The days before Christmas
Ren Allen
Just thought I'd share some of the days events and our warm, snuggly
Christmasy moments.:)
I went out early to get all the groceries we needed to beat the
crowds. After returning home, Jalen woke up calling "come read me
stories Mom!"
He's going to be four in February and has recently shown great
interest in books and being read to more. He's had unlimited access
to tv and video games, just for those that have younger ones and
worry about this issue.
So we read a Spider-man book (thank Duncan for me Kelly!!) then made
breakfast. Sierra (7) and good buddy Shai wandered out a bit bleary
eyed after a late night giggling and watching tv together.
They had a huge playdough mess all over the table for a
while...Jalen was throwing playdough blobs through the house and
saying "I'm destroying the city", I think he was a power ranger.:)
Another good friend, Katie, was dropped off later so her parents
could shop. From that point on, my house was a constant swirl of
kids in and out the door. They played happily outside most of the
day (which is saying alot, since the temps are LOW for us...must
have been about 40 at the high and only 33 after the sun went down).
I made a gingerbread house and the kids were all fascinated with the
affect of heat on sugar. They watched it melt in the pan slowly,
oohed and aaahed while I glued the house together with the burnt
sugar and ate up the leftover blobs after they hardened.
I had seven kids crammed into my little galley kitchen making
comments and huddling up close to watch at different moments.
They lit a log in the fireplace and pulled out my S'mores maker to
roast marshmallows. It was a lovely scene, all these good friends in
a tight group by the fireplace roasting marshmallows.....good
memories.
Sierra cried today when she found out the weather forecast had
changed and we weren't getting snow tomorrow night after all. This
led to a short discussion about how forecasts aren't always very
accurate, more like an educated guess. Poor thing really wants a
white Christmas that has nothing to do with the color of our sand!
As I write this, Tony Bennett is crooning his Christmas songs and
Markus is cuddled up with Sierra and Jalen by the fireplace.
My house smells like gingerbread and hot chili leftover from dinner.
In my room, the gifts are piled high and the wrappings look so
festive (let's not talk about how I can't walk in there because it's
such a disaster:).
I love this time of year, and I love that my family is happily
together, learning and playing. I love that melting sugar on the
stove can be so much fun and that we have neighbor kids that are so
sweet. For this moment, all is well...may everyone have a magical,
free, joyful holiday, in whatever way you might celebrate.:)
Cheers,
Ren
Christmasy moments.:)
I went out early to get all the groceries we needed to beat the
crowds. After returning home, Jalen woke up calling "come read me
stories Mom!"
He's going to be four in February and has recently shown great
interest in books and being read to more. He's had unlimited access
to tv and video games, just for those that have younger ones and
worry about this issue.
So we read a Spider-man book (thank Duncan for me Kelly!!) then made
breakfast. Sierra (7) and good buddy Shai wandered out a bit bleary
eyed after a late night giggling and watching tv together.
They had a huge playdough mess all over the table for a
while...Jalen was throwing playdough blobs through the house and
saying "I'm destroying the city", I think he was a power ranger.:)
Another good friend, Katie, was dropped off later so her parents
could shop. From that point on, my house was a constant swirl of
kids in and out the door. They played happily outside most of the
day (which is saying alot, since the temps are LOW for us...must
have been about 40 at the high and only 33 after the sun went down).
I made a gingerbread house and the kids were all fascinated with the
affect of heat on sugar. They watched it melt in the pan slowly,
oohed and aaahed while I glued the house together with the burnt
sugar and ate up the leftover blobs after they hardened.
I had seven kids crammed into my little galley kitchen making
comments and huddling up close to watch at different moments.
They lit a log in the fireplace and pulled out my S'mores maker to
roast marshmallows. It was a lovely scene, all these good friends in
a tight group by the fireplace roasting marshmallows.....good
memories.
Sierra cried today when she found out the weather forecast had
changed and we weren't getting snow tomorrow night after all. This
led to a short discussion about how forecasts aren't always very
accurate, more like an educated guess. Poor thing really wants a
white Christmas that has nothing to do with the color of our sand!
As I write this, Tony Bennett is crooning his Christmas songs and
Markus is cuddled up with Sierra and Jalen by the fireplace.
My house smells like gingerbread and hot chili leftover from dinner.
In my room, the gifts are piled high and the wrappings look so
festive (let's not talk about how I can't walk in there because it's
such a disaster:).
I love this time of year, and I love that my family is happily
together, learning and playing. I love that melting sugar on the
stove can be so much fun and that we have neighbor kids that are so
sweet. For this moment, all is well...may everyone have a magical,
free, joyful holiday, in whatever way you might celebrate.:)
Cheers,
Ren
J. Stauffer
<<<<<in whatever way you might celebrate.:)>>>>>>
We have been having a great holiday as well. We are a Pagan/Christian blended family. On the Solstice, dh was traveling. So the kids and I spent the day without electric lights to enjoy the darkness. I had made small gifts for the kids (boxes for the boys and beaded bracelets for the girls).
