Let Them Eat Cake! Day 1 Homeschool 2010

We love cake at my house...and brownies and all that fun sweet stuff.

So when a sweet friend of mine gave me the idea for a  "first day of homeschooling lesson" that involved cake I was intrigued.

Here's my version of the Baking Lesson:

Connor (9) and Sara (6) were given the following instructions:

Today- you are to make a cake from scratch.  You may not use a cake mix.  You get to create the recipe all by yourself.  Mommy and Daddy can not help you...you are in charge of what goes into the cake and how much of each ingredient you put in to the cake.

They were so excited to jump into their first day of school.  Sara even said- "Wow! This is going to be the best school year EVER!  We get to make cake on our first day."

So off they went..with their mixing bowls  and wooden spoons to mix their cake ingredients together.  As they were assembling their ingredients, they made comments such as:

" ooo I'm so excited to make my own cake"
"I can't wait to taste it!"
"I've never made my own cake all by myself before!"
"I want to add a "surprise" to my cake."

They were so sure their cakes would be culinary masterpieces that they had my niece Raychel write down each ingredient just in case we wanted to make it again sometime.

Here are their Recipes:

Here are their Cakes!

They were optimistic, yet  a bit skeptical to take the first bite of their creation.

I wish..you could have watched the expression on each of their faces as they took the first bite!

BLEH!

Um..Mom, do i have to eat anymore of this?

I don't think I want to keep this.

Then we talked about the experience-

1. It seemed like a lot of fun making the cakes but the results were bad.

2. It was fun to be in charge of what they were doing but no fun that their cakes tasted so icky.

Then- we made Brownies... with a recipe.

Connor and Sara followed the instructions to the letter with Mommy's help each step of the way.

When we put the brownies in the oven, we talked a bit about which experience they felt was more successful.  They both, without hesitation agreed that they enjoyed making the brownies even more than creating their very own cakes from scratch.

Now when the brownies came out of the oven and tasted FABULOUS!!  Well...they certainly were huge fans of following instructions

The point/moral of this lesson-

Success- takes a lot of different ingredients mixed together.  Math, Science, History etc..
Mommy n Daddy's  job is to train and equip Connor and Sara to live Successful adult lives.  The way we do that is by instructing them everyday in a variety of subjects.  Once they have all the ingredients ...and know how to use them...they will be well equipped to live happy, successful adult lives.

I wasn't quite sure at first..if this lesson would really have a ton of impact.  Until Connor explained it in his own words to his friend like this...

"I could try to do stuff all by myself and not follow instructions, but that will just mean trouble.  If I let Mom n Dad teach me how to do stuff, even stuff I don't like, I have a better shot at being a success when I grow up."

Well..there you go!

Sara says- "I don't want that icky cake...I want the yummy brownies.  I like following instructions Mom, I didn't understand it all, but I'm glad you helped me with the brownies, they are awesome!"

Bow Holder Ideas

This post is for Cassidy...she was viciously attacked this morning by out of control hair bows gone wild!!   Cassidy..has shared some pretty neat organizational ideas ...as well as food ideas...via Facebook and Food Prude.   (she's a very organized type of gal!)   But..if you have girls..you know...hair bows..multiply while you sleep.  You start out with 3 or 4 and wake with 100's covering the counters, under furniture... you're innocently eating cereal and WHAT..how did a hair bow get in my cereal!!  (okay...maybe I'm exaggerating a tad!)

So..I went on a Blog quest for creative BOW ORGANIZATION IDEAS.  Below I'm listing some fun options. I hope you find something that works for you.  That's right ladies..I do what I can to support those in the battle against the bows.

How Does She 

had this cute Idea! Along with 6 other links to some fab organizational ideas..

Below is a fun idea from

My Magic Mom

 

I don't have a picture for this Ballet Tutu Holder but it's worth a click for  a look-see!


Don't want to make your own or just don't have time?

Here are some links for cute options to purchase.

1. Check out ETSY . In the search box type in "Hair bow Organizer" and you'll get a list of several handmade options ...most are quite adorable and somewhat unique.  Many offer custom and personalization options.

2. Bambina Ballerina- if price is no object..these are cuteness!

3. Tutu Girl- they have a lot of cute stuff besides the hair bow holders!

4. Miss Priss

5. Nobby Neez Kids

6. Embroidery Garden

7. Zelly Belly Boutique


Best of luck as you endeavor to conquer the rapid reproduction of hair bows in your household.