Mega-List of February Plans and Possibilities

The other day, I shared what our January looked like here.  

Undoubtedly, it was full and fun.  

That was in large part to the Plans and Possibilities menu I had taken the time to begin creating December, which I never shared here as it never got to "final draft" form before January hit!

Last week, I made a similar plans and possibilities menu for February.  It, too, is hardly in blog-worthy form, and, quite frankly, I don't have the time to get it there.

My February Life and Learning Menu's imperfections aside, I have decided to share it today.  It does not come with complete links (although it has many, some of which are affiliate links which I thank you for using if you wish!).  Nor does it have pretty pictures. It likely contains errors in formatting along with some typos.  And, although, I really want to learn how to crate pinnable images and did my best to for my January wrap-up post, it does not even contain one of those.  It just takes me far too long to create those still as I am so not savvy with such things.  

In short, my February Plans and Possibilities list is imperfect, just like me. Please overlook all that (or embrace the fact that I am willing to share publicly how inept I can be) and take the February list for what it is:  real sharing from a real mom living a real life with her kiddoes that will, by God's good grace be enriched with blessed experiences all month long.

I pray that by sharing the list here, your own life and learning will be enriched, too.  For, yes, before 2014 began, I heard the message, "Listen!"  Lately, in person and online, I have been hearing many fellow parents - homeschooling or not - talk about wishing folks online would just get real.  I have also had multiple requests from folks I know to share what I know is going on or could be going on so that they can enrich their families experiences.  Listening to such requests, I am casting aside any desire for perfection to simply share what I have had the time to put together so far in hopes of helping and inspiring others.  I pray that my efforts (as incomplete as they may be) bless you and yours with inspiration for life and learning throughout February!

February Plans and Possibilities

Family Sabbath Day and Parent-Kiddo Date Opps

• Weekly Mass, preceded by free Holy Heroes Mass prep videos, family readings from Faith and Life: Our Heavenly Father, etc.
• Listening to Holy Heroes Glory Stories and other things in car on the way to things
• Museum of Science (use pass)
• Providence Children’s Museum (use pass)
• Ecotarium (use pass)
• Old Sturbridge Village (use free tickets)
• Pratt Farm
• Sledding, Building Snowmen, Catching Snowflakes, etc.
• Candlemas/Presentation of the Lord (2) Play Date at a friend’s
• Superbowl (2)
• Swimming @ Connell

Daily Living Activities and Household Tasks to Focus On (with and without the kids)

• Sort and Purge Surplus Kids’ Clothes
• Continue focus on Five Before Breakfast (Life Skills / Practical Life)
• Increase Focus on Journaling and 5T’s Time (Writing / Art / personal History / Life Skills / Practical Life)
• Continue Focus on Fruit First as a part of Better Breakfast Month (Health / Practical Life)
• Continue Focus on Hair-Hands-and-Face Routine. (Health / Practical Life)
• Continue Focus on Intentional Morning and Afternoon Rhythm of Experiences, with time focused on developing skills and knowledge, as well as exercising imagination (Blend of Topics / Subjects)
• Build Focus on on Lunch-and Rest Time, encouraging a time of quiet and resetting each afternoon (Health)
• Encourage Tidy Times before Eating (Care of Environment)
• 5 T’s for Bedtime (Practical Life/ Life Skills)
• Continue to De-clutter and Organize (Care of Environment)
• Knock Off Items on Monthly/Seasonal Task List (Care of Environment)

Books to Read

• Brigid’s Cloak (1)
• St. Brigid’s Cloak (1)
• Brother Wolf. Sister Sparrow excerpts (1, 3)
• Groundhog Day Books (2)
• Artist to Artist (Week One)
• The Holy Twins (10 and 11)
• Our Lady of Lourdes (11)
• Saint Valentine (Sabuda) (14)
• Saint Valentine (Trompert) (14)
• Love Is... (14)
• Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch (14)
• All for Love (14)
• Freckles and Willie (14)
• The Best Valentine in the World (14)
• The Best Thing About Valentine’s (14)
• The Very Special Valentine (14)
• Other St. Valentine  Theme Books
•  The Legend of the Valentine: An Inspirational Story of Love and Reconciliation (14
• Abraham Lincoln (12, 17)
• Abe Lincoln’s Hat (12, 17)
• George Washington and the General’s Dog (17, 22)
• George Washington (17, 22)
• Loads of Knight Theme Books
• Simple Machine Theme Books
• Rosa Parks and Black History Theme Books
• Various Winter Theme Books
• Various Early Reader and Phonics Books
• More TBD based on children’s interests, etc.

