all about apples

Here's something I've discovered this year.  The apples from the orchard are so much better than the ones from the store.  I don't know why this year has been so different.  Usually, I'm not insistent on fresh apples but man, the ones that we've gotten from the store this season just don't compare to the ones we picked a few weeks ago.  So, we made another trip.  

 

The first excursion was with my Bible Study gals which was loads of fun.  I also considered it a field trip to go with our apple unit.  The second trip was made with another couple ladies whose husbands were in some way busy with their doctoring work.  We packed a little picnic and met up under the apple trees on a Saturday afternoon.  

thanks Erin, for our field trip picture. :)

On our first trip, I took the boys through the corn maze.  We slowly meandered through exploring every possible option.  I am ashamed to say that on this second trip (with grown up help) I managed to lose one child in the corn maze... and worse, didn't even notice until someone said "Aren't we missing one?"  Oh yes, that one was mine and where was I?  On the tractor about to head back to the main area.   

Just a little bit panicked, the three remaining boys and I quickly scrambled off the tractor.  Nathaniel and Jude ran through the corn maze crying out for Ethan.  They were definitely on a mission!  Nathaniel eventually found him all the way at the back of the corn maze.  It seems he wanted to try to get out on his own and abandoned the pack of other children.  Thankfully, he wasn't too frightened ... but I know I was saying some prayers as I bumbled through the maze.

The kittens and puppies were out and about this past weekend.  Is it obvious that they want a pet?  Nathaniel asked me today if he could be a dog walker so he could have time with dogs without us having to own one.  I've told them that we'll consider pets once we figure out where to next.  That's sooner than I think.

The boys saw caramel apples at the orchard and really wanted to have some.  I promised we would make it at home (including the m&m's just like at the orchard).  I was brave enough to take them all to the store and get the caramel that very day.  But then it took me two days to get motivated to melt the caramel.  :)  And wouldn't you know, I should have bought a lot more caramel.

Surprise, surprise... daddy came home early!  Just in time to enjoy the caramel apples.  These silly boys ran out of the house to get daddy to taste their apples.

I have more to post on our apple unit... later.  For now, here are my goobers (again).

leaf pounding

During our recent unit on leaves and plants, we tried out several new hands-on activities that the boys really enjoyed.  We did lots of leaf collecting and some leaf pressing and painting. 

Our kindergarten curriculum (My Father's World) has a Biblical theme for each unit.  The theme for this one was "I will live and grow in Jesus."  The curriculum suggested using a branch of leaves to illustrate this point.  We put a whole branch in a vase with water and then we pulled off one leaf and put it by the branch but unconnected.  The twins were fascinated and would check it every day to see how the leaf was doing.  After a couple days, the leaf is, of course, dry and brittle and the boys totally got it without any explanation.  That night, they greeted their very confused daddy waving the poor leaf and saying "See, this is what happens when you're not with Jesus."  Gosh, I love how these children see things so simply.

We also tried leaf pounding.  I read about it online and figured it would be most fun for the boys since it involved hammers, loud pounding, and smushing things to smithereens.  Of course, they loved it.

We collected leaves from around the neighborhood and pulled out the hammers.  I cut out two sheets of unbleached muslin for each.  The boys arranged their leaves on one sheet of muslin and covered their arrangements with another sheet.  We put all three layers on some cardboard and hammered away till we could see the imprint of the leaf.  I eventually took this activity outside where our neighbor kids could join in the merriment. 

I strung a few together with some vintage green and white polka dot bias tape I had collected from a yard sale and for now it's hanging by our front door.

The maple leaf is my favorite. Such clear lines. 

I think the boys liked the colored leaves and the real wet leaves that would really splatter all over.. wouldn't you know? Fun to hammer but not such a good imprint.

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Door County, WI: Fish Creek {3}

I love the names of these small towns right by Green Bay.  We stayed in Egg Harbor where there are so many shops selling locally grown apples, plums and other yummies. I brought home some pumpkin butter and apricot jam and lots of fresh fruit. At one of the shops, they enjoyed apple cider popsicles and several turns around a huge apple on little dirt bikes.  There were also a plentitude of antique shops. I had to restrain myself from entering though... I figured that one mamma with four boys under six and plenty of delicate items might cause unnecessary angst for all involved. 

