Field Trip to Camp Chestnut Ridge

We had another awesome field trip day.  I had wondered if it were going to work.  This same field trip was rained out a month ago and this day was looming a little dark and uncertain.  We needed to make the decision by 8:30am - and at that time the skies were grey and  ominous and it had been raining most of the night.  I prayed and asked God to help me make the decision and to make it an easy one.  Well, He didn't make it easy, but He surely helped to make the right one.  We went for it - and it was a gorgeous day!

We spend the day at Camp Chestnut Ridge.  What an awesome facility with wonderful staff!   

 We divided up by ages for this outing as the oldest children were going on a low ropes course.  We had two groups going out - 3rd to 5th graders and 6th grade and up.  They did some team building exercises and games before setting out on the course.  Each of the spots on the course was set up as a story - Indiana Jones or crocodiles in the river.  There was an obstacle and they had to figure out as a group how to overcome it.

They had to all get on top of a small platform, swing from a rope across a "ravine" and all get on a moving plank bridge.  Now I didnt' see any of this and this is the best of my memory working here.  I'll update tomorrow when my children are awake if I can remember.  LOL

One of the up sides of splitting into groups is that we are able to tailor activities for each age group that are challenging and fun.  I know that even my 16yo was looking forward to this trip!  The downside is that I miss seeing what all of my children are doing.  I miss experiencing it with them!  I rely on their stories and the stories of others.  (Thanks Lynn for sharing one in the comments yesterday!)

When the kids came back from the outing, the gal with whom I'd been talking to set up the outing shared with me about her group.  (The middle group of kids.)  She told me that she had one boy in her group that was very quiet.  When the kids were trying to figure something out, he would say the answer but nobody heard him because he was so quiet.  She noted that he was saying the right answer so she asked everyone to be quiet so that they could hear this boy speak.  She then made him a leader which she said he was quite excited about.  She then went on to share how this quiet boy took on this new leadership role and did a great job with it - guiding his team well.  I was curious by now and pointed to my son Joshua, who was across the shelter, and asked if he was the quiet boy.  She confirmed my suspicions not realizing that he was my son.  I loved that I was able to hear this story!  It did my mama's heart good.  She also said that on the return to the shelter that "Captain Joshua" said that he thought he would become "General Joshua" now.  LOL  I'm not thinking it went to his head, but that it was a wonderful opportunity for him to have a chance to lead.

While the older two groups were out, the younger kids had some hands-on and interactive classes.  The first was on bees.  We looked at a variety of types of bees (pictures).  Then they talked about the hives and the special shape in the hive - hexagon.  She asked why this shape was used instead of a circle.  They did an activity to demonstrate why the hexagon is a better use of space by placing together a group of circles and a group of hexagons to see which worked better.  You know the answer. 

Next they each got a piece of beeswax and a wick.  I took a close-up of the beeswax so that you could see the hexagon shape made by the bees.  Isn't it neat?

The children placed the wick on one side of the beeswax and rolled it up into a candle. 

The next class was at the garden.  There are a number of children who come to an after school program here that help to maintain this beautiful garden.  We took a tour and saw the many wonderful plants, some bantam chickens and the composting area. 

TThe children then made some snacks - right from the garden.  First they picked a lettuce leaf.  Isaiah did not want to do this as he informed me that he didn't like lettuce.  I finally convinced him to make it for me.  A really good call!  lol  After rinsing off the leaves, they layed then on a napkin and spread cream cheese on them.  Then they added "nature's sprinkles" - sunflower seeds.  The final step was to roll it up. 

I don't know how this sounds to you but it  tasted yummy!!!  I'll definitely be making this again!

The children also made coleslaw.  Isaiah and Daniel preferred plain veggies - snap peas (Isaiah only) and carrots (both).

My boys chatting with a friend

There was a big dog that liked to hang around and Eliana was thrilled when he came up for a visit.  She really likes dogs.  (No, we don't have one.)  She would cautiously approach him to give him a pet and then back away to look at him. 

This pic just cracked me up as it looks like she is talking to him!

The third and final class for the younger kids was on matter.  They learned about the three stages of matter - solid, liquid and gas.  The gal teaching did a great job bringing it to their level. 

 

Their first experiement was making flubber.    This was a very easy thing to do and I do recommend it as a fun thing to try with children.  They were excited to see this liquid turn to solid - and it's a fun solid to play with as well!

Here is Isaiah demonstrating the end result.

At this point in the day, Eliana, who had been a little fussy, became a lot fussy!  She was crying and not quiet.  I went to the van to get her lunch thinking that she could eat quietly while the children finished their class.  Well, Daniel came to the car upset because he has lost his seat beside his brother.  I took him back and squeezed him back onto the bench.

