Native American Interest

Mia loves Native Americans and she is fascinated with Sacagawea and her travels with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. To make the tepee, Mia collected sticks, tied them together at the top, set them in the ground and wrapped a sheet around them. The weather outside has been really nice but today there was a cold wind and she was amazed how warm it kept her.
View from the chimney at the top.

She also made one for her brother.

SUPER Socks!!!

Basketball came to an end on Saturday. Mia discovered that she could run faster and jump higher when she wears her super socks. She did really well on defense. Quick hands and fast feet! Mia is #5, red team, with the tall striped socks.



See...she really is fast!

The Bagel Shop

Welcome to Mia's Bagel Shop!

Yesterday we had a blast! Mia wanted to start a project and I felt like baking bagels. Soooo... as a result she created her own bagel shop. She made a menu with tasty items, ie. pizza bagel for $3.00 and a list of drinks. She created a logo, designed the menu and made a wonderful sign for our back door. When that was finished we made the bagels! They were so good! When dad came home she invited him to sit down, gave him the menu and took his order on a restaurant ordering pad that I picked up from a school supply shop. What a happy day!

Last Day of PE

Today was our last day of gym class. The kids absolutely love it and they love their teacher.

Christmas Cookies

Cut-outs! Yumm

Gifting

We are currently busy making several Christmas + Birthday presents. Myles and Mia are modeling the latest apron creations for two very special friends. I embroidered Mia's amazing cat and owl drawings on the front.

Like the new haircut? My BIG little boy!

FuNsChOoL Holidays Around the World

So sorry it has been so long since my last post. Pictured below was from last friday, holiday around the world party. The kids had a great time with their FuNsChOoL friends and they received two very special gifts.

Ready for Halloween

Sonya's House of Science

Thanks to Sonya we have an amazing opportunity to discover new and exciting science experiments. Today the kids learned that water is sticky. Yes, STICKY!

Visitor

Isn't this COOL??? It looked at me!

After doing a little praying mantis internet research, I came across this link CLICK HERE.

Safari Park Revisited

I suggested going to the Natural Bridge but when given the choice they chose Safari Park. I can see why... we had a mini van. See, when there is a mini van involved the experience escalates. The sliding doors get to be open! All but Tom loved the adventure. And, those that know Tom can imagine why he was not excited by the experience. Picture his face when a large Watusi (large horns) approaches the car, and the horns TOUCH THE CAR! Eeeek! Then there was the food factor.

this photo is for Tom...

Then there were the BABIES!!!

Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday to Mia she was 7 on the 22nd!

We had a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa Curtis on Thursday (surprise for Mia). On Friday, we picked up fabulous Auntie Corie from the airport, and traveled to Lexington, stayed in a hotel and went swimming.

Mia and Corie - CUTIES!

Jumping on the Beds...

...and swimming. Mia practiced her swimming and she was successfully doing the doggie paddle! She later told me that she could swim because she "believed in herself" (how GREAT!).

NYC Trip

We had an really quick NY Trip. The show was amazing!

Chad's work at ONE PART CLAY.

Lookin' Sassy before the opening. Thank you Mia for this wonderful shot!

Corie, the super cool auntie, took the kids to The Toys R' US in Times Square. They finally got to ride the ferris wheel! Thank you, Corie!

Life Size Drawings

Science with Dad

On Saturday, Chad and Mia experimented with the motor from an old tooth brush. With a little tape and a pencil they created a motorized drawing tool.

Cantilever & Race Car

Mia and Myles discovered that pbskids.org now has a new Curious George site. And let me tell everyone that I (Kelly) love this site. It is filled with so many ideas to fill their heads! Mia just recently watched a video about kids making cantilevers using cardboard, tape and books. We needed to try this! With the pieces of cardboard (no tape or books) she was able to build a 19 1/2 inch extension. VERY COOL!



Because one thing typically leads to another... she was inspired to make a race car out of the cardboard cuttings. It even has flames!

Cake-on-the-Brain

Today was a baking day... again. Mia had cake-on-the-brain.

She made this cake for Myles (I think in hopes that he would eat paper).

Well, at first it was cookies and then she decided to pour it all into a pan and bake it. I helped Mia come up with a basic sugar cookie recipe that she could add sprinkles to it. I helped her located some of the ingredients on the shelf and then she was on her own. While I was out picking tomatoes, she finished mixing everything up. After I came inside, she was explaining that she did not spill any of the vanilla (since in the past she would pour it into the small teaspoon and always pour a little over) and I praised her for doing such a wonderful job. Then the tale unfolds more and she showed me the 1/2 Cup she used. We laughed over the mistake (thank goodness for Costco) baked the cake and enjoyed one small piece.

Yummy!

Mia loves sweets. A look of happiness circles her face as she is nibbling on whatever goodie it is and...she likes to nibble, eat around things, save the best for last, and savor. She was in a baking mood and found the perfect recipe, a cinnamon bread roll. She made it herself (I helped with reading some big words, and putting it in/out the oven) and it was wonderful!

I do not have a picture of the finished bread (not sure why not) but it was gone before I remembered.

More Caterpillars

We think the yellow, hairy one is a Yellow Bear - Spilosoma Virginica.
Still not sure what the green one is... does anyone know?

Captain Underpants

We counted and there were 13 pairs of underwear on Myles.

First Trophy!

We finally picked up Mia's soccer trophy! She was very pleased that her name was on it, and it was a bobble head/body. Very Cool!

New York, New York

Last week we decided to take a spontaneous trip to NYC. Let me tell ya, it was a HOT one! We spent more time inside museums than outside taking in the sights. One stop was the Natural History Museum. The air conditioner was wonderful and the kids really enjoyed looking at all of the dioramas, videos, animals, etc...


Another stop was at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. This was a great FREE experience! The kids were able to interact with video, audio, robotics, design and imaging.

Finally, one of our last stops was at FAO Swartz. I think this was the kids MOST FAVORITE experience. They loved the large piano!