Nature Studies

I cannot tell you in words how much
we are enjoying
The Burgess Seashore Book.

The stories really come alive for us.

We imagine being Danny the field mouse,
discovering new things everyday.

Can't you just see the little crab?
This book is just delightful.

Shake, Shake, Shake

After reading on several blogs about butter making,
we decided to give it a try.
So glad we did.

First, we got out a pretty mason jar, a marble,
and some heavy cream.
Then we poured heavy cream into the mason jar(about half full)
and dropped in the marble.

Then shake, shake, shake...

Stopped to check and taste....
Not quite there yet.
So,...

More shake, shake, shake.

Finally, done.
We added a little honey to ours, yummy.
And as a added bonus,
enjoyed some delicious butter milk.
The sweet award for all that hard work.
If you have never tried it,
give it a shake. Smiles.

Fishing Barefoot Style

While the my oldest is in his Co-op classes on Wednesdays,
the twins and I go beach exploring.
This day, the twins went fishing....

Throwing out the line.

Waiting for a bite.

No fish caught.
I was told
"the ocean is empty Mommy."
Many blessings.

Six Weeks Complete

We have completed our first six weeks of this year.
How is it going?
Rewarding, exciting, ..., frustrating, hard...

Our weekdays are full, really more full than I would like.
There is Cub Scouts on Monday evenings,
soccer on Tuesday and Thursday evenings,
Church Wednesday and Sunday,
and Co-op classes Wednesday mornings,
oh, and let us not forget speech on Tuesday afternoons.
My husband and I have talked about it
and we really don't see at this time where we can cut back.
It is mainly our evenings that are so full.
We plan our family meals around the activities.
It is important that we get in our family meals
as much as possible.
Most of the time we are able.

I am in the process of tweaking our home school.

My oldest is struggling with his math facts.
We are slowing down til he has mastered them.
Going to use more of a Waldorf inspired math block
starting soon. Still reading about it.
Plan to implement around week nine.

Reading is coming along.
My oldest is showing lots more interest in reading.
He has picked out two books
that he is independently reading.
It is wonderful to see him snuggled up with a book.

We are really enjoying the Burgess Seashore book.
Living near the ocean has really brought this book to
life for us.

Our history readings are exciting.
My son drew a picture of the Lexington and Concord
battles. He can describe the bravery of the Americans
at Bunker's Hill.

Our struggles are with our family rhythm
during the day.
I take a lot of blame for this.
For the past two months, I have been working more.
This has lead to me being tired and my patience slim.
Our morning candle lighting and circle time
have been inconsistent.
Our beautiful baking days, painting, drawing days
have gone by the wayside for the last few weeks.
Again, my husband and I talked.
We feel it is more important that I am fresh for the children.
So, starting in November, I will be working only one day a week.
I think this will make a big difference.
Looking forward to getting back into rhythm.

Home schooling is hard work, but I would not change a thing.
Many blessings.

Twins First Soccer Game- Go Brasil!

Looking on before the game.

What we really like to do during the game.

One tired baby- 20 minute games are long for 3 yr olds.

Okay Mommy, enough with the pictures.

Never honey.

Twins First Soccer Practice

Getting some tips from big brother.

Getting encouragement from big brother.

Loving the nets.

Focusing.

Free Play

Following in his big brother's footsteps,
the love of Legos.

Here is his first Lego creation
that he did all by himself.

Yes, we love Legos around here.

For the Love of Star Wars

My husband and our oldest son
went to a Star Wars convention several weeks
ago called Star Wars Celebration V.
To tell you how big it is, last year it was held
in Japan.
Over 35,000 people!
George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamel,
and others were there.
Here is a picture of the lines to get in.
This thing is huge and all your Star Wars junkies
were there including my husband and oldest son.
Below are just a few pictures
of their exciting trip.

All you see were built by fans, none are originals.

I think he has hit jackpot.

R-2 Builders Club and their amazing robots.

Everywhere you looked, you ran into fans dressed as characters
of the movie/movies.

Darth Vader!

The Lego displays were spectacular.

The boys had a blast!

Two Books

Two books we are enjoying right now:
Little Pilgrim's Promise
by Helen L. Taylor
and
Johnny Tremain
by Esther Forbes

The author of Little Pilgrim's Progress took
John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress book
and simplified it for younger readers.
My son loves it. So do I.

Johnny Tremain is a historical fiction, living book.
The story is about Revolutionary Boston
as seen through the
eyes of a young boy named Johnny Tremain.

I highly recommend both of these books.
Many blessings.

Painting

Tuesday was our painting day.
There is no structure to our painting.
I just give them the paints
and await the results.

My oldest, only a few days back from a
Star Wars convention,
is all about his Star Wars.

The twins are all about mixing.
I love watching them be
little artists.

Next week, water color.
Many blessings.

First Day Of School

Traditional first day of school front porch picture.

Morning candle lightening with breakfast.

Monday is baking day.
Started this year with simple recipes.
My oldest read the directions and measured the ingredients.
The twins stirred.

Oven preheated and pan prepped.

Spread it evenly.

Clean up a must and all helped.

Shaping our pizza dough.

Cheese, cheese, cheese!

Yummy!

Mommy did throw in some fruit and milk
to try add something healthy.

We did manage to get in reading, grammar, math,
handwriting, and science in too.
Great start of a new year.