Pepper Paints

First the few good photos I got from the circus Thursday night.

And if you look really close at this last one, you can see one of the two performers get shot out of a cannon!

Really, it was the highlight of the show.

Todays thrifting update…I of course I bought the most stuff, because as I told you in my last post; simplicity does not run in my veins! I encouraged Dawn to buy out of her box and I am proud to say Abby is no longer a thrift store virgin…thanks to me!!

Now on to the heart of the matter…..That damn Abby tagged me for a meme, and it’s a hard one. Name 3 things I do well as a mother. As Abby said, I really am my worst critic. I have that catholic guilt for all I don’t do and all I do wrong. But there must be three good things…somewhere…hmmmm

1. I try really hard to follow my children’s lead. If they are interested in something, I go to the ends of the earth to supply the knowledge, books or materials that they need. This actually drives my son crazy. He says sometimes he’s afraid to mention he likes something for fear of the goose chase it will send me on.

2. I trust my kids feelings. I consider myself a good judge of character and I can read people fairly well. I think that is a good quality to have. I don’t want to take that sense away from my kids. They seem to have been born with it-they are a good gauge of what is going on around them. As long as I tune in, I can learn so much from them.

3. I let my kids be who they are. They are each so unique and from most peoples perspectives they seem fairly “normal” but they are each odd in their own special way. I am so glad to nurture that strangeness and individuality in them.

and 4. because I always have to have more…I love to read to my kids. Jake and I read soooo many books together, I treasure those memories. The girls and I usually have a chapter book going as well as picture books and then Molly and I have a book going and Molly and her Dad have a book they read together. We learn and experience so much through books. As well as a great spark for our imaginations. Plus all the snuggling the goes along with it–Not trying to top someone else who mentioned snuggling with their kids here!!

I am not tagging anyone special but all Moms are special!! So if you want to play along… go for it!

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 17th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: Activities, Field Trips | No Comments »

That’s Simple

I am thinking about changing the furniture around here at chez Pepper Paints. So, if you wonder over one day and think I got rid of your favorite post, it probably just got moved to a new spot. I am fickle like that. With the change of seasons I change the furniture around in most rooms of my house. It drives my husband batty.

I had a revelation the other morning while out walking. I am NOT a simple person. And that is OK! I often ponder becoming a more simple person. I am sure it is an easier life, but it just isn’t in me.

I can usually spot a person that lives a simple life. You know those at the grocery that have a cart with only the items they will use in the next week. They don’t belong to food co-ops which buy in bulk, shop at several different grocery stores, or stock up in case of the bird flu or killer bees. They shop at the thrift store, but again buy only what they need, not every cute thing they find because it’s only a buck. There kids have a few precious toys that they actually play with, not toys in every room of the house. That’s just not me.

I love my stuff, my hand mirror collection, various rocks, shells and sea glass from all over the place. I love my marble collection, our stamps and coins. I love art supplies and other materials that most people consider junk. I see the possibilities in almost everything. I love other peoples cast offs. I rarely shop new and I love a good bargain. Flea markets and thrift stores make me coo! As does a pile on someones tree lawn.

I know those that live a more simple life, only bite off what they can chew. That concept right there would make my life more manageable. They don’t increase the size of their garden every year if they can’t tend to what they already have. They actually leave the library with only a book or two. They don’t try to jam pack every day to the fullest. They pace themselves and have a Zen way about them. And they don’t move all their furniture around every few months because they are bored. But again, that’s just not me.

Tomorrow, I will be going thrifting with some friends and I will find a few treasures that I want more than need and I will purchase them . And I will make more work for myself-more laundry, finding a place to keep these treasures. But that’s OK. Because it will make me happy. And I may just find the perfect thing to add to my kitchen I plan on rearranging on Saturday.

Shhh, don’t tell my husband.

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 16th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Eat your Primary colors! Eat your Secondary Colors! Eat Your Tertiary Colors!! Eat The Whole Dang Color Wheel!

Today we made an edible color wheel. This is probably the third or fourth time over the past six or so years that we have done this activity. It is always a big hit! First we made some frosting.

Or you could just buy a can of white frosting. But not me, because that would be too easy.

3/4 (organic) butter, 2 cups (organic) powder sugar, tsp vanilla, Beat till smooth, add milk to desired consistency.

You will also need a plate or 4, butter knives or stir sticks, vanilla wafers, organic optional and food coloring.

We used natural food coloring, because, again, I am crazy like that, but regular food coloring works too. Actually the natural red would not get past pink, so we ended up adding a few drops of red food coloring. And be forewarned the natural food colorings have a taste-and it’s not too good!

So each of my girls got a dish of white frosting and a plate. They made 3 equal piles of frosting on their plates and mixed up a batch of primary colors, spread it on three of the cookies and set them aside.

Then we talked about the secondary colors and what we would get when we mixed red + blue (purple), red + yellow (orange), and yellow + blue (green). We mixed that up on the plate, ( leave some of each primary color for further combining), spread that onto three cookies and added them to the others.

