tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67402742364085295952024-03-13T08:58:39.876-05:00Books and BarefeetOur family's homeschool experience.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-55907675359818949182012-04-11T12:03:00.000-05:002012-04-11T12:03:51.171-05:00Play, Museum, and Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NxgEwMVQ6c/T4W2mBJ4OFI/AAAAAAAAA6o/KOMrTjnaW-Q/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NxgEwMVQ6c/T4W2mBJ4OFI/AAAAAAAAA6o/KOMrTjnaW-Q/s320/kids.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Since I'm so behind on my blogging, I'm doing two in a row. So this is the second part.<br />
<br />
We went with the Vegkins group to In The Heart Of The Beast theater in Minneapolis for a kids production. The performances are all hand made puppets and paper mache, this one was a glowing play called "Gnip Gnopera". Then afterwards, the kids got to go up on stage to see the puppets and set up close.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23df8eATxaQ/T4W0N3olM0I/AAAAAAAAA5g/3ZGaaD5zmJI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23df8eATxaQ/T4W0N3olM0I/AAAAAAAAA5g/3ZGaaD5zmJI/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GUD2vybAV0/T4W0P3eQLaI/AAAAAAAAA5o/wDqrl0yl9xY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GUD2vybAV0/T4W0P3eQLaI/AAAAAAAAA5o/wDqrl0yl9xY/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>The weekend before, we visited the Children's Museum and their Grossology exhibit which the kids thought was pretty great.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1rgmtgmeSY/T4W0dMAZphI/AAAAAAAAA5w/0WMcoBmrVVc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1rgmtgmeSY/T4W0dMAZphI/AAAAAAAAA5w/0WMcoBmrVVc/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All about molding! This machine molded and made a plastic spoon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCWDhZ3wS0g/T4W0fEJxc6I/AAAAAAAAA54/cwc76Cm038I/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCWDhZ3wS0g/T4W0fEJxc6I/AAAAAAAAA54/cwc76Cm038I/s320/006.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grossology...a big burping guy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ExNSvK63TU/T4W0hZ2bK9I/AAAAAAAAA6A/cjA_5289Voc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ExNSvK63TU/T4W0hZ2bK9I/AAAAAAAAA6A/cjA_5289Voc/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava climbing a gross skin wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-740KCIPhQFk/T4W0j-zW6CI/AAAAAAAAA6I/fJtnKO7nQZU/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-740KCIPhQFk/T4W0j-zW6CI/AAAAAAAAA6I/fJtnKO7nQZU/s320/011.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep! A giant Operation game!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQ-H4LmMMoI/T4W0lkq9pMI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/_4iBByZY-BE/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQ-H4LmMMoI/T4W0lkq9pMI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/_4iBByZY-BE/s320/015.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gMEqRhQLfdA/T4W0noDxFbI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/vWHyjt2-FoQ/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gMEqRhQLfdA/T4W0noDxFbI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/vWHyjt2-FoQ/s320/017.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXwH4uae5vA/T4W0peO3ApI/AAAAAAAAA6g/elR0NZ_jTgc/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXwH4uae5vA/T4W0peO3ApI/AAAAAAAAA6g/elR0NZ_jTgc/s320/026.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
We headed out for a Spring event at a nature center last weekend with friends. It was rain or shine...of course, it was raining. The kids look forward to this all year though so we had to go, plus I bought advanced tickets! It was still lots of fun and the kids didn't mind getting wet. Ava got to see her favorite characters from the movie Tangled plus many other characters and got lots of candy along the way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsoyQHzb9Cc/T4W2v3XOioI/AAAAAAAAA6w/G8Bdm7aBVcE/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsoyQHzb9Cc/T4W2v3XOioI/AAAAAAAAA6w/G8Bdm7aBVcE/s320/009.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BV2JdSC7FE0/T4W2xg5D3hI/AAAAAAAAA64/ynoLynVQQFc/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BV2JdSC7FE0/T4W2xg5D3hI/AAAAAAAAA64/ynoLynVQQFc/s320/010.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>We then headed over to Lake Maria for a dryer afternoon for my dad's birthday. They set up an egg hunt for the kids and we went on a big hike!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLTLLJVqq-U/T4W26-B-ouI/AAAAAAAAA7A/-or1fUpD4CI/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLTLLJVqq-U/T4W26-B-ouI/AAAAAAAAA7A/-or1fUpD4CI/s320/015.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jk5Gk1lKpHc/T4W28REYL_I/AAAAAAAAA7I/Qf-MecalcKM/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jk5Gk1lKpHc/T4W28REYL_I/AAAAAAAAA7I/Qf-MecalcKM/s320/029.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze7t5MQ9TNY/T4W2_IfjGUI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/bpkUs-5KcnI/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze7t5MQ9TNY/T4W2_IfjGUI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/bpkUs-5KcnI/s320/042.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOIKjwzVZvM/T4W3A4onZSI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/pJB11t7NpBk/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOIKjwzVZvM/T4W3A4onZSI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/pJB11t7NpBk/s320/043.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGWxtT99BmQ/T4W3Qdp015I/AAAAAAAAA7g/LP0on5wHL-M/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGWxtT99BmQ/T4W3Qdp015I/AAAAAAAAA7g/LP0on5wHL-M/s320/044.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The kids have been getting to go to John's mom and dad's once a week while I get some cleaning done. They have so much fun hanging out with their grandparents and get to do fun activities there too. A win for all! One of their favorites was making red light/green light/yellow light signs. They still use them at home outside on their bikes. They also love having fun with Grandma, trying to beat Grandpa on video games, and helping to take care of their bird, Sam.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88tlAeMGQHA/T4W4I3IRWlI/AAAAAAAAA7o/zYmAx_lD5vU/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88tlAeMGQHA/T4W4I3IRWlI/AAAAAAAAA7o/zYmAx_lD5vU/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-9924258943048064672012-04-11T11:28:00.000-05:002012-04-11T11:28:48.127-05:00Art, Bat, and Geocaching!Wow. Okay, so way behind on my blogging. We're still doing our thing. It's been an early and active Spring!<br />
Ava's still loving her art classes she goes to every week. She also got to see her art hanging up at a near-by art center during their student week. She also got to make a paper woman wearing a kimono. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkH753l9Zyw/T4WtYt6FVII/AAAAAAAAA3I/l3n8cFXb_lI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkH753l9Zyw/T4WtYt6FVII/AAAAAAAAA3I/l3n8cFXb_lI/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>She took a paper mache art class as well, and made a cat and an awesome vase! She also made a vase while spending time at a state park with her grandma and grandpa. They look so cool up on the shelf!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shHSX46sr1E/T4WtkHlINZI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/tKw657hD-aI/s1600/ava+vase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shHSX46sr1E/T4WtkHlINZI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/tKw657hD-aI/s320/ava+vase.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8zuP9O48Y4/T4WtpaCy72I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/T6CJX4b4qAk/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8zuP9O48Y4/T4WtpaCy72I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/T6CJX4b4qAk/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Ava loves all things arts and crafts. I cut out some cardboard and taped it together for her to decorate her own doll house in her room. She spent hours working on it and it turned out so cute!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mr3Ds-5VGQA/T4WtzDiB6ZI/AAAAAAAAA3g/pEyUW0kjuEs/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mr3Ds-5VGQA/T4WtzDiB6ZI/AAAAAAAAA3g/pEyUW0kjuEs/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KikMvIult54/T4Wt09HEpaI/AAAAAAAAA3o/mS6TZkdoh2A/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KikMvIult54/T4Wt09HEpaI/AAAAAAAAA3o/mS6TZkdoh2A/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AH0p75I3Bi0/T4WwG0LnOnI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/vhw8cNM_U1E/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AH0p75I3Bi0/T4WwG0LnOnI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/vhw8cNM_U1E/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava working on a wooden person :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Noah is back into all things water now that spring is here. It's nearly impossible for him to not get into water or to leave the hose on all day (we're working on that). He also loves learning about how things work. He loves robots, cars, machines, and building things (and taking things apart). He also spends a lot of time playing games online that have to do with figuring out how to build things or knock things down. I love watching his mind at work! He also is really getting into numbers and letter sounds and often times at night we play "I'm thinking of an animal that starts with a __ sound." <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7_LCxAOPx8/T4Wv7spuysI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/xJ5pmcW9P4o/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7_LCxAOPx8/T4Wv7spuysI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/xJ5pmcW9P4o/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah and Amora learning measurements.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TNXoWVTSv0/T4Wup8iM2EI/AAAAAAAAA4o/qEanP11y3HY/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TNXoWVTSv0/T4Wup8iM2EI/AAAAAAAAA4o/qEanP11y3HY/s320/016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nt4zm1tCHVs/T4WuIJfh-eI/AAAAAAAAA3w/z0Z_pOn7XVk/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nt4zm1tCHVs/T4WuIJfh-eI/AAAAAAAAA3w/z0Z_pOn7XVk/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Amora has conquered the computers. We got a second computer the kids can use now. She can get to everything she wants by going under the favorites star and knows how to play all her favorite games already. She's also been getting to spend a lot of time playing outside with her siblings this spring and riding her trike as they bike and scooter around.<br />
<br />
Recently, when the kids were playing with the neighbor kids, the boys came across a small bat behind the neighbor's garage. We thought he was dead but then when an adult got close he started chirping and hissing. He was clearly stranded, scared, and weak, so I got some gloves and put him into a bucket until we could figure out how to help him. All the kids were so interested in helping the bat. They named him Casey (we're not sure if he's a boy or girl bat). He was VERY sleepy and still probably in hibernation. I'm sure he was wishing he was back in his cozy home and not in a bright orange bucket. The next morning we brought him into a wildlife rehab center. Last I heard, he was doing well, but did have a tear on his wing and was dehydrated. So hopefully he will be released soon! <br />
We visited the nature center after we dropped the bat off and the kids played rescue with the stuffed animals and vet/doctor kits.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idab8FOUVAU/T4WuZFZRkdI/AAAAAAAAA34/EkMlyrRHUYc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-idab8FOUVAU/T4WuZFZRkdI/AAAAAAAAA34/EkMlyrRHUYc/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey sleeping in his bucket.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRcY64Mq5nw/T4Wubyg8g7I/AAAAAAAAA4A/JgeqGrf9AdM/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRcY64Mq5nw/T4Wubyg8g7I/AAAAAAAAA4A/JgeqGrf9AdM/s320/005.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULYKqkICDJA/T4WuefUYY4I/AAAAAAAAA4I/cU8DgCCbv2M/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULYKqkICDJA/T4WuefUYY4I/AAAAAAAAA4I/cU8DgCCbv2M/s320/008.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWgHY4TyFrI/T4WugcsccwI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/p2xhTCij1X8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWgHY4TyFrI/T4WugcsccwI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/p2xhTCij1X8/s320/010.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vddjfa2eGvA/T4WuiijZ3wI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/6Yg06Pykf8U/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vddjfa2eGvA/T4WuiijZ3wI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/6Yg06Pykf8U/s320/012.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJwUa7qLIsY/T4WukWrkiII/AAAAAAAAA4g/A1bhx1o5ekU/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJwUa7qLIsY/T4WukWrkiII/AAAAAAAAA4g/A1bhx1o5ekU/s320/015.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We went geocaching with friends last week for the first time which was really fun! The kids loved hiking through the woods and off the beaten path to search for the hidden object. We found it and it was full of fun little things like stickers and small toys! Next time we'll have to bring more to trade in!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wp29RT8x9AY/T4Wu2EQfPnI/AAAAAAAAA4w/P6iyy8Vt3vk/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wp29RT8x9AY/T4Wu2EQfPnI/AAAAAAAAA4w/P6iyy8Vt3vk/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4zEIkyoeyo/T4Wu4Q3ds_I/AAAAAAAAA44/ZYERvJJtXc4/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4zEIkyoeyo/T4Wu4Q3ds_I/AAAAAAAAA44/ZYERvJJtXc4/s320/009.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViwewarqfKw/T4Wu6GJ308I/AAAAAAAAA5A/nRjcyuQLsE0/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViwewarqfKw/T4Wu6GJ308I/AAAAAAAAA5A/nRjcyuQLsE0/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eQG-u2X_6g/T4Wu9VLwd1I/AAAAAAAAA5I/pZJzACZh1UM/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eQG-u2X_6g/T4Wu9VLwd1I/AAAAAAAAA5I/pZJzACZh1UM/s320/021.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-80682265649803129742012-02-10T21:36:00.002-06:002012-02-11T18:48:04.251-06:00Fun Features<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR1jL-Fbmck/TzXYknDzgRI/AAAAAAAAA0A/76fncdGBJeA/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR1jL-Fbmck/TzXYknDzgRI/AAAAAAAAA0A/76fncdGBJeA/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ava made up the title for the blog this time. I like it! So...featuring some fun stuff we've been up to:<br />
<br />
It's been an odd Minnesota winter this year with hardly any snow or below zero temperatures...not that I'm complaining. The kids, however, haven't wanted to be outside at all. I mean, why go out in the cold when there's no snow to play in? We managed one day to get out and ice skate and brought the sleds to a hill. Also, we spent the weekend up at their Great Grandpa's place for his Birthday, which had just enough snow to cover the hill in his yard so they enjoyed snowboarding and sledding then. Grandpa also wanted to have a little winter bonfire outside with the family. It was nice to have the family together after the recent loss of Grandma. It was strange not to have her there in the kitchen baking cookies with us. The whole family was wonderful and supportive of everyone and the kids had a blast roasting marshmallows and veggie dogs and snowboarding. They also got in some games with all the fun aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents available for the weekend! We all played a big group game of Headbands with the kids. Amora helped by walking around telling people what their picture was before they could guess it! What a great weekend and one the kids will surely remember. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6XurDnY5Bg/TzXY2hWvLbI/AAAAAAAAA0I/gIlQAeBt8E8/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6XurDnY5Bg/TzXY2hWvLbI/AAAAAAAAA0I/gIlQAeBt8E8/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Grandpa playing Headbands</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLePIRoHi10/TzXY43_ky5I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/uXA23zqRy4w/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLePIRoHi10/TzXY43_ky5I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/uXA23zqRy4w/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Dave's turn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8DXxcdClOU/TzXY_bOL1tI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/wA1iMIvSJuQ/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8DXxcdClOU/TzXY_bOL1tI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/wA1iMIvSJuQ/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah watching his Great Grandpa learn to bake cookies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BaZUGE5JbGA/TzXZDJTXyJI/AAAAAAAAA0g/XkX7HuQdW80/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BaZUGE5JbGA/TzXZDJTXyJI/AAAAAAAAA0g/XkX7HuQdW80/s320/021.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOA8gddbY_g/TzXZFYCKGcI/AAAAAAAAA0o/giDpOuM0O8I/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOA8gddbY_g/TzXZFYCKGcI/AAAAAAAAA0o/giDpOuM0O8I/s320/024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTKQgJ-PcdU/TzXZHqYUPKI/AAAAAAAAA0w/p5N40oFWLDw/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTKQgJ-PcdU/TzXZHqYUPKI/AAAAAAAAA0w/p5N40oFWLDw/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHeOH8FzHwM/TzXZJ1EIj4I/AAAAAAAAA04/1cwgv4a-ypg/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHeOH8FzHwM/TzXZJ1EIj4I/AAAAAAAAA04/1cwgv4a-ypg/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Csy9qmzFogA/TzXZMWiKTlI/AAAAAAAAA1A/Vy7HuYWv3xY/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Csy9qmzFogA/TzXZMWiKTlI/AAAAAAAAA1A/Vy7HuYWv3xY/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Because of the lack-of-fun-snow, we've been doing a lot of inside activities. Amora has mastered the computer mouse now and can play more games and puzzles. She can click and drag items, 'X' out pages, and even go to the controls and adjust the volume! She can also screw stuff up on the computer very well now.<br />
Noah has been learning numbers and letters quite quickly now. One funny little way he does this is every night as he lays in bed and he stares at our alarm clock. Every time the minute changes he gets all excited and shouts out the four numbers, (plus the "dot dot"). Hey, whatever works. He's learning more about clocks, minutes, and hours at the same time too! I love how kids so eagerly take to learning this stuff.<br />
<br />
We made a visit to the Science Museum as well, along with my parents. We ate first and then went to the Omnitheater, which may not have been done in the best order. Amora fell asleep during the giant and dizzying (but cool!) Amazon movie, then shortly after it was over she threw up. Oh, but don't fret for the janitorial staff, she was tucked into a sling I was wearing so I caught the massive amount of puked oatmeal (breakfast) and Subway sandwich (lunch) right down the inside of my shirt. Lucky for you all, in my disgust, I didn't even think to snap a picture (I know!). I usually have a change of clothes for the kids, but not for me so it was off to the gift shop for some expensive T-shirts.<br />
But things went smoothly thereafter...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZpi7Z6kTTI/TzXb5epSAZI/AAAAAAAAA1I/pEr4ItWSGLw/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZpi7Z6kTTI/TzXb5epSAZI/AAAAAAAAA1I/pEr4ItWSGLw/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting some cheek cells for the microscope!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-u5_M6qzuo/TzXb8A3m0pI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/uyHZZTvipUA/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-u5_M6qzuo/TzXb8A3m0pI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/uyHZZTvipUA/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xhY9yy4JiQ/TzXb_Va0VRI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/PN4HP1yYybk/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xhY9yy4JiQ/TzXb_Va0VRI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/PN4HP1yYybk/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_x_NhVSrHdY/TzXcDkhQrPI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Z2pl9WLVjdM/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_x_NhVSrHdY/TzXcDkhQrPI/AAAAAAAAA1g/Z2pl9WLVjdM/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah and Amora learning all about bees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QsmFgUpwyZw/TzXcF5GzT4I/AAAAAAAAA1o/spto5aYvPoY/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QsmFgUpwyZw/TzXcF5GzT4I/AAAAAAAAA1o/spto5aYvPoY/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4qF99d3dIU/TzXcLsT7k3I/AAAAAAAAA1w/Ptux-IawQLE/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4qF99d3dIU/TzXcLsT7k3I/AAAAAAAAA1w/Ptux-IawQLE/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In the past week we had our Valentine's Day party with our homeschool group and Ava finished her paper mache project in her art class! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNfmhG73_DY/TzXeiElpPQI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/u-Q9bXgXHtM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNfmhG73_DY/TzXeiElpPQI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/u-Q9bXgXHtM/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making their Valentine boxes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7niVPrpBZfM/TzXeocXqMFI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/LRwn7Cp69PI/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7niVPrpBZfM/TzXeocXqMFI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/LRwn7Cp69PI/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delivering Valentines to friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2iSlwc0o5U/TzXerzAk-SI/AAAAAAAAA2g/7N9f3zU6iWc/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2iSlwc0o5U/TzXerzAk-SI/AAAAAAAAA2g/7N9f3zU6iWc/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora excited about all her Valentines!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_6D3wCYb5c/TzXfu7lL4-I/AAAAAAAAA2o/r85itVGb-mc/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_6D3wCYb5c/TzXfu7lL4-I/AAAAAAAAA2o/r85itVGb-mc/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava's paper mache cat she made.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Noah also got to take a class for the first time, along with Ava. They went to a "Mini-Astronaut" class where they tried astronaut food, made space pictures and magnets and a little toy plane. They both loved it and Noah was so excited! Throughout the class I could hear him talking so loud and enthusiastically about Saturn's rings and the space stickers they were using. At the end he gave the teacher a big hug! Looks like I'll be signing them up for more!<br />
<br />
