A little more of our week

We tried our hand at Chinese calligraphy.  We used this neat kit with clear instructions (gotta love that!). 

I thought it was fun too that the next time we read the book, one of the boys noticed that there was an ink stick and stone like ours in the book!  We then tried our hand at writing some of the symbols in the book, Grass Sandals.  The boys loved doing this and did a really nice job with it too!  I was thankful to remember that we had this kit now while we were doing the lesson instead of stumbling on it several months later.  LOL

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a friend who was telling me about making pasta from scratch.  I've never been all that interested because honestly, it sounded too hard.  Well, hearing her talk about it sounded more doable than I had thought - and she offered to show me how.  We picked a date and opened it up to our homeschool group.  There were 6 of us there for a fun, informative (and ultimately delicious) time together.

The ingredients were few - semolina flour, water, oil, salt and eggs.  She told us we could substitute other oils for olive oil (for example could use pesto) or substitute other wet ingredients for the water (like pumpkin). 

She made the flour, then flattened it in rollers.  (Could also do this by hand).  Next came cutting the pasta after it had dried out a little bit.

Then putting it into boiling water. 

A few minutes later and we were enjoying the noodles.  An added benefit for my family is that we were given the leftovers which we all happily enjoyed for dinner!!!  YUM!  Thank you Laura!

Even though I've seen how to do it, I'm not convinced that I actually will do it.  I don't even find time to bake bread most weeks and I already know how to do that!  Like all of us, I battle with the hours in my day and trying to fit in all that I want and need to do.  I'm not sure what I'd have to give up to add this in, kwim?  I do appreciate knowing how and knowing that I can do it, if I want to. 

Our FIAR group field trip this week was to visit the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).  The children were split into 4 groups based on age.  Eliana actually went into the preK group with a friend (they had a story time and another activity) and I went with Daniel and Isaiah into the next age group.  Daniel wasn't willing to go without me and I really wanted him to experience something that was more age appropriate for him.

They had two classes.  The first was on wild and domestic animals.  They discussed using their five senses to identify animals.  They were given large bags with items inside (antlers, a shell, snakeskin, etc.) that they tried to identify using only their sense of touch. 

The also looked at pictures of animals and talked about whether they were wild or domesticated as well as neat features of each animal.  Lastly, the played charades - acting out different animals.

The second class was called Tox in a Box.

The children learned about chemicals - what they are and where they are found.  They learned that some are good and some not good.  They also learned that some things can be good in small amounts and make you feel bad in larger amounts.  (Dosage)  One example given was candy and another orange juice.  I couldnt help but think of Joshua and how him having diabetes has forever colored the way that I view things.  A glass of juice just isn't the easy, "good" option it was just a year ago - now it's a means of correcting a low and even then in a small amount.  I digress.

They saw a hands-on demo about dosage using food coloring in a large, medium and small container of water.  Putting the same amount of coloring in each glass did not have the same results.  This is the same as a grown person ingesting the same amount as a child and it not having the same effect. 

I'm going to be fuzzier on the other classes since I was not there.  The next group  first learned about measuring energy and actually used a machine to measure various gadgets.  The second half was talking about the food chain. 

The oldest group first did a particle matching - looking at pictures from a microscope and matching them to what they believed them to be.  They worked in pairs.  Then they had a tour of the EPA building. 

It was in interesting and fun day.  Due to the weather, we did not go to a park for lunch, but instead came home.  I missed the time hanging out with friends, but given our long day yesterday (more on that tomorrow, it was good to relax a little bit too.

I hope you are having a fun week - learning new things, enjoying your family and friends and laughing often.

Blessings
Leslie

 

 

Grass Sandals - FIAR Vol 4 Co-op

Just wanted to share another fun co-op day.  The book we are rowing is Grass Sandals which takes place in Japan.  We gathered and read the story.  Then the children learned about Chinese and Japanese writing.  We learned the the original symbols often looked more like the pictures with curving lines.  These though were more difficult to draw with brush and ink.  The curved lines were changed to straight lines.  It was interesting to see the difference.  Loved the man drawn with the symols for the parts of the body!

Then the children (and adults too) were given a paper with symbols on it - usually two or more and they had to try to figure out what the combined symbols meant.  In the picture on the left, you have mouth and ear.  Can you guess what this might be?

Answer:  Listen.  The paper on the right has the symbols for rice and field.  So putting them together is rice field. 

Next, they made paper hats.  They were able to draw, stamp or write on the hats. 

Some worked quickly and other more intently.

The end result was many wonderful hats.

Don't they look great too?

Next, it was time to learn about bamboo.  Notice the large piece of bamboo on the floor.   What I don't have any pictures of is the end of co-op when they each were allowed to go outside and select a piece of bamboo to take for themselves.  I'm sure you can guess what they were used for in the hands of the boys?  Yes, swords.  LOL

The children first learned about the types of animals that eat bamboo.  They looked at a variety of pictures and then put the ones that they thought did eat bamboo on one side of the pole and those that didn't on the other. 

