Summer Boredom Buster #2 Sand Art

The kids responded so well yesterday to the spur-of -the-moment packing peanut activity, I thought I'd try a different activity today. Same time of day, right after lunch.

Hmmmmm...

What could I spring on them this time?

That's right! Sand Art! I remembered that I had a sand art kit left over from Alexa's BD party. We ran out of time and didn't get to use it at her party. So we took the card table outside onto the deck, to save me as much cleanup as possible ;-)


Taylor was not interested...been there, done that. But that's ok. These activities are for anyone who wants to join in. I'm not going to force it.
It went well, I think. Except for having to move it inside at the end due to an unexpected summer shower. The girls each made two and Evan made one. It was a little harder for him, plus he had been playing out on the deck for about a half hour before us, so he was getting hot.
The results were awesome......smiles and beautiful works of art.


BTW, that's my little niece in the photo behind the sand art. She's such a cutie!

When your kids get bored this summer, ya might want to check your garage or anywhere else your throw your "we could use that someday" stuff. If you're like me, there's bound to be something there to amuse the children for at least a little while. ;-)

TTFN
~Tina

TTFN

Beating the Summer Boredom Blues

Today, as I stood behind the sink washing dishes. I noticed that my little guy looked....well.....bored.

I can usually tell this by either, a) his nonstop whining, or b) his constant need to get into things and do things that he knows he's not allowed. Now, he IS sick. He has a sinus infection and an infection on his skin. But he'd been acting like he's feeling better lately. I knew he was just bored. We are pretty much quarantined at home for the next day or so due to Evan and Alexa BOTH being sick (Alexa has a throat infection, but they ruled out strep).

Then, as I'm listening to Evan fuss, Skylar walks by with yet another polite request to watch TV. Ugh. The kids are fighting more and everyone is getting cabin fever.....in the middle of summer! I felt like I could just see their little brains melting away and desperately begging for something to do........a challenge or an activity or a craft or game. SOMETHING.


Then I remembered that I discovered something out in the garage a few weeks ago when I was cleaning it out. I had saved these packing peanuts that stick together when you dampen them. That's it!

So I finished the dishes, ran out to the garage and called all the children together at the dining room table. I showed them the peanuts and they were confused and intrigued. I said, "We are going to do a project." I could see it in their eyes.

????????????confusion????????????

So I demonstrated. I had a very damp dishtowel in the center of the table. I took a packing peanut, touched it to the towel, then placed it on a cardboard square. It stuck! Then I did the same with another one and attached it to the first. It stuck! Their eyes lit up. I think I even heard a few comments such as, "cool", and "awesome!". I told them they could make anything they wanted. Or it didn't have to BE anything. Just play around, be creative, whatever.
I was actually quite amazed at how well Evan got the hang of this. After that one demonstration, he just took off with it. LOVE his dinosaur (below). He explained to us that the head was on the right side and then the long neck led up to the rounded back. You can tell in the picture above that he took his work very seriously. :-)Alexa started by making a house. She immediately began constructing the walls. She likes to make things that she can use to play and pretend with, once the project is completed. You can see (below) that she also made a bed.
And later she made a playground, with just a little help from me to reinforce the swing. The Joker looks like he's enjoying it....then again he does have a "permanent" smile. ;-)
Skylar had a blast making her sculpture. She just couldn't stop!
The end result was impressive!
And big!

Taylor was a not sure what to make of this at first, but soon her creative juices were flowing and she set to work on some really cool stuff. She made the heart, then the girl in a dress, then the rose! I had never dreamed that these packing peanuts could turn into that!
The results were amazing. Not just the projects they came up with, but the transformation of the children themselves was better than I had expected. They were laughing and having fun and they were NOT bored anymore. They even complimented each other's work. This actually occupied most of them for over an hour and a half!

God knew what my children needed this afternoon and then gave me the means to provide it for them. I am so thankful! And I'm going to do my best to do things like this more often.

TTFN
~Tina

A Huge Hurdle

Ugh. Still struggling with picking a language arts course for Taylor. I like the Literature 8 with Kolbe, and the American History lessons that go along with it. But I'm not liking the Grammar and Composition that they offer. I found one I liked yesterday and bookmarked it, but lost it. Ugh....again. I'll look around some more. I'm not sure Taylor will like the History because she is way more interested in World History, than American History, BUT the literature that ties in with it is awesome. And the booklist consists of many classics that Taylor has not read. Plus, then I'll have these REAL books to use with my younger children when they get older. Yeah, I think I'm sold on the literature with Kolbe. It's costly, too, but I think worth it.

