Turtles

This week we talked about turtles.

First, we took it easy.  For my sanity I guess.  Monday was my last day at my second job.  I had been working two jobs outside the home for the last couple of months.  I was very burnt out.  Monday was my last day of a stretch of fourteen continuous days.  I am so elated to just have one job and be able to concentrate on my kids again.

So, Tuesday we went to the park...

and we got ice cream.

We relaxed, planted flowers, and played in our yard.

 Then, we started our week on turtles.

We of course needed to find a turtle to really examine them so, we went on a hunt.

We got on our bikes, scooters, and strollers and we were off to turtle pond.

That's what we call it because there are so many turtles there.  

Except for this particular day.

We found lots of birds nesting and fishing.
Not as many turtles as we were used to. 

Then, we spotted a huge snapping turtle just below the surface.

We did not want to take that guy home.

We left feeling sad.  

Matthew really had his heart set on a new pet for the afternoon.

just then on our ride home he saw one crossing our path!!

It was amazing they were so happy.

We played with him all day.  

We read stories about all different kinds of turtles.  

The boys did turtle drawings.

Wesley's sea turtle

Matthew's turtle

For baking day we made rhubarb bread.  Yummy!

Here's the recipe if you want to give it a try.
I got it from all recipes.

Rhubarb Bread

• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh or sliced frozen rhubarb
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• TOPPING:
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cold butter

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and oil. Add egg, mix well. Beat in buttermilk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into brown sugar mixture just until combined. Fold in the rhubarb and nuts. Pour into two greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans.
1. For topping, in a bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon and butter until crumbly; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Cut with a serrated knife. 

 

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We kept the turtle for a day 

then, we marked him with nail polish to see 

if we would ever find him again.

The boys watched him swim away (quickly!)

They also befriended a neighborhood cat named Solomon during the release.

Next week is about butterflies!

until then,

~blessings