The Timely Artist

What does your preschooler draw with markers?

Mine writes down the time every time it changes on the microwave.

Time to wait for 11:56.

Melted Art At Home

The first week I taught Joy School, the lesson plan called for me to grate some crayons and let the kids arrange them on folded paper that I would then iron to create colorful pictures (or Rorschach tests).

There were plenty of shavings left over, so I kept them for Phillip and the kids to experiment with a few days later.

It's funny how a simple technique can produce such varied results.

Of course, Engineer Daddy wanted to create something very specific when it was his turn: he made symbols for "Love At Home."

Today I finally got around to hanging up some of our artwork.  I arranged a print by each family member (plus an extra one from Anna) on a big blank wall in our stairwell.  It's always fun to come around the bend and see colorful artwork our family created.

I also hung one of Daniel's prints over his bed, along with a mosaic he made the day he joined our Joy School class, and a mandala I randomly drew him one day. :)

Crayons in the Lobby

I took Todd along to my optometrist appointment today.

The office had paper and crayons in their lobby, and Todd set right to work . . .

. . . jotting down a few equations (and the word "awesome") . . .

. . . and writing the names of the crayons he was using.  Good thing they didn't have turquoise or chartreuse in their crayon bin.

Conference Pancakes and Crackers

Hooray!  It's General Conference Weekend!  I always look forward to hearing what the Prophet and Apostles feel prompted to teach us, and I love the feeling of peace and inspiration as I listen to them.

Our new ward apparently has a tradition of holding a pancake breakfast the first morning of Conference.  We ate a hearty breakfast . . .

. . . and tested our knowledge of the modern apostles . . .

. . . while the little kids ran around the gym.

Back at home, I think we've finally settled on a good way to help the kids pay attention during Conference.  I print off "Conference Squares" bingo cards, with a different Gospel topic in each square, and for every six spaces they cover during a session . . .

. . . they can choose a snack after the session.  Cheez Its and Gatorade tend to be the most popular items.

Between sessions, we went on a family outing to the YMCA pool.  Daniel and Anna were pretty excited to test out their swimming skills . . . 

. . . and Joy was excited to swim with Daddy (it was his first time coming to this pool with us).

Goggles, Crafts, and Latin

A few random September pics:

I bought Anna and Daniel some goggles to wear to swim class, and that has made big difference.  Daniel had been reluctant to put his face in the water, and now he does it even when the teacher isn't asking him to.  Anna had been asking to quit swim lessons, but now she thinks they're fun.  Todd didn't get goggles or swim lessons this month, but he still wanted to be in the picture.

I organized a Joy School group for Todd and some of his friends from church, and we had our first classes last week.  It was my turn to teach on a day when the big kids were off school, so they got to join us for the lesson, songs, and craft.  We all think it's funny that each of our kids has been enrolled in a Joy School group at some point, except for Joy.

Daniel has really enjoyed singing in choirs at his past schools, but alas, he won't be old enough to join Thunder Hill's choir until next year.  When I asked the music teacher about other choir options, he recommended a county children's choir called Cantus Chorus.  Daniel attended his first rehearsal tonight.  They learned their first song (in Latin) for their December performance, but they also played a few active games that involved singing in other languages.  I like the combination of multicultural musical instruction and fun.  Daniel seems to be enjoying it too.

My Two Gardens

Remember the garden I planted out front a few months ago?

I've had mixed success with it, possibly because our rather shady yard just doesn't get enough sun.  The basil flourished, but the peas and pumpkins didn't grow very well, and the habanero plant only produced one pepper.  The tomatoes are starting to die back (maybe they know it's autumn), but they have made a heroic effort to ripen all their fruit before giving up the ghost.  The pleasure of having fresh basil and tomatoes right outside our front door has made the garden worth the effort, in my opinion.

So what's next for this compulsive gardener?  I'll probably put some hardy, perennial herbs in the raised bed outside, and indoors I'm giving this book a try.

The author soaks seeds like peas or broccoli overnight, puts them in wet soil in disposable bread pans (or any other container you like) . . .

. . . then covers them with wet newspaper and stores them in a dark cupboard for a few days.

Once they start to sprout and push the paper off, he sets them by a window (it doesn't even have to be a sunny one) . . .

. . . to green up and grow a bit more.  I should have taken a picture a few days ago when the greens were tidy and cute.  Now they're getting a bit unruly, and half the broccoli sprouts have been chopped for a smoothie (don't look at me like that--they actually have a very mild flavor).

Will I grow more potted sprouts?  Probably.  They make a nice addition to salads, sandwiches, and even smoothies, and I can grow them even in the dead of winter.

Pumpkin Cookie Day!

Today is the Autumnal Equinox!

Translation: It's the first day of fall, and time to make our first pumpkin cookies of the year!

The kids helped me mix the dough . . .

. . . and eat some of it . . .

. . . then Cweepy helped us sample the cookies to make sure they turned out well (they did).

Wish you could have been here to share some with us, but don't worry--Todd ate an extra one for you.