Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Garden



Frank and Sabrina put up the greenhouse for my garden. Two days later the wind blew it into our neighbor's backyard, two doors down. Frank and I got it out of our neighbor's yard and into the alley between our homes and the shopping center. Then we drove around and fought the wind to get it back into our own yard. Again Frank put up the greenhouse. This time he used cinder blocks and cable to tie it down.




Alex and Sabrina helped me mix the soil. They will also help choose which plants we buy and help take care of them.

Alex will be putting the knowledge he gains from reading the The All New Square Foot Garden to good use.

Marie-Anne 

Homeschool Group- Park Day



We met our friends from our homeschool group at Hidden Falls Park.


Sabrina can stay on spinning things for a very long time. Not me.

Marie-Anne

Exercise- Scooters



The weather has been wonderful. The kids have been taking advantage of it by riding their scooters.

Marie-Anne

English Second Language Class

Recently a family from Syria came to the English Second Language Class. The adults don't know any English, even our alphabet is strange to them. The kids interpret for the parents. (No pictures.)


When the free English Second Language Class started, the plan was for Alex to help out and entertain older kids. He is now teaching the more advanced students when students come who need more help. 

Marie-Anne 

Homeschool Group- Game Club


Tsuro is a fun game that has been on my list of games I want for a while. I finally got to play it, and YES I want it.


Sabrina introduced the other kids to Googly Eyes. It is a fun Pictionary type game with the twist of wearing glasses that mess up your vision. Warning- it does give some people headaches.


Alex brought his Mario Brothers Chess set.


Erica and I played several new to me games; Tsuro, Scrabble Slam, and Racko. We also played Scrabble and Cobra Paw.

Game Day is such a fun low stress way to have fun with friends! I am so glad she hosts it every month.

Marie-Anne

Chloe



Chloe is such a highly intelligent dog... um.... maybe not.

Marie-Anne

Ronald McDonald House- Cookie Crew



The Ronald McDonald House changed their policy about how often volunteers can do the Cookie Crew. So now, instead of 6 hours a month it is limited to about 2.5 hours. Alex will be changing his goal from 75 hours a year of volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House to 50 hours a year. That will also include the Caring Cards.


I was pleasantly surprised that pictures of the cookies Alex and Sabrina make are in the binder showing the proper way to bag up and label cookies.




Alex


Sabrina




Marie-Anne

These are some of the Caring Cards we made this month. Caring Cards are simply drawings on index cards that are included with the free lunches that the Ronald McDonald House provides. It is just a small thing to help cheer up the families. 

Marie-Anne

Congressional Award- Skating Class



Alex is becoming a better skater with each class.

Marie-Anne

Congressional Award- Preparing for a 5K



The guys' first 5K is only three weeks away!


Sabrina and I will do the fun walk.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Club- Central Park





We joined other members of our Homeschool Club at a new to us park. Central Park is unlike any park I've ever seen. It is awesome! The only negative is there is no canopy. We live in a desert it will be too hot to use in a month.



Alex brought our dodge balls. The teens had a blast playing dodge ball, which is one of Alex's favorite games.

Marie-Anne

Homeschool Group- Service Club

I recently started a Service Club for our homeschool group. Our first act of service was to write Thank you letters to Veterans. Six families participated.


Those of us, who were able to, visited the Veteran's Home in Boulder City to give the cards away. We visited with the Veterans and then played a game similar to Bingo with them. We all agreed we would like to go back to the Veterans' Home. 

Marie-Anne 

How Homeschool Co-ops Benefit Sabrina


In her writing class, Sabrina reads her story to the class. She learning how to write a story, how to make a key word outline, and how to share her story out-loud. 


After she completes her assignment Sabrina is allowed to play with the toddler. All kids in the class are great at playing with the toddler. They are learning quite a bit about younger children. They are also taking on the role of teacher by trying to teach the toddler her colors... 


In Science class Sabrina has dissected a worm and an owl pellet.  Her teacher dissected and discussed a sheep's heart, kidney, and brain. Sabrina is in elementary school! I didn't even do this kind of thing in my public high school. 


I have been accused of "keeping my kids behind closed windows" by someone who does not understand homeschooling at all. In this Co-op there is an autistic child, kids with severe food allergies, some with learning disabilities, multiracial families, families who are immigrants, and kids of all ages. Both kids and I have developed wonderful friendships through being a part of this homeschool group.


This is our other Homeschool Group's Co-op. The kids have world geography and art based on that week's country. Sabrina has learned to identify all countries of South America, most of the Middle East, and is now learning Asia. In art she has learned that every country has their own culture, art styles, famous people, folklore...


Marie-Anne

Nursery


Sabrina loves, loves, LOVES doing nursery.

Marie-Anne

Snow in Vegas?





We haven't seen this white stuff here since Sabrina was an infant.

Marie-Anne

Bowling with Nancy





Every now and then we take our friend Nancy bowling. None of us are very good, but bowling is fun.


Sabrina invented a new game of racing the bowling ball.

Marie-Anne

Life Skills- Folding Laundry


Marie-Anne