This was incredibly touching and made me cry. "Why do we have stars in the sky?" Mr. Wright asks his students, "because Someone loves you."



It's quite an honor and quite humbling that my little corner of blog land has been nominated for a

 

I took my children with me last week so I could vote early knowing that my schedule for tomorrow on Election Day would make it difficult for me to find time to vote.  This week we are taking a break from our Middle Ages history lessons and focusing more on the election.

This afternoon I read the book,  Woodrow for President, which I highly recommend.  The story's main character, Woodrow G. Washingtail, a civic-minded mouse with presidential ambitions, runs for president of the United Mice of America. My cupcakes enjoyed the colorful illustrations and the use of  rhyme to tell the story makes it fun and easy to read.  Throughout the story it explains terms related to the election process that are easy to understand for children.


I wanted to share a few links that I found from fellow bloggers where they list great election resources such as this 2012 Electoral College Map found at Heidi's blog, Starts at Eight.

Also among Heidi's list of election resources is this YouTube video explaining the Electoral College.   I shared this with my children as well.





Speaking of the Electoral College, Charlotte at Waltzing Matilda explains a creative way to teach kids the electoral college system using marbles.  You can read her post HERE.

You can also check out Melissa's post, Path to the Presidency-all grade levels over at Joys of Home Educating where she also lists some great ideas for an election year!

Another great video I found is called "The Oddities of the first American election" by Kenneth C. Davis where Davis unveils the surprising story behind America’s first presidential election.You can view it HERE also along with other lessons worth sharing. 



And after Election Day, did you know you can continue voting????  Well, not for the next President, but for homeschool blogs!

I just found out that my blog has been nominated in the "Best Variety" category for the 2012 Homeschool Blog Awards!  I was very surprised and excited to be listed with so many great blogs!

If you think my blog is vote worthy and you want to click a vote for me (you can click one vote per day until Nov. 16th...hint, hint  ;)  ) just go HERE and click the CIRCLE on the left side of my blog name, A Slice of Smith Life, then scroll down and click "Vote".  Be sure to check out all the other blogs and categories too! Thanks!

And the blog hop I co-host, No Ordinary Blog Hop, has been nominated also for "Best Family or Group Blog".  You can vote HERE for No Ordinary Blog Hop!  Thanks!

 

I just found out that my blog here was voted one of 115 Top Parenting Blogs for eCollege Finder!

I was very excited to be included on the list of great blogs!  I wrote a post HERE telling about my nomination and encouraging student parents to keep working hard!  I'm thrilled to be on the list with 2 great blogging buddies, Lynda at My Heart's Desire, and Anna-Marie at (Our) Life's Adventures.  To check out their blogs and the many other eCollege Finder's Top Parenting Blogs go HERE.   Thank You eCollege Finder!  

As we enter the third Sunday of Advent (also known as Gaudete Sunday when we light the pink candle) I thought it would be fun to share this creative and fun video "If Mary and Joseph Used Facebook". REJOICE! 

My Dad recently sent a great You Tube video that I wanted to share with the blogging world.  The video is "The 2011 West Virginia University (WVU) Marching Band Armed Forces Salute."  As stated on the You Tube link: "No celebration of our freedom can be complete without a tribute to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve and protect our country. The WVU Band presents our "Armed Forces Salute," which features a medley of the songs from all branches of our great military.  This selection will close with a stirring rendition of "America, The Beautiful."

• The United States Army!
• The United States Coast Guard!
• The United States Marines!
• The United States Air Force!
• The United States Navy!

Click on the 5 minute video below to watch this wonderful and creative way that WVU Marching Band salutes our military men and women:


   
I hope you enjoyed watching the WVU Marching Band video. :)  Such creativity and fun!  I showed my husband and children (a.k.a. "cupcakes") the video and as a family we all agreed that this was a fun and wonderful way to honor our military and their families for all their sacrifices to keep our freedoms in our country!  THANK YOU!  

I thought the video tied in so well with our recent celebration of Veterans Day this month and my husband and I were honored to be guests at the 236th United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball.   

I would like to salute the WVU students and staff for all their dedication and hours that they must have put in to perform such a wonderful salute to our military men and women.  The band performers were students, of course, but maybe some of the performers were also parents attending WVU.  For sure, there are many students that are also parents out in the stands cheering for their great band and supporting our military with claps and cheers. 

I would like to salute student parents for all their sacrifices and time they dedicate to not only their studies, but also to their children.  When I went to college (go NC State Wolfpack!), I was single and felt like my plate was full trying to keep up with my work load and assignments.  I have great respect for parents who are attending school also because I can't imagine how challenging it must be to balance school and loads of laundry, dishes, and juggling your children's schedule also.  Then some student parents may also hold jobs while they attend school full/part time!  If you are a student parent I admire your ability to juggle life from all angles to make a better life for yourself and for those you love.  I wish you the best in all you do!