Afternoon Break

Yesterday we spent the morning in our studies. Our son reading out loud with me the sea/ocean, arctic/antarctic books he picked out at the library- getting some research done before heading on a day trip to Seaworld next week. We also checked in on his little 'penguin' egg...48 hours to hatch date which had cracked a bit yesterday at the 24 hr mark. Our daughter spent time studying sign language and finishing up and printing her 4H story and organizing her 4H binder. After lunch the binder had to be turned in so we ventured to the next town up to drop it off. It was a pleasant trip, a little over an hour each way. We talked, sang, played car games on the road. We took a stretch break at a park too. We spent time at the park running, playing tag, make believe playing ninja, doing cartwheels and hand stands, meditating, doing yoga and just being together- laughing, loving, having fun until it was finally time to venture home so that dinner could be made and we could get our daughter to ballet on time. A fun break in our normal.

Beautiful peaceful day. Sun, breeze, laughs and love.

Library & Park

A routine that has been in place every year...a weekly trip to the Library along with a trip to the park for play, reading, tennis, to scooter, take a nature walk, and talk. So being our first week of school we took that trip yesterday.  Light array of books only due to being on vacation to California next week.

Some animal books for our son, he's also going to continue reading The Guardians of Ga'hoole series. And audio book for our up coming trip. Our daughters books not pictured but she choose some crafting, writing and story books along with a 3 book series. A wood pallet project book for Dad and Mother Earth News for both Momma and Dad. A little warm but we still got in some tennis play, reading, checking out flowers with bee's and butterflies on them and some scooter time too. A beautiful afternoon break from studies and work.

Thankful for our quiet, peaceful afternoon together.

First Day - - School Time

Its funny to say we 'officially' started school. Schooling, learning never really 'begins' or 'ends' but still each year we establish a start and end date...usually in September right after our county fair and going through till right before our daughter's birthday in June. So yesterday was it, the start, the beginning, the first day of homeschool. This is our 5th full year! It has been such a blessing being at home with my two children.

Our first day was easy going, doing animal chores, sitting down together at the table discussing what was to come for the week, where the kids interests were and what they would like to do. Also talks of our upcoming trip next week and what they would like to do and learn on it.

Our son has a first day tradition of blowing up a volcano in the yard. So his priority was doing that.  Our daughter worked on her 4H record book nearly completing it then working on her Japanese. Then they both watched some videos on volcano's as well as some crafting/science video's on how to make a volcano in a bottle, which our son made right after seeing it as well s some other in-bottle ideas. A good morning together. We schooled till lunch, ate together, watched an animal video then they had some free time in the afternoon while momma worked and dad went to go on a few errands in town.

 Our daughter learning Japanese from a free site here - - http://yesjapan.com/

 Simple baking soda and vinegar outdoor volcano!

 Attempting to put the cap on which has a hole in it so it would explode better!

 

Water, Vegetable Oil, Food Coloring then add the Salt - photo is after when its all settled- but first when you add it, its pretty cool- other people were using effervescent tablets which seemed to have a bigger effect than the salt!

Great first day spent together. So incredibly blessed!

Weekending

A beautiful weekend...

A few of the things we did...

>Visited the Nursery and looked at plants

>B-day Shopping for Grame

>Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Treat

>Big 5 checking out Hiking Boots

>Animal Cage Cleaning

>House tidying 

>Home made Shepherds Pie

>Planning Sewing projects

>Planning exploding a volcano next week

>School Supply Shopping

>Costume fun 

>Family Movie Night - Cinderella

>Being lazy...napping, resting, pups sleeping too!

 Love sweet family time.

Outdoor morning...momma and son

Our son and I escaped this morning just the two of us for a few hours. A little time outdoors at the river. We explored, took pictures, talked, laughed and he swam a bit too...oh and we played a bit of football...more like tossing it back and forth and missing it a lot and laughing about it! A much needed break from being indoors the last few days. Although we are all exhausted from our fair week last week we still needed a bit of time outside to enjoy the fresh air.

Nature, fresh air, exploring, playing....best way to spend a morning.

Last Day of Fair

Its been a whirlwind the last 4 days...but our family loves every minute of it. Supporting our own 4h kids, the other kids in our club and just all the kids in our county- each year I have nothing but admiration for these hard working kids. People outside of 4h some times have no idea what goes in to raising an animal and being a part of this amazing program. It has done so much for the growth of our children, as people, members of their communities, their clubs. Beaming proud momma watching all the kids in our county in the 'Parade of Champions' last night. A few pics from our last 4 days....Our daughter shows in 4H our son shows his animals in Open- next year he'll be a full fledged 4H member and showing his animals in the show ring with his sister....

 These kids have my heart. 

I love the love and care they show from their animals.

Fair Time

The week has been busy - Our Monday and Tuesday was filled with prepping for Fair and today doing our drop off and decorating with friends and fellow club members. The kids made posters and info papers on their animals and we got everyone settled into their cages today. For the rest of the week till we go home Sunday eve it will be all about Fair! Our daughter brought 1 rabbit for 4H, 2 rabbits for open, 1 cavy for open and our son brought 2 pigeons for open and 2 chickens for open. Its a light year in comparison to what we've brought in the past! We wish family was here to enjoy the week with us but we're happy to take photo's to show them and skype with them this weekend as well.

Fair time..fun time..family time..friend time.