He wasn't thrilled with this.  Eliana is still crying.  The children are told to pair up.  He wants to be my partner.  Did I mention that Eliana is still crying?  I told him I can't be his partner and find another child to be his partner.  Well, he doesn't know this little boy and does not want to be his partner. 

The partners are making ice cream in baggies.  Cream, ice and salt.  It's super easy and yummy to boot!  All of the kids loved it - except Daniel.

By this time, I'm frustrated.  I don't handle it well either.  I'm frustrated with Daniel's inability to just deal with the situation.  I'm not patient with him.  Ever solution I come up with is rejected and he just doesn't listen to anything I say.  Then I just dont want to help him either.  Not a pretty mommy moment at all!  A friend tries to help include Daniel, but he only wants me.  Another offers to feed Eliana - but I don't take her up on it as she really likes me to feed her.  Its been this way for most of her life.  I should have let her try though as it might have worked.  Next time I will.  I will admit though that at this point, I didn't want to be with Daniel as he just wasn't listening.  He was trying to hold it together and he had a mom that just totally missed the boat. 

After I dealt with my frustration, I just felt horrible.  I was impatient and mean.  I apologized to my sweet boy and also to my friends.  I wish that I could say that it wouldn't happen again.  I wish that I could just get it right all of the time.  I wish that I wasn't able to hurt those I love so very much.  I'm thankful though that I make mistakes as I need to be humbled and it reminds me how much I need a Saviour.  I hope too that it helps me to be a little more understanding of my children and other stressed out mommies.  What a lesson to get right before Mother's Day, huh?  I learn sooo much from my precious children.  I'm so very thankful for the blessing of being a mother.  I can't imagine doing anything else! 

After the classes, we just hung out and played.  Daniel was fine after spending some time playing with Isaiah.  We ate lunch and the children just ran around and played.  It was a sweet afternoon with friends.

We all learned a lot - some of us more than we thought we would.  Thank you God for leading us gently.  Thank you for your example of love that never tires, never gets frustrated and is always available.  God is good!

Blessings
Leslie

 

 

Spell Time

Found this neat resource at the consignment sale that I wanted to share.  It's called Spell Time and is made by Cadaco.

Children learn to spell more than 90 words by fitting letter tiles on cards that have pictured words. Only the right letters fit.   I love that it comes with a handy carrying case.

It's colorful and engaging and you have to like something that is self-correcting!  My newest reader has enjoyed testing out his new skills in sounding out words while playing with this game. 

I hadn't seen this before and just thought I'd share.  More tomorrow on our awesome field trip today.  It's late now though and I need to get some sleep. 

Blessings,

Leslie

Just Life

I'm so very blessed.  I need to remember this when I'm frustrated at all that I "have to do".  Amidst the clutter and chaos, I am blessed. 

A list of some of my blessings.

Lots of noise - it comes from active and happy children.

Messes - children that are busy, creative and curious about life around them.

Clutter - we have abundantly more than we need compared to most of the world.

Interuptions - God's appointments for me.  Opportunities.

We are also blessed with good health.  I'll never view that one the same again after Eliana's rough first year.  Freedom.  I'm thankful to live in a time and country where we can worship and school as we think is best.  Family and friends.  Mostly, I'm thankful for a Saviour.  His abundant love and grace are just priceless.

God give me your eyes to see things in my day to day life. 

Here are a few recent pictures to share.  Eliana playing dress-up with Rebecca.  They both have fun with this and whenever Eliana has been dressed up, she tells Rebecca that she wants to show me.  lol  They are too funny!  Isn't she just a doll?!!!  (I know, I'm biased!)

Laughter.  It does my heart so much good.  I enjoy hearing my children playing and laughing together.  (And no, they aren't like this all the time.  They argue and bicker too much for my likes - though any would be too much for me.)  Eliana is often in the midst of the laughing.  She has a great sense of humor. 

This picture is a little odd because one of my boys had turned it to night vision.  I wanted to snap the picture before I missed it and this is what I go.

We learned about grain today to go along with Climbing Kansas Mountains.  Isaiah thought it was quite funny that there was "germs" in grain.  We ground grain and then made bread.  The boys helped me to make 8 beautiful loaves of braided herb bread.  It's so yummy.  I was planning to take a picture of the finished product.  As i was waiting for it to rise, I noticed something on the counter.  An ingredient that had been left out.  *sigh*  It was the yeast.  So, the bread was a little ... dense.  It didn't stop us from eating 3+ loaves of it though. 

Hope your day is filled with blessing both small and large.  God give us eyes to see the blessings all around us. 

Blessings
Leslie

Cinco de Mayo Center

On a whim I decided to do a little bit of fun with Cinco de Mayo.  I was inspired by this website.  I set things up the night before and just decided we would do what we could with it by putting some activities in a center.

