American Girl Tea Party

I have a love/hate with American Girl books.  They are fun to use because they make history come alive.  Aziza reports to me regularly, 

"Felicity's grandfather died!" 
or "Felicity's mom had a baby!"  

She is pulled into the story and into the Colonial times in a fascinating way.   Its so easy to use the companion craft book and cook book along with the stories.  We did a lapbook this year of Felicity.   The book components were free!

Embroidering her name pillow --from the Felicity craft book.

Lapbook is begun! 

Sister has donated her teapot for the occasion.

Lovely day for tea with my girls...one of Bethan's favorite activities, she has grown out of the mini tea set, and now has her own teacup collection.

Training for "housewifery" was common in those days.  Girls were trained to be homemaker, host, mother and wife.  In the story, Felicity has already learned to read and is ready to begin a gentlewoman's education:

"Tea and stitchery!"sighed Nan.  "The lessons sound lovely!"
"I'm not very good at those quiet, sitting down kinds of things," said Felicity.
"Well," said Mrs. Merriman calmly. "Then you must improve yourself."
Felicity was beginning to feel trapped.  She asked, "Who will be my teacher?"
 

History can be fun!  She refused to hold her tea cup properly!

Felicity doesn't want to do what her parents feel is best for her.   Felicity feels trapped to follow her parents lead--she doesn't trust God to work in them and through them.  She is not optimistic, but conforms outwardly to her parents while festering inward discontent.  I wish the angle was trust towards parents especially since this is directed to primary school girls. 

Felicity's view of her training for housewifery is negative.  Its unfortunate.  Felicity could be a character that encouraged the home arts to our girls--being from that time--she instead represents one at odds with her own culture.  So I talked to Z, asking her where she thought Felicity's heart was?  Was she content?  Was she trusting her parents?  Was she coveting? etc.

 Z is just as insightful to heart issues as she is to the story's drama-- She can see the unseen better than I sometimes.  So we'll keep our American girl plays and our conversations going :-)

Garden Party #4 "The Wind and Waves Obey Him"

We invited two neighbor girls for dinner and our Wind &Waves Garden Party. Wind and Waves is part of our devotional for the Easter Season.

The girls helped set the scene.  Bethan cooked fish and garlic bread, Abigail made apple boats, Aziza found a few water themed toys.  We added to that fishy crackers and pretzel nets.  They love the whale scene. 

This week we also had the opportunity to share with some boys in the neighborhood who joined us for grilled hamburgers.  We told the story of how Jesus also grilled out with friends, but on the beach after he gave his disciples a great miraculous catch of fish!!