tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-309079372024-03-13T08:27:42.720-07:00learning and living family styleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-62196238101877488752008-12-21T23:44:00.000-08:002008-12-22T00:45:09.503-08:00Merry Christmas!Christmas 2008<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t8u6NBvI52k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t8u6NBvI52k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Thank you for viewing our Christmas "card" for 2008!<br /><br />Don't miss the outtakes.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IT6FEVu37Mw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IT6FEVu37Mw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-20449729642528509532008-12-21T23:16:00.000-08:002008-12-21T23:38:54.507-08:00Santa & A Christmas celebrationWe visited with Santa at the annual Santa Breakfast.<br /><br />William had lots to say to Santa. He asked for a vacuum and a lucky dog.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eIMG_0935.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eIMG_0935.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary thought Santa was terrific. He also asked for a lucky dog.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eIMG_0942.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eIMG_0942.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />With cousins after getting goodie bags from Santa.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0963.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0963.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />We also celebrated the season with the animals at the zoo. <br /><br />Reading about the Ravens<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6714.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6714.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Waiting with Daddy to see the bears come out and get their Christmas gifts.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6718.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6718.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Cutie patootie<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6725.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6725.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-67162936418600739212008-12-10T13:43:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:46:41.310-08:00Phew.3.5 months of neglected blogging caught up! In the coming weeks we will have breakfast with Santa, go to a few homeschool park days, play at a homeschool Christmas party, attend a Christmas party for the zoo animals, go to the Crocker art museum, celebrate Papa's birthday, go to Grandma Woohoo & Papa's for Christmas Eve, be visited by Santa, celebrate Zachary's 6th birthday and get ready to welcome 2009. Many more updates to come!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-45630426052255917922008-12-10T13:30:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:37:00.218-08:00Video games and Reading?I have to admit I am not a video game player. Nor am I am fan of video games being played in our home. BUT my husband loves video games and I love him so I tolerate it. Now our sons love video games too. We are very selective about what they are exposed to and they are only allowed to play Xbox360 or the NintendoDS on the weekends and for a limited time. I am usually involved in some other task while they play but this past weekend they asked me to play with them. Zachary and I played Beautiful Katamari. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=510t7oqnr4L_SL500_AA280_.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/510t7oqnr4L_SL500_AA280_.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Beautiful Katamari is a very strange game that includes a talking head with captions. I was amazed as Zachary read almost every word of the captions to me. In the span of a 10 minute game he read all of the following aloud:<br />ordinary<br />present<br />princedom<br />barely<br />worth<br />better<br />adding<br />explore<br />remember<br />yummy<br />should<br />orbit<br />alligator<br />earth<br />everything<br />delish<br />maybe<br />playful<br />satellite<br />shame<br /><br />Satellite was the only word on the list that he needed help with and after seeing it a couple of times he recalled it when he saw it again. Ok, so maybe some learning or at least a demonstration of learning can happen with a video game.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-2473032937286209102008-12-10T13:25:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:30:10.311-08:00Button snowmenThe boys created their own ideas of snowmen. I ordered a big bucket of buttons through Discount School Supply and the boys love to dig in and sort them, spill them (and then they need encouragement to clean them up) and use them for crafts. I have a very special jar of buttons that were formally the button box my mom had throughout my childhood. Lots of different beautiful buttons that I spent hours sorting and digging through. Those buttons are now just for show - not to be glued on a construction paper snowman so I love the boys having their own box of buttons to explore with.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8905.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8905.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary's snowman is on the left with a carrot nose. William went button crazy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-54588915368869519212008-12-10T12:18:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:25:06.241-08:00NovemberWe have been working on sorting, counting by twos, measurement and calendar skills.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6669.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6669.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6673.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6673.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />William continues to work hard on his large motor skills. He is a champ at climbing, jumping (and freaking me out). At My Gym he kept climbing to the top of this ladder and jumping straight down!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8727.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8727.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />He is also working on learning how to pump his legs on the swing.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8652.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8652.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It is amazing how different our boys are. Zachary has no interest in swings - occasionally he will swing on his belly but he doesn't want to sit on a swing at all but at almost 4 he was identifying letter sounds and William doesn't show much interest in letters at all. They are an excellent reminder to me of one of the many reasons why we homeschool. These beautiful, brilliant boys can learn at their own pace, their own style and learn about things that interest them. In a kindergarten classroom Zachary would be far beyond his peers with his reading skills but he does not do much paper/pencil math. In a preschool classroom William would be a mess if someone made him sit and do a penmanship worksheet but he can out climb kids a foot taller and a couple years older than he is. They are unique and amazing and we are so blessed to be able to encourage them to be who they are instead of fitting in to a standards based public classroom mold.<br /><br /><br />A pirate-princess-sushi birthday party!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8779.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8779.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary practiced his reading skills with karaoke.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8869.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8869.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary had his first dance with a girl he is not related to.