Catching up

So, here's what this crazy crew has been up to lately:

We've learned about the human body by building them.

Mom went to an 80's party and ROCKED IT!

Madi started gymnastics.

Violet started ballet.

And Nina started jazz dance.

The dog got dressed up...

A few times...

Ok.  This happens more than I should admit.

We officially became sponsors for our favorite balloon crew,

And got to chase/crew for them at two different rallys.

We got all dolled up in support of our favorite team,

Then had to share in the pain of defeat.

Madi confirmed my suspicions that we will need good health insurance for her later in life.

I made chocolate covered strawberries.

Jerome made crepes.

Violet made me cry.

Translation: "God is coming down to me.  I believe in God. One day I saw God, so I'm now in peace and I have faith in God."

The snow (finally!) made me attempt to be a photographer.

And my sweet kitties getting along made me smile.

And I wonder why I'm so tired at night!

Science

This is what science looks like when you homeschool.


Madison was studying volcanoes, Katrina was learning about pH levels, acids, and bases.


A $10 kit from Wal-Mart allowed Madi to build her own volcano, complete with glow-in-the-dark lava.


A boiled and strained head of purple cabbage allowed Kat to play mad scientist for a bit, discovering which household items would turn the cabbage juice red (acid), and which would turn it blue (base).


Both of them were happy to discuss their "experiments" over dinner with Daddy, who finally figured out why I had so closely guarded the cabbage in the fridge for so long.


And Mama got to show them that science can be fun.  That learning can be fun.  And that we could do it together.

The minions are schooling me...

Ok peoples.  I had the whole heartwarming, back to blogging post all done, then $#@&! Blogger decided to not save it.  All my sentimental verbage mysteriously removed from cyberspace.


So now you get snarky.


Congratulations.


I realized that teaching 3 girls who are using 3 different grade levels was going to be interesting this year.  I did not realize how much one-on-one time Madi would require.  Nina is fairly self-sufficient with her math, english, writing, and spelling - all the subjects she tackles while I work with the littles.  Violet is officially doing kindergarden this year, which requires lots of singing and silliness on my part.  Little did I know there would be wailing and gnashing of teeth over learning to read from Madi.  Thus, the requirement for one-on-one teaching.


Well, if Violet is left to her own devices for longer than, say, a minute, she finds something to occupy her mind.  Which usually annoys one or both big sisters.  In order to keep the sanity, I settled upon the electronic schooling method.  I downloaded a bunch of grade-level educational games for the ipad, and while I'm working with Madi, Violet gets to play school games.  When Madi is done, she gets the ipad and I work with Violet.  Brilliant, right?


Until I go to download pics from the ipad a few days later.  And I find these:

30 DPC Day 27: Family Photo

Day 27:  A picture of yourself and a family member

Nope.  Its not in focus.  Yup.  My hot pink shorts make my butt look huge.  But Kat took this photo.  And she was so excited that I let her take photos with my camera to document our science class that day.  That makes it worth any potential embarrassment.  Isn't that what we do as moms?  Embarrass ourselves for the sake of our kids?

30 DPC Day 25: My Favorite Day

Day 25:  A picture of your favorite day



I could have, seriously, posted anything for this day.


Our wedding.


The births of our beautiful babies.


I have thousands of precious memories, and amazing days.


But, lately, only one stands out.

My sweet girls.


Our first day of school together.

Monday Mugs: Back to School

Our first day of school looked pretty different this year.

We learned how bees make hives and honey.

And hugged our favorite bear.

We explored a natural hot spring.

And took a hike into the woods.

We studied nature.

And nature studied us.

A wild patch of strawberries made for the perfect snack.

Lunchtime was on a log instead of the cafeteria.

And the view was much better.

And, lest you think our entire day was spent traipsing among the daisies,

We did actually spend some time at our desks.

But not that much.

And that is the beauty of home schooling for me.

Project 365: Week 33

Day 224/365:  The fair

We had a play date with one of Kat's closest friends (my angel in a 2nd graders body).  And it was her birthday.  And the fair was in town.  Seemed only appropriate that a Ferris wheel ride was in order.

Day 225/365:  Big Hiking Girl

12 Kids, 11 adults, 2 miles each way.  Memories to last a lifetime - priceless.

Day 226/365:  Only family...

... will make faces like that.

Day 227/365:  Ice Cream Date

Our family stayed with us for two nights on their way from Denver to Phoenix (moving for PA school).  So what does the indulgent auntie (that's me) do?  ICE CREAM!!!!

Day 228/365: In awe

We treated the girls (and Jerome's sister) to lunch at one of our favorite diners this week.  Crazy place.  Stuff everywhere.  Enough stuff to keep little minds occupied for quite a while.

Day 229/365:  My love

 

His eyes are closed.  I look like I have 14 chins.  But he is, and always will be, my sweetheart.

Day 230/365:  Object lesson

We finished our first two-week unit in school on Friday.  And celebrated by making a cake decorated to look like the world.  It tastes fabulous.  Kat did the continents.  And they can all name them.  All of them.  We have a song.  They sing it in the grocery store.  I laugh.

Project 365: Weeks 31 & 32

Day 210/365:  The view from my end...

No photos please!

Day 211/365: My new favorite things

Found the purse on clearance, and discovered Wendys new wild berry tea.  Fabulous day.




Day 212/365:  Why I love my man

He takes a herd of girls to the bathroom.




Day 213/365: Bubbles in the morning

Day 214/365: The beauty of Gods creation

Day 215/365:  Waiting to wave at the tourists

We have one of the last running narrow gauge railroads in our town.  And the girls LOVE to wave at the tourists as they roll on by.






Day 216/365:  First Family Bike Ride

Our girls have struggled with learning to ride bikes.  It has been extremely frustrating.  So we had our local shop take all the pedals off their bikes, and lo and behold, no more tears!  Brilliant!




Day 217/365:  First day of school

My students are the cutest!




Day 218/365:  Geography object lesson

We were learning the difference between a map and a globe, and just how difficult that transition is!




Day 219/365:  Science lesson

I let Kat document our science lesson in our backyard.




Day 220/365:  The friend of Violet

Every insect is her new friend.  Including this one.  Can you see him/her?




Day 221/365:  Coach

Not sure what is cuter, my hubby coaching 2nd graders, or the 2nd graders.




Day 222/365:  Newest Recruit

Day 223/365:  Princess Attire

Yes, I let her wear this out in public.  Her self-confidence is more important than my mommy image.