We also attended a "Hands To Service" event where the kids got to make things for community causes. They made hamster and cat/dog toys for the local animal shelter, decorated bags for Meals On Wheels, painted window ornaments for children's hospital rooms, made valentine cards for senior home residents, and more! Then they got to stamp off each station on their "passports." They were such busy little people for a couple hours. It was tough to get them to leave!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuE1rQaDfw8/TzXca8apeGI/AAAAAAAAA14/i-QW4KWipEw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuE1rQaDfw8/TzXca8apeGI/AAAAAAAAA14/i-QW4KWipEw/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sVjxIu6jQUc/TzXcdXTzcaI/AAAAAAAAA2A/PWLMbwkmQqg/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sVjxIu6jQUc/TzXcdXTzcaI/AAAAAAAAA2A/PWLMbwkmQqg/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qSmOFcMC08/TzXcfP_X2SI/AAAAAAAAA2I/5Mrb9P3y7Yo/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qSmOFcMC08/TzXcfP_X2SI/AAAAAAAAA2I/5Mrb9P3y7Yo/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-88985802282441067132012-01-16T22:12:00.001-06:002012-01-16T22:18:40.686-06:00Documentation and WorksheetsI've been working on putting together this year's portfolios for the kids. Each year, beginning with Pre-K I've started a portfolio of a selection of work and experiences the kids have had. Ava's Pre-K one filled up quickly at the time since she loved to do worksheets and official "school" work on paper. She still likes them on occasion, but now I find that our paper work is usually scribbled out in the moment on whatever is closest. Scraps of paper, used envelopes, the back of a magazine, on the chalk board or white board, etc. And on it's own, it may not make sense, as in a portfolio. Tally marks here, different words there, little maps, abbreviations, seemingly random letters and numbers ... but in the moment, these little scribbles were big learning! <br />
We still are managing to fill up the portfolios though, and we may have to use some more photographs and ticket stubs and receipts this year, but it's all good. Also, I have the blog for documentation. I like to keep track of everything for reference and memories, plus it's fun! In addition, documenting is important in case of any misguided accusations that apparently some homeschoolers have had to deal with because of keeping kids home from school. <br />
<br />
Noah, surprisingly, has taken to doing worksheets lately. I never really thought he'd be the worksheet type, but he's loving them. Worksheets are a funny thing. Basically, it's not so much that kids are learning the ideas as much as learning HOW to SHOW that they are learning them. You know, to make us grown-ups happy. This stuff is already in their little heads. Worksheets can only be done when they sit down and force the ideas onto paper once they can handle a pencil. In daily life, if you listen for it, kids are making all this clear already. They have all these concepts down, probably much much much earlier than we know. <br />
To illustrate a recent example, I've illustrated a recent example!<br />
This is Noah (4) and Amora (2) as Noah was doing his workbook:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MLWh8WS_bg/TxRUPIdRWiI/AAAAAAAAAzo/MfPn_qt6Xa0/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MLWh8WS_bg/TxRUPIdRWiI/AAAAAAAAAzo/MfPn_qt6Xa0/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>This is what I overheard between the two of them as he worked through it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3S27E1C1WJI/TxRUUrtfJSI/AAAAAAAAAzw/wzXnLLdhL-s/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3S27E1C1WJI/TxRUUrtfJSI/AAAAAAAAAzw/wzXnLLdhL-s/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4I2Vs04qmKQ/TxRUWYpit-I/AAAAAAAAAz4/Ztwivr8V5ss/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4I2Vs04qmKQ/TxRUWYpit-I/AAAAAAAAAz4/Ztwivr8V5ss/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Yup. Toddlers know math. Because everything is math. The whole world is math. We just, somewhere along the line, decided to rip it out of reality and put it down on paper, which has it's usefulness, obviously. But why must we force it upon young minds already whirling and growing with mathematical concepts and understandings? Why must we limit it so darn early to 1 + 1 = 2? Get over it, grown-ups! Kids KNOW 1 + 1 = 2 and have known it since birth, just without the words and symbols. <br />
Amora happens to be an early talker and communicates really well. By the time she could say the words, she could differentiate and name all the colors, notice the differences between two objects, know big and little, over and under, in front of and behind, numbers and counting...all these things that we make a point to teach in Pre-school. I think kids know this stuff long before we force them to regurgitate it so we can jump up and down and say "good job!" They must think we are so silly.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-88987667987370594142012-01-06T18:29:00.001-06:002012-01-06T20:47:32.907-06:00PolymersWe had a lot of fun with polymers this week. What a fun way to learn about these chains of molecules! It started by our family watching an episode of Myth Busters on which they were swimming in a syrup polymer. Well, we won't be swimming in a pool of syrup anytime soon (this mama hopes, anyway), but it did get the rubber ball rolling.<br />
...Psst! It's a rubber ball because rubber is a polymer. Ahaha, see polymers are fun! And so too is:<br />
<br />
A silly string surprise attack:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NspX6JBQZ4/TwYnNHE4HiI/AAAAAAAAAyA/MkJW965TVyA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NspX6JBQZ4/TwYnNHE4HiI/AAAAAAAAAyA/MkJW965TVyA/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlwVV9BIwyA/TwYnOuhmR7I/AAAAAAAAAyI/zv5MHpUvjUs/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlwVV9BIwyA/TwYnOuhmR7I/AAAAAAAAAyI/zv5MHpUvjUs/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Silly Putty fun! Thanks to their Grandma Kay:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkRUvUgxaw8/TwYnWnjKQBI/AAAAAAAAAyU/6f3VBniJPIM/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkRUvUgxaw8/TwYnWnjKQBI/AAAAAAAAAyU/6f3VBniJPIM/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl-1JJbAp-s/TwYnYASWosI/AAAAAAAAAyc/WagYAP3ojpo/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl-1JJbAp-s/TwYnYASWosI/AAAAAAAAAyc/WagYAP3ojpo/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>And we mixed up some corn starch with water (approximately 1 cup cornstarch to 1/4 cup water) which the kids loved putting their hands in. What a strange feeling mixture and a great example of how polymer chains crosslink. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8YOuQ8MxSM/TwYnfZC5sOI/AAAAAAAAAyo/HMp5W-cJiow/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8YOuQ8MxSM/TwYnfZC5sOI/AAAAAAAAAyo/HMp5W-cJiow/s320/004.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4o08_ywfGIk/TwYnhRiN6TI/AAAAAAAAAyw/dyviAgKP-KY/s320/009.JPG" width="240px" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also featured this week:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rock Painting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCsa9ZMyKCQ/TweQUDbHHUI/AAAAAAAAAy4/hBY6R1_WKlU/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCsa9ZMyKCQ/TweQUDbHHUI/AAAAAAAAAy4/hBY6R1_WKlU/s320/012.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vvfLxSfpfI/TweQVWftC1I/AAAAAAAAAzA/6BaOJG1q2Wg/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vvfLxSfpfI/TweQVWftC1I/AAAAAAAAAzA/6BaOJG1q2Wg/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And a visit to the Children's Museum along with a homeschool group!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-036_6BKYhE4/TweQbd_SyZI/AAAAAAAAAzI/fo3pVXLiFQA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-036_6BKYhE4/TweQbd_SyZI/AAAAAAAAAzI/fo3pVXLiFQA/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGh1wliGoho/TweQde9xuyI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/zDCLbq0xF3s/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGh1wliGoho/TweQde9xuyI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/zDCLbq0xF3s/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-us38STVTPfc/TweQe_N4FnI/AAAAAAAAAzY/8SrqPYOtOxY/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-us38STVTPfc/TweQe_N4FnI/AAAAAAAAAzY/8SrqPYOtOxY/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBkN7PtHm3k/TweQgTY_4OI/AAAAAAAAAzg/tvwzQmfy9Wc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBkN7PtHm3k/TweQgTY_4OI/AAAAAAAAAzg/tvwzQmfy9Wc/s320/007.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-75944395933340473862011-12-22T02:29:00.001-06:002011-12-22T02:33:31.347-06:00Hug Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZevohA1nTiE/TvLrTFmaGWI/AAAAAAAAAx0/0GGOLO-of5s/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZevohA1nTiE/TvLrTFmaGWI/AAAAAAAAAx0/0GGOLO-of5s/s320/008.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Hug them when they make a mess.<br />
Hug them when they fight.<br />
Hug them when they break a dish,<br />
Or keep you up all night.<br />
Hug them when they're angry;<br />
Yes, hug them when they're mad.<br />
Hug them when they're happy,<br />
Bored, yelling, or sad.<br />
Hug them when they're difficult,<br />
And if they listen or ignore,<br />
Hug them when they drag their feet,<br />
Or throw down on the floor.<br />
<br />
Time it soars;<br />
Yes, it flies by fast.<br />
So hug them every time<br />
You get any little chance!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-85789651062461751712011-12-14T18:05:00.003-06:002011-12-14T19:13:08.529-06:00Games, Gingerbread, and Sillhouettes<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sY1NPB5vd0/Tuk1hvsbImI/AAAAAAAAAvo/UaQi2aj4Chw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sY1NPB5vd0/Tuk1hvsbImI/AAAAAAAAAvo/UaQi2aj4Chw/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>It's December! Winter break doesn't really apply here. I've noticed we kind of cycle around academic learning and play learning. Actually, the two also mix together quite nicely when you let them! Today, Ava spent almost two hours doing online learning. She covered reading, Spanish, songs, and more. She's also been interested in cursive writing. Noah and Amora also did some online learning and did some painting, as well...and now are in the bath as a result.<br />
Going with the flow is so nice, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The magic of the holidays should be soaked up by children! Lots of memories and living to do! We've been taking long ways home to see the Christmas lights, decorating the house, reading books, playing game, and paid Santa a visit at the mall. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMlsGD38RgU/Tuk1nDuY6uI/AAAAAAAAAvw/P1yhT43cru4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMlsGD38RgU/Tuk1nDuY6uI/AAAAAAAAAvw/P1yhT43cru4/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Ava made a treasure hunt game by making a map of the house and then hiding a "treasure" and then putting an 'X' where the treasure is. We took turns trying to find where the treasure was hidden. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oWyH4YLEvkM/Tuk3nSXiwiI/AAAAAAAAAxo/bYuSkNqXyGY/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oWyH4YLEvkM/Tuk3nSXiwiI/AAAAAAAAAxo/bYuSkNqXyGY/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We also took down the Wildcraft game for the first time. Well, the kids found it actually. I'd been saving it for a while until they were old enough for it. Ava is at a great age for it and it's now our favorite game to play together. It teaches kids (and adults!) about which natural herbs help which ailments that you get along the hike up the mountain. I also love that there are no winners or losers and it encourages everyone to help each other through the game and get back down the mountain together. <br />
<br />
While Ava and I played Wildcraft, the younger two had to be kept busy after they started getting bored with watching it. They were very active that day so it took several ideas to keep them happy:</div><br />
Bean bag toss game:<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPtZNNODpdE/Tuk13bAMBMI/AAAAAAAAAwA/4nSy2-ClOiM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPtZNNODpdE/Tuk13bAMBMI/AAAAAAAAAwA/4nSy2-ClOiM/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Shape puzzles:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgcGdqtWwR8/Tuk18WG16jI/AAAAAAAAAwI/n2-ObUToLms/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgcGdqtWwR8/Tuk18WG16jI/AAAAAAAAAwI/n2-ObUToLms/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Drawing/stickering:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MzhUcNgq84/Tuk2A6WpxfI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/hC_WCrdbhBM/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MzhUcNgq84/Tuk2A6WpxfI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/hC_WCrdbhBM/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>And bean sorting/mixing:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvxOAb4XCUk/Tuk2IlgcA3I/AAAAAAAAAwY/mzJy8dB-nMs/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvxOAb4XCUk/Tuk2IlgcA3I/AAAAAAAAAwY/mzJy8dB-nMs/s320/004.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Ava got into this later but decided to try out a more advanced version with the electric mixer:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmYnJBJXRvE/Tuk2NbX0Q3I/AAAAAAAAAwg/rkHuNiBOr2s/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmYnJBJXRvE/Tuk2NbX0Q3I/AAAAAAAAAwg/rkHuNiBOr2s/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Speaking of kids using big-versions of things, I've been helping the kids learn how to use real knives to cut fruits and veggies. It may feel nice to only let kids use kid stuff that is uber safe and can't cut worth a crap, but kids also don't get to learn how to respect and carefully use the real stuff! At their ages, I supervise them and give them some pointers (don't cut toward yourself, move your thumb! etc.) and keep them put up out of reach in between, but I really think it's useful to let kids use the real thing. Sure they could get a cut (as do I!) but it's all part of learning. Our culture has taken the safety thing too far in so many ways. I'm working on getting away from all the fear and letting the kids have some freedom to learn and explore. <br />
<br />
The kids made gingerbread houses at their homeschool group this month. What a blast! They had them eaten all up within 2 days, but they were sure cute! There were around 20 kids that attended that day so there was such a wonderful variation of different houses. Noah also built some block structures with his friends while Ava and Amora played games with the other girls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XK1xoe1APmw/Tuk2VJT8q5I/AAAAAAAAAwo/Vp-Vh8FevSE/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XK1xoe1APmw/Tuk2VJT8q5I/AAAAAAAAAwo/Vp-Vh8FevSE/s320/010.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kumW7nxBO3g/Tuk2XHKs16I/AAAAAAAAAww/pnQA9jOX-1Y/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kumW7nxBO3g/Tuk2XHKs16I/AAAAAAAAAww/pnQA9jOX-1Y/s320/011.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3Y1q-gWf2c/Tuk2YY7ARII/AAAAAAAAAw4/PhTzlh9gL6A/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3Y1q-gWf2c/Tuk2YY7ARII/AAAAAAAAAw4/PhTzlh9gL6A/s320/017.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>This week, Ava headed to a Christmas concert/play with her grandma and aunt and uncle. Ava loved the play and talked about her favorite part when angels flew around the stage. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PvykVbEY_c/Tuk2lA_FU8I/AAAAAAAAAxA/SDhXGaZ47J8/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PvykVbEY_c/Tuk2lA_FU8I/AAAAAAAAAxA/SDhXGaZ47J8/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Meanwhile, I went to an art show where I got to meet my favorite artist, Jane Evershed. Her art is so amazing and is so inspirational and empowering for women and she is such a cool person, all around. I so enjoyed talking with her. I look forward to bringing Ava next year to it since she loves art so much and is familiar with Jane's work from the prints I have at home. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmjyhTRO2s4/Tuk2pGPCYmI/AAAAAAAAAxI/_eMxxlAhp1w/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmjyhTRO2s4/Tuk2pGPCYmI/AAAAAAAAAxI/_eMxxlAhp1w/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>We also did some silhouette shadows. No easy task for the four and two year old. But cool none-the-less. Ava's turned out well, despite my flashlight holder making her shadow fly all over the place. Noah's was a bit of a challenge, but we managed. And Amora, well I didn't get past her hair line since she much preferred to watch the shadow on the wall instead of face forward. But yes, they thought it was great anyways and a couple fun silhouette portraits came out of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hg1vF8it_pI/Tuk2xDR1k_I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/npJq9o0OmLg/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hg1vF8it_pI/Tuk2xDR1k_I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/npJq9o0OmLg/s320/039.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2tPpGY2SWU/Tuk2zBGnR1I/AAAAAAAAAxY/rRtjX4JHQ8w/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2tPpGY2SWU/Tuk2zBGnR1I/AAAAAAAAAxY/rRtjX4JHQ8w/s320/042.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0vQW3jjCy0/Tuk20ssWjHI/AAAAAAAAAxg/1wMhSdF_dew/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0vQW3jjCy0/Tuk20ssWjHI/AAAAAAAAAxg/1wMhSdF_dew/s320/043.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-77129255404587870192011-11-29T20:55:00.003-06:002011-11-29T21:02:22.884-06:00TREES!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFtas_UXydk/TtWZyNsnyKI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/aVPqWac2ZB4/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFtas_UXydk/TtWZyNsnyKI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/aVPqWac2ZB4/s320/009.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today we went out to find out how old all the trees in our yard are. The usual growth for most trees is about an inch a year. The measurement around the trunk of a tree (about 5 feet up if you want to be most accurate), will give the approximate age of the tree. According to its measurement, our largest oak tree is about 118 years old! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fNy04bYWhJ4/TtWZur6zQNI/AAAAAAAAAuI/QDPElfDpzjw/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fNy04bYWhJ4/TtWZur6zQNI/AAAAAAAAAuI/QDPElfDpzjw/s320/008.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ava also enjoyed her favorite tree in the yard. We measured it to be about 80 years old. She did a bark rubbing on paper of its bark, followed its roots, and appreciated the 'Y' patterns she saw on the trunk. She finds that specific tree to be so special. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-voF-n5IH7As/TtWZ60aoLnI/AAAAAAAAAuY/lD3LfUrYGMs/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-voF-n5IH7As/TtWZ60aoLnI/AAAAAAAAAuY/lD3LfUrYGMs/s320/010.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUxYFdPw26Q/TtWZ8mZogAI/AAAAAAAAAug/L_i8HuTXU8I/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUxYFdPw26Q/TtWZ8mZogAI/AAAAAAAAAug/L_i8HuTXU8I/s320/011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNIbemttd44/TtWZ-GIZSlI/AAAAAAAAAuo/RfosncvW9Kk/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNIbemttd44/TtWZ-GIZSlI/AAAAAAAAAuo/RfosncvW9Kk/s320/013.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4T83ex2FOQ/TtWaB4kiNFI/AAAAAAAAAuw/5d8y-hF4sIg/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4T83ex2FOQ/TtWaB4kiNFI/AAAAAAAAAuw/5d8y-hF4sIg/s320/014.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubKRo7GtkkE/TtWaEpS5jhI/AAAAAAAAAu4/1nC-aMXp0RE/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubKRo7GtkkE/TtWaEpS5jhI/AAAAAAAAAu4/1nC-aMXp0RE/s320/017.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtNb8Fm4n9k/TtWaGOLI-5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/l7YXTiXbjHI/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtNb8Fm4n9k/TtWaGOLI-5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/l7YXTiXbjHI/s320/016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Noah was more interested in stick collecting and made a nice pile of sticks for a bonfire someday.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LluOvCJAN3c/TtWalrGCO5I/AAAAAAAAAvI/a9RrwLGS558/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LluOvCJAN3c/TtWalrGCO5I/AAAAAAAAAvI/a9RrwLGS558/s320/020.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8v6RdQxNZvs/TtWanAgb1uI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/q6roHvNaXWU/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8v6RdQxNZvs/TtWanAgb1uI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/q6roHvNaXWU/s320/019.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We also measured a cut log we have in the yard. We compared the number of rings inside, which shows the trees age, to the measurement in inches around the stump. There were 35 rings. It was 40 inches around. Pretty close!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNtZWcG4NGs/TtWatdcWcsI/AAAAAAAAAvY/lvZq6HW8lBM/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNtZWcG4NGs/TtWatdcWcsI/AAAAAAAAAvY/lvZq6HW8lBM/s320/021.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1Ykcn5EqfU/TtWau2DibjI/AAAAAAAAAvg/vl3F3PBplA8/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1Ykcn5EqfU/TtWau2DibjI/AAAAAAAAAvg/vl3F3PBplA8/s320/023.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-17625389730476441742011-11-29T20:27:00.001-06:002011-11-29T21:03:58.341-06:00Duluth, Thanksgiving, and Holiday Decorating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfdNacub1gI/TtWPa008twI/AAAAAAAAAp4/BfjQdda3SZ8/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfdNacub1gI/TtWPa008twI/AAAAAAAAAp4/BfjQdda3SZ8/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>As it gets colder and days shorter, the kids are having to shift from the outside activities they have loved to new ones. The bikes and scooters have been put up, the sandbox covered, and not-soon-enough, the hoses will be rolled up and stored. Noah is still taking advantage of water even as the temperatures drop. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvYg0ZXU6a4/TtWPkD6xd8I/AAAAAAAAAqA/UJ_R6mpmtRM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvYg0ZXU6a4/TtWPkD6xd8I/AAAAAAAAAqA/UJ_R6mpmtRM/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSkRA0zKlYI/TtWPpvFYCeI/AAAAAAAAAqI/-xAc2GIGADo/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSkRA0zKlYI/TtWPpvFYCeI/AAAAAAAAAqI/-xAc2GIGADo/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KfuxTtjbnQI/TtWPrjTqVuI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/icM3IrW2HRw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KfuxTtjbnQI/TtWPrjTqVuI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/icM3IrW2HRw/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
One good thing about the short days, is Ava can see the stars earlier now. She loves to go out and watch them. She brings her books out with her once in a while to find constellations. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1qtsPexRmI/TtWP2wq-QtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/9xPrq_0sGws/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1qtsPexRmI/TtWP2wq-QtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/9xPrq_0sGws/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora with a Lake Superior veiw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We went up to Duluth, MN last week and stayed at a hotel with a water park. Ava can now doggie paddle and Amora got over her fears of deeper water with her life jacket on. And Noah did his thing. He LOVES water, as I've mentioned a few times, haha.<br />
