Mudpies & Butterflies

Upcoming Events
Aug 13 - Venia's Vacation: Belarusse, Vienna, and..

Aug - 6 Topanga Beach Day (boogie boards and sandcastles)

July 30 - Summer Parkday

July 23 - Leather Stamping

July 16 - Ancient Rome

July 9 - Japan Past & Present

July 2 - Independence & H2O

June 25 Beach Day

June 18 Tenzi Frenzi

June 11 - Juggling Craft and Fun

June 4 - Stokes Theater & Plays

May 28 - Christina's Family Yogatime

May 21 - Bring your crafty projects & Potluck

May 14- Career Day

May 7 - Mother's Day Tea

April 30 - Art Show & Painting

Apr 23 - Earthday Show & Tell and Planting

Apr16 - 19 Joshua Tree Annual Family Campout

Apr 9 - HexiFlexigons - rescheduled

Apr 2 - Magic Tricks & Juggling Sticks

Mar 26 - HexiFlexigons - Geometry Gone Wild

Mar 19 - Potluck & Nat Amer Kid Presentations

Mar 12 - Nat Amer 2: Plains & Tipi's

Mar 5 - Native American 1: Inuit & Carving

Feb 28 - The Art of Debate

Feb 19 - Potluck & Chinese New Year & Korean, Vietnamese

Feb 12 - Valentyne's Day exchange

Feb 5 - Favorite Books

Jan 29 - Build an African Kalimba

Jan 22 - Patents and Inventors

Jan 15 Potluck, Patents and Inventors

Jan 8 - Boardgames and Beginnings

Jan 1st New Year's Playday

Dec 25 Merry Christmas No Parkday

Dec 18 Kwanza; Hannukah; Xmas; Solstice Celebration & Lunch Potluck

Dec 15 Caroling at Retirement Homes

Dec 11 Holiday Craft Day

Dec 4 Idioms by Maria Wheee!

Nov 27 Happy Thanksgiving No Parkday

Nov 20 Venezuela by Enrique & Potluck

Nov 13 Science Bloopers

Nov 6 Inside a Courtroom

Nov 4 Take your Kid to Vote

Oct 30 Costume Halloween Party

Oct 23 Bring a Poem

Oct 19 Campfire Potluck &Talent Show

Oct 16 Poetry Play Day & Potluck

Oct 9 Save Big Cats & Habitats

Oct 2 Making & Launching Rockets

Sept 28 Watts Tower Drumming Festival 10-4pm

Sept 25 Basket Weaving with NewsPaper

Sept 18 M&B Family Campout @ Sequoia Nat'l Park (No parkday)

Sept 11 OuterSpace Aeronautics or
Sustainable Farming & Husbandry (if cool enough for goats to visit)

Sep 10 M&B Free @ LA County Fair

Sep 2 Amazing Aeronautics

Aug 28 Beach Day

Aug 21 Pioneer Day

Aug 14 Five Year M&B Anniversary

Aug 7 Solar Ovens Part III

Jul 31 Solar Ovens Part II

Jul 24 Solar Ovens Part I @ Beach

Jul 17 Balloon Fun/Physics

Jul 10 Blind as a Bat (Braille & Sonar)

Jul 3rd (No Parkday Independence)

Jun 26 Tal Family

Jun 19 Kinetic Ball Run & Squirt bottle motion & Potluck

Jun 12 Summer Festival & Games

Jun 11 Full Moon Hike

Jun 5 Let's Get Tiny - Cells (Animal & Plant)

May 29 Lets get tiny - Cells (Animal & Plant)

May 22 Famous People

May 15 Beach Day & Potluck

May 8 Celebrating Mothers

May 1 Secrets of Water

Apr 24 Earthday & Planting

Apr 17 Games & Crafts Bring Your OWN

Apr 10 Nat'l Poetry Month

Apr 3 Cotton Magic

Mar 27 Bacteria Fun

Mar 20 Potluck & Organ Day!

