Monday, March 31, 2008
State bound!
On Friday, Avery competed at the PSIA district academic meet. She participated in two events and placed in both! She won 1st place in Ready Writing and 2nd place in Spelling, which qualifies her to do both events at the state meet in May. Avery is just thrilled!
Happy 3rd birthday, Griffin!
Griffin is so excited about turning three. He's been saying over and over since his birthday party yesterday, "I'm THREE now!" We had a small family celebration, complete with a "choo choo cake" and hot dogs cooked out on the grill. Today we celebrated the actual day by going out to dinner with Papa and Ronnie. Griffin has been singing "Happy birthday meeeeeee!" all day, and first thing this morning he asked for fire on a leftover piece of cake. I think he's got this birthday business down now!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Taking the "home" out of homeschooling...
I often think the name "homeschooling" is misleading, because all the homeschoolers I know are on-the-go much more than they are at home. It is definitely true for us at any given time, but we've had lots of special opportunities come up lately. We've been dashing from one great activity to the next for about two weeks straight, starting with the field trips to San Antonio and Brenham.
The morning after we returned from Brenham, Avery had the chance to take a 4 hour writing seminar with bestselling author Julie Kenner. In addition to being an author, Julie homeschools her two little girls, and offered up this unique opportunity to our homesschool group. As an aspiring and avid writer, Avery jumped at the chance. I sat in on the seminar, and I was so impressed! Julie taught the kids all about the world of publishing, and went into depth about the mechanics of writing and editing books. Avery and her friend Maya were enthralled, and each took pages and pages of notes. Each participant also submitted a writing sample to be critiqued, and the feedback has been very helpful and interesting to Avery. Julie compared Avery's "ominous" writing style to the Series of Unfortunate Events books, which Avery has not read yet. She's excited to get her hands on one, so she can see for herself!
Just two days later, we were lucky enough to see the storyteller Jim Weiss perform. I've always said that I'd be willing to listen to Jim read the phone book, so hearing him tell fabulous stories from history and literature in person is an amazing experience. As if that wasn't enough, we also got to stay after and attend a 2 hour storytelling workshop. Nothing like learning from the master himself!
Just a couple of days after that, Avery and her friend Maya spent the afternoon with my aunt Lisa, another published author. She took the girls to lunch then back to her house to see her office and learn the tools of the trade first hand. She described what she does to research and plan a book, and showed the girls story boards that she uses to plan plots. Avery and Maya were able to ask questions and Lisa gave suggestions for problems that came up in the girls' writing. How inspiring!
In addition to all of these special activities, Avery and Maya are taking a writing class about heroes in literature. It has been such a great experience so far. Not only is it fabulous material taught by a wonderful teacher, but it's been a great chance for the girls to learn time management and responsibility. Maya's mom and I have turned it completely over to the girls, and they're learning how to manage assignments and preparations on their own. Each girl had a bit of a rough start learning time management and organization, but they're figuring it out on their own and Avery has now discovered the benefit of reading and starting her essays before the last minute. (This is a lesson that I should make an effort to learn too!)
We also took a field trip with our science co-op to see the dinosaurs at the Texas Memorial Musuem, and yesterday, we met up with them to see dinosaur tracks by the San Gabriel River in Leander. The kids had a blast frolicking in the river and came home completely soaked.
Oh, and I missed a hilarious photo opportunity when our Shakespeare group got together on Friday and staged Shakespearean swordfights -- complete with fake blood! They hid ziploc baggies full of "blood" in their clothing, and pretended to slay each other, splashing blood everywhere. I think it was just as fun to watch as it was to participate!
The morning after we returned from Brenham, Avery had the chance to take a 4 hour writing seminar with bestselling author Julie Kenner. In addition to being an author, Julie homeschools her two little girls, and offered up this unique opportunity to our homesschool group. As an aspiring and avid writer, Avery jumped at the chance. I sat in on the seminar, and I was so impressed! Julie taught the kids all about the world of publishing, and went into depth about the mechanics of writing and editing books. Avery and her friend Maya were enthralled, and each took pages and pages of notes. Each participant also submitted a writing sample to be critiqued, and the feedback has been very helpful and interesting to Avery. Julie compared Avery's "ominous" writing style to the Series of Unfortunate Events books, which Avery has not read yet. She's excited to get her hands on one, so she can see for herself!
