The Jello Queen Returns!

I always underestimate how much we like jello and I always overestimate how much fuss and time it takes to make it.

This was one of 2 (3 layer) jello molds that we did. They only took 15 minutes to make (all 3 layers) with everyone helping, although they also chilled a few hours until dessert time.

Here's how:
1. We boiled 3 c. water in the electric kettle.
2. We sprayed the molds with cooking spray.
3. We took put 1 c. boiling water in each of 3 large (2 cups or more) measuring cups.
4. We added a packet of jello to each cup and each kid stirred with a whisk until the jello dissolved.
5. We added ice cubes to each cup until the volume reached 2 c. (kids still stirring).
Within 2 or 3 minutes, the jello started to thicken enough that we were trapping bubbles! (We like bubbles! If you don't this method may not be for you. You can control how bubbly the mixture gets by stirring more or less as it gets thicker).
6. We poured the layers one after another since they were thick enough to remain separate.
7. We tucked the molds into the fridge until time for dessert!

Incidentally, the fancy copper molds are only about 80 cents at thrift stores, so I've been gathering a collection of them and using them to "decorate" my kitchen. Cheap thrills!

We're Back in Action!

Is This the Land of the Living?

It' bad when the Emporer gets the stomach bug. It's worse when the Prime Minister gets it. When the Emporer, Prime Minister and Choclo get hit at the same time... I think I won't post a picture on this one!

Choclo is totally fine today. We are less so, but improving.

Just 2 kids to go!

4 Zoomlians + 1 Roll of Tape =

Choclo Reaches New Heights

Why, look at that, he's up almost as high as my heart rate!

Funniest thing I've read all day!!

Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?

A Difficult Day

Really, the day started yesterday evening when Zorg announced that he was going to throw up. And did. This morning I wasn't feeling so great myself. Clearly a movie day was called for. Alas, Oob does not believe in watching movies. In fact, he did not believe that I should sit down. I don't know what the problem was, but he needed to be held while I was upright. Choclo discovered mysterious powers of levitation (I'll have to download the picture before I can post about it). Leena remembered the secret door between the boy's room and the girl's room (it was hidden under all the junk in the closet) which allowed her to enter Zorg's quarantined bastion of movie madness. I discovered that I could read my new home school book (see post below) while walking around with Oob. May God richly reward my good friend Tracy for taking Mxyl and Klenda swimming for several hours!!

At one point, Klenda said sympathetically,"Mom, I think you are having a difficult day."

I answered, "Well, yes. But the difficult days now are still better than the great days without you guys." It's true!

Leaving the Watery Depths

In style!

Klenda

I am Klenda of the planet Zoom. We have many pets on Zoom, including unicorns. That's why I like horses here on Earth.

I like this planet. On Zoom, we grow much faster then normal humans. I'm 3, 153, 600,005 years old, but, on Earth, I look like I'm only 8.

On Zoom we look like big floating balls with hair, eyes and a nose. If you come to Zoom, you'll look like Zoomlians too. It's fun! I love being Zoomlian!

Why=How

The arboretum plans got rained out, but my friend Michelle and I sat around and talked home school philosophy. We agreed that why you home school dictates how you home school. You need to know why you want/feel called to do it. If you think the only thing wrong with school is the political bias, you'll probably "school at home." If you think the whole concept of school crushes the child's natural aptitude for learning, you'll probably "unschool." Unless you firmly believe in the school model (sticking to a professionally prepared curriculum teaches discipline!) You need to know what your style of teaching is and what your kids styles of learning are. What do you want your kids to be like (generally) when you are done? How much structure do you and/or your kids need to be happy?

I think Michelle and I are both information geeks (except she has a much better fashion sense!), so we could talk all day about multiple intelligences and educational theories. She showed me a book full of charts to help you think through all these issues. It was called 100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing The Right Curriculum And Approach For Your Child's Learning Style.