First Day of Co-op!

Even though we are in our fourth week of school, today was our first day of co-op. It is offered every other week for two hours. Ryan was in preschool, Emily was in kindergarten, and Allie took two classes, "Wild About Animals" and "Hands-On Science".

Each mom either teaches or assists in a class unless there are special circumstances, and since I had been really sick with the pregnancy the director said I didn't need to assist anywhere this semester. (Woo-hoo!) But then Ryan's class was a little short-handed the first hour so I worked with the preschoolers. They are so cute! It was honestly a joy to spend that time with the little cuties. I think I'll assist there each time. The next hour I found a place in the shade and got to do my Bible study. Talk about feeling spoiled! It was great.

Emily's class, the kindergartners, are studying bugs this semester. Today they each got a little container full of ladybugs to take home. She was ecstatic. We have directions for releasing them, but I think I'm going to have to talk their "mama" into doing that. She's pretty much in love with them!

Allison made an owl mask and did some fun experiments in her science class. We do experiments here at home sometimes but I'm grateful that she's doing more in this class.

Overall, our first day of co-op rocked!

Funny Headline and Batik Pictures

So I have two things to post that really have nothing to do with each other, but bear with me.

First, Ethan sent me this article that is really kind of funny. Here's the link:

U.S. EXECUTION FAILS OVER INMATE'S UNSUITABLE VEINS

His comment with the email read, "If you're ever convicted of a capital offense, this may be your way out!" Thanks, babe. I have a feeling he may be right about my veins, although I'm not planning to ever come near any kind of offense, thank you!

Secondly, we had a craft today that the kids loved. We were reading in our social studies book about crafts in different cultures and the girls were intrigued by batik, which is a craft in Indonesia. The women take hot wax and make designs on cloth, then they paint over the cloth. When the was peels off the beautiful designs are left. We modified it by using wax (NOT hot) on paper. They drew designs and then watercolored over them. They enjoyed that but the most fun they had was when I wrote them "secret" messages and they had to paint the paper to reveal them. Easy project and fun!

Chocolate Play Dough

We came across this recipe in an old file I had recently. The kids were wanting to make peanut butter play dough, but I talked them into doing chocolate. This was the first AND last picture I took before I unwisely let Allie take the camera from me. She is very careful on her own but her darling brother grabbed it from her hands and dropped it on the lens. :( So goodbye camera, for now.

Here is the recipe:

Mix together --

1 and 1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp. cream of tartar

Mix thoroughly, then add --

1 and 1/2 T. oil

1 cup boiling water

Mix and knead until smooth!

The girls particularly liked using cookie cutters and "making" cookies that smelled like the real thing. Ryan tried to eat it more than once. :)

Fall Giveaway

We have been in our house now for about 10 months and I am really feeling the need to get settled! The area in need of help is our living room/dining room/kitchen. There is just so much space and I want the colors to all blend together well. I'm entering a blog contest to win a gift certificate to Home Goods. I've heard of them but have never shopped there. To see some cute fall ideas and enter the contest yourself, go here!

Smart Mommy Blog

I just ran across the most helpful website the other day! If you have little boys only you may not care for it but if you have little girls you may want to check out this cute website.

My many thanks to those moms out there who are willing to share their knowledge with the rest of us. :) My girls may be sportin' new do's soon!