Hands On Activity: Desert & River (inspired by the story of John the Baptist & Jesus' Baptism)

T heard the story of how John the Baptist lived in the desert preparing the way for Jesus, calling people to repent and baptizing them in the Jordan. We talked about how Jesus when came to the river and was baptized the Spirit of God descended in the form of the dove and the voice of God the Father spoke saying "This is My beloved Son..." (You can find the story in Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1)

Together, T and I talked about deserts and rivers. I showed him google images of deserts and rivers. After the story we made our own desert and river. It was a fun, simple project, requiring only a few items. Here's what we did.

Desert & River Play Scene

What We Used:

Flour
Water
Container
Large spoon or scoop
(We added spoons at the end for "people")

How we did it:

T scooped flour from the bag into our container.

Using our hands we pushed the flour to the side so we'd have a channel for our river. Then T poured the water.

He made a couple changes to his river!

Then he wanted some "people" to add. I dug out our old baby spoons. One became John, and the others were the people. T had a great time playing with his homemade bible scene, re-enacting the story of John.

 Before long the spoons were no longer people. They were spoons. Scooping, digging, turning, mixing the flour and the water. Instead of a river and land, we had a big bowl of paste! It made for a very enjoyable activity.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
    As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
    “Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
        who will prepare your way,
    the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
        ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make his paths straight,’”
    John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
    In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
   
(Mark 1:1-11 ESV) 
   

Free Day at the Children's Museum!

Our local children's museum had a free day last week. Of course we went! Traffic getting there simply crawled. We circled all the way around to the top of the parking garage before finding a spot. But it was worth it!

This was our first time visiting the museum in our new area. Yes, it's definitely nice enough I should buy an annual pass. We'll be returning there in the near future. I also have some other children's and nature museums I want to visit, within a 3 hr drive.

That doesn't look nearly as busy as it actually was. Here we are waiting to get in one exhibit (a traveling one). Waited 40 minutes to get to this point. When we got to the front of the line heard the man at the end of the line warn newcomers the wait was now longer than an hour!

Two activities from that particular exhibit. A conveyor belt, and a build your own bug.

Loved the trains.

Fabulous water clock

Playing on a dinosaur "nest"

Digging.

Ceiling made of glass bottles, vases, etc in many colors. Revolving seat to watch.

Wordless Wednesday: Finally Outside Again!

After we've all been struggling with an illness, T got to play outside today- finally!

Reminder to followers about Friend Connect and March 1st

Please remember that there are massive changes coming on March 1st with Google Friend Connect http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-spring-cleaning-out-of-season.html Please follow via Google +  or subscribe via Networked Blogs or Email!

Menu Plan Monday: Meals for Colds

The whole family is struggling with colds. We were stuck indoors all weekend, despite a beautiful blue sky begging for us to go outside. Not wanting to spread our germs around we stayed home from church, listening to sermons online instead.

Despite warmer weather sickness in the house is a perfect opportunity for soups this week. Taking part in Org Junkie's Menu Plan Mondays has inspired me to keep on top of menu planning every week (even if I forget to post my plans). Yesterday we didn't have soup. So without further ado, our meals for this week:

Sunday: Chickpea and Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

Monday: Vegetable soup and leftovers from Sunday.

Tuesday:  Egg Drop Soup and a Stir-fry, if I'm up to it.

Wednesday: Classic chicken noodle soup

Thursday: Curried Lentil Soup *I'll include the recipe as it's a favorite!*

Friday: Lentil Tacos (we've got to have a change, right!?)

Instructions
In a large pot heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery & onion. Sauté until just getting tender. Add the garlic & curry powder. Cook while stirring for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add 1 cup of the broth & scrap the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add remaining broth and lentils. Place a cover on the pot leaving it slightly ajar & bring to a boil. Reduce the heat & simmer for 30 minutes stirring from time to time.

Check to see if the lentils are done. When they are tender add the tomato & greens. Simmer for about 10 more minutes. Salt & pepper as needed.