If Mary and Joseph had Facebook

Homeschool Mothers Journal {4}

The Home school Mother’s Journal began as a single post on a Friday morning over at The Homeschool Chick, and turned into a link-up for homeschool mothers across the blog-O-sphere to share a piece of their journey with one another each week. The link party is open from Friday to Monday so join me in The Homeschool Journal and lets encourage one another on our homeschool journey.

In my life this week…

 
In our homeschool this week…

• This week we have started learning about Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)(this site has some interesting fun facts about Picasso.)  and I was surprised to learn that he was still alive when I was born.  Sir N was intrigued with the comparison of two of his paintings. We looked at The Altar Boy 1896 and Boy in Sailor Suit with Butterfly Net 1938 and he could not believe that when Picasso was younger his paintings looked more like that of an older more mature person and his paintings when he was older looked like a primary school age child had painted them.
• Making animal foot print casts this week with Sir N.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Are you feeling under pressure ?  If so have a careful slow look around you and see what unwritten code of life you are being subtly influenced to live up to.  Sometimes the homeschool groups we are involved in can be the boulder that is drowning us.  

I am inspired by…

• Our Simple Country Life hosted by Esther.  I especially enjoy her blog host Hearts for Home Thursdays where I have found some great posts from other bloggers. Esther is currently hosting a Christmas Cookie Swap.
• Growing Home hosted by Jacinda.  Jacinda has a passion to encourage and build up woman at home.  She hosts a Teach Me Tuesdays blog hop which has inspired and encouraged me often.  She is also currently partaking in 31 Days of Generosity.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• This week has been a quieter week for us which is good because I am feeling very tired.  We visited my mother who is in hospital recovering from surgery. 
• Later today we are going to pretend we are postal delivery workers and secretly drop Christmas cards into peoples post boxes.
• Driving 3 hours north of Melbourne to fetch my dad's car which has been repaired.

My favorite thing this week was…

• Watching Sir N delight in wrapping Christmas gifts for his older siblings and father.
• Making a Christmas card for his Grandparents without any prompting from me.
• Walking 10 km in the Sussan Women's Fun Run 2011
• Being award with the Versatile Blogging award.
• Making magnetic Jesse Tree
• Watching Sir N colour in his own Jesse Tree ornaments.

What’s working / not working for us…

• Cuddling on the couch reading stories together.
• Doing math first thing after breakfast and not waiting till after lunch.

Questions/thoughts I have…

• I am constantly amazed at the goodness of our God and His timing in our lives.  I have been thinking about what I want to do with my blog and where I want to take it.  I ♥ blogging.  I really enjoy the digital challenges it presents.  I love to find information and thrive on finding positive information and passing it on to my friends.  But I am struggling to find balance.  The balance between family, blogging, house work, schooling etc.  
• I have been really blessed over at Sarah Mae's blog Like A Warm Cup of Coffee where she is hosting a guest blogger by the name of Laura.  Laura has written a thoughtful series titled:  Social Media Behave.  I have really enjoyed these posts as she has taken something so pertinent to where I am at and given me positive steps to set healthy boundaries. 

Things I’m working on…

• Finding a healthy balance in blogging, motherhood, friendships and spiritual walk.

I’m reading…

• Social Media Behave 

I’m cooking…

• Gingerbread Houses this afternoon. (Tutorial this Sunday)

I’m grateful for…

• Healthy Children 
• Encouraging friendships.

I’m praying for…
Please stand with me in prayer for:

• My Mom who is recovering from surgery and is in hospital
• Our application to immigrate to Australia and become permanent residents.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Blessings

This post is linked to: The Homeschool Mothers Journal Blog Party

Making Animal Footprint Casts

One of the things I enjoy about being married to a handy man who is a Zoo Keeper is that he comes up with some really interesting things to do.  Here is something that his dad taught him.

Cheetah Footprint

I was surprised at how easy this is to accomplish.

Firstly make sure your cast kit is ready.

• Strips of cardboard about an inch in width.
• Plaster of Paris (store in an airtight container, 
• A container to mix plaster of Paris in, 
• Water, 
• Mixing tool.
• Old toothbrush

Make strips of thin card stock

We used a Manila folder and cut a strip on the diagonal.  

The black dotted lines are where we cut the strips to join with a slide fold.

Make your cast

Choose your print to cast 

Carefully place the card stock strip around your print and slightly embed it into the soil.

Next mix your plaster of Paris. You will need a relatively runny mix.

Slowly and gently fill each separate impression first. 

If you pour too quickly you risk the print being damaged.

Continue pouring in the mix till you have reached a good depth.
A depth of  about 1/2 inch. (10 - 15 mm) is good.

Wait for 30 - 60 min for the plaster to set.

Gently lift your cast

Brush away excess sand.

An old tooth brush works the best.

Allow the cast to dry for a couple of hours.

Paul used a sharp craft knife to shave off around the print to give it a smoother finish.  This also helps to make a contrast of texture allowing a visual enhancement of your print.

You can also use a nail to engrave the date, name of animal and place of your print.  Don't forget to engrave your initials on the back.

Allow your print to dry for about a week in a safe place.

To seal your print use Mod Podge.  You will need to paint it with at least four coats. 

Try this with your dog or cat in your sand pit / garden

Blessings