Alternatives to stubborness!

Monday was my first day back in the saddle.  Suprisingly, I met the morning without any dread.  I asked hubby for last week off from normal duties.  Often times I do that and then push through and do stuff anyways.  Last week, that wasn't happening God and my body pretty much made me rest.  I didn't get much done other than what was on the calendar appointment wise.  There are big decisions coming, but first the discussing needs to happen and the prayer.  For now, I just put one foot in front of the other...after my prayer filled shower.  I don't know why it is, but my prayer closet is the shower.  The only time these days I pretty much can't be disturbed.  Alone in the warm shower, I am able to be quiet and seek the Lord about my day, my thoughts are sorted and I have direction.  And Lord Help Us, if my shower gets delayed!  Today, was one of those days, but it worked.  It worked for the best because I had a chance to meet the disagreeables and argumentatives first and I knew what the battle was before me for the day...and because I wasn't going to argue, I assigned a chore or two and headed to the shower before I became grumpy. 

The battle:  Whether learning how to make a map was important?  Whether maps were important at all?  Why should I have to do it again, when I already did it and I did the best I could the first time?
AIY!  Somewhere in there I heard a voice speak about technology and SIRI and GPS and I honestly don't know if it was the sarcastic inner me talking or it was one of the kids.   But AIY!   First I addressed redoing the assignment issue....We do our best and sometimes we learn our error and retry because we know our best is now not the best we can do, because we can easily redo and fix our mistake.  In otherwords practice and practice may not make perfect, but it makes better and leading to our best.  SO NOT THE ANSWER someone wanted! 

And to the shower I go.... and since the morning was almost gone, I exit the shower with a plan and instructions for all children to be ready to go in 10 minutes.  Yep, I am so able to pull that off these days. 

My plan: The children will navigate me to Big Sis's job where we will drop her off.  Then they will navigate me to McDonald's and then to the Zoo.  Fun Girl freaks!  Convinced we will be late.  And the extra 15 minutes of drive time I have allotted will not be enough.  Silly girl.  The did great and we arrived with minutes to spare. 

THE MAN begged for a turn, and so it was granted.  He had to direct me to the nearest McDonald's.  He is 7.  Not one sibling had an ounce of faith that he could do it.  But I had listened to him in the car and he was amazing.  He has an awesome sense of direction.  To everyone's delight we arrived in good time and there was food to quiet the natives.  Not the best of food, but food nonetheless...I was doing this on zero prep time, but on totally on God's clock!

The next task...navigate me to the zoo!  THE MAN jumps on this one and quickly starts telling me which way to turn.  None of the others dared to try.  He was awesome, directing me the whole way with affirmation from Hockey Player! 

At the Zoo:  Child 4 picks an animal to visit..Child 5 navigates the way using the map.  Then Child 3 picks an animal and Child 4 navigates the way but including a bathroom stop along the way.  Child 2 and 3 the next and so forth.  We had to modify the plan along the way as I started to fatigue near the end.  The point, to learn to read a map and appreciate a legend and compass rose.

 

Success!
As the momma was getting droopy she saw the lying lions and wanted to join them.

 

Shortly after getting home and trying to work on seat work
these cubs were down for the count!

and this one found a sunny spot.

 



Way to Go Aunt Tracy and Uncle Charlie!

See this smile.

You put it on Dad's Bud face!

 

 

Paint with Water by Melissa and Doug

 

This is the coolest thing ever.

Water Color pages with paint included on the page.

This isn't the dip your water in brush and paint with water and watch the color appear.

Each individual page has a water color strip to use. 

Trim off the top of the page.

Cup of water with the paint brush included.

Paint away.

So perfect here in the hospital.

No mixing the paint colors and ruining the box.  When done, toss the strip.

I can see myself getting more for:

 athletic trips to keep the youngers occuppied while they wait

gifts for younger cousins

and just to have at home,

cause I so don't like cleaning up the water color boxes!

 

 

 

My website uses affiliate links. Please see this post for more information.

 

 

Suprises, a double take and a double dose in learning about Compassion

We spent the day in the car again. 
A Thursday kind of day.
A late start in the morning, Awana the night before and it takes everyone a while to wind down and share their stories of the night.
Piano lessons and back and forth from home, because not everyone has to go.
In the back and forths, running Fun Girl to work.
Back home for a quick lunch.
Then to Bal-A-Vis-X.
Then to the grocery store to get the latest ad.
My day stops here.
I am lost in my own world as I sit in the car and wait for Hockey Player to run in, grab the ad and come back to me, stopped at the curb.  He comes to the door and says, someone fell. 
I quickly recall the vague thud I heard and start looking around.
A deep intake of my breath.
A "grandpa" is down  in the parking lot and 2 ladies were helping him.
I quickly put my hazard lights on, put the burb in park and tell the kids to stay.
I see the ladies are talking to him and I run inside to tell Customer Service someone has fallen.  They quickly send the managers out.
He is a little disoriented. His face is banged up and he is bleeding quite a bit from his scrapes.
He misjudged the curb/ground and face planted.
My heart was in my throat.
He just wanted to get in his car and drive home to the next block over where he lives in Assisted/Independent Living facility.
But he is so disoriented. 
Rides are offered. A chair is offered. Paper towels.  Someone got ice.
I ask him the name of where he lives.
Blessedness that it is, I am very familiar with his residence. I have family there. I quickly call.  They send over their Director of Nursing and instruct us to call an ambulance. 
The managers do that. 
I see he is being well cared for and try to gracefully exit.
I stop at the care facility to give them a first hand account for when he returns later on...as disoriented as he is he might not be able to tell them much.  Plus to let them know he has 2 bags of refrigerated items. 
All the while grateful he is well cared for and being watched out for. 
As I return my car, I hear one of children ask why I had to get out of the car and  help?
My eye brows shot up.
Because it was the right thing to do I am thinking.
I try to say because he needed help. 
But this kiddo, is grumpy.  Wanted to be at home.  So did I.  Just didn't get it.  Which for this kiddo when this stage of self centeredness has started it is really hard to refocus. 
I ask my children if they knew the story of the Good Samaritan. 
I was shocked when my younger two said no.
NO???
I gasped and did a double take. 
My brain went into over drive. How could that be? 
We read Bible stories.  We talk Bible stuff.  We memorize verses. We go to church.  They watch Bible videos.  How? But....?
I stop the bumbling around in my brain.
I share the story as I drive. 
I ask who was a good neighbor?  why? 
Now they all have heard the story and know.
But now, it is quiet and I can think.
It is just like I share at times with friends and my oldest. Just like I had shared that morning with a friend.  God doesn't always take us down the same path as the person next to us.  He has different lessons for us at different times. We don't learn his ways over night.  Sometimes there are even some slips and falls along the way, just like when a baby learns to walk and become a toddler.  Yes, my oldest were schooled in the story of the Good Samaritan.  Now so were my youngers.  My youngers on the other hand have been learning lessons that my olders are learning just now. 
Different people, different paths, different learning curves and lessons plans created by the Master Educator.  Patience and understanding and compassion for one another, for we don't know where the Lord has taken them, is taking them or will be taking them. 

Their eyes were causing trouble!

My two youngest boys remind me tremendously of my childhood.

My older three are the kind of children that could allow a parent to become prideful.

They simply just never participated in the,

"He's touching me!!! 

She's looking at me!!!

They breathed on me!!!"

At least not until the younger two boys came along.

GOD knew the risk of me becoming prideful as a parent.

He knew it.

I have a tendency to get comfortable in my abilities.

He knows that.

So He allows circumstance to keep me on my knees. 

To keep me focused on HIM.

To NEED Him.

Because He loves me.

Because He knows without Him, my life is nothing.

One day, the sun is shining.

There is promise in the day.

A promise to accomplish much.

A promise of time together as a family.

A promise that I will need my Heavenly Father to survive,

as I step out of the bathroom, dressed and ready for the day

when I hear my two youngest striving against the other's existence.

**SIGH**

Lord, help me to get through today.

As I sit at the table, trying to encourage children to start school.

It begins, "He is looking at me!"

"Nuh huh ~ He is looking at me!"

**Sigh**

God reminds me of the poster board in my room, I recently pulled out.

The older children come running.  Hanging over my shoulders.

What are you doing?

Shhh!

Still sitting at the table, the two youngers are still looking at each other and annoying one another.

Supposedly, trying to do school but can't 'cause "HE" is looking at him.

** SIGH **

And I plop these poster board dividers down and tell them to do school.

