One of the coolest field trips ever

Okay this really was like the coolest, most amazing field trip that I (and I have been on some in my lifetime) have ever been on. I ended up taking over 80 pictures during it. I of course tried to find the best and share them here. I think I have a pretty good selection. We went to Infinity Art Glass in Benton KS. We were given a tour of the workshop and studio, then were given the treat of watching the artist work on a piece. He gave us so much more. He not only showed us how he makes a piece but also showed us actual blown glass (any hand craft glass is considered blown glass, even when there is no actual "blowing" involved in the process), and how molten glass looks right out of the molten glass furnace (I know this isn't the actual name of the the apparatus but I come to a blank when I try to remember what he called actually called it). I would recommend visiting this type of business, especially if you can see the artist at work. I must admit that this gentle man was very engaging with the children and kept their interest through out the whole presentation (he even included some humor), you could tell he was a dad and had shown several children his craft. He was more than willing to answer any question the children had, even silly ones.

                                  Lil' Man standing in front of some of the pieces in the studio, wish I
                                         had tons of money to buy some of these beautiful pieces.

                                                            Starting with molten glass

              Rolling in some amber colored glass (he first rolled it in white glass, then heated it).
                He did this process 3 times, then rolled the top half again another 3 times.

                              Putting the hot glass into a cone form, to help give it a little more shape

                            Rolling it on a spiky plate, which will in the end give the glass bubbles in it.
                                               This process will give the glass uniform bubbles.
            We learned that a baking soda/water solution will give the glass non-uniform bubbles.

                                   See the waffle pattern in the glass, this is from the spiky plate.
       Working the glass some more (he has to constantly keep moving and working the glass, 
                                                          or it will have fallen off of the rod).

                                   More molten glass added, you can still see the waffle pattern.

                                                    This wooden bowl, is called a "block".
                            He uses it to help him start to shape the glass into the shape he desires.
                         It is kept wet in a bucket of water, if not the glass would eventually burn it
                                         and the ash would get into the glass and discolor it.

                                                               Some "free form" shaping.
                                                This was the starting point of the final shape.

                               Torching the glass which helps to keep it at a workable temperature

                               This is what it looked like just before he started swinging it
                                          to mold the glass into it's final desired shape

                                                           Swinging it into the final shape.
                                      He started standing on the floor and then when it grew to long
                                       and was at risk of hitting the floor, he moved to the platform.

                                                                     Desired length

                          Heating the glass to work it a little more before achieving it's final shape

                                First, let me appologize for the blurriness of the photo,
                                  had to take the picture over little heads popping up.
    Final shape (this is 1 piece (he made the first piece of the set for the 1st half of our group,
   we had to divide up into 2 groups)of a 3 piece set that he calls "Transparent Embrace")

                           Showing the kids what molten glass looks like right out of the furance

                                               I think this looks like a big dribble of honey.
                      Molten glass as it the heat lessens (it starts out at about 2000 degrees)
                                                 and works toward becoming room temp

                                                      Demostrating some actual glass blowing

                                      Final product from the glass blowing demonstration

Showing the kids how pliable and fragile the blown glass actually is.

A little hard Spelling Lesson today!

See March 15th's post to learn about this weeks Spelling fun!

1st year PASS Testing

We recieved Lil' Man's 1st PASS test (for him to take) today. He took the placement tests today. We are very proud of him. He placed in the middle for reading (he struggles with reading, so I was pleased that he placed in the middle, I was sure it was going to be on the lower end), top of the testing in math and language (language shocked me a little, I was so sure it would have been more towards the middle. He'll be taking the actual tests next week. I like that he can take them here at home and take as long as he needs to complete each section, no pressure. No, I don't help him. I found other things to do this morning while he did the placement tests. The tests will be sent in after the end of the month, then we'll hear back in about 6 to 8 weeks (I believe) the results. It will be helpful information, knowing what to work on during the summer. On a side note, he's already asking to do the reading program through our local library again.