We also visited the aquarium. They have a set up for the kids about the lock and dam system that connects the great lakes together all the way to the Atlantic. The sign described this as being like an elevator for boats, which I thought was a great explanation to help the kids to understand how it worked. They must have spent 45 minutes putting the boats through all the different locks!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIPQNPHUsdA/TtWP8_oK9sI/AAAAAAAAAqg/U8F-NJAHMSY/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIPQNPHUsdA/TtWP8_oK9sI/AAAAAAAAAqg/U8F-NJAHMSY/s320/011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHjIPN0Kwew/TtWP-5GIZOI/AAAAAAAAAqo/XA6uzEZKF9M/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHjIPN0Kwew/TtWP-5GIZOI/AAAAAAAAAqo/XA6uzEZKF9M/s320/022.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9SzWQJKtqY/TtWQBn30y4I/AAAAAAAAAqw/om6wsyypRNw/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9SzWQJKtqY/TtWQBn30y4I/AAAAAAAAAqw/om6wsyypRNw/s320/026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw_QFdCYj6I/TtWQDc47emI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pK6iK4EWBkE/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw_QFdCYj6I/TtWQDc47emI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pK6iK4EWBkE/s320/028.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUHLv9VVxJo/TtWQFMOkBGI/AAAAAAAAAq8/3yw9bpEszrI/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUHLv9VVxJo/TtWQFMOkBGI/AAAAAAAAAq8/3yw9bpEszrI/s320/031.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCk-V7Ph_ZU/TtWQI-BS3yI/AAAAAAAAArI/UVVn1LFUyQM/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCk-V7Ph_ZU/TtWQI-BS3yI/AAAAAAAAArI/UVVn1LFUyQM/s400/033.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jec83sUbHYI/TtWQKl1oh2I/AAAAAAAAArQ/yBXo9z-6gEI/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jec83sUbHYI/TtWQKl1oh2I/AAAAAAAAArQ/yBXo9z-6gEI/s320/044.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vampire Fish! This guy sucks blood from other aquatic animals! </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0w3WlFhDY2s/TtWSRdVnIhI/AAAAAAAAAtg/xLK90Rpt5Wg/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0w3WlFhDY2s/TtWSRdVnIhI/AAAAAAAAAtg/xLK90Rpt5Wg/s320/034.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with the Green Screen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXm11wiY-pE/TtWSTaEu-TI/AAAAAAAAAto/EWKRVkfHp1Y/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXm11wiY-pE/TtWSTaEu-TI/AAAAAAAAAto/EWKRVkfHp1Y/s320/037.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzcHheI0w5I/TtWSWgFJayI/AAAAAAAAAtw/-J_Lgm-0o10/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzcHheI0w5I/TtWSWgFJayI/AAAAAAAAAtw/-J_Lgm-0o10/s320/039.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHFqKanDSAQ/TtWSY2TvnXI/AAAAAAAAAt4/P1TWolyxeQ4/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHFqKanDSAQ/TtWSY2TvnXI/AAAAAAAAAt4/P1TWolyxeQ4/s320/041.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWxSnw5QsQ4/TtWSa4OaYbI/AAAAAAAAAuA/4QMRvGboPX8/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWxSnw5QsQ4/TtWSa4OaYbI/AAAAAAAAAuA/4QMRvGboPX8/s320/042.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>We got back just in time for Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family. The kids loved playing with their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. They went for a walk outside and threw some acorns off the decks for the squirrels and birds, played with the three dogs, and Ava got to try out a baby grand piano, one of which she now wants. I think her keyboard will just have to do for now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCEk6OMaEj4/TtWQiLkh03I/AAAAAAAAArY/7gBJ6pZho2c/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCEk6OMaEj4/TtWQiLkh03I/AAAAAAAAArY/7gBJ6pZho2c/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite Thanksgiving book!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next day John and the kids put up the Holiday Lights around the yard. The kids love helping and handing him tools and clips and nails. He takes the time to show them how the tools work and how the clips work to hold on the lights, and how he uses the pole and hook to get them up high in the branches.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvRUfumfX4c/TtWQvm7bFOI/AAAAAAAAArg/hf9FiKZ2ZAY/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvRUfumfX4c/TtWQvm7bFOI/AAAAAAAAArg/hf9FiKZ2ZAY/s320/008.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHHfrruOUho/TtWQxzv64BI/AAAAAAAAAro/6Zg2lKqdM1I/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHHfrruOUho/TtWQxzv64BI/AAAAAAAAAro/6Zg2lKqdM1I/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NP9HfKK7eVg/TtWQ0exK7rI/AAAAAAAAArw/vd0DK3jS2ik/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NP9HfKK7eVg/TtWQ0exK7rI/AAAAAAAAArw/vd0DK3jS2ik/s320/020.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>We made some ornaments for the tree out of homemade salt dough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTHibPiChP4/TtWRBK1bmVI/AAAAAAAAAr4/cFZX_n8LF-Q/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTHibPiChP4/TtWRBK1bmVI/AAAAAAAAAr4/cFZX_n8LF-Q/s320/015.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-su2k2-wRGWQ/TtWRLMUDyCI/AAAAAAAAAsA/5pO2zLWwCdA/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-su2k2-wRGWQ/TtWRLMUDyCI/AAAAAAAAAsA/5pO2zLWwCdA/s320/019.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Noah made some nose prints...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM5JXCRpaAA/TtWRP8Gn8qI/AAAAAAAAAsI/X2Vh0CTlo2Q/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM5JXCRpaAA/TtWRP8Gn8qI/AAAAAAAAAsI/X2Vh0CTlo2Q/s320/020.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>And eye prints...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPkE12_rP1k/TtWRUAXR5iI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/uDbGxy_LY6w/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPkE12_rP1k/TtWRUAXR5iI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/uDbGxy_LY6w/s320/021.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>And elbow prints.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dr5b0nt3Rno/TtWRZK8EH_I/AAAAAAAAAsY/tf4oVWU6L90/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dr5b0nt3Rno/TtWRZK8EH_I/AAAAAAAAAsY/tf4oVWU6L90/s320/023.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Then we baked them and cooled overnight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22n5tC5zsuk/TtWRgIcQrOI/AAAAAAAAAsg/me_hfg0GWVY/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22n5tC5zsuk/TtWRgIcQrOI/AAAAAAAAAsg/me_hfg0GWVY/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>The next day they painted them. Noah turns all painting projects into finger paint. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezwS_qFs67g/TtWRqxOKrAI/AAAAAAAAAso/L3yNVFJZeNo/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezwS_qFs67g/TtWRqxOKrAI/AAAAAAAAAso/L3yNVFJZeNo/s320/012.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkjUjKSe8FY/TtWRz5xnqbI/AAAAAAAAAs4/eSFyhWApXiE/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkjUjKSe8FY/TtWRz5xnqbI/AAAAAAAAAs4/eSFyhWApXiE/s320/019.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Ava gave one she made as a gift to the neighbors and wants to make more to give to the other neighbors too.<br />
<br />
They made some more decorations and then some felt ornaments with their Grandma. I love looking at the tree with all their homemade crafts all over it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-mWFEYWUN0/TtWR9e_eNQI/AAAAAAAAAtA/aa1MeZTGC9A/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-mWFEYWUN0/TtWR9e_eNQI/AAAAAAAAAtA/aa1MeZTGC9A/s320/020.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgsowS0_R2Q/TtWSBR-uUkI/AAAAAAAAAtI/mMhOfi6tQ9s/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgsowS0_R2Q/TtWSBR-uUkI/AAAAAAAAAtI/mMhOfi6tQ9s/s320/021.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQhy7206H5g/TtWSDQEgByI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/IDFrdV4Fgaw/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQhy7206H5g/TtWSDQEgByI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/IDFrdV4Fgaw/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOq4-eliAng/TtWSFlOvKnI/AAAAAAAAAtY/f9pr1D5jtGw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOq4-eliAng/TtWSFlOvKnI/AAAAAAAAAtY/f9pr1D5jtGw/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-46205032408992906752011-11-13T10:37:00.004-06:002011-11-13T11:37:48.440-06:00Math, History, and Science...In Context.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WIhHyn44K8/Tr_xpPAtufI/AAAAAAAAApw/p90TQklmT-k/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WIhHyn44K8/Tr_xpPAtufI/AAAAAAAAApw/p90TQklmT-k/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Moving into November! Fall has been fun. <br />
Last week, Ava worked on grouping by 10s. I was really surprised at how she seemed to already know how to do it. I think I should quit being so surprised. Kids are smarter than we all tend to give them credit for. We were counting something on a game she was doing and I drew up some tallies on a piece of paper, telling her each group was a group of 10. She quickly counted them off by 10s and added the extras to get 43. And then carried on with her game. We also counted by groups while playing a card game. When counting up our matches we counted by 2s and by 5s etc. And she and Noah played some kind of car grouping with the abacus, though I think only they understood what was going on with it. They were very involved in it as they grouped cars and then counted it out on the abacus.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ckACS0jcByA/Tr_tVkZpM4I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2YV2l2liWq4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ckACS0jcByA/Tr_tVkZpM4I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2YV2l2liWq4/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWeNhpq6e_w/Tr_tXQEb4sI/AAAAAAAAAoY/oQudJXfB3Uk/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWeNhpq6e_w/Tr_tXQEb4sI/AAAAAAAAAoY/oQudJXfB3Uk/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNUXEWi6uGY/Tr_ui0RAJdI/AAAAAAAAAo4/oRl33LOJ3PU/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNUXEWi6uGY/Tr_ui0RAJdI/AAAAAAAAAo4/oRl33LOJ3PU/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>It's funny to me that if I ask Ava if she likes math, she'll say she doesn't. Yet when in the context of life and fun, she loves the number challenges. She says the same about reading, yet loves reading games and spelling things out. She makes grocery lists every week and reads them back to me etc. <br />
She also will tell me she doesn't like history. I'm not sure she even knows exactly what "history" as a subject is. Yet she was so intrigued by a new book we received, Barack Obama's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/thee-sing-letter-my-daughters/dp/037583527x">"Of Thee I</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/thee-sing-letter-my-daughters/dp/037583527x">Sing</a>," which mentions different people from history and the impact they had. She wanted to know more about each person, which I see as a great opening door for her to learn more about some of these key people in American history.<br />
<br />
All three kids got to color some pillow cases and tote designs at their grandparents this week. And Ava rode her bike for two miles with her grandpa which she is very proud of. Then they got to play with the neighbor friends the rest of the afternoon outside.<br />
<br />
Noah has been working on more letter sounds and Ava more spelling and reading. We made a poster to help decipher between lowercase "b" and "d" which has always frustrated her. I drew the word "bed" and she got to design a bed and bedroom around it. The word "bed" looks much like a bed, which helps her remember which way the b and d go. Cool, huh? Afterwards, I wrote a bunch of 'b's and 'd's down and she could easily figure them out by thinking of the bed she colored. It made her giggle to know she could figure them out on her own now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u36zgOjYjwQ/Tr_uzZtFJ2I/AAAAAAAAApA/qrzOwGNvGcw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u36zgOjYjwQ/Tr_uzZtFJ2I/AAAAAAAAApA/qrzOwGNvGcw/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KgmeD6V0Q40/Tr_vAnej4dI/AAAAAAAAApI/cOsso1G6ZnA/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KgmeD6V0Q40/Tr_vAnej4dI/AAAAAAAAApI/cOsso1G6ZnA/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Amora has been getting into the fun too. She learned how to use a scissors and Ava taught her how to control and click the computer mouse using the online program <a href="http://www.abcmouse.com/">http://www.abcmouse.com/</a>. She played Linkin Logs and made Lego towers with her big brother went on walks with Ava around the parks we went to.<br />
She also enjoyed playing in playhouses at the breakfast playdate with some vegan friends and their kids which included delicious <a href="http://growingupveg.blogspot.com/2011/11/easy-pumpkin-spice-pancakes-with-pecan.html">pumpkin pancakes</a>!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g313pHK_tfk/Tr_uYn5AYKI/AAAAAAAAAoo/zjN7C7swWHY/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g313pHK_tfk/Tr_uYn5AYKI/AAAAAAAAAoo/zjN7C7swWHY/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMtGnqrT81g/Tr_ua-XlKEI/AAAAAAAAAow/noz5rDIcZk8/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMtGnqrT81g/Tr_ua-XlKEI/AAAAAAAAAow/noz5rDIcZk8/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Uks4qw-CQE/Tr_vW4hvDlI/AAAAAAAAApQ/ILi5Q7Q3-cc/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Uks4qw-CQE/Tr_vW4hvDlI/AAAAAAAAApQ/ILi5Q7Q3-cc/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
While John and I were watching a movie the other night (and thought the kids were doing the same upstairs), I came up to find that they had been up to their own project. The three of them had grabbed a box of baking soda, poured it (all) into a bowl, and added some water. As I was looking at the mess when I came up, Ava quickly jumped in to explain that they had discovered how to make "goo" with baking soda and that she had cleaned it up as best she could. Well, it could have been worse, as far as I'm concerned, so let's call it a science experiment and add it to the blog, right?<br />
Oh, and she also created a new snack: bread and margarine with sprinkles, which may account for why they were so hyper at bed time. <br />
Well, at least John and I got to watch a full movie. Haha!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkCBqb1TXSI/Tr_uDmWBDjI/AAAAAAAAAog/C-NyTVJlSHE/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkCBqb1TXSI/Tr_uDmWBDjI/AAAAAAAAAog/C-NyTVJlSHE/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The kids happen to be night owls so it's not strange for them to be working at stuff late into any "school night." After the younger kids went to bed one night, Ava decided to paint for a while. She (re)discovered mixing colors to make new colors and was all excited with her different color creations. I printed her off a color wheel to show her which colors can create new ones.<br />
Luckily, we get to sleep in!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZquEV7YTGc/Tr_wYeFklDI/AAAAAAAAApY/123F8lCJBTM/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZquEV7YTGc/Tr_wYeFklDI/AAAAAAAAApY/123F8lCJBTM/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DDwSBOKjlQ/Tr_wZwA_P5I/AAAAAAAAApg/BcbV76f_4Yg/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DDwSBOKjlQ/Tr_wZwA_P5I/AAAAAAAAApg/BcbV76f_4Yg/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zy9xQccnF20/Tr_wblxlNWI/AAAAAAAAApo/6ZyVfk1p_Yw/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zy9xQccnF20/Tr_wblxlNWI/AAAAAAAAApo/6ZyVfk1p_Yw/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-74713860548274194872011-10-29T22:32:00.002-05:002011-10-30T10:05:12.394-05:00Holy Fall Activities, Batman!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhYLOCznoGU/TqzCOLdLlaI/AAAAAAAAAiM/7JQk6DMz7YM/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhYLOCznoGU/TqzCOLdLlaI/AAAAAAAAAiM/7JQk6DMz7YM/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Okay, so my kids definitely can't say we didn't do any fall events this year. We got to do more awesome fall activities this past week or so...<br />
We started the week by making Halloween cupcakes. Ava brought some to a birthday party she was invited to at a gymnastics center (how fun is that!). She had a blast and loved her cupcakes too. I try to send a yummy vegan option along with the kids if there will be non-vegan cakes or desert. She said she didn't mind a bit that she didn't have any cake because her cupcakes were so yummy! Win!<br />
<br />
<br />
We went to a parade in "The Halloween Capital Of The World", Anoka, MN, with our Aunt Gloria and cousins Mia and Dylan. We went to the night parade which meant glow-in-the-dark swords and necklaces! The kids absolutely loved it. It was well worth the three block walk pulling them in the wagon in the dark! Haha!<br />
<br />
Two of the groups we belong to had Halloween Parties as well! First was Vegkins, a group of vegetarian families. It was a vegan potluck with fun games and treats for the kids. The kids have made many friends through Vegkins and it's so fun to go somewhere that everything is vegan! One of the kids out of habit asked someone if the candy they received was vegan and smiled big when they said everything here is vegan!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1TzjZlDetk/TqzCbw06-mI/AAAAAAAAAiU/rX4pcX9EnE8/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1TzjZlDetk/TqzCbw06-mI/AAAAAAAAAiU/rX4pcX9EnE8/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPVVDOjvcII/TqzCeK7JXoI/AAAAAAAAAic/_WcVKDk0zUE/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPVVDOjvcII/TqzCeK7JXoI/AAAAAAAAAic/_WcVKDk0zUE/s320/015.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LGsC_rAAjQ/TqzCf94upuI/AAAAAAAAAik/QMkhGJtlgKs/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LGsC_rAAjQ/TqzCf94upuI/AAAAAAAAAik/QMkhGJtlgKs/s320/017.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4WRCKA1l5s/TqzChixfPyI/AAAAAAAAAis/A0dqxSMT9DM/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4WRCKA1l5s/TqzChixfPyI/AAAAAAAAAis/A0dqxSMT9DM/s320/035.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKGEPPVWazU/TqzCjbJAgTI/AAAAAAAAAi0/koPvy2VjUEg/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKGEPPVWazU/TqzCjbJAgTI/AAAAAAAAAi0/koPvy2VjUEg/s320/037.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>The other party was with our homeschool group. The kids got to have a costume fashion show to show off their costumes by walking on a table like a runway (they thought it was pretty cool they got to walk ON the TABLE!). They also played games and did some crafts. Then we had a potluck. We brought some vegetarian sloppy joes and a veg/dip tray. Then off to do some trick-or-treating at some near-by businesses. Twelve kids and four moms going business to business collecting candy. It was so great! The kids all did wonderfully and had so much fun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyJKIBjC-II/TqzCs7atPsI/AAAAAAAAAi8/-NTlQIx4rJc/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyJKIBjC-II/TqzCs7atPsI/AAAAAAAAAi8/-NTlQIx4rJc/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwMaucRYCno/TqzCu_bxboI/AAAAAAAAAjE/lWJlriodV90/s1600/016+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwMaucRYCno/TqzCu_bxboI/AAAAAAAAAjE/lWJlriodV90/s320/016+-+Copy.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YCcVlJRc-ZA/TqzCwk34NzI/AAAAAAAAAjM/WACxBtg1A1U/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YCcVlJRc-ZA/TqzCwk34NzI/AAAAAAAAAjM/WACxBtg1A1U/s320/026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIv6PF5m1k8/TqzCy4YrytI/AAAAAAAAAjU/xYzpnS8lS54/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIv6PF5m1k8/TqzCy4YrytI/AAAAAAAAAjU/xYzpnS8lS54/s320/028.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Ava had a Learn With Me Day this week with her Aunt Lori. Aunt Lori showed her how to do an herb garden. And Ava showed her how to make her spider craft! When we got home Ava said she was to water them with one Tablespoon every day. She has learned that there are three teaspoons in a Tablespoon, so she can use either one now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12FgleISoJk/TqzC7ywbkPI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JGyBA0N-SjE/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12FgleISoJk/TqzC7ywbkPI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JGyBA0N-SjE/s320/008.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Then it was off to Art Class where she did some beautiful water color paintings.<br />
<br />
We also had a fun playdate with some friends at a local indoor playpark where the kids all got to wear off some energy and use their quarters in the games and ride machines too!<br />
<br />
It's weeks like this that make me want to laugh hysterically when people ask how homeschoolers can possibly get "properly socialized" or make any friends. Haha! <br />
<br />
Oh! And Noah learned to ride on two wheels this week! I think all of the scootering he's done since he turned three made it easy for him! He had the bike down so quickly at just four years old. He's so proud of himself. I'm picturing many ramps and jumps ahead for him...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8H93tk7NFXM/TqzDFmgoVNI/AAAAAAAAAjk/La7mUN8W9oU/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8H93tk7NFXM/TqzDFmgoVNI/AAAAAAAAAjk/La7mUN8W9oU/s320/005.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQbNiwdj07s/TqzDOEsCH9I/AAAAAAAAAjs/1EWc3ZM_K48/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQbNiwdj07s/TqzDOEsCH9I/AAAAAAAAAjs/1EWc3ZM_K48/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUVu380cr4k/TqzDPiVAqyI/AAAAAAAAAj0/BaaL1CYkeV8/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUVu380cr4k/TqzDPiVAqyI/AAAAAAAAAj0/BaaL1CYkeV8/s320/007.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-40915500553920061102011-10-25T16:28:00.004-05:002011-12-03T18:18:49.086-06:00Proud MomentsI've been reading from an author lately by the name of<a href="http://www.alfiekohn.org/"> Alfie Kohn</a>, who wants us to think of our long-term goals for our children and think of how our parenting contributes to reaching these goals. There's a quote I've read that reminds us, "We aren't raising children, we are raising adults." Would you want your child to grow up into a happy, healthy, confident person? Would you want them to be an ethical person? Do you want them to be blindly obedient to those who tell them to do things or think for themselves? The way we parent can have a significant impact on what kind of adults kids become.<br />
<br />
As the kids are getting older, now 6, 4, and 2, I'm seeing more and more the wonderful people they are becoming. Despite common parenting advice about strict discipline and warnings about how children are "manipulative" and that they cannot and should not be trusted to make their own choices in life, we've been doing pretty darn well without it all. <br />
Our kids choose when to go to bed, often staying up late. They choose where to sleep, often in our bed. Ava is proud <a href="http://booksandbarefeet.blogspot.com/2011/01/back-to-real-life.html">she was able to choose</a> if she wanted to homeschool or public school. They can choose how to dress. They choose if they are going to wear a coat on a cold day, often going without (I bring one with in case they change their mind). They choose how much supper they are going to eat by listening to their own body.<br />