Each day we have done various arts and crafts and our house now looks like it has pretty much snowed glitter. It is really cold for Texas so the kids are spending a lot of time indoors which is unusual for them.
Last night, we went out to eat and then down to the River Walk in San Antonio to see it decorated with lights. Since it was so cold, it wasn't crowded and the kids could have more "elbow-room." There is an outdoor theatre there that the kids love to play on.
We noticed an entire group of policemen there and soon found out that one was going to surprise his girlfriend (who was riding a tourist boat) with a marriage proposal. The kids loved that so we stuck around (my 11yo has recently discovered girls and was very interested to see how this was done)and got to see the young officer go down on his knee to ask her and her tears of joy. By this time, a bit of a crowd had gathered and everyone cheered.
Well, time to go feed some very chilly goats.
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Solstice from Texas
Julie S.
We have been having a great holiday as well. We are a Pagan/Christian blended family. On the Solstice, dh was traveling. So the kids and I spent the day without electric lights to enjoy the darkness. I had made small gifts for the kids (boxes for the boys and beaded bracelets for the girls).
Each day we have done various arts and crafts and our house now looks like it has pretty much snowed glitter. It is really cold for Texas so the kids are spending a lot of time indoors which is unusual for them.
Last night, we went out to eat and then down to the River Walk in San Antonio to see it decorated with lights. Since it was so cold, it wasn't crowded and the kids could have more "elbow-room." There is an outdoor theatre there that the kids love to play on.
We noticed an entire group of policemen there and soon found out that one was going to surprise his girlfriend (who was riding a tourist boat) with a marriage proposal. The kids loved that so we stuck around (my 11yo has recently discovered girls and was very interested to see how this was done)and got to see the young officer go down on his knee to ask her and her tears of joy. By this time, a bit of a crowd had gathered and everyone cheered.
Well, time to go feed some very chilly goats.
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Solstice from Texas
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ren Allen
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 7:18 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] The days before Christmas
Just thought I'd share some of the days events and our warm, snuggly
Christmasy moments.:)
I went out early to get all the groceries we needed to beat the
crowds. After returning home, Jalen woke up calling "come read me
stories Mom!"
He's going to be four in February and has recently shown great
interest in books and being read to more. He's had unlimited access
to tv and video games, just for those that have younger ones and
worry about this issue.
So we read a Spider-man book (thank Duncan for me Kelly!!) then made
breakfast. Sierra (7) and good buddy Shai wandered out a bit bleary
eyed after a late night giggling and watching tv together.
They had a huge playdough mess all over the table for a
while...Jalen was throwing playdough blobs through the house and
saying "I'm destroying the city", I think he was a power ranger.:)
Another good friend, Katie, was dropped off later so her parents
could shop. From that point on, my house was a constant swirl of
kids in and out the door. They played happily outside most of the
day (which is saying alot, since the temps are LOW for us...must
have been about 40 at the high and only 33 after the sun went down).
I made a gingerbread house and the kids were all fascinated with the
affect of heat on sugar. They watched it melt in the pan slowly,
oohed and aaahed while I glued the house together with the burnt
sugar and ate up the leftover blobs after they hardened.
I had seven kids crammed into my little galley kitchen making
comments and huddling up close to watch at different moments.
They lit a log in the fireplace and pulled out my S'mores maker to
roast marshmallows. It was a lovely scene, all these good friends in
a tight group by the fireplace roasting marshmallows.....good
memories.
Sierra cried today when she found out the weather forecast had
changed and we weren't getting snow tomorrow night after all. This
led to a short discussion about how forecasts aren't always very
accurate, more like an educated guess. Poor thing really wants a
white Christmas that has nothing to do with the color of our sand!
As I write this, Tony Bennett is crooning his Christmas songs and
Markus is cuddled up with Sierra and Jalen by the fireplace.
My house smells like gingerbread and hot chili leftover from dinner.
In my room, the gifts are piled high and the wrappings look so
festive (let's not talk about how I can't walk in there because it's
such a disaster:).
I love this time of year, and I love that my family is happily
together, learning and playing. I love that melting sugar on the
stove can be so much fun and that we have neighbor kids that are so
sweet. For this moment, all is well...may everyone have a magical,
free, joyful holiday, in whatever way you might celebrate.:)
Cheers,
Ren
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Danielle Conger
Okay, well, now I have to ask: Why do you use melted sugar as glue
rather than royal icing? Am I showing my total gingerbread construction
ignorance here? ;)
Happy Holidays to all!
--Danielle, who every year swears this is the year she will attempt a gingerbread house, but every year has something more pressing to do!
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
rather than royal icing? Am I showing my total gingerbread construction
ignorance here? ;)
Happy Holidays to all!
--Danielle, who every year swears this is the year she will attempt a gingerbread house, but every year has something more pressing to do!
