A Little of This and That

Studying bees.

Searching for the perfect stick.

No more high chairs.

No more beds?

Our Toddler "School"

Colors and shapes.
This is what the twins and I are going
to be "studying" starting in October.
We are going to start with orange and circles.
For a short time, and while outside in nature,
we are going to observe circles and the color orange.
Each will have a nature box to put things in.
Simple.
We will display our findings on a nature table
on the back porch
or keep them in our nature "treasure" box.
Might add a cutesy craft project,
like stick gluing orange circles on paper
or
painting circles with orange paint.
Maybe.
Mainly, I just want to take a few minutes of our outside time
to guide them with observing
God's wonders.
I don't want it to be too structured.
Our outside time is mainly a free time for them.
But, I thought a few minutes with observation
might do nicely.

A Few Books We Are Enjoying Now

Johnny Appleseed. This book has beautiful
illustrations and is written in poem.

We read this book with each change of the season.

It is about a mother and son going
on hunts for leaves.
Mother teaches about leaves and trees as they
enjoy nature
throughout the seasons.

Puddles.
I think the title tells it all.
My boys never leave a puddle untouched.

Happy reading.

Making a Castle

A little of this...

A mold and a plan...

A little pounding to remove air pockets...

Lots of drying time.
I mean lots.

Now, you are ready to build a castle or two.

Well, after hundreds more forms are made.
That and a little lesson on proper
staggering of the stones.

This is definitely a father son project.

Keeping House

It is that time of year for a little deep cleaning.
I like to do this at least twice a year.
Once before the Fall season begins
and again in the first of March before Easter.
I keep a clean house, but there is always
those things that could use extra attention
every now and then.
Window screens and porches for instance.
Behind washer and dryers
and under appliances for another.
There is also the going through clothes,
packing some away and giving some away.
Don't forget those toys.
I actually look forward to digging in.
This usually takes two weeks.
Once done, there will be no rush for when
company comes,
except decisions about what to cook for meals.
All smiles.

Honoring Our Brave

This weekend, the Georgia Bulldogs football team
will be wearing a sticker on their helmet
to honor the Georgia based
48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
during their game against South Carolina.
The sticker is a replica of the
combat team's shoulder sleeve insignia.



There are approximately 3,000 Georgians
in this combat team.
My brother is one of them.
They are currently deployed in
Afghanistan.

To this date they have lost 7 soldiers
in the line of duty.

Thank you Bulldogs for honoring
not only the men and women of the 48th,
but all who sacrifice and have sacrificed for our country.

Go Dawgs!!!!

Taking a Little Hike with Astronomy

We are enjoying our study of astronomy
this year.
We found this activity here,
An Interplanetary Hike.

Basically, you are pacing out a walking scale model
of the solar system.
Each step roughly represents 30,000,000 miles.

Pluto is at the end of the driveway.
Wow.

You Know It is Time to Start Potty Training When...

Your twins have "wee-wee" wars in the bathtub.

Their control and aim is good, too good.

I am off to buy some Cherrios.
Target practice has begun.

Pray for me.

Morning Readings

We have started the Peter Rabbit tales
by Beatrix Potter
as part of our morning readings.
My oldest has heard them before,
but it is a first for the twins.
I really think my oldest is enjoying
them more this time around, me too.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit,
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin,
and tomorrow
The Tailor of Gloucester.
What fun we are having.
Many blessings.

Including Younger Siblings

Home schooling with younger ones around
can be a challenge.



Til this term, we waited for the younger ones
to nap before any schooling began.
The morning hours were spent outside
playing, exploring, observing.
This term I wanted to do something different.
I wanted to include the little ones, a bit.
The bulk of concentrated studies is still
done during the twins nap.

Now each morning we have the hymn
for the term playing with breakfast. We all sing.
After breakfast we all gather on pillows
in the family room.
We first all stand and say the pledge,
well my oldest and I do, the little ones
stand, giggle, and have their hands over their bellies.
We then get out the playtime devotional
book and do our little song.
Books of the Bible and memory verse next.
Afterwards, I read books.
Some are from the year one list,
others might be what some consider twaddle.

The little ones seem to like being included.
Of course, outside play is much wanted
by all next.