fishing boats and sand castles

After taking baby brother to a check up, we stopped at a nearby lake. We went to the boat ramp and watched a few fishing boats get launched. Then we went to the beach and the boys built castles. Caleb dug a ditch around his castle and then I let him know it is called a moat. Next time they plan to bring a bucket so that they can make a real moat complete with water.
They also learned a little bit about vitamin D. Three out of the four boys woke up with runny noses yesterday. So, while there at the beach, I explained to them that they should push up their sleeves and take their hats off and maybe the sunshine will help knock out their colds. It was sunny and in the low 60's.

a candle, a jar, and some air

The boys learned a little bit about how air moves even though we can't see it moving. We placed a box in front of the candle and tried to blow it out, but the air couldn't get to it. When we put a round jar in front, the air went around the jar and the candle was blown out. The oldest understood that the air wasn't going through the glass, but moving around it.

We also put the candle out by putting the jar over it.

We are currently half way through reading Charlotte's Web and will rent the movie when we are done.

Plane Trip!

How's this for a Geography lesson? We've studied about California and now the older two, along with Daddy, got to check it out first hand!

Leaf Rubbings

Fall leaves

We learned how and why leaves change their color in the Fall. Then the boys went outside to find leaves in as many colors as they could.

We have chickens now!

We bought 7 laying hens yesterday. They are now between a temporary coop (our dog cage) and a pin that my husband put together last night. I had no idea how well the boys would do with these animals. They fed, watered, and rounded them up today, while I'm still working up the nerve just to pick one up! They were on cloud nine when I kept going on and on about how well they did!
(editing to add pictures of our new coop)