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8846.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8846.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Carl took the whole week of Thanksgiving off and we had a lot of great family time. <br /><br />At the park<br /><br />I'm a little teapot.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8883.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8883.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Sweet boy.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8890.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8890.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Making wood chip cakes for sale.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8903.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8903.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />Thanksgiving at Grandma and Papa's house.<br /><br />We made turkey hand print place cards.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0778.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0778.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Great grandma gave the boys games. We love both of them. - How Tall Am I & Zingo<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0839.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0839.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Grandma Woohoo continues the Thanksgiving tradition of warm fuzzy Christmas jammies after dinner. The Christmas season begins!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0840.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0840.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0842.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0842.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0864.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0864.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0867.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0867.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We spent the Saturday after Thanksgiving with Grandma Woohoo, Great Grandma McCrystal and Papa. The boys stayed and had tea parties and played Go Fish with the grandmas while Carl and I went to a movie. When we returned we all had dinner together and then spent hours visiting. We stayed until after 10pm! The boys rarely ever stay up that late but we were all enjoying each other's company so much we didn't want the night to end.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0886.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0886.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The boys reading together. Zachary has taken to shadow reading with William. He will read a sentence and then have William repeat it back. It is pretty darn cute.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_0879.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_0879.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-40351162324671097832008-12-10T11:36:00.001-08:002008-12-10T12:18:00.969-08:00October was busy... it continues...Our annual trip to Zittel's for pumpkins. Our family rule is you can pick any pumpkin you can lift in to your wagon, pull around the grounds and then get in and out of the car. If it is too heavy it is not the right pumpkin for you.<br /><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6568.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6568.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6571.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6571.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary aimed big this year.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6594.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6594.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />William's pumpkin was a good size... his attitude was huge though.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6595.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6595.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />At the park.<br /><br />Head over heals<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6556.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6556.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6541-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6541-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6544-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6544-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A few hours later.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6622-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6622-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6632-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6632-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary finally got his wish of a "daddy haircut". Yikes. William has been told he has to wait until he is almost 6 to even discuss it. I did trim William's hair a bit. Zachary wasn't too sure of the haircut and he wants it to grow long again.<br /><br />Zip lining at our homeschool group Halloween party<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6642.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6642.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />My pumpkins and their pumpkins.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6649.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6649.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6650.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6650.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We took pumpkin roll ups for lunch for our Halloween party potluck and William wanted them for lunch again the next day (on Halloween).<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6667.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6667.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-37158949509648887232008-12-10T10:56:00.000-08:002008-12-10T11:35:50.677-08:00October continues...We had a great field trip to Jack London Square/the Port of Oakland. We rode Amtrak to Jack London Square. The 2 hour train ride was great. Our homeschool group had the entire top floor of one train car. The kids had room to roam and play and there were plenty of sights to see as we traveled. <br /><br />William was THRILLED to be on a big train.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8554-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8554-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Having friends to play with made the trip fly by.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8558.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8558.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The boat was really, really crowded. We were not quite at the end of the line in this picture. The covered dock was solid people and it wrapped around a corner until it got to us... it was actually sort of miserably over-crowded. I guess that is what you get for free! <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8569.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8569.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />William and his friend Ella at the waterside waiting for the boat.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8574-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8574-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We couldn't hear most/any of the tour guide information as we toured the Port of Oakland but the kids enjoyed looking out the window at the container ships and giant cranes at work.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8578.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8578.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Part of our group when we arrived back in Sacramento after a long day.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8621.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8621.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A day in Davis. <br /><br />First we visited the Davis History Museum. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=CopyofP1030342.