Lenten Pretzels

On Friday, the kiddos and I baked Lenten pretzels.  We learned from the "Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure" program, that pretzels originated as penitential food for Lent.  We also found out that the first pretzels were made in the Italy in the early 600s.  A monk was making Lenten bread with flour, salt and water because he could not use butter, milk and eggs due to the much more strict abstinence requirements than we have today.  He made them into the shape of prayer, as it was common to cross your arms over your chest when praying.  They were given to children as rewards for knowing their prayers.  They were also distributed to the poor and were a good form of sustenance.

After hearing all of this from the program, they were anxious to make their own.  So, after our school work was complete, we followed the recipe provided and they came out really tasty!  The kiddos put salt on the first batch and cinnamon sugar on the second.  We had a lot of fun!  :-))

Maple Sugaring at Springton Manor Farm

Today we went on a field trip to a farm (originally part of William Penn's manor) that gave the kids hands-on lessons in maple sugaring.  2 of our kiddos volunteered to measure the tree to see if it was large enough to be tapped, each got a turn to drill a hole in it and then watch the sugary sap pour out into the bucket. 

Did you know that the sap travels inside the tree at over 50 miles an hour?  I sure didn't.  Each child got to listen to the sap inside the tree with a stethoscope and my kiddos are still talking about hearing the "fast, swishing" noise!  We were told how the maple sugaring process started with the Native Americans, continued to the colonials and pioneers and is much the same today.  It was a lot of fun and we had awesome weather to boot!  :-)

After tapping the tree (we learned that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup!), the kids all were treated to a taste test of syrups.  They had to decide what they thought taste better: pure maple syrup, Aunt Jemima's or corn syrup.  Maple syrup won in the group as a whole (there were 20 kids), but only got votes from two of our kiddos. The other two, predictably went for the Aunt Jemima in all of its artificial splendor.  :-)

We were treated to a tour of their barn where there were all kinds of baby animals.  The baby lambs were born only 2 days ago.  The piglets were born the beginning of this month, along with the goats.  What a wonderful treat to see the beginnings of new life as we are about to begin springtime!

Another wonderful day of memories made with the kiddos!  :-)

Flashback: Valentine's Day

The kiddos and I had a great Valentine's Day afternoon.  They asked me to bake them cookies. When I suggested that we all make them together, there was nothing but lit up eyes and big smiles.  That is one of the incredible beauties of homeschooling-- being together.  There is nothing like the special bonding that comes from doing, sharing and learning together all day long and of course, there is the awesome fringe benefit of dropping everything and going to the kitchen to make cookies together!  :-)  These are the moments that they will never forget and for which I am grateful beyond words.

Father-Daughter Dance

Last night, our parish held its annual  Father-Daughter Square Dance. That's right, Square Dance, complete with professional caller (who my daughter even said talked "so fast!" lol). 

There were "break" times, I was told, where the girls got to do country line dancing for their dads and even the "hand jive."  :-) 

If my daughter didn't say "it was awesome" fifty times after she got home, she didn't say it once.  She even got to slow dance with her Daddy to "Daddy's Little Girl."  Glad I wasn't there.  I could never keep a dry eye during that song when others dance to it, let alone our little girl.  But, I probably would have paid to be a fly on the wall to see my hubby (and a few hundred other dads) do-si-do-ing.  lol!!!  :-)  All for their little girls!

How wonderful that they even gave the girls corsages.  Our daughter calls it her "flower bracelet" and put in the fridge.  I hope it lasts a few days for her.  But, even if it doesn't, the memories will last a lifetime.

Flashback: New Years' Eve

It has become a New Years' Eve tradition for my family to go bowling. Our local alley has a "Family New Years' Celebration" from 6-9 pm, complete with food, lots of blinking lights, party hats, noisemakers and of course, bowling. :-) It is a fun evening that not only involves the kids, but tires them, too. :-) I, for one, was just glad that I didn't completely humiliate myself and did manage a couple of strikes to outshine my couple of gutter balls.

Some good friends joined us. Our children are all friends, so it makes for an even more enjoyable evening for all. May 2011 be as filled with family, friends and fellowship.

Sewing Class

Three weeks ago, Kiddo #4 started a sewing class and wow, she has taken to it like a natural!  She has made 2 wonderful projects already- a pouch with a liner and a pillow.  She has been very excited learning how to operate the machine and mastering all of the different stitches.  I can't wait to see what she makes next!  The best part is that she is loving it and looks forward to it every week. It also doesn't hurt that she is learning a practical skill, one that I'm sure will help her throughout life.  She has always been such a creative kid-- always making something or wanting to do some kind of art project. :-)  We are very proud of her!

Dreaming of a "White Day-After Christmas" :-)

The day after Christmas brought the first of several snowstorms that have already hit our area. I doubt that we will top our 6+ feet of snow from last year, but the kiddos are thrilled nonetheless with the opportunities to play and of course, sled.


We are lucky that there is a local community center only several blocks away that has a fenced-in field with sloped sides. This is where we take the kids to sled. It is always fun!