Evolution of a boy's dream, part 3

Evolution of a boy's dream, part 2

Evolution of a boy's dream - part 1

Loving what we do!

 About 6 weeks ago, we made a little, but significant, change in our homeschool curriculum.  Our subjects and emphasis on Bible stayed the same, but it added in read-alouds that we didn't have time for before.  It changed the workload for me as well.  And, I must say, we are just loving it!  The hands-on applications in this new curriculum are fantastic.  It allows me to be creative, just like our old curriculum, but it has made my planning SO MUCH EASIER and it has made our days so much more fun.

I will be honest that over winter, we were all dragging ourselves through our schoolwork.  And at first, I contributed it to the usual "winter blahs" that I experienced when I was a teacher before kiddos.  But after viewing this program, My Father's World, with a friend from co-op - my mind was made up.  After some consultation with the principal, we were a go! ;-D

Let me just show you what we did yesterday - and I think you'll see why we love it so much!

We have been talking about the many names of Jesus.  The first one we talked about was that He is the Light of the world.  This week, we're talking about Him as the Bread of Life.  Additionally, we're learning about the Dutch Pioneers coming to America and how they would have made their bread and their butter.

To illustrate how yeast works, we had two glass bottles.  Each was filled with a packet of yeast and 1 cup of warm water.  The bottle on the left had 1 tsp of salt and the bottle on the right had 1 tsp of sugar - each were topped with a balloon!  Our results:

I am such a visual learner and I think kids, at this age, are very visual too!  They enjoyed this experiment.  They also enjoyed smelling the bottle with the rising yeast after I removed the balloon!!!  LOL!!

Our next assignment was to make butter.  We put 1 cup of heavy whipping cream in a quart jar and shook, shook, shook!  For about 15 minutes - which is why Q is so unimpressed in this picture - I took it at the beginning when he realized how long this needed to be done.  Or maybe it was the sun in his eyes - from our skylights.  Whatever! ;)

But, he had some happy relief shakers!

He found his joy as we neared the end!  If you look closely, you'll see there is no cream at the top of the jar anymore.  After he gave me the jar, we realized we had butter!

Pretty cool, huh?  After you remove the butter, buttermilk is left behind.

What better way to test our butter, than to make some English muffin bread to serve it with.  The kids quickly went to work pouring, measuring and mixing.

Their efforts will well rewarded - YUMMY!!!!!

Now, what to do with that buttermilk!?!?!?!

I KNOW!!!!  Let's make great-grandma's buttermilk sugar cookies!

 We all really enjoyed our day of learning in the kitchen!  When asked what his favorite part of the day was, Q answered, "When we got to eat!" 

 

Dedicated to all the Mommies who are ALL "Queens"

As I watched this earlier, I had tears in my eyes because of its humor and its truth. 

I wouldn't change a thing.

Dare I add that I've always loved the original version of this song?!?!  And, that I loved the car scene in Wayne's World with this song!?!?!  Oh well, I guess I just did.  Think what you will! ;-)  BAH!

Hawk Watching

We get to enjoy seeing red-tailed hawks soaring above and sitting in the woods behind our house.

But this weekend, we got to see one a little more up close.

Yes, the hawk does have something hanging in its claws.

Wordless Wednesday

Coming to a field next year...

Look who tried on her brother's cleats!

We went and found the pair Q used for Trick or Treat when he was 4 and she wears them now to "play."  She won't be getting on a team this year, but maybe next year!

I think she's cute to watch.

Bits of my weekend

Kids & flowers make for a wonderful mother's day.  These 3 have a pretty awesome daddy!  Not only did he help them make me feel special this past weekend, he does it the whole year through.  I love these kids and their daddy! :)

To see more 'bits of my weekend' - visit Michelle at Six in the City.

Join us for today's episode of Animal Hunter...

During this week's show, we'll be investigating a new species in this rural development.  This area has seen the likes of deer, fox and hawks but this week, we're bringing you footage of the first sighting of this rare, rare breed.  It's sitting just behind that hosta in front of the rock wall.

Let's get a little closer, shall we?  Quiet now, we don't want to disturb its habitat.

Ladies and gentleman, are you as shocked as I am?  We have never, ever seen the likes of this type of bird in our area before.

To celebrate this new discovery, enjoy this song.

And that folks, ends today's fabulous episode! ;-D

Wordless Wednesday - Double Rainbow

The "other" member of our family

He doesn't get much time on my blog, but he is a big fluffy part of our family and he's turning 12 today - or technically 84 years old today.  Riley, our first "baby" - Happy Birthday puppers!