Skating at the Ham - Week 2

We are right in the middle of a month of homeschool skating at the local ice rink. It has been an awesome time - lots of friends and exercise to boot. This past week we had over 40 homeschoolers on the ice. I wish I had gotten them all in the picture.



A few the kids are just learning, and doing great! I just love all the little ones in the picture below.


The teen pack!


We ended the day with the Zamboni! Boy is there a lot more to that machine then I realized. Next week we are going to get a tour of the refrigeration rooms! Too cool!

Fun with Fondant

Everyone had a great time in the kitchen at our FUN WITH FONDANT class. Everyone brought a small cake and learned how to cover and decorate it with fondant. It was a ton of fun and no where neat as difficult as I thought it would be.

Here are all the fabulous spring colors of fondant.

All the kids were able to pick a color of fondant to cover their cake. Then all the extra was passed around to use to make decorations.


Here Kevin and his mom start rolling the fondant. We rolled it on pieces of wax paper with a dusting of corn starch.


Looking good James.

Ian's cake is all covered. Not to start decorating.

A bunch of circle waiting to be placed on some one's cake.

Alexis, Hannah and James hard at work.

A work in progress.

A couple of finished cakes.

Check out some more pictures of our day at Heartfelt Homemaking - The Jette's family blog. You will also find the fondant recipe there.
Also at The Kelley Family Blog

String at Sea with PSO

I just posted some pics from the Strings at Sea concert with the Portland Symphony Orchestra on our blog! Come on over and check it out!
The Kelley Family

Jean to Skirt Class

This coming Monday night at 7pm, is the Jean to Skirt class. It will be held at the First Baptist Church in North Conway, next to Zebs. Park in the back of the church, pull into the Movie Gallery parking lot on Kersarge St., and go all the way back to the dirt part. Go to the right and you will see the back of the church. Park were you can and go into the door in the back and then down the stairs. Here are the things you will need to bring. If you have a sewing machine, please bring it. You will need a pair of paints that you have ALREADY pulled the inside seam apart.

A yard or more of material, and sewing stuff. I.E, thread, scissors, pins, a jean needle for your machine, and any embellishments like lace or patches, etc.. The fuller the skirt you want the more fabric you will need. Your skirt can be long, medium, or short, it's up to you.Also if you bring another pair of jeans that you can cut up, we can do a few other cool project. Like a small pocket purse.

So bring your jeans, supplies, and imagination. Please let me now if you are coming and if you are bringing a sewing machine. Hope to see you there.

Free Trial Art Lessons

I spoke about this at the mom's meeting, and here it is. Maverick and I found an on-line art course for homeschooling family's. We tried the 4 free lessons and really like it. It was easy for Maverick to understand, and yet not below an adult. Have a small amount of art background I found the lessons clear, and well presented. We also loved that we did not have to go anywhere for the lessons, and could do them when we were ready. I am still looking into the membership and will share any information I get. But what I do know is it is $59.95 to sign up for a life time membership. The lessons have a video and a printable worksheet. They also have a place were you can buy supplies. Below is the link for the page, scroll all the way to the bottom for the free trial. You will get a new lesson once a week e-mailed to you for 4 weeks. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
http://www.fineartexperience.com/

Hamlet

I saw this posted on a bulletin board and wanted to share. Advice to the Players are preforming Hamlet in Conway. Maverick and I will be going and we were wondering if any one else is interested. We will be attending the Sunday March 21st performance at 2:00. Below is a link to the web site with the information, and ticket prices. Please let me know if your are interested.

http://advicetotheplayers.org/now_playing.php

Book Club Selections!

Hot off the presses! Here are the books that have been selected for the April 1st book club meeting.

Mrs. McClure and Mrs. Bresset's group - Stuart Little by EB White (FYI Boarders Express has a read aloud version of this book on clearance for $9.99 and you can use your teacher discount. It is a nice, large, hardcover edition.)

ROCKET READERS 4-6 GROUP - Mrs. Cowland and Mrs. Ness's group - The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

Ms. Gormely and Mrs. Andrews' group - Silas Marner by George Elliot

Mrs. Thorne and Mrs. Lawrence have not yet chosen a book for the little ones, but since they don't need to pre-read it we should be okay.

