Growing Pumpkins in Pumpkins

Growing a Pumpkin in a Pumpkin; fun idea right? This is another one of those projects I found on Pinterest that had nothing but a picture. *sigh* I wasn't sure it would work, or if there would be some sort of secret I needed to know.  And I really wanted to try it with big pumpkins, but mine rotted before we could. Besides I have no idea what we would have done with them through the winter!  

Luckily we still had some little pumpkins that hadn't rotted! 

Start by cutting the top off. I am terrible at this apparently, so it is a really good thing the top didn't have to go back on!  The girls were amazed by the seeds, and I was happy it wasn't too gooey after sitting so long.

I had each girl put some dirt in a pumpkin. I used a seed starter to be on the safe side, but pumpkins are supposed to be super easy to grow, so maybe it doesn't matter.

Of course we watered the pumpkins then and waited.

About a week later something is starting to show!

Within 3 days one of the pumpkins is exploding with sprouts! The other was just a little behind with two up and more pushing.

We decided we better plant them! You could see on the bottom all the roots coming through the pumpkin. This little pumpkin even had a shoot trying to come out the side!

The whole pumpkin gets planted and the girls water them (more then) thoroughly.

Now we hope the weather stays warm enough not to kill our pumpkins! Although if they are really as easy as everyone says they should come up anyhow! 

What I really like about this little experiment is how it demonstrates the circle of life. The new growth comes from the old and is nourished by the old. Really shows how nature works to maintain plants. Even seeds that fly away from their host are nourished by decomposing leaves and such in the soil. This just happens to be in one compact little pumpkin! 

A Woman “Like No Other”

“Jane Sibley is indeed like no other. Nor is this memoir. It is hopefully a work of literature, but it is also a significant history of times and places and people too little recorded or remembered in a Texas that has changed within her lifetime from a rural state to a crowded urban one.”—from the Foreword, Jane’s Window: My Spirited Life in West Texas and Austin

Jane Dunn Sibley tells her fascinating life story in her new book, Jane’s Window. Growing up in the Great Depression in a rural community, Sibley went on to the University of Texas where she delved into her passion of the arts, philanthropy, and fashion. After returning to Fort Stockton, she met and married the love of her life, the local doctor D.J. Sibley, and raised a family together.

Sibley’s life stories are fascinating, intriguing, and oftentimes humorous. In Chapter 2, she tells of growing up in Fort Stockton: “Aside from an occasional smoke, my friends and I led a wonderfully unsophisticated life. One of my favorite childhood memories involved playing in an old-style retail establishment…To a girl like me, who was certain she was born with a love of fashion, it was like landing in paradise.” 

 

After graduating from UT, Sibley’s love for fashion became a reality when she moved to Dallas and was hired by Sanger’s in their advertising department. Sibley writes in Chapter 5, “For the first time in my life I had a real job. I really like writing ads and quickly began to realize the more practical value of my UT education…the best thing about that first job was seeing the veterans I knew from Fort Stockton and UT coming back home after the war ended.”

After working in the oil industry, marrying local doctor D. J. Sibley, raising a family, and now having grandchildren, Jane Dunn Sibley has quite a story to tell. In her last chapter, she offers advice to her grandchildren, telling them the secrets of success to a happy life. She writes, “Now that I am eighty-eight, I feel I have earned the right to offer some advice…I mean to answer this question: What are the ingredients of a meaningful, productive, and happy life?”

For more exciting tales on Jane Sibley’s incredible life, check out our websiteor purchase your own copy of the book from Texas A&M University Press at 979-845-0147.

                                    --Madeline Loving

Big Books for Little Kids (Answering the Why and When)

When my oldest was 4 years old, I started reading the girls Big Books. What I mean by Big Books is longer chapter books. I know this is normal for many parents to do, but it is not something I was used to. I was only read chapter books at school. Well, we are homeschooling, so guess what, we read chapter books aloud at home. Makes sense. But even if you aren't homeschooling, I would like to encourage you to read chapter books aloud to younger children. No they don't understand all of it. No they don't have the attention span to sit through as much as you may want to read (especially if you enjoy reading). So why would you want to go to the trouble of reading Big Books aloud? Here are my reasons:

1. Big Books introduce new VOCABULARY to little ones. It always amazes me how much of a story kids will listen to when they don't know all the words. They still understand what is going on too; just ask them! My girls frequently will ask what a specific word is while reading, and even if they choose not to ask at the time, they have been introduced to it. They have now heard the word, and heard it used in proper context. Next time they hear it, it will not be completely foreign to them.

2. Big Books also increase exposure to new and different SITUATIONS. The first big book we read was The Tale of Despereaux (guess I was a bit over zealous with a 3 and 4 year old). We encountered prison, neglectful, abusive parents, and parental death; as well as forgiveness. We encountered a lot of complex situations that they have not dealt with in a safe home environment where we could discuss anything that needs to be discussed.

3. Big Books help build RELATIONSHIPS.  If you are spending so much of your time with your child reading and discussing important aspects of the book, you can't help but build the relationship you have with your child. All that discussion can help instill values and good character traits in them too.

4. Big Books help improve your child's ATTENTION SPAN.  Maybe at first your child won't sit for a long period of time, but if you find a book that interests them they will start. I know when we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory we got through half the book in the first sitting because the girls were that interested. The more you do it the longer they will pay attention. Not sure they are paying attention? Ask them what is happening or to draw you a picture of what they remember.

5. Big Books help improve your child's IMAGINATION.  Unlike television, movies, or even picture books that show kids exactly what things look like, big books make them imagine it.  Few pictures and usually black and white pictures mean they have to see the picture in their mind. .They have to imagine the scene the author is describing, the sounds, the smells, the colors.