Some of the things we did today was locate Mexico on a map. 

We talked about the Mexican flag and the meaning behind the symbols and colors using information from here.  Then the children made flags using torn construction paper.  One of my boys was insistant that he couldn't tear the paper and went to get scissors (and it wasn't the child with sensory issues!).  He did manage to tear some though after some coaxing.  I thought they turned out nicely.

We talked a little about the history of the holiday.  I read some information, but would like to do a better job sharing this information.  Here is a link some of the history.

We also did an art project using "Mexican jumping beans".  We taped paper into the bottom of a box.  We then dipped beans into thinned paint and dropped them on the paper.  You then shake the box for 30 seconds or until you tire of it and you end up with an original and lovely picture.

Our little cutie pie just hanging out. 

For dinner we of course had some mexican food.  We enjoyed a Cinco de Mayo casserole, refried beans and cinnamon/sugar chips with fruit.  It was delicious!  I forgot to take a picture of the food, but do recommend you try this easy and yummy recipe if you like Mexican food.

Thanks to the internet and others posting their great ideas, we were able to have fun with a holiday that we don't typically enjoy.  We were able to do some neat things because others were willing to share their hard work.  I'm thankful for that as creativity and running on the spur of the moment as I so often do, dont' always mix. 

I think we need to try this more often.  Or at least try it again sometime in the next year or so.  lol  You know how things go sometimes.

Hope your day was fun too!

Blessings

Leslie 

Dancing Raisins Experiment

We did a fun and easy science experiment that I thought I'd share.  It was posted on a loop and we decided to try it out.  I had planned to do it with my younger boys and put the ingredients for the experiment in their boxes.  This was the same day I was doing science labs with my oldest two and the boys loved having their own "lab" too. 

It was such a hit, that Rebecca joined in too. 

Here is what you need for this experiment.

*Mason jar (I used the large size)

*Water

*Vinegar

*Baking soda

*Raisins

You will fill the jar about 2/3 full of water. 

Next add in several "glugs" of vinegar. 

Next add a few raisins.

Finally,  comes several spoonfuls of baking soda.  Add one at a time in case your experiments starts bubbling over.  We had that happen to us. 

Without stirring, wait and watch.  (My boys kept wanting to add in a couple more raisins.)  The raisins will start to dance!

What you will see is the raisins starting to rise to the top of the jar, then falling back down.  Ours had a slow start and then picked up as time went on.  The raisins continued to dance for quite awhile too!  My children loved watching this.  It made for great entertainment while we were eating lunch.  LOL

The explanation behind the experiment is that the vinegar is an acid and the baking soda a base.  When the two combine they form carbon dioxide.  This attachs to the skin of the raisins in the form of bubbles.  When enough bubbles are on the raisin, it will rise to the top of the jar.  There the bubbles pop, and the raisins sink again. 

This was a good reminder to me that I need to do this type of experiment more often.  I'm hoping I can plan at least one per week.  My children loved it!  I thought it was fun to watch too.

Give it a try - I bet you'll like it too!

Blessings,

Leslie 

 

Sports

Our week-ends are filled with sports.  We typically attend games as a family as we enjoy watching and supporting each other.  I know this doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us.  I love watching my kids play sports.  It's especially fun when they are having success as they did this week-end.

On Sat mornings, both Joshua and Christopher have football practice and games.  It's flag football with a homeschool football league.  We drive 2 vehicles (as we still don't have one that we all fit in) and I arrived a little late with the non-football players.  I was so bummed to learn that just minutes prior to my arrival - Joshua scored a touchdown!

There is an hour to an hour and a half gap between my two boys games.  I'm thankful that a sweet friend that I haven't gotten to spend much time with in the last couple of years has a son playing at that time.  It's been fun to spend time talking and catching up with her.

Last week-end, one of the moms brought a tea set for her daughter to enjoy.  As Eliana watched 2 little girls playing tea, she walked up and sat down too.  I started to take her away and the other mom said she was welcome to join in.  She even gave her some water in her tea cup to pretend with.  I thought it was sweet for her to include Eliana and she was thrilled to be playing with the other girls.

Christopher's game this week was also a fun one to watch. 

Towards the end of the game, he intercepted the ball and ran down the field to about 10 yards from the endzone.  After several attempts, it was 4th down and Christopher ran the ball for a touchdown!  It was so exciting.  I was standing there, trying to get a photo.  Here's what I got when I was too close and things were happening too fast.

After the games, the coaches have a time of devotions with the boys.  I appreciate the character building that goes on in this league!

 We left Christopher's game to head to Rebecca's soccer game.  She also had a second game today.  I teased her that she needed to score so that each person playing would score.  She didn't score on Saturday, but made up for it on Sunday.  She scored two goals today!  (Sorry for all this shameless bragging on my kids!)

