Mia's Garden

This week Mia wanted to start a garden. It has been a really slow week since we have all been in bed with nasty colds and I was so glad when she had an interest to go out side and enjoy the warmth. On Saturday we picked up some plans at the OCP sale and she placed them at various places in her garden. She has big plans but we are starting small and adding on as she need more space.

Myles was thrilled that his strawberry plant was flowering!

FuNsChOL cErAmIcS pArT 2

Today was the day for the Raku firing.

The kids ripping paper for the trash cans (reduction)

Chad taking a piece out of the kiln and then placing it into the trash cans.

Right after these bowls came out of the kiln, Mia and friends threw horse hair on them.

Yeee-Haw

We actually felt like cowboys/girls! This afternoon we visited my Aunt Sue and Uncle Dale. Dale led their horse, Thunder, while the kids enjoyed taking turns. Mia said that she can do this ALL DAY LONG and I am sure she could. She has wanted to have this experience for a very long time.

Soda Pop Explosion!

Who new that the combination of Soda and Mentos could be so dramatic. We did not measure but I am guessing that we had a 15 ft. eruption. Carbon dioxide gas is soooo cool! For our experiment, Diet Pepsi beat Diet Coke.
For more about the experiment click here or click here.

Minnesotans Visit Virginians

This week my parents and brother (the Severns family) came from MN to visit us. During there time in the Shenandoah Valley, we drove on 34 miles of the Skyline Dr. It was outstanding! Trees were budding/flowering and the sky was clear. (oh yah!)

Pictured below: Stopping at a rest stop, Mia and Chad were enjoying everything.

The Skyline Dr. also has several trailheads to the Applachian Trail. Pictured here is my Dad, exhausted from his hike.

Back on the homefront the kids were getting a little silly.

FuNsChOoL cErAmIcS pArT 1

Today was a aWeSoMe day!!!!! We invited our Funschool friends to the ceramics studio @ JMU for a two day workshop. Appoximately 21 students participated. We also invited several JMU Art Education and Ceramics students to assist. Today was a wild time and the kids make tons of really great objects. Next Friday, April 14, we will be meeting again to glaze the pieces and then fire the work in a Raku Kiln. For more images from a previous Raku firing click here to check out our old blog.

Anaconda

Yesterday Mia surprised us with a drawing of an Anaconda. She was very pleased to tell us that this snake is larger than an adult and it likes cool places. We will be looking up more information about this animal.

8"x10", scratch board

Drawing with Chalk

Mia created a house with a backyard, a play place, bedroom, work space with a table and computer and a road to pretend to drive cars on.

Everything a child needs...

Traveling Jack Puppet Show

On Sunday we went to the Village Library, Broadway for a Puppet Show. The kids loved it! We all enjoyed the dog chasing the cat.