Although it seems as if all we do is have fun around here, we are able to get to our studies. Okay, who am I kidding, that's fun too!
History: After Shakespeare we "flew" over to France as Henry the Huguenot fights for Paris and wins ending a five year war. A famous artist, El Greco (The Greek), comes to Spain and promptly becomes well known because of a court hearing concerning his artwork. In the meantime, Sir Walter Raleigh is eager to search for El Dorado and Queen Elizabeth allows him to. He does not find it, but returns to England to write a book about his travels.
Geography: Finished up our map study of Europe and found South America and the proposed region of El Dorado.
Science: Went out on a limb and explored two concepts: color and force/motion. Prez was learning about primary and secondary colors due to the study of El Greco's artwork, while Bubbles started what will be a lengthy discovery of force and motion. The stretch is because we were talking about the war in France and how Henry IV tried to starve people in Paris in order to
force them turn over the city. Also the court trial was an issue where the defendants were
forced to pay El Greco (the plaintiff) monies promised for a commissioned piece of artwork. So, different type of
force, but it was a good jumping off point.
Art: With El Greco in the forefront, we explored his unique technique of floating, distorted figures with pale, bluish, eerie colors. I should have had them experiment with this technique, but instead I decided to have them try painting on canvas, since this is what he painted on. It all started with one solitary, long, thin piece of wood that needed to be formed into our frame.
Bubbles is measuring her angles needed for each cut.
We started with a hacksaw.
It wasn't long before we moved to the scroll saw, which because of it's size was much easier to handle and move to a good location.
It was also less reliable as far as the durability of the blade (yikes) and the accuracy of the cuts. Oh well. Experience is priceless.
Bubbles began hammering the pieces together, however that beautiful smile soon turned upside down.
We moved to the ever easy staple gun. Don't you just love how perfectly our pieces fit together?
Two frames and two pieces of canvas. We are ready to create masterpieces.
Prez and his soon to be spider. I drew the outline for him.
Bubbles and her new plaque in all of it's trendy glory. You'll see what I mean below.
Memorization: No long poems or prayers, just one thing....The Edict of Nantes. This was the law put into place by Henry IV which allowed the beginnings of religious freedom in France and gave hope to other nations struggling with religious constraint.
Writing: Write an editorial from either a Protestant or Catholic view of Henry IV's conversion in order to gain the throne of France. OR Describe your own fictitious adventure of the discovery of a place similar to El Dorado, but not made of gold, made of anything else.
That these very stylish flip flops are made out of duct tape!
Bubbles has discovered the "joys" of duct tape. She watched an online tutorial about making flip flops and is very proud of her new footwear.
She even spoiled Prez with a pair! 
Our first attempt at cereal (oatmeal with breastmilk) and she ate all of it! This is a huge success since the other two didn't want anything to do with it...when they were six months old, of course!
Both Bubbles and Prez had the opportunity to feed her and LOVED it! So, she didn't gulp it down or anything, but it all went down and stayed down. Mission accomplished!
Luckily, contractions began EARLY that morning (4am) and baby Sweetness was on her way!
She arrived (in 2 hours! YIKES!) and everyone was glad to finally meet her! She was all of 6 lbs. and 2oz. So hard to believe!
Happy 6th month, Sweetness!
Looking at her now is such a dream. She is such a joy in our lives. We were going to attempt her first try at cereal, but the day got away from us. Oh well. Wish us luck tomorrow. Perhaps I'll have some funny pictures of that. 
After a few hours of work, the boys had finished the job. Don't you just love how proud he looks! He actually has every reason to. Hubby said that he was one heck of a helper!
Although this is a 2T pajama set, it still fits. Really, it does! (Mama is not convinced, but heck it's just for sleeping in. With a face that cute, who cares what you're wearing to bed!)
With all the sun around here, we were desperate for sunglasses--even sticker ones!
The latest battle wound! This kid is always looking for sympathy!
Spring Cleaning is in motion! Although I can appreciate the joy of this moment, I kept thinking about the chance of them hitting a rock and throwing Prez forward thus resulting in a broken bone or head injury. 
After a quick cry for help, Prez ran to entertain Sweetness. What was his choice of entertainment? His favorite Spider-Man book. Walking by I had to smile for it reminded me of a time just four short years ago......
Here is Bubble's reading to Prez. Man, time flies!
Well, this is a picture of our Lenten Calendar. I use it for the kiddos as a way to keep on track and work toward a goal--Easter celebration that is! The original idea came from a book entitled Teaching Your Catholic Preschooler. I've seen other friends use this idea as well and have a similar calendar. Each year ours seems to change a bit, but the idea never does.
This is a picture that Prez took as he was putting off bedtime. He was excited that he got an image of the ashes. I was not excited at how tired I look. I guess I'll call it a night. 
Solution: Make our own and turn it into a review on secondary colors. Prez had to mix red and blue coloring in order to make the purple. Then he had to mix the coloring into the sugar. As we all know, sugar is so tough that you really have to put your back into it. Gritting your teeth never hurts either.
Finished product! The gold represents power, the purple represents justice, and the green represents faith.
Bubbles got into it as well. She turned our cake into a masterpiece.
Overall, we had a wonderful celebration and we are ready to hunker down for Lent.
Swinging WAY too early....
Swinging harder and WAY too early.....
Swinging while keeping all other parts of the body stiff.....
Swinging with a little ballet.....
I thought I was the only one trying to escape this mad house. But, Skip, Bubble's turtle, is ready to commit reptile suicide. For what? Who knows. Perhaps she can't stand the constant whirring of the waterfall or maybe the fish have eaten her food just one too many times. Either way, she's trying to flee. 
Being a good turtle.
Posing for the camera. Boy, she'd do anything to get out of here.
Science: Went out on a limb and explored two concepts: color and force/motion. Prez was learning about primary and secondary colors due to the study of El Greco's artwork, while Bubbles started what will be a lengthy discovery of force and motion. The stretch is because we were talking about the war in France and how Henry IV tried to starve people in Paris in order to force them turn over the city. Also the court trial was an issue where the defendants were forced to pay El Greco (the plaintiff) monies promised for a commissioned piece of artwork. So, different type of force, but it was a good jumping off point.
Art: With El Greco in the forefront, we explored his unique technique of floating, distorted figures with pale, bluish, eerie colors. I should have had them experiment with this technique, but instead I decided to have them try painting on canvas, since this is what he painted on. It all started with one solitary, long, thin piece of wood that needed to be formed into our frame.
Bubbles is measuring her angles needed for each cut.
We started with a hacksaw.
It wasn't long before we moved to the scroll saw, which because of it's size was much easier to handle and move to a good location.
It was also less reliable as far as the durability of the blade (yikes) and the accuracy of the cuts. Oh well. Experience is priceless.
Bubbles began hammering the pieces together, however that beautiful smile soon turned upside down.
We moved to the ever easy staple gun. Don't you just love how perfectly our pieces fit together?
Two frames and two pieces of canvas. We are ready to create masterpieces.
Prez and his soon to be spider. I drew the outline for him.
Bubbles and her new plaque in all of it's trendy glory. You'll see what I mean below.