Just two days later, we were lucky enough to see the storyteller Jim Weiss perform. I've always said that I'd be willing to listen to Jim read the phone book, so hearing him tell fabulous stories from history and literature in person is an amazing experience. As if that wasn't enough, we also got to stay after and attend a 2 hour storytelling workshop. Nothing like learning from the master himself!
Just a couple of days after that, Avery and her friend Maya spent the afternoon with my aunt Lisa, another published author. She took the girls to lunch then back to her house to see her office and learn the tools of the trade first hand. She described what she does to research and plan a book, and showed the girls story boards that she uses to plan plots. Avery and Maya were able to ask questions and Lisa gave suggestions for problems that came up in the girls' writing. How inspiring!
In addition to all of these special activities, Avery and Maya are taking a writing class about heroes in literature. It has been such a great experience so far. Not only is it fabulous material taught by a wonderful teacher, but it's been a great chance for the girls to learn time management and responsibility. Maya's mom and I have turned it completely over to the girls, and they're learning how to manage assignments and preparations on their own. Each girl had a bit of a rough start learning time management and organization, but they're figuring it out on their own and Avery has now discovered the benefit of reading and starting her essays before the last minute. (This is a lesson that I should make an effort to learn too!)
We also took a field trip with our science co-op to see the dinosaurs at the Texas Memorial Musuem, and yesterday, we met up with them to see dinosaur tracks by the San Gabriel River in Leander. The kids had a blast frolicking in the river and came home completely soaked.
Oh, and I missed a hilarious photo opportunity when our Shakespeare group got together on Friday and staged Shakespearean swordfights -- complete with fake blood! They hid ziploc baggies full of "blood" in their clothing, and pretended to slay each other, splashing blood everywhere. I think it was just as fun to watch as it was to participate!
Road trip
A couple of weeks ago, we went with some friends on a two-day field trip. We went to San Antonio to see Slim Goodbody perform (and I use the word "perform" loosely). Our friends' Nana was kind enough to let us all stay at her house in San Antonio. She was also nice (or brave) enough to allow Courtney and I to dump the five children on her while we walked the neighborhood, trolling for goodies at the neighborhood garage sales.
The next morning, the kids were up bright and early -- which, of course, meant I was too. After packing everything up and refueling (mmmm...Starbucks), we headed to our second field trip destination: Pleasant Hill Winery in Brenham. The winery is owned by the parents of some other friends, and they invited us to tour the winery, learn the chemistry behind wine-making, roast marshmallows, and taste some wine (grown ups only, of course -- the kids got to taste some fresh grape juice). The highlight for Griffin was the hay ride we took to get to the creek for frolicking and snacking. What could possibly be better than tractors and marshmallows?
After the winery, we stopped off at a monastery in Brenham that breeds miniature horses. Strange? Yes. But they're so darn cute! We were tempted to throw one in the van and bring him home.
More pictures here.
The next morning, the kids were up bright and early -- which, of course, meant I was too. After packing everything up and refueling (mmmm...Starbucks), we headed to our second field trip destination: Pleasant Hill Winery in Brenham. The winery is owned by the parents of some other friends, and they invited us to tour the winery, learn the chemistry behind wine-making, roast marshmallows, and taste some wine (grown ups only, of course -- the kids got to taste some fresh grape juice). The highlight for Griffin was the hay ride we took to get to the creek for frolicking and snacking. What could possibly be better than tractors and marshmallows?
After the winery, we stopped off at a monastery in Brenham that breeds miniature horses. Strange? Yes. But they're so darn cute! We were tempted to throw one in the van and bring him home.
More pictures here.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Pioneer Farms Homeschool Day
Originally uploaded by Lexy L.
Last month we went to visit our local living history farm for Homeschool Day. We met some friends there and had a blast exploring, enjoying the animals, and making butter.
I miss my...
This is Griffin's way of saying he wants more of something. For instance, when he finished his bowl of strawberries, he says, "Mama! I miss my strawberries." Then he hands me his bowl for a refill. Now we have all adopted this phrasing, and I'm guessing it will be in our lexicon forever.