Todays Spelling Lesson

"Target" Words (various Lesson 1-13 words from All About Spelling)                                

        

                                               Getting ready to "shoot" the "target" words                                                   

                                                             Aiming at the "target" words

Disappearing "target" words equal correct "aim"

I saw this idea on Pinterest and just knew that Lil' Man would love doing it. What a great way to review words and improve reading at the same time. You can use this idea for more than just spelling words.

Crazy Hair Night at Awana

 Tonight was crazy hair night at Awana. Lil' Man decided that he wants to have Silly String hair. He had a blast with the Silly String and getting it sprayed on his head. Well, it didn't last long. Once we got to Awana and he saw that one of the Awana Directors had colored hair spray, he wanted it off (plus it was making a mess all over the place). I helped him remove it and he had orange hair after that. Sorry no picture of that, I didn't have my camera with me as I wasn't expecting a change. I wore a green wig that we have from a couple of St. Patty's days ago. Nope, no pictures of that either.....sorry!

Awana Games 2012

               The Co-ed Awana Games Team from GCC.
                  We also had a all girls team.
              Both teams placed 2nd in their group.
           I had a hoarse voice from all the yelling. 
           Lil' Man had a blast, as did all the kids.

Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure Field Trip

                   Lil' Man posing on a tractor in the kids area of the zoo.

                     A close up of Lil' Man on the tractor at the zoo.

          Lil' Man posing with the Rolling Hills Sign in the kids area of the zoo.

Dad (a.k.a the principle of Little Shepherds Academy) checking out a docile cow. That is until we bought some feed to feed it, then he became very lively.

                     Black Swans. Oh my, these were so funny to watch.
           They would bob their heads up and down, sometimes at the
                                      same time and squawk.

              Lil' Man with a Camel. We took this picture for Lil' Man's Grandma,
                                     she collects camel things.

                                        Close up of the camel.
                         
                     A Deer! As close to shooting on as I will ever get
                               --- sorry couldn't resist the pun!

                  The beautiful Kansas Plains on a partly cloudy day.

        Cool picture of the moon in the middle of the day behind a cloud

                           --- just one of God's Amazing Creations!

We had a beautiful time. It was so great getting out of the house and being around God's creatures. It had been a while since we had gone on a field trip, especially as a family. We were so happy that Daddy (a.k.a our school's principle) could get off of work to go with us.

Valentine's 2012

I found this idea on Pinterest and loved it. It was a great way to start a Valentine's Day. Lil' Man loved them and asked for more.

A boy and his Dino's

Lil' Man has a collection of dinosaurs from T-Rex Cafe in Kansas City, KS. Kirk brings him back one everytime that he comes back from a meeting in that area (which is about once a year). He has also received some in person from a couple of visits there. All his dino's names start with the letter E -- Elmo the Great, Emma, Elvis, Ezekiel, Edwina (just to name a few), like his name. His first was Elmo the Great (he's the blue one in the front), he received him the first time we visited T-Rex. Elmo the great has been quite a few places with us since he was adopted. He went to Vegas twice, Washington state a couple of times, and on all our road trips to OK and KS. He has been such a loved compain by Lil' Man. And even though his herd has grown to 8, Elmo the Great is still amongst the favorites. Ezekiel (his latest adoptee), seems to also be among the favorites. Some may say Lil' Man is almost 9 and it's time to put away the stuffed animals, I don't agree. When he's ready, and only when he's ready, we'll put these beloved stuffies loving away for Lil' Man's children to enjoy when they come along.

Planning a summer of science fun

We've been doing Physics, Chemistry and Ecology in Science (God's Design by Answers in Genesis) this school year. There never seems to be enough time in our day to do everything that we want to do, like awesome science experiments. So this coming summer, I decided that it would be fun to have an at home Science Camp (We're calling it Mommy's Mad Scientist Day Camp). I have been searching places like Pinerest for ideas of experiments we might try. I also have some books of science experiments. My plan is to do 2 or more experiments a day with Lil' Man. I think he'll have a great fun doing them. I know I will have fun doing them with him. Look for blog posts this summer on our experiments.