Nature in a nutshell by Jean Potter

We have been working from this science experiment book, "Nature in a nutshell,100 science activities you can do in 10 minutes or less" by Jean Potter. We are really enjoying it!
It includes quick science experiments that you can do with kids about 4-7 years old.
Super easy and fun too!




Here we are investigating shadows and the sun.















We also worked with geometry tiles. So much you can do with them !










Making connections...




Having fun with science and math is very important to me. I am from the old fashioned era of complicated math and science memorization, that had no connection to my life 35 years ago. I am excited to share new outlooks with honeypie and I love seeing her passionate about math and curious about science.
As Martha would say...
"that's a good thing!".

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Eataly

Last week I visited NYC to meet a (beautiful and true) friend of mine for some mama - (minus) kids time. (So rightly needed!)
We visited "Eataly", the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in the U.S.A.,owned by Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich.
I can't tell you how amazing the place was !!!
(Food heaven).
Lovely friend + great wine + fantastic food + much needed conversation = fabulous evening :)








We sampled some...

Vino!







Mushroom bruschetta...







Spaghetti squash crostini, white bean and Rosemary crostini...







Baba al limoncello...
(mmmmmm)













There's nothing wrong with having two desserts. (I had a pear gelato as well and I'm not a bit ashamed).







Bought some fresh pasta!! (Butternut squash with amaretto cookie stuffed ravioli .) WOW !!
Also bought some Italian beer that was infused with flowers ! Delicious!!







Thought about truffles ...







Walked all around the market to see all the great Italian products!! Jams, bread, chocolate, beer, pasta, produce, cheese, sweets, gadgetry and books.
So wonderful !







Of course, best shared with a great friend.








Buon Appetito!! ;)

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Thanksgiving

Today we were inspired by thanksgiving.  

We began our day by making a pilgrim bonnet 

(we had already made one with our daisy scout troop and loved it!) 

 We got the idea from the Martha Stewart website (here).

The instructions are on the link above but here is how we did ours.

You need a 11x17 sheet of paper, a hole puncher and hole reinforcers.

Here are the measurements...

We reinforced our holes so they would not rip with the ribbons.

Cut upwards on the 3" line.

Fold over the top.  This will be on the brim.

Tape the outer edges together.

Tape the top flap down.

Add ribbons.

Very cute!  :)

We were inspired by this next project idea over at the blog "Little page turners".   

It's a thanksgiving bracelet to remember the first thanksgiving story.  Each bead you add to the bracelet tells a part of the thanksgiving story.  We used a bit more beads to make our story longer.  

Red, white and blue beads to represent the pilgrims leaving england.

Flower bead= traveling on the ship the Mayflower.

Green = to seek new land

6 blue beads = they sailed at sea for 66 days

Green = they found land

Black=stepped on Plymouth Rock.

white= it was winter and very cold when they landed

red= people got very sick.  Some died.

"W" bead= Pilgrims were greeted by the Wampanoag tribe.

2 "S" beads = they met 2 American indians that helped them, "Samoset" and "Squanto".

orange = pilgrims planted pumpkins

yellow = corn 

fish= the Wampanoag taught the pilgrims to plant herrings with the corn for a better crop.

red= cranberries were plentiful in this new land.

black = pilgrims learned to hunt wild turkeys.  They had never seen turkeys before.

Heart = the wanpanoag tribe and the pilgrims became friends.  The pilgrim were thankful for their help and the wanpanoag were thankful that the pilgrims were friendly, peaceful people.

star= they shared the first thanksgiving feast together.

We also read 2 great thanksgiving books.  The "Pilgrim cat" by Carol Antoinette Peacock and "Thanksgiving Day" by Anne Rockwell.  

Happiest thanksgiving everyone.

We are so thankful for the love of family and true friends.

~_~

PS... here are some pilgrim fun facts (here)