Little Cottage School on the Prairie

Tonight is the formal banquet “party” for our cottage school.  We are going to dine on hors d’oeuvres and desserts.  This morning all the girls did manicures and pedicures while the boys acted like they were repulsed by the smell and the activity.  But they alll watched with keen interest and giggles.  It was pretty cute.

We will also crown a Queen tonight and two jesters.  (They are much too silly to be Kings or Princes.)  This is because they are high school Seniors.  Janie is the only girl, and the two boys who are Seniors are cut-ups.

I got a beautiful tiara for our queen, but the guys are getting funny hats.  One looks like a cross between a crown and a jester’s hat, and the other one is a Viking hat.  The Viking hat is for my son, one of the Seniors.  I can’t wait to give these to them.

To end the night, we are going to all watch THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX.  None of the kids have seen it.  And while it might seem to be a little juvenile for Seniors, you have to understand something.  We all thoroughly enjoyed this book last year as a school.  I read it aloud and we were enthralled and entranced.  We made a lot of fun memories during that time.  So, it will be just another part of the bonding we’ve experienced to see this movie together.  I have a feeling, though, that the movie will not match the magic of the book.  Everyone should read the book first.

I am sad, because this is the last year I will have the cottage school.  I am returning to home schooling next year.  However, I am excited because I will have more time to take care of my family and to write.

I just hope that some day, I can write as beautifully as Kate DiCamillo, the author of the awesome tale of a brave little guy with a tail.  She is an incredible writer.

via www.fancast.com

Another one of Matt’s campaign posters based upon the first letter in his name.  His team was made up of mostly the older students and they worked really hard making a lot of really great posters themselves!

The first day of the campaign was so cute — they were all trying to sway other kids to join their team.  I was impressed with their ability to convince one another to switch sides.

Noah’s theme was “Choose Cheese.”  He chose this one to be funny like he is.  It actually won some of the younger kids over!  He bought the younger set some cheese popcorn for a snack one day.  Then, the day of elections, the kids had little cups of instant Kraft Mac & Cheese with this logo taped to the top.  I think it swayed one of the second graders.  In her words:  “it was that yummy delicious cheese!  I just couldn’t resist it!  It was so good!”

This is another good lesson:  people often vote according to how they feel rather than using logic.

Noah’s team was mostly the preschool and Kindergarteners, so they had to have a campaign sign they could color themselves, which was another reason he went with this logo.

The Ballot Box — Noah Akins won the first Presidential Election of Liberty Christian Academy — and only by a hair!

If no one had been absent today, there probably would have been a different result.  But this is a good lesson for the kids.  Elections depend on many factors, and there is no such thing as a sure win!