Sun Bread

11/30/2015

On a cold rainy November day we read Elisa Kleven's beautiful book 'Sun Bread' in which a baker brightens a wet and bleak day by baking a big golden sun bread which lifts the spirits of all those who taste it and even lures the real sun out of hiding.

We were inspired to make our own Sun Bread!

We mixed together 2 eggs, 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 cups mashed pumpkin.

Then we added 2 cups Namaste Gluten Free Flour, 1 tsp baking soda, pinch of salt, 3/4 cup coconut sugar and mixed well.

We oiled our bread pan with coconut oil...

and evenly spread in the golden mixture.

Bake for 65 - 75 minutes at 325 degrees.

Slice and arrange into a sun shape (the kids loved this!).

Moon Sand

The kids made some home made moon sand for a wonderful sensory play experience!

Measure out 9 cups of flour and 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil.

Mix well with your fingers and enjoy the fun, crumbly but mouldable texture - makes the best sand castles!

Colorful Planets!

The kids matched the marker colors to the colors of the planets and created some beautiful art.

Then we put the planets out in the rain to let the raindrops blend the colors.

Playdough Planets

We also created 3 dimensional versions of the planets with playdough.

Flying to the Moon

We read 'Regards to the Man in the Moon' by Ezra Jack Keats and the kids built their own spaceship 'Imagination 1' out of logs so they could fly to the moon too!

Astronaut Yoga

In yoga class we have been astronauts in training! Here the kids are practicing eagle pose to help support their brain development - because the pose crosses the mid-line of the body it helps to develop inter-hemispheric integration in the brain so the two sides of the brain can communicate more efficiently.

Then we planned our mission to outerspace...

... the kids wanted to go Mars, Saturn, and Mercury - so we took a little trip in our guided relaxation.

Microscope Explorations

We observed a thin shaving from a living green leaf. We could see the tiny bubbles called cells!

This young scientist brought us some beach rocks and sand gathered from his recent adventure in Jamaica. We compared the sand from Jamaica with the Texas beach sand in our sandbox.

Sewing Camp

Mama Lisa and Steele came by to teach us an awesome sewing class! Using burlap, yarn, and plastic needles the kids created some beautiful flags, pillows, and beanbags while improving their fine motor skills and concentration.

Fall Gardening

In the garden we have been planting nasturtiums, parsley, and collards.

Learning Herbs

We have been learning about the Marshmallow plant with the Herb Fairies! Marshmallow root is well known for soothing sore throats and helping ease the digestive system. We made our own marshmallows with powdered marshmallow root for a medicinal treat.