Ask Me Whooo (Teach basic Biblical truth to song)

Question: What is catechism?

Answer: Catechism is a summary of the basic beliefs of the Christian faith in question and answer form.

Why teach children about the Bible using catechism, rather than just stories? It's a proven effectual way for children to grab hold of the basics. Just as children are given memory tools in school to help them learn geography, grammar, math, and history (if you're a homeschooler, think of AudioMemory, Veritas Press songs, Classical Conversations) catechism is a means of teaching -and letting the children own the answers to- the most common questions kids have about God, the Bible, Jesus, and their faith.

Questions like:

 Who made me? (God)
Where is God? (God is everywhere)
Does God know all things? (Yes. Nothing can be hidden from God.)
Where do you learn how to love and obey God? (In the Bible alone)
Who wrote the Bible?
What does it mean to believe in Christ? ( to trust in Him alone for my salvation),
What is prayer?
What does Christ give us to teach about prayer?
 All these and many, many more are answered in children's catechisms. 


Yes, catechisms. Plural. There have been many evangelical, Protestant catechisms written. Catechism used to be widely used by both Protestants and Catholics. In recent decades it has become much less mainstream. Generally if an evangelical hears catechism they will assume Roman Catholic. Still, it's never died out because it's so effective. In fact, teaching catechism (i.e. foundational Bible truths) and Bible verse memorization together is generally found in circles of conservative Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, Lutherans , and some Baptists.

While there may be variations on some particulars by slight theological differences catechism is a source of unity in the faith as they agree and teach the same truth as to the essentials of the Christian faith: the truth of God, His word, salvation in Christ alone...the five solas of the Protestant reformation. Through catechism doctrine (means simply teaching btw) doesn't divide, it unites. Ever heard of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals?

Ask Me Whooo has pleasant music (even to mom's and dad's ears) that makes learning some of these questions and answers about the bible so easy. Another nice thing about this three volume set is after each set of catechism questions are several scripture proofs. Bible verses that teach what the q&a was summarizing!

Wordless Wednesday: Rain Dampened Fall Leaves

Create an Activity Box for homeschooling preschool-kindergarten

You find the element of fun,

and snap! the job's a game.

~Mary Poppins (film)

My son loves his activity box. It's just an old recipe box I re-purposed for our activity box. But it's his, and it means a lot to him.

He feels like he can have control over what he choses to do when. At the same time, since I organized it, I know these activities are things I want to do with him. It's also special to him because he knows if he pulls a card out he'll get to do an activity with me, one-on-one.

If it continues to be a success I will use it again next year for PreK and very possibly for kindergarten as well. Cards would just have the kindergarten subjects/activities on them instead of the preschool activities from Flowering Baby.  

I put labels on it, one for each day of the week. At the beginning of the week I write an activity on an index card with a little drawing indicating what the activity is since he can't read yet.

When he wants to do an activity, or I want to do one with him, he opens up his box and chooses the card he'd like to have us do together.

It's really simple
  yet it gets the job done.

Preschool Kitchen Counter: Making Whoopie Pies (& Recipe)

This month my son was absolutely thrilled by the book Jimmy Zangwow's Out of this World Moon Pie Adventure. 

Of course after reading it he wanted only one thing: to eat one (or more). Problem was I didn't wan't to go buy a moon pie at the supermarket. I've never cared for the pre packaged type. So I set out with faithful Google on a search for a recipe we could make.

I found more Whoopie pie recipes than moon pies. A moon pie would have the cake/cookie layer made of a graham flour based dough, and be dipped in chocolate. I realized though they are close enough to make do. Then I found a super simple Whoopie pie recipe using cake mix. Great!

 T chose the flavors he wanted and we set to work. They turned out delicious. You can find the recipe here www.grouprecipes.com/103750/whoopie-pies-made-with-boxed-cake-mix.html

First, dump the cake mix into a bowl.

Add your eggs, water, and oil.

Mix. I recommend by hand because then your preschooler can enjoy this part!

Drop a couple tablespoons of a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until puffy and toothpick comes out clean.

Make a filling of butter, marshmallow fluff, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and just a pinch of salt. Spoon onto one of the inverted "moon pies"

Top with another moon pie cookie. T loved smashing them together!

Finished "moon pie" whoopie pies. If you want to make these a little more moon pie like, I recommend melting some dipping chocolate and dipping the pies at this stage to coat them. Let the chocolate coating harden before serving (put them on wire racks since they'll drip!). T made strawberry and banana whoopie pies.

They were so good. I think I'll make these again, for his birthday. Make a nice change from cupcakes!

Wordless Wednesday: Doughnut Muffins

I just love these doughnut muffins! yum! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/donut-muffins/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=doughnut%20muffins&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page