Yes, whenever possible, I try to allow the kids to have freedom and choices. Depending on the day, some days are harder than others for me to let go of the desire to control their every move. But I'm a work in progress. I've learned that the days things aren't going smoothly are usually the days that I've tried to be controlling or forceful in some way. On most days though, this seems to be working well for us. It also has given them the confidence to make their own decisions and truly be themselves. I'm enjoying seeing their natural generosity and helpfulness coming out. <br />
<br />
I know every parent has glowing examples of things their children do that make them proud. These are a few of my recent examples that I want to be able to look back and read someday when my kids are older...<br />
<br />
A short time ago, we were at an indoor play park. A girl a few years older than Ava came in who had what I'm guessing was cerebral palsy. Ava had previously met another girl with a similar disability who is a friend of John's aunt. I made a quick note to Ava when the girl came in about how she was born with a disability and she may not be able to play and talk in the same way as other kids. Ava quickly went up to her and befriended her. Her aide told us the little girl loved Spanish so she and Ava were saying Spanish words they knew. The rest of the time, Ava played with the little girl in the park. Afterwards, the girl's aide came up to me and said how much they appreciated that Ava played with her and wasn't afraid of her. She said everywhere they go, kids and their parents are afraid to talk to her and the little girl loved having a playmate.<br />
<br />
Another recent time at a kids play center, the kids brought their quarters to spend on whatever they liked. Noah spent most of his on the candy machines. He and Ava began sharing their candies with the kids around them. One mom got angry and started scolding her kids for taking the candy. So, without any direction from me, Noah began going around to the parents at the play center asking them if he could please share his candy with their children. <br />
<br />
The kids have also started showing some great maturity when they have had the opportunities to take on bigger responsibilities. The other day at a craft store we were at, Noah was very upset that we were leaving. His little sister was getting tired and had had enough and so we unfortunately had to get going. Since Noah was so upset, I carried him out and Ava, without being asked, took it upon herself to take over the rest. She pushed Amora out in the cart. Got her into her car seat, then opened up the back of the van and loaded our bags in, shut it and returned the shopping cart. Then hopped into her seat and buckled up, all while I was getting Noah in.<br />
<br />
The kids also have never been punished if they say a "swear word." We don't censor what movies they see unless we think they'll be upset by something violent or scary. They've heard plenty of cursing. Instead of punishing them, it makes sense for us to explain that many people we know would be offended if they used these words around them. You know, just like many adults censor themselves around their grandma! The kids don't wish to offend anyone so they don't use the words. My brother joked once that it seems like swear words were invented just to get children in trouble for saying them! They are, after all, words that are part of our language, our expressions, our culture. Kids hear them all the time whether a parent chooses to refrain from using them or not. So why are children treated harshly for doing what children are designed to do: To learn language and everything else around them from those around them and from their community and culture. <br />
Ava once left a message on her grandma's answering machine and, in trying to say two different words according to her, the word "shit" came out! She came running to me very upset about this. I told her it was okay and grandma wouldn't be mad. She insisted I call her grandma immediately and tell her NOT to listen to the message and to erase it as SOON as she go home. I was actually really surprised at her reaction since I had never made a big deal about swear words other than telling the kids that other's might feel bad if they hear them. <br />
My kids teach me so much about the true nature of kids...and people in general. If given the respect and responsibilities and freedoms that we all deserve, they will more often than not, rise up to it.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-9529793878482173012011-10-23T22:12:00.000-05:002011-10-23T22:12:43.357-05:00All About Fall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BpdxMxNzEjk/TqTVNH2kZwI/AAAAAAAAAgU/kCa7VgbViQU/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BpdxMxNzEjk/TqTVNH2kZwI/AAAAAAAAAgU/kCa7VgbViQU/s320/009.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>The past couple weeks have been full of wonderful fall activities. From raking up leaves to getting ready for Halloween. <br />
We visited Emma Krumbee's with my mom to pick apples and see their Scarecrow Festival. On the way we sang the Scarecrow Song we learned last year:<br />
<br />
(To the tune of "I'm A Little Teapot.")<br />
I'm a little scarecrow raggedy and worn<br />
I wear a hat and my shirt is torn<br />
When the crows fly near I scream and shout<br />
AWAY FROM MY GARDEN! NOW GET OUT!<br />
<br />
The kids loved everything about the festival. They saw all the scarecrows, played in a rope maze, played in a giant hay stack, picked a basket full of apples and more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DmTsbOXB2TU/TqTVSstF8DI/AAAAAAAAAgc/04z_rsVx0TY/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DmTsbOXB2TU/TqTVSstF8DI/AAAAAAAAAgc/04z_rsVx0TY/s320/008.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HoDhxEWfNBY/TqTXCYwyLoI/AAAAAAAAAh8/T32kWzW6D1M/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HoDhxEWfNBY/TqTXCYwyLoI/AAAAAAAAAh8/T32kWzW6D1M/s320/019.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDyHR2bgn78/TqTXImAoEYI/AAAAAAAAAiE/qz7YskelujM/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDyHR2bgn78/TqTXImAoEYI/AAAAAAAAAiE/qz7YskelujM/s320/026.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8a0m_ikats/TqTVUS2tZyI/AAAAAAAAAgk/s00BXLk_TwI/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8a0m_ikats/TqTVUS2tZyI/AAAAAAAAAgk/s00BXLk_TwI/s320/014.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MobOjcKvlOA/TqTVWHnPZ8I/AAAAAAAAAgs/48Wsp8cFNu0/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MobOjcKvlOA/TqTVWHnPZ8I/AAAAAAAAAgs/48Wsp8cFNu0/s320/023.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LcVmoCTgdI/TqTVYSfgXlI/AAAAAAAAAg0/_wf4ikhJVRQ/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LcVmoCTgdI/TqTVYSfgXlI/AAAAAAAAAg0/_wf4ikhJVRQ/s320/032.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfxYc1T2JJo/TqTVa6EzztI/AAAAAAAAAg8/zhnVR4WED9A/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfxYc1T2JJo/TqTVa6EzztI/AAAAAAAAAg8/zhnVR4WED9A/s320/040.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
On the weekend, our family went to the Twin Cities Corn Maze and spent the day playing in hay bails and in a corn pit! The kids picked out their Halloween pumpkins we'll be carving soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seqL_tfqYt8/TqTVzuhCJwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/kgtmJjNvPSg/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seqL_tfqYt8/TqTVzuhCJwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/kgtmJjNvPSg/s320/014.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--q9o4V82yZY/TqTV3H5WoLI/AAAAAAAAAhk/9tEeDk02U9Q/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--q9o4V82yZY/TqTV3H5WoLI/AAAAAAAAAhk/9tEeDk02U9Q/s320/022.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh_7QRDHWSc/TqTV4pISR_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/z6uUNLT_GRQ/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh_7QRDHWSc/TqTV4pISR_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/z6uUNLT_GRQ/s320/023.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-goWlAud9Wag/TqTV6WYkCrI/AAAAAAAAAh0/F2nC2YjQdY8/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-goWlAud9Wag/TqTV6WYkCrI/AAAAAAAAAh0/F2nC2YjQdY8/s320/028.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Some of the Halloween crafts we've been doing include making witches, bats, hand-print spiders, and pumpkins, and Ava did her first grid art!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX891QLgjqI/TqTVlIWzxqI/AAAAAAAAAhE/3NlXyHdCOPM/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX891QLgjqI/TqTVlIWzxqI/AAAAAAAAAhE/3NlXyHdCOPM/s320/043.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZzdy2_ibLY/TqTVpMMAiTI/AAAAAAAAAhM/_ItDbsd0Has/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZzdy2_ibLY/TqTVpMMAiTI/AAAAAAAAAhM/_ItDbsd0Has/s320/015.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pi-ui5vf5fc/TqTVteQilnI/AAAAAAAAAhU/H9L8jRLUSmE/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pi-ui5vf5fc/TqTVteQilnI/AAAAAAAAAhU/H9L8jRLUSmE/s320/042.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>I also printed off some pumpkin numbers and number words from <a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/home/home.jsp">Lakeshore Learning's</a> website that Ava loved. I had to print three sets because she kept asking to do more!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz2kE1X1pTg/TqTVBV9N5_I/AAAAAAAAAgM/hJTNWhmWLsM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz2kE1X1pTg/TqTVBV9N5_I/AAAAAAAAAgM/hJTNWhmWLsM/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Other things we've covered include volcanoes, geysers, and planets. Ava picked out some glow-in-the-dark planets to hang in her room. She is really getting into planets and stars and space. She especially loves looking at the stars and planets outside right now with her dad as he explains which is which. <br />
We also talked about Columbus Day this month. While we were all taught Columbus was a hero that did a great thing by "discovering" America, there are actually many inaccuracies in this story. I want our kids to know the real history and not the happy fairytale we all were told in school. At our kids' young age, I mostly ask them about how the Indigenous people who lived here must have felt about someone coming over to their home and telling them what to do, to which their responses are,"mad," and "sad."<br />
<br />
In other news, Noah read his very first words last week! He excitedly read "am," "go," and "at," and a couple others. He knows most letters now so I was telling him the sounds some make. I would say 'A' makes the "aaaa" sound and 'M' makes the sound "mmmm" and the rest he put together on his own. He'd say them separately and then faster and faster until he read it. He was so thrilled with himself but he would get quite mad when I got excited with him. Haha! It was clear he was doing this for HIM, not for me. Which made me even more proud.<br />
<br />
We've been playing games in the van lately to spot letters in signs and say the sounds they make. In fact, I've noticed a lot of learning happens in the van on the road! Reading signs, finding letters, and lots of questions. It seems being buckled in staring out the window at the world going past gets their little minds turning and wondering! Homeschooling, unschooling, car-schooling, whatever we call it, it's capturing those opportunities that make it so natural and interesting. And keeps me on my toes!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-17430595284499371792011-10-04T18:13:00.000-05:002011-10-04T18:13:22.271-05:00Week Of Play!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naeQ33I98rI/TouJxhj7huI/AAAAAAAAAd0/j2JveU-EVDM/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naeQ33I98rI/TouJxhj7huI/AAAAAAAAAd0/j2JveU-EVDM/s320/044.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>After Rebbeca Rupp's speech at the Minnesota Homeschooler's Alliance (MHA) Conference, I payed a lot of attention to PLAY this past week or so. Noting all the things that I could that the kids did for fun and fun alone. Here's some of the list: <br />
blocks, mud soup in a planter pot, forts, read library books (Leaves, Fun With Verbs, Construction Equipment, etc.), lots of painting, lots of games, lots of puzzles, play money, parachute games, parks, made soup, read Bob Books, Art class, fed ducks, cleared the garden, guitar, keyboard, took pictures, wrote letters, Ranger Rick magazine, watched beetles, chatted with ALL the neighbors, dug in the ground, played hide-and-seek, played tag, made a garden marker for next year (Ava made me one for my tomatoes), card games, scooters, computer games and ABC Mouse, made bubbles, listened to music and sang and danced to it, Ava plays guitar to music she plays, made up their own songs and danced to it, played restaurant, played dress-up, video game (bowling), pretended, played in the sprinkler, played T-ball, made fresh juices in the juicer, made smoothies, checked out online to see asteroid craters in the U.S., read about the solar system, raked leaves for the neighbors, play-doh, Linkin Logs, decorated baby pumpkins, and asked about 24 tons of questions...Yup, a successful week, I'd say!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cL8MxnxzDTA/TouLV8BA4dI/AAAAAAAAAd4/DpIX2ecIAb4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cL8MxnxzDTA/TouLV8BA4dI/AAAAAAAAAd4/DpIX2ecIAb4/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOo5JlygeNA/TouLdh568vI/AAAAAAAAAd8/PE5iYteQoxA/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOo5JlygeNA/TouLdh568vI/AAAAAAAAAd8/PE5iYteQoxA/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ictYnvQOVYA/TouLhVgJ3lI/AAAAAAAAAeA/5YNRJ6ZBu8w/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ictYnvQOVYA/TouLhVgJ3lI/AAAAAAAAAeA/5YNRJ6ZBu8w/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ08VDlnkaE/TouLjVVO4kI/AAAAAAAAAeE/h2ziW-BtTb4/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ08VDlnkaE/TouLjVVO4kI/AAAAAAAAAeE/h2ziW-BtTb4/s320/009.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDtPNQkx4C4/TouLldYm93I/AAAAAAAAAeI/uqvw92i9IY4/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDtPNQkx4C4/TouLldYm93I/AAAAAAAAAeI/uqvw92i9IY4/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFao2fFJtYI/TouLqxMhNjI/AAAAAAAAAeM/v1zN9vtOoyo/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFao2fFJtYI/TouLqxMhNjI/AAAAAAAAAeM/v1zN9vtOoyo/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olv_GPGOArk/TouLtlMSzEI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/4mUa4Xt3TaA/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olv_GPGOArk/TouLtlMSzEI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/4mUa4Xt3TaA/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQukpmwtby0/TouLvZScw-I/AAAAAAAAAeU/mD2W23unQIU/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQukpmwtby0/TouLvZScw-I/AAAAAAAAAeU/mD2W23unQIU/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>On top of that we visited the Children's Museum again, always a favorite. This time the theme rooms included the Rainforest and also a Children's Books exhibit which included some of their favorites, like "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, Peter Rabbit, and A Snowy Day, among others. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqQ2gFXWMMY/TouMStWb8nI/AAAAAAAAAeY/xy6sbf3d4VE/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqQ2gFXWMMY/TouMStWb8nI/AAAAAAAAAeY/xy6sbf3d4VE/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CDWThN6ELA/TouMkpwyOkI/AAAAAAAAAec/hYkZ-qSvkg0/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CDWThN6ELA/TouMkpwyOkI/AAAAAAAAAec/hYkZ-qSvkg0/s320/014.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaCNKitcxL8/TouMm1_W_3I/AAAAAAAAAeg/f84ROflW6B0/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaCNKitcxL8/TouMm1_W_3I/AAAAAAAAAeg/f84ROflW6B0/s320/015.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8HZfLQ7odDE/TouMpYYQr8I/AAAAAAAAAek/YruVRncE9aI/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8HZfLQ7odDE/TouMpYYQr8I/AAAAAAAAAek/YruVRncE9aI/s320/016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CKoYkKuWHs/TouMrOAI6qI/AAAAAAAAAeo/sMzl6lxzMIc/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CKoYkKuWHs/TouMrOAI6qI/AAAAAAAAAeo/sMzl6lxzMIc/s320/021.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFYY7bM7b1Q/TouM6THPyuI/AAAAAAAAAes/f3FJdr1WTug/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFYY7bM7b1Q/TouM6THPyuI/AAAAAAAAAes/f3FJdr1WTug/s320/022.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfo9H3NTczc/TouM9EYS1PI/AAAAAAAAAew/eoOLRItIBKI/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfo9H3NTczc/TouM9EYS1PI/AAAAAAAAAew/eoOLRItIBKI/s320/025.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vffDnzh_L7Y/TouNGPSiJRI/AAAAAAAAAe0/KlvYAfgiClc/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vffDnzh_L7Y/TouNGPSiJRI/AAAAAAAAAe0/KlvYAfgiClc/s320/028.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNItfDq56S8/TouNH3opnoI/AAAAAAAAAe4/L81-uYldWEQ/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNItfDq56S8/TouNH3opnoI/AAAAAAAAAe4/L81-uYldWEQ/s320/030.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNtPfAok92Y/TouNKOrExgI/AAAAAAAAAe8/mqf2ZAgUIGg/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNtPfAok92Y/TouNKOrExgI/AAAAAAAAAe8/mqf2ZAgUIGg/s320/036.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It FLOATS!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM_n_xdm-Rk/TouNMYdx2DI/AAAAAAAAAfA/-_DYJ_aZTQE/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM_n_xdm-Rk/TouNMYdx2DI/AAAAAAAAAfA/-_DYJ_aZTQE/s320/039.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>In the museum's Activity Center, the kids got to build boats out of different materials and then see if they would float or not. This was so perfect for them. Noah is drawn to water like a fish. All summer long we were trying to keep him from leaving the hose on all day playing in water, watching it form "rivers," making mud, floating things in it, jumping in it, etc. And Ava loves anything creative and hands on. They both made several different boats and floated them. Meanwhile, Amora painted and played in the water!<br />
<br />
Ava's very artistically designed boat didn't float the first time. So she was going to add something to it to see if it would float. After testing different materials, she decided on a big wooden base for it. I loved watching their faces when their boats floated!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_e6u8_V3FE/TouN6-mxqjI/AAAAAAAAAfU/SYp2n2Bnlj8/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_e6u8_V3FE/TouN6-mxqjI/AAAAAAAAAfU/SYp2n2Bnlj8/s320/040.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava's toothpick boat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2uPaaU0_vgg/TouN9tKv0VI/AAAAAAAAAfY/shAUSYhlqq4/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2uPaaU0_vgg/TouN9tKv0VI/AAAAAAAAAfY/shAUSYhlqq4/s320/041.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh oh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWGG5cG_BcM/TouN_b1zHBI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qmFKzPQAAWA/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWGG5cG_BcM/TouN_b1zHBI/AAAAAAAAAfc/qmFKzPQAAWA/s320/043.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It FLOATS!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
One of my most favorite things about watching the kids learn is the looks of intrigue, of joy, of interest and amazement on their faces. I love how their faces light up when they discover something new. I know that each time that happens, it is making an impression on them that will last forever. Plus, it just makes me happy to see them loving it all. Life is one big experiment!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mpIZjgMMMI/TouOHiQZwvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/v_8PL5_MPgc/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mpIZjgMMMI/TouOHiQZwvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/v_8PL5_MPgc/s320/048.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGTLRz3UYcg/TouOJJiItQI/AAAAAAAAAfk/FFE-k7KtV_I/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGTLRz3UYcg/TouOJJiItQI/AAAAAAAAAfk/FFE-k7KtV_I/s320/046.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Ava's art class had given us some extra paper they had on hand. It's the really durable tag-board type paper great for painting on which the kids have taken advantage of. I also used it this week as backing for play money that I printed off of the computer. I filled their cash register with it and we talked about the values and which was which. John worked with Ava that night on the values and adding coins together also. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KxNvM_7-I3w/TouRwVZgFMI/AAAAAAAAAf0/Ka52PSbqvc4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KxNvM_7-I3w/TouRwVZgFMI/AAAAAAAAAf0/Ka52PSbqvc4/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BNbsJJ0lYVk/TouRydcqNII/AAAAAAAAAf4/eANpTcoPRFI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BNbsJJ0lYVk/TouRydcqNII/AAAAAAAAAf4/eANpTcoPRFI/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtbeggqCgAk/TouR4SSgiRI/AAAAAAAAAf8/JhKgC_f8xRk/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtbeggqCgAk/TouR4SSgiRI/AAAAAAAAAf8/JhKgC_f8xRk/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>When we were at the grocery store, the kids wanted to play one of those claw games to (not) win a stuffed animal. It took 50 cents each so we took that opportunity to see how many quarters that was. When I was out of quarters I gave Ava a dollar to bring, all by herself, to the cashier for four quarters (apparently not as easy as it used to be). After the cashier called over service managers and such to get the drawer to open without a sale, Ava finally came back with her four quarters. I've explained several times about how many quarters are in a dollar, but this is the first time she's really remembered it. She got to do it all on her own, for her own game she wanted to play. It had a use and an importance that no worksheet can create. And, of course, that's what the key is! That's real learning! I love seeing it every day now that I know what it looks like. <br />
<br />
Ava's been loving art class now that it's started back up. Last week she learned about Picasso-and his ear, haha...talk about a lasting impression. In her art journal she has a picture of Picasso she drew with a bloody ear. This week she is learning about drawing still life. <br />
<br />
We had read a book this week called "Perfect Soup," which is one of those books I just might have to buy. It's about someone trying to make soup and asking friends for ingredients and they keep wanting to trade him the ingredient he needs for something they need. In the end, another character works it all out by giving him something he needs as a gift which allows him to pay the others their favors to finally get to finish his soup. <br />
After art class, Noah wanted to make soup. So he helped measure ingredients, open cans, and shake in spices to make a wonderful "Goblin Soup," (Pumpkin). Cooking is great for learning measurements and I like to show the kids what is 1/3 of a cup and why, and how much a tablespoon is etc. They get a lot from simply making soup, including a tasty meal!<br />
<br />
