Draw IT!

This is a fun little reading game that both boys can play together!

I wrote several words on index cards, Dylan reads them silently and then draws the word. Nathan gets to guess what he is drawing. I am excited to try out all the variations of this game!

New Chompers

Every picture I have of Logan looks like this. I think this kid has never stopped teething.

Old Claypots, Meet Old Craypas

I wanted to use up the last Craypas in order to justify opening our shiny new craypas that I bought at ICHE.

Decorating clay pots with craypas or oil pastels is awesome! The colors stay bright even through rain (and snow).

Model Railway Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden's Model Railroad is an incredible place AND it is free on Wednesdays which makes it even better.

Logan could not stop yelling Choo-Choo!

Amazing, isn't it?

He was a little bit excited.

Suzuki Camp

The whole family went to Suzuki Institute at Stevens Point this year! This was my first time attending as a parent and not a trainee so the experience was so much different for me. I very much enjoy watching great teachers teach so I feel like I missed out on something since I couldn't do that this time. However, the boys had a great time and we spent an entire week just hanging out together. Maybe next year I can find another adult to go with us so I can take classes.

Dylan and Nathan were in the same pretwinkle class even though Dylan is playing cello and Nathan is playing violin. Miss Carol with her quiet and caring style obviously embraces the Suzuki spirit and we were so lucky to get her as our teacher. Each day the boys had a private lesson, a music and movement class and a group lesson. The rest of the day is filled with recitals, concerts, play-ins, lectures and talent shows. Good stuff!

Nathan's beautiful bow hold!

Dylan and the cello bow!
Nathan takes a bow.

Worm Farms

I hate worms! I really hate worms. I must have been about five when my brother traumatized me by throwing a worm on my leg and then laughing hysterically when the worm stuck to my leg. I stood there screaming and do you think he helped? Not a chance. YUCK!

Guess what? The boys love worms. Lucky me. I am starting to come around, but I still think they are gross.

We made a small worm farm in a plastic cup about a week ago and even I'll admit it was cool to watch them dig holes. So today, we made a BIGGER, better worm farm.

It is super simple to make. In a see through container alternate layers of dirt and sand, put worms inside, top with dead leaves and a black cloth, then watch them go to town!

If you feel a burning desire to learn more about worms, we (and by we, I mean the boys) like this book!

Thanks Aunt Teri!

We love Aunt Teri, she always gets the greatest presents. (Of course, we love her for other reasons too!) She gave Nathan sock puppets for his birthday. We were supposed to make sock puppets when we were doing our unit study on, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin", but we never got around to it. So THANKS Aunt Teri for hooking us up.
The boys took their sock puppets EVERYWHERE (even digging in the dirt) this week. I think next week we are going to do, "A day in the life of" with our sock puppets.