Mar14-16 Joshua Tree Annual Spring Family Campout

Mar 13 - No Theme due to weekend Campout

Mar 6- Birdwatching & Nesting Day

Feb 27 - Physics of Bowling due to Rain

Feb 20 - The Winter Olympics

Feb 14-17 Backyard Bird Count

Feb 13 - VOLUNTEER PLEASE. Valentines Day

Feb 6 - Taxonomy & the Darwin Challenge

Jan 30 - Lunar New Year of the Horse

Jan 23 - Simple Machines II - Pulleys & Levers

Jan 16 - Habitats & Keystone Species & Noon Potluck

Jan 9 - Cogs & Cams: Simple Machines

Jan 2 - Reconnecting after holidays & New Year's Celebrations

Dec 26 - No Parkday Happy Holidays

Dec 19 - Celebrate Holidays: Winter Solstice, Kwanza, Christmas & Hanukkah

Dec 12 - Solar Fun & Mask Making with Michelle

Dec 5 - Monarch Magic & Eucalyptus

Nov 28 - Happy Thanksgiving - No Parkday

Nov 23 - Fieldtrip to Monarch Groves in Goleta

Nov 21 - Monarchs & Eucalyptus Trees postponed

Nov 14 - Atoms, Protons, Electrons, Oh My!

Nov 7 - Autumn Leaves & Sewing with Heather

Oct 31 - Halloween Festival

Oct 24 - Spooky SeeSaw Algebra

Oct 17 - 3 City Geography & Int'l Potluck & 6:00pm Talent Show

Oct 10 - 2nd M&B Bug Faire

Oct 3 - Abacus Math Magic

Sept 26 - Bark Painting & Spirit Animals

Sep 19-23 Annual Sequoia Family Campout

Sep 14 Fieldtrip to Point Vicente

Sep 12 - Lighthouses & Prisms II

Sep 5 - Build Splash Toys @ Pool

Aug 29 - Lighthouses & Light I

Aug 22 - DeSalination @ Beach PD

Aug 15 - Weaving yarn or old clothes

Aug 8 - Hula Hoop II

Aug 1 - Hula Hoop I @ Beach A

Jul 25 - M&B's 4th Anniversary
All ages Talent Show

Jul 18 - Hawaii Day & Potluck

Jul 11 - Bubble Science Fun

July 4 No Parkday HOLIDAY

Jun 27 No Parkday HOLIDAY

Jun 20 - Crafts Free for All

Jun 13 - Gold Mining & BoomTowns

Jun 6 - Anyone? Or Lemonade Stands

May 31-Jun 2 Family Campout at Montano De Oro

May 30 - MayDay PlayDay II

May 23 - MayDay PlayDay

May 16 - Bats, Owl Pellets & Potluck

May 9 - Primitive Arts & Indian Trading Blanket

May 2 - Painting & Poems

Apr 25- Help Our Wildlife Thrive

Apr 18 - M&B Earthday & Potluck 5pm

Apr 11 - Missouri Day / Bees Part 2
HoneyLove.org

Apr 4 - Bees ($3/kid for candlemaking)
Ula's Birthday

Mar 28 - Feathers, Microscopes & Origami Cranes

Mar 21 - History of Sugar; Plant own sugarcane

Mar 14 - Robots & Circuitry $3/kid

Mar 7 - Rainy Day @ Skirball Free

Feb 28 - Felting & Fiber Arts

Feb 21 - Morocco II
and Islamic Prayer

Feb 14 Valentines & Asian New Year Traditions

Feb 7 - Huichol Yarn Paintings
& Esme's Bday

Jan 31 - Birth of a Nation

Jan 24 - Cancelled
due to RAIN

Jan 17 - Craft parkday

Jan 15 - USA Tour @ Skirball

Jan 10- Morocco Senses & Allah

Jan 3 - Free for All Playday

Dec 27 - Free For All Playday

Dec 20 - Xmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Divali & Winter Solstice (Carols & Potluck)