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/CopyofP1030342.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Then the Davis Farmers Market's harvest festival.<br /><br />Petting piglets<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=P1030351.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/P1030351.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Watching cockroach races!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=P1030353-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/P1030353-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Our annual trick-or-treating on Historic Sutter Street.<br /><br />Our little rock star - complete with attitude.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=P1030363e-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/P1030363e-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Magic School Bus.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eP1030365-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eP1030365-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=magicschoolbus-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/magicschoolbus-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We managed to spend just $7 on both costumes combined - a can of yellow spray paint and iron-on transfer papers! A great reduce-reuse-recycle Halloween!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-54916143294480806842008-12-10T10:51:00.000-08:002008-12-10T10:56:09.390-08:00Bowling videosCheck out William's dance moves.<br /><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="425" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media5.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20081001/152240.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-10-01/15:22:40&d=1" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><embed src="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media5.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20081001/152240.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-10-01/15:22:40&d=1" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="381"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:8pt;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Photo Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Video Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Printing</a></span></center><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMjg5MzUwNTAxNzEmcHQ9MTIyODkzNTA2MTc4MSZwPTEyNTIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZ*PSZvPTkxMWY2YjJjZDQzZTRlMTg5YmM3NGE*NDFlYTA5ZWUy.gif" /><br /><br />Zachary is a pretty good bowler - especially with the rails!<br /><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="425" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media3.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20081001/152520.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-10-01/15:25:20&d=1" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><embed src="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media3.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20081001/152520.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-10-01/15:25:20&d=1" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="381"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:8pt;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Photo Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Video Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Printing</a></span></center><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMjg5MzUxMTk1OTMmcHQ9MTIyODkzNTEyNjY*MCZwPTEyNTIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZ*PSZvPThiNGVlNWNkZmY4YTQyYTg5ZTkxNmZiMGNmNTkwMjdi.gif" /><br /><br />The boys insisted that Daddy's bowling video be showcased too.<br /><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="425" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media3.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20081001/155244.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-10-01/15:52:44&d=1" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><embed src="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media3.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20081001/155244.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-10-01/15:52:44&d=1" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="381"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:8pt;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Photo Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Video Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Printing</a></span></center><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMjg5MzUxNzMxNDAmcHQ9MTIyODkzNTE3NTA3OCZwPTEyNTIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZ*PSZvPThkYjJhZjNmNWEyMzRkMTBhN2VkMTRkOTE2ZmU*NTM4.gif" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-42540928625584353122008-12-10T09:31:00.000-08:002008-12-10T09:59:21.651-08:00OctoberWe started the month out, like we always do, with Carl's birthday. I love the last quarter of the year when we are finally the same age!<br /><br />Carl took his birthday off and we went bowling! The boys first bowling experience. They loved it but the people around us did NOT love them loving it. They had a really hard time grasping the concept of staying in our space. Thankfully the alley was pretty empty and the boys did not get hit with any balls. They were really hilarious when bowling - I will try to get some video uploaded too.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8426.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8426.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We also celebrated Carl's birthday with a Rock Band party at my parents' house. We now add Rock Band and karaoke on Zachary's learning record as reading practice! He reads lyrics and really rocks! Both kids work on rhythm and color recognition when they play the guitar and drums too :)<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8509-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8509-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8489.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8489.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8486.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8486.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Our garden gave us our first taste of our labors. Two tiny radishes! The boys tried to give it a thumbs up but they weren't so impressed with the bitter little veggies. They much preferred the radishes a month or so later.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8401.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8401.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8393.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8393.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />Our good friends Lincoln and Reagan hatched ducklings and we had the opportunity to meet the new ducklings. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6503.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6503.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6502.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6502.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Lincoln and Reagan always show the boys their great computer games.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6506.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6506.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We go to weekly library storytime but once a month the library has a special storytime. The zoo sanctuary next to the library brings over an animal. The books are all about that animal and the docents talk about the animal and introduce him to the kids. October was owl storytime. The owl performed well, to the children's delight he pooped while out of his cage!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8548.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8548.