We learned of the many uses for bamboo other than food.  Amazing really!  It can be used to make fibers for clothes (one of the gals teaching was wearing a shirt made of bamboo), as well as in things usually made from hard plastics (keyboard for computer).  It can't be used in anything that gets hot or too wet.  There were many pictures and the children voted yes or no as to whether that item could be made from bamboo. 

The children then played outside for a bit.  Then came in for a yummy snack.

Then it was time to go home.  Thanks friends for another wonderful day!  I'm thankful that my children are able to learn so many interesting things from my friends that I would never have thought to teach.  It is a sweet gift - both to my children and also to me.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our fun.

Blessings
Leslie

Happy Valentine's Day

Just wanted to share a little bit of our day.  We are a family that enjoys traditions and for some of my children those have become very important.  What is sweet to me is when they are old enough to also help carry out the traditions.

We started the day at church.  After lunch, I layed down to rest and ended up taking a long nap.  While I was sleeping, some of the others in the family went about doing things that perhaps I should have been doing.  One of our traditions is a scavenger hunt.  We do this several times a year and it's always a fun thing to do - both the hunt and the surprise at the end. 

We also have pizza - a heart shaped pizza for dinner.  I figure for any future son-in-law, I've set the bar not very high in terms of a sweet tradition.  For my boys, they may have to work a little harder to make the day seem romantic.  LOL

Isaiah helped me to make the pizzas this year.  We make one into a heart shape and write "I Love You" on it.

We all thought it was yummy.

The big surprise though was that Eliana actually ate some of it!!!  Yippee!!!  Moments like this give me great hope.  Hope that one day meals will be a little easier and we won't have to look for alternate foods when we are eating things that are a challenge for her.  I have several with various "food issues" and so making progress with any of them is cause for celebration!

Rebecca planned the scavenger hunt.  She wrote up all the clues.

She also made goodie bags and purchased the treats to go in them.

Along with the bags were cards that she had made by hand as well.  Are you impressed with her yet?  Eliana shows her appreciation.

Isaiah is also one that really loves traditions and also the giving of gifts.  He bought donuts to share with everyone and made this lovely, sweet display for the family.

Hope your day was sweet and spent with those you love!

Blessings
Leslie

Valentines Tea Party

Rebecca wanted to host a Valentine's Tea Party this year for some friends.  She did everything for the party.  She made the invitations, planned the menu, purchased the food, made the food, decorated the table - everything!  She is a pretty amazing young lady and I love seeing her gifts and how she shares them with others.  She most definitely has the give of giving!!!  She is also very creative, thoughtful and interested in blessing others.  A very sweet combination.

The party was planned for Saturday and we hoped that the snow forecast would not interfere.  Thankfully, there was a good snow - enough to play with in the morning, nothing on the streets to interfere with getting around and mostly gone at our house by the afternoon.

This is the beautiful table decorated for our guests. 

Here are the foods Rebecca prepared.  On the far left are sugar cookies with sprinkles.  In the center are cookies with a citrus glaze on top (so very yummy!).  On the right, fresh blueberry bread that was still warm when we ate it. 

Continuing around the table, we see the bread again on the left, then cucumber sandwiches (one of my favorites!) and then homemade fortune cookies!  She made these with a homemade dough, put the fortunes inside and sprinkled the outside with sugar and sprinkles.  Fun!

Can you believe she made even more?!  Chocolate covered strawberries, ham and cheese sandwiches and some m & m's.  It was all delicious too!

We enjoyed the time with our friends.  The boys didn't join us, but did enjoy some of the goodies that Rebecca made.

Thank you Rebecca for planning a sweet afternoon for the girls.  It was a fun time had by all!

We had planned on Eliana joining us for the tea party, but it happened during her nap time.  No need to worry though as Rebecca would never leave her out of the fun.  She had her own little tea party for two.  This one was even a dress up party!

Eliana was delighted.  I love that Rebecca went to the trouble to make this special for her too with a small tea set and even the clothes!

Thanks Rebecca for a wonderful afternoon!

Love you,

Mommy

 

 

 

A look back over the week

Thought I would share a few more of our week-end happenings from a week ago and over the past week.  I attended a homeschool exhibition.  It was local vendors with booths.  Things like music lessons, karate, science, math, Discovery Toys, Usborne, learning disabilities helps and more.  It was interesting to go around and talk to people.  I didn't buy anything, but I did win something!

I won a science birthday party.  It's value is $175!  I have to confess that I've wondered why me?  I really enjoy birthday parties and have never had anyone come in or gone out for a party.  This will be something totally different for us - and sounds like a lot of fun too!  I'm know it will be a blessing and I'm looking forward to seeing more of God's plan in this.

