We had our first Monday School field trip this week. We went to our local gourmet chocolatier. The big kids are studying cooking and we thought we'd start by sampling the best. This week the chocolate shop in town was named one of the top 10 chocolatiers in North America. The storefront has windows into the kitchen so you can watch chocolates being made. A clerk answered our questions and explained the equipment. Their basic chocolate is 70% Venezuelan cacao to which they add a wide variety of flavors and fillings. The photo shows the kids back at home with their chocolates. Each person picked out a truffle to try-- Abe had raspberry ganache, Zach-espresso, Sophie- Jamaican spice caramel (hints of orange and nutmeg), Rylee- blueberry and Italian balsamic cherry, Helen- blood orange ganache and Gibson had a Madagascar chocolate truffle. Everyone shared nibbles and slivers of their choice, except for Zach who had no takers and Gibson who ate his truffle in one quick swallow.
Helen likes reading to Gibson and he loves hearing his favorite ABC book being read. It's hard to tell what Helen reads and what she has memorized. She watches and learns so much from Sophie and Abe.
Becky started working on Halloween costumes this week. She looks forward to making costumes every year-- talking to the kids about what they want to be, looking at fabric, problem solving, searching Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul's for props-- all leading up to the biggest kid holiday of the year. We'll reveal the kids' costumes after the big day. Hopefully Helen, who is famously fickle, will choose just ONE thing to dress up as soon.
Brandan finally checkmated Abe in this game of chess, but Abe led him on a merry chase. Abe chortled with glee whenever he captured one of Brandan's pieces.
It was pretty hot in our house Saturday evening after the sun had shone through the windows all day with the air-conditioner turned off. Abe took a bath to cool off, but put his swimsuit on so it would seem more like swimming and less like an ice cold bath. He was having so much fun that Helen and Gibson wanted to join him.
6 comments:
Mmm chocolate. I don't know how but we just recently discovered our local chocolatier. All of those truffles sounded so interesting.
I am so impressed that Abe plays chess. You have a pack of child prodigies.
I loved the "swimming pool."
Your family is always up to something fun.
Your kids are so lucky you can sew their costumes! Looking forward to the costume unveiling. I hate costume couples parties. When I get there, I always look at the other costumes and think, "Why couldn't I think of that?" Last year Scott and I went as substitute teachers--kind of like nerds with chalk on our backs. Sort of silly--but not too hard.
Idaho added chess to the 3rd and
4th Grade curriculum this year. They purchased class chess board sets and had on-line webinar trainings for teachers. Abe is ahead of the game.
Becky you truly amaze me! I hope to someday be half the Mom you are! I am adding to my to do list: learn to sew costumes before my kids are too old to reap the benefits.
I can't wait to see what you unveil, and two big, huge thumbs up to LillieBelle, I sent some to my brother awhile ago (all of the naughty flavors) and he was really impressed, so scrumptious!!
Chess is a favorite of our family as well. We will have the Helm Family chess tournament on the day after Thanksgiving as is our tradition.
Can't wait for the costume edition of your blog!!
Monday school sounds fun.
Your family is just adorable. Good job on the costumes. Our ward did the best idea I have ever heard of (since I don't sew)- a costume exchange. It was great!
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