Chrissy's b-day party

Last night the kids and I went to Chrissy's b-day party. She's a friend of Alex's from church. (Thankfully I got a nap before the party.)



Alex had fun acting for the Gestures Game. He did really well; we were able to guess all his cards!



Sabrina had fun being a dancing cat. I've never seen a cat dance like that, but hey, you gotta love the imagination.

Marie-Anne

Heritage Park

After visiting the Natural History Museum, we walked to the adjoining park. It was extremely hot so we didn't stay very long at all.

Marie-Anne

Natural History Museum

Yesterday was the first time in about a year that I took the kids to the Natural History Museum. They were super excited. Alex loved the EEEWWW, What's Eating You? exhibit on parasites.







I love this museum because it has so much hands on learning.





The kids had a great time at the shark tank. A man was cleaning the tank and Alex asked about horseshoe crabs, so he picked one up and told the kids about it. Then he asked Alex if he wanted to kiss it. I teased Alex about it and he kissed it! (I certainly did not expect him to actually do it.)

(There was a group of kids from a daycare there. I felt so sorry for these kids. They spent only about five minutes in the hands-on kids area and for most of that time the teachers were telling them to get in line and wait their turn. They were in the totally hands-on kids' section and they didn't even get to explore at all. It was so sad.)

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park

After dropping Frank off at work, yesterday, I took the kids to Maslow Park. As usual we had the whole play ground to ourselves.

Marie-Anne

Outreach at Paradise Park

Sabrina and Alex worked as a team to help load up supplies needed for the outreach.





While everything was being set up I took the kids to the play ground.



This was Sabrina's first time to climb on the outside of the slide. She got almost to the top, which was above my head. Mommy got worried and had her slide off into my arms.



Pastor Sawyer performed the free concert.



Frank gave his testimony.



My Frank witnessed to people in the area.

Marie-Anne

Game Night

While Frank and Alex played the Search for the Pirate's Treasure Game, Sabrina and I played Scatterpillar Scramble.



Marie-Anne

Carnival of the Animals- Marionette Puppet Show

Today I took the kids to a marionette puppet show at the library. It was put on by the Fratello Marionettes. The Carnival of the Animals is an incredible presentation of The Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Ugly Duckling.



Sabrina wanted me to take a picture of us. I also wanted to capture the look of awe on Alex's face, but it was too dark.





After the show they brought the puppets out for the kids to get a closer look. Alex is waving at the puppet as it goes by.

Marie-Anne

Morrell Park

This morning the kids and I took the park challenge. We stopped at a park, that's not too far from Frank's work. I was very surprised to hear someone call my name- Kristina, a friend who moved months ago lives in that area. We made plans to meet there again soon.





After picking Frank up we stopped at the park again for a few minutes. It is a nice park that is shaded in the morning and between Frank's work and where I go shopping.

Marie-Anne

Tips for Preventing Summer Slide

I've seen a lot of articles about Summer Slide recently. I guess that's another reason to homeschool. We are in Summer mode, but I guess that looks very different from public school kids' Summer mode.

We are participating in every Summer Reading Program we can.

We go to the library’s free Summer events- puppet shows, magic shows, story times...

We go to parks, splash pads, or on hikes at least once a week.

We are playing more board games as a family.

If it's really hot- we do live in Las Vegas, after all- we go to museums.

We are trying to make it to all state and national parks within a day's trip and participating in the Jr. Ranger Program.

The kids have been enjoying fun educational aps on the IPAD or computer.

The kids have been doing more puzzles and single player logic games, (these are perfect for when parents are busy).

They also have time to just play and be kids! Unstructured play time is important too.

Marie-Anne

Armor of God Game and Scrabble Alphabet Scoop

Tonight Frank, Alex, and I had a very fun game night. (Sabrina didn't want to play.)Our first game was the Armor of God.





Our second game is one I bought tonight; Scrabble Alphabet Scoop. I think this game will be a family favorite. We played through all the cards and had a whole of laughs. Alex wanted to keep on playing!

Marie-Anne

Learning About... Manners Picnic Basket Game

Tonight we played Learning About... Manners Picnic Basket Game. It's a fun preschool game that teaches manners and taking turns. Even though it's a luck based game Alex won all three times!





We have a closet full of games that we need to actually start playing.

Marie-Anne

Zion National Park

First off, let me say that these pictures in no way, shape, or form do justice to the absolute beauty of Zion National Park in Utah.







We spent a long time exploring the Nature Center. Sabrina took her time coloring a coloring sheet with color pencils, (I was very impressed with how well she did.) Alex was too busy exploring to even think of doing any crafts. Alex and Sabrina were the only kids there for the ranger-led program.



The only problem with this amazing place is parking. From 10am-3pm parking is practically nonexistent. Thankfully the shuttle system is very good. (Past a certain point only the free shuttle is allowed.)





We took the shuttle to the Riverside Walk. It is a shorter and paved hike, but that is good for us because we have young kids and because it was really hot.





We got to see quite a bit of wildlife. We saw mule deer, lizards, birds, bugs, and countless rock squirrels. (Unfortunately the only picture we actually got of a deer was blurry because we were driving.)





At the end of our hike we got to play in the river! The kids were so excited and they had so much fun. Of course we got soaked, and I left our change of clothes in the car, ooops, but we didn't mind too much. (Note to self next time we know we're getting wet at least bring extra socks or swimmer shoes.)



The kids got to participate in the Jr. Ranger Program. I am very proud of my two Jr. Rangers!

Today was an awesome day! If you ever get to go to Zion National Park I highly reccommend it, just beware of the lack of parking.

Laura's Pool Party

The kids and I were invited to Laura's for a women and children only pool party. Alex and Sabrina were super excited to each get their own swimmer arm rings. Once they were confident that the rings would work, they had so much fun. (Well, Alex added an extra ring around his waist.)



We also had a fire pit and Alex got to roast a marshmallow for S'mores. Sabrina preferred to eat her marshmallows without being cooked.

It was a great time for the kids and grown-ups alike.

Marie-Anne

Summer Reading Programs Have Begun!

It's that time of year again- Summer Reading Programs have begun. Each has it's own rules so check them out:

Your local public library

Pizza Hut's book it: http://www.bookitprogram.com/summerbreak/docs/entryform.pdf

HeBuddy: http://www.hebuddy.com/content/pdf/readingclub.pdf

Barnes and Nobles: http://img1.imagesbn.com/pImages/kids/summerreading/2011/BN-Tear-Pad.pdf

About.com: http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/currlanguagearts/a/readingclub.htm

Pottery Barn: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/design-studio/articles/summer-reading-challenge.html

Chuck E.Cheese has a bunch of rewards including reading:

http://www.chuckecheese.com/promotions/rewards-calendars.php


Marie-Anne

Kids' Art

(Alex's art is on the left and the one I drew for Sabrina to paint is on the right.)

I haven't really had art as part of our homeschool. I don't really like the mess and I tend to get frustrated when the results aren't quite right.... As a homeschooling mom I need to over come that. So, my kids will now be doing art at least twice a week, maybe more using; http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/

A lot of the art is for older kids, but I think there are enough simpler things to keep us busy for a while.

Marie-Anne