Hoping soon we'll be making some yummy vegan fall treats now that autumn is upon us!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO7Y6BS3PAg/TouOWgqARiI/AAAAAAAAAfo/gUFP3nHVQa8/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO7Y6BS3PAg/TouOWgqARiI/AAAAAAAAAfo/gUFP3nHVQa8/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVFI0kHY-Uc/TouOianrPXI/AAAAAAAAAfs/QBpgCTbnF04/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVFI0kHY-Uc/TouOianrPXI/AAAAAAAAAfs/QBpgCTbnF04/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goblin Soup--And my teeny tiny contribution to VEGANMOFO.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-14108040266270450072011-09-26T12:21:00.001-05:002011-09-26T18:52:10.292-05:00Skate Park, Conference, and Train Ride To MinneapolisI brought the kids to a skate park for the first time with their scooters last week. They've gotten really really good on those scooters so I figured they'd love to go up and down the ramps. They loved it! We were there for over 2 hours, most of it on the skate park and some of it on a big dirt hill in the park. We were the only ones there since it was the middle of a week day. It was so nice!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXpVmTBW_mk/ToCyMwrkYAI/AAAAAAAAAcc/cf49ov_CsJA/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXpVmTBW_mk/ToCyMwrkYAI/AAAAAAAAAcc/cf49ov_CsJA/s320/010.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGMh-t0Xc-o/ToCyPd_BhdI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Rc0Nt49QOQY/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGMh-t0Xc-o/ToCyPd_BhdI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Rc0Nt49QOQY/s320/019.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFpzL8e0jf8/ToCyRCHUrbI/AAAAAAAAAck/oauIeROqseI/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFpzL8e0jf8/ToCyRCHUrbI/AAAAAAAAAck/oauIeROqseI/s320/025.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgBqpYek0VA/ToCyT8gAB8I/AAAAAAAAAco/ixNSbkspIf4/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgBqpYek0VA/ToCyT8gAB8I/AAAAAAAAAco/ixNSbkspIf4/s320/064.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7SOAXi-6o/ToCyV_SuAfI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Y9iEQabiPX8/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7SOAXi-6o/ToCyV_SuAfI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Y9iEQabiPX8/s320/059.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vSFge-fXmg/ToCyXiQkLhI/AAAAAAAAAcw/ZnExn5w8yxI/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vSFge-fXmg/ToCyXiQkLhI/AAAAAAAAAcw/ZnExn5w8yxI/s320/066.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Over the weekend, I attended part of our state's homeschooling conference put on by MHA for the first time. I walked around the exhibits and attended the Keynote Speaker, Rebbeca Rupp's presentation which was fabulous. She is, among other things, an author and mom of two grown children she homeschooled/unschooled. She was great to listen to. The talk was reassuring those of us who steer away from the "school-at-home" style of homeschooling. She talked about how the more families that choose to homeschool, the more pressure they put on us to mimic what schools are teaching. However, all research that comes out shows that schools would benefit by making school more like homeschooling! Also, all research shows the amazing benefits of PLAY, which has become less and less of something schools make time for as they push toward increasing academics and standardized testing. Rebecca pointed out the importance of kids discovering things on their own, and owning their discoveries. The epiphanies that happen when a child figures out something all on their own. The amazing things that those discoveries lead to. And how kids of all ages need to be able to play, tinker, build, and through this they learn more than any math or science class can teach them. <br />
Next year I hope to get to attend more of the sessions at the conference. It was really enjoyable! And the kids got to play in the indoor playground with their cousins during it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezz671BPiY4/ToCyg3obZnI/AAAAAAAAAc0/6uDYLNlP0ZM/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezz671BPiY4/ToCyg3obZnI/AAAAAAAAAc0/6uDYLNlP0ZM/s400/003.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For the second part of the day, we rode the train to Minneapolis with our Aunt Gloria! She wanted the kids to join her on the ride as part of the Learn With Me Days we have begun. We went with our cousin Brandi and her kids along with a teenage friend of theirs for extra help with the kids. My kids and I hadn't ridden the commuter train before, so it was all new! The kids faces were lit up through the trip. It was a really fun ride to the city and a nice day for the trip! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8u77EH1TMw/ToCyiq7MK4I/AAAAAAAAAc4/7rnvgoMPduk/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8u77EH1TMw/ToCyiq7MK4I/AAAAAAAAAc4/7rnvgoMPduk/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEO7keveAwM/ToCyl3byV5I/AAAAAAAAAc8/RV8WTnQv8VE/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEO7keveAwM/ToCyl3byV5I/AAAAAAAAAc8/RV8WTnQv8VE/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uMkw9M8TsI/ToC0iPUswHI/AAAAAAAAAdw/olOgAcGk3Rk/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uMkw9M8TsI/ToC0iPUswHI/AAAAAAAAAdw/olOgAcGk3Rk/s320/008.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUL5X82pDnw/ToCypB_rXWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/9KJB4weF_wM/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUL5X82pDnw/ToCypB_rXWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/9KJB4weF_wM/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViwMMFWjDb8/ToCyq3lTrSI/AAAAAAAAAdE/MPCqGIp8Xn8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViwMMFWjDb8/ToCyq3lTrSI/AAAAAAAAAdE/MPCqGIp8Xn8/s320/010.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Once downtown, we had a two hour layover before the next train home, so we walked around the skyways with the kids and explored. We thought we had plenty of time to get back when we turned around and headed back...however, as our cousin Brandi told my husband, you try navigating six kids through the skyways of Minneapolis! After an exhausting rush pushing the big stroller and carrying kids to make it back to the train station, we ended up missing the train! The next one wouldn't be by for 3 hours and the kids were getting tired and cranky. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz8Zu6sr1nM/ToCy2zeeWNI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/144D5OUhGyQ/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz8Zu6sr1nM/ToCy2zeeWNI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/144D5OUhGyQ/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tun-en7hu4c/ToCy5OQtnXI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VkmmAvm-ZPk/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tun-en7hu4c/ToCy5OQtnXI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VkmmAvm-ZPk/s400/014.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl_8opLftvI/ToCy8j927UI/AAAAAAAAAdY/nvqFbVq5Zzk/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl_8opLftvI/ToCy8j927UI/AAAAAAAAAdY/nvqFbVq5Zzk/s400/016.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>As we made phone calls to arrange a way back home, the kids hardly skipped a beat. They began playing games on the sidewalk. They played Duck Duck Gray Duck, Mr. Fox, Tag, and ran around together. Eventually, we walked over to the Pizza Luce where my aunt and cousins got a ride home and my kids and I could sit down and wait for John to come get us. With the best vegan pizza around, Pizza Luce was a pretty nice spot for us to end up! Yup, could be worse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAaaq12Cc-8/ToCzLIQ3ThI/AAAAAAAAAdc/X_Mz5Q5rOAs/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAaaq12Cc-8/ToCzLIQ3ThI/AAAAAAAAAdc/X_Mz5Q5rOAs/s400/026.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bM4QUxyFSz4/ToCzPilyL1I/AAAAAAAAAdg/AvUM_80AhJA/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bM4QUxyFSz4/ToCzPilyL1I/AAAAAAAAAdg/AvUM_80AhJA/s400/027.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKv-YsRcZ5A/ToCzTjC3tPI/AAAAAAAAAdk/5Igu4WP0dS4/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKv-YsRcZ5A/ToCzTjC3tPI/AAAAAAAAAdk/5Igu4WP0dS4/s400/032.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>I was a bit worried about bringing three tired cranky kids into the restaurant by myself and apologized in advance to the server for any disruptions they may cause! The kids did awesome the first half, just coloring quietly and hanging out. So much so that the couple next to me complimented us on how calm everybody was since they had heard my discussion with the server earlier.<br />
The next couple that came wasn't as lucky! The kids hit their walls and started falling apart. I quickly paid and explained the situation to the couple who then stopped making eyes at us and started smiling understanding smiles after I told them we had missed the train and I was doing my best. John came just in time to get us back home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XCk63p80NSA/ToCzc_rxj0I/AAAAAAAAAdo/NSw-Qdm79TY/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XCk63p80NSA/ToCzc_rxj0I/AAAAAAAAAdo/NSw-Qdm79TY/s400/034.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>It was a great adventure of a day. Missing the train, while not part of the plan, was a learning experience all in itself! I asked Ava the next day what she learned from the trip. She said she learned the train had only four cars on it AND that if you walk too far away when you have to be back for the train you might miss your train!!!! Yup! There's learning in everything.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XWxpfAf94A/ToCzibsk7EI/AAAAAAAAAds/UZ6Y_6r7v7U/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XWxpfAf94A/ToCzibsk7EI/AAAAAAAAAds/UZ6Y_6r7v7U/s400/040.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-75939996194323826152011-09-22T15:49:00.001-05:002011-09-22T16:49:55.771-05:00Learn With Me DayThis week Ava had her first "Learn With Me Day" at her Grandma and Grandpa's. We are starting these activities with family members so she has an opportunity to learn with those close to her. Everyone has different skills and talents and activities going on and for Ava to get to be included in on them is so valuable. Ava loves to be with other adults one-on-one so it seemed like a natural fit to incorporate that into her homeschooling. <br />
With her grandma, Ava picked apples from the apple tree, made a cake, went to the park, and also did some art! Then when I came to pick her up, the two younger kids got to do some apple picking too. Ava and her grandpa picked some leaves off the trees and tried to identify them using an app on his phone. She absolutely LOVED her day! I think the first Learn With Me Day was a definite success! She's going to love the other activities that others are lining up. Many family members are getting into this! I'm so happy about it and know that the kids will benefit so much from spending time learning this way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iC9job-1JBA/Tnub0E9X3lI/AAAAAAAAAb0/XtKmTRnkUNk/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iC9job-1JBA/Tnub0E9X3lI/AAAAAAAAAb0/XtKmTRnkUNk/s320/021.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6bLknFIUsA/TnubqK69bwI/AAAAAAAAAbk/6ilqQd12ZdI/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6bLknFIUsA/TnubqK69bwI/AAAAAAAAAbk/6ilqQd12ZdI/s320/019.JPG" width="320px" /></a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ve7ieeLD4u8/Tnubsc1UyFI/AAAAAAAAAbo/QSdEfRzpp94/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ve7ieeLD4u8/Tnubsc1UyFI/AAAAAAAAAbo/QSdEfRzpp94/s320/025.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeTW4E34muc/TnubuZabOGI/AAAAAAAAAbs/N_h4wwGu634/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeTW4E34muc/TnubuZabOGI/AAAAAAAAAbs/N_h4wwGu634/s320/031.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2RdEopbudpA/TnubwucP5mI/AAAAAAAAAbw/lPpOoBVH7OQ/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2RdEopbudpA/TnubwucP5mI/AAAAAAAAAbw/lPpOoBVH7OQ/s320/029.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ava also started up Art Class again this week, which she is very excited about. And the rest of the week was filled up with library, face painting, math games on the computer, some word building puzzles and games. For the word puzzles Ava worked on identifying vowels and why they're important.</div><br />
Card games are great for learning math! Ava's favorite card games right now are "War", great for recognizing greater/less than, "10s solitaire" which uses all the pairs that add up to 10, and "Golf", which is good for strategy and estimation. I saw her at the neighbor's next store doing her math dry-erase cards the other day with him too. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We did a lot of reading/spelling on the driveway this week with chalk. Working on the word "my" and silent e's for Ava. It's a fun easy way to learn. I'd make words and the kids would draw the pictures. Also, indoors, we did some rhyming lists and some more phonics this time with "aw" words which Ava was very proud of herself for reading. She also learned about verbs this week which will likely have some fun uses in the future. I'm thinking we can find some fun games to play with action words that all three of the kids will have fun with.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZsTfeoJ0dk/TnucLyucZqI/AAAAAAAAAb4/1Ylitp2WgCk/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZsTfeoJ0dk/TnucLyucZqI/AAAAAAAAAb4/1Ylitp2WgCk/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbs-9NbI4vQ/TnucN5Zdv9I/AAAAAAAAAb8/6DWqToTLmVI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbs-9NbI4vQ/TnucN5Zdv9I/AAAAAAAAAb8/6DWqToTLmVI/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAVol70whR4/Tnue5TtPHHI/AAAAAAAAAcU/rkeZYCOi9iw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAVol70whR4/Tnue5TtPHHI/AAAAAAAAAcU/rkeZYCOi9iw/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phHju54LFkI/Tnue7j6qY1I/AAAAAAAAAcY/5PaZRL29Oo8/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phHju54LFkI/Tnue7j6qY1I/AAAAAAAAAcY/5PaZRL29Oo8/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Other significant events: Noah's Birthday and Ava lost her first tooth! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkvUPmtzTZE/TnudKmB3a9I/AAAAAAAAAcE/vZXznJKyPSU/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkvUPmtzTZE/TnudKmB3a9I/AAAAAAAAAcE/vZXznJKyPSU/s320/025.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21Yo2sJqZh4/TnudMdpl0aI/AAAAAAAAAcI/k6gxn-MzPlE/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21Yo2sJqZh4/TnudMdpl0aI/AAAAAAAAAcI/k6gxn-MzPlE/s320/029.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la7kbH7UrYc/TnudB0fkJ2I/AAAAAAAAAcA/pXmNS6oJ9mo/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la7kbH7UrYc/TnudB0fkJ2I/AAAAAAAAAcA/pXmNS6oJ9mo/s320/015.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzDWpsdVt-Y/TnudPRyrMRI/AAAAAAAAAcM/1WL5s0fgcSc/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzDWpsdVt-Y/TnudPRyrMRI/AAAAAAAAAcM/1WL5s0fgcSc/s320/032.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John's friend Dan traced Amora and they made her into a Tooth Fairy along with a note on the driveway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-34714114128727922882011-09-08T21:32:00.001-05:002011-09-11T11:01:33.321-05:00"Not-Back-To-School-Week!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P232kpDXr08/Tml1-wqJC5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/9_As2-qSMzM/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P232kpDXr08/Tml1-wqJC5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/9_As2-qSMzM/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>We celebrated the Not-Back-To-School week by going to some parks and meeting up with some fellow homeschoolers. We recently got a big parachute so we brought that along to one of the meet-ups which was a hit. I'm thinking we'll definitely get a lot of use out of this parachute. I love how excited all the kids get when we take it out!<br />
The kids got to celebrate not having to get up early and dressed for school. So they all got to wear their pajamas to the park! They loved it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szJRUukRi0A/Tml23XIw2PI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/KXozgK-9eEU/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szJRUukRi0A/Tml23XIw2PI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/KXozgK-9eEU/s320/027.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTljM0v5ob0/Tml26iiKOTI/AAAAAAAAAaA/v-mxXHN_J6E/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTljM0v5ob0/Tml26iiKOTI/AAAAAAAAAaA/v-mxXHN_J6E/s320/022.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl1-PPjK0kc/Tml28bijaRI/AAAAAAAAAaE/VVrWcZfxE5c/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl1-PPjK0kc/Tml28bijaRI/AAAAAAAAAaE/VVrWcZfxE5c/s320/021.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl7TPl1qibk/Tml2_K_WVvI/AAAAAAAAAaI/v6e6Eu1QlYw/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl7TPl1qibk/Tml2_K_WVvI/AAAAAAAAAaI/v6e6Eu1QlYw/s320/020.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri7WgK65lzI/Tml5nE8VfHI/AAAAAAAAAbI/fjZfFJXS2Gw/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri7WgK65lzI/Tml5nE8VfHI/AAAAAAAAAbI/fjZfFJXS2Gw/s320/010.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8n-XCNcgA4/Tml5oiA0M0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/a21Ok1wM928/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8n-XCNcgA4/Tml5oiA0M0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/a21Ok1wM928/s320/013.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEBUIVi6iF0/Tml5siMawsI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/MuJF4qa47yg/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEBUIVi6iF0/Tml5siMawsI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/MuJF4qa47yg/s320/017.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afhggzygebA/Tml5vO4q1xI/AAAAAAAAAbU/dg2GPxXAtoE/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afhggzygebA/Tml5vO4q1xI/AAAAAAAAAbU/dg2GPxXAtoE/s320/016.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33q8qSGw0nU/Tml5xVto6WI/AAAAAAAAAbY/ZFS1ff41KD8/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33q8qSGw0nU/Tml5xVto6WI/AAAAAAAAAbY/ZFS1ff41KD8/s320/023.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah-cam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zq8ewHS2HZw/Tml5zV68EtI/AAAAAAAAAbc/I8-EH-dwe3k/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zq8ewHS2HZw/Tml5zV68EtI/AAAAAAAAAbc/I8-EH-dwe3k/s320/024.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sF64jZ9kcVc/Tml51bUQUyI/AAAAAAAAAbg/PwdJ_5ij-3A/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sF64jZ9kcVc/Tml51bUQUyI/AAAAAAAAAbg/PwdJ_5ij-3A/s320/026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>We also had breakfast at the near-by dam one morning. This was the first time the younger two had been to the actual dam, even though we've played at the park before. All three were amazed and thought it was so fun to have a breakfast picnic while watching the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6d-uoiPI1wU/Tml3fEgnQ8I/AAAAAAAAAaM/GGhjlloGPeA/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6d-uoiPI1wU/Tml3fEgnQ8I/AAAAAAAAAaM/GGhjlloGPeA/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2QissLr2Lw/Tml3hM4fa4I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/P_qKsqyCZL0/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2QissLr2Lw/Tml3hM4fa4I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/P_qKsqyCZL0/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7gAtwjgGLQ/Tml3jf2cGvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/5zmLKqVM8RU/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7gAtwjgGLQ/Tml3jf2cGvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/5zmLKqVM8RU/s320/004.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ituv_LLJph8/Tml3rUrajsI/AAAAAAAAAaY/nzK7JWYS6dg/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ituv_LLJph8/Tml3rUrajsI/AAAAAAAAAaY/nzK7JWYS6dg/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MhVpExHxAM/Tml3tV0Q5qI/AAAAAAAAAag/yvwt9CvvG9I/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MhVpExHxAM/Tml3tV0Q5qI/AAAAAAAAAag/yvwt9CvvG9I/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQAlxXpf_qc/Tml3yYVwnrI/AAAAAAAAAak/VpRR5NiZeEA/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQAlxXpf_qc/Tml3yYVwnrI/AAAAAAAAAak/VpRR5NiZeEA/s320/014.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
It's been a super fun week for us. I'm feeling thankful this week to have all three kids around this year and that we're starting off homeschooling. Last year at this time Ava was going to Kindergarten at the public school. I feel so fortunate we are doing what seems to work best for our family this year. I'm soaking up every day and love to watch the kids having so much fun too. I look forward to finding all the fun ways to learn throughout the official school year. There are so many opportunities ahead...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SZEgH6iQuaE/Tml4GcQXD_I/AAAAAAAAAao/JGePSYJwthg/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SZEgH6iQuaE/Tml4GcQXD_I/AAAAAAAAAao/JGePSYJwthg/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens at Wild Rumpus Bookstore</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfxUC3KradI/Tml4IAQxWGI/AAAAAAAAAas/2n3jqZNeqlk/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfxUC3KradI/Tml4IAQxWGI/AAAAAAAAAas/2n3jqZNeqlk/s320/006.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty Tree/Book Shelf!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwp22vXF4oI/Tml4OyRJqJI/AAAAAAAAAaw/7arlJvvOei0/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwp22vXF4oI/Tml4OyRJqJI/AAAAAAAAAaw/7arlJvvOei0/s320/010.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora found a basket of her favorite book series!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MGSn2kz_Bg/Tml4Qtn6SEI/AAAAAAAAAa0/acIVNhjlqkE/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MGSn2kz_Bg/Tml4Qtn6SEI/AAAAAAAAAa0/acIVNhjlqkE/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava making a stepping stone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLaX4KSgHhE/Tml4hyl0_bI/AAAAAAAAAa4/-IPL_7sfoMI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLaX4KSgHhE/Tml4hyl0_bI/AAAAAAAAAa4/-IPL_7sfoMI/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah learning about his favorite bugs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yfEygBhcRM/Tml4rtAaYcI/AAAAAAAAAa8/6V9RDXRdpgs/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yfEygBhcRM/Tml4rtAaYcI/AAAAAAAAAa8/6V9RDXRdpgs/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parachute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gQ40MNjtUM/Tml4toczSQI/AAAAAAAAAbA/EslS70KDXIs/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gQ40MNjtUM/Tml4toczSQI/AAAAAAAAAbA/EslS70KDXIs/s320/006.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQrvUjEuueg/Tml4vj3SPiI/AAAAAAAAAbE/dB82z4-bPlA/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQrvUjEuueg/Tml4vj3SPiI/AAAAAAAAAbE/dB82z4-bPlA/s320/007.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete The Cat's shoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-38074947609891088382011-08-28T15:52:00.000-05:002011-08-28T15:52:41.863-05:00Fun With Paint Outside!I think the pics speak for themselves :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--9s3XxhSXYA/Tlg8mYSfU0I/AAAAAAAAAY0/TDp3l1Detv4/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--9s3XxhSXYA/Tlg8mYSfU0I/AAAAAAAAAY0/TDp3l1Detv4/s400/003.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLEZi9wxvsg/Tlg8ofN9mrI/AAAAAAAAAY4/DFu9IwGHhIc/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLEZi9wxvsg/Tlg8ofN9mrI/AAAAAAAAAY4/DFu9IwGHhIc/s400/004.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLpNQK-aQtw/Tlg8qbNG8jI/AAAAAAAAAY8/licP32sBGKY/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLpNQK-aQtw/Tlg8qbNG8jI/AAAAAAAAAY8/licP32sBGKY/s200/005.JPG" width="150px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xAPJ-FtJjKs/Tlg8sgKWxMI/AAAAAAAAAZA/Rrf0djQOnik/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xAPJ-FtJjKs/Tlg8sgKWxMI/AAAAAAAAAZA/Rrf0djQOnik/s400/006.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HCeiltpKOE/Tlg8uRlYozI/AAAAAAAAAZE/L3cEoFTK7nE/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HCeiltpKOE/Tlg8uRlYozI/AAAAAAAAAZE/L3cEoFTK7nE/s400/007.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvVJm0NRx74/Tlg8wRbA7VI/AAAAAAAAAZI/B9pMQsR1_3o/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvVJm0NRx74/Tlg8wRbA7VI/AAAAAAAAAZI/B9pMQsR1_3o/s400/018.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlPNtU88mpM/Tlg8yJAgJPI/AAAAAAAAAZM/MCvNGqOE3VA/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlPNtU88mpM/Tlg8yJAgJPI/AAAAAAAAAZM/MCvNGqOE3VA/s400/019.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G20hDlj26aM/Tlg82lAd0dI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/NUmzdbCv64E/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G20hDlj26aM/Tlg82lAd0dI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/NUmzdbCv64E/s640/020.JPG" width="480px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ICV189iRcU/Tlg84QnxJ3I/AAAAAAAAAZU/vu85uFL6jXQ/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ICV189iRcU/Tlg84QnxJ3I/AAAAAAAAAZU/vu85uFL6jXQ/s400/021.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHjG0b33-5g/Tlg854JoGlI/AAAAAAAAAZY/tsbvUqPA_D8/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHjG0b33-5g/Tlg854JoGlI/AAAAAAAAAZY/tsbvUqPA_D8/s320/024.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3SNEeHfJFc/Tlg88NchZDI/AAAAAAAAAZc/pN_y2iFFx4o/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3SNEeHfJFc/Tlg88NchZDI/AAAAAAAAAZc/pN_y2iFFx4o/s640/021.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-17906672477531188752011-08-26T14:49:00.007-05:002011-08-26T16:38:38.151-05:00Fenske<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GIjzm9kIqo/TlfxfN_6B6I/AAAAAAAAAXE/QvISTNiPUQI/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GIjzm9kIqo/TlfxfN_6B6I/AAAAAAAAAXE/QvISTNiPUQI/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>This month our family went on a week long vacation up north near the boundary waters of Minnesota. We stayed in a cute little cabin on Fenske Lake, with no TV, no computers, and surrounded by wilderness. It was just what our family needed! With John's busy schedule, it's often hard to get in a lot of quality family time and he loved getting the chance to spend so much time with the kids, and they loved all the time they got to spend with him! <br />