They laughed.

I didn't, my sense of humor had left me.

I think I forgot to ask God, to sustain my humor for the day.

I wish I could say it solved all my problems. 

One of my "sweet" little gifts discovered the poster board shielded him from my view and he snuck away to play instead of doing school.

**SIGH**

But at least they weren't looking at each other.

 

Out of The Mouth of The Man

It is early this morning.  It is Thursday.  We have piano, Bal-A-Vis-X, Fun Girl goes to work and we have school to do all before 4 pm.  I up a bit early so I can squeeze in a trip to a neighbor's garage sale.  The Man is up too.  He must have heard the water in the pipes running for my shower.
He knocks on the bathroom door. 
"YES" 
The Man: Just checking to see if it is you.
Then it starts.  The chattering. He is our songbird in the morning. 
After about 5 minutes, I laugh and say, "You sure talk a lot!"
The Man replies, "But sometimes I shut my mouth!"
I chuckled at the choice of his words. 
He does my heart good. 
I tell the Dad about our conversation.
He tells me about their very similar one last night.  Except The Man said he was quiet sometimes.

Back to School with Donuts!

Dad's Bud ~ 3rd Grade

Little Princess ~6th Grade

Fun Girl ~ 11th Grade

The Man ~ 1st Grade

Hockey Player ~ 7th Grade

Back to school haircuts, Fun Girl and Hockey Player

Been needing to get haircuts done. 

Finding a moment free this past month has been difficult.

A free moment with both of these two. 

A free moment with both of these two at the same time and
when the salon was not super busy....

EVEN HARDER! 

Finally, it all came together!

Before ~

and after ~

Counting to 331....Smiles from the first week of school

Part of counting in the Joy Dare, is just enjoying what most would pass over.

326.
Hockey Player went back to my car, to get my forgotten Pepsi. 

MY HERO!

327.  The Man
Still doesn't have his shoes on after a 20 minute drive

A loving sister carried him from the parking lot to the wall and helped with
the process, so we could keep moving. 

328. 
Meanwhile, we enjoyed the end of summer blooms.
These pretties have survived a very hot and dry summer.

329.

AND we enjoyed the discovery of a butterfly.

Sitting every so still and unafraid.

330. 

Errands and appointments still break up our day. 
I came home to find the kiddos who stayed behind to work on homework,

had an improptu self - imposed Spelling lesson along with their snacks.

and 331. 

Such creativity.  So proud of their ability to spell names.

Parent Teacher Conferences in Wisconsin

First stop was Parent Teacher Conferences!  Preschool style. 

Never been to one of those before.  I found it very interesting and even more humorous.  Miss G is absolute sweetness.  I loved listening to her accent.  But her accent is what caused me to bite my tongue ever so hard that I thought I was going to need stitches.  

You see this beautiful girl! 

She is brilliant!
She is in preschool.
She knows her letters lowercase and uppercase.
She knows the sounds of 21 of the 26 letters.  

Know which letters she doesn't know?  

The vowels.... Know why?  

They pronounce them funny in Wisconsin.
This girl has grown up in Kansas.  

It is a phonics nightmare.  

It took so much self-control to not blurt out and start laughing during this
very serious parent-teacher conference.
What is funny is when I told this princess' mother my thoughts...

She told me I should have not bit my tongue.
Miss G would have laughed! ! 

Love it.
Note to self--should I have adult children who move around
while their children are learning to read--remember this story!

Linkology Equals FUN FUN FUN !

So I have been suffering from some serious homeschooling burnout.  I confessed to my husband while we were in Kansas City and heading to Mardels.  Of course, this confession plus adding I had no list or specific motivation for going to Mardels scared him!  Me in a store with homeschool stuff, books and who knows what else without a list can be a disasterous event for our checkbook.  My goal, to find some FUN to inspire me as we finish out the semester.  Spark a little enthusiasm in this momma who is getting bogged down by parents failing in health, a grandmother quickly declining cause age is catching up to her and life in general. 
So today, lacking the motivation to pull out the science book to read, I grabbed the cards and invited Big O Daddy O to play with me.  4 of the 5 kids clamored to join us.  IT WAS FUN!  They learned a thing or two, as did I.  This game set is on the classification of animals. Two thumbs up.  Maybe we will play again tomorrow. :)

Flutter Nutter Quoteables

While being forced to do his school work and not liking it one bit Flutter Nutter was fussing and mumbling. 
Then all of a sudden we heard, "HUMBUG!"  "That's the word I was looking for!"
To which Big O Daddy O would not chuckle over because Flutter Nutter was being disobedient.  Unfortunately, Fun Mom and Mom dissolved into chuckles.  The charm of this young man could very well be his undoing.  At least he will know the word for it, HUMBUG!