If there are discussion questions or any other assignments your leaders will post or email them to you.

Hope you will all be able to join us in April!

Rocket Readers 4-6 Group

Yes, we are calling are selves the Rocket Readers. After a wonderful discussion on Johney Tremain, we are now looking forward to the next pick. So here it is.
The Sign of the Beaver:
The year is 1768, and the story takes place in what will eventually become the state of Maine. It tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy who is left alone in the wilderness while his father leaves to bring back the rest of his family. He must use skills he learns from the Indians who live nearby in order to survive. When he meets a young Indian boy about his own age, they grow together into manhood.
It is a exciting and wonderful coming of age story, the took place in New Hampshire back yard. Can't wait to see what happens.

Calendar Of Events for March and April

Here are the events and activities that were planned at last nights meeting. Please note that International Night has been bumped to April so that more families will be able to participate. Also, please keep watching for several trips and activities that have not been finalized yet and will be posted ASAP! This will include a trip to Remick for their maple syrup activities.

Tuesday March 2nd - Book Club, 2:00-3:00pm at the River Church with an hour of "free play" after.

Monday March 15th - Craft Night! This month we are doing a Jean to Skirt class where we will learn how to take a pair of jeans and make a cute skirt. We will be meeting in the basement floor of the Baptiste Church in N. Conway. Please sign up with Selena or Liz K.

Tuesday March 16th - Snow Day for ESSC participants.

Thursday March 18th - Swimming 2:00pm at the Eastern Slope Inn I believe the cost is $2 per person.

Monday March 22nd - Last Day of Pioneer Race skiing at King Pine

Monday March 22nd - Skating at the Ham Arena, 2:10-3:10pm. The cost is $4 per person, rental's included!

Wednesday March 24th - Fun with Fondant! 1:00pm at the River Church. Learn how to roll out and create fun shapes to decorate a spring themed cake using fondant. You will need an 8" cake and a rolling pin. Please let Dawn or Shannon know if you are coming so they can get a head count.

Monday March 29th - Skating at the Ham Arena, 2:10-3:10pm. The cost is $4 per person, rental's included!

Thursday April 1st - From 2-3:00pm will be a planting activity (maybe for Mother's Day) and from 3-4:00pm will be our next Book Club.

Monday April 5th - Skating at the Ham Arena, 2:10-3:10pm. The cost is $4 per person, rental's included!

Monday April 5th - Monthly Planning Meeting, 7:00pm at the River Church

Monday April 12th - Skating at the Ham Arena, 2:10-3:10pm. The cost is $4 per person, rental's included!

Monday April 19th - Craft Night this month will be learning the "art" of coupons! We will meet at 7:00pm at the River Church.

Monday April 26th - International Night - Our 5th Annual International night is sure to be a success. If you haven't participated in this event in the past you will want to. Set-up will be at 5:30 and we will start at 6:00pm at the River Church. Children or families choose a country to study and then present what they have learned any way they see fit. Most use foam or cardboard display boards found at Staples. Included are maps, flags, pictures, writing, models, art projects, costumes, money whatever you make or have. Everyone brings a dish from their country and we have a pot luck dinner. We also ask that you created a stamp or sticker that represents you country - think sticker paper and clip art. Each child will get a passport and the stamp from each country will be put in their passport when they "visit" the country. Lastly you need to submit four questions that can be answered by looking at your display. Two should be geared towards 3rd grade and younger. Two for 4th grade and up. These will be used to make a scavenger hunt for the kids. It helps them keep focused and really visit each display and learn something. This is a great event for dads to come to as well as to invite family and friends. In order to make the program for the event I will need to know what country you will be doing. Each child can do their own or you can do one as a family. Please email Elizabeth J to let her know what country you are doing and you questions.

Also be watching for the following activities:
Remick Farm
Amoskeag Fishways
Earth Day and Gardening
Goat Farm
Spring Road Clean-up
Red Cross Class
Fryeburg Fair Beef Expo
Spring Biking/Hiking
Fundraiser for a Boston Overnight