Check this out!

Just had to share this article:

Just Second Rate, go read it over at Passionate Homemaking!

Co-op

This week for co-op we had some brain games. 

We started with:

aluminum foil
pennies
bowls of water

The objective: Make something with the foil that would float and hold the weight of pennies.  Then, see how many pennies your creation could hold before sinking. 

We had everything from simple rafts, canoes, and even a submarine.  94 pennies was the magic number. 

Then we moved on to our next activity: 26 playing cards are all you'll need. Design a structure that will give an imaginary cow the most grazing area using only cards.  The only problem:   the cards have to stand up and not lay flat.   The girls used their surroundings to help them out.

The boys went with a more traditional approach. 

I found these ideas on the Zoom website  
Finally, music! Vivaldi's Spring is a very fitting composition for this time of year.  Using scarves, we moved to the various sections.  A section- trees; B section- birds; C section-river; D section- storm; E section- sun. Trees had green scarves, river-blue, storm- red, and sun- yellow.  The birds could pick their own color scarf.   The sections follow a rondo pattern and are as follows:  ABACADAEAEA. Kids only move on their sections...some got really creative with their scarves and movement. 

Then the free-for-all at the end.

 Finally, a rhythmic story about an old man, old woman, grand-daughter, cat, big black dog, and the mighty little mouse.  Each kid picked an instrument to play the rhythm of the words associated with the name of their character.  Then, I improvised a story about all the characters trying to uproot a huge turnip.  After once through, we switched parts. Both our little ones ending up being the little old woman, so I dressed them appropriately.  :) 

It was a really fun day as always!

Good Friday

 Hot Cross Buns

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us, while we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8

Lots...

Water table-complete

The first day was just playing in the water...then it's been a water battle everyday. 

Squirting, chasing and soaking wet kids.

Daniel and Tera have really been into cooking lately...so I've tried on Sundays to let them bake something for church.  We've had chocolate cake and this week- Blondie Brownies, compliments of Daniel. 

Lots of things are growing around here.

 Lots of things are changing...gradually.

Playing and Cooking

Playing sick or something like that

Tera's first from-scratch chocolate cake

Daniel doing his part to help when it was all over. 

Our friends came to visit

Bubbles

  Play things made by Daddy(water table and sandbox) Michael's birthday presents, which we are still in the process of finishing.  When finished there will be a mini-play area outside, complete with a lava pit stepping stones, wooden balance beam, and the two things pictured.  Finally, something for our kids to play with outside.  :)  My husband has so much to do around here, but he's put those things on the back burner.  Just so he can do this for the kids.  He's so sweet...I love him! 

Big smile...
  Redwall cooking- The kids found this website and have started cooking Redwall recipes- Oatcakes, Mem Divinia's Hotcakes and Hunter's Hot Pot