Fowler Four Adventure Blog Returns! 

I'm thinking since I have the summer off that I may need to dust the cobwebs off of the old family blog.  Here are the boys kicking off the first day of summer right.  Our lake is back! Ask them about fire ant balls when you see them.

Summer Movie Links 2014

FREE, CHEAP, AND LOW COST SUMMER MOVIES FOR KIDS

Regal Summer Movie Express

Cinemark Summer Movie Playhouse (Cedar Park)

Alamo Kids Camp

Southwest Theaters

Anderson Mill Limited District Summer Events Calander

St. Edwards Park.

We had the first hike of the year for the Fowler Four at Saint Edwards Park in Austin today.  The weather was just right for little boys to wear mittens.  Samuel led the way along the cliff route and mom resisted the instinct to grab his hand every 5 seconds.  He is growing into a fantastic little hiker.  Caleb investigated a possible new species of snake curled up on a rock- unfortunately it turned out to be a Texas Rubber Toy Snake.  We saw evidence that there are some feral hogs rooting around out there.  We also spotted some cardinals and some little yellow breasted finches.  It's fun to watch how the area is coming back after all the flooding that occurred down there a few years back. St. Edwards is a great local family friendly hiking area .  Visitors can bring leashed dogs, ride horses, and mountain bike.  For more info on Saint Edwards Park, check out Austin Parks Foundation  or  Austin Explorer.

Family Camping

A friend of mine is taking her 3 under 4 kids camping .  The poor thing made the mistake of asking for advice on Facebook.  This being one of my favorite subjects,  I went into a long rant of ditties much too extensive to be appropriate  for a social media site.  With a quick copy and paste  I started my post it here- where my rambling is  more appropriate.  After all, this is suppose to be an adventure blog. 

Leaving the games, toys and devices behind and learning to be together in nature refreshes and rejuvenates my family.  These are my most cherished family memories. Camping is a low-cost vacation that you will remember forever.   My youngest son learned to walk on a rainy day in our family tent. Teaching kids about the natural world opens discussions about our creator and our universe.   I encourage everyone to try it.  We might even let you come along with us sometime! Here are some of my thoughts on camping with young children.

It usually takes us a whole day to prepare for camping- and we've been doing this for a while.  Give yourself time to plan your meals, make lists, shop and pack.   It helps to have designated camping stuff, like pots, plates, coolers, that you keep together so you can be more spontaneous in your planning. 

It might be a good idea to talk about division of labor before the trip. For instance; One parent may cook while one sets up the table and does dishes. One parent plays with the kids while the other goes for a swim...I mention this because. to some,  roughing it may just feel like domestic duties in a less domestic environment if not given the opportunity to choose some activities.

Camp out in your backyard.  Its a great trial run and everyone will have a blast.

 Upon arrival,  things may become a little tense setting up camp.  Kids are anxious to explore and may tire of "helping" pretty early into the process. Parents may struggle a bit with getting it put all together before dinner time. Give the kids a job, bring sandwiches, and  take the kids  for a walk while the other parent gets busy with the tent poles if necessary.

We always set up boundaries right when we get to a campsite. Use landmarks like trees, rocks, roads, or vehicles to mark out your territory.  Kids can be free to explore within those boundaries, and you can relax and let them. 

Let each kid have their own gear; backpack. headlamp or flashlight, water bottle, hat, rain poncho...  they'll start packing days ahead if you let them.  Somehow my kids manage their camping gear much more independently than their things at home.

Over the years I have learned that camping  toddlers do better in pants (rather than shorts or skirts) and sturdy shoes even- if it's hot outside.  It helps with dirt and bugs and prevents boo boos.  Kids fall down a lot while camping.  Don't forget the first aid kit!

I think kids eat better from their own camping chairs using the seat of the picnic table as a table. They can't really reach their food on a regular picnic table.   Keep food simple while camping.   Serve a hearty breakfast (we usually pack some homemade instant oatmeal)  then bring sandwiches with you while exploring for lunch.  (lots of snacks and water too).  We usually have a more elaborate meal for supper. 

Know that babies will probably get  dirty and there is little you can do about it. Embrace it.  They might stick some gross stuff in their mouths as well.  It will hurt you way more than them.  You can not baby-proof nature.   Resist the urge to leave the baby constricted in a seat the whole time- they are camping too!

If babies and toddlers aren't use to showers, they may very well be terrified of camp showers. You can plan ahead by bringing a plastic tub or something to bathe them in. (Can also be used for dish washing). Practice taking a slippery baby into a powerful shower with you before hand.  My technique is to soap them up out of the shower, then rinse them really fast to keep the crying short-lived.  You might want to pass them off to the other parent so you can go back and get yourself cleaned up after.