Dec 13 - Morocco, Art & Mint Tea

Dec 6 - Pompeii Part II & Archeology

Nov 29 - Let's BOWL
due to Rain

Nov 22 - Thanksgiving - No Parkday

Nov 15 - Duct Tape Crafts & creations by C & C
and Lunch Potluck

Nov 8 - Ancient Pompeii & Mt Vesuvius

Nov 1 - Election & Voting Debate:
More trees or Waterslide

Oct 25 - Trunk or Treat; Dress-up
Halloween

Oct 18 - Peace Building &
Anger drop

Oct 11 - Superhero Rain

Oct 4 - Inks from Nature

Sep 27 Ireland Fun & Culture

Sep 20 -Sequoia-sized Boardgames

Sep 13 - 3rd Sequoia Campout

Sep 6- Heroes and Heroines - Kids Presentations

Aug 30 - Simile, Metaphors & Figures of Speech

Aug 23- Letterboxing II

Aug 16 - Letterboxing I

Aug 9 - Beach Day

Aug 2 - Modern Olympics II

July 26 - Ancient Olympics I

July 19 - Paper Arts: Bowls, Books & Beads

July 12 - Beach Day

July 5 - Statue of Liberty - 4th July

June 28 - Storytelling & Aussie Rainsticks

June 21 - Fun Games Field day

June 14 - Mystery Math = Algebra Fun

June 7- Silly Summer Day Fun

May 31 - Build Miniature Golf

May 24 - Sewing & Haiku Part II

May 17 - Haikus & Drums & Evening Potluck

May 10 - Rock Hunter Guest Speakers

May 3 - May Day Celebrations

Apr 26 - Fibonacci & Nature

Apr 19 - Thai New Year -Songkran & Potluck

April 12 - Spring Bling & Night Crawlers Planting season

April 5- Easter /Passover Crafts

Mar 29 - Ethics & Fairytales

Mar 22 - Detective Fingerprints & Crafts

Mar 15 - Prep for Joshua Tree

Mar 8 - Marbles & Physics

Mar 1 - Make Real Dream Catchers

Feb 23 - Pirates, Sea Captains &Tall Ships

Feb 16 - Wilderness Survival - guest Speaker

Feb 9 - Anatomy Guts vs Feeling Guts

Feb 2- Gravity Fun Games

Jan 26 - Cement Bridges Part Two

Jan 19 - Kids first Rock & Gem Show

Jan 12 - Global New Years Celebration

Jan 5 - Rockets-Aquarius M&B helped launch

Dec 29 - Cement Construction hand print tile

Dec 22- Kwanza, Hannukah, Bodhi Day stories & games 12/8

Dec 15 - Amy's Anatomy Obstacle Course

Dec 8 - Painting so it POPS! w/ out wind

Dec 1 - Painting so it POPS!

Nov 24 - Happy Thanksgiving - No M&B Parkday

Nov 17 - Fun with Manners & Empowering Etiquette & And 3rd Thurs Potluck (lunchtime)!

Nov 10 - History of Photography - Make Pinhole Cameras

Nov 3 - Butterfly & Bug Faire & Poems & Riddles

Oct 27 - Pumpkin Festival *Dress UP!!