Other child-inspired phrases that we still use all the time:
This one, other one, new one, different. Or if she was feeling particularly decisive that day, just diff one. (From Avery at age 18 months, when she'd stand in her closet to pick out her clothes for the day. We use it all the time when picking anything.)
"Der" in place of "the". Example: I'm going to have der pancakes. (Courtesy of Rhys, who replaced every "the" with "der" until about a year ago.)
I love Landers!!!! (This one was adopted a couple of months ago after leaving our friends' house, and Griffin spent the 20 minute car ride screaming it at the top of his lungs. You'd be surprised how often this phrase can be thrown into our regular family conversation.)
Never do dat! (Again, courtesy of Griffin and his larger-than-life temper.)
Have it the checkcard? (Avery, at about 18 months, would ask this every time we'd leave the house. We still ask each other this as we're leaving home.)
Candy!!! (Said with utmost excitement and fists thrown into the air in a victory pose. This phrase came from Griffin's excitement and the abrupt stop of his tears when Bill attempted to ease his sorrow's with a little sugary goodness. No matter the cause of the excitement, we will often thrust up our arms and say "Candy!" if something is going our way.)
Other child-inspired phrases that we still use all the time:
This one, other one, new one, different. Or if she was feeling particularly decisive that day, just diff one. (From Avery at age 18 months, when she'd stand in her closet to pick out her clothes for the day. We use it all the time when picking anything.)
"Der" in place of "the". Example: I'm going to have der pancakes. (Courtesy of Rhys, who replaced every "the" with "der" until about a year ago.)
I love Landers!!!! (This one was adopted a couple of months ago after leaving our friends' house, and Griffin spent the 20 minute car ride screaming it at the top of his lungs. You'd be surprised how often this phrase can be thrown into our regular family conversation.)
Never do dat! (Again, courtesy of Griffin and his larger-than-life temper.)
Have it the checkcard? (Avery, at about 18 months, would ask this every time we'd leave the house. We still ask each other this as we're leaving home.)
Candy!!! (Said with utmost excitement and fists thrown into the air in a victory pose. This phrase came from Griffin's excitement and the abrupt stop of his tears when Bill attempted to ease his sorrow's with a little sugary goodness. No matter the cause of the excitement, we will often thrust up our arms and say "Candy!" if something is going our way.)
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Where we've been
.
I've been unusually quiet lately, and that's because we've been drowning in our home improvement project! We're getting all new floors throughout our house, which not only involves painting ever last square inch of our house, but also packing up everything but the furniture. This last little detail has been a huge undertaking for a house with untold numbers of books and toys! But, we managed to accomplish it, and we've arrived at Floor Day. Today they will come and begin laying hundreds and hundreds of square feet of new wood laminate flooring. I can't wait to see the change it will make. Phase one of this project -- new tile in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room -- was done a couple of weeks ago, and the difference is amazing! I'll be sure to post some before and after pictures once it's all finished.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Christmas re-cap
We had a wonderful Christmas this year! We had several wonderful family celebrations, ate too much yummy food, and got some really fabulous, thoughtful gifts. The grandparents went a little over-the-top this year, but I will admit, their gifts were the biggest hits! The kids have been obsessed with the Harry Potter books on CD that they received, and have alternated playing inside on the Wii and playing outside on the trampoline. I don't think in their wildest dreams they could have imagined such a Christmas!
I also have to admit, Bill and I are enjoying all of these gifts just as much as the kids! All of them have made for some great family activities. And Bill and I have been known to jump on the trampoline after the kids go to bed, and we have also burned the midnight oil many a time playing the Wii! (I have the tennis elbow to prove it!) Oh, and I've never enjoyed washing dishes as much as the day that Rhys brought his cd player and left Harry Potter playing while I cleaned the kitchen!
Horseback Riding
Since Avery and her best friend Maya have birthdays one day apart, we decided to have the girls celebrate together. They wanted to go horseback riding, so we set up a two-hour lesson for them to learn about horsemanship and ride. They loved it!! Avery is ready to abandon all of her other activities to take horseback riding lessons.
