School update

Here is some of Kathryn and Daniel's latest school work. I thought you might like to see what we've been doing. (Note: If you want a closer look at any of these pages, just click on it!)

Here is an illustrated narration of the Three Billy Goats Gruff, by Kathryn. She had to summarize the story after I read it to her, and she did a wonderful job illustrating it.




We recently covered Australia in history, and this is Daniel's map for that lesson.


Daniel's very first math worksheet. He is now in Math 1, and is having a great time with it.


Kathryn's math work:


Our latest state in US Geography was Maine. Here's Kathryn's map.

Geocaching 101

At the bottom of my blog, I have links to some of my favorite websites. One of them is to the official geocaching website. This is one of our favorite family pastimes, and if you've never been, I would highly recommend it. To start with, go to www.geocaching.com, plug in your ZIP code, and find a nearby cache. Then it's off to the woods!


The only tool that you really need is a GPS. This will help you find where the cache is hidden. It only gets you close, though. And sometimes you can spend a LOOONG time searching. Snacks and bug spray are good to have, too.


Well, look what we found!


Here is the cache container, covered in camouflage tape so it's harder to find. I never even knew they made tape like that!


This is the kids favorite part! Most caches (except for the very smallest) are really treasure chests. Nothing fancy, but you can take a treasure and leave a treasure. It's important to sign the logbook, so you can show you really found it.


Once we signed the log and everyone had a new treat, we hid it again so that it was ready for the next adventurers. then it was back to the car for a drink and crackers (snacks are VERY important for little cachers). Daniel got a new toy ambulance and Kathryn has a new princess yo-yo.


Best of all, it's a great excuse to get outside, breathe some fresh air, and get some exercise together as a family. Shhh, don't tell the kids. They just think it's fun. :)

4-H Friday

Today was our first day back at 4-H for 2008. Since 4-H works on a calendar year instead of a school year schedule, all the new classes started today. Daniel is now in the cloverbud group, and Kathryn has moved up to the older cloverbud group. I am so glad we split that group - there were TWENTY-SEVEN cloverbuds today, 12 in the younger group and 15 older ones. The kids were all so happy to be back!

Daniel's group did Art today. They worked with glue and tissue paper (and of course Daniel added some beautiful dinosaurs to his paper). here is his masterpiece:


Kathryn's group had Music today. The big project for music this year is learning to play the recorder. This will include learning how to read music as well as how to actually play the recorder. The din was a bit much when they first got their instruments, but hopefully they will get the hang of them soon.



Next meeting, they will switch topics. Kathryn will get to do the art project and Daniel's group will all get recorders. I think I will help the art class... :)

And now for something completely different...

Going, going....gone!

The leaf truck came by yesterday, and we had fun watching it suck up all our leaves.


Our pile was quite large. Although the truck has been by twice already this fall, the leaves fell late this year and we didn't have a lot of leaves to put out front. This pile was from our heavily wooded backyard, and repsresented hours of work and blisters.


This is the first time we've seen a fully automated leaf truck. Usually there is someone holding the nozzle and directing where it should go. This time, all of the controls for the vacuum nozzle were in the cab of the truck, and the driver controlled both the truck and the vacuum. He drove on the passenger side (so he could see the leaves better) which both kids thought was really weird.


I wish the nozzle was big enough to go all the way to our backyard. That way, we wouldn't have to rake anymore! Keep dreaming...

And there go the last few leaves...


See ya later, truck! No more raking until next November (thank goodness)!

Gingerbread House

Look what we did!


I know it's after Christmas and all, but we are just getting around to making our gingerbread house now. And did we have fun! Yesterday we made the gingerbread pieces (with a few extra cookies, of course), and this afternoon we assembled it. There's just something about working with lots and lots of sugar that puts everyone in a good mood. :) The kids did most of the work -- I just helped with general construction and help as needed.

Kathryn took this picture:


And here's the back.


After I took this picture, it lasted a grand total of about three seconds before Daniel had one of the Twizzler pieces off, and Kathryn was attacking the marshmallow door.

I can't wait to see what we do next year!