Presidents Day Preschool

Today was our turn to have preschool at our house. After introducing the topic to the boys, I started off with a few questions:

Me: "Who is our President right now?"

Brigham: "President Monson!" (Good job, Lisa!)

Me: "That's true, President Monson is the President of our Church, but who is the President of the United States?"

Wesley: "Barack Obama!"

Me: "That's right! And what does a President do?"

(Lots of blank stares)

Wesley: "He gets all the presents?"

Me: "Close. He is the leader of our country and he makes important decisions for our country to make it better." (more blank stares)

Me: "What would you do if you were the President?"

Brigham: "Nah. I want to be a nice ninja. And a doctor like my dad."

Gavin: "I like chicken. And I dip it in ketchup!"

Wesley: "I would drive cars around. I love Lightning McQueen!"

Logan: "I don't want to do this."

So we moved on. I told a few short stories about some of the presidents, then we talked about the presidents pictured on our money. I gave the boys a pile of coins for them to sort. That lasted a few minutes, but soon the table became an air hockey table and quarters were literally flying across the room.
Then we did a science experiment. What cleans a dirty penny best: milk, soapy water, or vinegar and salt? The boys were pretty excited to see the vinegar mixture make the pennies bright and shiny before their eyes!We finished off with a craft - Abraham Lincoln's log cabin made from popsicle sticks. President Lincoln (a penny) is peeking out the window!

This craft took them about two minutes to make; they were in such a hurry to finish so they could play with the Star Wars toys at playtime. Remind me never to let a three-year-old boy build me a house!

VOWT OBOMA

Andrew pretty much knew all along who his presidential candidate was. He drew this picture at school last week.

When I asked Andrew why he chose Obama, he answered quite simply, "The things he says are just more reasonable." It's so amazing (and sometimes frightening) to me how much of the "adult world" children soak up!

I wanted to take the time to record my feelings about this historic event. I really struggled with this election because I didn't really agree with either candidate on all issues. In the end, after praying and studying the issues, I chose Obama (I know, I'm a minority in my circle - please don't disown me, family and friends). But even if I had voted McCain, I think I still would have been impressed at the outcome, to see our country's first African-American President elected. It made me happy and proud to see how far our country has come. I was very touched by Obama's acceptance speech and even teared up a little when he said,

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."