Oct 20 - Empathy & Empowerment

Oct 13 - Braille & Visually Impaired

Oct 6- Atoms & Cool Molecules

Sept 29- Black Bears & Sequoias

Sept 22 - Sequoia Fires & Cones

Sept 15- Clay Creatures & Open-ended ?s

Sept 8- Beat the Heat Beach Day

Sept 1 - Lemonade Stand Commerce

Aug 25 - Back to Homeschool Play

Aug 18 - Saw Safely & make a Jacob's Ladder

Aug 11 - Biomes, Habitats & Soda Bottle Terrarium

Aug 4 - M&B 2Year Anniversary Party

July 28 - Finger Knitting & Natural Fibers

July 21 - Stone Soup Potluck & Storytime

July 14 - CrazyFun ScienceLab Experiments

July 7 - Independence Day Celebration @ Zuma Beach

June 30 - Nocturnal Creatures & Owl Pellets to dissect

June 23 - Book Exchange Circus

June 16 - Lewis & Clark, Quill pens from feathers & Potluck

June 9 ATC- Making Artists' Trading Cards

June 2 Petraglyphs, Pictoglyphs & Rafting the Grand Canyon

May 26 Historical
Figures that changed the World
all Kids Perform

May 19 Pharoahs, Pyramids & Crafts
And Potluck 5pm-sundown

May 12
Mars & Space Travel

May 5
Mother's Day
High Tea

Apr 28
Physics & Imagination=
Future Travel

Apr 21
Mask Making & Storytelling

Apr 14
Sound Waves

Apr 7
Geodesic Dome

Mar 31
Earthquakes & Tectonics

Mar 24
Show & Tell & Games

Mar 17
Family Campout Joshua Tree

Mar 10
Mardi Gras

Mar 3
Africa & Wangari Maathai

Feb 24
Brains: the Inside Story

Feb 3
Chinese New Year

Jan 27
Pioneer Parkday Part 2

Jan 20
Days of Yore

Jan 13
Fun & Safety
with Germs

Jan 6
Chess by Jahan

Dec 31
New Year's FreePlay

Dec 23
Kwanza, Hannukah
& Christmas

Dec 16
Engines & Cars
& Alternative Power

Dec 9
Microscopic World

Dec 2
Cartoon & Collage

Nov 25th
Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov 18th
Nature Crafts & Yoga

Nov 11th
Wind Turbines

Nov 4th
Indian Diwali Celebration

Oct 28th
Spooky Obstacle Course

Oct 21st
How Songs are Born

Oct 14th
Build a
Weather Station

Oct 7th
Prisms, Vision & Zoetropes

Sept 30th
Spanish CultureFest

Sept 23rd
Russian Culture & Potluck

Sept 17
Family Campout @ Sequoia Nat'l Park

Sept 9th
Chemical (molecular) Reactions

Sept 2nd
History of Flight

August 26th
Light, Refraction & Rainbows

Aug 19
Potluck

August 12
Turtles, Tortoises & YOU

August 5th
Honey, Bees & Wasps

July 29th
M&B 1 year anniversary

July 22
Inuit Culture & Games

July 15th
Bastille Day - French Independence

June 17th
Swedish MidSummerFest

June 10th
Catapults & Parachutes
Gravity & Lift

June 3rd
Our BodyGuards
Snot & Scabs

May 27th
Pollination, Fruit & Seeds

May 20th
Hawaii & Potluck Luau!

May 13
Ladybugs, Silkworms & Praying Mantis

May 6th
Knots, Pirates & Explorers

April 29
Earth Day Part 2

April 22
40th anniversary of Earth Day

April 15th
Japanese Girls' & Boy's Day

April 8th
Bridges, Cantilevers & Treehouses

April 1st
Magnetism part II: Physical Force of Nature

March 25
Magnetism part I: I'm attracted!

March 18th
Desert Life

March 11th
Global Timelines

March 4th
Spring Bling:
Worms, Dirt & Seeds

Costume Character & Creative COnstRuctioN Day

Part of the intent of starting an all-day park day was so that I could help foster co-creative play between family members of all ages. Since I was a kid there has never been a cheaper way to do it all than adding a cardboard box to the mix. The bigger the better.

I remember turning a horrifying babysitting experience with 6 kids into one of the best of my life by adding a refrigerator box, a rope and a knife. Yes, I let half of the kids use the knife and no one cut themselves. (One day I will blog on why kids can and should use a knife.)

For our August 27th Mudpies & Butterflies park day one of our families donated their emptied boxes from a recent move. My girls and I added to the larder by culling for giant boxes from the backs of furniture and TV/Audio stores . At the park, I laid out our tremendous pile of boxes and tape and as soon as the kids arrived they conceived of the idea to build a giant Puppet.

Robbin & Zoey show off their Sunflower addition to the Fortress

Enjoying the shade and each others company was a great way to stay cool.

As some of the other parents were helping decorate and then erect the Giant, I was taping together some of the larger boxes to make an 8 foot Fortress. With a new razor in the box-cutter (which is off limits to those under 16) I was able to cut doors and windows where the kids requested. I never made an incision with any kids inside of the structure for safety.

It’s also pretty easy to make a one person castle. One little rope with knots on both sides makes a great window pull. One of the boys who could tie knots proudly tied window pulls into the holes I cut so that anyone could close the windows from the inside.

Brought by Mom and Two proud Brothers, Clover made her Debut.

The other part of the Theme that week was to come in Costume. Fun was had not only for those who came as their favorite Hero or Heroine or favorite character of a book or their Imagination, but for those who asked and learned about the connection between ego and alter-ego.