We also made the quick drive to the next town, Fish Creek.  We enjoyed some frozen custard by the marina, let Nathaniel take lots of pictures, sat and watched ducks for a good long while, and walked around a quaint 'spring through fall' town.  Of course, I stopped at the local coffee and chocolate shop where I was told that most everyone leaves the town after the first of November.  I can just imagine how cold, gray, and windy it must be in the winter.  But approaching the end of the summer, it was perfection.

Door County, WI: Nature Walk {1}

A few weeks ago, we travelled several hours away from home leaving behind the routine, chores, and school workbooks to tag along with the mister at a conference.   After all the packing and loading up and running in and out of the house for that one last thing, we drove off, and I think took a collective deep breath.  Sometimes, being away from the usual is just what's needed.  We took walks, drew, read, sat on the sofa, cooked simple meals, went to the beach, and caught up with the mr. as much as we could.

{There are so many pictures, I think I'll have post them separately.}

I have been wanting to get the boys started on a nature journal for school... so on the first morning, we went on a nature walk around the lodge armed with a camera and a bag to collect treasures.  With four boys, trust me, there are lots of treasures.  We walked, we explored, we rested, and Jude found a friend.  He named him "Jumpy" and we spent a lot of time with said cricket.  Nathaniel would plead to let the cricket get back to his family, Jude would concede, and then filled with regret, he and Ethan would run off to search for Jumpy again.  Of course, the littlest one is the best impersonator and so just like his brothers, Ezra went in search of his own critters.  He found some ants that he wanted to befriend, but he couldn't quite keep up with them.  Good for the ants, I'm thinking. 

Nathaniel has been really interested in taking photos and it's always fascinating to see things from his perspective. 

  

rainy day play

Last week we had a rainy day just as the boys were feeling well enough to go outside and play.  After a morning of occupying themselves, I started to hear the dreaded "I'm bored."  [Usually, I let them figure it out but every once in a while I understand the need for instruction.] 

So, I brought out some cardboard and asked them what they would like to make.  Nathaniel immediately said a "space helmet."  The twins jumped on board with the idea.  No one cared that the box I brought out was a huge Sams Club size diaper box.  So, we created a very spacious space helmet.   ;)

The painting and decorating took up a good chunk of time, and they had lots of fun.  Jude and Ethan told me so repeatedly.  Sometimes fun can be so simple.  Of course it can also be messy which does give me pause before I suggest an art activity.  For me personally, it has helped to have certain supplies put away for just when we need it.  We have an old sheet dedicated to messy projects.  I've also put together a bag full of paints, brushes, glue, and cut up paper that we can just pull out when the mood strikes.  I need to put in more collage items for smaller projects.

And now, we can take our helmet out and play as astronauts, sometimes robot or if you're Jude - you can be George Washington giving a speech from his space helmet.

"george washington"

  I almost forgot to ask, what do you do with littles on a rainy day?

settling into summer break

We are about three weeks into summer vacation.  The first week was very exciting with our roadtrip to Maryland and back.  The last couple weeks have been much quieter as we settle into a comfortable routine of play, creativity, exploration, and even rest.  The days do seem calmer without the need to rush off to school and back.  I wonder how that could be since the littles were only in preschool and kindergarten.  I am also excited about the possibilities that could mean as we start our homeschool journey in the fall.

Here is a glimpse into one of our days this week.

These big brothers take their role in life seriously (unless of course they're "learning about animals" by watching wildkratts when every dvd, blanket, and board game could be pulled out around their feet and they wouldn't have a clue how it happened).  They even like to call themselves "achachi" the Malayalee respectful word for big brother.  As for Ezra, he loves being part of the pack and delights in his brothers' attention, and as a mamma, I love that.  So much so, that sometimes it's even worth forgoing the usual "get down off the table" and "don't make a mess."

Wouldn't you know that we've jumped back down into the 60's after being near 100 degrees for a few days.  Other than the difficulty of figuring out which clothes to keep out, I'm not complaining.  When the sun is out, these are perfect temperatures to be out playing in the dirt.  So, with little helper in tow, I went out to plant a few more veggies and check on our seedlings. 

