Sweet Home Days

warm weather for January

The weather has been a bit unpredictable so far this month. We had a few days of warmer weather and the boys were enjoying themselves outside playing a little soccer.

We have decided to start using some science kits this year. I had bought a few when a local toy store was going out of business and was just waiting for a good time. Will has expressed quite an interest in doing experiments. We took out what we had and have decided that one afternoon a week we will devote to these science kits. There are 12 sets with three kits each so it will take us through the year. Plus they are anxiously awaiting the kits that Grammy and Grampy bought them for Christmas. The Magic School Bus kits. Both sets are from the same company. The Young Scientists Club. So it all should coordinate beautifully.

The first kit we did was on Recycling.

Both boys already know so much about the topic but we have never made our own paper before. It was pretty cool how it all turned out. I enjoyed making the colored paper and have some ideas for making more and using it for some scrapbooking projects of mine.

The Process:

tearing paper

soaking paper

blending it to pulp

scooping out to dry

spreading out the pulp

soaking up the extra water

making it flat

the results

Sunday Smiles: Greetings from the Mountain

war of the worlds

The boys have been spending their early mornings this past week setting up "war of the worlds". Each day they add something new. It has been interesting listening to them play. Always a wonder of where their imaginations will lead them.

snuggling with the past

I love blankets. We have a ton of throw blankets. Ones we snuggle with every day. Ones that are hidden away in the attic because I haven't had the room to keep them downstairs. Since we are now spending most weekends in Vermont I have had to come up with bedding for that house. Thankfully those tubs in the attic have been patiently waiting for me.

They open up the the past. Blankets that have been made over 40 years ago. They were made when I was born and put away so I would have a wedding gift one day from my Grandma. And a baby gift for when I had children. I wonder how my Grandma did it. Making so many blankets while raising 6 kids of her own. And I am not the only one who has benefited from her wonderful crocheting. I know all of my brothers and sisters and cousins all have a blanket or two from her. And there are way over 20 grandchildren.

Now her great grandchildren get to use them. A small connection to the Great Grandma they never knew. I love looking at them on the beds. It brings back memories from my earliest childhood.

I would like to think one day I could do the same and make blankets for my grandchildren yet to come. I have never tackled a big blanket. Baby blankets, yes. But big ones will need many hours and lots of time. I should probably get started now:)