Two Cute Chefs

You might already know, one thing Nate absolutely loves to do - he loves to cook. He has his own little kitchen (he also cooks in the big kitchen too), and creates magical concoctions all the time. Well, we found out about another kid who loves to cook, five year old Chef Julian who has his own cooking show that airs on public television in Portland, Oregon. Nate loves to watch his show and he is excited about possibly meeting him when we take a road trip up to Portland to visit our Aunt. Watch "Big Kitchen with Food" starring Chef Julian, above, or go to his website: Big Kitchen with Food

Written by Carly

Homeschool Orchestra

Every Wednesday afternoon Donn Hallman conducts the "Alpha Winds" (Carly plays the flute with this group) and Carolyn Davidson leads the strings (where Micayla plays her violin).  Orange Coast Musical Arts is a perfect place for musically inclined homeschoolers to gather and play their instruments together.  Next Thursday, May 21st (7:30p.m. - 4905 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA), O.C.M.A. will have their Annual Spring Awards Concert.  Come and take a listen!

Awesome Art

Last week we joined up with "Homeschool LA" for a terrific tour at the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA). Our docent Vica (pronounced like pizza with a "v") from Hungary, was fantastic. She was enthusiastic and loved sharing art with kids. She gave us chairs, composition books and pencils. Then she took us to see Indian Gods, Buddha's, Roman and European Art, pieces by Picasso, and lastly a room full of more recent abstract art. Along the way she had us do a couple of fun writing exercises that went with the art she was sharing with us. If you'd like a tour sometime check out: Programs Teachers & Schools [LACMA: Los Angeles County Museum of Art]

Here is a fun game for kids from LACMA too!

Two of our favorite books/series on artists are "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists" by Mike Venezia and Lives of the Artists - Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull (Both of these series also has books on musicians).  After going to the museum we read about Picasso.  Micayla's loved this about Picasso's piece Guernica (a piece that was to show the world how foolish was is) - supposedly a Nazi officer once saw it and said to Picasso, "So, it was you who did that," - Picasso replied, "No, you did it."

Signs of Spring

Posted by Carly

A couple of weeks ago we planted seeds in a Indoor Peat Pot Greenhouse (a nifty little contraption, perfect for growing baby garden plants).  Here is a link for if you'd like to buy your own Peat Pot Greenhouse: ferry-morse.  We planted radishes, carrots, zucchini, cucumber, giant pumpkins, sunflowers, tomatoes and poppy flowers.  Today they were ready to plant! The cool thing is you can transplant them directly into your garden, no need to remove the baby plants from their little pot (the pots are biodegradable).   Here are some pictures of the process.  

   Also another fun spring thing, is our tadpoles.  We've had them for about 2 months now, and they're growing legs and little front arms.  We're excited to watch more of Froggy & Froggalina's metamorphosis!  

Fascinating Frog Facts:

*Frogs jump higher than toads.

*A group of frogs is called an army.

*Frogs have been on Earth for 190 million years.

*Frogs blink their eyes when they are eating to help push down their food.

*Frogs take in air and water through their skin.

*A very young frog that has just come out of the tadpole stage is called a "froglet"

*Frogs are amphibians - this word comes from the Greek language; "amphi" meaning both, and "bios" meaning life.  

Throwing Clay

Allie has been wanting to throw some clay on a wheel, so we set up an art class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center and invited a few of our friends to join us.  First we had a look at one of their art exhibits - filled with art kids ages 5 - 18 had made!  

Next we went to the ceramics room where Mitch gave us a lesson on how to use the pottery wheel.   Then we grabbed a piece of clay and went to work!  We had a great time and can't wait to see what our creations look like after they've been fired in the kiln

  Check out the art center by going to City of Irvine Website - Fine Arts Center

Homeschool T-Shirt

When we were visiting Tanaka Farms last week, we saw a homeschool group that were all wearing funny homeschool t-shirts.  I asked one of the Moms where they got them, and she told me from: www.greathomeschooltshirts.com 

So I bought one (it came really quickly too, in 6 days)!  They have some neat shirts; I thought this one was the funniest!  The little words say: "Interact or communicate at your OWN RISK!"  

"Hi My Name is Joe"

At the request of M, M & M, here is "Hi, My Name is Joe!" enjoy....