 Bikes are a great idea for camping kids.  Many parents feel secure to let older kids ride bikes around campgrounds with a freedom they would never allow at home in the city.  For younger children you will be able to go for longer walks on winding campground roads if your toddler brings their wheels.  Most jog-strollers easily maneuver gravel or asphalt roads.

Invest or borrow a baby backpack.  Babies will spend hours gazing and sleeping and soaking in all the sights of the nature and from a new vantage point.  Parents can hike, fish, and go places where strollers won't get them.

Hiking with kids is not about making it to a destination.  You will end up carrying your 3 year old on your shoulders all the way back to camp if this is your mind set.  Make hiking is about every strange bug, root, flower, lizard, blade of grass or rock they see on the way.  Slow down and teach toddlers to notice their environment. Let them collect "treasures",  listen to the wind and the birds.  Toddlers will whine if they are just walking- but they will go further than you ever imagined down the trail on an adventure.
 

Check fire restrictions before you go.  Every kid expects to roast marshmallows and hotdogs while camping so you must find an alternate way to deliver s'mores if there is a ban. 

If possible, camp out for at least 2 nights.The first night is often poor sleep and hurried.  The second night everyone will be wonderfully tired, relaxed and at home in their new environment- after all, it probably took you a while to pull this off- might as well make it worth it.

Once the kids are older your excursions will require less planning and your kids will learn to be in nature more independently.  It is certainly a lot to think about in the beginning but it does get easier and the pay off is huge.

Reserve your campsite well in advance.  Campgrounds fill up quickly, especially around holidays and school calendars  Invest in a state or national park passes-  they support public land and will pay for themselves in one or two trips.

There is an widening base of  resources out there to help families get outside.  One book I would recommend is   Camp Out! Ultimate Kids Guide   - a fun book with tons of activities, skills, and ideas for kids.    Texas Outdoor Family (TOF) workshops are hosted at state parks where families receive hands-on experience learning basic outdoor skills.  They can even provide all the gear for your excursion.  Organizations such as Children and Nature Network  work to promote getting kids into nature through various clubs, resources, and campaigns.  Outdoor retailers like REI can offer up expert advice on camping with kids.

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Free Books

The Fowler Four have an unquenchable thirst for books.   We find ourselves well past running out of room for more titles.  I've decided its time to start collecting online sources for e-books as so many classic books have become public domain. One thing I love about these books is that many are digital photos of each yellowed page of first editions.  In addition to the local public library, here are some other links I've found.  Please let me know any sites to add to our list.

Project Gutenberg
.www.gutenberg.org


Library of Congress
http://www.read.gov/

HathiTrust Digital Library
http://www.hathitrust.org/

Happy Valentines Day

VALENTINE'S COUPLE


My Mom and Dad eloped at Grand Junction CO on Dec. 17, 1948, then went to California on their honeymoon. On Jan. 1, 1949 they attended the Rose Bowl Parade at Pasadena, CA

— with Anna Marie (Marie A.) Tilley 1926-2005 and Harold Francis Bettis 1926-1997.

Thankgiving Proclaimation 1789

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
George Washington

Letter of the week home preschool

The letter F:  

The letter of week in home preschool comes with a lesson in Fact,  Fable, Folktales and Fairytales. Which of these is Goldilocks, the Bible, the Gingerbread man?  We will also go over fire safety, make a jumping origami frog, a Letter F itsy-bitsy book, do a fish dot-to-dot with a Bible verse about fishing for people, fill in a custom fairy addition page and learn about Uncle Fred and how to spell our last name "F-o-w-l-e-r,  Fowler, Fowler it's who we are!   We will get our grove on with some dancing and singing to a favorite song; "F is for Fake-believe" . 

The letter E:

We have been having fun with the letter E this week. Our family member was cousin Evan.   For science we did a Floating Egg science experiment  and made egg salad together. Today he has been wearing around a mask he make from this Paper plate elephant craft.  I decided to print out a copy of The elves and the Shoemaker because it included  and paper doll, and a lacing card.

We talked about the "long" sound that "E" makes with this Eagle handwriting worksheet.

 For math we played with plastic eggs practicing counting, addition, subtraction, color recognition and played the “shell game” hiding candy in an egg and having him track it.

Our Bible verse for the week was Gen. 1:1  "...God created the heavens and the earth." because it was already his AWANA cubbies verse.  Isaiah 40:31 "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles"  would be good as well.

The letter D:

Last week we played I spy a "D" word all week. We learned about Uncle Danny, Daddy and Drew  My son was excited to find a dingo on T.V.  I loved the design of this one print page, no glue or tape  mini Letter D book we made.  Samuel chose to make a T-rex for his dinosaur craft.  For handwriting I found a dolphin worksheet (his favorite animal).

