Milo’s Handcrafted Plane

Milo reporting from Northern Children

It all started with me making a different style of airplane. You see, I saw my wing to my other plane. I thought the wing woud be a perfect spine to the new design. So, I found this thin piece of wood to be the new wing. Then, I put a hole in the spine with the drill press. Papa held the wood, while I cranked the handle.

Then I thought of this idea to put bombs on it. So I found this dowel and marked out the measurement on the wing. My dad let me use his belt sander, before I cut the dowel to make the points on the bombs. I made a point, then cut it off with the saw. I did this 4 times. Then, I glued the bombs onto the plane and let it dry.

 

 

 

 

Here is what I came up with:

Volcano Building Basics

Science is so much fun! If it were up to Milo and Kiah, they would do science all day, every day!
Here are the directions to build a simple, yet effective volcano…

First, you will need a tub to put everything in and a pint-sized mason jar (or any jar for that matter) to hold the “volcanic” ingredients.
Next, follow Milo’s instructions: Please note that we only had apple cider vinegar on hand…it is recommended to use white or distilled vinegar. Also, any dish soap will work, in this instance, we used Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds.

Once the “volcano” has been built and packed around the jar, Milo also says you can ”add some prettiness if you want, like stones and little trees”.
 Finally, gather around with friends, follow the steps above, and Wah Lah!

 We found that the “explosion” happens rather quickly, so if you add a bit more vinegar at the end, you will get a second explosion!!



An Interview with my Sweet Natty Sister, Beccijo from The Enchanted Cupboard

I am turning 40 this year and feel as though it is a big step. I feel like I need to start that year with the Waldorf tradition of leaping out of my bed. I had written a letter to myself years ago of all the things I wanted to do before turning 40. Things like “find my true self” Thank you Etsy for the help with that one. AND Put fun colors in my hair, I never did it in high school even though it was the era of PUNK! So I’m thinking some purple chunks!

I tend to always see the brighter side in life. I believe we have a purpose and that humans are meant to create, when we don’t we get lost. Who I am is very much molded from my childhood. I came from a LARGE family, 9 kids to be exact with lots of foster kids here and there. They (foster kids) were mine all of them. I took them under my wing, loved and nurtured them like one of the baby animals on the farm. There stories would break your heart but I wanted them for how ever short of time I had with them that they felt love. I learned a lot about the differences in people and families. I learned how to be a leader, how to be calm, how to delegate, and how to succeed. And sometimes when the world was just too much for them or me I made up a story. A story about fairies, mermaids or pirates. The good always won and there was always a happily ever after!

I have since been able to reconnect with some of the kids as they find me on facebook. They tell me sweet words of how I made things for them that they kept and how I made a difference in their life. I think it is pure magic to be able to create and give a little of ourselves. I am just so tickled to know that there are children all over the world playing with my toys, weaving their own stories. Sometimes when I am overwhelmed I close my eyes and imagine those kids playing…. imagine the little hands, the tiny giggles, and the big smiles.

In the real world I get to hear my kids and see them play. Sometimes they help me with ideas but they always inspire me. I think it is a wonderful blessing for them to see me truly happy and being creative. To make something that someone else is willing to pay what I say it is worth is like winning an Oscar ever time that sale email comes in! I do a lot in my day with 4 kids, homeschool, Etsy shop, and teams but I love every minute of it!

Some people think I do not sleep, I am just very organized. It really is the key to having a life that your are living not just surviving. I hear moms beating themselves up all the time about feeling guilty about what they may be taking from their families to have their Etsy Dream. The truth is Yes you can’t have it all…at least not all of it all the time. You need to make time for all the parts that you are… self, wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, etc. When we do this our children see it and we change the next generation.

Please take a moment to visit Beccijo at her store on Etsy - The Enchanted Cupboard

CPSC *loves* Mattel…this makes me ill.

The foxes are guarding the hen house! Please read the latest going ons with the CPSC and Mattel…
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090827/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_product_test

Rick Woldenberg, Chairman of Learning Resources Inc put it so nicely on his blog:
http://learningresourcesinc.blogspot.com/2009/08/cpsia-rich-irony-courtesy-of-cpsc.html

Breadmen Bakeoff!

Last Wednesday, Ulla, from German Dolls posted a “Breadman Bakeoff” on the NaturalKids Blog…Our family was so inspired to make these little guys! We spent the day on Sunday baking.

We pretty much followed the recipe, maybe using a little more flour during the kneeding and rolling portion. I will try soaking the raisins next time and maybe add more lemon and honey instead of sugar. Such a tasty recipe – you can find it here!
Here are our creations…

Kiah, age 8, made the top row – (from left to right is a pregnant mama with a belly and bubbas to boot, a faerie with wings, and a breadman).

Milo, almost 5, made the bottom row – (from left to right is a turtle, mr. breadman, and a ghost).