Symmetrical Butterflies

We are studying butterflies in my little co-op class. We did a fun project with colored glue. I mixed some black acrylic paint into half bottles of glue. (Ours was Elmer's.) We used large sheets of heavier paper pre-folded in half. Each student drew 1/2 of a large butterfly on one side of the paper, making large details versus small, fussy details. Paper was folded over onto the glue butterfly and gently rubbed, not pressed too hard, to transfer the glue to the other side. Opening the paper revealed a symmetrical butterfly. Rorschach anyone? We set them aside to dry until the next week, then colored them in. Some students used colored pencils for a softer look, others used regular markers that gave a more bold, stained glass look. Fun!

We also did a project from artprojectsforkids.org. The idea was to tell the kids to draw specific things without them seeing each others papers during the process. They were to draw a hill, then a tree and add one or as many hearts as they wanted. Then we colored them and saw how different and the same they were.

Loooonging for U Giraffes

Let's have a closer look at the giraffes that W. designed for our church Valentine's banquet. She and I made 30 or so. They all looked the same, yet had their own little personalities.

We used Sculpey clay, pins with painted heads for they eyes and horns, (black and brown, then coated with Modge Podge to make them shiny.) I cut out heart stamps in the eraser of a pencil to stamp the "spots" with.  I had to buy a waterproof, permanent ink, scrapbooking stamp pad so the spots did not rub or wipe off.

We made a few prototypes to help us figure out all the little details, but after baking the first few we learned that we should make the tails attached or they broke off too easily.

They look pretty cute all lined up in their pan after baking.

Winter School Continues

Winter coping continues. It has been an especially cold and long winter with wind chills often down in the -25's.

Coping with winter school involves studying in any patch of sun you can find and commandeering mom's bed in jammies.

Drawing and reading and listening to taped books, watching old TV shows (Hogan's Heroes, Star Trek, etc) and watching the Olympics help us cope.

 Cuddling up with friends and buddies can also be comforting and a spirit lifter.

Engaged!

 Our son's joy is our joy!

Engaged to Samantha on Feb. 11.

Cakes and Beatles

Last week, D-I-L Mac competed in a cake decorating contest. She is a professional decorator at a local grocery store. She came in third. I am always shocked at the judging, because I think the quality of her work outshines the others in execution, creativity and appropriateness to the chosen category. My kids say I am prejudiced in her favor, but I really do carefully examine the other entries, and I do have some artistic training. Oh well, at least she gets to advance and gets a trip out of it for her and our son.

The category was sophisticated wedding cake, and the second cake was designer's choice. She has  quirky taste, and made this armadillo. Doesn't he look realistic?

Later in the same day, we attended Rain, a Beatles tribute concert with Son D. and Mac and her folks. It was a great concert and really fun to go out together. 

 

Valentines Banquet

As they have done for over 20 years, the men of our church served a Valentine's banquet to the women. This year they made a little change in that they did not make their own food, but had it catered instead. This year they sat with us, which we all enjoyed. My hubby was gone, so I was a little lonely. The men still served us and did all the prep and clean-up. As my mom said, "It's so nice to know we don't have to clean up!"

 Brother Aaron and Viva were able to come this year.

 Good looking cousins and dates.

 Pastor Bill had the program, with love songs and original compositions. It was really good.

 Mom and Dad enjoyed the atmosphere and the program.

The favors we made this year were giraffes. Daughter W. designed and helped me make them.

Books and T-Shirts to Letters and Rugs

Still making the old book cut-out initials  and crocheted rugs out of homemade t-shirt yarn.  

Unscheduled Visit

Last month, several of us made unscheduled visits to MO when my folks were traveling and Dad ended up in the hospital with a double pulmonary embolism. Brother Marsh started the trend by flying down to the hospital the first few days, and was relieved of his duties by Son D. on the weekend. I flew down for a few days when D. left for home.

After treatment and release from the hospital, we transferred to Mom and Dad's friends Joe and Lonnie's hillside/lake view house for a  week of recovery.

Dad was supposed to walk every day, but not alone for fear of bleeding in case of falls. Below you see how these kids of 58 years of marriage recuperate during one of his walks!

Later, Son J. drove down for a visit and picked me up to go home. After the full week was up, Sister Lissa flew down and drove them home. So good to have them back and healthy!

Winter Faces

 Reading

 Owl Girlfriends

 Skating Girlfriends

One Act Play/Superbowl Weekend

 L. and M. and their cast competed in our homeschool one-act play competition. They did a great job.

 Makeup for the play, and makeup "shared" with the boyfriend.

And the last slice of lemon pie from the annual Super Bowl party with our G. friends. It was a busy weekend.