Vermont!

Brooke is doing reports on each of the states...or as many as she gets to!
If the book that Chelsea and the kids are studying, takes place in a specific state, then she will study that state!
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World...
Involved Vermont!

She prepared a 30 min. oral report...and then made activities and treats to go along!

She made Maple Syrup cookies...
she let Annika and Brady, help her!

She planned for all the kids to make Red Clover flowers...
The State Flower!

The Best part was the Ben and Jerry's taste test!

I think she will be selective...and choose states with good taste tests!

We had 4 flavors...and this is how they turned out!
1. Boston Creme
2. Smores
3. Brownie Cheesecake
4. Milk and Cookies

FIAR- How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World!

We started our book study in search of the freshest ingredients...
just like the character in the book!
It did not take long for all the kids to grasp the authors sense of humor!
Luke quickly made the decision that taking eggs, would be much easier then to take a chicken home! =)
(More egg hunt pictures here!)

One look at this BIG boy...and we came to the same conclusion...
We will just take a gallon of fresh milk!
(More dairy fun..here)

Making butter is always a BLAST!
Mason jar...cream...muscles!
That is all that you need to make your own butter!
Yes, the kids griped about having to shake the jar for about 15 min....
but after they saw the butter, they said...
"We should make all our butter! "

We did not grind our own cinnamon...but we did find the freshest organic cinnamon that we could buy!


Then it was time to do a presentation for DAD of all that we had learned!

Luke and Chelsea made little apple pies...
buy themselves...no joke...I stood next to them and made Chili...
Great activity for little ones...and feeling independent!

Freezer biscuits..
Apple pie filling...
Fold...press with fork...
Bake...350 for 20 min.

Serve!

Chelsea made an art project that was from the book,
She was suppose to make a street that moved as you opened the pages...
but she made the same street....with different weather!
Raining!

Dry!

She put together these street buildings...for her presentation!
Then she told about the lap book...and all the activities that we did as a family!
(lap book and street buildings are from homeschoolshare.com)

Whose at your House?

I ran an errand...and when I came home...this is who answered the door!

I have seriously NEVER laughed so hard in my entire life!

Watching these two walk around...stumbling the whole way...
and then they would just poop out!
Poor Brooke on bottom...she would get so beat up!
Then after about 5 min. they would go at again....

Luke decided to be creative himself...and created a wizard costume...which has NOT come off for days.
He wears it EVERYWHERE...even out to eat!!!

Wishing you ALL a belated Happy Thanksgiving!

This is my all time Favorite time of year...
I'm probably NOT alone?! (wink)
My kids are busting at the seams!

Thanksgiving sometimes produces an opportunity to get a family picture...Christmas card worthy!
Not this year!
We will keep trying...maybe I should do a sleeping Christmas card...they are always peaceful snuggled in their beds!?

I was having so much fun yesterday...I didn't get down here, to post a
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
to all my bloggy friends!
I hope your day was filled with lots of laughter, joy, and food!

I have to take the opportunity to post a picture of my sweet boy..
he moves way too fast for me to capture him!
I got lucky this time!
I think I need a faster camera...kids don't hold their emotions for 5 min.???

I'll ask Santa!! =)

Road Trip Tips!

I absolutely love to hit the road...and take the kids with me!
Here are a few tips that I have found to help!

#1....
Plan and Prepare an activity that will occupy lots of hours!
For our Boston Trip, I knew we had 21 hours of drive time in both directions!
I bought 6 packages of different colors of yarn...which the kids picked out!
I gave everyone a pair of scissors, and a bag to catch the extra yarn.
Above is pictured some of the hundreds of fluff balls that the kids made!

It was simple enough to involve ALL the kids!

They LOVED it!
The made fluff balls for HOURS!!!
Off and On for the Entire trip....just what a mom needs!

#2
Bring lots of paper and writing tools!
I like to be in control of all the activities...not because I am a control freak...but it helps space it out and keep it exciting!
As a mom, you can tell when the breaking moment is about to happen, and with a smile, bring out the crayons!
Even thought they just had a pen...it's enough change to bring road time happiness!

