Week of Firsts...

This past week we decided to do a few things that we've never done before. The girls and I came up with a few ideas and although I know that we probably try new things more often than we know for some reason bringing it to their attention got them so excited about each day. We had a lot of fun with it.
Technically we started on Monday last week, but the Friday before we went to a movie in the park for the first time. We watched Madagascar. We were excited to try this out, and we loved it. It was a perfect excuse to pig out and Lainey slept like an angel through the whole movie. We'll definitely be doing it again next summer.

Monday we decided to make food we've never made before. We went with an Indian theme. We made Mulligatawny soup with Chapati bread, and Kulfi ice cream for dessert. Everything got a thumbs up from the family, even my picky girls, and it was nice to try something a little different.

Making the Kulfi Ice cream

Mulligatawny Soup

Chapati Bread

The next day we decided to try a new form of painting. I got this idea from what else but pinterest.
The girls had a lot of fun with it and thought it was pretty fascinating. It was also very messy. I'm still sweeping up salt.

The next day we were supposed to make and do an obstacle course in the backyard for the first time, but time slipped away so we just doubled up on Thursday. The other thing we did Thursday was go to a different park. We opted for Avery Park in Corvalis. It was a bit of a drive for us, but with summer wrapping up we decided to be a little wild and crazy and make the trip. It was well worth it. The park is beautiful and spacious. Oddly enough the girls entertained themselves on a rinky dink play structure for most the time. After Tom got home from work they went out and made the obstacle course together.

The girls insisted on being squirted with the hose even though it was pretty cold that evening.

The girls tickling my feet. Tom felt that was a necessary part of the obstacle course.

On Friday the most anticipated day for the girls we rented Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and chowed down on pizza and popcorn together. This was especially great because we finished the goal of reading our first chapter book together. The girls were so excited to see the book unfold on screen. I loved that movie growing up, but of course didn't realize how odd it really is. Next we're doing James and the Giant Peach.

I'd like to do something similar again soon. I struggle sometimes to make learning fun for them and this method seemed to work this time.