Making Bagels

This week we are learning about grains and breads. One really fun thing we will be doing is making many different kinds of breads from all over the world. Today's project was bagels. I've never made them before, but it wasn't too difficult. If I make them again, I will try to find a recipe using whole wheat and also make a huge batch to make it more worth the time.

Shaping the dough

Shaped bagels rising

Boiling the dough gives them that traditional bagel "skin"

The finished product! I have a feeling no one will want store-bought bagels again! The boys want to try making different flavors, like cinnamon raisin!

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

This year, Disneyland is running a program where you donate a day of your time to a charitable organization, and they send you a voucher for a free ticket to Disneyland. We have been wanting to go, but the cost was inhibitive. We found a great little project for our area making a quilt or fleece blanket for the local "Binkey Patrol" chapter. This is working well for me because I work on my own schedule when I can. Last night we sat down and worked with the boys on their fleece blankets to donate. They did most of the work themselves! Yay for simple, no-sew projects!

Cutting the edges into 4" strips

Knotting each strip to give the blanket a fringe!

Finished Blankets! (Blankie Bandits!)

Blankets have been tested for "snuggliness"

This is the quilt I made from some cute turtle fabric someone gave me

Closer detail of the quilt

It is hard to see, but each large blue sqaure has the outline of a turtle quilted in it. It added a sweet little touch!

Playing with Daddy

In the evenings, wrestling with Daddy is a common and favorite activity! It is a nice way to unwind--although I'm not sure it helps Daddy unwind! It is fun to listen to all the squeals, yells, and growls that emmit from the livingroom while I finish the dinner dishes!

Zoo

This week we studied animal classification. Since I had free vouchers for the zoo, we made a quick trip to Sacramento on Sunday afternoon. Very enjoyable fieldtrip. Here are a few highlights!

The perfect afternoon . . . .

This is my boys' idea of the perfect way to spend an afternoon. I had been sick all week, but we had a dry afternoon. The sun was warm, so we decided to burn all the branches and twigs that had fallen out of the trees in the storms lately. The boys worked diligently gathering wood. Their reward is roasting marshmallows! I think they would do this every day if they could. It was relaxing to sit and read a book while monitoring the burn pile. It is good for a body to slow down and enjoy the simple things sometimes.

On the rocks . . . .

This week we learned the different classifications of rocks. It rained nearly every day, but we managed to seize a 1-hour break to go down to the creek bed. There are plenty of rocks there to take home and study.

I think this one might be a little big to take home!

Juliana's way of examining rocks closely!

Colusa Farm Show

One of our fieldtrips this week was to the Colusa Farm Show. Naturally, the children love exploring the tractors and other equipment. This is a special aspect of living in CA--the fruitbasket of the nation.

Discussing with Poppy how the bulldozer works

Getting up close and personal with an irrigation gate