Saturday, November 21, 2009

Boo!

On Halloween, we held our traditional family Halloween costume party with food, fun, and trick-or-treating. We invited a couple of extra families this year, and the kids were thrilled to trick-or-treat with friends.

Medusa, Harry Potter, and Indiana Jones:

Jemaine (from Flight of the Conchords), Harry, a dark and stormy knight, "fear", Lady MacBeth, Medusa, and a witch:


Jughead (as a ghost) and a sumo wrestler:


Great-grandmother Carolyn as a kitty with Indy Jones and Noah the pumpkin:


Lots more pictures found here.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Co-op Halloween Party







Painting pumpkings...

...at Thursday Co-op.







Thursday Co-op

The new addition to our schedule this year is an enrichment co-op on Thursdays. We meet for about four hours every week, with two hours for class time, a period for lunch, and free time. The kids got to choose the classes they're taking, and they've been very pleased.

Avery is taking a class called American History Debate. She and her classmates have been going through major issues in American history, reading about them, and analyzing arguments. Avery loves the class and hopes that it will continue next semester. She is also taking a drama class, and the kids are preparing a performance of various scenes from Shakespeare. She's doing two different scenes from The Tempest, playing both Prospero and Ariel.

Avery and her drama class playing theater games:





Rhys is taking a class called Movement and Outdoor Games, in which they play all sorts of playground games and learn different kinds of movement like juggling and yoga. His second class is Camping and Outdoor Skills. They've learned all about camping and survival, and we're going to put those skills to the test when the group goes camping next weekend!

The movement class doing yoga:



Griffin has two hours of preschool, and I am one of the teachers. The church where we rent space has a fabulous preschool room with tons of great toys. The kids usually play, do an art project, and spend time playing outside.







Enjoying a little free time:



Go Muckdogs!


As of last week, the fall season of baseball is over. It has been a good season overall, but we have been less than impressed with Round Rock Youth Baseball. Still, Rhys had a lot of fun and the Muckdogs made it to the championship game in the End of the Season Tournament. Unfortunately, they got blown out by a team that plays select baseball all year and uses the RRYB league for practice. We're very proud of the Muckdogs for working so hard and playing with such heart!

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Costume Recital

Avery's violin teacher, Elizabeth Warren, continued her annual tradition of a costume recital in October. Avery dressed as Medusa, complete with a head full of rubber snakes, and played Black and White Rag by George Botsford. It was a hard piece and her first deviation from classical violin music. She worked hard to perfect it and performed beautifully.

Texas Stars

We went with a few families in our homeschooling group to see the Texas Stars minor league hockey team. It was a really fun time, and we hope to go again soon!





History co-op

This semester, our history co-op has continued the study of the medieval period. Last month the kids had a homework assignment to make a 3-dimensional castle. All three kids worked really hard on their creations and came up with terrific finished projects.

Avery made hers out of cereal boxes and oatmeal containers and painted it with watercolors.


Rhys used paper and colored it with crayons.


Griffin used Legos and made sure to include a little head on a pike in the corner of the castle.


The kids also made helmets and shields with their own crests on them.





Sea World

At the end of September, Bill took the day off work and we all went to San Antonio for Sea World Homeschool Day. The park is closed for everyone but homeschoolers, and the presentations all have an educational element. The last time we went Griffin was just a baby, so he was especially taken by all the animals.







Creek Study

This semester, our science co-op has been studying water. Each family chose a creek near their home and has been conducting regular testing of the water quality. We have also met at other creeks in the area to do water testing and the kids went on a field trip to the LCRA. It has been a fun unit and we have all really learned a lot!





Goodbye summer

As summer drew to a close, Bill and the kids went to Papa and Ronnie's one last time to swim.







Rhys's 7th birthday bash

A few days after his birthday, Rhys took two friends to Austin Park and Pizza. They played for hours until closing time, then we came home for ice cream sundaes and a sleepover.