Happy Halloween!

For Halloween, my kids were, from oldest to youngest, Harry Potter, Fluttershy, and Hedwig the owl. Dressing up three kids is not easy! Even though Harry Potter largely dressed himself, he still had little adjustments he needed help with such as a coat that kept opening. I dressed up Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, but only on Halloween night itself. All the other activities and parties were too much for me. By the time I dressed up the kids, I was too tired. To dress myself in anything but regular duds.

We had a blast, though, and the pumpkin Husband carved was really cool, as in darkness it threw a nice creepy bat shadow over the whole ceiling, reminiscent of Batman. We went Cosplay with Ballerina's costume as we couldn't find an actual Fluttershy kids' costume. There is Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, even Pinkie Pie, but no Fluttershy? Why not? Anybody care to comment on this?

Ballerina didn't care to wear just a My Little Pony hoodie. She was a hit with her pink bubblegum hair, though.

P.E. Kick-off Celebration

The first week of Homeschool P.E. started out with a bang. Centennial Bank kept us all happy with free unlimited hot dogs and the sprinklers were turned out for the kids' enjoyment after an invigorating game of kickball. There are about 30 children participating in the group with a trained P.E. person, showing them the ropes. Afterwards, the kids all just hang out and play at the large park. Although an hour away, I will try to attend P.E. at least once every two weeks. This is a nice group of kids and families, and Builder and Ballerina could benefit from some sports education and team work outdoors.

Art: Al Fresco Fresco Painting

Husband works really hard, and although he always makes time to be with his family, I thought I'd help him out in his teaching capacity. He's our art teacher. In the past he's designed and led his own art program. However, I knew that this year and the next would be especially difficult as his workload has increased. After much consideration, I bought Artistic Pursuits K-3, Book 2. With this book we'd be able to have both children in one program. Builder is in 4th but artistically right with the book, and Ballerina is in K but advanced in her artistic abilities and interests. 

 A couple of weeks in, and I love the results. It's also much easier on Husband. All he has to do is read the material a day or two ahead, supplement any materials he doesn't have - he does have many things, as he is an artist himself - and voila. Ready to go. Here the kids are preparing the piece of cardboard with a type of stucco - wet plaster.

 Here is Builder, laying it on under Husband's supervision.

Ballerina: Me! Me! I want to do it! Builder: Will my hands get dirty?

Painting on top. Husband showing technique without actually drawing. They decided to go with a Halloween theme since it is October.

 I love art in the backyard. Detail of bird feeder.

 Result. It will look different when it dries.

Detail of cat and ghost. Children really got into it. I was delighted to see Builder, who normally tries to get art quickly over with, spent his time making sure it was the way he aspired it to be.