This is the last book I am posting about for BFIAR. There are one or two in the series that I can’t get hold of (Jenny’s Surprise Summer, The Quiet Way Home and the Blue Boat) and one that I am not posting about because we all rowed it (including the older ones) and it seems a bit too private to share (Prayer for a Child).
Theme: The Five Senses
- Read alouds and go along books
- Factual Books
Petal Perfume
We took a walk around our garden chatting about the sounds we could hear, the scents we could smells, the flowers and petals we could see. We used our touch to think about what the petals felt like in our hands and then we collected a bunch of petals and flowers, each of the girls collecting them in their own basket:
One by one the girls went through their flowers, pulling off the petals and placing them in a jar. They left the leaves and stems behind in their basket:
When they had finished they poured hot water on top of the petals:
They gave it one last sniff and placed the lid on top. They were so pleased with their petal perfume!
We will leave these for a couple of weeks and then drain them, saving the fragrant water. Although we couldn’t resist a few sniffs throughout the week!
Smashed petal labels for the perfume
As these jars of perfume would be gifts for the twins for their 11th Birthday, we decided to prettify them. The little ones picked some flowers and made some pounded flower labels. They liked this activity very, very much!
Making Potpourri
The next day I gave them a potpourri ‘kit’ which contained everything they needed to make up some beautifully fragrant potpourri for their sisters’ birthday. We made everything with a purple lavender theme as the twin’s bedroom is a lavender colour:
Painting with spices
I placed some sweet smelling spices in the top row of a muffin tin and some spicy spices on the bottom row. I added warm water to each and stirred to make a sort of paint:
Curry, turmeric and cumin
I gave each of my little ones some paint brushes and some paper and let them at it. The only request was that they smelt each spice paint before they painted with them:
- Sensory Tray
The girls collected bits and pieces from nature to create a sensory basket:
They extended their nature basket’s usefulness by turning the acorns into little people. As they were doing this I pointed out the eyes to see, the nose to smell, the ears to hear and the mouth to taste. Then I mentioned they were using their hands to touch and draw the faces:
I couldn’t help but include a photo of my two gorgeous young girls:
This is their last row of Before Five in a Row books. I have been slightly concerned at my lack of enthusiasm towards a rerow of BFIAR, having rowed them three times now (twice for the older ones and once for the littles). I have decided to do something different for a while, which I am excited very about and will share next week.
Ah. I now see where my hammers went! Glad I can be of assistance. The pot pourri smells lovely.
Yes, we must put the hammers back! We love you Daddy!!!
What lovely moments.
Thanks Phyllis!
How sweet! Your two littles are precious. I had never heard of BFIAR before discovering your blog. I have looked over several of your posts and found them most interesting. Since my littles aren’t so little anymore, I guess I won’t be doing any rowing, but maybe one day…in a few years….HA.
BTW, it is great seeing your husband’s comments. I think it is wonderful when Daddy gets involved. He must be a tremendous blessing to you all. (I have one of those myself:)
Looking forward to seeing what is next.
Have a blessed day!
LOL! Would that be when you are a grandparent or are you planning on a few more children?! Either way BFIAR is a lovely curriculum to use!
What wonderful gifts for the twins! By the way, I love B2s camera smile 🙂
Yes, I get my camera out and she starts giggling in a rather alarming way. That’s her way of ensuring she has a great big smile!
Looks like great fun! We did some of FIAR when my oldest(now 17 and 15) were young. So many things you can do with them!
So true! It creates such lovely memories, doesn’t it?
I love stopping by to see all of the fantastic activities you and your children do. We did several rows when my son was little. I miss those days!
I bet you did some marvellous food to go with the books you rowed! I just love your foody creativity!
I can understand not being excited about a third time through.
I’m so jealous of the flowers in your yard, I love flowers, but am horrid at growing them.
And those acorns are so cute with the little faces on them.
If mumma’s not excited about school, you may as well give up trying to excite the children. So I’ve got me some plans…..
What fun 🙂 Great ideas.
Thanks Kimberly!
P.S. I love the sweet gifts your girls made for their sisters. Just from the pictures, I can your children have a special bond. It is so nice to see that they enjoy helping each other.
They are close. For me it is the glue that keeps us together and homeschooling when it is hard (usually February time!!)
Your girls are so cute. I love the idea of painting with spices. I might have to do that with Miss K.
It was amazing how strong the spices were to smell once water had been added. And the paintings themselves smelled for days afterwards! It was a kind of cool activity to do!
How precious! I love the thought of making perfume or potpourri for others as a gift. Looks like fun!
You really do have some great ideas, and I do love that you share them with us all.
Thank you so much Amber! I have to admit to taking a sniff at the perfume, and whilst I know my older girls will put on a great show of loving it as a present, it doesn’t smell good enough for them to actually wear as perfume!!
Aw, bittersweet, I’m sure. You’ve made some wonderful memories and I can’t wait to see what you do next! I would have loved to be in your house this week – bet it smelled wonderful! So fun to row with girls! 🙂 Many blessings on your next adventure!
Thank you Michelle, you should know you inspired most of our BFIAR learning. I love the stuff you do! We’re doing Mr Men next which should be fun, then I’ll be back to FIAR. I noticed the BFIAR linky collection is closed now. Does this mean we can’t link at all now?
The rose petal perfume is awesome! I’m excited to hear how the gifts go over with your big girls. Thank you for your BFIAR series. So much work was put into all of it and I know I benefitted a great deal from your ideas.
Thank you so much, that is such a lovely comment and I am very pleased they could offer up some ideas!