ZooBooks, Zootles, and Zoobies Buy One Get One Free + 25% off

My boys love Zoobooks!
Recently we added Zootles for the youngest. 
Every year I hold out to renew until the Buy One Get One Free sale is here. 
This time the email contained a coupon code for 25% off.  Not sure if it would apply, I typed it in the coupon code box.  It worked! 
Happy Dance!!!  Love, love, love unexpected deals and savings.

For the sale click here.  The coupon code is: 25OFF

Suprises in Shakespeare's MacBeth

I remember reading MacBeth in high school.  Vaguely.  I remember trying to figure it out.  Discovering Cliff Notes.  Listening closely in class to the discussions, wondering where I was when God dispensed the abilities to understand Shakespeare.  Then, this weekend, I curl up to read MacBeth once again.  Shook my head a couple of times to get rid of the "flusters".  Grabbed the dictionary and slowed down my reading.  I understood it!  I really was enjoying the intelligence of the writing.  The wit and humor weaved in the poetic style of writing.  A depth and complexity that challenges one to think as they read, but rewards the reader with humor and suprises. 
Suprises, in deed, because this time around I am getting what I am reading.  Jaw dropping that causes my curiosity to peak, what will my students have to say about this book. 
They have much to say.  Crazy, incomprehensible (my word, not theirs).  Lady MacBeth is EVIL! Crazy!  Psycho! 
To which, I have to agree. 
I never remember reading this in MacBeth before:

"I have given suck, and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,
And dash'd the brains out,"

WHAT ????

I was completely into the story anticipating the murder of King Duncan and then I read the above.  Shock rippled through me and I laughed.  I know I have read the story.  So many of the lines are familiar.  I even remember my awkwardness when reading some of the passages.  But this one, somehow escaped me.  It did not escape my students.

But the highlight of the week's reading....Hurlyburly
as in, "When the hurlyburly's done,"
Isn't that such a fun word, especially, in light of Lady MacBeth dashing a baby's brains out. 
Hurlyburly, meaning uproar or tumolt

My kids are in the midst of a hurlyburly.  :)
No more hurlyburly! !

Why it seems nothing ever gets done at home...

Lately, I am trying to keep from losing my hair.  Gray hair, no problem.  Hair loss could be a problem.
I look around my house and it seems to be in utter disarray. 
Then I have a day/night like I did today. 
Up early, got around for the day.  Took care of some paperwork.  Answered some school questions. 
Met realtor to review inspection list for house my dad is buying. 
Get ladder to inspect a roof.  We were having trouble believing the roof was okay.  Seller said the roof was replaced in 2009.  We happen to know there was softball size hail in the neighborhood in 2010. 
Big O Daddy O climbed up and all was well.  Matter of fact, he was greatly impressed.
Off to get a Pepsi, cause I am fading now. 
More paperwork, phone calls, count up popcorn sales and money for Cub Scouts, it is due tonight.
Whoops, missed lunch.  Time to teach English.  High school English and discuss MacBeth. 
The time quickly passes. 
Time for allergy shots, schedule a handful more and then post some packages at Dillons.
Home once again.  Just in time to start thinking of dinner. 
Fortunately, Fun Mom offers to prep dinner, while I lay down and work on Cub Scouts with Daddy's Buddy and Awana with Little Princess.
Little Princess is off to do her research now that I have her pointed in the right direction on the Awana website.
Daddy's Buddy is brushing teeth, lotioning hands and personal chores thanks to the Cub Scouts' section on caring for one's self.  Then, we discuss character trait: Faith. 
Close the eyes, but it is time to eat and I have to choose between snooze or eat.  Did I mention I missed lunch, and instead ate a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a few handfuls of Cheez-its? 
Fun Mom has made chicken noodle soup from the basic of ingredients.  A great job she has done.  No canned soup for this girl. 
Time to leave:
First drop off Fun Mom for a play performance, featuring several home school friends. Then, a stop at the library cause it is only 2 or 3 blocks from Cub Scouts. 
Next, Daddy's Buddy has Cub Scouts and Little Princess and Flutter Nutter will hang out with us there.  Hockey Player will be picked up and taken to the rink by a teammate. 
Blink, blink, notes here, notes there, a little flag folding, wiggling, election, debating, and snacks Cub Scouts is over. 
Late heading out, a few phone calls while driving, pick up Hockey Player, pick up Fun Mom, and take the long way home around because the short way is closed due to construction!  Home sweet home and it is 9:45. 
10:30 and everyone but mom is in bed. 
Leftover Braum's and a bit more paperwork, computer work.  The day is done. 
But wait, just in case I can't remember why my house looks like it does in the morning, I will blog a reminder of the day(s) before. 

