Ancient Greek Symposium

Our day usually begins like this...like most school days...pledging our allegiance.

And then...things look a little different.

This day we gathered to experience some facts and ideas of Ancient Greece. Vases were drawn, gods and goddesses and myths were discussed, health and well being were taught, columns were designed and created, laurel wreaths were woven and assembled and there was a great symposium with a feast.

This was a fun game called "honey, I love ya, but I just can't smile." They all sure cracked up!

This was the table feast I prepared. We discussed olive trees and their uses. Sheep and lambs and their products, like Feta cheese and yogurt. I created a kid-friendly baklava using cinnamon rolls instead of phyllo dough, it was a big hit. Sweet bread from honey and crescent rolls along with hummus was on the table too. Pita bread to make mini gyros, watered down wine aka grape juice, honey on fruit, some squid and baked chicken rounded out the menu. They were very adventurous with their willingness to taste new things. What fun!

The worst part of the feast was when I told all the girls that they would not have been invited because they were not men...and only men attended the symposiums...well, I told them they could come if they served the food, drinks, sang, danced, or even did acrobatics...they all boo-ed the idea down...but the boys loved it!

Our own Keeping Quilt

Just look at the fifth generation laying on these quilts. We read the Keeping Quilt, by Patricia Polacco, this week. It was a great chance to get out the quilts sewn by both of my great-great grandmothers from my mothers side. One of them immigrated as a child from Germany, that would be Grandmother Pister. The other one was made from Grandmother Ulrich who was born here to Russian immigrant parents. What a wonderful time to share a bit of our history together. We thought up all kinds of adventures that we believed these quilts might have been on.

We were wondering about the fabrics cut into pieces and used to make these patterns.

This one is more worn and has the small knotted strings tying the layers together. I was reminded again how special sharing the past is with the new generations. Thanks for the reminder, Ms. Polacco.

I highly recommend her collection of books...she is a great illustrator and uses her own life stories to share stories we all can relate to. Two of them are read aloud on this site. We have learned about bee keeping, imaginary friends, brothers and silly neighbors.

The Queens have spoken!

This year's Halloween included quite a list of characters. Queen bee, two Queen Cleopatras, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Momma! Chloe was a hit with her robot antics, and little miss ladybug flitted all around. Mario was too much with his mustache, and Taylor yelled Go Gator's at every new picture taken! So fun!

but I feel like life is exciting....

Maybe it is due to the fact that I do not have a camera YET!!!!!!!!!!!, and I do not diligently record in words all the funny antics of these youngin's. But I do feel like our life is exciting and blogworthy....

So, my weekly updates are becoming just that. I know there are a certain few who shall remain nameless who actually do read and enjoy our comings and goings, so for you, I write this post.

We are entering Greece of ancient times in school, we feel like Patricia Polacco is living in our house since we have about 20 of her books around everywhere as we study her for this month's author. Stephanie just finished the most current collection of American Girl books, Rebekah. She loved reading about the Jewish family and their journey to this country.

Steve and I have been loving our Fireproof bible study we are a part of....it is lots of work, but well worth it in the long run. A good marriage is worth making great.

The pool is closed up and ready for the winter, we thought that might magically make it stay in the seventies instead of the nineties!!!!!!

Cooking has changed around here since we are improving our eating habits and trying to lose some inches and pounds around here. It is like a new adventure. We each are at the twenty pounds down mark....so we will keep going.

We love our church more than ever, and looking through some old photos made me see even more how awesome it is when God directs our steps and we obey.

Confucius say...

It was a blast taking time to learn about ancient China and it's inventions, the map, silkworms and the making of silk, the lantern festival, the ancient flag...making dragons out of hand prints and drawing on a piece of rice paper. The best part of the day was tasting all the goodies from China and learning some Confucius "sayings". It was a very calm day, and we really enjoyed the extra guests of Grandparents and a Dad.

free educational fun...Dade Battlefield State Park

What does one do on a hot humid day in mid-October when friends are down from Maryland and eveyone's budget is tight? Find something free to do. We called our local state park, and the friendly ranger invited us over for a time to hearing about the first battle of the second Seminole war here in Florida. It was amazing. We learned so much. It was minutes from our home.

The kids saw guns, uniforms, weapons and other artifacts from the time period. Whatever ones feelings are of the Indians vs. American soldiers, it is a time in our history that needs to be accounted for. The efforts were enormous and paid for with lives. Larger courage and bravery were exhibited on that day in Bushnell than imagined. We will look forward to going to the re-enactment of the battle in early January, with the story better known by all of us. We found out about the owner of the name of our street. His nickname was Alligator. Wish it was the one we used on all of our mail. But it is not. The paintings we stared at and learned about were incredible.

We owe a big thanks to Ranger Wicks. Thanks.

Fort King=Ocala Fort Brooke=Tampa

Alligator aka Tustenuggee

Memorial marker of an officer

Sword worn by a horseman in battle.

Friends and family

Friday we started all the fun with a day of school and wrapping up our study of Egypt. The kids had such a great time, they dressed up as Cleopatra or a pharaoh, painted their pots from last class, made pyramids out of sugar cubes, made a collage and ate hot dog mummies. We celebrated a friend birthday at the park at the end of the day and we came home with two extra kids. It is always fun to have friends spend the night.
Stephanie

Olivia

Sugar cube pyramids

Saturday I went yard sale-ing and found a few treasures. New dessert cups and battleship. Hmm, that is a good math x and y axis game, mapping and drawing conclusions...always thinking, I am! The Metallica fans headed out about four, for the concert and us girls went to see Kay-kay gettin pretty for Homecoming. Then we headed home to do some cooking. My little chefs donned their garb, and we made these yummy key-lime layered desserts. They were tangy, but so good. And pretty too. Then they stayed up late to learn how to "build" lasagna. They were so funny and cute. I heard all kinds of things...this is just like playing with legos, you just keep making layers....it is kinda messy, but I bet everyone is gonna eat it up!....thanks mom, when I grow up I am gonna be the best cook, just like you.

And then came Sunday. The men had returned LATE from the concert, but family was coming over to celebrate Kaitie and her new addition, he is due in February. Plus, she is a new bride. SURPRISE! Uncle Todd came and was his charming self, even brought Spike. This was a pic in a moment of behaving.

And this was moments later, when the big brother wanted a peek at the plump belly. As you can see, my kids are being squished and pushed over the railing. Family!

This is Spike. He really likes to be indoors. I don't want animals indoors. He likes to chase the ball and jump in the pool, then come in for a rest. NEGATIVE. So, I was the bad guy. That is okay, I can wear that badge proudly. My brother called me a dog-hater. Am not!

Sister Sherri, getting a new pic for Facebook.

And Conrad who is sportin' his new shirt and still looks tired from spending the night outside "camping" on Friday. Long story. You will have to ask him or Steve. or Maria.

Whew...family and fun....friends and relatives. They can tire a girl out. Glad I have them.