The Square inspired art

This week's art project was inspired by Alberto Giacometti's sculpture The Square.  We were fresh out of bronze so we used pipe cleaners, scrap paper, putty and foil to create our people.
We started by creating our men by twisting 2 pipe cleaners together to create a v-shape which was the body and legs.  Then, we twisted another pipe cleaner around a ball of scarp paper to make a head and attached it to our pipe cleaners for the arms.
Next you need to make 2 balls of clay to stick your feet into.  I cut lots and lots of strips of foil for them to wrap around the skeleton and Daddy helped to get it nice and thick so they would stand on their own.
Idea from the Art Treasury by Usborne.

Sunday afternoon fun

Last weekend, we were so bored.  It was so hot, funds are getting limited as we try to save for my maternity leave and I was going stir-crazy.  I told Ben we should see if we could find a pool at Target and go get snow cones for some family time.
We found this great inflatable pool that we thought all 3 kids would be able to enjoy.  The girls liked it, but I think it is too cold for the boy.
I was showing the girls how to run in circles to create a whirlpool and I got the idea to get their inner tubes to float on when they got the water going. Ben suggests they land on their tummies instead of their bottoms   to see if they could float better.  My sweet darling 6 year old informs me that I always have good ideas, but Daddy makes those ideas better.  Ah yes, of course, my idea for snow cones, pool and floaties are good, but his idea was better.

baby update

I went to the doctor on Friday and found out I am dilated to a 3, and she expected him to be here some time this week.  She suggested I stop teaching a week early and start packing for the hospital.
Bags and camera are packed, car seat is installed in the car.  Newborn diapers are purchased, and the bassinet is up and ready for him to come home.  Now just need to make some progress and get this kiddo out of his waiting pattern.

Little House in the Big Woods projects

We finally finished our first book in the Laura Ingalls Wilder series, Little House in the Big Woods.  It took longer than I anticipated, but I am all about stress free or at least trying to be this summer.  I highly recommend the series, the girls really seemed to enjoy it.  Along the way, I have tried to plan projects for each day's reading.
Chapter 1 - try beef jerky, Laura's Pa smokes their own meats for the winter
Chapter 2 - make corn cob dolls like Laura's or make homemade butter
Chapter 3 - make an owl craft
Chapter 4 - make stockings out of old unmatched socks, fill with candies and treats
Chapter 5- make paper dolls
Chapter 6 - ride to church and home again without talking
Chapter 7 -make maple candy 
Chapter 8 - look up square dancing and play music from time period, learn to dance a jig
Chapter 9 - draw a map from Laura's house to town
Chapter 10 - make cheese or taste a variety of cheeses
Chapter 11 - make thumbprint bees
Chapter 12 - taste different kinds of nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts and hickory nuts or make Johnny cakes (cornbread)
Chapter 13 - learn the song Auld Lang syne

primitive writings

In our history book, we literally begin at the beginning.  We are using the classical education approach to history.  In the past as a teacher, all of the curriculum had you teach a child about themselves, then their family, community, state, country and then world.
In the classical education, it is quite the opposite.  You learn from the beginning of time and progress through the ages.  I was very hesitant about this approach and quite intimidated.  However, the girls have thoroughly enjoyed it.  We are using Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer.  We are studying ancient times and we created these animal skins with brown paper bags and created our own primitive symbols and writings.

thumbprint art

In one of the chapters of Little House in the Big Woods, Laura's cousin decides to stomp on a yellow jacket's nest.  The wasps went crazy and stung Charlie multiple times.  That was a difficult chapter to think of a project to explore.  We made bumble bees and other objects using our thumb and finger prints.
And why yes, we do all of our craft and school projects in tiaras and ball gowns.

VanGogh inspired creations

We purchased a great book, Art Treasury, based on a recommendation from a fellow home school friend.  There are many famous artists included in the book and then a project that is inspired by that artist.  Our first artist to learn about was Vincent VanGogh.  Unfortunately, the girls remember that he cut his ear off and he committed suicide more than anything else about him.  But, they have spotted his famous piece of work the Starry Night, several times since our study.

Our art teacher had a baby in May and we may not be able to work her lessons into our school year this year, so we are working through this book with the help of our resident artist, Daddy.

our hi"story"

We are using the Story of the World for our history this school year.  In the first chapter, we learned that history was our story.  We made a time line of major events since the girls have been born.  We started from the beginning of our blog and used their baby books to pick major events along the way.  It was fun to look at the girl's outfits, crafts, and pictures from the past seven years.

piano lessons

The girls had their first piano lesson this morning with Miss Ashley.  LE has been asking for a few months for lessons and I was able to find a fellow home schooled high school student who offered private lessons.  Bella has been wanting to take harp lesson, no such luck with that one yet.  When she found out the lessons were private and she would be getting one-on-one attention she decided she wanted to give it a try.  They did great their first lesson.  We have borrowed PopPop's keyboard until we know we are going to stick with it.  They have homework from Miss Ashley and they are supposed to practice each day.

and he shall be called...

