Q-Tip Painting

Today is a dreary day on the homefront. It is warm with rain moving in. It is overcast and windy. It is a day that depresses you to look outside....

Since it is Thursday, I have my pre-school class for Wesley and Leighton. We have already begun the process of learning letters and their sounds and how to write them. Early this week, we went on a scavenger hunt for items that begin with L and W. We also used our fingers on sand paper to trace their letters. We have written them in chalk. We have had fun!

Today, however, I wanted to do something different. I was going to take all 4 to the zoo to look for animals that start with 'their letter.' In order for this to happen, the kiddos were to pick up their toys and do their chores while I took a shower. Wouldn't you know it, that once I was done, nobody had done as I asked. As a result, they lost the zoo privilege. (Tomorrow will be too cold, but maybe next Tuesday we will try again - they don't know this, though!) So, I had to go to plan 'B'. Which meant coming up with a plan b!

As I was drying off, I figured out just what we would do. Since we are working so very hard on letters, I decided that I would five the kiddos q-tips to use to create their letters and after that, they would use them to paint. It was a success! Not only did they get some good practice, they also had fun!

Here are some pictures of our very creative morning :-)

*Edible* Easter Crafts

(Lacy's Inspiration)

I took this idea from Lacy at Catholic Icing. I love her blog and all of the ideas that she puts out there..... and this was one that I could not pass up, so we did it! I wish that I had taken pictures during the process, but we were having too much fun......

Here are ours -  we have been passing them out to friends and family.... plus eating a few:

 **If you want to make some of your own, click HERE for complete instructions.

At The Car Shop. . .

With our upcoming journey to MS, we had to get the van in proper working order. To do this, we had to make 2 different trips to our favorite car shop, Crossroads Automotive. The shop is owned by Mr. John, as the kiddos call him. He is an incredible husband and father, not to mention a devout Catholic. When Robert and I lived in Mississippi, we would get the car serviced only when we made trips out here! We just love him that much!

Anyhow, the kiddos and I spent a day last week getting an oil change and 'tune up' performed, but had to come back today for a wheel alignment, rear wiper, and new headlights. Last weeks visit was pretty painless - it was first thing in the morning - 9am - so we just did our school work. However, today was different. Our appointment was at 2pm which is right when the kiddos are waking up from nap and wanting to run outside. I was begining to stress and then I remembered that we still had turkeys to make! We quickly packed everything into bags, ran up the road to get glue sticks and a diet coke and then headed to Mr. John's. . .

The kiddos immediately made themselves at home coloring and assembly their turkeys. They girls enjoyed it more than the boys, but all had a great time and it was a great learning time - they had to write what they were thankful for on the feathers, count out the feathers and sort them by color, etc etc.

 

Everyone had fun in their own way. For example, Little Robert enjoyed making it snow feathers - he would gather them into a pile and throw them into the air where they would scatter. The girls were quite annoyed with this, but that only made Little Robert enjoy it more!

It took a lot longer than I thought it would, but every moment was enjoyed, AND they came out pretty cute! Wesley needed help with his, so this is Mommy and Wesley's turkey! (That tire in the background was an actual customers tire!)

After we finished the Turkeys and cleaned up, we realized that Curious George was on PBS kids. Wesley was in a bad mood and all that he wanted to do was sit with his Hannah!

Little Robert was very tuned into Curious George. . .

We finally left Mr. John's about 3 hours after we arrived, and I am very proud to say that everyone did great. . . So, if you ever have to go to a car repair shop the day before Thanksgiving, make turkeys - it is quite memorable for all :-)

JHSK Meet and Greet - October

Yesterday, we had our monthly Meet-and-Greet with Jacksonville Homeschool Kids at one of the many local parks. This one was also combined with a fall art day! We always attend the "m and g's" as my kiddos LOVE playing with their friends and I love the chit-chat with other mommies and with the pumpkin crafting this time, we could not miss it!

Before we began the art session, the kiddos enjoyed this beautiful weather! They rode bikes and scooters. Played baseball and soccer. Just embracing the incredible cooler temperatures - it was wonderful!

After a little bit of free play, the pumpkin fun began! Each kiddo was able to choose a pumpkin and then a way to decorate - I chose for all of mine to paint, as knives make me nervous and pumpkin guts make me queasy! All of the decisions were made, and off they went. . .

"Mommy, I aint irt?!" (see the yellow paint on his shirt?!?!?)

painting a smiley face!

this was just the beginning of red paint on a white shirt. . . and on her nose!

because NO pumpkin is complete without a hand print!

the "happy I am done dance" :-)

Pumpkin Robert, Pumpkin Hannah, and Pumpkin Wesley

We had a great time! After the pumpkin art, we hung around for a while longer so that they could dry. The kiddos played with their friends, both old and new and I was able to have some much needed mommy time!