We finished off learning about Japan with some focus pictures for the kids to cut out, glue on and label in their notebooks. I really liked this page! I think we'll do more of these pages at the beginning of the units, so the kids are already asking questions and trying to figure out what they're coloring.
I didn't get as many pictures today because of the fun sushi night we had with the dads!
Lee had the kids proving their ninja toughness by eating pickled ginger slices, and Steve made a spicy Sriracha mayo, crab, cucumber roll (so spicy it tested Lee's ninja toughness. Visually enjoyed by all. The peach, cream cheese, cucumber and Simply Asian spiced roll was tasty and not so spicy 😁) we also had Peanut Thai Chicken Noodle lettuce wraps- mmmm!
The kids liked decorating this cake for Jacob- and Whoppers ended up sunk deep into the cake while I wasn't looking...
Jacob LOVED having everyone sing Happy Birthday to him! He watched the video of the singing/blowing out the candle about 20 times afterward, clapping and laughing and singing! This is the first full recognizable song that Jacob can sing! He's so cute!
Chopsticks and sushi were so much fun! We also had some stir fry with sticky rice so the kids could eat lunch. Our first attempt with the sushi was definitely not as successful as Steve's (shown below). You should have seen the look on Eva's face when we told her the wrapper was seaweed- she first thought we were joking, then was absolutely disgusted. She only slightly changed her mind later. (And yes, that is my ninja suit.)
Ninjas need good balance, so Estee gave them some ninja training doing yoga poses! (Look! A picture of Estee...kind of...)
Here is Steve's sushi artwork. Then we tested sumo wrestling. THAT was a hit!!! If you can't tell, we took two of Steve's T-shirts, stuffed a couch pillow over their bellies and another in back, and then tied a knot on the bottom. This was very fun! It was hilarious watching our little marshmallow children jumping around. Rule #1: no running at each other- only walking. That kept it fun!
Then we did group violin class on Monday! I was very impressed with how long the kids worked this week! We did a few review/warm up songs and then did our Rolos for Solos. Eva especially worked hard on "Lightly Row." I'm glad she's getting the "I-think-I-can" spirit! Will worked hard on his "I'm a Little Monkey" and Bella did great on her "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Scotty and Graham did an awesome job on the "Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha" song from Strings Fun and Easy, book 1. They're all progressing so well, and I think it's so fun that they get to play together, too. So as a group, they all played/practiced Haiku! Next week I'll bring my rainstick, drums and gong to complete that song- so cool!
A little taste of Japanese kimonos...I'll have to get pics of the other kids next time. They were coloring their Japanese fans (pictured later).
And then, the SUMO!!! They were very ready for this. We had them watch a little National Geographic clip on sumo wrestling, taught them how to stretch their legs and squat low...
The trampoline added a whole new element!
ROAR!
Eva really stretched those legs!
Will got her this time!! Bella seems afraid for Eva...
Will and Bella just bounced off of each other, laughing. There was a lot of laughing going on!
Now there are some fierce warriors!!
Then our ninja warriors received their katanas (paint-stirring sticks that Estee spray painted and decorated with different colors of duct tape while the kids colored their fans.) They also learned the art of slow-motion sword fighting...there was a lot of sound-effect singing. That was also really fun!
Oh, and look, we were there, too!
Japanese fans! Oh, Will...cracks me up every time!
Little ninja showed off his sound effects the next morning!
Konnichiwa!!! We started off the day with our ninja masks! It's always more fun and memorable when we dress up!
Scotty was definitely excited to learn about ninja, and when we arrived, Graham and Eva were excited to get their own masks on, too! I love the intensity in this pic.
And with their adventure vests on.
We all practiced ninja stealth: quiet feet, staying low, crawling, creeping and balancing. When I told them to hide like ninja, suddenly everyone was gone! (Next time I want some quiet...remind me to do this.)
Then we read "Wink, the ninja who wanted to be noticed" by JC Phillipps, which was great fun. Then we sat down to lunch where Estee made some Asian broccoli and rice with teriyaki meatballs! Mmmm! Next, we read "Night of the Ninjas" (Magic Tree House #5) as Estee cut some cool ninja throwing stars! That was a hit!
We gathered everyone (except sleeping babies) together to do group music class! This week we are learning "Haiku" together (originally a Faber piano piece that I arranged as a simple duet for our little group) and we reviewed some simple songs and our previous correlating Magic Treehouse songs: Gentle Knight and Three Pirates. I'm so happy we are getting to the point that we can play instruments together and have fun! (And not just because of bribes!) This week Bella realized that the point is to have a good attitude, learn to concentrate well, and have fun along the way! I'm so glad Will was a good example of that (as were the older kids, but I think Will was more influential this time). Eva did great this time, as well! The boys always have a good attitude. I think they don't mind as much if they leave out a note or two- whereas our girls are all-or-nothing. Baby steps! I'm glad this week went great, and I wasn't even able to play my violin with them because I was holding Joseph, who woke up early from his nap.
Then, we (finally) gathered the Furious Five for a picture with their shuriken (throwing stars).
First, let's look at this treasure map! Estee's handiwork below...
She sent them jumping and twirling and peg-leg hopping until they were to "seek inside a swinging black circle in the sunshine for the remains of Captain Blackbeard!"
Which, of course, were sticky mustaches!
A bunch of peg-legged pirates hunting for their treasure!
Acting like pirates.
And then, to find the hidden treasure, they had to solve this riddle:
