Friday's Art

In week 3 of Core A from Sonlight it suggested we work on cutting out skills.  I am so greatful for Sonlight's little suggestions as I find there are some things I just forget I need to let Sir N practice and this is definately a big one for us.  Sir N has not had a lot of practice using scissors so I went and got out the ABEKA Art Projects K4.(Available from Light Education Ministries in Australia.) I really like this book as most things are supplied with in.  All you need in the cupboard is some poster paint, string and glue and you can complete all the projects in the book.

Sir N finds the cutting out a little over whelming due to his lack of skill so I cut some and he cuts some and as his skill grows he cuts out more.

The bee's wings move.  We used a spit pin to attach them.

Sir N enjoyed making and wearing this pilgrim hat
The finger puppets were lots of fun too.

It was fun speaking about seeds and why they come from plants.
Sir N enjoyed mixing colours for the lion and pasting cotton wool on the mane.

Last week at Art co-op we used The Usborne ART Treasury and learned about Henri Matisse who used scissors and paper to "draw with scissors" when he was too ill to stand and paint.  Then we used scissors and glue to make our own pictures.

So don't forget to get the scissors out and build your cutting skills.

Blessings

A Garden Project

We started with a garden of weeds ..........

This is what I saw whenever I walked out my front door.  :'(  and with spring here in full swing I really wanted to do something positive about it. 

In September we attended the Sustainability Expo where we were given three native bush plants courtesy of the City Council.  Fragrant Saltbush (Rhagodia Parabolica), Blue Flax-Lily (Dianella Revoluta) and Austral Indigo (Indigofera Australis) and I had plenty of good intentions of planting them out within the week. 

One month later and D-Day arrived today when we got home after a very BUSY day.  Firstly we gathered all our things

Daddy helped us to get some compost from the compost bin out back, it was great being able to finally show Sir N what becomes of all those scraps he keeps having to ferry to the compost bin. Next we added Thrive fertilizer and dug it through the soil.

Sir N was not happy at all about having to do prep work! Have to work on ATTITUDE around here. Working with a happy attitude is not that easy and from the conversations with my friends it comes with the territory of being six years old.

Then we did the fun part planting our seedlings

Today we planted Fragrant Saltbush (Rhagodia Parabolica), Blue Flax-Lily (Dianella Revoluta) and Austral Indigo (Indigofera Australis). Along the back we planted a row of Cosmos (These are my Mom's favourite flowers. I must confess I love the blooms too they remind me of Africa where they grew wild along some roads and would have the most beautiful show in April.), Lobelia and some carrot seeds.

Mmmm this watering can is a little heavy....

Now when I come out my front door I see .....

I am looking forward to the day when they have all grown and are in full bloom.

When ever I do little projects like this with Sir N I am reminded of what my friend Mrs S used to say to me:  " You can credit card parent OR you can savings account parent! it's up to you what results you want." 
Credit card parenting is so much easier.  You do it all yourself there is no training, very little time "wasted" but boy the interest you gain in a lazy child is not worth it in the long run.
 Savings account schooling takes time as you spend a long time preparing, coaching, checking up on them and working on attitude and the positive returns are really worth all the extra time it takes to do things now.

Galatians6:8-10 8 For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
 9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[a]morally] to all people [not only [b]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].

So my friends do not grow weary as you train your children at home.

Blessings

i-clips

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I shared about these over at GEMS 2 TOTS on Saturday but wanted to share it with my friends here too.
Back in June Alecat shared about i-clips magnetic page markers in her post Cute, Practical Bookmarks. I was immediately hooked.

I have owned and lost almost as many book marks as books.  I have been using these for the past month and I am impressed with their performance and price.  They are a great investment in any home that has books. 

Details:

Each clip measures 57 mm from tip to tip when open, 18 mm wide and 28 mm from edge to tip when closed.

Because they are magnetic they do not fall out of the book.

Meaning you can use either side to mark the exact spot on the page you stopped reading.

They are 2 mm thick when closed and do not damage the book you are reading.

They are available in a multitude of different patterns such as: Butterflies, Emoticons, Celtic, and Cupcakes. They are fairly popular and sell out fast but be persistent till you get the ones you want.  I buy mine from Book Depository.  They come in a pack of eight.

Blessings