My parents camped across the lake so we met up every day for meals, canoing, hikes, swimming, and visiting the near-by town of Ely. They also watched the kids while John and I celebrated our anniversary with dinner at the Blue Heron, where we had a great 5-course meal. The chef made my dinner all vegan. It was wonderful!<br />
<br />
It was so enriching for the kids to be surrounded by nature for a week. Ava and Noah learned to paddle a canoe, they went on a row-boat for the first time (Amora's first time on a boat), saw many different animals including a fox who came up right outside our cabin and ate some leftover food the kids were feeding the chipmunks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9E6yvpdZsk/TlfxtmpfJzI/AAAAAAAAAXI/fq0lUrp2el4/s1600/P8070027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9E6yvpdZsk/TlfxtmpfJzI/AAAAAAAAAXI/fq0lUrp2el4/s320/P8070027.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava learning to paddle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Apvx6knUdko/Tlfxxlw46DI/AAAAAAAAAXM/jHGCjDcuykA/s1600/P8070050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Apvx6knUdko/Tlfxxlw46DI/AAAAAAAAAXM/jHGCjDcuykA/s320/P8070050.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah loved going into the lilly pads!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLYd1Vza2P8/Tlf1XRFC4nI/AAAAAAAAAXo/cU5SG7cU_sQ/s1600/DSCF4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLYd1Vza2P8/Tlf1XRFC4nI/AAAAAAAAAXo/cU5SG7cU_sQ/s320/DSCF4711.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>It was fun seeing how each of their personalities fit themselves into the vacation. Ava enjoyes a bit of solitude and liked having her own room in the cabin where she could sit and do art and play games with her grandparents or John or I. She liked to go off on hikes with grandpa and go out canoing on the quiet lake. I remember growing up being the same way. My dad often brought me on early morning canoe rides on the quiet lakes so we could see wildlife. It was really cool watching her soak up all the peacefulness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kt5fCqgiQ3o/TlfyA24XVLI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/PFmkwnrQi0Y/s1600/P8090076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kt5fCqgiQ3o/TlfyA24XVLI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/PFmkwnrQi0Y/s320/P8090076.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5bMcc70PrI/TlfyMJGNAXI/AAAAAAAAAXU/4xZEYG_K7Qg/s1600/P8090079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5bMcc70PrI/TlfyMJGNAXI/AAAAAAAAAXU/4xZEYG_K7Qg/s320/P8090079.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Noah loves animals, insects, fish, and flowers. Going a short-distance on a walk takes much longer with Noah. He stops at each of the many butterflies and follows them. Finds slugs and beetles. Stops off in patches of flowers and weeds. Examines the ground and the plants. And wades into any open water he comes across. Clothes and all. He is very delighted by the smallest simplest things. I love watching his eyes sparkling as he explores and we always had a pretty kid-picked bouquet of flowers for the cabin table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMgljZGYH8Y/TlfzWM-Aj2I/AAAAAAAAAXY/rCrrxqSvB10/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMgljZGYH8Y/TlfzWM-Aj2I/AAAAAAAAAXY/rCrrxqSvB10/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1v6D_Ff2RZY/Tlf0lldxZ5I/AAAAAAAAAXk/eRZjyRcqfIE/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1v6D_Ff2RZY/Tlf0lldxZ5I/AAAAAAAAAXk/eRZjyRcqfIE/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div>Amora loved the butterflies and all the animals she saw. She loved laying on the dock watching the fish. She got braver in the water on this trip too. She learned so many new words and saw so many animals for the first time including the fox, bear, and wolves we saw. She turned two years old on the trip!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkknTqimkZ4/TlfzsKGRkGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/IkItZh-J6nY/s1600/DSCF4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkknTqimkZ4/TlfzsKGRkGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/IkItZh-J6nY/s320/DSCF4898.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>We walked (or rowed) to the beach almost every day. It was such a nice quiet little swimming area, good for making sand castles, and the dock was perfect for the kids to run and jump off of. There were tons of small fish that the kids fed bits of crackers to. Then when they'd go in the water, the fish weren't afraid of them and would even come up and "kiss" their toes. Noah's face the first time a fish came up and "kissed" his foot by our cabin dock was priceless.<br />
One evening at the beach, a man was fishing on the near-by dock. Ava and Noah loudly serenaded him with a song about how he shouldn't hurt fish and gasped everytime he brought up the rod saying, "Oh no! I hope he didn't get one!" He didn't fish there long. Our kids rock :) No wonder the fishies love them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j6tmRpdbLs8/Tlfz9tej0GI/AAAAAAAAAXg/xCR_QP8KzJo/s1600/DSCF4782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j6tmRpdbLs8/Tlfz9tej0GI/AAAAAAAAAXg/xCR_QP8KzJo/s320/DSCF4782.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
In Ely, we visited the bear center, the wolf center, and also Dorothy Molter's (The Root Beer Lady) cabins which Ava liked. It was cool for her to see how someone lived up in the boundary water area without many modern conveniences. She chopped her own wood, washed clothes on a washing board and did a lot of snowshoing and, more famously, made and sold Root Beer to those who paddled in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nauh9EzAg5k/Tlf2r13Az-I/AAAAAAAAAXs/eRxLMwqooVI/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nauh9EzAg5k/Tlf2r13Az-I/AAAAAAAAAXs/eRxLMwqooVI/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLse1vEyUiE/Tlf2t1EKYxI/AAAAAAAAAXw/L1UL42CZWpA/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLse1vEyUiE/Tlf2t1EKYxI/AAAAAAAAAXw/L1UL42CZWpA/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F9ZY0O6f1Os/Tlf2vpCS3BI/AAAAAAAAAX0/70hqSPwOaSU/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F9ZY0O6f1Os/Tlf2vpCS3BI/AAAAAAAAAX0/70hqSPwOaSU/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmvtNRtFDBg/Tlf2xYFE3eI/AAAAAAAAAX4/hlxSaVL7GZc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmvtNRtFDBg/Tlf2xYFE3eI/AAAAAAAAAX4/hlxSaVL7GZc/s320/007.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuev7Kepvuc/Tlf29E2GvHI/AAAAAAAAAX8/iA16sEuL_DM/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuev7Kepvuc/Tlf29E2GvHI/AAAAAAAAAX8/iA16sEuL_DM/s320/DSC_0166.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2s_JqGh85cc/Tlf3AunI4wI/AAAAAAAAAYA/OvhXzuRoj0k/s1600/DSC_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2s_JqGh85cc/Tlf3AunI4wI/AAAAAAAAAYA/OvhXzuRoj0k/s320/DSC_0172.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGVx-8igVX0/Tlf3DBg0QyI/AAAAAAAAAYE/yjmnqXlhxKE/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGVx-8igVX0/Tlf3DBg0QyI/AAAAAAAAAYE/yjmnqXlhxKE/s320/DSC_0302.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEEyfPiGnjQ/Tlf3FGjD9vI/AAAAAAAAAYI/qdM0XZ4EjWo/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEEyfPiGnjQ/Tlf3FGjD9vI/AAAAAAAAAYI/qdM0XZ4EjWo/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjlOuMBDDZY/Tlf3JpfMrTI/AAAAAAAAAYM/zleNsUrmizY/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjlOuMBDDZY/Tlf3JpfMrTI/AAAAAAAAAYM/zleNsUrmizY/s320/DSC_0314.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>The hardest part of the week was leaving. There were many tears and sad faces. Ava wanted to live there. She had her whole plan together that we would come back and get our cat and bring him up. Then mail a letter to all her friends with our new address so they could come visit. She went and hid in one of the rooms when it was time to leave and John went in and carried her out. She just layed her head on his shoulder and didn't say a word. <br />
Even Amora, when I told her we were going bye bye earlier that day, had made a mad face and said, "NO BYE-BYE!"<br />
<br />
It helped us all when John stopped by the lodge and booked us again for next year, though!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEEye6g3kL0/Tlf3arhawjI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/V1RTL-rUdFs/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEEye6g3kL0/Tlf3arhawjI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/V1RTL-rUdFs/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fTQS1f1sQw/Tlf3eKPlKqI/AAAAAAAAAYU/n6bsoijf7Uk/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fTQS1f1sQw/Tlf3eKPlKqI/AAAAAAAAAYU/n6bsoijf7Uk/s320/DSC_0210.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava with her magnifying glass and tweezers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGtj6KRGR3E/Tlf3iT3_gNI/AAAAAAAAAYY/wCNzO4NlBhg/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGtj6KRGR3E/Tlf3iT3_gNI/AAAAAAAAAYY/wCNzO4NlBhg/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYyBw3lIWOQ/Tlf3lV4qeBI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Y3sJdsS16dc/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYyBw3lIWOQ/Tlf3lV4qeBI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Y3sJdsS16dc/s320/DSC_0242.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examining a dead mouse perhaps dropped by a bird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrAUQb-D6x8/Tlf3p4FwL1I/AAAAAAAAAYg/Yzhvef--_EY/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrAUQb-D6x8/Tlf3p4FwL1I/AAAAAAAAAYg/Yzhvef--_EY/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora's first S'mores!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kekzfqiXMGI/Tlf3vvFHP2I/AAAAAAAAAYk/A8T5hWJtkVI/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kekzfqiXMGI/Tlf3vvFHP2I/AAAAAAAAAYk/A8T5hWJtkVI/s320/DSC_0134.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqlx3pDVMRc/Tlf3zmGkmUI/AAAAAAAAAYo/5QeS6CSdaOc/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqlx3pDVMRc/Tlf3zmGkmUI/AAAAAAAAAYo/5QeS6CSdaOc/s320/DSC_0123.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbIKqPxDMi4/Tlf3_rdh0aI/AAAAAAAAAYs/XKxI_0x72YQ/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbIKqPxDMi4/Tlf3_rdh0aI/AAAAAAAAAYs/XKxI_0x72YQ/s320/036.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bat and ball with daddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yB4PD_HPok4/Tlf4EFzja5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/BaI-7Ur8PSA/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yB4PD_HPok4/Tlf4EFzja5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/BaI-7Ur8PSA/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pounding a fern to get the color onto paper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-61056749108039401822011-08-19T19:06:00.005-05:002011-08-19T20:51:35.413-05:00Birthdays, New Camera, Learn Nothing!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_dYOZKDdUo/Tk7s8HzaalI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ky6H7mkB9Zc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_dYOZKDdUo/Tk7s8HzaalI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ky6H7mkB9Zc/s400/001.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gk0cRnet0Qo/Tk7ySPCEo2I/AAAAAAAAAWk/9dFEeeJAycg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gk0cRnet0Qo/Tk7ySPCEo2I/AAAAAAAAAWk/9dFEeeJAycg/s400/006.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Summer's been flying past, and as we check things off our summer bucket list, it seems we just can't fit enough in this summer and wish it wouldn't end!</div>We've gone to an outdoor concert, walked an "Art in the Park" full of homemade crafts, celebrated the kids' birthdays and so much more. <br />
Here's a sampling!<br />
<br />
Ava took a kids class at a program at the local community college. She chose a kids chemistry class called "Blow It Up." As you can imagine, it was pretty fun and she loved it. It was a "camp" style so was four days in a row. She didn't want it to end.<br />
<br />
I like to have "Mommy Days" with each of the kids since it's sometimes hard for me to get out and have one-on-one time with the kids. Ava chose to go to the play Annie at the Children's Theatre. This was only the second play she'd been to. It was a wonderful production and so nice to go with just her and me.<br />
Noah chose to go to a movie. We watched about half of it then he wanted to leave which was just fine. So we went to Subway and the book store and he played with the train set for a half hour and I picked up some books for the kids, including a favorite, "Pete The Cat."<br />
<br />
We've used the kiddie pool a lot this summer and to jazz it up, I gave the kids some food coloring and added some olive oil to the pool to see how the oil separated in the water and how the colors mixed. And of course, play in it all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbxPIaKWJ7g/Tk7tPG7qUNI/AAAAAAAAAUs/usjtMrASgW8/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbxPIaKWJ7g/Tk7tPG7qUNI/AAAAAAAAAUs/usjtMrASgW8/s400/004.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>For her 6th Birthday, Ava got her own camera/video camera. She's crazy about it and has been practicing her photography where ever we go and out the car windows. Her favorite subject? Our cat Frodo. You can see he's thrilled...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oV1Av3C2D6s/Tk7tdGXSqKI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Aws_R00sxN0/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oV1Av3C2D6s/Tk7tdGXSqKI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Aws_R00sxN0/s400/078.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Tale Frodo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7vWnG89gUs/Tk73iyJGUEI/AAAAAAAAAXA/xIawsI9R7l4/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7vWnG89gUs/Tk73iyJGUEI/AAAAAAAAAXA/xIawsI9R7l4/s400/066.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Frodo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLLq6fs7WKI/Tk7tebA3DWI/AAAAAAAAAU0/36tubYuKxe4/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLLq6fs7WKI/Tk7tebA3DWI/AAAAAAAAAU0/36tubYuKxe4/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava-cam: This was on our way to check out a train bridge collapse after flooding eroded it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SNFykd-wlA8/Tk7tfRWopUI/AAAAAAAAAU4/T0zJDXU30uM/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SNFykd-wlA8/Tk7tfRWopUI/AAAAAAAAAU4/T0zJDXU30uM/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava's pic of Daddy driving and a flag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k18XkD5T7lw/Tk7tgICA_RI/AAAAAAAAAU8/MbLeDWHzXg8/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k18XkD5T7lw/Tk7tgICA_RI/AAAAAAAAAU8/MbLeDWHzXg8/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More van pics by Ava!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The garden has been doing well. The kids do great helping with it and I love their look of excitement when we pick things from it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEE_ShFVHVs/Tk7tuKyngZI/AAAAAAAAAVA/EFoES_B_YyM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEE_ShFVHVs/Tk7tuKyngZI/AAAAAAAAAVA/EFoES_B_YyM/s320/010.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLDnK1qTGjI/Tk7uB-Wz8vI/AAAAAAAAAVE/7WOVoIGT18s/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLDnK1qTGjI/Tk7uB-Wz8vI/AAAAAAAAAVE/7WOVoIGT18s/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>We've gone to a couple of the kids' friends' birthday parties in July and the kids also celebrated their own birthdays with a Triple Birthday Party. We rented a bounce house and they had lots of friends and family to celebrate with. It was a wonderful, though very hot and VERY humid, evening!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCN-Mp14Bfw/Tk7uc8jmShI/AAAAAAAAAVI/YkrzjLiQ4Tc/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCN-Mp14Bfw/Tk7uc8jmShI/AAAAAAAAAVI/YkrzjLiQ4Tc/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora figured out how to take her own pic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aQph_eRK24/Tk7uf6lGe0I/AAAAAAAAAVM/4Oot_SOQGp0/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aQph_eRK24/Tk7uf6lGe0I/AAAAAAAAAVM/4Oot_SOQGp0/s320/021.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At friends' Birthday Party</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbvqc2sR_Kw/Tk7v1LbwcqI/AAAAAAAAAVU/eN8q63y80cY/s1600/DSC_0216_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbvqc2sR_Kw/Tk7v1LbwcqI/AAAAAAAAAVU/eN8q63y80cY/s320/DSC_0216_0056.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple Birthday Bash!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9BFj0KhTgk/Tk7v22gTy4I/AAAAAAAAAVY/0K2jQxxdI0k/s1600/DSC_0084_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9BFj0KhTgk/Tk7v22gTy4I/AAAAAAAAAVY/0K2jQxxdI0k/s320/DSC_0084_0115.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ami ready for cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k58Qa2U7MRQ/Tk7vFN63BHI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/5ETEYcZBY78/s1600/DSC_0073_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k58Qa2U7MRQ/Tk7vFN63BHI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/5ETEYcZBY78/s320/DSC_0073_0122.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah's turn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XfrFIWLrf8/Tk7v7xHVLnI/AAAAAAAAAVc/bMnkIjAxKpM/s1600/DSC_0044_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XfrFIWLrf8/Tk7v7xHVLnI/AAAAAAAAAVc/bMnkIjAxKpM/s320/DSC_0044_0138.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>The week following the Birthdays was spent doing so many fun crafts and activities that they had received as gifts. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZuPy2WjRaI/Tk7wHVpOI3I/AAAAAAAAAVg/jFKF3AE2rp4/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZuPy2WjRaI/Tk7wHVpOI3I/AAAAAAAAAVg/jFKF3AE2rp4/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a new game out of good Ol' Twister.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvf_QcdSWZk/Tk7wUfFs5BI/AAAAAAAAAVk/f5gKCrMIpjc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvf_QcdSWZk/Tk7wUfFs5BI/AAAAAAAAAVk/f5gKCrMIpjc/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava teaching Noah how to play their new game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1PGx_RA-rs/Tk7wWS59o7I/AAAAAAAAAVo/7qAXkt7fENw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1PGx_RA-rs/Tk7wWS59o7I/AAAAAAAAAVo/7qAXkt7fENw/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--aOVG0CGgEc/Tk7wYs010CI/AAAAAAAAAVs/VxqLj4G2IzI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--aOVG0CGgEc/Tk7wYs010CI/AAAAAAAAAVs/VxqLj4G2IzI/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk6Mm6X8KvE/Tk7wb-bYpRI/AAAAAAAAAVw/dJrpMiTgboY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk6Mm6X8KvE/Tk7wb-bYpRI/AAAAAAAAAVw/dJrpMiTgboY/s320/004.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The look of accomplishment!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NK3GMzPneVY/Tk7wd3GNNgI/AAAAAAAAAV0/44iVa1DUZQA/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NK3GMzPneVY/Tk7wd3GNNgI/AAAAAAAAAV0/44iVa1DUZQA/s400/016.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>July 24th is known as "Learn Nothing" day among unschoolers/child lead-learners. It's a fun, albeit tongue-in-cheek, day to remind us how hard it is for kids to not learn anything all day! So I announced it to the kids and they found it amusing but didn't really think it was possible. How do we not learn? haha! As predicted, they accidentally learned things anyways. Ava and Noah learned to play a new game they got from their grandma, and worked on playing together and patience! Amora learned that she could push a dining room chair into the kitchen and reach anything she wanted (doh!). Amora also learned how to roller-pin play-doh and make it flat. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rt4sDOJY9X8/Tk7wqGIbH3I/AAAAAAAAAV4/5dkVn2i4Fa8/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rt4sDOJY9X8/Tk7wqGIbH3I/AAAAAAAAAV4/5dkVn2i4Fa8/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssFpRXOGE2E/Tk7wr5S49xI/AAAAAAAAAV8/yueDKUhZRDQ/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ssFpRXOGE2E/Tk7wr5S49xI/AAAAAAAAAV8/yueDKUhZRDQ/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't worry, it's shut off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Ava got a keyboard last Christmas that came with a DVD and CD-ROM of piano lessons. So for the past 6 or 7 months, she has played on her keyboard. I never pushed her toward the learning lessons. I think it's important for kids to get the feel for things themselves and hear the tunes with their own ears and make sense of the keys. Now that she's comfortable with it and enjoys it so much, she asked me to put in the CD-ROM for her and later the DVD. It's a bit fast-based for her age but still, she learned from it and now plays her first song, "Mary Had A Little Lamb." It was challenging for her to keep up with the disc and now has put it up and is back to playing on her own. I suspect in the future she'll grab the lessons again and try again. If it's left up to kids, they will learn what they like to learn and need to learn in their own time. When they are ready. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROYYjt4SQv0/Tk7w1AQihDI/AAAAAAAAAWA/5hVKFiJ6hXA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROYYjt4SQv0/Tk7w1AQihDI/AAAAAAAAAWA/5hVKFiJ6hXA/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava and Amora on their keyboards.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We recently went to our neighborhood Night To Unite meet-up as well. The kids got to meet some fire fighters, tour the emergency truck and play with new friends. There's actually another homeschooling family with five children a few houses down that we met from going to these neighborhood meetings! It's so great for us to get to know our neighbors.<br />
