Multi-tasking

What we did on our summer vacation.....

Our dinosaur egg.....

is HATCHING!!!!!

I found our egg at Michael's craft store--it is very cool!!!

A Blast From the Past----How old are you, Kimberly?

Kimberly--orginal post November 2008

stART-How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

This week for our stART project we read How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

"This book depicts a class of ten children who are given three pumpkins (big, medium, and small) and asked how many seeds are in a pumpkin? The children estimate, scrape the seeds out themselves, decide what method to use to determine the number of seeds, and then count using that method (skip-counting, with one group counting by 2s, another by 5s, and Charlie the protagonist counting by 10s). They then realize that the small pumpkin has the most seeds, and their teacher explains why. The children are enthusiastic in their mathematical endeavor. The illustrations are charming, and the kids are depicted very expressively throughout." Amazon review
Of course, there was nothing else we could do but get some pumpkins and count the seeds.
This was great for Luke and Kim especially, since they don't really remember being involved in carving pumpkins, so it was a new experience for them. (We also went on to make pumpkin pies--which is a post for another day)

I do also want to make a point of pointing out the temperature on this October 15th day in Central New York. Uh oh--I wonder what kind of winter we have in store for us this year?

Luke was amazed when he removed his pumpkin's lid! He also never, ever touched the pumpkin pulp---he only used a spoon to retrieve the seeds.

Luke's partner was big sister Becky.

Kimberly's partner was Grace. Grace wouldn't touch the pulp either, but Kim kept washing her hands in the goo.

Becky cut the pumpkins in half to speed up the seed retrieval time.

Washing hands

After collecting the seeds we put them on a cookie sheet, placed them in the oven and dried them out.

Gracie decided that she and Kim would group their seeds into groups of 10-for ease of counting.

Pumpkins have a lot more seeds than I ever imagined!!

Becky and Luke put their seeds in groups of 5's.

Luke really got into this, because, as he said, "I will be 5 on Kim's birthday!" Figure that one out ?!?

It takes a long time to make all these little piles.

This is what Gracie thought of the pumpkin seed she tried eating.

Grace and Kim's grand total was 475 seeds---that's A LOT of seeds, a few hundred more than what we thought would be in our relatively small pumpkins.

Becky and Luke were the pumpkin seed winners with 629 seeds!

The seeds are now in a bowl and are proving to be a fun manipulative. Above you can see Thomas the Tank Engine stuck in the seeds. I think that we will also do some mosaic art with these---maybe dye some and have an art day! I will post if we do.

Check out all the great stART activities at A Mommy's Adventure.

I couldn't resist!!!

Ht: Jenny (Thanks, this is great!)

What I found in the bathroom sink....

I believe this was inspired by the fishing earlier in the week.

Child labor at the ball-field....

"The chairs are as big as them, Daddy!"
10 seconds in, Kimmy has had enough!

Luke can do it, and keep smiling!

Luke takes a fall.

Back on his feet.

Time for a new technique!--Is this against child labor laws? I don't know, but it is really, really slow!

A Mother's Day Questionnaire

I saw these questions answered by children somewhere on the internet, but I can't find my source. I wrote out the questions and then had my youngest kids give me their thoughts----their answers are, to say the least, insightful!

Luke's answers---age 4

1. I really love it when my mom brings up the Geotrax. (his train set)

2. My mom likes to wear clothes.

3. My mom always tells me stories.

4. The best thing she does is make food.

5. It makes her happy when it is time to bring up the Geotrax.

6. My mom loves to relax by sitting in the sun.

7. I like it when she gets presents.

8. The best thing she cooks is peanut butter and jelly.

9. When mom shops she likes to buy Geotrax.

10. My mom's favorite household chore is knitting.

11. My mom's favotite tv show is Bill Nye the Science Guy.

12. If she could go on a trip, she would go to the creek.

13. I love my mom because she lets me play with Geotrax.

I really see a theme with Luke's answers!

Grace's answers---age 7

1. I really love it when my mom helps me do schoolwork.

2. My mom likes to wear dresses.

3. My mom always tells me to help.

4. It makes her happy when we clean the living room.

5. The best thing she does is clean.

6. My mom loves to relax by sitting.

7. I like it when she comes and kisses me.

8. The best thing she cooks is spaghetti.

9. When my mom shops she likes to buy groceries.

10. My mom's favorite household chore is cleaning.

11. My mom's favorite tv show is Little House on the Prarie.

12. If she could go on a trip, she would go to Hawaii.

13. I love my mom because she's special.

Mark's answers---age 9

1. I really love it when my mom get's me Starwars stuff.

2. My mom likes to wear glasses.

3. My mom always tells me not to do "this or that"

4. The best thing she does is sew.

5. It makes her happy when I clean the the whole house.

6. My mom loves to relax by taking a nap.

7. I like it when she cleans my clothes.

8. The best thing she cooks is tomato soup.

9. When my mom shops, she likes to buy food.

10. My mom's favorite household chore is doing the laundry.

11. My mom's favorite tv show is Dirty Jobs.

12. If she could go on a trip, she would go to Hawaii with me.

13. I love my mom because she is the greatest.

It would appear, in the eyes of kids, I like to clean, do laundry and shop for groceries. I really like the fact that all three kids said their favorite food is what I cook the best.

