - At the time of his death in 1935, Will Rogers was America's most widely read newspaper columnist and his Sunday night half-hour radio show was the nation's most-listened-to weekly broadcast. He wrote 4,000 syndicated columns and six books, becoming a prominent radio broadcaster and political commentator. In 1934, he was voted the most popular male actor in Hollywood and starred in 71 films and several Broadway productions. It was his unique sense of folksy humor and his honest, intelligent observations about the government and America that earned the respect of the nation.

Sequoyah - Sequoyah was a Cherokee Indian who was a skilled silver craftsman who never learned to speak, write or read English. He is credited with inventing the Cherokee syllabary, which had a profound influence on the tribe. Within several months of Sequoyah's unveiling of his invention, a substantial number of people in the Cherokee Nation reportedly were able to read and write in their own language. By 1825 much of the Bible and numerous hymns had been translated into Cherokee. By 1828 the first Indian newspaper was published along with religious pamphlets, educational materials and legal documents. He continued to serve the Cherokee people as a statesman and diplomat until his death.

Dr. Angie DeBo - Dr. Angie Debo was a leading scholar of Indian and Oklahoma history. Her works highlighted the fact that the five civilized Indian tribes of Oklahoma were the victims of a complex swindle. Major political figures had robbed and even murdered Indians who held oil-rich land. Banned from publication, Debo was shunned as a troublemaker until Princeton University published her books in 1950.The state of Oklahoma did not recognize Debo's lifelong achievements until she was in her 90s and she was inaugurated into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame.

Woody Guthrie - Singer, songwriter, author and social activist, Woody Guthrie was exposed to music and politics at an early age. He would combine the two in his career to become America's first true folk hero. Guthrie wrote hundreds of songs, including such classics as This Land is Your Land; So Long, It's Been Good to Know You; and Oklahoma Hills, the official Oklahoma State Folksong. The colorful life he led became as legendary as the songs he wrote.

5TH FLOOR:

Discovery and Exploration (1541-1820) - The first of the four historic murals, Discovery and Exploration, depicts famed Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado atop his armored horse as he led a cavalry of soldiers into the panhandle of present-day Oklahoma in search of the city of Quivira and its mythic riches of gold. Summing up Oklahoma's history from 1541 to 1820, the mural shows Coronado and French explorers discovering the land coveted by many as a key for control of the region. Wichita Indians represent some of the Native American tribes who already inhabited the area in the 16th century.

Frontier Trade (1790-1830) - The years 1790 to 1830 were marked by a rising interest in Oklahoma territory. In the mural Frontier Trade, Charles Banks Wilson depicts a bustling scene of rising commerce. Fur trading posts and salt exporting businesses flourished as boats were built along the Arkansas River. Native Americans considered the area their eternal home causing tension among the Native American and the new settlers resulting in numerous forts being built to protect the settlers as shown in the upper right side of the mural.

Indian Immigration (1820-1885) - Indian Immigration captures the atmospheric tension and civil unrest as sixty-seven different Native American tribes were forced into the region. Already a home for nomadic hunters, the Native American settlers would become implemental in the development of the state. Wilson depicts numerous armed federal troops surrounding a Native American village. The troops were sent as a preventative measure against tribal warfare.

Non-Indian Settlement (1870-1906) - Non-Indian Settlement refers to the years 1870-1906 in which Unassigned Lands were open to all in the Land Run of 1889. A train overflowing with eager settlers rolls steadfast through the land. In the center of the mural a man atop a horse waves a banner reading "Go Forth And Possess The Promised Land," a simple phrase that encapsulates the excitement of the time. The Boomers settlement of the land yielded the admission of Oklahoma into the Union on November 16, 1907.

Flight of Spirit - Flight of Spirit merges the tragic history of Native Americans with the hope and renewal of modern accomplishments. Behind the illuminated ballerinas is Larson's depiction of the Trail of Tears. Five geese soar over the displaced Native Americans. The geese symbolize the grace and spirit of the five ballerinas. Larson reserves his customary enlargement of hands and feet for the traditionally dressed Native Americans who stand tall behind the ballerinas. His depiction of the ballerinas is strictly representations in that the painted figures have analogous facial features and proportions. The commission was managed by the Oklahoma Arts Council.

* Info for this Scavenger Hunt was found here.

* Another fun Scavenger Hunt by my friend, Nicole, can be found here.

THINGS TO DO IN THE OKC AREA:

Cowboy Hall of Fame

Downtown OKC

OKC Museum of Art

OKC Zoo

Oklahoma History Center

Oklahoma Science Museum

Sam Noble Museum

OKLAHOMA LESSON PLANS AND LINKS:

Oklahoma: Facts, Map and State Symbols (Enchanted Learning)

Oklahoma's Official Website

Oklahoma Word Search

State of Oklahoma Activities (Apples 4 the Teacher)

Teaching Oklahoma History (Oklahoma Homeschool)

The Sooner State (Mr. Donn)

Louie Giglio Mashup of Stars and Whales Singing God's Praise

I ♥ this! ;-)

 

Art Class: The Study of Asian Art

In our girl's co-op Art class yesterday, they studied Asian Art. Their teacher, Mrs. Kuhns, brought a special gift her great uncle gave her - a kimono from Japan. She let some of the girls try it on and told the story of how it was made from silk and at least 70 years old. She also brought with her some Asian figurines on a stick - some were at least 100 years old. They were all given a figurine to sketch then paint with water colors. She also read to them a story from "Chinese Fairy Tales" while they painted. I think they all did a fabulous job and I loved how their final paintings turned out - all unique in their own special way...