Tears

It has been a teary week.   First it started with realizing this would be Hockey Player's final official year of Awana.  Should he finish his book this year, he will earn his Timothy Award.  That took me down memory lane.  Cause with our club, they always ask parents what they will remember  most.  I can't help but remember Fun Mom's Timothy Award. 
These two kiddos are intrinsically "tied" together when it comes to Awana.  Cubbies came into our life as an answer to desperate momma prayers.  I wanted something to help me teach my sweet toddler "Fun Mom" about Jesus.  Pregnant with Hockey Player, my then 3 year old Fun Mom started going to Cubbies.  Beginning my journey of learning how to sit, walk, and live my life while teaching these precious children about God.  I had no idea, that a month into her first year of Cubbies, I would be laying in a hospital room in organ failure with dangerously high blood pressure, scared doctors and being induced. I was actually admitted, shortly after taking her to Awana.  I thought I was just going to get checked and sent home.  I wasn't scared when they told me I needed to be induced.  All I could think on was the Bible verses I had been helping my little Cubbie to memorize.... "All have sinned.."  "While we were sinners, Christ died for us..."   "God loved us and sent his son..."   I was asked once by my dear sister how it was I had the presence of mind to quote scripture at a time like that.  I had no real answer for her.  Many years later and many more life experiences later, my answer would be different....practice.  When I spend my time focused on God's Word, it is only natural it comes to mind when times are desperate.  Not that I can honestly say, I have done it "right" all these years since.  I have had my times of distraction, to only realize how distracted I have become because when I am desperate again and there are cobwebs where there should not be.  A reminder for why we are encouraged by God's Word to not grow weary in doing what we know is right (Gal. 6:9).

So as I dwell on my second's growing up and the faithfulness of God in his life, my littlest is starting kindergarten at home.  He graduated Cubbies last year and is starting in Sparks.  So ever glad, I am not sending him off on a bus.  I think it would be even harder on this momma .  My littlest girl turned 10.  She will, hopefully, be trying to earn her Timothy Award next year.  Daddy's Buddy is graduating Sparks this year.  So many milestones, so many reflections. 

A blessed reunion with extended family this weekend. Only six of the "greats" (3 + spouses) are still around.  God showed me how very much I am loved by my extended family.  Something I have known, but I saw it with my heart this weekend.  Made me a bit weepier.  With a childhood torn apart by divorce and lies of this world I sometimes can get lost in bad memories and then God so gently reminds me of the good memories and blesses me with the many grandparently hugs I have been missing for so many years.  I have a place where I belong. 

Then a phone call from my dad. 
My heart tells me maybe I shouldn't put off for another year what can be done now.  It is time for some more memory making. 
Tears, a little heart wrenching at times, soothing at others, joyful still.  But never unnoticed by my Heavenly Father.  May I always rest in the palms of His hands.

Home Economics Home School Style !

