This week home schooling was quite exciting. It was very hands on! We had a few science experiments and also my youngest made butter! If you want to try them, I will include a few basic details below. We have been quite fortunate that the primary school like to keep the children busy on a more practical level. I think this suits my youngest, who is enjoying a break from written work. However, I do feel like I need to invest in lab coats for us all!

Coloured Ice Cubes

The idea of this experiment was to see if certain coloured ice cubes would melt faster. Ask your child to predict what they think will happen. We found that the darker colours melted slightly faster (however there wasn’t much in it if I am completely honest). The science behind this is darker colour absorb more light energy than lighter colours.  That light energy heats the ice cube, so it melts quicker.

Making Butter

This is a good way to occupy your child for 20 minutes! Just get them to fill a jar with whole milk then get them to shake it energetically for a while.  Slowly but surely you will see butter forming. It is so rewarding when you can drain out the buttermilk and add your own homemade butter to your sandwich! Proud moment for my youngest.

Colour Changing Cabbage Water

For this experiment you will need a red cabbage, a lemon, bicarbonate of soda and some laundry powder. You cut the red cabbage up and then boil in a little water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and pour out the cabbage water evenly into four jars. Then you get to the fun part, add lemon juice to the second jar, bicarbonate of soda to the third and laundry powder to the fourth! Then see the solution all “magically” change colour.  The redder they go the more acid and in the case of the yellow of the laundry powder jar that shows that it is alkaline.

Reviewing

This week I have mainly reviewed books from Welbeck Publishing. The Binge Watch Guide: Best Streaming Shows in particular has been a real asset as I needed more suggestions of shows to watch. Naturally in lockdown we are spending more time at home than usual and TV has been one way to pass the time. I was also sent a lovely selection of father’s day gifts from Baylis & Harding. My husband will smell fantastic with combinations like Black pepper & Ginseng and Ginger & Lime.

Farm Shop

On one of our walks we stumbled upon a little farm shop! We were so pleased, it meant I could stock up on some tasty homemade cakes. We had millionaire’s shortbread, butter flapjacks, lemon drizzle and Bara Brith. I also managed to get hold of some eggs again which was a welcome bonus! I never seem to get them in my Tesco shops anymore.

Father’s Day

To celebrate Father’s Day we had a takeout Sunday dinner which was a lovely treat for everyone. The food was delicious and very affordable. My husband usually does the cooking and I think he earnt a day off!