World Geography--China

China was the first country we visited on our trip around the world.  We began by learning the basics:
Location: Asia
Capital: Beijing
Population: 1,336,718,015
Main Language: Mandarin
Main Religion: Atheism
Currency: Yuan
Government:  Communist State

Then we leaned some fun facts.  Riding bikes is popular in China.  The yak and giant panda are found in China.  A child is 1 year old on the day it is born and 2 a year later.  Red is a lucky color.  Next we went to Google Translate and learned how to say a few words in Mandarin.  We also attempted to write some Chinese characters.  We read about what it is like to be a kid in China today. 

Our first project was to make the Great Wall.  We used rice crispy treats cut into bricks.  Some walls were greater than others. 

Paper was invented in China in 105 AD, so we decided to make our own paper.  It was strictly for decoration--it is too tick and soft for everyday use. 
1.  Tear scrap paper into small pieces and put them into a blender so it is half full.
2.  Fill the blender with water to make it 3/4 full.  Turn blender on medium until the paper is blended into a pulp. 
3.  Add pine needles, leaves and other small materials to pulp.  Blend for 1-2 seconds more.
4.  Place a screen over a pan.  Pour the water pulp over the screen, spreading the pulp out in a square shape.  Let the water drain off into the pan for 30 minutes.  (We didn't have screen, so we used an old potato sack). 
5.  To drain water from the pulp further, put an old towel on top of a stack of newspapers.  Carefully lift the pulp covered screen and put it on the towel.  Put another pieces of screen on top of the pulp and roll the water out with the can--like a rolling pin.
6.  Lift the screen, then flip it over onto the pressing cloth.  Peel the screen off the set paper carefully.
7.  Fold the pressing cloth over the wet paper and press until almost dry.  (We used a bar towel).
8.  Put a heavy book on it overnight to flatten.  Iron if desired.  (We skipped this step). 

Before paper was invented, the Chines people wrote on strips of bamboo.  They also wrote from top to bottom, right to right.  We made our own bamboo books using popsicle sticks.  It was hard to write that way.  I forgot to take pictures of this project. 

Next we made fans.  We drew 2 pictures on the same piece of paper--1 upside down from the other--then folded the paper accordion style. 

As part of the Spring Festival that falls at the beginning of Chinese New Year, people celebrate with fireworks and parades.  Dragons are everywhere.  For our final activity we made dragons.  The kids decorated dragon heads, made accordion bodies and added streamers. 

The kids are also making a suitcase to keep their crafts and activities in. 

 

No More Thumb Sucking!

Two weeks ago the kids had their teeth cleaned and the dentist told us that it was time for Faythe to stop sucking her thumb.  I wasn't looking forward to this because I knew it would be hard.  Faythe sucks her thumb ALL THE TIME!  She does it to help her fall asleep, she does it to comfort herself, she does it when she's bored.  I knew that I needed to prepare her.  So after the dentist appointment I made a chart counting down the days to no more thumb sucking.   I gave her 5 days and on the 6th night I put socks on her hands.  She kept them on all night.  And there was no crying.  It took her an extra long time to fall asleep and she woke up early, but she didn't suck her thumb.  And, amazingly, she had no interest in sucking her thumb during the day.  I thought we would have to break each habit individually. 

I praised and rewarded her with a treat each morning and on the 7th day we went to Wal-Mart and bought her a toy.  She was so excited and loves to tell  people that she stopped sucking her thumb.  I'm keeping the socks on for another week, because sometimes bad habits come back in the subconsciousness of sleeping. 

Way to go Faythe!

Homemade Yogurt

We have a new favorite snack at our house--homemade yogurt.  A few months back we tried making yogurt from cultures, but no one liked it.  Then a mom from our homeschool group taught be how to make it a different way and we all love it.  It tastes good and it's good for you.

First poor a gallon of milk into the crock pot.  We use whole milk, but the next time I'm going to try 1%.  Heat it to 180 degrees (you'll need a candy thermometer.  If you do it on high it takes 3-4 hours on low it takes 7-8.  I've done both and prefer the faster temperature.  Every hour or so I stir it with the thermometer and check the temperature at the same time. 

When it has reaches the correct temperature, take the crock out of the heater part (I don't know the correct terms) and cool to 110 degrees.  I usually cool it by stirring the milk with a frozen water bottle.  This process takes about 20 minutes. 

