WoW! Homeschooler Wednesday

The Frisco Library has a once a month program for homeschoolers K-3rd grade. We went for the first time and was really impressed how fun the program was. They even had one of the librarians play guitar. We met some friends there - brothers that are the same age as my boys. Cameron was happy to have a friend to play with too -or cause trouble with (whichever way you look at it)!

First Day of Kindergarten!

I can't believe that my little boy is Kindergarten age! Where does the time go?

Today's big plan was to go to the Dallas Arboretum. After I got the kids ready to go and while I got myself ready for the day, Carson did some math where he worked on place value and adding single and double digits. Then we went to the arboretum and had a fun time with friends, had a picnic, splashed in the frog fountain and came home.

While the baby slept, I worked with Carson on his cursive writing. He dictated a paragraph to me about his day at the arboretum and I wrote it down in cursive leaving out a few words. He wrote the missing words in cursive. We also discussed parts of speech. Then he got on the computer and did some geography using time4learning.com.

After nap, Carson read and read and read. I am trying to keep better records and I am trying to record what he reads. He read 18 books - 2 of them were chapter books. He really enjoys reading. We also finished maping our hurricane chart for Hurricane Bill. He spent most of his evening taking apart his remote control boat and investigating how it works. Then he broke a rudder and had to replace it.


He was really happy and excited to do his schoolwork. I think he is feeling more like a big kid and special that he gets to 'do school'.

Paper Mache

The boys did a project where they did paper mache on balloons. We ended up spray painting them metallic blue. Once the paint was dry, I set up an area in the back yard and the boys worked so hard to perfect their creations. They did well. Carson enjoyed it but was bored quickly. Cameron could have painted all day. He really is very artistic and enjoys creating.

I was thinking we may finish it to look like a hot air balloon with a little basket tied to the bottom and hang from their bedroom ceiling.

Mini Garden

I got this idea from a craft book. We spent some time in the yard collecting items to make a mini plate garden. Mini flowers, mini rocks, dirt, pieces of wood, etc. The boys created mini rock paths, firepits with tiny logs, bushes. Carson even made a clothing line for his with mini paper clothing taped to it. They were so cute. I was really surprised how much time they spent on this project.

We're not the only ones who like our garden...

We found a little friend eating our garden and brought him inside. Within days he turned into a chrysalis. He has just come out and was such a beauty!! The boys loved him so much. Within an hour of coming out, he was set free to continue the cycle. An amazing insect.

Sleepover

The boys had some friends spend the night - Adam,6 and his sister Kate,5. We had SO much fun! We ate hot dogs for dinner, played hide and seek and read a lot of stories. The 3 big kids slept in sleeping bags on the floor in the family room. They were all so excited in the morning to wake up together and eat eggs, fruit and toast.

The next day, we went to collect our books from the Half Price Books summer reading program and stopped at the Library. Later, we went to the homeschool park day at Arbor Hills. It was a lot of fun and Kate really enjoyed playing with Emily from the group. The whole time, Cameron was just like one of the big kids. He's just such a big kid anymore!

Broadway Show

We took Carson to see a Broadway Performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. My parents came to stay and play with Cameron while we went. Carson was so excited to go (as was I!). Boy, was it worth it!! The show was amazing! I haven't ever been to a show so professional and well done. I really look forward to going to a future broadway show. As you can see from the photos, Carson looked very handsome. He insisted on wearing a tie :)

Independance Day

I made little gift bags for the boys and filled them with bike decorations for the 4th. They loved decorating their bikes and showing off how they sparkled in the sun when they rode on the bike path. We rode to the neighborhood gazebo and had a snack.
We also went to the Addison Kaboom Town. We met up with several families and the kids all played in the fountains. I love how they have a warbird flyover right before the fireworks. It was fun, but way too crowded. I think we'll have to skip Kaboom town next year and find a place more relaxing to watch the fireworks.

Amazing Garden!

Mark and the boys did such a great job with our garden this summer. Everything did great: tomatoes, bell peppers, yellow squash, cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumber, brussel sprouts. The yellow squash died quickly after it produced our first fruit. I think it may have gotten a fungus, but the ones we had tasted so good. I couldn't believe how many cantaloupe and tomatoes we had and the watermelon were huge. Thanks for all your hard work, honey!

Dry tap!

Sorry honey, but brother's num num doesn't have any milk.

The Missing Teeth

This is the famous T-Rex that knocked out 2 of my baby's teeth. He is so tough. We didn't even know until an hour later that his busted lip was actually 2 severed teeth and 2 chipped teeth. Good thing dinosaurs are around anymore!

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

After we went camping with our friends, we ventured off on our own to Fossil Rim. It is a drive-thru wildlife sanctuary. We waited very patiently till a stubborn giraffe came over for a snack. It was well worth the wait - I love giraffes! The boys got to ride in the front seat of the van with us and it was enjoyable for all of us to be together.

Dinosaur Valley

We went camping at Dinosaur Valley State Park with another homeschool family. We had a lot of fun and relaxed. We went swimming and fishing and had so much fun. We also visted Dinosaur World which has a little museum and life size dinosaurs to see. Everyone had a great time.

Cameron riding his new scooter

Here is a picture and video of Cameron riding his new scooter he received from his Abuelo and Abuela for his birthday. He loves riding and thinks it's such a blast when he gets to ride with Carson on his scooter next to him.

Marionette Show

We went to Slappy's Playhouse to see a marionette show of Charlotte's Web. Carson had just finished reading the book again and was thrilled to see the story on stage. I thought they did a great job for the limited time they had for the show. There were also many lines quoted directly from the novel. Cameron thought the animals were really funny, especially the rat Templeton.

2 YEARS OLD!

My baby is 2 years old! Where did the last two years go? I can't believe it. Cameron is such a fun-loving little guy. He is so easy going and loves art and all kinds of vehicles, cars, trucks, planes, hovercrafts, motorcycles, you name it. He adores his brother, Carson and rarely tells his brother no when he suggests playing some game. He shares very easily and waits his turn as long as you explain what is expected. He rarely wants to be held and wants to walk everywhere we go, even hiking. I sometimes wish he'd let me squeeze a little more baby out of him, but I think he's graduated into boyhood. When we are with friends at the park or field trip, he is gone with the big kids and does just what they do. His best friend's name is Will and he is 4 years old. They absolutely adore each other and when they see each other, they hug, hold hands and play. Will has protected him before, but this tough cookie takes pretty good care of himself. He is so tough, but truly a sweetheart! LOVE HIM!! Notice the last picture is a special birthday banner that his brother made for him. Happy Birthday Cameron!!

Happy Cameron!

Art 2 year old style

Thank goodness for washable markers!

Library Bears

The Plano library near our home has a room off the children's area where they have storytime. It is usually vacant except for the 2 large stuffed bears that Cameron adores. We can't even talk about the library without him telling us about the bears and how much he misses them. When we go, he just sits in their laps and reads and hugs and kisses them.

Homemade submarine

Carson read about building a submarine that sinks and resurfaces. We helped him make it last weekend. Here is the final product. He really liked that is actually worked! To see how to build one: http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/blowballast/resources/bouancy1.htm