Scented ClayDough Fun

This claydough is SO fun and easy to make. It involves no cooking, and it SMELLS SO, SO YUMMY!

As you can see, the girls had a lot of fun.

( We used grape flavored Kool-Aid and Icing Colors violet.)

I adapted the recipe from one I found in The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions by John E. Thomas and Danita Pagel.

Recipe:

2 1/4 cups flour

1 cup salt

4 Tbs. cooking oil

1 cup water

1 packet unsweetened powder drink mix

1/4 tsp. concentrated paste food coloring

Directions:

1. Combine flour, salt, and powdered drink mix in a large bowl.

2. Stir in cooking oil, water, and food coloring

3. Stir this mixture until it is the consistency of bread dough

4. Remove dough from bowl and knead on a floured surface 2-3 minutes until firm

Dreaming and Planning the Garden

We're going to do things a little bit differently this year with the garden.

I bought this book a week or so ago. I read it last summer, I think. When I read it, I could hardly wait until the next planting season.

And here we are. That time of year to start dreaming and planning the new garden.

Actually, I've been dreaming since we took down the last one... new seeds to plant, new vegetables to grow...

This year we're going to square foot garden.

I planted my first garden some years ago in our old house, with the help of my friend Anita. It didn't turn out exactly as I'd hoped. But it was a start.

After we moved into this house I'd wanted to try again. The phrase "the prophet said to plant a garden, so that's what we'll do" kept running through my mind. It was a lot of work. We've had so much help and advice from my grandpa. He's an expert gardener. And happy to share his knowledge and wisdom.

This year will be our 4th garden here. Each year I learn more and get better at it. There have

been so many benefits and blessings that have come to our family through gardening. Physically, mentally, spiritually and nutritionally.

My grandpa says it's time to get going on this year's garden. It's time to quit dreaming and planning. It's time to start working.

The prophet said to plant a garden, so that's what we'll do.

For God has given rich brown soil, the rain and sunshine too.
And if we plant the seeds just right, and tend them carefully,
Before we know good things will grow to feed our family.
--Children's Songbook, 237

V is for Valentine

It's been a busy week. The next few post posts are about preschool because for the next two weeks it's my turn to teach. They are NOT in chronological order.

Well. I finally got those books finished (except I'm still working on Zoe's. hehehe) I decided to make four and give them to the little preschool girls.

V is for Valentine.

This shows the front and back covers. I made 2 pink and 2 red.

Sweet Vocals. Yummy Variety.

Since we talked about the letter V, I decided to make my books with V words. The other girls (Keri, Brandi, and Kendra) had different words on their pages.

Vanilla cupcakes. Vermilion flowers.

The books turned out cute. But, I am glad they are finished!

We had our Valentine party on Tuesday. Each girl made their own box for trading valentines. (Isn't that what you remember from your own school days?) Zoe is checking out her stash of treats. We covered the lid in super shiny tin foil.

Moms and girls and baby brothers.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Children's Garden at the Kiln

This is a little hike I took the preschool girls on back in November. It has pathways leading all over, and it's just the right size for little kids.

It's on your way to Oak Grove through Leeds. It's fun, educational, and easy to do as a lone adult with three little girls and one baby boy. (No strollers.)

Make sure to start the walk with a good partner.
Stop to read the signs. They tell all about the local plants and vegetation.
Go down some stairs and across a bridge.And this is what you'll find... A huge beehive-shaped kiln. It was built in the late 1800's by Italian immigrants working at Silver Reef. (It's really cool to see, and I'll bet you didn't know it was there! I didn't.) This is what it looks like on the inside. Looking up to the sky!

Of course, you've got to end the trip with a good picnic. And guess what? There's a table for just that!

ChECk Me OUt

The girls aren't the only ones with dance moves!

"Check me out! I'm KICK Asher!"

Room Redo?

I've been wanting to make some changes in the girls' room for the last little bit. Changes for me come rather slowly, especially when it involves projects. We bought this bed at my aunt's yard sale a while back. The bed needed some help. So a few nights before Christmas, I painted it in the garage. Voila! New bed.


The girls were a little sad to have their old bed leave, but the change is good. The bed looks cute with the new bedding (Christmas too). I am going to have to do something with the walls. Which will then lead to something else... I already have a million projects that need to get finished and like I said... Changes for me come rather slowly, especially when it involves projects.

So, a complete room redo? No. A start? Maybe!


BEFORE
AFTER

The February Family Read Aloud

The new book is The Borrowers by Mary Norton. We're a few chapters into it, and I'm beginning to wonder whether it was the right choice...

So. This is how we start the reading. All the children on the bed. (With the Littlest bouncing around everywhere.)Zo-issima's attention tapers off and she begins playing around. (But that's one of the reasons we're doing this, right? To develop an ATTENTION SPAN.)

And this is how we end the reading. With the two oldest still listening and wanting more.

(Asher did like the book, however the pictures look. So much so, that he tore the cover off. Won't my mom be thrilled.)

Jim Trelease explains in his book, "how easy it is to overlook the very purpose of literature: to provide meaning in our lives" (The Read Aloud Handbook, pg. 18).