Fun Fridays: 3-D Art and The Periodic Table of Elements

Today was art project day in Fun Fridays.  We did a 3-D art project !

First, we drew six intersecting lines on our paper.  After the paper was divided into 12 sections, we started dividing those into four sections alternating between "smiley" and "frowny" faces.  

Everyone picked two contrasting colors to shade in every other section starting from the middle where all the lines intersected to the outside edges of the paper.  To make it easier we used our markers and put a dot on the sections we were supposed to color in.  

The boys requested that we study chemistry.  So, I gave a lesson on The Periodic Table of Elements.  

I checked out a couple of books from the library and we talked about atoms and the different categories of the periodic table.   

Periodic Table coloring sheet

Periodic Table of Elements with Pictures

We discussed how to figure out how many protons, electrons and neutrons each element has by using the periodic table.  Edible atoms--how fun!

One of the favorite parts of the day was watching a few of the Periodic Videos on youtube.  Nottingham University has put together a short video on each of the elements.  The highly reactive elements were the boys' favorites! 

First Week Back

It was our first week back after Christmas vacation.  I think it's harder to come back in the spring semester than it is to get started in the fall!

Michael celebrated his 5th spiritual "birthday".  5 years ago he asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior!  That is always something to celebrate!  

We are definitely making up for lost time in read-alouds.  Michael and I finished one book and we are close to finishing another audiobook.  While I read or we listen together, Michael is working through drawing lessons and tutorials. 

Tera and Daniel have hit the ground running, but are still finding extra time to play chess (Daniel) and bake (Tera).  Tera made these yummy savory "biscuits" from "The Great British Bake-Off " cookbook. 

THIS.  This is what I LOVE about homeschooling.  In our Victorian Britain unit, one of the project choices is to build a model of something from this time period.  Tera decided she was going to build a working steam engine using pressurized air instead of steam.  She consulted with a college friend and then searched out online how to make a model.  I came home from Fun Fridays to find her hard at work.  Her brothers could not help themselves hovering over her, asking questions, and offering suggestions.

She's not finished, but she's gotten a great start.  And that's how we roll back into school after a long glorious break! 

Girls' Night Out: Target Scavenger Hunt

Last year, I failed.

We had such a busy schedule that in my downtime I ended up feeling like being a hermit.  Although I'm an extrovert, I didn't make time for meaningful connections with people outside my home.  I resolved to change that in this new year.  Carving out special time for those important to me.  We've already gotten this year off to a great start with 4 friend time events last weekend alone--a play date for me and Michael, dessert with a couple that has been really kind to our family, a girls' night out and meeting my sweet friend at the gym.  Logically, I thought I'm going to be worn out after all that--but I wasn't...I was strangely refreshed (maybe a bit stressed at certain moments, too).  I remembered who I was and what feeds my personality. 

Sunday afternoon we met up with friends for a girls' night out--a Target Scavenger Hunt.  Oh my goodness.  I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time.  It was so fun to get out with a fun "goal" in mind.  

We met up at our house and headed out to Target.  I took the Target Scavenger Hunt from "a bushel and a peck" and tweaked it for our outing. 

Moms vs. Daughters

1 point if you take a picture of the item
2 points if you take a picture of the item with one team member
5 points if the whole team takes a selfie with the item

Meet back in 45 minutes!

I gave each team $5 before we started with THIS assignment:  Purchase something that will make the other team laugh.  10 points if you succeed!  

Oh yeah, the moms rocked that challenge!!!

Dinner out at Cracker Barrel with our beautiful daughters while we tallied our points and shared our photos and selfies. 

I can't wait to have more connection adventures with this group of girls! 

New Years Eve 2018

Good food, good punch and fun times!

Handemonium--These tiny hands crack us up!

 Rummicube and Forbidden Island

Since most of us needed to be up early in the morning, we brought in the New Year at 10 and went to bed!  Happy New Year! 

2019 Reading List--Books Completed

My goal is to read at least 75 books this year (with at least 25 of those being read alouds with Michael)  and I will be updating this list throughout the year as I complete a book.

January:

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
The Candymakers and the  Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli 


Read Alouds:
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (audiobook)

One last adventure of 2018

We took off today for one last adventure of 2018.  Our destination was a quaint town within an hour's drive for some flea market and antique shopping.  It was a very fun day all spent together--no tech, surrounded by treasures of the past.  

And I got to try out the fish eye lens accessory on my cell phone camera (a fun Christmas present). 

Cracker Barrel for a late lunch and early dinner. 

The kids' treasures:

Michael--a wooden samurai sword, bottle caps and foreign coins, stamps to add to his collection, a vintage book containing Robin Hood and The Last of the Mohicans, a gyrowheel and an electric guitar pencil sharpener.  

Daniel--a stein mug, Thomas Paine pamphlet from the 1920s, a framed photo of Zorro and Star Trek: The Next Generation comic books

Tera--a beanie, a lantern and her first vinyl! 

I found some cool hooks for the house, a basket to corral the things around my bed and a North American animal guide.  

And we even had our picture taken with Mrs. Claus... (and received a copy for each of us from the kind antique store owners)

My heart has needed a day of adventure with my bunch for a long time!  A perfect day....