Keeping It Simple

I did not intend for us to spend 4 weeks on China- it just has happened that we have been a bit short on time, so we are squeezing things in where we can.  We finally got to make Egg Drop Soup!  This was a super simple recipe, but all the boys wanted  in on it, so they each got a job (or two).  They...  chopped...   measured...   poured...   and stirred the ingredients.  And, finally, served the soup!  Sadly, I did not take a picture of the final presentation. The fun part was including Grandma in our festivities. I wish I had taken a picture of that too! The boys were so excited to get Grandma and walk her over to dinner (Grandma is our neighbor). Using the information from our cookbook, Grandma was treated as the "most respected" (eldest) person at the table. Grandma was the first one served and no one took a bite of their food until Grandma took a bite of hers. (meal ser...

Bugs, bugs, and more bugs! We had a great time on our "bug field trip". I called the local wild bird center to schedule an outing with their bug expert. Miss Christine was an enthusiastic and informative guide! The kids had such a great time and learned so much.   If I remember correctly, this is a little tent made by a caterpillar and in our  guide's hand is some caterpillar "scat".  A different caterpillar - the Painted Lady.  This spider was a highlight of the day. I don't think our children are used to playing  with spiders! Miss Christina gave all the children a close up look as this spider crawled  all over her arms and almost in her sleeve.   The spider kept dropping off on a thread and when picked up again,  it would begin the process all over again.   Everyone got a chance to hold the thread and feel how strong it was.  They were all in awe!   Miss Katydid came...

From two weeks ago:  Health: Keep up the no soda! Wahoo! Four weeks in a row! Kitchen: Meal Plans. Actually working on it! I sketched this weeks menu out and have a chart to complete an outline for the month. Schoolroom: Focus on workboxes being up and running. We're there! It took a while, but the boxes are filled and ready. This week: Plan goals on Sunday and post them before Tuesday! Health: Keep up no soda + cutting out more sugar in our (family) diet. My family loves juice and we have cut back drastically on that in the last two weeks. It was an adjustment, but the kids seem fine with it now. Kitchen: Meal planning- complete one month plan. Schoolroom: Make schedule strip to go with the workboxes. I have never seen a need for this, but I think it might be useful this year. We have a lot of activities that don't necessarily go with boxes. Fill out our school affidavit (October 1). Thanks to Katrina at Mama Manuscripts for mentioning her school paperwork...

Not that I haven't mentioned this curriculum enough over the last few weeks, but I am excited to have my review of Galloping the Globe posted over at   Curriculum Choice . Stop by and take a look! :)

Just some fun happenings...   James won two movie tickets from a "decorate the toothbrush"  contest sponsored by his orthodontist.  He was a super enthusiastic participant.  The ortho is saving them as ornaments for the office Christmas tree... fun.   Even big boys...  enjoy watching trucks work. This is our backyard. Every few years they do this.   This weekend was filled with  birthday fun... including building a race track!  Pretty legit if you ask me. The b-day boy (below) was pretty pleased with the whole thing.   As a side note- Can you see the mohawk? Big sis gave it to him for his birthday-  it was suppose to come off today, but there was "not time".  Thinking tomorrow is it. For whatever reason, he loves it.  Speaking of "Big Sis"- she started the salon academy this week. Gone ALL day!  Tor...

During my purging, cleaning, and organizing efforts, I discovered Erin's  long lost binder with her studies on China from 6 years ago.  In there was this correspondence with her Uncle who was about to travel to China:   I love that he explained the water canals.  A true homeschool dad!  True to his word, he took some pictures.  Brought home postcards.  And some money.  New...   and old.  And now the boys are having fun looking at their sisters unearthed treasures. They are very impressed with the money. We just got a chance this week to look through everything and talk about it. We had fun trying to find the places on the map that Uncle Kevin talked about, and plan on spending some more time with this on Friday (and wrapping up our study for this country). Thanks Uncle Kevin!