If you've never...

... colored on paper with crayons on a hot baking tray, you're missing out!

The kids (and I, especially!) had a fun time doing this over our Christmas break.  I had heard about it on another person's web site (can't remember who now), and decided to give it a try.   I highly recommend this activity.

Just heat up the baking sheets in the oven (about 200 degrees or so), then take them out and give the color-ers an oven mitt so they don't burn themselves.  The crayons melt right on the paper so they glide much more smoothly than normal.  I love how bright the colors get!

Powerful book

Strider and I just recently finished reading Twice Freed by Patricia St. John -- and it's now one of my all-time favorites!  It's historical fiction, centering on Onesimus, the runaway slave mentioned in the Bible in the book of Philemon.  This sounds like it would be rather dry, and I did not have high expectations for it, to be honest, but once we got to oh, about the second page, both Strider and I were definitely sucked in!  The author's characterization of Onesimus was so realistic -- he wasn't the easily-redeemed, mamby-pamby wimp that is the typical protagonist in "Christian fiction."

 The historical and geographical aspects were fascinating to read about, as the story traveled throughout the countryside of the Roman empire, and ultimately even to Rome itself (which was not portrayed in a romantic way at all).  After studying the Roman Empire for the last couple of months, we found this to be a nice "living" way to see further aspects of this time period.  And, of course, running into the people from the Bible, such as John Mark, Priscilla and Aquila, Demas, and especially Archippus, added a whole other depth of interest.

As soon as we got to the last page, both Strider and I wanted to look up the rest of Patricia St. John's writings -- we already reserved a few at the library!

Meanwhile, the younger set here has been enjoying this book:

While not "powerful" in quite the same way as Twice Freed, it's been an enjoyable read nontheless.  And definitely more intense than the average children's book.  I love how my kids get quiet with anticipation as we read it!

Reading books such as these on the couch with the kids = one of the best parts of homeschooling for me!

Video illustrating Sir Ken Robinson talk

My Friend Alleyn pointed out this video -- I love it!
The content/topic is very thought-provoking (as is Robinson's book, The Element, which I highly recommend), and the animate technique (animation technique?) is great fun to watch.  Mesmerizing, even.  I'm in awe of people who can think  -- and draw-- in this way!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U