<br />
So that's been the way things have been going. This brings us up to our big week-long awesome, wonderful, fantastic, trip up at Fenske, near the Boundary Waters. Hoping to get that posted soon!!!!<br />
<br />
More summer pics:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWPOb3GmVlA/Tk7xFREAIXI/AAAAAAAAAWI/e6dKeU-WzpE/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWPOb3GmVlA/Tk7xFREAIXI/AAAAAAAAAWI/e6dKeU-WzpE/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXYXTMB3ZIw/Tk7xM8cgcoI/AAAAAAAAAWM/XtgWyzUbxfQ/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXYXTMB3ZIw/Tk7xM8cgcoI/AAAAAAAAAWM/XtgWyzUbxfQ/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVb_toTT9XM/Tk7xTZIx1lI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/o5BuUvSwDgo/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVb_toTT9XM/Tk7xTZIx1lI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/o5BuUvSwDgo/s320/007.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery Wheel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2ex2xpY9w0/Tk7xVP57LbI/AAAAAAAAAWU/qP1Px8ZXen8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2ex2xpY9w0/Tk7xVP57LbI/AAAAAAAAAWU/qP1Px8ZXen8/s320/010.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah checking out the gooey clay water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytlK4HI5OM8/Tk7xYw70WUI/AAAAAAAAAWY/IzS6fFMFuf8/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytlK4HI5OM8/Tk7xYw70WUI/AAAAAAAAAWY/IzS6fFMFuf8/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdXBRdKk0Xo/Tk7xtqA4ZoI/AAAAAAAAAWc/J874NvNLWTQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdXBRdKk0Xo/Tk7xtqA4ZoI/AAAAAAAAAWc/J874NvNLWTQ/s320/005.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting daddy with Nerf!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gpXMc3seM7I/Tk7xvt2gTNI/AAAAAAAAAWg/cvBKoX9hLC8/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gpXMc3seM7I/Tk7xvt2gTNI/AAAAAAAAAWg/cvBKoX9hLC8/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floor Art!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6fUcGKtRJU/Tk7zg5idm9I/AAAAAAAAAW4/-IvNA5_hZ28/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6fUcGKtRJU/Tk7zg5idm9I/AAAAAAAAAW4/-IvNA5_hZ28/s320/011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava trying to draw with her little sister.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0jcr-u658g/Tk7zjHFuEVI/AAAAAAAAAW8/ljQRRkaU_0U/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0jcr-u658g/Tk7zjHFuEVI/AAAAAAAAAW8/ljQRRkaU_0U/s320/012.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two markers are better than one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-2699731823731586922011-07-08T12:48:00.004-05:002011-07-08T16:40:11.434-05:00Mud Pies, Gardens, Fourth of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yIFnBUvTbUY/ThdAhm-BB3I/AAAAAAAAAUc/MZNKbK5hZ9Y/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yIFnBUvTbUY/ThdAhm-BB3I/AAAAAAAAAUc/MZNKbK5hZ9Y/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfbEENKrNeE/ThdAmTCOuRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/tTXHBPcd6-c/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfbEENKrNeE/ThdAmTCOuRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/tTXHBPcd6-c/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>The summers already been going by quickly. The past month we've kept busy with parks, playdates with friends and even some new friends, outside fun, picnics and other activities in between.<br />
<br />
On one of the hottest days, we made cookies and baked them in the van, the idea thanks to fellow local homeschoolers' posts online! The kids thought it was amazing the van got hot enough to bake the cookies! I wish I would have had a thermometer to see how hot it was inside. I'm definitely going to have to pick one of those up and try it again sometime.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n104vy0AnjE/Thc8mhBk5UI/AAAAAAAAASs/9TUyj3R0xaE/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n104vy0AnjE/Thc8mhBk5UI/AAAAAAAAASs/9TUyj3R0xaE/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSSAvt8GRoU/Thc8oxocPzI/AAAAAAAAASw/kv4fcp5GpAI/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSSAvt8GRoU/Thc8oxocPzI/AAAAAAAAASw/kv4fcp5GpAI/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuaYeFRap44/Thc8qnKa5dI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XQMcFpfer04/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuaYeFRap44/Thc8qnKa5dI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XQMcFpfer04/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Another idea we got from the many awesome ideas in posts from <a href="http://www.examiner.com/homeschooling-in-mankato/alicia-bayer">Examiner's Alicia Bayer</a>, was a mud pie kitchen outside. We went to Goodwill and bought up a bunch of fun mudpie pans, pitchers, strainers, and stirrers. We came home and set it up and the kids spent the whole morning and most the afternoon and evening making and decorating mud pies! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUDSuGk_viw/Thc90GxtOiI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8awd1bWdTvg/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUDSuGk_viw/Thc90GxtOiI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8awd1bWdTvg/s320/004.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oP8Yfy3sDxg/Thc958zEttI/AAAAAAAAATA/-Ol7z7ZO2BA/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oP8Yfy3sDxg/Thc958zEttI/AAAAAAAAATA/-Ol7z7ZO2BA/s320/007.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdmrkI9UQ-A/Thc97ikjwCI/AAAAAAAAATE/LFx6Xr1Yow0/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdmrkI9UQ-A/Thc97ikjwCI/AAAAAAAAATE/LFx6Xr1Yow0/s320/008.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DDuyORRdcU/Thc9_FN2MgI/AAAAAAAAATI/KYd-I86ytNA/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DDuyORRdcU/Thc9_FN2MgI/AAAAAAAAATI/KYd-I86ytNA/s320/011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olBFoyoTU0E/Thc-BgbnrxI/AAAAAAAAATM/gnmoOHg0b9w/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olBFoyoTU0E/Thc-BgbnrxI/AAAAAAAAATM/gnmoOHg0b9w/s320/018.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36lcW2TXh7k/Thc-DlabnWI/AAAAAAAAATQ/XRtSRV-G6o4/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36lcW2TXh7k/Thc-DlabnWI/AAAAAAAAATQ/XRtSRV-G6o4/s320/022.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikpzDIXq3Co/Thc-FvzUp1I/AAAAAAAAATU/i2p61fFjX38/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikpzDIXq3Co/Thc-FvzUp1I/AAAAAAAAATU/i2p61fFjX38/s320/026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Speaking of mud...more fun with mud in some black dirt in the yard last month:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FUCuWum-Wk/Thc-RWt6GHI/AAAAAAAAATY/4w79MXi872o/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FUCuWum-Wk/Thc-RWt6GHI/AAAAAAAAATY/4w79MXi872o/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aI3aoxRL6qk/Thc-TFGTBRI/AAAAAAAAATc/KCHcFDq5MkU/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aI3aoxRL6qk/Thc-TFGTBRI/AAAAAAAAATc/KCHcFDq5MkU/s320/015.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
The organic garden we've been working on seems to be doing pretty well! The kids still help me weed and plant more things as we go. Noah is especially amazed at how everything has grown so big. When we first planted, it was him I was worried about with the garden. I pictured him picking things, digging in it, and sneaking over and watering it. But I was so wrong! He respects it so much and is so gentile with the seedlings and has been so eager to watch it all come up. We've been cutting off some of the lettuces and beet greens already for green smoothies and salads. I could see expanding it next year so we can grow even more! The pride and confidence one gets from growing your own food is something I'm so happy to share with the kids. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APQ5BQkBqfQ/Thc-gH-jT_I/AAAAAAAAATg/OE_vqvqYtZk/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APQ5BQkBqfQ/Thc-gH-jT_I/AAAAAAAAATg/OE_vqvqYtZk/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Ava and I went and saw the play Annie at the Children's Theater last month. She loved it so much. This was her second play she'd been to. It was easier this time as Noah and Amora stayed home for this one so Ava and I could have an "Ava-Mommy Day." I look forward to seeing more productions at the theaters as the kids get older.<br />
<br />
As we cross off bucket list items for the summer, I'm enjoying so much watching the kids experience life and hoping they'll carry with some fun memories of summertime fun and learning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xwYJwxjLCA/Thc_7V65MnI/AAAAAAAAAT8/NmQrkCL5Wos/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xwYJwxjLCA/Thc_7V65MnI/AAAAAAAAAT8/NmQrkCL5Wos/s320/012.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bug Bingo</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQeMtiajpqk/Thc__giCs3I/AAAAAAAAAUA/tVBokXPwVOw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQeMtiajpqk/Thc__giCs3I/AAAAAAAAAUA/tVBokXPwVOw/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning "Apple and Smoothie Picnic!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aYyHZ7iStbs/ThdACKjiUuI/AAAAAAAAAUE/AAHslXZ63H8/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aYyHZ7iStbs/ThdACKjiUuI/AAAAAAAAAUE/AAHslXZ63H8/s320/001.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rD_FC0gCpg/ThdAFF_R_fI/AAAAAAAAAUI/1oGfeuAkDDU/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rD_FC0gCpg/ThdAFF_R_fI/AAAAAAAAAUI/1oGfeuAkDDU/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles at the park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGXRQbX-M_c/ThdAIRm6zDI/AAAAAAAAAUM/JYEO_xVKB3o/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGXRQbX-M_c/ThdAIRm6zDI/AAAAAAAAAUM/JYEO_xVKB3o/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching John fix a friend's flat tire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTniAkzRBk0/ThdAQVNcTcI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Y6x9WGCn88Y/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTniAkzRBk0/ThdAQVNcTcI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Y6x9WGCn88Y/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloring Independence Day pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncaUFtuuCt0/ThdATJ8QfiI/AAAAAAAAAUU/g-7AMXZXKjI/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncaUFtuuCt0/ThdATJ8QfiI/AAAAAAAAAUU/g-7AMXZXKjI/s320/060.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 30 or so firework pics Ava took on the fourth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTggASL6nJg/ThdAVlAE7XI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_IsKYtjcmyQ/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTggASL6nJg/ThdAVlAE7XI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_IsKYtjcmyQ/s320/018.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching fireworks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-68407730890195990952011-06-11T16:44:00.003-05:002011-06-12T21:29:51.154-05:00Celebrating and Learning to Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abny0wjtHnU/TfPex2AbPRI/AAAAAAAAAR8/FwFZTyfbiBk/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abny0wjtHnU/TfPex2AbPRI/AAAAAAAAAR8/FwFZTyfbiBk/s320/004.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkEpt1itqTM/TfPe0Iyd3DI/AAAAAAAAASA/X1jStKN36Uw/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkEpt1itqTM/TfPe0Iyd3DI/AAAAAAAAASA/X1jStKN36Uw/s320/005.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAvlxWRWKlg/TfV2AIOwpqI/AAAAAAAAASo/tOEKtg-mISg/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAvlxWRWKlg/TfV2AIOwpqI/AAAAAAAAASo/tOEKtg-mISg/s320/028.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqc2eK7xRq0/TfPe2lA01mI/AAAAAAAAASE/g5VhEd3Eh1Y/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqc2eK7xRq0/TfPe2lA01mI/AAAAAAAAASE/g5VhEd3Eh1Y/s320/010.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtQfdD0jCJU/TfPe5r_W06I/AAAAAAAAASI/CZhW-19k6U4/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtQfdD0jCJU/TfPe5r_W06I/AAAAAAAAASI/CZhW-19k6U4/s320/016.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzo_EjUTkE0/TfPe7ueapJI/AAAAAAAAASM/56fereS0aRY/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzo_EjUTkE0/TfPe7ueapJI/AAAAAAAAASM/56fereS0aRY/s320/026.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOw_mf-zBP8/TfPe_I6npeI/AAAAAAAAASQ/4i3EfyQvegE/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOw_mf-zBP8/TfPe_I6npeI/AAAAAAAAASQ/4i3EfyQvegE/s320/022.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lPmplpAPVVY/TfPfDGia8GI/AAAAAAAAASU/NabWatQTv3k/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lPmplpAPVVY/TfPfDGia8GI/AAAAAAAAASU/NabWatQTv3k/s320/043.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah5JqJKp5as/TfPfHMSqhwI/AAAAAAAAASc/WjR5fiuhH_4/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah5JqJKp5as/TfPfHMSqhwI/AAAAAAAAASc/WjR5fiuhH_4/s320/052.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3F_CySZcC9E/TfPfI15Hd7I/AAAAAAAAASg/u30LSSkdIyU/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3F_CySZcC9E/TfPfI15Hd7I/AAAAAAAAASg/u30LSSkdIyU/s320/048.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6Zqwd5FhQs/TfPfK3KsWlI/AAAAAAAAASk/4BcEJd-NZY8/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6Zqwd5FhQs/TfPfK3KsWlI/AAAAAAAAASk/4BcEJd-NZY8/s320/056.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>We celebrated the kids' graduation today at Chuck E Cheese's with their grandparents. Well, we had actually planned to go rollerskating, but the new summer schedule sent us to our plan B this morning! But it worked out great. The kids had a blast and hopefully their grandmas and grandpas enjoyed it too! <br />
<br />
We picked up a couple little gifts as well. Ava got the dvd <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfJNjczox9U">Nim's Island</a> that she's been asking for for months. Noah got a fishing (yes, fishing, I know...) game he's always wanted, and Amora some little monkey puppets she loves. She's a big fan of monkeys, except for the "scary monkey" she saw on TV one night. Chris Griffin's "Evil Monkey," for those familiar, scared Amora when she saw it when John and I were watching TV one night. Yes, the kids know Family Guy. We're not great on the censorship I guess. John is in charge of turning the channel if something too violent comes on that would scare them...like when Peter fights that rooster. But we thought the Evil Monkey wouldn't be that bad. She did not like him though.<br />
<br />
The kids also got some new books. Ava got some beginner reading books. Noah, some letter sound books, and Amora a picnic food book. Ava jumped right into one of hers in the van and wants to keep them there for van rides to color them and read them. She was also reading Amora books in their "fort" in the living room the other night. She said she read four books to her.<br />
<br />
I've actually been asked about reading several times recently. What if a kid doesn't want to read? What if they don't learn when we think they should learn? <br />
Ava has naturally taken to reading and writing. The only times she's backed off have been when I've been too "teachy" about it. If she gets to do it on her own, for her own enjoyment, she really is in to it. Will my other two be so enthusiastic about books? It's hard to tell now, though it's starting out well since they do love books already.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, it does make me think about how I would handle it if one of our kids didn't show an interest in reading by, say, six or seven, the age that current institutionalized schools expect it. <br />
I think again, about how kids learn best...did we teach them to talk? Well, not exactly. We didn't sit them down as toddlers and make them copy us over and over. We may have encouraged it sometimes with a big smile, but it came naturally. Children are surrounded by conversation. Kids WANT to be part of the adult world. They want to do as we do. They are driven to learn and do the things we do (even the things we'd rather they didn't do!). If kids see something as useful, as important, as something those around them are doing and enjoying, they WILL want to do it too! <br />
Now, some kids learn to talk before they're a year old. Some don't learn until they are three or later. But, barring any underlying condition, if they are around people talking, they WILL talk. You couldn't stop them if you tried!<br />
I think that can be applied to most things. Reading included. If children are around adults that like to read, that read for fun and for necessity as well, they will want to pick it up. Maybe they will want to start at age three, or maybe at age 10, but they will desire to do it too...if they are not forced. If they're confidence is not harmed by bad grades. By expectation. By disappointed teachers and parents. By punishment. By the feeling they are falling behind everyone else. <br />
If let to be, kids will learn. They are awesome learners.<br />
<br />
I've read many articles and book chapters parents' have written about how and when their children learned to read. They all have a range! Just like everything else. Kids are ready to learn things at different times. WHY do we insist to put a concrete age on when a kid needs to read? An expectation they must meet or they "fail," lose their confidence, and become labeled. I've read of many kids who never took to reading but then found a book about something they were interested in and just picked it up and read it, amazing their parents. They weren't "behind" or "illiterate." Not in the least. Another perk of homeschooling, these kids were able to learn at their own pace without failing. While at the same time, another child, maybe even in the same family, who starts reading at age three, isn't slowed down and can learn at his own pace as well.<br />
Yes, reading is useful and important, and a great way to learn, no doubt. But I'm all for letting the child decide when they find it useful enough to learn. <br />
Reading about these parents experience may confirm my thoughts, but I can see these things in our own kids, which is what matters most to me. I see how they learn best and what inhibits their learning. Reading to our kids, having books available to them that interest them, bringing them to the library and letting them choose their books, giving them reading games and activities to play as they choose, fun songs and crafts about words and letters all are fun ways we surround them with reading opportunities. AND, maybe most importantly, let them see mom and dad reading!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-19489990107306298252011-05-28T18:10:00.003-05:002011-06-04T11:00:40.900-05:00End of Kindergarten!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8nnl0Scq_A/TeF6N5Qts2I/AAAAAAAAAPw/dfn8jeeR27U/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8nnl0Scq_A/TeF6N5Qts2I/AAAAAAAAAPw/dfn8jeeR27U/s400/029.JPG" t8="true" width="300px" /></a></div>As the official school year comes to an end, some of the pressures on homeschooling are lifting and I may relax in my documentations, both on blog and on my own record-keeping. This was a cool trial year for us. Ava's experience in Kindergarten, both public school and at home was hopefully fulfilling to her and memorable. The rollercoaster of it all was certainly a ride for me anyways. The kids have learned a lot, and I have learned a lot about how they learn a lot! I would be in heaven if I could continue to learn with them in the years to come. Time will tell, as we are at the beginning of it all, and we are taking it year-by-year. So as I go through this post, of the last two official weeks of Ava being a Kindergartner, I have a great sense of "we did it!" <br />
Of course, as I've mentioned plenty of times, learning never stops. We will continue doing what we do throughout the summer. There's really no start or stop when you are learning from life. This has become our way of life as a family. Questions rarely go unanswered. If we don't know the answer, we can research it, teaching the kids how to look up answers for themselves. I ,as a homeschooling parent, don't need to have all the answers. Teaching children how to FIND answers is the most important lesson of all! To use their curiosity as a catalyst to explore the world around them. Children's curiosity shouldn't be taken for granted! If there's a curiosity or desire, we try to meet that. From a spider crawling on the ceiling to bad weather, from building to reading, going to museum or the library, or even the grocery store, all of it is an opportunity to be harnessed. <br />
<br />
So the last couple weeks have included a lot. We have begun our garden, which is something I find so important for every human being on Earth to know how to do! I'm still learning. In all my schooling, I never planted a single seed, until we grew a plant in a college Biology course I took. Isn't that crazy? NEVER grew a plant, a vegetable, a tree from seed. The most fundamental need for life, growing your own food, is generally NOT taught in schools. I find that baffling. So, I'm learning now. So my kids can learn. And the kids are naturally into growing. They love to get their hands dirty. The love to watch their "babies" grow into plants, and from the small amount we grew last year, they love to pick and wash and EAT their produce. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--NRvGzdhF0o/TeF6dYGU6vI/AAAAAAAAAP4/PXJ8HhGdDkE/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--NRvGzdhF0o/TeF6dYGU6vI/AAAAAAAAAP4/PXJ8HhGdDkE/s400/009.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMyZ-He4YR4/TeF6iXMZ2zI/AAAAAAAAAP8/lKPKu91Lje4/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMyZ-He4YR4/TeF6iXMZ2zI/AAAAAAAAAP8/lKPKu91Lje4/s400/010.JPG" t8="true" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I've been toying with raw foods the past several months and the kids have really gotten into the idea too. They love helping make new meals and love juicing! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-br7425QNe6M/TeF7E-ggczI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/WU1IAcriEoY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-br7425QNe6M/TeF7E-ggczI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/WU1IAcriEoY/s320/004.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
