L l Leaf

Van Gogh's Mulberry Tree

Leaves are the theme of the week and the words to remember are "I will live and grow in Jesus".  We're going to need to extend this into next week because there are so many wonderful activities to do and we were just too busy to get everything in.  Next week is A a Apple with the words "If I stay in Jesus I will bear much fruit" so the two themes mesh together easily.  

Monday was our only "school day"...

• We worked on handwriting - Thank goodness for the easiest letter to write.  Nora has mastered Ll!!  And neither of us cried! (I might try to do handwriting stations next week to make the process more fun. (Thanks for pinning such brilliant stuff, Rachel!) 
• In math we are working on patterns. 
• We did a picture study of Van Gogh's Mulberry Tree
• We went outside and picked a leaf from a plant.  We observed it shriveling all week and we talked about the analogy of that leaf and our need to "live and grow in Jesus".  We read Psalm 1:1-3, Jeremiah 17:7-8 and 1 John 5:12. 
• We read lots of books about leaves.  There are so many great ones. I'll put a book list at the end in case someone can find it useful.
• We went for a leaf walk and collected lots of leaves to use for various activities that we'll get to next week (hopefully).  

Leaf gathering is hard work.  Claire takes a snooze in Nora's lap.

On Tuesday most of the girls from my MOPS table plus my 2 neighbors came for a Messy Party in our backyard - 8 moms and 17 kids.  We had a blast!  There were a bunch of messy stations with each one representing the 6 days of creation. The kids played so nicely together and the moms actually got to talk.  I would have messy parties every week if people would come!

Day 2 Station - exploring water, ice and shaving cream
I don't have a photo for Day 1, mostly because it got eaten before I could get to it.  It was finger painting with vanilla and chocolate pudding (for the light and the darkness)

Day 3 Station - making concoctions with beans, seeds, grass, dirt, etc.

Day 4 Station - making a mural of the night sky (and other things)

Day 5 Station - painting fish and birds.  (Also a vat of blue jello with floating fish for the babies)

Day 6 Station - playing with animals in dirt and making mud men.
 I was surprised that this wasn't more of a hit.  If I was a kid I would have jumped right in.
 I've always loved a good mud pit.

Ball Pit

Baby Blanket - with a basket of creation bean bags, squishy bags and discovery bottles.
See the triplets?  So cute!

Lunch Time

The sand box got a lot of use.  The chickens are looking on in the background.

Wednesday was library day...

The girls made masks  

By Thursday, everyone (except Daddy who never gets sick) had colds so we took the opportunity to veg and watch movies until an evening birthday party for our sweet neighbor and playmate, Louis, who turned 2.

On Friday we had the great treat of getting together with my best friends from college - Phil and Amy and their three boys.  They moved to Indiana years ago so our visits are few and far between. Our times together are always good and thought-provoking.  By the way, if you want to hear some great, new music for the church, check out Phil's church's project: Clearnote Songbook.  They are doing amazing work there.  When we were helping with the contemporary service at our church we introduced two of their songs and loved them.  We often listen around the house by clicking the "play audio" button in the upper right hand corner. Nora loves to sing along.

On Saturday we had two birthday parties before nap time!  Hunter and the triplets were both turning one.  I made discovery baskets for each family and I'm very happy with how they turned out.  We had SO much fun.  Apple picking at the Styers Orchard and Itsy Bitsy Spider were the themes.  THEN at night we met up with Aunt Vicky and Hope and went to homecoming at Cairn University.  We got to connect with a bunch of people we know and love and we had a blast on the free rides and bounce houses.  The night ended with a great fireworks display.  It's been a fantastic whirlwind. I'm thankful for the 7th day of rest!

Apple Picking

No wonder I have back problems!  I spend a good portion of life in this position. :)

Hay Ride

 I love how creative my friend, Jess is.  Look at all these fun, educational games she set out.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!

Happy Bithday, Triplets!

Stephanie threw an amazing party.  Look at that cake!!

At Homecoming on the Scambler with Claire and Hope

Lucy and Aunt Vicky

Face Painting!

I love the way the "Discovery Bag" turned out!

My new favorite 1st birthday party gift - discovery bag and bottles and set of creation bean bags

Our favorite "Ll Leaf" books:

• Leaves!  Leaves!  Leaves! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
• Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
• Why Do the Leaves Change Color by Betsy Maestro
• Leaf Jumpers by Leslie Evans
• The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
• Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins
• Leaves by David Ezra Stein
• Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
• Look What I Did with a Leaf by Morteza E. Sohi
• Poetry for Young People by Robert Frost (Poems of Autumn)
• Poetrees by Douglas Florian
• Tree from the DK Eyewitness Book Series
• My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America by Diane Iverson
• Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees by Jim Arnosky