Work Tray, Basket and Project Ideas/Themes

• St. Blaise Coloring Page (3)
• Oatmeal Monday - Make Soaked Grains, Make Oatmeal Soap, etc. (2^nd Monday, 10)
• Lincoln Logs (12)
• Write Haikus for National Haiku Writing Month.
• Make Bird Houses/Feeders
• Begin to Pray Anew for a Different Person or Family Every Day (using Christmas cards). (Faith)
• Write and Send Valentine’s. (Writing)
• Write Weekly Letter to Nana and Papa. (Writing)
• Make a Liturgical Display with the Kids. (Faith / Handiwork)
• Read Saint Stories – Re-start map work. (Geography, Faith, History)
• Knights Project for History Fair
• Phonics
• Shiller Math and other Math
• More TBD based on children’s interests

Outings and Field Trips

• OTB (4)
• Art Class @ Library
• Puppet Show at Library (6)
• Gears, Levers and Pulleys Class (7)
• MOS Field Trip (14)
• Rosa Parks Play (18-20)
• Duct Tape Crafts (18?)
• FHC Prep (15)
• Pantry – Canned Goods Month  (Make Donation.)
• Lego and Game Nights @ Library
• Skating
• Bank –deposit children’s “invest” and “save” moneys (Math / Life Skills)
• Adoration (Faith)
• Play Dates (Social Skills)
• Friday Gatherings with OLQOS group (Social Skills, Faith, History, P.E)
• Drama Kids (Speech, Language, Movement, the Arts)
• Maple Syrup Trip (Sap may begin to run during warm spells.)

Anytime Nature Observation (Science/ Art)

• Snow
• Ice
• Tracks in the Snow
• Birds at the Feeder
• Full Moon (14)

Considerations for Menu Planning and Power Foods Labs Inspiration (Practical Life / Life Skills)

• Sugar Snow
• Hot Cocoa
• Winter Citrus Fruits
• Root Vegetables
• Stews and Soups
• Berry Fresh Month
• National Cherry Month
• National Hot Breakfast Month
• Avocado and Banana Month
• Celebration of Chocolate Month
• Gluten Free Casein Free Shepherd(ess) Pie for Saint Brigid’s Day (1)
• National Carrot Cake Day (3)
• Homemade Soup Day (4)
• National Stuffed Mushroom Day (4)
• National Chocolate Fondue Day (5)
• National Chopsticks Day (6)
• National Fettuccine Alfredo Day (7)
• Molasses Bar Day (8)
• National Almond Day (16)
• National Indian Pudding Day (17)
• National Cherry Pie Day (20)
• National Pistachio Day (26)
• National Strawberry Day (27)
• National Pancake Week (4^th Week)

Additional Inspirations – Family, Local, National and International Observances

• National Bird Feeding Month
• National Weathermen’ Day (5) – Weather Mini-Unit
• International Polar Bear  Day (27)
• Floral Design Day (28)
• American Heart Month – Science Explorations
• Children’s Dental Health Month – Science and Life Skill Exploration
• Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week (1^st week)

Please Ask and Share

If you would like to know more about our ideas for anything on the list above, please simply ask in a comment, in person (if you are local) or on our Facebook page.  If you know of a cool celebration, important observance or other February-related event or idea that could (or should!) be added, please share that, too.  And, if you have any requests or questions for future Plans and Possibilities lists - or anything else that has been posted or that you'd like me to post - here on Training Happy Hearts, consider yourself invited to share them!  My mission here is not simply to record our life and learning (although that is a large part of why I blog!)  It is also to bless forward.  I can do the best with your input!  Thanks!

Are There More Plans and Possibilities Lists?

You bet there are!

I introduced Plans and Possibilities way back in June 2010 with my first posted list.  Then, life took over and, although I made partial lists for myself, I did not pot any further lists until September 2013.  In between and since, lists have been begun, just not shared.  If all goes well, I will be sharing monthly lists towards the beginning of each month throughout 2014, both as a resource for you and as one for myself.

Please share your February ideas for Life and Learning.  Also, is there anything you'd like me to dive into in future posts?  Just say the word.  I am all about listening this year! :)
 
This post is linked at Frugal Homeschool Friday 
and the