My Hippies

We discovered a new use for Wikki-stix.
Hippie headbands,

that double as pencil holders.

An Elderly Priest's Dying Wish

An old Catholic priest lay dying in the hospital.

For years he had faithfully served the people of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

He motioned for his nurse to come near.

"Yes, Father?" said the nurse.

"I would really like to see Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi before I die," whispered the priest.

"I'll see what I can do, Father," replied the nurse.

The nurse sent the request to them and waited for a response. Soon the word arrived. Harry and Nancy would be delighted to visit the priest.

As they went to the hospital, Harry commented to Nancy "I don't know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly help our images." Nancy couldn't help but agree.

When they arrived at the dying man's room, the priest took Nancy 's hand in his right hand and Harry's hand in his left.

There was silence and a look of serenity settled across the old priest's face.

Finally Nancy spoke. "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?"

The old priest slowly replied. "I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." His voice trailed off . .

.After a brief pause, he continued . . . "The Lord died between two lying thieves, and I would like to do the same."

HT: Patrick Madrid

A Little Rock-n-roll

Lauri Berkner style!

You can watch the St. Patrick Veggietale clip

here online! My littlest kids really enjoy this.

I don't follow the crowd...

You Are 70% Non Conformist

You are a pretty serious non conformist. You live a life hardly anyone understands. And while some may call you a freak, you're happy with who you are.

Are You a Nonconformist?

ht: to Lisa-show is a bigger non-conformist than me.
How do you rate?

An Advent Song for You

I remembered this song from when my oldest kids were little. They performed it with their cousins, at a church service. They were directed by my sister Sue.

I forgot about it, and then this Advent, for some reason it came to mind, but all I could remember clearly was the refrain. Thanks to my neice, (one of the original performers) she found me the music and now my younger kids have been enjoying learning this song during this special season of Advent.

The Whole World is Waiting for Love

We only received a foot of snow yesterday.....

but I couldn't resist this video that was posted on the Faith & Family Live site.

What some of us choose to do on a snow day....

Don't worry, he has a flashlight under there!

Picture of the Day

Mom, "What are you doing, Kimberly?"

Kimberly, "Just coloring!"

I am honored!!

Liz from "Holy Family Classical Acadamy" gave me this lovely "I Love Your Blog" award.

I am just tickled pink!!! I never really know if folks are reading this blog, so this makes me so happy! I am glad some people enjoy "visiting" with my family and I.

1. Where is your cell phone? In my purse.

2. Where is dh? Picking up Becky from work.

3. What is your hair color? Dark brown, with suspicious gray roots.

4. Your mother? One of my best friends.

5. Your father? Will always be my Daddy.

6. Your favorite thing? Quiet times when it is just my husband and children-with no outside interruptions.

7. Your dream last night? That I was sick, they are always about being sick.

8. Your dream/goal? Growing old with my children remaining close to me and each other.

9. The room you are in? Living room.

10. Your hobby? Sewing, crafting, and knitting.

11. Your fear? Losing a loved one.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here, with my family.

13. Where were you last night? In my chair, cross stitching.

14. What you're not? Enjoying sunset at 4:30.

15. One of your wish list items? More room.

16. Where you grew up? Central New York, 10 miles from right here.

17. The last thing you did? Put in the third load of laundry for the day.

18. What are you wearing? Beige pants, light blue HCA t-shirt.

19. Your TV? Nanny McPhee.

20. Your pet? Hit by car, one year ago.

21. Your computer? My lifeline.

22.Your mood? Peaceful.

23. Missing someone? Matthew, who flew the nest 2 months ago, but he has been home every week.

24. Your car? 15 passanger van.

25. Something you're not wearing? Shoes and make-up.

26.Favorite store? Any store online.

27. Your summer? Way to short.

28. Love someone? Yes!! Many!

29. Your favorite color? Blues.

30. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday, at Kimberly's arguement.

31. Last time you cried? Today, but only a little.

Now for my three favorite blogs:

My Three Girls

Our Elsie Rae of Sunshine

Ava Elizabeth and Brendan James

And in turn, For the recipients of this award...here's the deal:*Display your award*Link back to the person who gave you the award*Nominate at least 3 other blogs*Put links to those blogs on yours*Leave a message on the blogs you nominated*Enjoy your award!!!

Only if you homeschool....

can you read 3 pages out of a birdbook for ten minutes, and then introduce your young children to Roadrunner and Wil. E. Coyote on Youtube for the rest of the afternoon.
We were wondering if roadrunners could fly.....