Make Monday: Celebrate Harvest with Corn.

We have already been to the farm this harvest season for a combine ride. The kids have a blast seeing the combine suck up those golden corn stocks through the field. Then a sight to see is to watch the kernels being transferred over to into the wagon before it makes its way to the elevator.

To celebrate harvest season, we decided to make some corn stalks all our very own. Then we shucked some of our own ears to see the yellow dried kernels inside.

Supplies

Bubble Wrap
Yellow Washable Finger Paint
Green Construction Paper or Tissue Paper
Paper Towel Roll
Glue

Instructions

To make corn stalks, brush washable yellow paint over the paper towel roll. Let dry and then glue green leaves to the sides of the roll. To make corn on the cob squirt yellow washable finger paint on top of the bubble wrap (bubbles facing up). Roll the paper towel roll around for 3-D kernel effect. Let dry and then glue green leaves at the base of the corn.

Decorate your own house with corn stalks hanging on the walls and cobs of corn in a basket for a table center piece.

Toy Thursday: Science Experiment - Rainbow in a Jar

Sometimes we have those random moments we need to fill to pass the time while sister is sleeping. This is a great opportunity to do a quick science experiment. In this case, we followed the instructions from Mudpies to Magnets: A Preschool Science Curriculum for "A Rainbow in a Jar."

In this relaxing activity, preschoolers can "watch colors float through water in beautiful designs and also see primary colors blend to create secondary colors." Put on some classical music to add to the fun.
Discuss colors diffusing together to create currents of shapes and designs. Find patterns, blend colors, and experiment.

Items Needed

Glass Jar
Food Coloring
Water

Instructions

Fill the clear glass jar or vase with water. Set the jar in a spot for a child to observe from all angles. Place one drop of each primary color of food coloring approximately three to five centimeters for the streams to go deeper. Observe the currents making patterns with the colors mixing them into designs.  This experiment works best if the water has been sitting overnight before adding colors. However, compare the water that has been sitting to a freshly filled jar. Expand your experiment to include ink, oil, or tempera paint.

This just might be your ticket to a pot of gold on a rainy, cold day.

Food Friday: Beans with Ham!

What do you when you combine leftover local ham steaks with chilly Fall days? Why you get yummy, tummy-filling, old-fashioned beans with ham served over hot cornbread.

I remember when worked at a local restaurant in high-school. One of the specials you saw written up on the dry erase board was ham and beans. I never really tried it until then. I came away with a new comfort food and winter favorite.

Beans with Ham is a favorite recipe from a family friend who happens to be a small family farmer specializing in hormone and antibiotic free-pastured beef, pork, and free-range chickens. Now I also use Crooked Gap Farms ham and broth as the main ingredient for her recipe.

Check it out! And better yet, serve ham and beans for dinner.

Beans with Ham

1 pint Ham broth
1 quart beans
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon parsley
1/8 teaspoon pepper
brown sugar to taste
leftover diced ham

Instructions

Simmer on low in crock pot. Serve with cornbread.

Make Monday: Olympian Medals

Do not forget all those medals you need for your little Olympian as they participate in their own Olympic events. Here is a way to make your own medals.

Supplies

String
Metal Tin Can Lid
Nail
Hammer

Instructions

Use a lid from a can of food as your base. Different cans appear gold or silver in color. Make sure it is clean without rust. When opening the can, use a can opener that will not make dangerous sharp edges (Pampered Chef has one). Take the nail, making it upright, and pound a hole with in the top of the lid from which to hang the string. Punch more holes with the hammer to make a design such as USA. Decorate the lid as otherwise desired. Sport your medal after finished events.

Note: This project works well with older kids. Please supervise the kids using hammers and nails. Do this project on a surface used for hammering.

Toy Thursday: My Little Olympian

If your house has been like ours, the Olympics have been a big hit both on and off the television. Our son has been joining us in the evenings as we tune into the world competitions.

I remember as a kid the Olympics were a big deal. Four years between events is a long time for a kid. To add to the wonder, we grew up with stars like Mary Lou Retton and Kerri Strug among others in the summer Olympics. We dreamed big. We put up our posters. And we pretended we were gymnasts.

To be on the other side of those dreams watching your kid pretend is no different. We talk about the Olympics a lot: "Where are their pants (regarding the leotards)?" "What is Hungarian?" And "Why do they have masks (regarding fencing)?" And "Where is Michael Philips?" So with our globe beach ball in hand, our commercial breaks filled with somersaults and cartwheels, and our fencing costume, we have won gold medals in playing Olympics for sure.

In fact the other evening, our neighbor had her whole yard filled with Olympic track and field events for the kids. She had her tin foil shot put to toss, her straw javelins to throw, and the Frisbee disc to send through the air. We used a toilet paper roll for our relay race and long, rectangle flower pots for hurdles. We had yellow streamers for our finishers. Then we finished our evening with pop sickles before heading indoors to watch more Olympics.

Take this time to use the Olympics to your advantage for fun! Make a torch out of a paper towel roll, tin foil, and tissue paper (for the fire). Use pipe cleaners to make the rings. And by all means set up your own events. Do a simple geography lesson with a map. Dream big for the Olympics do not come often enough for young imaginations.