Volcanoes and fossils, O MY!

We (mostly me) celebrated our first homeschool milestone: We are one-third the way through our school year. I am so excited about this because I am reminded of how incredibly overwhelmed I felt just getting started. I now say that I absolutely love homeschooling and I cannot imagine doing anything differently. This is HUGE for me to say because I wasn't so convinced earlier this year. Here are a couple of science projects we did last month. These pictures motivate me to take more pictures of the projects we do. Today we made "flying machines" and I did not think to grab my camera until after we flight-tested our creation. Maybe I can sneak one in on another day!

Allison's dinosaur fossils:

Here, Allison is making a volcano:

Sewing

Sewing has become quite a hit around our house lately. Allison has made a blanket, Greg has made a dress for Giraffe and a little outfit for Allison's new addition, Lucy Ann. I have been busy on my first quilt. I am in the final stages and hope to show pictures soon. I have a couple of projects on my mind for this month: a mommy/daughter quilt for Allison and I to work on and a few snack bags so that I can stop buying those pesky plastic ones.

Here is a sneak peek at my quilt:

Here is Allison trying her hand at sewing:

I apologize for the quality of pictures, I had some things done to my laptop and I haven't reinstalled all my software - particularly photoshop.

Summer

We've had a wonderful summer. We have been blessed with being busy. Our goal for this summer has been: swim swim swim!

How cool is this?

Can you tell I have a craving for homemade ice cream? I thought this was a pretty neat idea!
I found this recipe at organicvalley.coop

Plastic Bag Ice Cream
PREP TIME
10 Minutes
TOTAL TIME
20 Minutes
SERVINGS
1

Ice Cream
1⁄2 cup Organic Valley Half and Half
2 tablespoons sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Supplies
2 one-quart sealable plastic freezer bags
1 one-gallon sealable plastic freezer bag
4 cups crushed ice
1⁄2 cup rock salt
Gloves or a towel
1. Place half & half, sugar and vanilla in a one-quart plastic bag. Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly. Shake vigorously to ensure sugar is completely dissolved. Double-bag the first bag with a second one.

2. Place these bags inside a gallon-size bag. Add crushed ice and rock salt to the outer gallon-size bag. Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly. Place the bag inside a towel or put on gloves. Shake and massage the bag to work the ice around the ice cream mixture. When mixture firms up (in about 5-10 minutes), remove the quart bag from salt and ice. Serve immediately.

Beach Day

Allison and I made a plan in March to visit the beach for my birthday in June. With the sweltering heat lately, we almost decided against it. The plan was to make an early morning trip to the beach, stay for a few hours (until it became too hot) and then visit a local museum on our way back home. We loved the trip. We are all about day trips - they are a whole day packed with fun and then you get to be lazy the next day (you deserve it after all!). We plan to make a trip to the beach again this summer and to visit a different museum on our way home. Here are a few pictures from our trip. I should mention, Greg wasn't a fan of this trip, but was quickly converted upon our arrival. He thought a visit to the beach would be boring and hot. He actually thought it was relaxing and fun. Yay, especially since I love most anything having to do with outdoors.

See that smile on her face?

Cathching a wave

Building a sand castle

At the local aviation museum

Allison and I after a morning at the beach, sun-beaten and dirty (from the sand)

Having a Martha House the Mary Way

I have been hearing much talk lately about a book titled, "31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way." I have read the book, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver and loved it. I wanted to get my hands on this book.

What is this book about you might ask? To care for your family by creating a nurturing environment.

What is the challenge?
After each days reading, you will be given two challenges:
The Mary Challenge -Something you do that encourages/engages your heart
The Martha Challenge – Specific cleaning tasks

I"m excited for the challenge and what it will bring for my family. Care to join me?

see 31daystoclean.com

One year and three months ago.