Now onto the other parts of Language Arts for her. This part is hard because I have a feeling she won't be happy no matter what I pick. We'll see. *sighs* Back to work.

TTFN
~Tina

Getting a Grip

I am looking forward to starting school again this Fall. I do enjoy the routine and the "getting back to normal" part of it. But I still have a lot to do before then, to be ready. That process is being slowed, somewhat, by my poor children being sick. You just can't plan for illnesses because you never know when they will strike.

I am having a very hard time choosing some of Taylor's curriculum for this next school year. I am excited about the new math program she'll be using. I've chosen Teaching Textbooks for her. She should do well with it. Our local homeschool group offers co-op classes taught by very qualified individuals. So Taylor is now signed up for 3 of those classes and I'm hoping they don't fall through (if not enough sign up, or the class is too full). If all goes as planned I'll take her to the church every Monday and she will have 3 classes in a row. This should give her some, albeit small, sense of how a school works, with the changing of classes. And it should help her to become more independant and responsible, having to turn in schoolwork to someone other than "mom". I'm hoping to send her to a Catholic high school next year, so this should be good "prep" for her.

For my other girls, I'm pretty much set. If I haven't ordered it already, I at least have their curriculums chosen. And I'm especially excited about following the plans at Serendipity for our Social Studies, Science and Geography. I had similar plans last year that fell through.

Not exactly sure, specifically speaking, what I'm doing with Evan, but he will have his co-op and he's now old enough for our club day that meets once a month. We'll have to see how well he stays and cooperates in those situations. And I'm thinking of "assigning" each of his siblings a few minutes a day to read, play or "teach" him. I think it would be great bonding time and, in addition to the time I spend with him, it would make him feel special and like a big kid.

Those are just some thoughts that have been jumbled up in my head. Kinda feels good to get them out in a "sort of" organized way. Makes me feel like I have a teeny, tiny grip on things.....maybe.

I'll be back.

TTFN
~Tina

Happy Birthday, Evan!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy!

He's my tough little pirate and my Superbatman!

He's active and playful.

And cute as can be!

He loves trucks and cars and trains!

And is very proud of his car collection.

He's my sweet, happy boy with the adorable smile.

And the beautiful blue eyes.

He's rough and tough and active all day, and oh so smart. And at night he's my snuggly little cuddler.

You are getting to be such a big boy, Evan. But please don't grow up too fast. I love you little man! Happy Birthday!

xoxoxoxoxo

Love,

Mommy

A Day to Remember

My little Alexa turned 7 last week. Sooo hard to believe! I posted about that previously, but wanted to share some birthday celebration pictures with you.

On her actual birthday, the children and I went to see The Tale of Despereaux at our local theater. They offer previously released movies all summer long, a couple mornings a week for free! Such a fun treat! Alexa enjoyed the movie and Evan sat through the whole thing! Yay! We went to Red Robin for lunch (Alexa's pick) and Alexa got a special birthday sundae free! She loved it and we all had a good time. After dinner in the evening, we all got to enjoy a special cake that Taylor made for her.

A few days later Alexa celebrated her birthday with her friends. We had a backyard carnival! I had always wanted to do one of these, but wasn't sure how I'd accomplish it. Well, since Taylor and her friends, and Skylar and one of her friends were able to help, I knew we could make it fun. The children made loot bags when they came in, while they waited for their friends to arrive. Then we headed, all together, to the carnival. There were games like Feed Freddie the Frog, and a ring toss game,a Mystery Box game where you feel what's inside and have to guess (that was a favorite), Tower Tumble (a block knock down game), a "spritzer slide" (another fave, especially since it was a hot day), face painting (actually arm painting), and amagic show featuring John the Magnificent (known to Alexa as Daddy), She was his biggest fan! Then the children moved on to the piniata and cupcake cones! Before everyone left, Alexa opened her gifts and thanked everyone for sharing in her special day.

She was so happy with this party that she wants a carnival party next year. I'm game if she is, but she has a whole year ahead of her to decide.

Happy Birthday, Alexa

Special thanks to Lilly, Maddy, Marie, and my own daughters, Taylor and Skylar, who so graciously helped us make this a special day for Alexa. Could not have had this party without you girls!