Valentine’s Day + Math = Fun

We belong to a math co-op where our children enjoy math in such fun ways. No worksheets or flashcards here! They play, they fold, they craft, they discover.
I thought of our math friends when I found these fun Valentine-making instructions. I liked the magic message cards, folding hearts, heart-in-the-fold Valentine, bonbon-filled hearts, and origami hearts.
 

Sela decided to make Gnome Sweet Gnome Valentines. There’s math here, too: fractions, multiplication, measuring, addition, subtraction. It’s all good stuff!


And what Valentine’s Day would be complete without sweets? Cooking is a great way to do math -- wouldn’t you agree? I can’t decide whether we’ll make whoopie pies, cupcakes for Cupid, window pane hearts, conversation heart fudge, or sweet fortune cookies. Hmmm… Or should I say, “Mmmm!”?

 

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Today marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year -- this is the Year of the Rabbit.

My friend tells me that the easy-going rabbit will bring more peace and tranquility than the aggressive and eventful Year of the Tiger.

Noodles are customarily served to symbolize long life -- we made these Easy Chinese Noodles to jump start our family time!

Easy Chinese Noodles (from Family Fun)

3 Tbsp sesame oil
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 Tbsp chopped scallions
1 pkg thin spaghetti or noodle of your choice

Cook pasta according to package directions. Mix sauce ingredients in separate bowl and toss with cooked pasta. You could easily add vegetables and the protein of your choice, but this is the version that gets happily slurped up by the sheep in my family.

And I can never resist a good book : ) We love the first and will be looking at the library for the second!

Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year by Kate Waters & Madeline Sklovenz-Low
The Rooster's Antlers: A Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Eric Kimmel

Peace, happiness and prosperity to all!

Cupid's Arrows

It's February 1st, and, boy, do I have Cupid and his arrows on my mind.
Sela was playing with pipe cleaners and brought these to me.  (If you haven't taken out the pipe cleaners lately, you really should!  For silly fun for the whole family try these just to get you started.  Or maybe these funny guys.)

Then I found this cute and quirky Valentine's Day decoration on my new favorite blog, Smile and Wave -- I love it and can't wait to make it!

(The picture would not be complete if I left out the giggling I did last night when Michael Scott called them "Cupid's Sparrows.")

I was not giggling later when Linus woke up all night long because he has a cold.  I was exhausted.  By the wee hours of the morning I decided it was Daddy's turn to try out rocking --rather than nursing -- back to sleep so that I could get a little rest.
Linus: "Mama."
Mama: "Yes, baby?" lovingly & patiently because, although I've been up all night, I am about to get a little sleep.
Linus: "Saaaaaaad."
Mama: "You're sad?  Why are you sad?"
Linus: "Nose.  Nurse."
Thwak.  Shot through the heart again.  I'm his.  We nursed & we both felt better.