We all enjoyed being at the stables. They had a treehouse for the boys to play on, and a sweet, oversized Lab puppy to cuddle. The boys were even allowed to ride for a couple of minutes at the end of Avery's lesson! It all went wonderfully -- except the brief moment when Avery's horse spooked when I took a picture of Griffin on his back. But all was well, and Griffin thought it was fun!
We're back!
After a month-long hiatus spent recuperating from Christmas, I guess I should share what we've been up to! We had a wonderful Christmas, but it always takes me a while to regroup after the excitement of the holidays. We're finally feeling like we're comfortable again in our usual routine, and the kids are glad to be back in all their normal activities and co-ops.
Avery is still heavily involved with swimming and loving it, and Rhys is taking a bit of an extra-curricular break before spring sports start up again. He has decided to try soccer again this spring and wait until the fall to play another season of T-ball. I think soccer will be good for him, since he spends hours at a time at home running in circles around the living room (with a Star Wars ship in hand, making shooting sounds). The boy has endurance that won't quit! The kids are also beginning practice for a production of Midsummer Night's Dream, and I've been amazed at how committed they are to learning their lines.
I spent the weeks around the holiday very busy with work (ok, maybe it was only 15 hours a week, but it was more than I was used to!), and now I'm glad to be back to my usual 8-10 hours a week of working. I usually work one weekend afternoon a week, and since Bill works from home, Avery has taken on a lot of responsibility while I'm gone. She supervises her brothers and makes dinner every week. It's so nice for Bill and I both to finish working and not have to make dinner! She's become quite the cook, and she really likes to do it!
Avery is still heavily involved with swimming and loving it, and Rhys is taking a bit of an extra-curricular break before spring sports start up again. He has decided to try soccer again this spring and wait until the fall to play another season of T-ball. I think soccer will be good for him, since he spends hours at a time at home running in circles around the living room (with a Star Wars ship in hand, making shooting sounds). The boy has endurance that won't quit! The kids are also beginning practice for a production of Midsummer Night's Dream, and I've been amazed at how committed they are to learning their lines.
I spent the weeks around the holiday very busy with work (ok, maybe it was only 15 hours a week, but it was more than I was used to!), and now I'm glad to be back to my usual 8-10 hours a week of working. I usually work one weekend afternoon a week, and since Bill works from home, Avery has taken on a lot of responsibility while I'm gone. She supervises her brothers and makes dinner every week. It's so nice for Bill and I both to finish working and not have to make dinner! She's become quite the cook, and she really likes to do it!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Picture day
Today I was getting the kids ready for their Christmas portraits, and Rhys was pretty grouchy about the whole thing. After he got dressed and I helped him brush his hair, I exclaimed, "Oh, Rhys! You look so handsome!" To which he flatly replied, "No, I don't. I look like a pig in a wig."
Ummmmm...how do you respond to that?!
Ummmmm...how do you respond to that?!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Happy 9th birthday, Avery!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Elf Yourself
Have you seen this website yet? It's hilarious! My cousin put in the kids' pictures and sent us the link.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sleepover!
(Or, in Griffin-speak, "seep-OBER!") The kids had a slumber party last night. They watched an episode of Planet Earth (which is their new obsession and totally amazing), played a board game, then settled in Rhys's room in sleeping bags for the night. It's so nice that Griffin is old enough to be included as part of the pack. I know he's thrilled when he gets to do what the big kids do. And now that he sleeps at night and doesn't destroy games, he is welcomed in the group!
Native Days at the Zoo
The Friday before Thanksgiving, the kids and I went to the zoo in Waco for their Native American Day. The kids got to do some Native American crafts, have their faces painted, taste some fry bread, and see all sorts of Native American artifacts. They also got to pet a hedgehog, which was really neat.
The best part, however, was a crazy Gibbon that we saw -- and heard -- when we first entered the zoo. He was hanging from a tree, bellowing to anyone that walked by. I've never heard such a noise, and the kids and I were enthralled. We even called Bill so he could listen via cell phone because it was so incredible. It was hard to tear ourselves away from him. We watched him for a good 20 minutes before we explored any more of the zoo.
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