So my motto around here with my kids is "to be above reproach"
One of my goals with home schooling is that our kids are prepared for the world.  That may mean public school at some time in the future.  Who knows where God will lead us?  But I want to present a positive light on home education.  I don't want to do harm to the name of home education.  I, also, don't want to do harm to my children.  Should they end up in public school, I don't want for them to look at me and say, "Why didn't you push me?" 
Today, I told a young teen and mom who will be joining my sophomore daughter in English, "Be prepared, I am going to work you to death.  I triple the amount of work to compensate for my feelings of inadequacy."  To which the mom laughed and I am sure the teen, gulped and groaned. 
But along those same thoughts, Fun Mom is "taking" Home Ec. this year.  Why?  Well cause she wants to take cake decorating classes.  Well I figure that is not enough. I calculated how many hours she would spend in class, and in my kitchen prepping for the class.  Then I considered how many hours she would spend in a high school class room.  Not enough hours.  So what did I do....I compensated and created and amazing list of accomplishments for her to achieve this year in "Home Ec".  The bonus is I am going to get a huge break in the kitchen.  hee hee.  The amazing part is how well she will be prepared for life beyond our home. 
Here is her syllabus for the year.
HOME ECONOMICS 1

Take Basic Cake Decorating Class 1
Take Basic Cake Decorating Class 2
Take Basic Cake Decorating Class 3
Take a Cookie Decorating Class
Take a Cake Ball Decorating Class
Learn to prepare a Roast using a crockpot
Learn to prepare a Roast in the oven
Prepare and Cook a Whole Chicken
Learn to Use and Clean a Grill
Use a Grill
Use a Grill
Prepare and Bake Cinnamon Carmel Rolls from scratch
Prepare and Bake Bread Rolls from scratch
Learn to prepare a Meatloaf
Learn to bake an assortment of pies
Assist in preparing family meals and clean up
Assist in creating grocery lists and shopping for necessary ingredients

Home Economics 2
Sew a pillow
Learn basics of laundry
Plan a raised garden for the next year. Research it and price materials.
Start plants if needed for the above garden.
Balance a checkbook
Home Mechanics: breaker box, hot water heater, furnace, air conditioner, fireplace
Identify and use of basic tools, i.e. Phillips head screwdriver, wrench, etc.
Help stain the yard’s fence
Weather proofing a home
Assist in any other home repair and/or maintenance projects
How to use a lawn mower (1)
Mow the year a second time
How to use a weed-eater (1)
Weed eat a second time
Basic plumbing skills

Now guaranteed she is very skilled in the kitchen.  But I have decided to expand her skills in the kitchen and home.  Her dad is excited about teaching her how to use a lawn mower and weed eater.  Honestly, she is excited about this course work.  Geometry not so much, but the above list of things to do, she is alright with.
Not your typical Home Ec. class. 

Yummy ! !

Don't these look yummy! 

Fun  Mom is taking cake decorating classes. 

I have incorporated these classes into her school year.  Part of her Home Economics class. 

She did these cupcakes the day after we found out she had dry socket from getting her wisdom teeth out.

She was shaky, puny and at the end of the class all she wanted to do was to go to bed.
The class was on making different kind of flowers. 
She can decorate cupcakes for me anytime! 

I am sooo proud of her.

I didn't get to try one. 
Next time though. ;)

Back to school...

Why is it so exhausting??
We haven't even started.  I have just been taxing my brain with lesson planning, grocery shopping, helping puny kids recover and I am ready for bed at 8 pm.  Sometimes by 3 in the afternoon.  Mind you, I didn't even do the grocery shopping.  I just helped with the list.  The puny kiddos wanted their mom!  ME!  Awww,  I felt so loved.  I really didn't mind their wanting me to just sit with them. I was tired.  But why am I so tired.  I do this all the time. 

Free Home School Curriculum!! Anyone ? ?

So, I have been using Swagbucks for quite a while. I have Amazon Gift Codes built up. I have money deposited into my Paypal account. But it wasn't until tonight I realized I could use those Amazon codes to purchase some of my homeschool curriculum. I needed to order something and then to get free shipping, I was pondering what else was on my shopping list. It dawned on me to check on some of the items on my school shopping list. Oh, yeah! Happy Dance! ! ! Handwriting is ordered, on its way and it cost me nothing. That is how I like it! !
So if you haven't signed up with Swagbucks yet, you might want to think about it. And if you decide to, will you sign up through my link. I get bonus swagbucks for making the referral.
Oh, Happy dance ! !

Summer Reading comes Early ! !

I love Reading Programs and their REWARDS! So when my friend, Susan, emailed me this link I had to check it out! Scholastic and Kumon join together to offer free books for completing math and reading activities. I can't wait to include these activities into the kids' school work. They will enjoy picking their books out and getting their own package in the mail!