ink and quill

The girls have been using ink and quill to write in their Journals of Discovery.  They made the ink using balsamic vinegar, a rusted nail, and oak bark. They have wanted to make this since they heard about it at the Marching Thru History Expo in October. When we were at the park for MLK day and they found some duck feathers they came straight home and gathered their ingredients and made some ink. Now we just need some cool clay jars to keep it in.

I helped Robert make some too and he has had fun practicing his writing with it!

Our ceiling solar system

A week later and our solar system is complete. Well mostly complete, somehow in the hanging up process we lost Mars. Oops.

It took a few days to get all the planets and the sun made.

Then we made signs for everything.

Finally, painting some stars and hanging it up.

If Mars hasn't turned up in a few days we will make a new one. Yesterday Anna's friend came over to play and said, "Whoa. I can't believe your mom let you do that." I can't either. Sometimes I surprise even myself!

fun with big sis

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about the giggling. Can you hear it? I hope so.

These little moments are what make motherhood priceless!

Martin Luther King Day

David had the day off and it was 76 degrees (according to our car anyway) so we loaded up the car and headed to the park for a picnic and a little learning adventure.

We read about the Greek mathematician Thales using proportions to measure the Cheops pyramid in Egypt and then measured a windmill the same way.

 
While David and I were talking with the girls for a minute the boys decided to take a climb and I had to take a quick pic before yelling at them to get down.

If your curious it was about 27ft tall. We figured that out by measuring Alahna and her shadow then measuring the windmills shadow. After having those 3 numbers we simply solved for x. Everyone took a guess before we solved it and Alahna and David were the closest.

Next, we had our picnic and went for a little walk. I think we will try coming back here and see how working at the park goes for our little school. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day.

Planning our solar system

I get my January back

Robert had his pre-op with the neurosurgeon today and after a lengthy discussion it was decided that it would be best to postpone the surgery!!!! I am so happy with this decision. The last month or so he has been doing considerably better and I was wondering if surgery now was the right thing to do and to hear the neurosurgeon echo my thoughts exactly was a wonderful relief.  He will still need surgery at some point, but hopefully by delaying it we will decrease the number of times.

And now I have my January back. I know it wasn't until the end of the month, but I have found it invading almost every thought lately. Now I can focus on other things, more pleasant things hopefully!

Camp Hero symposium

This morning to kick off a new component we had a Greek symposium. We came dressed as Greeks, had mezethes, lounged on pillows, and everyone shared something new they have learned. Alahna said, "I am wearing a costume, eating yummy food, and laying on a pillow to learn. I love school." I agree!

Robert is dressed as a soothsayer and told everyone's fortunes. He came up with the idea and costume all on his own.

I will some day be a grandma with 132 grandchildren.
Anna will be a grandma with 132,000 grandchildren and she will do lots of math.
Alahna will be a famous explorer and rock star.
William will take a nap.

I liked William's fortune the best.

Greek cooking

On one of our healthy days last week we did some Greek cooking.

Anna and William made pitas. That night we used them to have a pita pizza bar. So fun and yummy!

Alahna and Robert made Greek lemon potatoes. We had them with our lunch and with dinner the next day. They were also yummy.

The best part about this though was not how yummy the food was, it was watching the girls work so well with the boys.

Snow day!

My only picture from our little snow storm. We ended up with about 4 inches and the girls spent hours and hours outside.

doggysitting

Over New Years weekend we watched our friends dogs, Jack and Chloe. Our kids LOVED it and I have to admit I did not mind the free entertainment.

Jack and William were bosom buddies and spent hours just hanging out in the crate. Kinda gross, I know, but little boys are like that... kinda gross. Jack looks a little annoyed at the moment but believe me he loved William he just wasn't thrilled about me taking his picture.


Note Jan. 18, 2011: We found out last week that Jack was hit by a truck while on a hunting trip. My kids will definitely miss him.

A stummy ache

William has still been a little under the weather and today he told me, "mommy, I have a stummy ache."

"I'm sorry you have a tummy ache William." I said

"not a tummy ache, a stummy ache."

"Oh, a stomach ache?"

"No, mommy, I have a stummy ache."

I love that silly little man and I am sorry he has a stummy ache. I hope him and Alahna are both feeling better tomorrow.

I hate it when my kids are sick. I feel so powerless.

Our week in review

We started the week with a snow day, a rare treat in our neck of the woods. Then everyone started getting sick. First Anna, Alahna, and Robert were throwing up. We had a day of reprive where we tried to get into our homeschool routine again. Then next day William started throwing up and now Alahna has started in with a whole new set of symptoms. 

The good side of the week was we received William's MRI results and the results were GOOD! Yeah, that was such a relief!