The Widget Wall

The boys and I stopped by the SciTech Discovery Center. The current theme is animation and although the boys love the technical design of animation, they focused a lot of the displays on current cartoons. Since they aren't familiar with most cartoons, they were a bit bored until they found the widget wall. Magnets, pvc and ping pong balls...hours of entertainment!

More Annie Photos....

Annie Roan Garcia

My sweet baby niece was born last night. Welcome to the world baby Annie!
You are loved beyond words!

911 Safety Class

Joined a group of friends at Frisco Safety town for a 911/Emergency class. Both boys got a lot out of the class and listened well. Afterwards, they spent time as pedestrians and motorists (bicyclists) in Safety Town.

Geography

I got this puzzle out of the closet today to go with our geography lesson. I'm happy it has time zones and longitude & latitude since that is what we are working on. I couldn't believe how excited they were. Guess we'll get it out more often.

Leprechaun Treasure Hunt

Mark and I set up a treasure hunt for the boys again this year. Hints on green clovers throughout the house finally led them to their bar of gold (chocolate). It was really fun! Mark was so clever with his riddle wording on the clovers. Cameron was the one that eventually solved the last one leading them to the gold.

Wintertime sandcastle

Carson and his friend made a sandcastle they were very proud of. They are armed with sticks and Carson is in full armour (as usual) of helmet, nylon jacket and belt loaded with various weapons. What is it that little boys are always fighting? Cameron played along too but enjoyed the ducks in the pond more.

Co-op

Co-op for SAIL homeschool group began today. They have it twice a year (spring and fall) on Fridays for 6 weeks. This is our first to attend and the boys and I were really excited! They have 4 classes each and lunch with their friends. I was a teacher helper in the boy's classes this time, but in the fall, I am required to teach a class (I already have so many ideas!). Carson's classes are: Animal habitats, Creativity, Crochet, and America Rocks. Cameron's classes are: Nursery rhymes, playground, Dr.Suess, and Music & motion. Today's nursery rhyme was Goldilocks and the three bears and one of the photos is Cam and his class eating their porridge-they were so cute! What a fun and exhausting day!

Ranch visit

We went for a visit to the in-laws ranch. It's been a while since we've been, so the boys were so excited to go. While we were there, we did so much! Among them...we delivered hay to the cows, the boys chased an armadillo, we got the windmill pump going, and relaxed.

After leaving to drive home, we realized we had no brake pressure, so we quickly drove back to the ranch. We discovered that the brake line had a hole I. It and we stayed another night. Being that a replacement part was unavailable, Mark spliced the line and we made it home. I'm getting the factory part put on today. What a trip!

Fort Worth Zoo

We went to the Fort Worth zoo homeschool day yesterday. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful day. We ran into dozens of friends and stayed for 5 hours - I was exhausted!
The night before, we drove to my parents home and stayed the night. The boys had really been missing them and had such a great time with them (wish I had taken pictures of them!).

Printing Press

The boys made their own printing presses today. We carved drawings into styrofoam and inked them before pressing onto paper. Carson said we are making Ben Franklin proud.

Math Skyscraper?

Good thing I spent a ton of money on our math manipulatives. Ha Ha Guess I should have just bought more legos!

Peter and the Wolf

The boys and I went to the Meyerson Symphony Center today and enjoyed the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. They performed Peter and the Wolf. We also had a surprise mini-ballet performance during another piece. The boys said they "Loved it!". This is our 4th year to enjoy this special production for children and it was certainly our favorite so far.

Water fun

The boys decided to paint our picnic table with water. Cheapest entertainment out there :)

It's a hit!

Today at his PE class, Carson got his first base hit. Woo hoo!

Engineering in Ancient Times

I took the boys to a special homeschool program at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science today. We discussed ancient engineering with the museum archaeologists that included prehistoric hunting tools, Egyptian pyramids and the Terra Cotta warriors. Carson had a lot to add to the discussion. Afterwards, we spent a few hours enjoying some of the new and old exhibits.

Sun power-station

With the warm and sunny day, the boys and I made a sun power-station. With the sun's radiation, we are attempting to cook a potato in its own juices. After completing our power station with a bowl, foil, suction cup and potato, we point it toward the sun. It's been about 10 minutes and I'm already impressed. The potato is actually very warm to the touch. Maybe this will actually work!

Jr Engineering - Mechanical toy

At Jr Engineering this month, we learned about different mechanical toys.   Then the boys created a mechanical toy of their own.  Carson made a Godzilla that hid behind a skyscraper and Cameron made a scary bear that hid behind rocks.  Very simple idea but one of the boys' favorites.

Launching 3 year old

Walked in the room to find 7 year old has made a glider and he's strapping in 3year old preparing him for launch. 3 year old is willing participant.

Valentine's 2011

I gave the boys their Valentines this morning. They were so excited- books, a piece of chocolate, mini lego. They say it's the best valentines ever. I love them so much!