Book Review: Indestructibles

Last year for Silas's first birthday we bought him a book called Plip-Plop Pond from this Indestructibles series. (Whoa -- just checking that link for the first time since last year; there are SO many more available now!)

They're books made for babies: bright pictures, no words, and totally chewable pages. Won't rip, nontoxic, and can be washed. I'm not even sure what the material is: thin like paper, but thick like waxed paper, but not really coated like waxed paper . . . no idea. Anyway, at one year old, Silas was already a little past the chewing-on-everything stage. He liked the pictures, but it didn't hold his attention.

At five months old, though, Toby loves this book. His face lights up when I hand it to him, more so than some of his other toys. Maybe it's the way it crinkles in his hand? The way the corners smoosh between his gums? Again, no idea. I can't really say why you'd choose a chew-book over a chew-toy, except that I happen to have a little boy who loves his. What better reason do you need?!

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Naaman

This week's Bible story was that of Naaman the leper, from 2 Kings 5 . Short version: the prophet Elisha tells Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times, and after a bit of moaning and groaning, he does and is healed. I modified this craft , which I found through our preschool curriculum . We didn't have any blue plastic cups, so first we painted styrofoam cups. Owen had no interest in painting, and as he was playing happily by himself, I saw no reason to make him participate. Painting the outside of cups is actually really easy. Just stick your non-dominant hand inside the cup! I googled "man outline" and searched until I found a workable face, then printed it twice. Levi had the rare treat of using a marker to put red dots ("leprosy") all over the face. Painstakingly drawing leprous sores on Naaman's ear. Then I taped Naaman's face (one clean side, one spotted side) to a popsicle stick (which I just now realized y...

Homeschool Curriculum 2025-2026

Given the ages of my children, I will only have two years when I am actively homeschooling all six kids, and this is the first. I have more spreadsheets going than ever before, four student paper planners, one kid using Google Classroom for assignments again, and a giant schedule on butcher paper so that everyone knows whose turn it is in the living room (for instrument practice) or on the laptop. BRING IT ON. Pretty sure we've only gotten all six kids awake for family devotions once in 8 days of school. LEVI: 11th grade Math: linear algebra and multivariable calculus through PSEO at University of Minnesota (online) History: AP world history at Sartell High School, second semester Science: AP physics C (one each semester) online English: World Literature: LLATL gold , Advancing Through Grammar Language: self-study German, with plans to take the AP German test next year Bible: Dust to Glory (Ligonier online) New Testament Extracurricular: piano first semester, wind ensemble at Sarte...

Vanilla and Snowflakes

You may remember from my Goin' Crunchy 2011 post that I started a batch of homemade vanilla back in May. It's all ready for use now, just in time for Christmas gifts! I bought these little bottles and a pack of winter-themed address labels on clearance at Target, dug through my craft boxes to find some old ribbon, and ended up with this: (You can't see it, but there is coordinating ribbon around the sugar jar, too.) As you can see, after I was done using my vanilla beans for extract, I cut them up into 2-inch pieces and covered them with white sugar in baby food jars: after about a week, the sugar is delightfully vanilla-flavored! I haven't used it yet, but hear it's great for sprinkling on baked goods or oatmeal, or stirring into coffee or tea. Packaged together in a little gift bag, they're making a nice small (and frugal!) gift for . . . those people who need nice, small, frugal gifts. :) In other news, I picked up a $1 sheet of snowfla...

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