The Letter C:

I think I will start posting links to things I am doing with Samuel for home preschool.  This week we are learning about the letter C.  Today he is doing a C is for Cross Worksheet and playing  Letter C I spy,.  Later this week I think he will start learning about "C"ommandments with this cute Ten Commandemnts Choo Choo, and talking about his family members who's names start with "C" like Carla, Caleb, and Collin.  For science we will paint with ice cubes on construction paper ("C"old) and freeze some things to see how they change.  For math we we will "C"count cats that we see in the neighborhood over the week and make a paper "C"lock with this Clock Template.

The Letters A and B
 I will add these in later.

Home preschool: THE LETTER "C"

I think I will start posting links to things I am doing with Samuel for home preschool.  This week we are learning about the letter C.  Today he is doing a C is for Cross Worksheet and playing  Letter C I spy,.  Later this week I think he will start learning about "C"ommandments with this cute Ten Commandemnts Choo Choo, and talking about his family members who's names start with "C" like Carla, Caleb, and Collin.  For science we will paint with ice cubes on construction paper ("C"old, cube) and freeze some things to see how they change.  For math we we will "C"count cats that we see in the neighborhood over the week and make a paper "C"lock with this Clock Template.

Cool Preschool Worksheets

Samuel is loving this free preschool website Color Mountain.  There are lots of cool themes  like  ice cream, worms, and mermaids. You can create a coloring sheet; greeting card; place mat; letter, sentence, number tracing and writing sheet; word searches; early math and counting; tracing, or even a drawing grid.  They also have dot-to-dots and mazes.

Free Summer Film and Concert Events

You may find us at many of these free or almost free movie and concert events in the Anderson Mill neighborhood this summer!

Movies in Harper Park (Directions)   

Over The Hedge  Friday, July 29, 2011, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

How to Train Your Dragon Friday, June 10, 2011, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Float Flicks at  Anderson Mill Pool (Directions)

Madagascar Friday, June 17, 201, 8:30 PM - 10:30 Pm
 

Happy Feet Friday, July 22, 2011, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Flushed Away Friday, August 5, 2011, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Concerts  in Harper Park (Directions)

Boxcar Preachers Thursday, June 23, 2011; 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM 

Chris Beall  Thursday, July 7, 2011;6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Mike Clifford  Thursday, August 11, 2011; 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

 

Alamo Draft House Summer Kids Camp Lake Creek (Free)  11:00 am

(directions and details) 

 June 3rd-9th  Ponyo
 June 10th-16th Iron Giant
 June 17th-23rd Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
June 24th-30th How to Train Your Dragon
July  15th-21st  Flight of the Navigator
July 29th- August 4th Bridge to Terabithia

Regal Summer Movie Express

Lakeline Mall 9   Admission is $1 this year.

Cedar Park TX 

512-335-4793

  http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/default.aspx?state=TX

• 6/7-6/8 (10am) MARMADUKE, PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING 
• 6/14-6/15 (10am) RAMONA & BEEZUS, YOGI BEAR 
• 6/21-6/22 (10am) CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, TALE OF DESPEREAUX 
• 6/28-6/29 (10am) CATS AND DOGS, MEGAMIND 
• 7/5-7/6 (10am) ALPHA AND OMEGA, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 
• 7/12-7/13 (10am) CHARLOTTE'S WEB, PERCY JACKSON & OLYMPIANS 
• 7/19-7/20 (10am) FURRY VENGEANCE, SHREK FOREVER AFTER 
• 7/26-7/27 (10am) DESPICABLE ME, KIT KITTREDGE 
• 8/2-8/3 (10am) GULLIVERS TRAVEL, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Kids Websites for Learning and Fun.

Just in time for summer!  Here's a  few of our favorite educational and fun websites

 Starfall's Learn to Read with phonics:  Caleb used this site at school in Kindergarten.  Great for  beginning readers
.http://www.starfall.com/

Dancemat Learn to Type for Kids.  Super fun BBC typing tutor.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

First School. ws has terrific preschool and early elementary level worksheets, curriculum and crafts- great for homeschooling.

http://www.first-school.ws/

Multiplication.com has over 60  super cool math games to help learn  addition, subtraction, and Multiplication facts.
http://www.multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm

Other favorites are of course PBS kids
http://pbskids.org/

and BOZ
http://www.bozthebear.com/fun/games.asp

Samuel is 4 Years Old!

♪♫ All Aboard, right on time, Samuel took a ride on the Dinosaur train!  ♪♫

Samuel turned 4 years old!  He wanted his birthday theme to be his favorite song; The Dinosaur Swing,  and his favorite show;  The Dinosaur Train.  Festivities began with decorating the kitchen nook to look a little like the Dinosaur Train (it's a PBS preschool TV show).  The balloons are suppose to be dinos looking out the windows. I repeated the dinosaur song on the CD player all day.  I think I have the rap memorized now, "Raptile, what is is to me.  I've had enough, they're history!"  After school  I took the boys and a friend to ride an antique carrousel and a train that drives around the mall.  It was Awana night, so Samuel brought dino cupcakes to share with his Cubbie friends.   Later we had a volcano cake- complete with dry ice "smoke" and a dinosaur train.  Samuel requested a "giant meatball"  with Penne and Alfredo for birthday dinner, so Thursday I cooked a 21/2 pounder to fit the bill. Saturday we ate dinner at Red Robin (love that place- kids always eat free) and Samuel got the whole birthday treatment.   Birthday activities  continued on Sunday.   We headed to Champion park where the boys dug up dino bones and created a river system in the giant sand pit..

