Cummins Life: August 2017

Monday, August 28, 2017

Pray for Texas

Texas could sure use your prayers right now. Hurricane Harvey has brought so much rain our way that many, many people need help. I feel so fortunate that my family is safe but so many right now are not even in a place of safety. Pray for those that need immediate help first, for those first responders risking their own lives to help others, and then pray for the huge clean up that awaits. Harvey's wrath is not over. I have lived in Texas all my life. I have family in Galveston, Houston and in between and it is heartbreaking to see so many people in need. Here are some article links with ways you can help!

Texas Monthly Ways to Help

Forbes Helping Out After Harvey

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Back to School with Boogie Boards

As I homeschool all of my children at the moment, I have been in the thick of planning this year's school curriculum. I have also been purchasing school supplies and manipulatives that I plan on incorporating into our school year. This leads me to share my love of Boogie Boards with you! Boogie Boards come in all different sizes and they work perfectly for a multitude of ages and subject levels.

Our Preschool Boogie Boards, Play n' Trace

Last year I had the privilege of planning the preschool program for our weekly homeschool co-op. I created a blend of Before Five In a Row curriculum mixed with crafts and play time. Boogie Boards were integral to our preschool class, specifically the Play n' Trace Boogie Board! We used them to practice drawing, learn letters and names, and just for plain fun.

If you are not familiar with Boogie Boards let me fill you in on what they are. Boogie Boards are eWriters that eliminate the need for paper, scratch pads and sticky notes. You simply write and erase with the touch of a button. The durable, ultra-lightweight LCD writing screen is built to feel just like writing with pen and paper. Just think of all the paper clutter that is eliminated! Now the Play n' Trace translucent writing surface is designed into an artist's pallet for a reason! It's comfortable for all sizes of hands and the design allows kids to write, trace and draw anywhere, anything - over and over. And as many of us know, when kids write, they learn. What an addition to a school curriculum!

Tracing ears

When we studied the five senses and hearing we used our Play n' Trace Boogie Boards to trace ears.

Drawing an ear

First, we practiced tracing the ears.

Then we practiced drawing the ears on our boards without tracing.

E's ear

The kids enjoyed tracing their hands when we discussed the sense of touch as well.

The Play n' Trace Boogie Boards are great for so many things. We used them throughout the year to trace and draw and to learn and trace our letters and numbers.

Here we are drawing carrots after reading The Carrot Seed.

Drawing Carrots

E's carrot

Practicing letters

Writing C's and drawing cats

Writing C's

They did such a great job.

Showing off his cat!

As you can see the Play n' Trace Boogie Boards are amazing tools to have within your school curriculum. I love that they can be incorporated into a multitude of lessons and topics and a wide age range as well. They are extremely portable and great for on the go learning as well. Stay tuned for additional posts and uses with our Play n' Trace Boogie Boards. And you can purchase one here!

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

I Love You to the Moon and Back Baby Shower

Baby Shower Table

I helped host a baby shower over the weekend for a good friend on mine and it was so much fun! Our theme was I Love You to the Moon and Back. I found some super cute plates at Party City and that led to a fun filled afternoon with ladies I adore and celebrating a precious baby boy I cannot wait to meet.

Here you can see the plates

The cake - yes, it's chocolate!

The beautiful Mom to be and baby soon to be born...

Lovely Ladies

I found a few great printables on-line and framed them for table decorations. The one above can be found here.

Aren't these candy stickers the cutest?

I put them on both milk chocolate and dark chocolate kisses.

And we spread the themed kisses on all the tables. You can find the printable above here.

My friend made a fun star diaper cake - makes a great gift and decoration.

I picked up this book and had everyone who made it to the shower write a note for the baby in the back of the book.

Friends

If you need a cute idea for a baby shower I hope you consider this one - it was so much fun!

Monday, August 21, 2017

Total Solar Eclipse 2017

Our tools for eclipse watching

The kids and I enjoyed watching the solar eclipse today. We went outside for periods to check it out and document the progress of the eclipse. We experienced 65%, not full totality but it was pretty neat. It was actually a cooler experience than I anticipated.

C enjoying the eclipse

B watching the eclipse

B grabbed her Science notebook and logged a page about the eclipse.

D checking on the eclipse.

I loved the patterns formed in our driveway, like many bananas.

E setting up the viewer

Even F had a good time

Watching the eclipse

I hope wherever you are that you had a moment to enjoy the eclipse. If not, the next total solar eclipse is due to take place April 8, 2024.

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Our Time with Stretch

D getting Stretch

D has been participating in gymnastics for awhile, she loves the sport. In January she joined her gym's Showteam and she enjoys every minute of it. She spends 8 hours a week learning and training. Last week the girls performed in their gym's Showcase and it was so fun to see how much they have all grown and improved in their skill levels. The team has a mascot. It's a giant giraffe. Most weeks the coaches choose a team member who has done really well for the week to take the giraffe home and hang out with until the following week. D was chosen last week to take the mascot home. She was so excited! Especially since Baby G had his giraffe themed birthday party the next day - how perfect. D wants to name the giraffe Stretch so that is what we call her, at least our family.