THE END
My shortest blog yet with some of the greatest memories. Only 4 weeks and we included 19 lessons, 7 field trips, and countless miles of running and biking on dirt roads. We encountered 2 snakes, 2 scorpions, 2 armadillos (dead), and 1 skunk. Many smiles and many tears. I think we are all looking forward to a good great night sleep in our own bed (packed since 8/26/09) with the door closed. This one room farm house is awesome and a true blessing from my father but I am ready for a home.
The papers are signed. We hold the keys. The movers are arriving any minute. Until I find the time and energy for the next blog...Austin City Limits, here we come!
The papers are signed. We hold the keys. The movers are arriving any minute. Until I find the time and energy for the next blog...Austin City Limits, here we come!
POST OFFICE
Day 19: Post Office
Our official last day of school and we were lucky enough to have a guest teacher. My cousin and her twin boys joined us for a lesson all about the post office. We learned our new address, made personal shoe box mail boxes, and enjoyed a few books on the topic.
Then we headed to Taylor, TX for a grand tour (by the Post Master himself) of the post office built in the 1920’s. The kids dropped a letter to each other in the out-going mail before heading behind the desk. They saw where the mail was sorted, bagged and shipped. We even got a tour of the mail truck and each child was given a coloring book to take home.
Our official last day of school and we were lucky enough to have a guest teacher. My cousin and her twin boys joined us for a lesson all about the post office. We learned our new address, made personal shoe box mail boxes, and enjoyed a few books on the topic.
Then we headed to Taylor, TX for a grand tour (by the Post Master himself) of the post office built in the 1920’s. The kids dropped a letter to each other in the out-going mail before heading behind the desk. They saw where the mail was sorted, bagged and shipped. We even got a tour of the mail truck and each child was given a coloring book to take home.
EARTH
Day 18: Earth
3rd rock from the sun and the 3 layers were the focus of today’s lesson. We glanced over the solar system then memorized crust, mantle, core.
We pulled out the play dough and made our own Earth with 3 layers. Snack…oranges that had their own crust, mantle, and core.
3rd rock from the sun and the 3 layers were the focus of today’s lesson. We glanced over the solar system then memorized crust, mantle, core.
We pulled out the play dough and made our own Earth with 3 layers. Snack…oranges that had their own crust, mantle, and core.
AFRICA
Day 17: Africa
From deserts to rain forests, we are hoping that if we study Africa our African Princesses will come and visit us soon (wink, wink)! Little eagerly put on his favorite tee from Africa for today’s lesson.
We studied the map, the lands, people, animals, and music. We colored our favorite animals, watched the safari capsules open in water, and each made an African drum. Then I sacrificed my last bag of South African mango as a treat for all.
From deserts to rain forests, we are hoping that if we study Africa our African Princesses will come and visit us soon (wink, wink)! Little eagerly put on his favorite tee from Africa for today’s lesson.
We studied the map, the lands, people, animals, and music. We colored our favorite animals, watched the safari capsules open in water, and each made an African drum. Then I sacrificed my last bag of South African mango as a treat for all.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Weekend: Community Service
Something we all want to do but most of us find little time for. We wait until it is required by school groups or a college application. Why not start the kids out now?
Marathon Kids is the official kick-off for thousands of students to commit to exercise and healthy eating over the next 4 ½ months. We arrived on the University of Texas campus early Saturday morning to pass out water bottles to each child who completed their first lap towards a healthier lifestyle.
The rain got the better part of the race but the kids experienced giving back to the community for their first time.
Something we all want to do but most of us find little time for. We wait until it is required by school groups or a college application. Why not start the kids out now?
Marathon Kids is the official kick-off for thousands of students to commit to exercise and healthy eating over the next 4 ½ months. We arrived on the University of Texas campus early Saturday morning to pass out water bottles to each child who completed their first lap towards a healthier lifestyle.
The rain got the better part of the race but the kids experienced giving back to the community for their first time.
LITTLE THINGS
Day 16: little things
Blessed by a beautiful lightening storm last night (I need to learn how to capture it on film), I decided it was time to pull out the magnifying glasses and look for the little things. With a cool front visiting, we had a gorgeous afternoon looking for crawling critters, nature’s flowers, and other surprises.
