We loved reading about Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny in The Boxcar Children as they find a real home where they can stay together as a family. We finished our first read aloud with Sonlight Core A during our 3rd week of school.
This book brings back fond memories of reading it to the boys when they were little. . . a year before we began formal homeschooling.
So, it was such a delight that it is scheduled in Core A.
While reading, we had blueberries and cream and homemade brown bread, we learned about nutrition and the new food pyramid, made a healthy lunch, and tried a few recipes from The Boxcar Children Cookbook.
1. Go shopping for a healthy lunch.
"Yes, Benny" said the girl." But bread is better for you. Isn't it, Henry?"
"Oh, yes," said Henry. "We must have some bread. . ."
We read labels to find crackers with 100% whole grains.
We picked out some organic veggies.
And also a fruit they have never tried before.
On their own, the kids picked at least one item from each food group and one fruit that they had never had before. They chose: carrots and broccoli, fresh apricots (they've had dried, but I don't recall that they have had fresh because they are so expensive), cottage cheese, tuna and whole grain crackers.
On the back porch - picnic style.
3. Make "Boxcar Brown Bread"
3. Make "Benny's Blueberries and Cream"
"What do you think I saw over in the woods? I saw some blueberries!"
Henry thins out carrots, turnips and little onions while working in Mrs. Moore's garden. She then lets him keep them. Henry buys a little meat with the money he has earned and they make a stew over a campfire.
5. Make "Beef Stew with Little Vegetables"
We had our stew with brown bread and milk and brown cookies after.
6. Make "Dr. Moore's Favorite Brown Cookies"
7. Make "Mary's Cherry Dumplings"
The children help pick cherries in Dr. Moore's orchard and Mary, his cook, makes cherry dumplings with them.
Making homemade cherry pie filling.
We used Homemade Crescent Roll dough and pinched them up. . . sorta.
During the last week of reading, Malachi decided he might like to be a runner like Henry and has been practicing daily for our own "field day race." He has set several personal records racing down the street and back, while I sit on the porch and time him.
We painted a large refrigerator box (on two sides) and put it in the back yard so the kids can play "Boxcar Children." They have been playing it all week in the yard, but, now they can make their "pine needle beds" and have a place to put the "treasures" they have been collecting!
It's been a hot summer, so we found a way to cool off, Boxcar Children style! The children in the book make a pool in the brook using logs and stones to dam the water. The kids and their dad found this swimming hole on a bike ride one day and it turned out to be a fun way to cool off.
My cautious boys, Malachi, who is always making sure everyone is safe.
Bo, who wanted to explore the area, but finally settled on throwing stones into the river.
would love your exact recipe for the vegetable stew. looks so good!