Walk- Sunset Park

We walked the trails at Sunset Park. It was a short walk. However, it was quite pleasant. We saw a bunny, two stray cats, and birds.

Marie-Anne

English Second Language Class

There was only one student for tonight's ESL Class. (His family and the other student were sick.) Frank was Angel's helper. Tonight, the class covered verb conjugation  of simple present and present continuous tense and English terms for feelings.

Alex taught his friend how to play one of his favorite card games; Battle Kittens.

While Sabrina played with her friend, I talked with the other ladies. We had five volunteers and only one student tonight. The kids that Alex and Sabrina entertained are the kids of one of the volunteers.  Most of Alex and Sabrina's cookies did not get eaten tonight. Sabrina's Sugar Cookies went home with the student. Alex's Snickerdoodles will go to Frank's work tomorrow. 

Marie-Anne

Logic Games

We have a large collection of single player logic games, mostly from ThinkFun. I have gotten out of the habit of assigning them as part of the kids' school. I want to make High School fun again so we will add these logic games back in.

Sabrina playing ShapeOmetry. 

Alex playing Cat Crimes.

Marie-Anne

Life Skills- Checking out Books at the Library

Both kids have had their own library cards for years. They are often the ones who return the library books. Both Alex and Sabrina request books from the librarians. Alex also requests holds on-line, but I haven't had Sabrina do that yet. That is an over sight that I will correct right now.

Marie-Anne

Clark County Museum

We took a field trip to the Clark County Museum this morning. The first 30 minutes were spent walking the hiking trails, which will count for Alex's Physical Fitness goal for the Congressional Award. We saw bunnies and quail.

Afterwards, we visited the houses and printshop, which are set up for different time periods. Since Christmas is coming up the houses were decorated for Christmas. My Grandmother had a set of the Christmas bells.

We visited the main museum last. Both kids had fun with the hands-on portions. They also liked the gift shop, which had beautiful rocks that Sabrina added to her rock collection. Alex chose a quartz keychain.

Marie-Anne

A Cat and His Boy

Marie-Anne

Mini Grand Prix

Once again, we used the birthday money from Aunt Vivian and Uncle Robin to take Sabrina and Alex to Mini Grand Prix. We have done this every year since 2012.

We went right after Frank got off work and had the whole place to ourselves. There was only one other couple there! 

Marie-Anne

Decorating the Church

Sabrina was thrilled that I was asked to help decorate the church for Christmas. She begged to go.

Marie-Anne

Nursery

Once again, Sabrina and I shared nursery duty. Sabrina totally took care of the older girl. She gave her a snack and played quite well with her. They played some very creative games, (the picture was taken in the middle of one of their games). 

I was in charge of the younger one, because she wanted me to hold her the entire time.

Marie -Anne

Cracker Barrel

A friend gave Frank a gift card to Cracker Barrel. The kids had never been there before. They loved the games more than the food.

I brought a few small games in my purse because they certainly do help to make wait times seem shorter. I always keep a deck of cards in my purse because they are small and versatile; Go Fish, Crazy 8's, War, Rummy....

Marie-Anne

Hike Wetlands Park

We went hiking at the Wetlands Park. We went to a part we rarely visit. It isn't far from home, but certainly feels like the city is far, far away. It is a lovely, peaceful spot.

We really enjoy getting outdoors and spending time together.

Alex brought his Kendama, which is a new hobby for him.

Marie-Anne

Skating Class

Alex had another session at the skating rink. He is getting better at the skating tricks. He really enjoys the class, except for scissors.

Marie-Anne

Game Time

What's Up is a memory card game. Players flip double-sided cards to collect complete sets of each of the four colors. A complete set would be three cards of the same color; one with one bird, one with two birds, and one with three birds.

Battle Sheep is a fun game. Players start with one stack of their color sheep. They have to move all the way across the board leaving at least one sheep. Other players are trying to block your progress while you try to get a space for every one of your sheep. It can be pretty cutthroat, but fun.

My First Stone Age is a resource collection and memory game. Players turn over a forest card and do whatever it says; move a certain number of spaces, go to the hut, receive certain resources... The object is to be the first to buy three huts based on the resources on the hut.

All Around Town doesn't get much play now that the kids are older, but it certainly did when they were younger! Players flip a tile and do what is says; go a certain number of spaces, lose a turn, go to a certain store, or give a card to a friend... The object is to be the first player to collect an item from each store.

Marie-Anne

Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve

We skipped the Covetous Friday shopping for some family time. This morning, we hiked the trail at Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve.

It was a beautiful day for a hike. 

Sabrina caught a piggy back ride for part of the way back.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina's Art

This is Sabrina's first attempt at blending and shading with Crayola Color Pencils. She watched the following tutorial once. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dG9WYOvPAE

Marie-Anne