The Beginning...

I don't know who was more excited about the start of my Home Economics classes, the kids or me! It was so much fun to meet your darling children and be able to teach them. I wish I would have taken Home Economics when I was young and had the chance, but I missed out. Here is my story...

When I was in the 7th grade at Serrano Junior High School home of the Sea Hawks (more like home of the pooping birds), I was introduced to Home Economics 101. A lot of my friends signed up for this class and secretly I really wanted to join in the fun. However; I picked ASB (student government) for my elective and couldn't fit Home Ec in my schedule. I was so sad every time I saw my friends make the cutest outfit, or when I walked by the class and the aromas that would come out from the door made me want to sneak in and pretend that I was some exchange student that just joined the class. So I told myself the next year I was going to take Home Ec! You snooze you lose Allison! When I went into the 8th grade they did away with Home Ec! What! Can't be! I was secretly so devastated. So I turned my devastation into the adolescent "Whatever" attitude we all know too well. I refused to sew! I refused to be domestic at all!

It wasn't until I was in college and living in a condo with five girls that I was reminded of the LOVE that I have always had for food. The LOVE I always had for creating something from nothing. So that Christmas rather than asking for the typical gifts of clothes and shoes that every college girl desires I asked for a Kitchen Aid mixer, cookie sheets, pots and pans, as well as a sewing machine. My mom thought I must have hit my head and had split personality disorder. I can still hear her saying "WHAT??? Allison is this really you?" I still have the Kitchen Aid mixer, the cookie sheets and my Brother sewing machine, and boy have they been put to work!

So the thought of getting young kids excited about sewing, cooking and becoming domestically creative brings a smile from ear to ear! It truly is a shame that schools do not teach these great skills everyone should know...but that's why I'm here! The 1950's have come and gone but the importance it put on teaching Home Economics to the young generation was invaluable! And it's making a come back right in my own home!

Thank you for letting your children learn and grow and express themselves creatively! They will gain valuable skills that will stay with them for their entire life!

Here is what we did in Week 1:

Working on our Ladybug Pin Cushion. Girls had to pin the pattern to the fabric. This was tough for some to do, but everyone did great. Then they had to trace the pattern onto the felt. Cutting was next followed by using a Running Stitch to put the face, and polka-dots onto the body of the lady bug. The girls should complete this project next week.