Block Crayon Practice

I recently watched the Block Crayon DVD's by Sigi( link here ).I finally figured out what to do with those crayons.. I practiced a bit while I watched her draw . Today I tried it out with my girls. We read "Little Red Riding Hood" and we drew a picture from the story. This is mine....

Here are my 6 1/2 year old twins drawings...

I know I have a ways to go, but I am very happy with the results so far! I am getting excited about starting First Grade.

It was the first time they, too have used them "correctly" and it took a bit of coaxing and gentle showing, but they were pleases. And Daddy guessed what story we read!

Watermelon Summer

What is better on a scorching summer afternoon? I couldn't think of anything better to quench our thirst than this ripe, juicey watermelon. It was so red and the taste-amazing.

New Sandbox

Hooray! We started this playground update project last summer and now finished the last part
The Sandbox! The girls have had a great time digging, piling and burying..They have a beach right in the backyard now..

Making Knitting Needles

I knew the girls would be learning to knit with two needles this year (1st grade) I was going to buy some, but I saw a pattern to make them! It was really easy and fun. This will take the better part of a morning to do so allow time or do in stages.

I got a 3/4" dowel and some dowel caps (have holes to fit dowel) You may go s bit smaller. We measured and sawed off how long we wanted them to be..I just eyed up and made them about 7" before the caps.

Then the fun began! What to paint on the caps?! Everyone designed their own unique ones and we made a few extra pair for gifts.

While the paint was drying, the sanding started. Even with very coarse sandpaper it did take a bit to get them going. Brooke found out if you laid the paper down and held the dowel and "scrubbed" it , it worked! Once the first one was done, they tired a bit, so I cheated and brought out the sander. I held it while they twisted their dowels into needles. After, they used fine sandpaper to smooth it all out.

The other end of the dowel had to be lightly sanded to fit the cap. Then we glued the caps on and let them dry.

Later, I sprayed the painted tops with glossy lacquer to protect and make them shiny. I also found some wood wax I use on my table and rubbed on the needles to make a beautiful color and finish! I think they came out great!

We may have to sand them pointier when its time to knit...

Tomato Muffins

Fresh from the garden..ripe juicy tomatoes, but what to do with them all? Muffins!

Recipe:

2 cups flour 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tblsp sugar 1 1/4 cups buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 tsp baking soda 1 egg

1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 cup chopped tomato

Heat over to 400. In a large bowl, sift together dry ingredients. In a small bowl mix buttermilk, butter, egg, and tomato. Pour wet into dry and stir just until moistened. Fill greased muffin tins and bake approx. 20 min. Serve warm with a touch of butter! Yum!