Biking, Chickens, Robots

Mid-Week Review:   

Best Moment of the Week thus Far for Jordan: He learned to ride a bike.

Best Moment of the Week thus Far for Terynity: She had an important lesson in friendship and a wonderful discussion with me about the kinds of people she wants to surround herself with in her life, that hold the same morals, values and passions she does. It was amazing to see 'her' have this revelation instead of 'me' always preaching it. 

I read in a wonderful homeschooling book that reiterated the power of prayer, praying for your day, your children's day, guidance, patience and love as you school your children and guide them through learning, prayer for other home schooling mothers that they have the most wonderful meaningful days with their children as well.  Starting and ending the day in prayer, being thankful.

Biking

We bought the bike for him, last year on Christmas. 7yrs you may think is quite old to be just learning. He had a small bike with training wheels he loved when he was 3yrs that he kept until he was 5yrs old but never really had the interest to learn without trainers until last year when we got him the bike. Then after one try he declared he was not big enough and the bike has sat in the garage. This week he declared that he was both big enough and old enough and it was time he rode a bike! With tons of encouragement from me and patience from both of us, he rode after just a couple tries!

I have a hard time taking a step back and not getting right in there, helping every step along the way...but we as parents really do need to force ourselves to let them try- let them succeed, let them fail...they will be the better for it- let them ask us for help instead of us automatically giving help.

Animals & Chickens

Based on both of the kids high interest in 4H and animals they decided between themselves that one day a week was going to be 'Animal' day and we'd incorporate all their learning- science, reading and so forth about animals. We spent time learning about chicken breeds, took a trip to the feed store to see chicks, chickens, ducks and geese as well as worked on educational posters, found resource info online. Terynity also spent time teaching Jordan how to groom and properly take care of his rabbit and guinea pig, so that when he gets a little bigger he can do it on his own.

Robots

While Terynity worked on her education chicken poster, Jordan decided to dive into one of the robot books he checked out from the Library. Actually..he checked out 3 of them! We spent time taking turns reading together. He was fascinated by the Mars Rover and a Panda robot for kids. He took his notebook and decided to 'design' his own robot, writing down what he would want it to do. Then we spent time exploring his remote control dump truck and battery operated change-eating robot to determine how they worked, how many functions they had and what more Jordan would have choosen for them to do. He had so much fun and can't wait to work with Dad and built his own. He declared he wanted to be a 'robotic engineer'!

Also this week, I have found a tremendous love for baking, practice makes perfect. I had a success at lunch time with home made wheat thins- both kids loved them! And then I baked two loaves of wheat bread for the week in which they each ate 3 pieces with butter right before bed...kids eating the food I make..success!

Homemade Wheat Thins  - Recipe courtesy of: http://kitchensimplicity.com/homemade-wheat-thins/

I like to roll doughs like this on a piece of parchment paper because it makes it easier to remove and transfer the cut crackers to the baking sheet. 

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 4 tablespoons butter, cold
• 1/4 cup water (plus more, if necessary)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

In a bowl mix together flour, sugar, salt and paprika. Using a regular sized cheese grater, grate butter into flour mixture (or cut in with pastry cutter or knives). Immediately toss butter in flour mixture to coat, breaking up pieces a bit more as you go.

Mix together water and vanilla. Pour over flour mixture and mix until evenly moistened and the dough comes together but is not sticky (add a bit more water if necessary). Divide the mixture in half and form into balls.

On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, roll out the dough as thinly as possible (or as desired). Cut into squares and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with a bit of salt (and other toppings if desired).

Bake at 400º F for 8-10 minutes or until browned and crisp. Cool completely and store in an air-tight container or bag at room temperature.

Our other fun times...

Enjoying the remainder of our week and weekend with a trip to the Library, Picking up a few chickens of our own and visiting a pumpkin patch farm.  Perhaps we'll carve the pumpkins as well!