A costume and a full-bodied character expressed from the innermost imaginings

I had considered putting another craft out for the Tweens and Teens, but decided against it. And I’m glad, because otherwise half of the interesting creations would not have come to fruition. Some of the older kids built a fort castle under the pepper tree. They embellished it with drawings and their names (pcitured below).

And because there were just boxes leveling the playing field there were many moments where all ages collectively created and shared in the constructing, deconstructing and play-acting.

It was a wonderful day, a bit warm, but a great day for playing and experiencing life.

Amidst the creating extensions and shields and swords, there was plenty of time to just PLAY & ENJOY.

Who knew that there were Three Spidermans in the world?

With the leftover boxes, a group of the teens and tweens covered the park's Jeep.

Jessica & Alexandra "experiencing" their boys in the Moment.

I fashioned my hair like Japenese Anime meets Pippee Longstockings

Taking his time, Ameya adds his personal stylings to the side of the giant castle!

Stop, Cop & Roll into a Station

Police Officers. How many different emotions they conjure in us all.

Getting organized in the Lobby of newly opened Police Station in LA county

A top-notch & kid-friendly officer explains his gear, safety and answers ALL of their questions

…………….It wasn’t until the 2nd grade when an officer came to meet and greet, that I learned that these big guys in dark suits were allowed to smile. Because by that age, I had already learned to fear them from the backseat of my father”s speeding car. Even though I was “taught” that Police officers were harbingers of aid and welcome, in real life they were the “bad guys” thwarting our annual quest to get to Memere & Pepere’s home – a 14 hour trip.

And even as an adult with all sides of the story, I have issues with the ego and attitude of some of the officers that I have come in contact with. It is an occupation that attracts those who not only want to “serve & protect”, but those who enjoy the power trip of wielding weapons and asserting their will over others. So like everything, it offers the good, the bad and the ugly.

I want my children to feel supported of civil servants who will help them. Oftentimes dining out, I have introduced my girls to firefighters and police officers (men & women) with wonderful results. I want to foster a comfort zone in the presence of an officer so that my children and their friends can view them as the Good Guys. So when a fellow homeschooling mother organized a visit to a Police station, I heartily jumped into that “paddy-wagon.”

The Gatekeeper of Gear - Checking out walkie-talkies, guns & more

Green rifles shoot bean bags not bullets

A little bit of Manson

Listening to perceptions first, filling in the blanks 2nd.

The DeBriefing Room

Bringing our Community to the Station

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….One of our Dads commented to his son, “Look at the Bad Guy in the holding cell” who could be seen on the monitor. I chimed in with, “Wait a minute; not until proven innocent.”

I continued, ” and we have what, over a dozen kids here? Well at least one of them will be in a holding cell sometime in their lifetime.” In both jest and seriousness, he replied, “Well, it won’t be my son.”

Furthermore, I added that our future is unstable, and as I was hoping to raise a conscientious objector, there might very well be a time that my children would be detained or arrested for doing what was right in their eyes. And I would hate for them to think that jail is only for criminals and “Bad Guys.”

The system, our system is meant to help; sometimes it does and sometimes it makes it worse, but whatever happens, it rarely happens immediately.

What do these pictures represent?

Now, how does one go about getting a great tour? It’s pretty simple. Yellow-page-it or go online to find your local police station. Then go by (not so easy with two or more buckled in your car) or call. Ask them when is the best time for your group of kids (homeschooled or otherwise) to come by for a station visit. Check to see if there is a new station in the area too. The one we visited was less than a year old.

We did not get a tour of the jail cells/holding rooms which was part of the draw for the kids, but once they got to sit in a “real” police car, the were fully satisfied. Don’t forget to look for kid-friendly activities and events listed on your county’s website.

And don’t forget, FireStations do this all the time too. And bringing a plate of homemade cookies is ALWAYS appreciated. I like to think that we are all “Serving & Protecting” each other.

The kids got me in too!

Celebrating Sister Cultures

Welcome to our version of International Day August 20, 2009. The intent was to Celebrate Cultures with games, crafts and foods from around the world. On this day, many came to embrace and understand the difference and similarities of traditions beyond daily interactions. Some M&B families have inherited cultural ties through lineage while others have grown their own cultural passions. Colorful bravery of all sorts abounded as heritage and traditions were shared and others experienced the unexplored. (my heart is still singing!)