Now you are thinking, I can see the benefits of reading Big Books to my kids, but how in the world will I find the time. This can be hard even if you are home with the kids all day long! Here are the times we have found will work. Obviously we do not do these everyday, but we usually pick one and use it even if it is just to get through a chapter.

1. Obvious one first, BEDTIME!  Many of you are probably already reading before bed. Just read a chapter of a big book instead of a picture book. Easy!

2.  If your children are still young enough that you give them a BATH take advantage of the time to read them a big book.  They can't go anywhere, but they don't have to sit still and listen either. They can listen and splash around at the same time!  Older kids may even enjoy audio books if they are taking a bath.

3. Speaking of audio books, listen in the CAR! Everyone can enjoy big books in the car. Many libraries have audio books that you can check out or here is a great site where you can find free audio books.

4. Are your kids slow eaters? Mine are! If you finish your food first you can read to them at MEALTIME! Why not use the extra time and keep them amused (and not playing with their food).

5. This is actually our favorite because it makes something my girls don't enjoy much more enjoyable, read while they CLEAN.  So they pick up their toys while I read to them. This is actually helpful for my oldest as she is quite fidgety anyhow. She still won't sit for books (at almost 6); she wiggles and squirms and stands and wiggles some more. Cleaning gives her something to do while listening.

So now you know why and when to read Big Books; head to the library and get some!

Here are some great books lists to check out too:

Books for Young Readers

Great Chapter Books for Early Elementary

Top Ten Chapter Books to Read in 2013

67 Books Every Geek Should Read to Their Kids Before Age Ten

215 Read-Alouds for Elementary Aged Children


**Disclaimer: I have not read all the books on all these lists. Please make sure you review any unfamiliar books before reading them to your children! **

Silent Sunday

Softly Call the Muster

One of the oldest and most honored traditions of Texas A&M, Aggie Muster is a time to honor all those who have lived and served under the Aggie name. Always held on April 21^st, the same day as Texas independence, this year it will fall on a Sunday. From the TAMU Muster website:

“Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…not only to grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect us to one another. A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit, Muster is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with us; it reminds us of the greatness that lies within these walls, of the loyalty we possess, of the connection that binds us, and of the idea that every Aggie has a place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit.”

This year the speaker is Bill Jones, Class of ’81. Jones is currently Principal at The Jones Firm, practiced law in Houston for fifteen (15) years in a litigation practice, including trial and appellate work in state and federal courts of all levels involving complex business litigation.  Jones also served as General Counsel to the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas for Governor Rick Perry from December 2000 to November 2003.

You can read more about the speaker and the tradition of Aggie Muster by clicking on their website, here.

TAMU Press has published various books on the traditions and history of Aggieland. Softly Call the Muster: The Evolution of a Texas Aggie Tradition (TAMU Press, 1994) by John A. Adams, Jr., is a book dedicated specifically to exploring the deep history and meaning behind Aggie Muster. This book traces the evolution of Aggie Muster from its early roots to the modern-day observance. Through research and hundreds of interviews, John A. Adams, Jr. '73 has captured the essence and spirit of this honored Texas Aggie tradition.

Hope to see you at Aggie Muster this year!

--Madeline Loving

"Where are the Dinos?" Review and Giveaway

**For the sake of full disclosure, I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for my review, but my reviews are always my own opinions.**

Today I am super excited to share a DINO-mite early reader with all of you. Where are the Dino's? written by Julia Dweck is a humorous book that is based on the natural curiosity and baffling logic of little kids.   Its clever word play and playful prose make it an entertaining read for children and parents (especially those of curious kids). Not to mention the illustrations (done by Bob Ostrom) are adorable and really add to the story.

While this is an early reader it was still a bit above my daughter's ability (first grade reading level); great for second to third grade readers! It was thoroughly enjoyed by all listeners; including the littlest listener in the house (21 months). Lots of rhyming makes this book flow quickly and easily. I did have to explain a few of the word plays to my own questioning children, but as soon as they understood, the jokes were met with loads of laughter. Overall a very fun book!

To go with the book there are extra facts about dinosaurs. They don't tell you where they shopped, but they can clear up some confusion as to why they aren't at zoos. There is also instructions on how to draw a dinosaur and some scrambled words to solve.

The generous author, Julia Dweck, is allowing me to give away 5 copies of this book to my readers. That's right 5 chances to win! 

It is an ebook which can be viewed on a Kindle Fire or a Mac, PC, Android, or iPad using Amazon's free "cloud reader" or Kindle app.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


This  is not Julia's only book either, she has several other's that are uniquely hers and quite fun to read including Pie-Rits, Pandora's Box, and Bee Witched. (I've read them and you should check them out!)  You can find Julia on facebook, twitter, amazon, and her website.

And if anyone is wondering, my favorite dinosaur always has been Triceratops, but I am a pretty big fan of Parasaurolophus as well!

Apple Math for How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World

The last activity we did to go along with How to Make an Apple Pie and see the World was Apple Math!

I started by reviewing simple fractions. I drew apples on blank index cards and then cut one in half and one in quarters.  This way the girls could easily see there are 2 halves in a whole and 4 quarters. 

I also made ten more of these apple cards and taped them to the piano (the girls thought it would make a good apple tree).

From there they took turns collecting the number of apples I told them. Once they had the apples I asked them to give a certain number to their sister and then tell me how many they had (subtraction). I also asked whoever received the apples how many they now had (addition). This was repeated over and over and over, refilling the tree several times. While I'm sure they didn't memorize any of their addition or subtraction tables; I do think it helped to cement the idea of addition and subtraction (what we really needed to work on). 

Need other activities to go with this book; check out these:

Collecting Salt from Salt Water

Milking Cows

Kid-Made Butter