As for more "schooly" subjects, while Ava was working in her spelling book recently, I was encouraging her to use more lower-case letters instead of only capital letters. She started drawing art on her arm with a tattoo pen she has. I said I'd let her draw on my arm only if she ONLY drew lowercase letters. She thought that was hilarious and proceeded to draw all over my arm in lower-case letters. We also looked at books to see how in books they use lower case letters, not all capitals, since she loves writing books so much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBDs-AmJvx4/TeF6nW47gMI/AAAAAAAAAQE/nQWsOGF4y2U/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBDs-AmJvx4/TeF6nW47gMI/AAAAAAAAAQE/nQWsOGF4y2U/s320/002.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXqaOClICJE/TeF6qzPCtVI/AAAAAAAAAQI/LY45a9oCB9Q/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXqaOClICJE/TeF6qzPCtVI/AAAAAAAAAQI/LY45a9oCB9Q/s320/007.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>Another favorite past time of hers, is drawing and anything to do with art. She wanted to wait and start back up her art classes she was taking in the fall. Frequently, she has me come in her room for "art lessons," and teaches me step-by-step how to do a drawing. She tries to get her brother to do art lessons occasionally, but Noah actually isn't all that fond of drawing. He likes more crafty art when he does do art things.<br />
Recently, I picked up a "7 Days of Fun" kit that has 7 different activities for each day. The kids did most of them in one day, but it was so fun for them. Noah loved the sand art and the clay art. They had a blast with these kits. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2tFEmr3GUQ/TeF6xdv6wJI/AAAAAAAAAQU/u6k7eKvIYXI/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2tFEmr3GUQ/TeF6xdv6wJI/AAAAAAAAAQU/u6k7eKvIYXI/s320/002.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwZBnA6mvIc/TeF6zPTeGEI/AAAAAAAAAQY/HoN3saeLWmo/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwZBnA6mvIc/TeF6zPTeGEI/AAAAAAAAAQY/HoN3saeLWmo/s320/004.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_cEAlaPQ_E/TeF63Qg1rNI/AAAAAAAAAQg/girpAOzaWk0/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_cEAlaPQ_E/TeF63Qg1rNI/AAAAAAAAAQg/girpAOzaWk0/s320/008.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_ZIOcFx1pY/TeF65raqhUI/AAAAAAAAAQk/MopVDYbcNjw/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_ZIOcFx1pY/TeF65raqhUI/AAAAAAAAAQk/MopVDYbcNjw/s320/012.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_gUj6JZT1c/TeF67hD9bMI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ZFCKjpiQqpc/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_gUj6JZT1c/TeF67hD9bMI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ZFCKjpiQqpc/s320/013.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
One thing a lot of people ask about homeschooling several children at once is how to do so with different ages. Especially with a toddler around. Certainly it takes a little planning and often quick thinking but also it's the ability to be flexible. Since the way we homeschool doesn't involve a strict structure hour-by-hour plan, if one child is too crabby or tired we can simply wait for a better time to jump into any big project. Ava is at an age where she can do a lot by herself, so while I get a little one to nap, she can do her own thing or finish what we were doing. Also, learning side-by-side has many benefits. For one, the older child(ren) teach the younger, and on occasion, even the other way around. Also, while the older is learning about something at their level the littler ones tune in and pick up a lot about the subject as well. As Ava learns about reading words, Noah sees letters and hears the sounds they make, and Amora, not even two, is learning language and watching a great example of her older siblings reading books and learning. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fY3VctZWGeI/TeF6tU7ESfI/AAAAAAAAAQM/S_busEWJpII/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fY3VctZWGeI/TeF6tU7ESfI/AAAAAAAAAQM/S_busEWJpII/s320/008.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora looking at books during Ava's spelling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McjYFx6u9vo/TeF61ZkTP7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/IhJ8gXgiACQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McjYFx6u9vo/TeF61ZkTP7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/IhJ8gXgiACQ/s320/005.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing clay while her older sibs did messy sand art!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QG592fNWIcQ/TeF7HH2LKVI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ZD0hRFtewfg/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QG592fNWIcQ/TeF7HH2LKVI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ZD0hRFtewfg/s320/001.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava telling Noah about satellites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-561sag3Arj8/TeF7JN4ai0I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/rVA6y-hWSHo/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-561sag3Arj8/TeF7JN4ai0I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/rVA6y-hWSHo/s320/003.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More books in the club house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vr5Ef-rfoM/TeF7K-63s0I/AAAAAAAAARA/r_tHagMLAiA/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vr5Ef-rfoM/TeF7K-63s0I/AAAAAAAAARA/r_tHagMLAiA/s320/004.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora with her book.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kDBB7bjPOTs/TeF7M6XAA6I/AAAAAAAAARE/8gPSMGh4RKQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kDBB7bjPOTs/TeF7M6XAA6I/AAAAAAAAARE/8gPSMGh4RKQ/s320/005.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amora with Mommy's book!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Playing together even offers so much to kids. The cooperation, patience, and communication, and turn-taking is critical in social skills. Being with kids of different ages and abilities I think strengthens these skills enormously. Of course, it doesn't always appear that they are cooperating and learning turn-taking sometimes, but even in those times, they are learning important social skills. Disputes, arguments, and seeing how far they can push the other, build a lot of skills even when it seems like they're just yelling. Every child needs to learn those lines, those buttons, the social consequences, how to argue and debate, how to love someone even if you're mad at them or disagree with them, and who better to learn that from than from their trusted family members? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHz0QuHuEBE/TeF7OysUQfI/AAAAAAAAARI/xxtjRmxjNuM/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHz0QuHuEBE/TeF7OysUQfI/AAAAAAAAARI/xxtjRmxjNuM/s400/007.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
Talking to others I've heard plenty that it will get so much easier too. If we can homeschool at these ages, it's going to be a breeze and even more fun to learn with older children. The world is wide and there are so so many opportunities out there! <br />
<br />
The kids also got a real-life lesson from the recent tornadoes that went through. They know very well why we have to take cover during the sirens and Ava is very interested in watching the weather map on TV and what it all means. Earlier in the week, we drove past some of the damage caused by the recent tornado in our area. Noah was amazed that the tornado was strong enough to pull up the huge trees by their roots. We actually have shingles and insulation in our yard from the debris from where it tore over houses several miles away.<br />
<br />
Our last homeschool group meet was Friday. It was a clean up day to clean the room that the church allows us use of. The kids all pitched in, the youngest kids, including Amora, stomping baking soda into the carpets and the older ones spraying and scrubbing with non-toxic cleaners and vacuuming. Then afterward, they all got to play at a near-by park together.<br />
<br />
And for the last little funny pic I added here, this morning Ava an I were watching a little spider crawl on the ceiling. We were wondering if he could see us watching him. We started talking about how some animals can see very very far, like hawks, and why this is important for them to be able to do. Then we discussed bats and how they use echolocation. Ava was intrigued so I grabbed her near-by laminated map place mat and held it in front of her face and told her to say something with her eyes closed and tell me if the place mat was there or not. She could tell every time (I put my hand over her eyes too, no peeking!) Looks like people can use echolocation on some scale too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8w3p2yO2yw/TeF7Q5S32GI/AAAAAAAAARM/woIHP7jCR7o/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8w3p2yO2yw/TeF7Q5S32GI/AAAAAAAAARM/woIHP7jCR7o/s320/001.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
So, this marks the end of Ava's Kindergarten! Stay-tuned for summer adventures, and maybe a few graduation pics since we'll do something little and fun to celebrate, of course! <br />
<br />
Thanks to all who have supported our family and continue to do so in this adventure!!! I'm so looking forward to all that awaits us.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-7096763240972273562011-05-14T15:55:00.000-05:002011-05-14T15:55:43.313-05:00Clouds, Eagles, Clocks, And Garden!On the way home from a picnic last week, the kids were asking about clouds in the sky. This led to a discussion about what a "gas" is and we talked about how when we boil water we can see the water evaporating into a gas into the air as steam. After our talk, we drove pass a gas station and I, not thinking of any connection, asked if the kids remembered where gas we put in the car comes from. I was thinking back to when we talked about fossil fuels and was wondering if they remembered about it. Instead, they both yelled "I know I know, from water!" So I quickly realized I had to back step a bit and clarify about what was meant by gas. Plus then we could use the idea about how the gasoline in the car starts out as a liquid and so on...I love how the real world connects the dots for us! <br />
<br />
We also had a playdate with my cousin Jen and her little girl Liv last week. I had put a bunch of beginning reading books by Ava's seat in the van before we left. I heard her sounding out the words and repeating the sentences back to herself. She seems to be having a lot of fun with reading the books now. <br />
When we arrived, we went on a walk to see a giant bald eagle's nest in one of their neighbor's yards. Apparently, the people who live there have to abide by certain rules because of the nest's location. For example, they can't have loud noises like four-wheelers or saws, etc. According to the DNR, human disturbances can cause an eagle to abandon the nest leaving their young vulnerable. We had thought maybe we saw some little ones in the nest but couldn't quite catch a glimpse for sure. We also went looking for turtles in nearby pond. <br />
<br />
Since she has been working on telling time and counting by 5s, John had gotten Ava a clock that she could paint and put together herself. She painted it one day and then the next day stuck on all the numbers and we helped her get the hands on it and battery. It turned out great! She loves it and it's going to look so cute in her room too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2Apo9FaRhc/Tc7n-uPjNZI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2eFTb0l54cY/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2Apo9FaRhc/Tc7n-uPjNZI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2eFTb0l54cY/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKEpreksVs8/Tc7oAZ9re-I/AAAAAAAAAPM/FvGhV3HxYLQ/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKEpreksVs8/Tc7oAZ9re-I/AAAAAAAAAPM/FvGhV3HxYLQ/s320/002.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afdFo9zVFNM/Tc7oCNOAskI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ZT9v_QQiCgk/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afdFo9zVFNM/Tc7oCNOAskI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ZT9v_QQiCgk/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The kids are helping John make a raised garden bed (my gift for Mother's Day!) in the back yard. We had a very small garden last year, so this will be our second year and we're hoping to get a lot out of it. Plus, it's such a great experience for kids to work in the garden. They're going to be great helpers. I loved watching how excited they got last year watching things come up, waiting for tomatoes to ripen, and picking them themselves and eating them fresh off the plant. I'm looking so forward to that again!<br />
<br />
And more fun outside on one of the few hot days we've had pictured below!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sF41lyqCj6Y/Tc7oUz6v6kI/AAAAAAAAAPU/vZCyGYGIiiY/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sF41lyqCj6Y/Tc7oUz6v6kI/AAAAAAAAAPU/vZCyGYGIiiY/s320/046.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building A Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnMIzvscLbE/Tc7ox2VKIjI/AAAAAAAAAPs/74PpPHR_7Dk/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnMIzvscLbE/Tc7ox2VKIjI/AAAAAAAAAPs/74PpPHR_7Dk/s320/012.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mugs the kids made me for Mother's Day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFXPie8qs54/Tc7ob16s_nI/AAAAAAAAAPY/PnDv0mIpw1A/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFXPie8qs54/Tc7ob16s_nI/AAAAAAAAAPY/PnDv0mIpw1A/s320/039.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava Playing in the Mud</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2q0jmrYblc/Tc7odjqlDkI/AAAAAAAAAPc/h2fla28nq_E/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2q0jmrYblc/Tc7odjqlDkI/AAAAAAAAAPc/h2fla28nq_E/s320/004.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muddy Amora</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXoePeU_yGM/Tc7ofegwhEI/AAAAAAAAAPg/IluEH2s2q6M/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXoePeU_yGM/Tc7ofegwhEI/AAAAAAAAAPg/IluEH2s2q6M/s320/026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah's Mud Slide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOcRKGV-Tbw/Tc7okvul55I/AAAAAAAAAPk/tt2ZvWJskZM/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOcRKGV-Tbw/Tc7okvul55I/AAAAAAAAAPk/tt2ZvWJskZM/s320/003.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nhI6Gn4_Gsc/Tc7olYqgfWI/AAAAAAAAAPo/fKgvt5x2yOU/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nhI6Gn4_Gsc/Tc7olYqgfWI/AAAAAAAAAPo/fKgvt5x2yOU/s320/007.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6740274236408529595.post-84230834040689915122011-05-03T14:59:00.000-05:002011-05-03T18:41:06.789-05:00Field Trip Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2wNhhPMjzY/TcBcPoXkxqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/sqyAcgLurDU/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2wNhhPMjzY/TcBcPoXkxqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/sqyAcgLurDU/s320/024.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>We had a huge week last week with Homeschool Days at both the aquarium at the Mall of America and a local airport in addition to a tour of the Target Center in Minneapolis with our group! <br />
<br />
Monday we hit the aquarium. This was especially exciting for Noah with his love for all aquatic life. He was too young to remember the last time we were there so it was all new to him. All three loved seeing the fish, jellyfish and lobsters. I got a big smile when Noah ran up to one of the aquariums featuring a certain popular kind of orange and white fish and instead of exclaiming "NEMO!!!" he exclaimed "Look mom! A CLOWN Fish!!!" He knows the names of more marine life than I do. <br />
I'm always a bit wary of visiting an aquarium because of my beliefs in not using animals as entertainment. And I do think this is an example of this. I am not a fan of zoos for that reason as well. And while I feel a little better about fish in an aquarium than an elephant swaying back and forth locked up at a zoo, I do not condone either. I explain to the kids how the animals and fish should be in their natural habitat and wonder about how exactly they were transported to Minnesota. And wonder about how many die in the process and how injured animals are treated. It's always on my mind and I bring up concerns to the kids despite my choice to attend the feature, thereby, essentially supporting it. There are also aquariums at the Children's Museum we go to. I suppose there will always be picking and choosing and weighing things out. I hope my kids will learn compassion out of these events as we talk about them and think about the behind the scenes of it all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUwcRTeomeI/TcBcCxemOdI/AAAAAAAAAN0/jH4ho07pVfk/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUwcRTeomeI/TcBcCxemOdI/AAAAAAAAAN0/jH4ho07pVfk/s320/011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11MZ2BjWXDM/TcBcHnVBVLI/AAAAAAAAAN4/yWLnf-sE41c/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11MZ2BjWXDM/TcBcHnVBVLI/AAAAAAAAAN4/yWLnf-sE41c/s320/013.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F29gX06u8UA/TcBcJgrR5rI/AAAAAAAAAN8/kDmjVaK08o0/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F29gX06u8UA/TcBcJgrR5rI/AAAAAAAAAN8/kDmjVaK08o0/s320/035.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Tuesday was an at home day. We played match games with letters for Noah and some sight words for Ava. Ava then used her match game cards to put together sentences. Noah and I used his letter cards to figure out which of his toys started with which letter cards. <br />
Noah and I also used the Spin and Speak (you know that toy that says: "THE COW SAYS...") to identify what letters animals started with. He'd point it to one and make me guess which one it was pointing to by telling me which letter it started with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FhVN9zg3sI/TcBcX7n87PI/AAAAAAAAAOE/RrakJ3yNymk/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FhVN9zg3sI/TcBcX7n87PI/AAAAAAAAAOE/RrakJ3yNymk/s320/002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_MfOFSwG4Q/TcBcZgCOgDI/AAAAAAAAAOI/pPVZB8b7RcA/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_MfOFSwG4Q/TcBcZgCOgDI/AAAAAAAAAOI/pPVZB8b7RcA/s320/011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4UNQr1Lx5o/TcBcbtu_YeI/AAAAAAAAAOM/p7Kjio4Rl2o/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4UNQr1Lx5o/TcBcbtu_YeI/AAAAAAAAAOM/p7Kjio4Rl2o/s320/014.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Also this week, Ava came up to me and told me she now had a job. She would write a book and sell it. So she did! She sat down and wrote and illustrated a book, stapled it together, and said it would cost 10 cents. She then went outside, sat and waited for passer-bys. Within 15 minutes she came in happily with a quarter telling me, "Mom! A lady gave me even more than I asked for!" <br />
She made another book and went back out. That book she gave to someone for free since this second lady didn't have any change on her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57Yzu2qrlIo/TcBckrRLJPI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/n3mkRFX9cOI/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57Yzu2qrlIo/TcBckrRLJPI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/n3mkRFX9cOI/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aN7vNhsM7dk/TcBcmhl-kRI/AAAAAAAAAOU/clRuQRogEng/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aN7vNhsM7dk/TcBcmhl-kRI/AAAAAAAAAOU/clRuQRogEng/s320/005.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVHxJh40u0Q/TcBcoGkIqBI/AAAAAAAAAOY/IbV1pjAL1Ak/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVHxJh40u0Q/TcBcoGkIqBI/AAAAAAAAAOY/IbV1pjAL1Ak/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
On Friday we had both the Target Center and the airport tours. The Target Center was an hour long tour that showed us the suites, backstage, the balconies, the arena floor, etc. Ava had to be talked into going that morning but she ended up loving it. She asked the tour guide if Avril played there and he told her she had. Noah was into the backstage and floor equipment. He saw the zamboni, some forklifts and machinery, and also liked the floor sweeper. We got to see where the Timberwolves locker rooms were and the basketball flooring all stacked up. The kids had a great time but were exhausted by the end (me too!) but we made it back to the van and went home for a quick lunch break before the next trip!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FH_4OkEUHew/TcBcwtRFuZI/AAAAAAAAAOc/kFsNFmmf9CM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FH_4OkEUHew/TcBcwtRFuZI/AAAAAAAAAOc/kFsNFmmf9CM/s320/010.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DLRzMpvV5lE/TcBcyvsqjUI/AAAAAAAAAOg/gNGEjEnodUg/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DLRzMpvV5lE/TcBcyvsqjUI/AAAAAAAAAOg/gNGEjEnodUg/s320/011.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lbl10bhSGj8/TcBc0o9SSDI/AAAAAAAAAOk/vDqUQu-nb_o/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lbl10bhSGj8/TcBc0o9SSDI/AAAAAAAAAOk/vDqUQu-nb_o/s320/014.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFIOrnd-bCU/TcBc4JGLboI/AAAAAAAAAOo/dBrLy7LSV60/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFIOrnd-bCU/TcBc4JGLboI/AAAAAAAAAOo/dBrLy7LSV60/s320/020.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn1JATNyV2o/TcBc6HeXuaI/AAAAAAAAAOs/cJWoHDlVUio/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn1JATNyV2o/TcBc6HeXuaI/AAAAAAAAAOs/cJWoHDlVUio/s320/040.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xBJTkIhm1A/TcBc8GoFWpI/AAAAAAAAAOw/KSd_MCCfSM0/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xBJTkIhm1A/TcBc8GoFWpI/AAAAAAAAAOw/KSd_MCCfSM0/s320/031.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>The Crystal Airport has homeschool/open house days in the spring. We had gone last year as well. They actually offer airplane rides too but we didn't go on those. This year was great since our tour group consisted of only us and a mom with a teenage son, so the kids got to ask a lot of questions. They chatted with the mechanic for a while and learned where the plane's oil is, the gas, and how the propeller works. We saw a flight simulator inside the building which helps pilots learn how to fly in situations when they may not be able to see, such as fog or a storm. Then all three kids then got to sit in one of the real planes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzb_fHFOp8M/TcBdE059oZI/AAAAAAAAAO0/-ov2Uy-3kU4/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzb_fHFOp8M/TcBdE059oZI/AAAAAAAAAO0/-ov2Uy-3kU4/s320/051.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7XuiF8_vtE/TcBdG0dvVSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/ENNCfD9lGNw/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7XuiF8_vtE/TcBdG0dvVSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/ENNCfD9lGNw/s320/053.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESf6DaMQSRk/TcBdJWOAjOI/AAAAAAAAAO8/xE-Y9v-edVc/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESf6DaMQSRk/TcBdJWOAjOI/AAAAAAAAAO8/xE-Y9v-edVc/s320/055.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxKiVXaa6dk/TcBdLKu0r0I/AAAAAAAAAPA/i8UO0V5cg_0/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxKiVXaa6dk/TcBdLKu0r0I/AAAAAAAAAPA/i8UO0V5cg_0/s320/059.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAn3C_nFpbY/TcBdPFlKxqI/AAAAAAAAAPE/c3hSkc0_DJ8/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAn3C_nFpbY/TcBdPFlKxqI/AAAAAAAAAPE/c3hSkc0_DJ8/s320/061.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906585578486605907noreply@blogger.com0