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We celebrated our friend Charlotte's birthday with a baby doll party. She had a small party and wanted "her people" there including "Zachaby and Willam". The birthday girl's grandma made these great baby doll slings as well as a doll sized cloth diaper, blanket and pillow! Such a fun birthday favor!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8541.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8541.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />More October coming up next...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-78100730267560434752008-12-10T09:20:00.000-08:002008-12-10T10:05:28.278-08:00SeptemberLots of walks. The stroller stays at home now and the boys can walk over a mile before whining. The boys got new backpacks and loved them! It is really hard to find little kid sized backpacks that aren't plastered with characters so we gave in and let them get their beloved Thomas and Cars.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8369.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8369.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We spent a lot of time outside - a favorite outside activity is Moonsand.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8323.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8323.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We continued to work on our garden.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8333-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8333-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Our homeschool group had a bike day. We parked our vans and SUVs to block off the entrance to a sports field parking lot that isn't used during the day and the kids biked around and around. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8356.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8356.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We went on a field trip to Petco. The idea of the field trip was good but the store employee conducting the trip struggled to keep our gang engaged. At one point he was talking about some frogs or snakes in an aquarium and how it was their house. Zachary interrupted and said "it is their HABITAT". Rude little smartie pants. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8387.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8387.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-73378280761934308282008-12-10T09:16:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:38:16.894-08:00Catching Up!I have slacked on keeping our blog updated. I know all the grandmas love keeping an eye on what we are up to via the blog so I am back to it! Here comes update overload!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-26046977585033753292008-09-19T12:20:00.000-07:002008-09-19T16:03:13.259-07:00Garden UpdateWe have seedlings!<br /><br />We have 3 of our 4 broccoli seedlings - we suspect the dog stepped on the 4th. He has been in big trouble for standing in the raised beds. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8327.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8327.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />French breakfast radishes<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8332.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8332.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Spinach<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8329.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8329.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Our green onion test worked! These are the green onions purchased at the farmer's market with roots still attached. We stuck them in the dirt, trimed them down and they are growing!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8339.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8339.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Not pictured - a celery seedling. We are still waiting for our carrot and chard seedlings.<br /><br />And the best seedlings of all<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8333.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8333.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-24778072806446812222008-09-06T16:58:00.001-07:002008-09-06T16:58:03.934-07:00Something strange in the neighborhood...<center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="425" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media3.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20080906/163821.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-09-06/16:38:21&d=1" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><embed src="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media3.dropshots.com/photos/528771/20080906/163821.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc2#date/2008-09-06/16:38:21&d=1" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="381"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:8pt;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Photo Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Video Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Printing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Books</a></span></center><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIyMDc*NTQzMTkzNyZwdD*xMjIwNzQ1NDcxOTM3JnA9MTI1MjEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MQ==.gif" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-12452741938476243212008-09-01T18:13:00.000-07:002008-09-01T18:17:59.070-07:00Unexpected learningIn general numbers are not of great interest to Zachary at this point, until NASCAR. He will work out numbers so he can read the numbers on the cars. I guess I can tolerate some short bursts of NASCAR on our TV if he is working out the difference between 34 and 43. <br /><br />Today we baked bread and buns. While measuring out the flour Zachary dropped the 1 cup measuring cup in to the yeast slurry which gave us the opportunity to discuss how many half cups equal 1 cup. A bit of fractions, multiplication and some extra dishes to wash. The fruits of our labor were delicious topped will grilled burgers and a side of roasted beets fresh from the Farmer's Market.<br /><br />Our buns:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8213.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8213.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-83447069672141783282008-09-01T13:53:00.000-07:002008-09-01T13:56:42.049-07:00Our square foot garden is plantedThe box being sanded.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8203.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Mixing together the soil.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8209.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8209.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8210.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8210.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Planted, watered and waiting.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8216.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8216.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-80531702355730832702008-08-28T13:41:00.000-07:002008-08-28T15:38:47.156-07:00We have big pockets!The boys found an old folded up pocket chart and a pocket chart fairy tale set and asked to put them up today. We had fun putting the story in order and making a little video to share (see videos below). <br /><br />Zachary has been writing a lot of "letters" lately. A lot of proclamations of his love for his family. Yesterday this letter was delivered to me.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6451.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6451.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />"I love you KC. You love" and then lines and periods to include 3 things/people I love. <br /><br />Our books about China and the Olympics have been returned to the library but we are still enjoying the boys' Olympic ring flags on the wall.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6452.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6452.