The boys got haircuts.  One of them convinced Roger that  mohawk was a good idea.  LOL

On Sunday, I hosted a Mom's meeting for our FIAR group.  The topic was encouragement.  This is a time of year when many of us can feel depleted and burned out.  Needing encouragement.  We've done different things in the past and I was really struggling with what to do this year.  I don't really feel like my tanks are very full and wasn't sure what *I* had to give.  I just put that out there to my friends though.  We suggested a few things and then I just waited to see what happened. 

Several friends brought treats - homemade gingerbread, homemade truffles and chocolate cupcakes.  (I wish I had gotten a picture.)  We had some Ghiradelli chocolate.  Rebecca made some yummy cookies for us too.

We ended up all sitting around my kitchen table - it was cozy - and just talking.  Nothing planned.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  Just friends.  Women sharing what was going on.  Taking time to laugh together.  It was good for my heart.  I'm thankful to have this sweet group of friends.  We also decided to draw names and choose one person to pray for over the next month.  I'm thankful for this opportunity to be intentionally praying for a friend.  It is always a blessing to know you are being prayed for too.

Later Sunday we had a very small Super Bowl party.  Food.  The game.  The commercials.  Fun with friends.  It was a nice day.  A full day.  I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I fell asleep on the sofa after the game and was too tired to get up and go to bed.  It did make for a longer night's sleep than I usually get though and that is good. 

During the week we enjoyed a couple of meals related to our schoolwork.  Rebecca cooked a meal tied with her geography study.  We picked to do this meal on the 10th for two reasons.  First, it included a cake.  Second, it was the birthday of the little girl for whom we are prayer warriors.  We have been recently matched with Arianna and our job is to pray for her until she find a family. 

Meet Arianna. 

Isn't she beautiful?  The little floof of hair she has sticking up reminds me of Eliana when she was little.  Arianna has just turned two.  We celebrated her life and prayed for her.  We are also hoping and praying that her next birthday will be celebrated with her family!

We also enjoyed a very delicious FIAR meal this week.  The boys helped make foccacia bread.

It was very good and something we definitely need to do again.

We also had linguine with clam sauce.  Everyone loved it.  Eliana devoured it!!!  That was a surprise.  She has some issues with food textures and it's always a sweet surprise to find a new food that she enjoys.  Pasta dishes seem to be at the top of the list for her!  (I really love them too.)

More on this week -end as I get some photos uploaded. 

Blessings

Leslie

FIAR Art and Music Show

Well, I'm going to try to type this again as I just spent a long time on it - and lost it.  I hate it when that happens.  I'm sure that there should be a lesson in here somewhere, but I'm too tired to look for it at the moment.

Today our FIAR group had an Art and Music show.  We've done something similar in the past, but have never made it a yearly event.  It's been awhile since the last one and this seemed a good year to do it - and it was!  Music was a new component.  It was a sweet thing to be able to experience the musical talents of the children performing as this isn't something we have ever been able to do before.  It was a big hit!  (And one of mine came home and has a renewed interest in learning to play the piano!)  We were able to hear performances on violin, piano, clarinet and bells.  They all did a great job!  I had no idea of the talents!

We were hosted in a local church.  We had tables along the sides of the church on which we displayed artwork.  We milled around looking at various things displayed - and what a display!  Here is a partial ilsting of some of the things displayed - comic book (completely created by the child!), origami, miniatures, mask, sculpture, drawings, paintings, books, 3-D creations, latch-hook, engraving, paper mache, history displays and MORE!  It was really great.  I wish I could show it all too you, but will limit it to mostly mine as I'm not sure others would want theirs displayed.

This is from our co-op last week.  Notice that Elvis is on the far right and the other buy is looking a little like his creator.  (Not the best angle for seeing his spikey-hair, but it's there.  I'll post a comparison picture soon.)

I love this picture.  The medium used was creamy crayons which are similar in texture and brilliance to pastels and very easy to work with.  Daniel was excited to make this and is looking forward to doing more.  I hope he'll be happy to see it in his workboxes tomorrow.

This is also a co-op art project from Snowflake Bentley.  The blocks above the pictures are what was used to create the pictures.

Rebecca shared some of the pieces she entered into the State Fair.  On the left is the waffle breakfast and the right is her jointed doll.  In the center is a piece of birthday cake that Daniel made using Bendaroos.  Can you see some of the origamin in the background?  The blue one is a ball within a ball and the larger purple one is two intertwined rings.  Really cool!

Isaiah enjoyed sharing his FIAR notebook.  We keep all of our work for the year in one notebook and just add to it as we go along. 

Had to share this neat display from  The Pumpkin Runner.  This was not ours, but I didn't think she'd mind us sharing.  I've blurred names though

 

Just a picture of my littlest cutie. 

We had lunch and play time at a nearby park.  While we were at the drivethrough figuring out our order, i was clarifying requests.  At one point I said "double cheeseburger" and Eliana tried to repeat it!  I was stunned and pleased.  Her language seems to be taking off right now and it's really fun to hear her trying to say more words.  She doesn't often say more than one at a time though, so this was exciting. 

Another fun day with friends.  I'm thankful for this FIAR group!

Blessings

Leslie