Field trips and fun

As always, field trips are a big part of our homeschool.  We're so lucky to have such a fabulous community and seemingly endless possibilities for real-life learning.  So far this semester, Avery has gone to see the opera La Traviata, the older kids got to go canoeing, try their hands at archery, and play paintball (as a part of the best birthday party ever -- and on a school day too!), plus we've gone to see a semi-conductor, toured the Mother's Milk Bank, and today we explored and learned all about UT's power plant.

We are also still enjoying our co-ops.  Avery is still loving debate and is also having a great time with her writing class.  She is currently working with a friend on a story written in the form of texting for class.  Both Avery and Rhys are thrilled with their book groups.  All three kids have had fun trying their hand at Destination Imagination challenges with friends, and we're all still loving our history co-op.  This week the kids made colonial wigs, and Avery and Aubry put on a violin and piano concert for us afterward. 

And we still manage to have some fun at home too.  Griffin has been reading Beatrix Potter books, so we all had an English tea party one afternoon.  Rhys entertained us by reading aloud the funny parts of his Ramona books.

Fall Ball

Baseball season officially ended a few weeks ago (now we're into post-season tournament play), so it's about time that I share some pictures from the season! We played in Hutto for the first time and had a really good experience. Rhys was playing 8U coach pitch on a team that Bill and Rick coached called the Bombers. Griffin was on a 6U t-ball team called the Thunder.

Rhys really came into his own this season. He made numerous diving catches, double plays, and perfect throws while playing shortstop. He also learned how to switch-hit and now feels even more comfortable batting left handed than right!

Batting leftie.

Rhys getting "antlers" from JT after beating out the throw to 2nd base.

Rhys looks for the ball as he heads for home.

Rhys slides into home.

Rhys and JT connect for an out.

 

In the dugout.

Griffin also had a great season. He mostly played 3rd base and did a great job (except for one game when he had some trouble paying attention and spent a good portion of one inning doing somersaults by the base). He really seems to enjoy baseball and can't wait to play again in the spring!

Griffin gets ready to bat.

Hitting off the tee.

On base.

Playing 3rd base.

The boys' Christmas lists

Not to be outdone by their sister, the boys just shared their (also delusional) lists.

Rhys:
1. blue Ian Kinsler jersey
2. Playstation 3
3. 2011 NCAA football game for the PS3
4. Easton Rival baseball bat
5. tennis balls for playing wall ball
6. Golden Retriever puppy
7. Ramona and her Father book
8. Wii Backyard Football game
9. Rangers 2011 tickets
10. Colorado Rockies hat
11. Wii NCAA basketball game 2K10

Griffin:
1. Rocket launcher
2. 2K11 baseball game for the computer
3. gun that shoots 4 rockets
4. marshmallow shooter gun
5. marshmallow shooter crossbow
6. Legos
7. Wii Backyard Football game

So Avery's list clearly shows her love of music, Rhys's clearly shows his love of sports, and Griffin's list? Shows his love of weaponry.

Avery's Christmas list

Avery just brought me her Christmas list. She's quite the comedian.

1. cello
2. books
3. sheet music
4. an orange kitten named Crookshanks
5. money
6. clarinet
7. oboe
8. grand piano
9. my two front teeth
10. the piano tuned
11. a backup violin

Tournament champs!

This weekend, Rhys played with some other kids from Hutto in a tournament in south Austin. He played center field and made several great catches for outs. The kids played amazingly well, especially since it was a group that had never played together before! They managed to finish the tournament 6-0, and only gave up 7 total runs in all the games.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party

Last Tuesday was the release date for the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. This has been a much anticipated date in our household for many months, so we were very excited to hear that Bookpeople would be holding a parking lot party and book signing!

There were several activities set up, including a giant version of The Cheese Touch game:



And (colored) mashed potato throwing:




The kids took advantage of any down time to get in a little book reading, and they both had it finished in record time.




Soon we noticed a crowd gathering around a news crew. We were very surprised to discover that the kids from the Wimpy Kids movie were there to be interviewed!



Later, we were able to get pictures taken with the stars, who were both very nice.




After taking a break from the festivities for a quick dinner, we returned to get in line to have Jeff Kinney sign the kids' books.

Renaissance Festival

The Pet Whisperer

Rhys is known in our family as the favorite of our pets. The animals just seem to gravitate towards him and never miss a chance to snuggle him.



Even when he's asleep.





I just can't figure out why the animals don't favor me....