The boys practiced drawing tiny pictures with our favorite Emberley’s books and snacked on some minuscule candy (nerds).
It was nice seeing the boys include previous lessons as they grabbed their wallet and looked to see which bills were made in Fort Worth!
Blessed by a beautiful lightening storm last night (I need to learn how to capture it on film), I decided it was time to pull out the magnifying glasses and look for the little things. With a cool front visiting, we had a gorgeous afternoon looking for crawling critters, nature’s flowers, and other surprises.
The boys practiced drawing tiny pictures with our favorite Emberley’s books and snacked on some minuscule candy (nerds).
It was nice seeing the boys include previous lessons as they grabbed their wallet and looked to see which bills were made in Fort Worth!
OCTOBER
Day 15: October
Being the first of the month, we learned all about what to expect the next 31 days…cooler weather, lots of pumpkins, tons of family birthdays, a new house, and ending it all with trick-or-treating!
The boys raced their sand timer as they separated tri-colored pasta in 3 bowls. Then we created a noodle jack-o-lantern and made an October calendar.
The day ended with the not-so-tasty but VERY convenient Toll House Pumpkin Pals. We baked, iced, and enjoyed!
Being the first of the month, we learned all about what to expect the next 31 days…cooler weather, lots of pumpkins, tons of family birthdays, a new house, and ending it all with trick-or-treating!
The boys raced their sand timer as they separated tri-colored pasta in 3 bowls. Then we created a noodle jack-o-lantern and made an October calendar.
The day ended with the not-so-tasty but VERY convenient Toll House Pumpkin Pals. We baked, iced, and enjoyed!
ROY G BIV
Day 14: roy g biv
We learned the real colors of a rainbow today in the correct order. Indigo was a tad confusing, but the boys were amazed to see how many different reds and oranges are actually in their Crayola box.
They each got their own prism and we went outside to make rainbows. Then talked about the ingredients to make a real rainbow (rain + sun) then created their own with the water hose. Thank goodness for a sunny day!
Popsicle stick rainbows with cotton ball clouds now adorn our house and we ended the day with some good old Blue Bell topped with rainbow sprinkles!
We learned the real colors of a rainbow today in the correct order. Indigo was a tad confusing, but the boys were amazed to see how many different reds and oranges are actually in their Crayola box.
They each got their own prism and we went outside to make rainbows. Then talked about the ingredients to make a real rainbow (rain + sun) then created their own with the water hose. Thank goodness for a sunny day!
Popsicle stick rainbows with cotton ball clouds now adorn our house and we ended the day with some good old Blue Bell topped with rainbow sprinkles!
DOLLARS
Day 13: dollars
After a quick and unexpected trip back to the DFW area, we decided to study money 1 more day. The boys and I went on a field trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing – Western Currency Facility located north of Fort Worth. I appreciated the FREE tour much more than the boys. It was awesome! The facility was gorgeous and to see billions of dollars right in front of your eyes is amazing. What usually is a 75 person guided tour, we had 6 total in our group. I love slow days and the ability to take advantage of them.
The boys learned how many cents make a dollar...how many nickles, dimes, and quarters. At the facility we learned that the paper money is printed on is closest to denim than any other material. The stamp of the presidents profile created by an engravers takes them approximately 800 hours each.
No electronic devices were allowed into the highly secured area, so here are some from the parking lot.
After a quick and unexpected trip back to the DFW area, we decided to study money 1 more day. The boys and I went on a field trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing – Western Currency Facility located north of Fort Worth. I appreciated the FREE tour much more than the boys. It was awesome! The facility was gorgeous and to see billions of dollars right in front of your eyes is amazing. What usually is a 75 person guided tour, we had 6 total in our group. I love slow days and the ability to take advantage of them.
The boys learned how many cents make a dollar...how many nickles, dimes, and quarters. At the facility we learned that the paper money is printed on is closest to denim than any other material. The stamp of the presidents profile created by an engravers takes them approximately 800 hours each.
No electronic devices were allowed into the highly secured area, so here are some from the parking lot.
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