Nursery

Sabrina was thrilled to be asked to be a helper to another nursery worker tonight. It was her first time to work in the nursery without me.

Marie-Anne

Coloring Book Drive- Delivery

After Sabrina's hospital stay she got the idea of hosting a coloring book drive for kids in the hospital. She was extremely bored and didn't want other kids to be bored. Alex and Sabrina teamed up to ask businesses and groups to help collect coloring books. To date they have collected over 250 coloring books, (we will be picking up more coloring books from two places next week). 

As volunteers for the Ronald McDonald House we were able to tag along, as they gave out free lunches, and give out coloring books. We brought 200 coloring books to give away at two hospitals. Most of the coloring books were dropped off at the various nurse's stations, but the kids did get the opportunity to give some directly to the children.

Marie-Anne

Nursery

Today was the first time we had nursery with this little guy. Sabrina had so much fun playing with him and holding him.

The girls joined us after song service. Sabrina was the baby doll's doctor. The mommy would throw the doll down and say, "My baby needs a doctor!" Sabrina doctored the baby and as soon as she handed it back little mommy would throw it down again. Quite entertaining. 

Marie-Anne 

Congressional Award Expedition- Lake Mead and Hoover Dam

As part of the Congressional Award Program Alex has to plan several day trips, (6-8 hours). He planned his first one locally at Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. He decided to learn the history of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, practice photography, and observe the wildlife.

Alex did all the planning. He decided what we would do, what we would bring, and a time line. He did the shopping. He also enjoyed riding shotgun all day. 

Our first step was to hike the Historic Railway Tunnel Trail. This was the railroad that brought supplies to Hoover Dam as it was being built. Alex read the notice board when we got there and discovered that part of the trail was closed due to deterioration of beams in the third tunnel.  He adjusted his plans and we hiked what we could. 

It was the first time the kids and I saw a living tarantula in the wild. 

After the hike, we went to Lake Mead Visitor Center. The visitor's center has a small museum that includes hands-on activities and videos. 

For lunch we used Sabrina's new Every Kid in a Park 4th Grade Pass, which is a free pass that fourth graders can get that allows them and anybody with them to get into all National Parks free for a year, (it is available starting at the beginning of the school year and expires Aug 31st of the following year). We went to a picnic area at Lake Mead. It was Alex's first time to do the grilling. It was a good place for bird watching. We saw Robins, a woodpecker, Ravens, and some other small birds we couldn't identify.

You can't go to Lake Mead without visiting the Lake. We walked along the shore. I was searching for beach glass, but did not find any this time. We saw several sea gulls. Alex took pictures of them and of the landscape. 

Hoover Dam was our next stop.  There is free parking on the Arizona side. There are also about a million steps on the Arizona side. I am feeling it today. 

There is a free Hoover Dam Museum in Boulder City. It is small, but packed with lots of information. 

Our final stop was Hemenway Park, which is a park overlooking Lake Mead. Sabrina was thrilled. This is a normal park, but it is used by a herd of Bighorn Sheep. Alex took the picture of the Bighorn Sheep with Lake Mead in the background.

Alex did really well planning this trip. He did learn that it is best to pack the night before and to not do the shopping the day of the trip. Getting out the door took a lot longer than it should have. However, once we got there his planning went smoothly, even with having to cut the hike short. Cutting the hike short also messed up his time line, but he added in the park to get his time. 

Marie-Anne 

Ronald McDonald House's Trunk or Treat

We were invited to the Ronald McDonald House's first annual Trunk or Treat.

The kids had a fun time playing the different games. They both played multiple times.

Of course, they also got tons of treats.

Marie-Anne

Roller Skating

Friday was the skating rink's Halloween Party. Both kids dressed up for the Costume Contest. Alex was a Star Wars Rebel Commando and Sabrina was a farmer. 

It was nice that they were open during the day because the skating rink follows the school schedule during the weekdays. Meaning, if school is in sessions they are closed. 

All three of us certainly got our exercise for the day; we were there for about 3 hours.

Marie-Anne

English Second Language Class

Thursday was Alex's first time to be a teacher's assistant working directly with the students. He helped review topics with two students during the practice session.

Sabrina played well with the other kids and kept them occupied and having fun.

Marie-Anne

Mr. Cow

Marie-Anne

Bowling

One of the fun things about homeschooling is that we can do things like bowling during the discounted and uncrowded times of day. The kids got P.E. and I got to spend time with my friend, Nancy.

Marie-Anne

Skating Class

Alex is learning a lot in his roller skating class. Some of the things he is learning include; Shoot the Duck, Scissors, Backwards Skating, Leg Lifts, and Spirals.

Marie-Anne

Aunt Vivian and Uncle Robin

We had a lovely time visiting with Aunt Vivian and Uncle Robin. They spent the evening with us and even took us out to eat for Pupsas. 

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group: Book Swap

Once again  I hosted the Book Swap for our homeschool group. Everyone brings in kid books they no longer want, then they choose new to them books. The books left over are donated to Spread the Word Nevada, which is a charity that gives used books to kids in low performing schools. 

The kids had fun choosing new to them books.

Marie-Anne

Coloring Book Drive

After Sabrina's hospital stay she teamed up with her brother, Alex, to collect coloring books for kids in local hospitals. They started out by asking friends, family, and our homeschool group to help. They also have three companies; Trader Joe's, OpenEdge, and Modern Dentistry collecting for them. The Utah office of Open Edge liked the idea and started collecting coloring books for their local hospitals. 

So far the kids have collected 223 coloring books and 208 packs of crayons! Modern Dentistry and Trader Joe's are still collecting until the beginning of November, (the coloring books they collect will be delivered later).

On the 31st we are teaming up with the Ronald McDonald House to deliver the coloring books.

Marie-Anne

English Second Language Class

The English Second Language Class continues to be successful.  The students are returning week after week and learning more and more.

Sabrina made Oatmeal cookies for this week's class. She was also a big help with the younger kids.

Alex made Snickerdoodles. He didn't have any older kids this week, but he did help setup, make copies, entertain the kids during the fellowship time, and clean up.


Marie-Anne

Sunset

Ronald McDonald House

Today we made Oatmeal Cookies for the Ronald McDonald House. They were quite yummy.

Marie-Anne