We had a birthday party for our 2 year old daughter on Sunday afternoon.  We decided to have a picnic theme.  For a simple decoration I looked for a picnic, red and white checkered, table cloth.  I could not find one.  I did find red and white checkered cupboard liner that worked great as a runner for the counter and place mat for the table.

Lady Bug Cake
We had a lady bug cake to go along with our other picnic food.  I used two cake mixes (It could be done with one mix, it just wouldn't be as tall.).  I poured half of the batter into two 8" round cake pans and the other half divided between two small cake pans that I have
(4" maybe) and cupcakes.  We had way too much cake! :)

Pop the cakes out of the pans to cool.  Once completely cool place one 8" cake on top of the other.  I also spread a little homemade strawberry jam on the top of the bottom cake before I placed the other cake on top.  An easy way to move your cake without breaking it is to use a flipper that you would take cookies off of your pan with.

Take your small circles and cut a quarter off one side.  These will now make the head.  Place one on top of the other, add jam if you would like.  Cut the quarter pieces that you have left for the four legs.

I used one large container of frosting for the body which I colored red and half of a normal container of chocolate for the head and legs.  Frost the cake.  Make the circles of the lady bug with chocolate chips and filled with cookie crumbs.  I also used chocolate chips for the eyes, antennas and smile!

Picnic Food
I meant to take a picture of the rest of our food but forgot, oops!  We had ants on a log, chicken salad on crescents, watermelon, chips, and pasta salad.  It was yummy!

I receive an email every week for free homeschooling resources.  I will try to share it with all of you every week too.  Here is the upcoming week:

Monday, August 10th -
The Perseid Meteor Shower! (links & PDF ebooks)
One of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year occurs Tuesday
and Wednesday of this week!
Here's all the info you need to get out and enjoy these cosmic fireworks.

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Tuesday, August 11th -
Building Toy Boats (PDF ebook)
Classic guide to building and sailing your own miniature toy boats and other
floating craft.

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Wednesday, August 12th -
Raggedy Andy Stories (PDF ebook)
The delightful sequel to "Raggedy Ann Stories" featured here two weeks back,
with tons of beautiful illustrations and wonderful stories of the Raggedys and
their make believe friends.

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Thursday, August 13th -
Drawing For Beginners (PDF ebook)
A small boy was asked: "How do you draw?"
He answered: "I think... and then I draw round my think."
This excellent book by Dorothy Furniss is a great introduction to drawing
and sketching from  life and from your imagination, and the tools you draw with.
Lots of great illustrations too.

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Friday, August 14th -
Songs from Calico Spanish (mp3 audio)
Are your kids learning Spanish this year? A great way to teach them is through
these "teaching songs" on the new Calico Spanish CD, "Mi Guitarri". Today we
feature three full spanish learning songs from this new collection, plus a PDF
guide to Spanish teaching resources. Check it out!

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Each of these resources will be available on its specified day at:

www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

Sign up for their newletter and you receive exclusive freebie offers as well!