Benjamin Harrison, named after Daddy.
Right before R2 was born, Ben and I talked about naming him Benjamin and part of my felt a huge tug to name him Benjamin, even though we had Read picked out for 6+ years.  When we found out we were pregnant with baby #4, I felt we should name him Benjamin again, but Ben wasn't so sure.  The names on our lists have been set, I want Graham, Ben wants Judson, Bella wants Jack and LE was indifferent.  We all (except Bella) liked Harrison, but was concerned it was too long of a name and it would be shortened to Harry.  Over Father's Day weekend, Ben told me he felt his name should be Benjamin Harrison and he would go by Harrison.  We have been calling him Harrison to make sure it fits and so far it has.
Benjamin - son of my right hand
Harrison - son of Harris (home ruler)

Missions Monday - back to school

It is my 2nd favorite time of year, back to school supplies have hit the shelves. I love the smell of crayons and the prices aren't too bad either.
Which means it is also time to support my most FAVORITEST ministry and cause on the planet.  Children's Cup has simplified their back to school campaign even more this year.  They are asking for $10, a backpack and a note, that's it!  I cannot wait to get the kids involved this year.
For $150, a child can go to school for a full year, which seems unreal to me. What sacrifice can you make to  allow a child to school for a year?  I love being creative with our family to make it happen each year.

machine gun preacher

Have you seen the Gerard Butler film, Machine Gun Preacher based on the true story of Sam Childers?  I have been wanting to see this movie for months and finally rented it this weekend at redbox.  It is not for the faint of heart.  It is not a feel good movie, it is a heavy movie, but I hope you will watch it.  And I hope it stirs something in you.  Our family was so privileged to host the Watoto Children a couple years back.  Some of them are orphaned children and even rescued child soldiers b/c of the Sudanese Civil Wars.  Sam is involved in trying to save children from this same war.
I ordered Ben the book this morning, so will let you know how that turns out too.

Fishing Fun

The kids are hooked (no pun intended) on fishing, which we love.  I used to go fishing with my PawPaw as a girl and I guess it was only fitting that their PawPaw bought them their first fishing rods at Gibson's.  Their's are princess, mine was a Snoopy.  Boo caught two fish on her first trip; LE caught one, but it got away.  Day #3 Ben and I got to join them, but the fish were not biting.  We had some company that got a little too close for comfort, so we decided we would pack it up and head back to the campsite.

surprise shower

the snacks

part of the crew

Over the weekend, one of my aqua members messaged me via facebook and asked if I could meet him before class today; a couple of the members needed to talk to me.  At first, I was a little concerned, but I honestly thought they were going to tell me I could slow down a little.   Most in my classes are active older adults and they are concerned with all of my bouncing around.
I walked into the staff room and 15 of them were waiting for me with flowers, goodies and gifts.  It was so special for me.  They blessed with us a Babies R Us gift card, UT onesie and Mickey Mouse blanket.  I was blown away.

4th of July Fun

Last Monday, I met Mimi in "Dripping" so she could take the kids camping for the week.  On Tuesday afternoon, Ben told me he was missing the kids and could we go get them on the 4th (he had taken off Thursday and Friday, just in case).  I mean I was missing my kids too, but I don't know I was enjoying the calm before the storm.  We got up late Wednesday a.m. and drove to their campsite to surprise them.  Let's just say it doesn't take long for the parental units to be replaced.  They had new fishing gear, been swimming every day, ate tons of kid-approved food, stayed up late, slept late, played with cousins and could careless that we were there.  We let them stay till Thursday and Ben and I drove to my parents to spend the night.  R2 came with us so Mimi and PawPaw could have one night of "decent" sleep.
Thank you for wearing them out.  They slept till 10 a.m. on Friday and till 9 Saturday and Sunday.  Can we arrange to do this on a regular basis?

6 weeks to go

I hate pictures and blog posts about myself.  But, I know for posterity sake baby #4 is going to want to see what I looked like, or he may not.
I have gained 24 pounds.
Still teaching 6 fitness classes a week, plan to teach until July 31st.
He began to drop two weeks ago, June 21st.
I am craving BBQ, chocolate and chips.
My back and hips hurt more than anything else.
He has hiccups about 10x per day.
I get up to go to the bathroom around 4-5x per night.
I cannot reach my toes to paint them, tie my shoes or pick up my gym bag, it is a pathetic sight.
I have the biggest helpers in the world through Daddy, LE, Boo and R2.
My due date is August 16th, but praying he is an early bird.

day at the museum - girl's version

The girls were able to do a wider variety of things at the museum this year.  There are several rooms devoted to science and things made a lot more sense this go-round.  I was most excited there was a room devoted to written languages.  We have been learning about hieroglyphs and cuneiform from ancient Egypt and I have been searching high and low for papyrus paper.  They did not have the paper, but they had an entire table devoted to hieroglyphics so the girls were able to practice writing their names.
LE was quite the expert in the pioneer room and was telling us about all of the tools and supplies.  Bella still enjoyed the dress-up room, although if you ask her what her favorite part- "everything".

wordless Wednesday - yogurt boy

day at the museum - Read's version

We took the kids to the Mayborn Museum at Baylor this past weekend.  It is too hot to do anything outdoors lately and I needed some kid time before they leave for a camping trip with Mimi and PawPaw this week.  I was looking at pictures from our last visit and I was pregnant with R2.  I did not remember much of the museum and wasn't sure he would enjoy it.  He enjoyed it the most.  He was all over the place, trying everything.  We are now on the lookout for a cozy coupe and lego/train table.

Gigi and PopPop visit

Gigi and PopPop came to try out our new guest room set up last weekend.  The girls took the opportunity to show them their mad Star Wars lego skills for the Wii.  R2 even likes to play, although we have to disconnect the controller otherwise he takes over the game.