Next we talked about tertiary colors and combining green + yellow (yellow-green), yellow + orange (yellow-orange), orange + red (red-orange), red + purple (violet or magenta), purple+blue (indigo ), blue + green (blue-green). Spread that on six cookies and completed our circle.

Next we tried mixing all the colors together and got a grayish color.

Molly didn’t like the taste of the colored frosting, but of course Ginger, like Mikey, will eat anything. (but hopefully not pop-rocks and coke together!)

There you have it-and edible color wheel!!

And I know the Mikey thing was just a wives tale-it was a joke!! Geesh

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 15th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: Activities, Crafts, Messy, recipes | 7 Comments »

Drip, drip, drip

The 5 day forecast says

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 14th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: Outside, photography | 2 Comments »

Arrival of the Animals

Today the circus arrived in town. We headed down the street after our circus class today to catch the Barnum & Bailey animals walk from the train cars that they arrived in, to the arena where they will be performing later this week. We waited about an hour. The kids passed the time by rolling on the front lawn of a business I later realized had a nice little green flag alerting the public of the recent application of lawn chemicals. Damn!! As the time past our excitement was building. Clowns, music, bright colors and festive atmosphere! Boy were we mistaken!

First there was the truck. Then there were the elephants.

Then there were horses.

Then there was the street sweepers and it was over. Damn again!

Thinking this may be an all day event, we were pretty sure we were going to miss Art class today. But after the quick animal parade we headed to another side of town for a group project of watercolors on plaster, broken into pieces to make a sort of puzzle. The results were really nice. On the way home we stopped at an old railway museum so Ginger and I could take some photos!

What were Molly and Jake doing you ask?!

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 14th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: Activities, Field Trips, photography | 3 Comments »

Newspaper Hut

The theme for the Unplugged Project for this week is newspaper. I remembered seeing a structure made out of newspaper and saved the instructions for “some day”. Well today was that some day.

I just so happened to have this past weeks newspapers and the paper leftover from the garage sale. Good thing because this project uses ALOT of newspapers. Also, you will need tape, a pencil, stapler, a sheet is optional.

First lay 4 sheets of newspaper on top of each other. Place the pencil in the corner and roll the 4 sheets diagonally to make a tube.

Tape the middle and let pencil slide out of tube. Repeat 25 times. The 25 tubes should be close to the same length-trim if you need to.

Use 3 tubes to make a triangle and staple at each corner. Repeat until you have 5 triangles.

Connect the triangles in a long line, staple together.

Use tubes across the top and staple in place.

Get help! Stand the triangles up and staple the two ends together. Add a tube to the last top spot.

Use the 5 remaining tubes to make a star stapled in the middle.

This is the roof. Staple in place.

A sheet or other light weight material can cover your hut if you want. Get inside and play!!!!

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: 3-D, Activities, Crafts, Sculpture | 22 Comments »

Happy Birthday Ginger!!

It is hard to believe you are only 4!

If left alone on a deserted island I have no doubt you would be fine! You would eat whatever you could fit in your mouth, just like at home. You would make friends with all the animals but miss your best beast friend Rudy. And you would sing and dance all day long to the music that seems endless in your head. The smile would never leave your face as it rarely does. And you would make the best of any situation.

But lucky for us we get enjoy you everyday!!

Your beautiful green eyes and your mile long smile!

Happy 4th Birthday Ginger!!!!

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 9th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: Uncategorized | 9 Comments »

Roller Skating and Sprouts

Today was the last day for Homeschool Roller skating. My kids have really come to love this monthly activity. And for me it just brings back tons of memories!! Saturdays at the Golden Gate Roller Rink. Waiting for a good song and holding hands while skating. Sometimes even walking over to Laparoe’s Pizza afterwards.

After skating we drove out to a Nursery we have never visited before. I went to get some heirloom tomatoes and peppers. It was a great place with great prices!! I will be ready to plant this weekend as long as the weather cooperates. Time to plant a second round of lettuce. THe first is just about ready for some picking.

As is the arugala. THe kale is coming along nicely as well.

And inside I have been working on some sprouting. Mung bean sprouts should be ready in a day or two. And the broccoli sprouts will follow.

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 8th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: 3-D, Activities, Paint | 2 Comments »

Another use for Plungers

Yes,there are new, clean plungers from the dollar store. We did some plunger painting today.

I got the end rolls of paper for free from our local newspaper.

Tomorrows To Do List Put laundry away, vacuum, have girls pick up bedroom some, last rollerskating day, possibly drive out to greenhouse for heirloom tomatoes, start new chapter book with girls, library returns and pick ups and the list goes on and on.

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUponTechnorati

Posted on May 7th, 2008 by Kristen
Filed under: Activities, Messy, Paint | 3 Comments »

Happy Birthday Jake

13 years ago I became a Mother for the first time. You were so tiny with the biggest blue eyes. I couldn’t believe “they” trusted us to take you home from the hospital and be alone with you. No book could have prepared me for the intense feelings of being your Mother. The bond I felt with you was over whelming. At times it was like a secret language. I innately knew what you needed. Today as a Mother of a teenager I do not. Motherhood was not easy then and it is not easy now. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.