#3
Relax...and Make the Drive Part of the Trip!
All of our family members live 20-28 drive hours away!
Usually we have a week to visit....and 4 of those days are on the road...might as well make them fun!
I'll be honest...if you play too much...you will never get there.
The secret is to keep the kids moving without them knowing your pressing them!
We have found that a hard 15-30 min. pool play...is the BEST way to tire the kids out...and help them be ready to drive all day!
Usually the 2nd day...we allow them to swim in the morning!

#4
Allow the Kids to Add Personality to the Vacation!
The hotels that are in the middle of the drive, are quick..and yet, it is the kids favorite part.
We usually get in at midnight -2am...
Mark and I go straight to bed...(after pj's and brushing teeth).
We usually allow the kids to make the hotel their own...

Even if it is for a few hours!

#5
Quick stops give hours of peaceful drive time!
Pushing through may seem like it saves time...but it is stressful, and take all the fun out of the drive...
Who wants to drive across country with whiny kids????
We try to find something fun and fast, for the kids to see...EVERYONE gets out...even if they don't want to....EVERYONE runs...even if it is short distance!

Unique artwork...is a favorite of my kids!

#6
Allow the kids to help!
I have all of them help packing...from the youngest to the oldest!
(We all know that I actually pack...because I have to be organized..but I keep them involved the entire time!)
I also pack....so that on the road we only have to bring in one bag for all of us!

#7
Get Out of the Car to Eat!
Picnics are better than restaurants...and faster!!!
We try to find a park...eat...and give 15 min. to play!

I always announce...after you eat...you have 15 min. to run as hard and fast as you can!
Because we are getting back in the car...and driving for 5 hours!
(We try to get 5 hours in, before a quick 15 min. break)

#8
Potty Breaks...are for everyone!
I get all the kids out at bathrooms...even Brady!
This year Annika potty trained herself on the road to Boston...go figure?
I think she found out that is how you get the car to STOP!!!

#9
If you watch Movies...buy an old TV series...they last forever!
For $20 you can buy the newest Disney..and it buys you 2 hours at the most...
If you buy the Brady Bunch...it too costs $20....and gives at least 15 hours of peace!

#10
Have Fun!
If you are having fun..the kids will!

I have posted other Road Trip ideas....here!

If you want your kids to travel well....then travel with them!!!

BOSTON!!!

There is NO way to capture Boston in one post!
All I can say is ....
IT IS A FANTASTIC CITY!
History galore!!!!

The #1 BEST thing that I did, was stop at Target...
and buy this double sit and stand stroller.
I had heard it could hold three kids....
and...
IT DID!!!

After a LONG night of Boston shopping...
we opted to take the bike to the parking garage!

This poor guy biked ALL of us...
(Remember, I am still not on...or the double - triple stroller)
I think we heard something snap...but he did not seemed worried!
I think this may have been Brooke's favorite part.
We got a ton of honks, laughs, hollers, and waves!

NOTE: We parked for 3 hours on the first night....
It cost....$34!!!
Not pictured: My kids got to experience the city bus and the subway! =)
Much more affordable!

This was a business trip...so we only had nights to sight see...
and one day!

On our free day...
We took the kids on the Freedom Trail...
We only made it half way...but we loved every minute!

This is the Monument of Bunker Hill!

Most of our pants came back with grass stains...they could NOT resists rolling down!

I was hoping to take this trip in early October...
So that the kids could see the beautiful East coast Fall!

We were thrilled that there was still some lingering Fall colors!

Love this!
The City Scape in the back....
remember...we are from a SMALL city!

I often take my kids to walk through cemetery's...
I find it peaceful, and a chance to pay respect to those who have passed on!
This was incredible!
I was in AWE!
The grave stones were so old you can't read them!
This is History coming ALIVE!

We love to travel with the kids....
So far we have stayed in the states!

We heard that the closest food to actually being in Italy is the North Side of Boston!
YUMMMYYYY!!

We look forward to coming back to Boston soon!
My husband travels there often!
Each time we try to experience something new!
The last time we went was 4 years ago... this time we will be back in the Spring..or sooner!