Our Classic Spot

A classic is something, someplace, or someone that you return to over and over to learn new things. We have a classic spot south of our little town. It is a garden of eden in the midst of rolling prairie. A snake-like creek flows through it and vegetation grows thick because of it. We snapped some pictures today and I thought I would share them.

Jarett's 7th Birthday

Here are some pics of Jarett's surprise birthday party. He had been hounding me for over a week. He really wanted to know when his "friend" birthday party could be. He had his Witbeck birthday party and his Rasmussen party but he still needed his "real" birthday party. I was partied out so I told him that I would surprise him. It worked. He stopped hounding me and I was able to put together a fun pirate party for him.

The Mighty Volcano

We had a little fun playing with vinegar and baking soda today and we made a MIGHTY VOLCANO. I learned that my youngest doesn't like to get dirty. He said, "do I have to use my hands?", "what if I get my pants dirty?", and "can I take a bath?".

I am going to have to add "mud pies" to our curriculum. Maybe I'll even help. I need to learn that getting dirty is fun too.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

The kids and their dad just finished Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. A classic story of a loner accomplishing great things. So much wisdom in that little book.

I read this book to Carter and Abby our first year of homeschooling and Carter still remembered it.

Dare to be Different.

A Boy and his Dad

My oldest son is 13 and LOVES his dad. Worships him, begs to "hang out" with him and pretty much just wants to be him.

Now I think his dad is pretty cool, but all this dad worship has got my knickers in a knot and I am feeling a little left out. I know it is only natural for a young man to want to emulate his father and that it really is such a blessing that at 13 he still thinks his dad is "the bomb" but what happened to MOM!!!!!

Ever Straddled the Border?

When you head south on Waterton Lake you get to a point where you cross into the United States. The kids got a real kick out of being able to put one foot in Canada and the other in the U.S.

I just think it is a very cute picture.

Waterton

Ah, Waterton. Such a romantic place. The beauty is breathtaking and on August 28 Waterton was as breathtaking as I have ever seen her.

We were priviledged to go on a twilight boat ride with my sister's family. This is a photo Clayton captured. You can even see the moon.

Those of you who know Waterton, Ab, have you ever seen Waterton Lake so calm? I haven't. It was a trip I will not forget.

Pudding Printing

I decided to throw caution to the wind today and try to teach printing with pudding. I knew that it might get messy but I never expected this.

Jarett who is 7 and not in the picture was just as bad but he couldn't wait for me to download the images on my camera so I would have room on the memory card to take a picture. He wanted in the shower right away.

Note to self, always have the camera ready.

We did this little activity for Jarett, who hates to write and struggles with printing. Even with pudding he didn't last too long. We got to E but he was much more willing to listen and learn how the letters are made. I think they had a fun time.

Adam who is almost 9 practiced his cursive writing. Can you imagine how many kids might just love penmanship if their first exposure to it included playing with pudding? I think we might even maintain the art of penmanship in the age of computers if teachers took this approach.

Well who is to say, but for this family it was a hoot!!! I think big brother and sister will be a little insulted that we didn't include them. Maybe next time.

Karina

Stone Fox

The book "Stone Fox" was a hit. Clayton liked it so much he read in the morning before work, and then finished when he came home for lunch. And yes, they did have an emotional response. Jarett my 7 year old said, "mom why do you always pick such sad books." "What do you mean,"I said. "I mean in "Where the Red Fern Grows" the dogs die, in "Little Britches" the dad dies and in "Stone Fox" the dog dies too." I guess I better pick a happier one next time.

Clayton started to read "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach to the kids last night. That one is happy I think.

Karina

P.S. no family reading tonight, both mom and dad have headaches.

Day 2

Today went quite well. There were very many happy moments and I am seeing a disturbing trend. My kids want to learn. I had planned a week of light learning along with heavy cleaning to prepare for our first official homeschooling week. Boy was I off base. They are complaining that we aren't learning enough, and I don't think it is because they would rather learn than clean. They just seem more motivated to learn. All of them, even the young ones seem keen to learn. Now this doesn't mean that when we actually do sit down to learn something there isn't fidgeting, fighting, or odd questions out of the blue but they are trying.

We are trying to finish My First Book of Canadian History and today we discussed the Metis Rebellion of 1885. I was pleasantly surprised with how much they remembered from previous conversations and the connections they made.

For "recess" we danced to music very loud, and skipped rope. Well, the kids skipped rope.

We tidied up the 3rd level and Abby and I put together the grocery list so that we could go shopping in the afternoon. Abby and I had a lovely time shopping together. We went to the Teacher Resource store and she purchased a sketch book and two unit studies to work on this year. Ancient Greece and China. She asked if she could get an ipod touch if she completed these materials. Her father and I will have to discuss it but I think it might be a good deal. They are lengthy unit studies that cover all of the subjects while teaching the topics. I hope she enjoys them

Well this isn't a very exciting blog post but I need to be recording the daily successes so when I have those very trying days I can look back and say, "Hey, we are doing alright".

Karina