Names, Pizza and Zoo

The kids and their friend Cooper coloring the letters in their names. Then I had them lay out their letters to spell their names. Emma learned how to spell our last name that day.

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Making pizza for dinner. The kids were learning how to stretch and press the dough.

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Socializing in front of the tiger's cage. There was a daycare group there also and the kids were being loud. For the first time we heard and saw a tiger in action. It was roaring and pouncing on the window. I have to say, it was awesome hearing the powerful roar of the tiger, but at the same time, we didn't want to stick around to allow the kids to be frightened by it.

Little buddies. In nursery, these two are usually sitting together.

Friday was my first venture taking the kids to the zoo to meet friends without Drew. Much to our surprise, it worked out very well. All of our kids were well behaved and we all had a great time! We will definitely be doing that again!

Cleaning, Zoo and Book Store

I'm not suggesting that cleanliness is next to Godliness, but if it were, the kids received a dual lesson in home-economics and spirituality. Look at that kitchen!

Hannah, Benjamin, and I made a pilgrimage to the kiddy holy land: the zoo. Upon arrival we quickly gobbled up a "Please, get them out of here" perpetual pass.

While Hannah and Benjamin were having a staring contest with a donkey, Emma and Mommy were off purchasing books. Three were read within hours of being home. The final one is in process. While these may not be pieces of the great literature canon, I consider them to be excellent primers for standardized testing: Which of the following doesn't belong in the group: Robins, Dinosaurs, Seals, or Pixies? (This question qualifies because it is multiple choice and horrible.)

"Technology is Marvelous, Nature is Miraculous."

Step 1: Hands On Craft

Benjamin learned how to do the basic acts of pushing and pulling a needle through cloth. I learned that plastic sewing needles still hurt when they pierce the skin.

Step 2: Drive 1.25 hours to a museum

The "Lloyd Wright" room at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute bears a striking resemblance to my imaginary study...

Step 3: Drive to a Living Museum

At the Jamestown Audubon Society Nature Center, Emma found something that has yet to be cataloged by science, and can only be reconciled by faith in God.

Step 4: Conduct Summative Assessment

Proof of Success.

Birds of a Feather

...written by Drew

An American Kestrel and a Barred Owl. I'm letting you know that up front to avoid the inevitable awkward pause between your initial glance and the time it takes for you to realize that you don't know what was painted. I'm not critiquing the painting skills of my 28/5/3 year old artists in residence. I'm simply preemptively educating. That's my line, and I'm sticking to it.

Tonight Benjamin and I went to Walmart for the explicit purpose of getting cheese and getting out. While neither of us typically enjoy time spent perusing the shelves of a store, this time was different because it was just the guys going out and we could be our manly selves without apology. We did our best to spend an inordinate amount of time in the tools and DIY aisles. Our initial thought was to "build something." Unfortunately, due to economic conditions being what they are, I wasn't willing to commit the financial resources necessary to constructing a masterpiece of ingenuity. We did however find light switch covers for 47cents.

Unfortunately, the Joycian stream that brought us from light switch covers to painting birds, was not recorded for posterity.

Emma chose the American Kestrel. Benjamin chose the Barred Owl. I chose the Canon T1i - paint isn't my best medium. Upon reflection, I am wondering if there is some psychological profiling that can be done to investigate why my children both chose birds of prey. Early exposure to Star Trek perhaps?

Would you call this an "art project?" I somehow think that Roger Tory Peterson would cringe at such a suggestion. It is nature, art, science, creativity, exploration, and enjoyment. When does it stop being a tool of learning?