SCIENCE CENTRAL FORT WAYNE

Gramma J. took the boys to Science Central to celebrate Ethan's birthday.


The train exhibit was a big hit!


























We also had a great time 'climbing the walls'

There were places to climb for everyone, even Mommy
Noah doesn't seem to sure about the wall climbing stuff.









Ethan helped Gramma make an upside down pineapple cake - he loves pineapple, but was concerned about having an upside down cake. It turned out pretty good though.

Here's a shot from the parking lot.

See the stacks up top?

It used to be a power plant.

Cool, eh.


This video is of the crazy room at Science Central. The kids walk in and all go crazy - they can't even stand up straight.


Here is a great clip from the water section at Science Central. Noah loved that he could play too.

Ethan's Big 7 pumpkin pie & cool co-op stuff

November 22, 2009
Ethan turns 7 today




We ate pumpkin pie
It even had candles on it



The Clothing Co-op at the seminary has some really great stuff to choose from. We found the matching hat and gloves (Sponge Bob!) there. And, this Pixtar handheld toy with two games included.

We are so grateful for the generous donations that are made to the co-op. Without them, birthdays and Christmas would be much more difficult for us.

You can make a donation to the co-op at any time.
You can also purchase gift cards at the bookstore in Don's name to help cover the cost of textbooks, or you can donate directly to us by using the subscription button on this page.

Housecleaning gift for mom

I love these photos that Don took while I was in Michigan taking care of some issues with out rental house there. Everyone worked hard to make sure that I came home to a clean house. Here, Caitlin and Jacob are working together to wash the wall going up the stair that gets really dirty with eight sets of messy hands.

Tyler's Cool Pirate Ship that he built from a kit he got for his birthday.

Crowded House

The kids are exaggerating a little...

The house we're renting is one third the size of the house we had in Reed City, but it's not quite this crowded.

All Dressed Up

I have to give credit to photographers who can take a group shot and have everyone look good.
After about twenty attempts, I decided this was the best one, since everyone at least looks natural.
Plus, Noah (the guy in the middle) has such a great smile that everyone else is just decoration.

Apple Pie Baking Contest and unit study too!

During the Johnny Appleseed festival, there was an apple pie baking contest. We were not able to participate this year, so we held one of our own.
1) We started out in the morning doing RESEARCH; each child had to find and EVALUATE apple recipes from several sources.
2) Once they selected their recipe, they each copied it onto a recipe card (this keeps the cookbook from getting messy and counts as HANDWRITING practice). It also ensures that they READ through the recipe completely.
3) Everyone searched for their needed ingredients, and made a shopping list. This required them to calculate (MATH) the total amounts needed for ingredients that were in more than one recipe. Example: There are 5 cups of flour in the bin; if I need two cups, then I don't need to buy any, but if we each need 2 cups, then we do need to buy some. (COOPERATION)
4) We drove to the grocery store with our list, and each child found the items that they would need, and considered how much would be spent on their recipe (HOME ECONOMICS). If I was to do a project like this again, I would have them find out the cost of every item in their recipe, and determine a cost per serving. (BUSINESS SKILLS/RESTAURANT MGNT.)
5) At home, they worked together COMPARING recipes to determine how to best use the oven (who needed the longest cooking time, highest temp., etc.) CITIZENSHIP
6) They each prepared their recipe, cooked their item and displayed it on a plate. (CREATIVE PRESENTATION)
7) When Dad came home, they presented their creations and had them judged (SPORTSMANSHIP) Summer made an apple cookie, Caitlin made traditional apple pie with a homemade crust, Tyler made apple cake, and Ethan made apple pancakes with homemade syrup.
In the end, Summer won most creative, since she altered a recipe she found and made her own version. Caitlin won most effort since she had to use two different recipes, one for the crust and one for the filling, plus she peeled enough apples for everyone. Tyler won best breakfast, since his bread went great with coffee. Ethan won best taste because the pancakes were good, but the syrup was outstanding!

This unit study was designed and shared by Corinne Johnson, homeschooling mom to 6, seminary wife to Don, and author of Vacation Education Books; unit studies for families who love Walt Disney World.