Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for our whirlwind trip to Houston on Sunday and Monday.

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My cousin Jen and her boys! CUTE!!

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We also had lunch with a family from Nadia’s China travel group at a delicious Italian place in Sugar Land. Their daughter Angelina and Nadia were from the same orphanage and adopted on the same day. Their son was adopted a few months before we adopted Amelie. It was so fun to see them again. The girls picked up again like no time had passed. It’s a real blessing to keep up with them.

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Counting to Costumes

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I told Amelie that it was time to practice her numbers in a new way. I printed some K4 worksheets, laminated them and bought these cute plastic clothes pins at the dollar store. I explained it all to her and before she started, she needed a costume. Once Nadia was finished with her math work, she asked if she could play with the clothespins. A few minutes later they asked me for some pipe cleaners.

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I walked back in the kitchen to find this adorable girl and her crown.

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Then she said Amelie needed a crown too and made her one.

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One last photo of the King and Queen.

Mornings like this make me so happy that we homeschool. Too bad they won’t be able to wear costumes when they grow up and get jobs 😉

Art Camp 2013

Art Camp 2013
Click on the photo to see album

This year I was asked to teach Drama for Art Camp at our church and of course I said yes! This is the first year Nadia has been old enough to attend, but she wasn’t having any part of my class since the kids were going to perform in some manner at the end of the week. Instead she chose leather work and painting with two people she adores – Mr. Steve for leather work and Miss Sarah for painting. (Miss Sarah is also her drawing teacher)

I had a group of 3 smaller kids and 5 older kids and we all had so much fun!! I started with the basics and moved along as fast as the kids could handle. By the end of the week the big girls had created their own skit after I gave them a basic idea. They came up with their props and costumes and then I arranged for my niece Gwen to come visit and do the makeup for all the kids on the final day.

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Older girls practicing their skit.

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Little kids practicing changing “mood” based on what emotion I yell out.

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Nothing but fun with these girls.

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Make up time.

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The little’s created their own super hero with powers and costumes.

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Nadia’s major art work of the week.

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Nadia’s super cool journal she made in leather work class.

We had a great time, but by the end I was beat 🙂 The kids were really entertaining and creative and I was so happy to be a part of the week with them.

Candy Melt Molds

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When we were on our giant road trip this summer I bought a couple of candy melt molds at the Wilbur Chocolate factory store. One was of turtles and the other was an astronaut with his spaceship. I finally took the time to get out the various candy melts we had on hand (when I see them on clearance I buy as many as I can) – red, green and white. I also thought the girls would like to have some sprinkles mixed in so I put those out too.

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I also used this as a lesson on how to use piping bags for decorating. Nadia wanted me to help and explain it to her and Amelie refused help (which is typical of their personalities). After the first cavity was filled Nadia was confident and ready to keep going, but Amelie said, “I tink I need help mama!” HA!

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They turned out really cute and the girls enjoyed eating them after dinner. We will be doing these later in the fall with Halloween and Christmas themed molds that I got on clearance last year.