Rebecca is the only girl on her team.  I'm proud of her ability to play well and to have fun on this team.  (It is a really great team.)  She played the first half of today's game for the other team because there were short a few players.  The second half she played defense, goalie and offense.

She didn't score while playing for the other team and the coach (a friend of ours) asked afterwards why she didn't score for his team.  Roger told him it was because he had Rebecca  playing defense.  The coach said he thought she liked defense.  Roger assured him that the position she likes best is offense!

This is her scoring her first goal.  A little hard to tell, but you can see the reaction of her teamate to the left.

This is a shot of her keeping the other team from scoring.

Eliana and the boys found the sand volleyball court and had a blast playing there.  Truly, fun can be had just about anywhere.

That's all for our sports week-end. 

Blessings,

Leslie 

Field Trip - Cedarock Historical Farm

This was field trip week.  One of my favorite things is to go on field trips.  We ended up with a beautiful day though it began a bit cool and overcast.  (The first pic below is from the end of the day.)  We went to Cedarock Historical Farm.  What a great place to visit and our tour guide, Harry, was wonderful!

We had a large group so we were split into 3 groups.  I enjoyed that on this outing we were able to split by family so I was able to enjoy being with all of my children.  :-)  Often we split by age and I can't be in several groups at once.  I understand the need and benefit for this, but for this outing, I enjoyed being together.

Our group started by visiting a blacksmith.  He told of his work as he demonstrated it.  He had a good sense of humor and shared a lot of interesting things with us.  My boys especially enjoyed watching him work.

 

Next we went on a tour of the site.  We first visited the original homesite built in 1830. 

Some of the original pieces were still in the house.

Next was the newer big house built in 1835.  We learned that the Polly, the mother/wife was never comfortable cooking in this house due to the wooden floors and continued to use the first house for cooking in for the rest of her life. 

While we were touring, our guide Harry told us how impressed he was with homeschoolers.  He went on to tell of a competition on their site that had been won by homeschoolers for the last 7 years.  He praised our work and told the kids what a great benefit they were receiving.  It was really nice to hear that affirmation of what we are doing.  Did I mention that we really enjoyed him?!

 

 

Also on the site were a smoke house, post office (run by one of the sons), grain shed, barn with old farm implements and some animals.  Lots to see!

Our next stop was a hayride.  This was no ordinary hay ride!  We rode for 30 minutes and not in a circle on flat roads either.  We went off-road and up and down steep hills, through the forest and close to a river.  It was so much fun!

All of the children enjoyed it and Eliana was delighted with the ride. 

The site is in a park that is about 400 acres of beautiful land.  There is a river, disc golf, canoe/kayak, playground and lots of beautiful undeveloped land.

 

After our tour/hayride, we went down the park for a lunch.  The kids played some on the playground and then a few of us decided to hike to see the Old Mill Dam.  It was a lovely view and a short, easy hike to get to.

The children liked exploring, though we were trying to limit it a little bit due to an abundance of poison ivy.

The sometimes elusive photo of me with my children - and one additional friend.  :-) 

There were so many things I enjoyed about this day.  The chance to learn about history.  I've loved learning about the history of our state in a hands-on way with my children.  I enjoyed spending time with my children and learning with them.  I had fun being with friends.  It is a nice break to hang out with other moms during the week too.

Our day didn't end here though.  A friend shared about a warehouse sale.  Since we were about halfway there, we decided to drive over.  It was the semi-annual Carson Dellosa warehouse sale.  It was amazing.  I was stunned.  (I should have taken a picture.)

There were boxes and boxes of workbooks, posters, stickers, etc all over the floor of the warehouse.  Oh, and lots and lots of people.  We arrived about 1.5 hours after it had opened and I could tell that we missed getting some of the things there.  Even still, I bought a lot of neat activity books for my children for very cheap prices.  Many of the books were $1 and some were 4 for $1.  Unbelievable prices.  I had a coupon to save $10 too. 

The children watched napped some (Eliana napped the entire time!), read and watched a movie.  They also had fun rolling down a hill just before we left.  Rebecca wrapped our little boy with sensory issues in a blanket.  They all liked this idea and all began doing it this way too.  I have pics of all of them -but this was the best of the bunch.

On our way home we made a pit stop at McD's.  Eliana had her first try of french fries!  I couldn't believe she would eat them!  We also visited Sonic.  YUM!  Love a cranberry limeade slush.  We hit some traffic and ended up at home after 8pm!  It was a fun and long day. 

I used to do long field trip outings like this before Eliana was born.  It was nice to be able to do one again and have her enjoy it.  It just felt good.  In some ways it felt like a little slice of "normal" again. 

Just wanted to share some of our fun with you.

Blessings

Leslie