I don't think I will ever tire of seeing how buried seeds sprout into new life.  Reminds me of this verse always, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels--a plentiful harvest of new lives."


little feet in the dirt

 

gardener in training

The boys and I refilled our tiny sandpit.  We found an old brush and funnel at a yard sale for 10 cents each.  They've had so much fun playing out there.  It was definitely worth the little investment.

notice the critters that have come out to play.  they keep asking for a real pet (especially jude). 



oh, it's a smiley face!  and i thought i was called over to see some sort of interesting sand castle design.

And to wind down the day, we tasted our first home-made popsicles.  They had each picked out flavors the night before.  Nathaniel had a layered one with strawberry banana and blueberry-almond.  Jude decided on strawberry banana for himself and Ezra.  Ethan, he came up with pear and peach - something to do with matching his green holder.  I could do a little personality analysis just based on this activity. I think we will be making more of these.  I might even have to try these fudgesicles.

My goodness, what a long post!  I suppose these summer days also gives me more time for blogging.

imposed rest

So I thought a couple days of imposed rest might be useful since the boys haven't been able to shake this cold/cough thing they've got going on.  Not too sure that it's worked.   So I gave up on that idea and we were out and about today catching up on errands.  But yesterday, this is where you could find us...

all cozied up downstairs with our critter friends...

and our snacks and fruit and veggie smoothies.

home for the weekend

You wouldn't know seeing them running about during the day, but our boys have been fighting off a cold and horrible cough for the past week.  The worst of it is at night when it feels like I take turns comforting children throughout the night.  The twins are both on their "sick beds" which are blankets spread out on the floor.  For some reason, this is kind of a treat especially when the blankets migrate into mommy and daddy's room. 

So, we've stayed home this weekend even keeping the younger three home from church today.   Despite the coughs, we've had a good and productive weekend.  Saturday was spent outdoors with lots of weeding for me.  The big garden bed is finally clear after removing about five bags of stuff.  The boys stayed busy painting the swingset and deck.  Today we stayed indoors more as we tried to force rest on the little people.

 hard-working boys.



aren't they funny with their footwear?  i can even say now with some proof that it runs in the family (bottom right).  

{but really adult boots were worn for protection while spray cleaning the deck.  MD friends, yes, he did use the beloved deck wash}



not a bad place for a nap.  it would be better in a hammock, don't you think?

 a cool, refreshing break... yeah for the first watermelon of the season!

the beginnings of a quiet sunday morning.

 and another nap.  this time in his highchair.  and yes, he stayed in his pj's all day.

he's awake and helping mommy finish up a quilt.  more on that later

{beck, is that the sort of crochet dish scrubbie you use?  this is the first one i made that is now a play pincuhion for ezra}

every time i spread out the quilt, he would come and lay down on it or in this case just rest his head on the fabric.  i suppose we can now say that it's "kid-tested"

a whole lot of flowers from the mister brought home after he and nathaniel went to church.  just because.  now, isn't that nice?

and one flower pot (or old ash bucket) planted.  more tomorrow.

wow, that's one picture-filled post.  hope you had a good weekend too!

warmer days?

Well, today we got up to 96 degrees up here in Rochester.  As is becoming a sort of custom, the kids and I got loaded up in the car to run some errands and let mommy stop at some yard sales.  It is a bit of an addiction, I admit.  Thankfully, the littles are quite amenable and have found ways to keep themselves amused.

On the way home, I looked back to find Jude shirtless because it was "sooo hot."  These temperature jumps make it hard for little (and not so little) bodies to adjust.

So, I decided to put out some water play... The boys had fun despite the water still being chilly.   The neighbor boys came out to play.  Jude and Ethan rolled down a hill.  And when they were done in our yard, they hopped the fence to the neighbor's and used their hose to create a water slide.   Carefree, childhood days.  Does it make you nostalgic?  

Ezra does love the water, but the cold direct spray was a bit much, so I set him up his own little area to splash away.

And then I realized.  Oops, what about dinner?  This is a common occurence during the summers around here.  Am I alone?  I had thought about making some fish since we've had so much chicken and so on.  Well, some cod, calimari, scallops, tomatoes, portabellos, capers, spinach, and spaghetti later... we had our meal. 

It stretched the boys a bit, but I'm all for that.  I think overall, they got what they needed and we had an enjoyable home-made, nutritious meal.  I'm trying to encourage myself to do this more in lieu of calling the mister and asking him to pick something up.  Now, if only I had written down how I made it.