School days, etc.

I found a wonderful blog called Homeschool Creations. (homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com--don't know how to link it.) It's by a mom of kids ages 8,6,4,and 2. On the sidebar she has a list of each letter of the alphabet and projects to go with them. They are simple but "real", not just cutting out and gluing for no purpose. The ideas include things to do for art, memory verses, books, math, writing, cooking, crafts, movement, games, etc. This week Camie is on "H" in her phonics workbook, so we're doing things related to the letter. Today we read about Community Helpers and made hats to wear from patterns I printed from internet. (We just got a printer and I'm loving it.) Then we played Hopscotch, and sort of tried counting by hundreds (100,200, 300, etc.) I have a stack of books from their bookcase that have an H word in the title. Katie gave us a book called Hand Art where you trace you hand to make simple pictures. It's got neat ideas beyond the typical turkey picture we all grew up making.
Hats for Community Helpers

Micah the fireman (picture of a fireman glued to a paper band---couldn't find a regular fireman hat pattern), Felicity the policeman, and Camie the chef. This was a fun craft and very easy.

The kids and I were late for Sunday School anyway, so I stopped and took a picture before we left the house. The matching dresses wasn't exactly planned--just sort of evolved. I thought they were cute, though.

Cassie, 4 months old. The bow is for photo purposes only. Her hair is too thin to hold it in.

Poor-Man's Finger Paint

I saw thus "recipe" in a magazine at the doc. office:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups water

food coloring

Mix flour and water till smooth. Divide into small bowls and tint with food coloring. The kids were so excited to finger paint. They've never had this experience before. Another painting idea from the creative homeschool page is to tint white glue with food coloring. We "iced" paper donuts with this and added paper sprinkles. You've got to check that site out!

Flour finger paint

One of Camie's masterpieces

Our finished products.

The happy artist

We have another thumb-sucker in the family.

We went to Bass Pro Shop last week. The big aquarium and stuffed (real) animals were a thrill to the kids. Matt and I had gone there last month during a date and had fun. Two hours worth! There are glass elevators so the kids got to ride those too.

Going upstairs after looking down into the top of the aquarium

Test driving.

This is the closest to Sea World we've ever gotten. :)

I like this shot.

Once again this post is mainly pictures, but things are noisy and crazy here tonight. Got some bad attitudes to go "work out" of an eldest daughter of mine.

Matt is at his Tuesday night class until 9-ish. I think the kids and I will chill with a movie (translated "survive the hours before bedtime with a distaction.)