Easter

He is risen!  We had an great Easter this year. I was amazed to  hear Caleb share the story of Christ's  life, death and resurrection with his little brother Samuel as we opened resurrection eggs during the week.  Saturday we went to an "Easter Eggstravaganza" where the boys ate a yummy breakfast, played games,  made  crafts,  and saw a Passion play.  Sunday I filled in and taught Samuel's Sunday school class. The kids were just old enough to really understand the miracle of the resurrection.  We reenacted the women coming to the empty tomb and being surprised!  Those 4 year olds showed me the enthusiasm I should have at Easter.
 
Samuel survived a whole morning of leaving his shirt-tail tucked in so I promptly let him change to some play clothes.  We spent the afternoon running in the spray park, bird watching and digging in the sand at one of our favorite parks.

AWANA

 "Awesome!"

Congratulations to Samuel on his big win at the annual AWANA Pinewood Car Derby!  He took first place in speed with his lightning speed car. 

Samuel's car "Blue Storm" was the fastest in the Cubbies division.

Blackberry Cobbler

I couldn't resist the blackberries on sale for .88 a box. I bought almost a whole flat!   My mother always made cobbler with a biscuit or lattice pie crust top.  This was definitely  faster and much different than  mom's, but wow!   It takes 2 minutes to get this in the oven- and it comes out amazing!  My three year old loved putting all the berries on top (and sneaking a few along the way).  We've made it twice in one week!

 EASY BLACKBERRY COBBLER

1/2 c. butter
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
2/3 c. milk
16 oz. frozen (thawed) or fresh blackberries 

Melt butter in a 2 quart casserole. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and milk in a small mixing bowl, mix well.Pour mixture over melted butter, do not stir. Spoon blackberries over batter; do not stir.
Bake at 350°F. for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Sorry no photo- it was gone too fast!

Pass on the envelope, please.

Today, while doing some much needed paper shredding, I made a pile of unused return envelopes.  It’s one of those annoying little things that I have always just ignored.  I was a little surprised at how many there were.  I thought, “There has to be some brilliant use for these wastes of paper!”

Here’s what I came up with so far:

1. Let your kids use them for a game of post office, or babies to crumple and throw around.  (My boys loved playing with the blue envelope of coupons that comes every month as well.)
2. Use them for (drum roll, please) mailing correspondence.  You have to figure out a way to deal with the window- like put a label on it or actually write the address on the contents behind the window.  Either way it really doesn’t look very fabulous- especially after you have taken a black sharpie to the bar codes so you letter to Aunt Suzie doesn’t end up at the publishers clearing house or your cell company.  The post office scans those codes and may not even need the address!
3. Use them for your grocery list and put any coupons that you will need on your trip in the envelope- or if you are on a budget- the amount of cash you can spend.
4. You could use them to separate coupons, spending money, or receipts by category or month.
5. Store tiny things like screws, washers, seeds, spare keys and tiny Lego pieces.

Still….  There has to be something a little less practical that I am missing.  Also, what am I going to do with all these envelopes once they are filled with stuff?  Photo Storage boxes are too narrow- I already tried it. Anybody have any fresh ideas?

Ornaments

Every year I take the boys to pick out a Hallmark ornament after Christmas.  This year we did it as a New Years Day excursion.  Samuel's choice will go nicely with last years classic Fisher Price school bus.  This See 'n Say really works, and sounds exactly the way I remember!  Caleb's Camp Snoopy goes nicely with Owen's vast array of Peanuts ornaments.

School Craft

Sheri helped Caleb's 2nd grade class make ornaments on the last day of school.  Caleb's teacher put up a Christmas tree and the kids had a book exchange.  These snowflakes are made from toilet paper tubes! The snowman is made from white and black beads strung on a  pipe cleaner.

Our new favorite thrifty activity!

Sheri saw Toy Story 3 with the boys for $3.00 tonight!   "Reel Family Time" is 75 cent admission for parties of 3 or more every Monday at Cinemark 8 in Round Rock.  You have to buy your tickets at the box office - and perhaps a little ahead of time.
 http://www.cinemark.com/reelfamilytime.asp

p.s. Yes, I love vintage toys, but please do not purchase a  Charlie the Chimp playing the cymbals, for Samuel.  EVER.  Thank you.