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
>
Ren Allen
"Last night, we went out to eat and then down to the River Walk in
San Antonio to
see it decorated with lights."
Ooh...I LOVE the river walk, we'd love to see it again.
As to Danielle's question about gingerbread houses, I use the melted
sugar because it sets almost instantly and really holds well. It's
like hot glue that's edible!:) You have to be careful, cause it
burns pretty bad if you get it on your skin, but it really holds
like cement. My Mom did it that way, so that's probably more the
reason than anything.:)
Gingerbread houses were a yearly tradition with my family so I
really love making them. I've taken a break the last couple of
years, so it was time to do one again. We kept it simple, it's
fairly smallish.
My Mom always did an elaborate house with scenery surrounding it,
including figurines a small pond, Santa and Mrs. Claus etc...The
whole thing was sprinkled with powdered sugar to look like snow and
a light under the house lit up the windows (covered with yellow
tissue to make it look even more lovely.
So my wee house looks shameful by comparison, but I'm not about to
spend the amount of time on these things that my mother did. I'd
rather play with the kids.
OH, and that sugar glue tastes a LOT better than frosting in my
opinion.
Ren
San Antonio to
see it decorated with lights."
Ooh...I LOVE the river walk, we'd love to see it again.
As to Danielle's question about gingerbread houses, I use the melted
sugar because it sets almost instantly and really holds well. It's
like hot glue that's edible!:) You have to be careful, cause it
burns pretty bad if you get it on your skin, but it really holds
like cement. My Mom did it that way, so that's probably more the
reason than anything.:)
Gingerbread houses were a yearly tradition with my family so I
really love making them. I've taken a break the last couple of
years, so it was time to do one again. We kept it simple, it's
fairly smallish.
My Mom always did an elaborate house with scenery surrounding it,
including figurines a small pond, Santa and Mrs. Claus etc...The
whole thing was sprinkled with powdered sugar to look like snow and
a light under the house lit up the windows (covered with yellow
tissue to make it look even more lovely.
So my wee house looks shameful by comparison, but I'm not about to
spend the amount of time on these things that my mother did. I'd
rather play with the kids.
OH, and that sugar glue tastes a LOT better than frosting in my
opinion.
Ren
pam sorooshian
On Dec 24, 2004, at 12:39 PM, Ren Allen wrote:
She saved little milk cartons for them to use as a base.
They used graham crackers - stuck them to the milk cartons with
powdered sugar frosting (cream of tartar added, to make it harden
better).
So - white frosting - big bowls of it, milk cartons, and graham
crackers. With strong paper plates as a base - those are the main
supplies.
The extras - things to decorate with - red vines, pretzel sticks, gum
drops, mini-marshmallows, gummy bears or other little gummy figures,
skittles, red hots, chocolate chips, animal crackers, life savers, etc.
Not always all the same stuff - but a lot of different things. Over the
years the kids made INCREDIBLE creations - never satisfied with a
pretty little gingerbread house. And even though this was an activity
for the kids - we adults almost ALWAYS ended up making one, too. It was
irresistible.
-pam
> My Mom always did an elaborate house with scenery surrounding it,My mom had all the grandkids over every year to make gingerbread houses.
> including figurines a small pond, Santa and Mrs. Claus etc..
She saved little milk cartons for them to use as a base.
They used graham crackers - stuck them to the milk cartons with
powdered sugar frosting (cream of tartar added, to make it harden
better).
So - white frosting - big bowls of it, milk cartons, and graham
crackers. With strong paper plates as a base - those are the main
supplies.
The extras - things to decorate with - red vines, pretzel sticks, gum
drops, mini-marshmallows, gummy bears or other little gummy figures,
skittles, red hots, chocolate chips, animal crackers, life savers, etc.
Not always all the same stuff - but a lot of different things. Over the
years the kids made INCREDIBLE creations - never satisfied with a
pretty little gingerbread house. And even though this was an activity
for the kids - we adults almost ALWAYS ended up making one, too. It was
irresistible.
-pam
Ren Allen
"They used graham crackers - stuck them to the milk cartons with
powdered sugar frosting (cream of tartar added, to make it harden
better)."
We did the Graham cracker thing last year with our homeschool group.
I hadn't thought of the milk carton idea..that would be especially
good for little hands.
Me being anal about gingerbread houses, had already glued many
houses together with the burnt sugar before we arrived.:) They
looked very festive and fun laid out on the table afterwards. Some
of the houses were piled so high they looked as though they should
collapse. Graham crackers are a wonderful invention!:)
Ren
powdered sugar frosting (cream of tartar added, to make it harden
better)."
We did the Graham cracker thing last year with our homeschool group.
I hadn't thought of the milk carton idea..that would be especially
good for little hands.
Me being anal about gingerbread houses, had already glued many
houses together with the burnt sugar before we arrived.:) They
looked very festive and fun laid out on the table afterwards. Some
of the houses were piled so high they looked as though they should
collapse. Graham crackers are a wonderful invention!:)
Ren