LLC; Bug Day!

We did a 'bug day' before at Little Learners and it was such a hit, we did it again!

The started off with ladybugs... 1500 of them to be exact! Sarah picked up a bag of ladybugs at a nursery nearby and we let them loose in the backyard. They were everywhere and the kids had fun finding them and then making a home for them:

This little girl was in bug heaven... she let them crawl allllll over her:

When their bug homes were filled with dirt, grass, some rose petals and the ladybugs themselves,

they decorated the outside with stickers:

After the decorating, we did a ladybug craft. Mandy created a good one, and the kids had fun making their own:

Just as ladybugs are helpers in our world, our kiddos should be at home. So under the wings were ideas they came up with to help out at home.

Jake thought of picking up his toys, doing his chores (sorting and putting away laundry), cleaning his room, getting his own drink and setting the table :)

And Lauren was a simpleton, writing that she will 'do chores'. Okay then ;)

While Miss Meg investigated the flowers,

the kiddos created another 'craft'. The got some mini chocolate chips and pressed them into strawberries, making edible ladybugs. Cute!

And finally, it was lunch time... cause it's not a LLC without FOOD!

And what's a party of any kind without jumping on the bed while the mom's are preoccupied in the other room?!?!

BUSTED! ;)

Nothing is off limits anymore...

just ask the bag of shredded cheese that someone opened and shook all over my just-swept kitchen floor.

Awesome! ;)

Fish hatchery and park picnic

Last week my girlfriends and I took our little people to the Fish Hatchery and the park afterwards for a picnic. It's been a long time since we've fed the fish and it didn't disappoint :)

The nice 'fish guy' gave us a huge bucket of fish food,

while this little lady slept:

and the kids fed the millions of fish:

After we were all sweaty and tired and smelled like fish, we headed to a local park. The little ones got right to work eating:

and my boy hammed it up for Aunt Sarah :)

Speaking of Aunt Sarah, isn't this lovely?!?

(Told you I'd post it ;))

The rest of the time was spent eating, and talking and corralling our children ;)

And after a quick bath when we got home, they are out. Naptime! Ahhh ;)

Experiment; easy colorful fizzles

I didn't have any experiments lined up this week so when my kiddos asked to do one, I came up with this little idea on the whim. It's nothing fancy but it kept them busy for a while... and intrigued!

On a tray, let them dump some baking soda. 

Then pour some vinegar into a bowl and give them eyedroppers. Have them suck up the vinegar and squirt it into separate small amounts (you could do this for them but using an eyedropper is good for finger dexterity)

Then have them put a few drops of food coloring in each separate vinegar container:

Finally, suck up the colored vinegar and squirt into baking soda solution:

and watch it fizz over and over again :)                          

No undies for Hosanna!

I've mentioned before that my kids will spend literally HOURS in our backyard if I let them (and I almost always do!). So a few days ago I heard singing and popped my head out back to see what was going on.

Lauren was singing "Hosanna, Hosanna to the King!" as she was waving a branch (aka palm frond) as Jesus/Jake walked by :)

My heart was so happy seeing them act out scripture all on their own. I was feeling all sappy and mushy and sentimental until I got a closer look of Jake in his oversized play shirt....

Seems Hosanna isn't fond of undies in His day :)

Haha!!! Silly boy!

Lauren and Jake's Pump It Up party!

My kiddos Birthdays land 3 months apart and this year they both wanted a BIG party. Unfortunately, we're not made of money so they agreed to have a joint party where they could invite most of their friends :) Their choice for party day? Pump It Up!

(I have a ton of pictures and even more to say about this super fun day but it would take me forever to write it all out. Instead, I'll share a few highlights)...

My Birthday babies, Lauren at 5 and Jake almost 4:

Jumping with friends and family:

Basketball with the boys:

Girl time:

Sliding fun:

The whole gang: (Avi, Max, Lauren, Jesette, Liam, Aidan, Jake, Grace, Aidric, Juliet, Kate, Ellie, Dylan, and Cienna)

The King and Queen of the party in their 'place of honor'while we sang Happy Birthday to them:

About to blow out the candles:

Sandwiches, chips, and fruit for lunch:

And CAKE!:

Even Miss Megs got a few bites from her big bro:

Me and my favorite man:

And finally, opening presents at home (didn't take pics of them all though, sorry):

And enjoying a few faves:

Seriously a fun, busy day and the easiest party ever! Happy Happy Birthday to BIG kids :)