Exploding the Volcano

There was much excitement last night after dinner, when I promised The Jord we would go outside and explode the volcano that he made before.


It's been a while since we paid any attention to it, purely because of the amount of time it's taken for this particular piece of artwork to dry!

Anyway, I told him to paint it yesterday and once it had dried we would put the 'potion' in and make it explode.

The kid was beside himself!


He couldn't wait. 

No particular significance to this photo -  I just posted it for those who want to know how the bump is doing.


Now you know...


I look like a buddha statue.

I don't know why we had a red mountain...


I had envisioned a green one with red lava.


He obviously had a different vision.


So I went with black lava.

Adding more vinegar...

The black lava actually had a pretty cool effect!

And it's almost over...


... and it's done.

The kids loved it!

How to make Playdough

I've been promising this recipe for a while now and here it is!

With the holiday season coming up, I'm guessing now is a really good time for it!

Playdough is extremely easy to make and I actually prefer this version to the commercial Play-Doh stuff - this is more workable!

 In a mixing bowl:
half a cup of salt
1 tablespoon of Cream of Tartar
some food colouring
and a nice dollop of cooking oil.

The cooking oil helps with stickiness at the end, I can't tell you how much I use - I just pour, but it looks to be at least 2 tablespoons. Maybe more. If this comes out sticky, pour more in your next batch.

And for those of you in the northern hemisphere - add a few drops of eucalyptus oil - I find that playing with scented playdough stops a runny nose in it's tracks.


Add one cup of just-boiled water.

It has to be HOT! Work quickly!

 Then add a cup of flour and mix like crazy.

I mean it! MIX!

Quickly!

Go! Go! Go!

It should end up looking like this. A nice warm, soft dough that makes even adults want to sink their fingers into it!

Haul out the playdough toys and let the kids loose.

And if some goes into the carpet, don't panic.
Let it dry, scrape with a dinner knife and vacuum.

Have fun!

Bullying or Manipulation?

The Jord is home today. I'm not sure why and that bothers me, surely I should know?

See, when I went to wake him this morning for school he started crying and telling me he was scared to go because of the bullies.

Sigh...

Now I don't know if there are actually real bullies causing this reaction, or if this is just a school avoidance tactic...


BUT

...after a long discussion with The Man (by phone because he started work at 4 this morning!) we have agreed that we can't ignore the need for intervention if bullying is actually happening.

Now, many of you are probably horrified that I don't trust what my child is telling me, but I have to say that The Jord has been displaying some very frustrating manipulative behaviour lately. The kid has realised he can get quite a bit accomplished by lying. Little rat!

Lying is not tolerated in this house and normally I can get the truth out if I go into terrorist interrogation mode, but in this instance I just don't know. And I don't want to terrorise the child even further if he is telling the truth.

And so he is at home. And I have an appointment with his teacher tomorrow morning. He'll be there too so that his teacher can get the truth out of him! And details...

...because I don't seem to be getting much of those either. Hence the suspicion.

Sigh...

 There are rules however - no Wii, he's already tried to pull that one.

He WILL be doing school work - he's already done a reading comprehension and is busy with some numeracy. We'll probably take a break soon and I'll set up some more exercises.

The Frog, not wanting to be left out, is also doing some 'work.'

Hope everyone has a great day.

Glue Shapes

Yes, I know, it's an interesting perspective, this shot.

I'm probably giving you vertigo.

Sorry.

But my goal is to help mothers like me, or like I used to be. Those who feel completely uninspired when it comes to stimulating their kids.

Those who find Playhouse Disney playing all day in their homes.

My goal is to say: I know, I understand...

Playhouse Disney still plays all day in my house.

But we do other things off and on - like make glue pictures.

I'm so proud - The Frog can name all those shapes - probably thanks to the creators of Dora The Explorer or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...

But still.