Summer School: Art

For our first art lesson, we learned about Edgar Degas, and his work "Blue Dancers".  We talked a little bit about his technique and the materials he used.

Then I gave them some paper and colored chalk, and set 'em loose.  The LOVED it!

Summer School: Science

For our summer school, some days it's just me and the kids, and some days we combine with my SIL.  She teaches science and outdoor preparedness, and I teach art history and art technique.

Look at the rapt attention:

Question: Is it possible to move this soda can without touching it?:

Let's get some help from Ethan and his friendly electrons:


It worked!!

Using the scientific method to record our findings:

Science is fun!! (Check out the static-y hair!)  :

Hours of Fun at the Park

Even though school got out just last week, we've already logged hours of fun at the park.  I love it.  One of my big goals for the summer was to spend as much time outside as possible.  And since James drives our big 'ol family car to work (our only car), it's given us lots of opportunities to be outside.  We love to walk to the library, and especially the park. 
Natalie is fearless when it comes to playground equipment.  She loves to climb, and is the only kid I know who actually squeals "weeeeee" as she plunges down slides.  She is fiercely independent and yells "noooo!" if anyone offers to catch her or hold her hand on the slide.
And to the boys, the park is a magic wonderland from their imaginations.  At any given time the playground equipment can become a pirate ship, spy headquarters, their posh mansion, or any one of hundred different things.  I'll be sad when my kids out-grow playgrounds.  But for now, we're soaking up every minute of it.

Summer School Day One: Cooking

For our first day of summer school, we headed to the kitchen to do some cooking.  For our first recipe: chocolate chip cookies!!

They learned how to scoop up the dry ingredients, then level them off with the flat edge of a butter knife.

Using the hand mixer was probably their favorite part :)

Natalie helped by snitching cookie dough.

Okay, maybe licking the beaters was the best part ;)

Watching the cookies bake.  Waiting is just so hard!

Done!

This is the recipe we used from the Ghirardelli Chocolate website:

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie

11 1/2 ounce(s) 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
2 1/4 cup(s) unsifted flour
1 teaspoon(s) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon(s) teaspoon salt
1 cup(s) (2 sticks) butter
3/4 cup(s) sugar
3/4 cup(s) packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoon(s) vanilla

1 cup shredded coconut - this wasn't in the recipe, but growing up, we always added coconut to our cookies.  It makes them extra delicious!

Directions
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Stir flour with baking soda and salt; set aside. In large mixer bowl, cream butter with sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually blend dry mixture into creamed mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Drop 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 375ºF for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

  Yum!