Field Trip to Tulsa City Hall

Photo by Abby, age 9

Our homeschool co-op had a great field trip meeting Tulsa's Mayor, Dewey Bartlett, yesterday at the Tulsa City Hall. He has such a busy schedule but was gracious and made time to talk with our kids...

At one point Mayor Bartlett said, "If any of you have any problems with Tulsa, call me and we'll talk about them." Then one of the little boys in our group said, "But I don't know your phone number!" So Mayor Bartlett gave him and the rest of the kids his business card and said to call him anytime ;-)

Mayor Bartlett also encouraged the kids to dream big and asked them to write him a letter with their dream for Tulsa. My girls did theirs today as part of their school work.

Dear Mayor Bartlett,

Thanks you so much for letting my Co-Op group come to visit you! We all really enjoyed it. I appreciate that you are concerned about my dream so here it is! Some of my friends and I work together and make crafts and sell them for the good of orphans in Uganda (Africa). Perhaps you have heard of Project Hope Worldwide? This non-profit organization built an orphanage here because the plight of orphans in the area are grim. My dream is that this ministry, which is called Girly Me Missions, would be very successful and raise a lot of awareness. If you could possibly do anything it would be GREATLY appreciated!

Sincerely,
Mackenzie
Age 12

Dear Mr. Mayor,

I came to your building with Heritage Homeschool Co-Op yesterday. This is my dream for Tulsa: I think there should be more homeless shelters for the homeless people and they will give food away and blankets and stuff.


FAITH
HOPE
LOVE

From, Abby
Age 9

And here's a few pics we took after our field trip driving around downtown. We love to look at the interesting architecture of the buildings and people watch ;-)

Photo by Abby, age 9

Martin Luther King, Jr. Lesson Plans and Links

Lesson Plans:

Citizen King (pbs.org)

Commemorate the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (scholastic.com)

Martin Luther King, Jr. (atozteacherstuff.com)

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero (readwritethink.org)

Martin Luther King, Jr. (enchantedlearning.com)

Martin Luther King, Jr. (historychannel.com)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Lapbook (Squidoo)

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Mr. Donn)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Teaches Many Lessons (Education World)

Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech at Glenville High School Preserved (cleveland.com)

Dining Room Makeover - African Style

Steve and I built our house 13 years ago and have not done a whole lot to our dining room over that time. Surprising because every other room in our house has seemed to change totally every 3-4 years or so. We loved our red, French Country room for a while, but over the last few months we discussed changing it up a bit. We came up with the idea to decorate it with an African theme since I went there in December 2010 and Steve went this past July. We also volunteer for Project Hope Worldwide, an organization that has built an orphanage and school in Lira, Uganda. Our whole family just really have a heart for Ugandans so we thought what better theme to choose than African? ;-)

I could kick myself for not taking a before pic of the room with furniture in it. These two will have to do...

Notice the "lovely" Sound of Music collector plates flanking the window. I am selling them so let me know if you're interested! ;-)

I digress! Here's a before pic with the furniture emptied out...

The color theme we came up with...

I actually enjoy the challenge of decorating on a small budget so I tried to recycle some of the things we had with new coats of paint and new fabrics. We decided to keep our dining room table since it was still in great condition and just paint it and recover our chair cushions. A huuuuuge THANK YOU goes out to my hubby, Steve, for doing all the large bulk painting and for painting our table and chairs. I have no idea how he puts up with me and my crazy ideas.

And here's the finished room...

I did a color wash on the upper part of the walls and a zebra stripe on the inside panels of the lower part of the wall. I decided the wall surrounding the zebra stripe was too plain so i did a dry-brushed effect with glaze to that, too.

This is Tracy, the inspiration for our room. You can read about Tracy's story here.

Oklahoma & Uganda time ;-)

Painting by our 9-year old, Abby

One of my favorite parts of the room are the canvases - which replaced my Sound of Music plates ;-)  I made them on ArtsCow.com and they are mostly photos Steve and I took on our trip to Uganda. Brings back such great memories!

This is Anna, one of the orphans we sponsor through Project Hope Worldwide...

Another pic of Tracy ;-)

My plate racks used to be shiny black so I spray painted them a rust color to match the room more...

This valance used to have a scalloped bottom and was covered in a red and white toile fabric. Steve cut off the scalloped edge for me then I recovered it & added the fringe...

After Steve painted our table turquoise, I gave it a dry-brush glaze in brown. I was a little nervous to try this effect but I think it turned out pretty good! ;-)

A little explanation on my table centerpiece...I received the mosaic candle holders from my in-laws for Christmas.They fit perfectly in our new room! The red runner is actually two wooden, square place mats laid side by side (found at Wal Mart for $4 each). Then I put leftover fabric from the chairs inside a picture frame. The place mats are also from WalMart - $2 each! Shhh! Don't tell!

I was born in Germany and my parents brought this globe back with them when we moved to the States. I've always loved it but especially now in this room...

A drawing of my girls by Gary Wing Portaits. He does amazing work!

And that's the finished room. A lot of work but a lot of fun, too! It's one of my favorite projects and now one of our favorite rooms in the house.