All were invited to wear traditional or ceremonial outfits. Maggie showed up in a Ganesh T-shirt. Julia wore a Javanese style Kebaya (a beautiful, figure-hugging embroidered blouse worn with a batik sarong that is usually dyed with flower motifs and in bright colours) that was her mother’s when she was young. I finally got to wear my Royal Green Caftan from Cairo!

Our Chinese Dragon Oversees the FanFare

Learning Crafts for all ages: (open at 11am)

Beth and Frankie sponsored a fabulous Chopstick Craft (Chopsticks originated in China 5,000 years ago- see how they traveled). There were plain pairs to decorate with stickers and more. Or the other option…turn them into elaborate hair sticks. Beth’s husband drilled holes in each one and Beth and Frankie secured bendable wire into the holes with a glue gun so that we could add beads and flowers with flair.

Joan showing her lovely Smile and lovely Hairsticks.

Thank you Beth & Frankie for a Wonderful Craft

Our Origami (the Japanese art of Folding paper into animals and objects) table was rather lonely, as I spent over 30 minutes chatting and making the only crane of the day. Destiny and Frankie attempted to make origami boxes and I think Sam actually made a bear. Origami craft will return another day for more respect for such a delicate artform.

And then I had a how to make Worry Dolls station, a fun and serious idea that comes down from the Maya in Guatamala, as these dolls miraculously remove your worries while you sleep if you first whisper your woes to them at bedtime. This concept and craft took on quickly with the kids and parents alike.

Even the night before, after making her first worry doll, Ula required hers. Initially I felt gleeful to see her finding a need fulfilled, but after minutes of intense whispering my maternal strings of concern were vibrating noisily. I fought the instinct to inquire about what she shared and let my child, the doll (tucked under her pillow) and my curiosity lie. What little or big event was bothering my little love?

Well, in the middle of breakfast, my 5 year old announced excitedly, “It worked Mom; it worked! I don’t have my worry anymore. (long trying pause) Do you want to know what it was?” A small deluge of desire was thwarted as she asked ME for my interest. And in a nod, I learned that she was concerned that there would be a fire. As three forest fires ravaged Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and somewhere East of the Bay area, which she knew none of from TV or newspapers (as we gain all our news online) – she was picking up the threat of destruction by fire. Well thank you little and powerful Worry Doll.

The Step by Step Demo I made for everyone!

Cultural Games ~

Frankie & Beth also be brought a Piñata stuffed with everything but candy. (a debate of the origins of piñata –Chinese, Spainish or Aztec –) And because quite a few items were held back until after the motherload was scurried up into the paws and pockets of our speedy land animals, the smaller ones were all smiles with their own possessions gathered at their own speed.

Games like Chigora Danda from Zimbabwe – a bit like jump rope but with sticks, Da Ga – from Ghana which means Boa Constrictor – sort of like the game “Blob” and… Silent like a Pharaoh from Egypt would have to wait for another day, as the space for unstructured play took over.

Chester & Maggie Help rehang Our Village Wind Mobile

Kavita shares authentic Bindi's over everyone's Third Eye

Jennifer & Drake take a Break while Draven the transformer entertains

Jennifer & Drake take a Break while Draven Transforms

Adam & David direct Lilach in her Worry Doll creations

Yulia and her Worry Mermaid. Such a lovely creation!

Yulia in her Kebaya and her Original WorryDoll Mermaid Creation. Such a lovely creation!

Javier's WorryDoll well-placed over his Heart

Mom & Love work on Chopsticks

Tossing off the Spoils of the "Candy-Free" Pinata

3^rd Thursday of the month means – Potluck and Drumcircle Thursday. This is the chance for husbands and other friends & family to join in after hours. And since our village consists of Vegans,Vegetarians and All-Protein families, the wonderful food was fresh & organic and abounding with love. I prepared Jamaican Peas & Rice, there were INdian Samosas, Indonesian Taucho (soy nuggets) and more.

**If anyone in these images would like me to make them “disappear” just let me know. – Jessica

Mudpies & Butterflies

Village Parkdays 12:00 pm – 4pm (or sundown)

Costume Character & Creative COnstRuctioN Day

Stop, Cop & Roll into a Station

Celebrating Sister Cultures

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