Then add 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt.  You can use the individual servings or scoop some from a bigger container. 

Next put the lid back on and wrap the whole thing in a blanket and leave it over night.  When you check on it in the morning it will be think and they whey will be separating. 

Then you can eat it or strain off the whey.  We like it thick so I strain the whey with cheesecloth.  I've been told you can use birds eye cloth and I am going to try that next.  Place a large colander in a large bowl.  Layer the cloth and pour the yogurt.  Keep in the fridge.  This scan take as long as you want depending on how thick/thin you want it. 

The last step is to eat it.  It makes about a pound of yogurt and I store it in a Tupperware container.  We use it plain as sour cream or sweeten it with jam, sugar, fruit, or honey.  I use the left over whey in protein shakes, as the liquid in my bread and in my garden. 

Around the World

Remember how I said we would take a trip around the world after we finished our unit on the 50 states?  Well, we've finally departed.  Our first matter of business was to learn a bit about our world.  We read a great book called Me on the Map where we learned the difference between continents, countries, states and cities. 

Then we made a paper mache globe.  MESSY!  We painted it and added continents.  We learned about latitude and longitude lines, the equator and prime meridian/international date line.  We even attempted to learn about he tropics of cancer and capricorn. 

We will slowly work our way around the world, spending time in several countries on each continent.  Most of my ideas come from the curriculum I purchased form this site.  I've also found some great books at the library with fabulous ideas. 

 

Happy Easter!

Easter came and went rather fast this year.  We did manage to decorate some eggs and get new Easter outfits, but that was about all.  Thankfully Primary talked a lot about the true meaning of Easter because we didn't discuss it at home. 

I remember last year complaining about how much candy the kids got, so instead of a basket full of candy, they each got a new water bottle with a few small treats. 

It sure is hard to take a decent picture of my kids all together.  The sun was in their eyes, they were chewing gum, or they were being silly, but at least there was no crying. 

 

Braedi turns 11

WOW!  Braedi is growing up so fast.  Braedi got to choose a family activity  this year.  Her birthday present from us was a new bike, so she decided to do a family bike ride with ice cream afterward.  Amazingly we fit all the bikes in the back of the van.  We headed to a nearby park with a bike path and spent an hour or two riding around.  It was so  much fun.  I wish we had a bike path by our house so that we don't have to load up the bikes. 

Braedi requested cinnamon rolls for her birthday breakfast.  We decided to  try a new recipe that was supposed to only take 90 minutes.  It took a bit longer and they didn't turn out very well--they were hard and didn't rise.  I've decided that if we ever want cinnamon rolls again, we have to let someone else make them for us.  We put a candle in Braedi's and sang Happy Birthday during breakfast. 

Dyllan's 8th Birthday

Dyllan celebrated her birthday early last month, and because it was her 8th birthday she got to have a party.  She decided to have an Under the Sea theme and invited some homeschool friends and friends from church.  The invitations were super cute, but I didn't take a picture.  I got the idea from here. 

We started out with a paper craft for the kids to do as everyone arrived.  It was a simple crab.  I cut out all the pieces before the party and they just had to glue them onto a paper. 

Then we moved to the kitchen for dinner.  Dyllan originally wanted to make mini-pizzas, but my oven was broken, so we made PB and J sandwiches shaped like starfish and fish.  There were also blue jello and gummy fish, chips and pretzels, veggies, and juice boxes. 

Next were games.  I made a fishing-Simon says game.  The kids "fished" and caught fish that told them things to do. 

Another game was Shark Attack.  We all tied  balloons to our legs and ran around the room trying to pop each others balloons.  The last one with a balloon was the winner.  I have a video of this but blogger won't let me upload it.  The kids looked like they were having fun.  We also played Don't Eat Pete with ocean pictures. 

After games Dyllan got to open her presents then we went back to the kitchen for cupcakes.  I made cupcakes in an ice cream cone and the kids decorated their own with whip cream and sprinkles.  What a mess!

 

We played more games like Fish, Fish, Shark, Musical Beach Towels,  and an under the sea version of Hide and Seek.  As much as I hate throwing birthday parties, I had fun with this one. 

Dyllan's party was the weekend before her birthday.  On her birthday she got to choose her meals and open presents from her family.  She got some new clothes and a new bike.  Another special thing that happens on birthdays in NO CHORES!  The kids love that one. Happy Birthday, Dyllan!