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.

featured at:

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: The Beach {2}

Truth be told, the mister and I would rather be at the top of a cool mountain than sitting on a hot beach.  Yes, it's beautiful and it's fun to play in the water and the sand... but it's also hot.  Not so on this trip, and I just might have changed my mind about the beach.  The weather was lovely... sunny but not terribly hot with just the right amount of wind and occasional cloud cover to make me want to come to the beach repeatedly. 

The children were delighted.  They made sand castles that seemed to have a decidedly mexican flair (think sombrero).  But, hey they were without any tools, and they were so pleased with their creations.  The water was a bit cool but with the sun, it was pleasant.  They ran in and out, playing, splashing, and thoroughly enjoying themselves.  They collected rocks, dug their fingers into the moist, thick sand and got as wet and sandy as they possibly could. 

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.