OCC 2012 Packing Party

We have such a fun time doing this every year. We've been saving up stuff  for a year. Now the time has come to FILL THOSE BOXES!



This year we got premade boxes. Josiah noticed a neat picture on the bottom. Thanks to Mrs. Thomason, who coordinated everything.



Josiah had to try on and test things to make sure they were apropriate for the 8 year old boy he was packing his box for. Hannah is writing a note to go inside the box she is making for a girl.



We packed about 70 boxes this year and then loaded them in the van to be taken to the processing center.

Mother/Son Minute To Win It

Josiah and I had a great time at a special event for mothers and sons with our homeschool friends. We had a dinner and then played games from a show called Minute To Win It. Although us moms, were a bit nervous at first about what we might have to do (like pick up cotton balls with our nose using petroleum jelly), we quickly got into the action and had a blast with our sons.

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Spelling Bees, Read Alouds, and Bowling Balls

. . . that is what homeschoolers are made of.
No, not really. But that is some of the stuff we've been involved in lately.

Spelling Bees

Last Friday, Hannah participated in her first spelling bee. I give her an A for courage. This is not here strongest subject even though, she has a passion for writing. Go figure.
We had a great panel of judges and a remarkable pronouncer.

Also an organized organizer. You gotta have that!

And a great group of spellers.

Hannah did not place, but she got a certificate of participation. She was happy.

"Were we all suppose to wear purple?"

Read Alouds

We just finished this one about a young man named Onesimus. Another good book by Patricia St. John that had us on the edge of our seats waiting for the next chapter. Not a boring read, there were twists and turns and surprises in this story based on Biblical characters. If you are not sure you know who Onesimus is, I would recommend you don't look it up in your Bible until after you've read this book, since it might ruin some of the suspense and give away the ending.

Bowling Balls

Our home school group had a fun field trip and tour at the bowling lanes today. They got to play two rounds (Is that what you call it?) and took a behind the lanes tour to see how the balls and pins are retrieved. Pretty cool! There are actually two sets of pins, plus one, in each lane, so there is always a set ready to go. The kids had a great time and Josiah even scored 95 in one game (with the help of bumper guards).

Packing Party

Grab a shoe box and some wrapping paper and join us as we prepare gifts for Operation Christmas Child .

1.

Pick a box and some paper.

2.



Wrap your box

Or get Mom to help you.

3.

Fill your box with socks, pencils, paper, washclothes and soap,
candy and

TOYS!

4.

Add a note if you'd like.



5.

Label your box for a girl or boy, then add it to the stack.

6.

SMILE! You and your FCFE friends packed 80 boxes for OCC!

The story behind this event:
A member of our homeschool group organizes this every year. Last year when we met, the goal was 50 boxes, which we easily exceeded. This year it was 75. Because the interest has been so great, we had to hold it at Rockbridge Baptist Church instead of her home, this year. Throughout the year, people gather items that can be put into the boxes, so that on the day of our packing party, we can lay them out assembly line style. What fun we have!
Most of us bring a sack lunch and enjoy spending more time together, eating and talking. And the kids get some time to run around and play. Today was a beautiful day for that, too.

Hannah enjoying lunch with some of her friends.

Father/Daughter Night Recap

On February 5, 2011, Dads were treated to a special night with their young princesses by FCFE volunteers.
They first made a craft. A photo frame to hold a picture from the night.

After dinner, they played a game based on the game of Clue, but without a board.

Then another game kind of like I SPY. It was hard to find the hidden objects.