Wetlands Park- Wells Trail Hike

The kids and I were supposed to meet the homeschool group for a hike today. I got lost and ended up on a different trail. After talking with them and still not being sure where they were we decided to just hike where we were.

We had a great time. We also saw birds that we haven't seen before. It was a very pretty hike, but not one to do in Summer because there was no shade at all.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Club- Paseo Vista Park

We met the homeschool club at a new to us park today. Sabrina was very happy that her buddy was there. She was also happy to be able to do a new trick; turning flips on the bar.

There weren't any boys Alex's age there. So I played badminton with him for a while. We also threw foam airplanes, but they tore up pretty quickly. Finally I told him to ride his scooter or play on the playground because I wanted to spend time with the other moms.

Marie-Anne

Spread the Word Nevada- Book Cleaning

The kids and I spent about an hour and a half cleaning used books for Spread the Word Nevada. We check the books to make sure there aren't torn pages, writing or scribbling inside, remove stickers from the covers, check for water damage, and wipe down the books. Damaged books get recycled and cleaned books are boxed up for the kids.

Sabrina does more than just clean books. She also helps refill the totes of books to be cleaned. She also insists on getting us a fresh tote when ours is empty. I have given up on trying to tell her it is too heavy, (she hasn't hurt herself yet).

We met Nancy at the book cleaning, but didn't get to know her until we ran into her at Wal-Mart every time we went shopping for a month. We are thankful for becoming friends with her, and look forward to seeing her the next time we go to Wal-Mart.

Marie-Anne

Alex's Roman miniatures

I bought some Roman miniatures to paint and sell. They will be sold on Ebay. Look at the pictures to see the Romans. I don't have any more to say, so look at the pictures.

 

 

 

Alex

Wetlands Park Nature Center- Jr. Explorer Day

The kids and I went to the Nature Center for Jr. Explorer Day. Each child got a booklet of activities to help them learn about the Nature Center. They filled out what they could at the Nature Center, then we went on a short hike to complete the remaining activities.

Marie-Anne Rendla

Acacia Park

The kids and I went to Acacia Park despite it being overcast and chilly. we spent a little while at the playground.

I knew that this park has a demonstration garden, but we have never been to it before. So we set off to find it. Most of the plants are in winter mode; however the animals were out and about. We saw lots of rabbits, birds, and ground squirrels.

These aren't chipmunks like I had thought. They are White-tailed Antelope Squirrels. Normally we see one or two, but in the rocks, near the trail there were at least 16! It appears that they are used to being fed because they came quite close; closer than I was comfortable with. (I have seen a poster of someone's hand after they were attacked by the rock squirrels at a National Park.)

Marie-Anne

Sabrina's Stamp Collection

Sabrina has been saving stamps for months. I chose to get her a stock book instead of a stamp album because we don't have to fool with hinges. I also chose it because I am sure she will want to rearrange her stamps multiple times. I also left part of the envelope on her stamps, (she can always remove them later).

This is her animal and plant page. The stock book has about 16 pages.

Thank you to every one who is collecting stamps for her.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Club- Learning about chickens and horses

After bagging lunches we went to one of the homeschool club's leaders home to learn about chickens and horses. She taught us about the process of incubating chicken eggs. Then we went out to see her chickens and horses.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Club- Serving Our Kids

After lunch we met the homeschool Club at Serving Our Kids to bag lunches for kids on their school's free or reduced lunch program to have food for the weekend. Together, we bagged 700 lunches.

Marie-Anne

McDonalds

After the museum, we ate at McDonalds. The kids had a little time to play in the playplace too.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group- Clark County Museum

Today was very fun and very busy. This morning we met the homeschool group at Clark County Museum for a guided tour. Though we have been there many times we have never done a guided tour. It was very educational. We all learned a lot.

The kids enjoyed the displays and the hands-on activities.

Marie-Anne

Scooters

The weather was very nice so Alex and Sabrina got to spend time on their scooters.

Marie-Anne

Gymnastics Ribbon

A gymnastics ribbon is perfect for a very energetic girl. It has kept the busy bee busy.

Marie-Anne

Co-op- Valentine's Day Party

After Co-op we met at the park across the street for a Valentine's Day Party. It was very fun.

Marie-Anne

Co-op- Show-and-tell

Alex and Sabrina brought their hermit crabs to Co-op for show-and-tell. The kids were very interested in them. One boy knew a lot more about hermit crabs than I did and taught me some things. I also showed them to the preschoolers; they were amazed by them and asked a lot of questions.

Marie-Anne

Visiting Sharon

Our dear friend, Sharon has been sick for a while. The kids have not seen her in months. She is now in a nursing home for rehab. So, we were able to make a surprise visit. She was as happy to see them as they were to see her!

I was so proud that both kids used what was taught in the manners class and introduced themselves to a gentleman in a wheelchair and spent a few minutes talking to him. Nobody told them to do it, they just chose to spend time with him. As we were leaving they saw him again and called out, "Bye, John!"  Alex told me he wants to come back and visit this nursing home too.

Marie-Anne

Game Night

Guesstures is a game I played with a group of adults at a party once. It was fun. I got our copy used and the timer was much too fast, esp for kids. Also after we played I noticed some of the words weren't kid friendly. Therefore, we will get rid of our copy. (If you know of a similar game for kids let me know. I do like the idea of the game and the kids had fun trying.)

Takamachi! is a new to us dice game. All players roll their dice in the center of the table at the same time. The player who calls out the most common attribute, (color or shape) first flips a timer. The other players have 10 seconds to dispute it. If no one does the player who called it discards one die. The player who discards all dice first wins.

Rory's Story Cubes isn't my favorite, but the kids like it. I think it would be fun to use in creative writing, but I am not good at glancing at the cubes and coming up with a complete story on the spot. Maybe if I think of it as a sort of Mad Libs type game... I found an expansion pack at the thrift store.

Zooloretto Mini continues to be a hit for us. The strategy is a bit advanced for Sabrina, but as long as she is having fun I think it is fine. She will understand that more as she plays more or as she gets older.

Ticket to Ride First Journey is a wonderful kids' version. Game play is very similar to the original, but simplified for kids. Sabrina requests this game a lot. (As an added bonus, she has even asked what state some of the cities are in.)

Marie-Anne