Yesterday I did some research and decided that I wanted to make some terrariums with the kids. So after the breakfast was over and the kids had finished their morning chores we took some empty containers-3 liter soda bottles, empty applesauce jar, etc and headed outside.  I decided not to try planting anything in them today so we just put dirt in the bottom of them and added grass and leaves. Then we went critter hunting.

We actually found a little more than I had thought we would. My goal for today was to simply find earwigs and get them settled in comfortably. But we also ended up with black beetles,” roly-polies”, and grasshoppers. The grasshopper terrarium was originally meant for crickets but the only crickets we could fine were so tiny we just hurt them when we tried to catch them. There were, however, lots of grasshoppers.

We’ve had crickets in a terrarium before but never grasshoppers so I guess we’ll see how this works. I know they will need fresh grass every day.

After we finished setting up the terrariums Austin and Amanda did some cleaning up outside, picking up trash, putting away toys, etc. The rest of the morning they spent just hanging out with me and the daycare kids outside.

When we went inside for lunch Amanda gave Michael a quick bath while I finished up lunch. Austin worked on cutting up some cardboard boxes so we could use the cardboard for crafts.

After lunch Austin washed the lunch dishes. Amanda had put the clean dishes in drainer away earlier so it was clear for him.

During the afternoon Austin stayed with the daycare kids who didn’t nap. He got out his K-Nex set and let them build with him. While they were doing that they watched two shows on the Science channel- “Hot Rocks: Geology of Civilization-California” and “100 Greatest Discoveries-Chemistry”.

Amanda got on the computer and played Zoo Tycoon. I love to see them play that game because their is so much learning going on when they do. They set up their zoo exhibits, and earn money from the people who come to visit the zoo. If they do not set up the animal habitats correctly the animals get sick. If they do not correct the problem the animals die or get taken away because of neglect. If the animals are taken care of correctly they have babies and the zoo continues to grow. Zoo staff has to be hired and facilities maintained for the visitors to the zoo. Money has to be managed to be sure all the staff gets paid and supplies bought for the animals. And while doing all this they are also learning facts about the animals they have in the zoo. Like I said, I love this game. Austin also played it for a little when Amanda was finished.

Both kids watched some Disney this afternoon.

This evening was Bible school again. Two of Amanda’s friends (sisters-ages 9 and 13) came over and were spending the night so they went to Bible school with Austin and Amanda.