Sunday, July 03, 2011

Spontaneous eruption



I have to be honest, I'm really not the most spontaneous mama. I'm good at hemming and haw-ing at requests until I have a chance to think out the details.

But there's something about Sunday afternoons. I was still feeling the Love from church when we got home and Littlest immediately asked to make a volcano.


Being the youngest, I sometimes forget that he hasn't done everything his brothers have. And really, it's such an easy, fun project -- how could say I say anything but, "Sure!"?

The last time we did this most-classic-of-all-classic elementary science experiments was at a homeschooling conference. (The kids used red clay to shape the volcanoes -- unfortunately, we left them in the trunk of our rental car! Oops!)


We did a super-easy version. Here's what you need:

A wide bowl or pan.
A tall cup.
Newspaper or paper towels.
Aluminum foil
Washable paint and brushes
Baking soda
Vinegar
Food coloring



Put the cup in the pan. Wrap some paper around the outside of the cup. Tuck foil inside and down the sides of the cup to shape the mountain. Paint the foil.

Wait for the paint to dry. (That's the hard part!)

Add a few drops of red and yellow or orange food coloring to a cup of vinegar. Spoon a few tablespoons of baking soda into the cup.

Slowly pour the vinegar into the volcano and watch it erupt! (And just see if you don't end up using all the baking soda and vinegar in the house! ;)












Friday, July 01, 2011

This week...

...I forgot to use my camera!

I guess I was too busy doing other things, like...

Showing the boys how to make stone fruit crisp (and letting them do the hard part!)...


Making breakfast, lunch and dinner at my parents' house (so grateful for an alternative kitchen during the remodel!)

Taking the boys to the pool...

Listening to Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (only 14 days until Part II is in the theater!!!)...

Getting Littlest his kindergarten check-up (no, I don't need school paperwork signed, thanks)...

Listening to Eldest and Middlest practice cello and violin...

Running to Target for cleaning supplies, birthday cards and prescriptions (twice)...

Practicing greetings en Francais with the boys from their first French lesson...

Sending the boys to a friend's for the day and then spending five hours dusting and mopping the plaster and soot out of the house...

Laundry (always laundry)...

The weekend will bring even more excitement, I'm sure of it.

Wishing you joy in the daily things!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Camping at San Simeon State Beach

A few of us took a break from the remodeling chaos to go play at the coast last weekend. Scott decided to stay home and get s'more work done instead.





Our campsite had a lovely view of the ocean through perfect pines for climbing.

 



The boys made friends with our neighbors, as they always do, and discovered that they were also homeschoolers, and from our same city!


Our new friends shared our excitement when several gopher snakes came out of the brush to sun themselves in the grass around our campsite...

Of course, we had to visit the beach, too. My dad took the boys down to chase the waves on Saturday. On Sunday, the boys and I explored the tidepools...
 

We spent lots of time just hanging around the campfire, reading, making s'mores, roasting hot dogs, and cuddling up together from the chilly breeze.


We were glad for an easy, yummy hot soup to eat when the wind picked up. Here's my recipe:

Easy Black Bean Soup

4 cans of black beans
1 can of corn
2 cups tomato salsa (I used one carton of spicy salsa, and one of pico de gallo)
2 boxes of organic chicken stock
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Put your soup pot on your camp stove or grill. Drain and rinse the canned beans and corn. Dump everything into the pot, and stir. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with cornbread. (I made ours at home, and brought it with us, but you could try baking on the campfire!)

Friday, June 24, 2011

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.
A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
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