May Garden

• Jun. 16, 2008 - Summer Art Program

I started the boys in an art program offered by the rec park. It runs all this week. I hope to get back with photos as soon as I can.
Today they made bug mats. Hard to explain but these were precut preprinted paper shapes that they had to use their fine motor skills to weave a complimentary color into the design. They did well! Luke says the lady kept taking out his strips of paper and making him start over again... he said he did it correctly each time so I can only assume that he did it so well and so fast she wanted to give him extra practice.
Tim said it was a little hard for him and he asked for help several times. So I am glad it was a challenge. He said he did do most of it himself.

Luke said there was one boy that was very disrespectful to the teachers and had to sit by himself. I just explained that I was glad that Luke knew that was wrong and would not be behaving that way himself. No need to go on about the naughty deed. Overall I think it is good for them to do a few things a year amongst others... certainly gives opportunity for some teaching moments.

The things we have done with the library and such have been good in that the boys needed to learn little things that we never do at home like raising their hands to share or answer a question or even getting courage to ask for help from another adult other than Mike and I.

While the program was in process I took the girls for a walk around the park and then to the playground. Ended up meeting and older couple that were 'young' grandparents that had brought their grand kids to the program as well and had the younger ones on the playground.They know the area well and lots of people... he is a volunteer firefighter! So I asked if the boys could ask him some questions this week when we see each other again. The lady knew of several seasoned homeschool families so I asked if she would mind giving me contact phone numbers so I could see if I can get some leads on local assessors.

I am glad we decided to do this.

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• Apr. 16, 2008 - Apple Trees

Posted in Special Activities

Sophia next to an apple tree 6-6-2008

We planted our own apple trees last fall. They won't be producing for another year or so but seemed to weather the winter well.
We also have had a great time with a bushel of apples and an apple peeler/corer that a relative gave us.

Books we read recently.
Johnny Appleseed a number of different versions as well as the account of him taking the Word of God with him on his journey.
Johnny Castleseed was a take off on the idea of what we plant inspires others. A boy and his dad build a sand castle together and others follow all along the beach making their own sand castle.

Apple Farmer Annie - Child's level of understanding the process of planting tending and marketing apples and apple goods at market.

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• Jan. 22, 2008 - My Birthday

Posted in Special Activities

Is today and this past weekend we celebrated for the most part.

We had a really GREAT weekend though Mike was sick and we had to cancel the first invite out to dinner in years! I ended up making home- made pizza Ummm and got a lot for a few dollars! Everyone was so happy for the treat... it takes time but it was worth it, what a great birthday present to see everyone enjoying something we made together!

I still can't believe in some ways that I am a thirty -five yo wife of almost 9 yrs and mom of four children!

Today we made cup cakes and shakes - the kids sung to me. Mike made a beautiful card on the computer and other than that just did our normal routine. We are almost finished with Farmer Boy and enjoyed it so much.

I have made a few new friends in the area and am looking forward to them growing;^)

Pretty quiet here today.

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• Oct. 3, 2007 - Give Some Boys a Camera...

Posted in Special Activities

I let the boys take the camera recently. I prayed no harm would come to it!

Amongst some blurry shots this is what we ended up with.

Now for some funny ones...

I thought it was so funny that a lot of these seemed like spying on others. You know this one of Timmy doing something he shouldn't and peeking at Dad through the chain link fence...

But what struck me the most was in viewing all the shots (not just these posted ones) was the reality of our days.

I was really convicted about a few shots of Lina running around half naked with piles of laundry to be folded... a shot of me posting pictures on to the blog here and I looked exhausted and BLOATED... I forget to drink while I am busy at the computer. And several with Sophia in the play pen looking pensive having been in there too long!

Maybe, I will let them take more shots to get me to evaluate what I could do better.

On a positive note I am glad the boys look to nature an are creative, Timmy took several pictures of his toes! Oh and this one.

I often brush my hair while reading.

One time the boys took an up close of their sister's curls it was really neat!

I think using a camera helps them to focus their eyes on images of interest.

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• Oct. 2, 2007 - Sammy's Science House

Posted in Special Activities

The boys really like this game they sorted animals that have back bones and those that do not for an hour the other day!

It also has a section on the weather and it's changes.

Another section on building things. Buildings, boats, and trains were favorites.

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• Oct. 2, 2007 - Computer Games

Posted in Special Activities

We have various computer games that are educational and are brought out on rainy days and quiet saturday morns.

Luke and Tim have been enjoying. Math Blaster, Mia Math, Sammy's Science House, Baily's Book House and Timetown.

Lots of counting, sorting and matching going on...

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