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We have checked out books about gardening and oceans. In October we will be going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium so we are reading up on all sorts of sea life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-74273241128812755942008-08-28T13:37:00.001-07:002008-08-28T13:47:13.242-07:00There Was an Old WomanThey obviously enjoyed this activity! Crazy boys.<br /><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="425" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media5.dropshots.com/photos/131246/20080828/131126.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc#date/2008-08-28/13:11:26&d=1" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><embed src="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media5.dropshots.com/photos/131246/20080828/131126.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc#date/2008-08-28/13:11:26&d=1" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="381"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:8pt;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Photo Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Video Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Printing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Books</a></span></center><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIxOTk1NTc5Njg3NSZwdD*xMjE5OTU1ODE3NTQ2JnA9MTI1MjEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MQ==.gif" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-31967379178516184722008-08-28T13:34:00.001-07:002008-08-28T13:46:29.210-07:00Humpty DumptyZachary reads about Humpty Dumpty while William points to the pictures illustrating each part of the story. We started out with all of the pieces on the floor and they worked together to get them in the correct sequence.<br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="425" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media4.dropshots.com/photos/131246/20080828/130612.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc#date/2008-08-28/13:06:12&d=1" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><embed src="http://www.dropshots.com/dropshots.swf?p=1&u=http://media4.dropshots.com/photos/131246/20080828/130612.flv&l=http://www.dropshots.com/justkc#date/2008-08-28/13:06:12&d=1" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="381"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:arial; font-size:8pt;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Photo Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.dropshots.com/">Video Sharing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Printing</a> - <a href="http://www.qualityphotoprints.com/">Photo Books</a></span></center><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIxOTk1NTY2MDQ1MyZwdD*xMjE5OTU1NjgxMDc4JnA9MTI1MjEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MQ==.gif" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-81362246342180084922008-08-26T10:01:00.000-07:002008-08-26T14:15:54.950-07:00Keeping busyWhen people ask what we have been up to I always stumble for an answer. We are just doing life. Playing, visiting, finding new things to explore and learn about. Here are a few things we did in the past week (not necessarily in order and definitely not exhaustive of our whole week).<br /><br />We started work on our <a href="http://www.squarefootgardening.com/">Square Foot Garden</a>. The boys made plans for what they would like to plant.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eIMG_8201.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eIMG_8201.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />(note: the drawings on the top paper are Zachary's - then he asked me to label them, William drew one giant tomato plant that took up all 16 of his boxes. Carl drew pictures of veggies too but I bet he would appreciate me not posting them on the internet :) ). We started building our raised beds but had some technical difficulties. We will continue with our revised building plan this coming weekend.<br /><br />I found a great site that has local gardening tips including a year round planting calendar. We are considering starting with a planting of bok choy, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, green onions, spinach and strawberries. In the spring we will definitely plant zucchini and tomatoes - 2 family favorites.<br /><br />The boys love to help clean up after Carl mows the lawn.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eIMG_8172.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eIMG_8172.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eIMG_8178.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eIMG_8178.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eIMG_8179.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eIMG_8179.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary wanted to make sure everyone knows our house is a homeschool - you are supposed to read it as you walk up the walkway, like driving up to a stop sign. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=eIMG_8182.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/eIMG_8182.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary's love affair with all things red, race cars and Cars persists. This was his dress up outfit this week. (The socks on his hands are Cars socks).<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8196.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8196.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8198.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8198.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Sunday was the boys' friend, Andrew's 6th birthday party. They had a great time riding this little train over and over. It was a hit!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6335.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6335.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6343-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6343-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6350.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6350.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6351.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6351.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Last week we had our regular park day at a water park.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6310.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6310.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6311.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6311.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I had our small point and shoot camera with us. William wanted to take some pictures with the screen flipped out so he could see himself (and me).<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6324.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6324.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Carl took a vacation day and we went to the State Fair on a discount day. It was fun but we were hot and exhausted by the day's end. <br /><br />We sat in the sun waiting for a much anticipated show of "horses dancing to Star Wars music" - I mean who wouldn't love that? It was so strange. #1 there was no Star Wars music and #2 the horses just walked in circles. <br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6414.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6414.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />(notice how unimpressed they all look?)<br /><br />Much more fun was visiting the farm area & petting zoo:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6387-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6387-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6389.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6389.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6390.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6390.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This picture cracks me up - makes me think of American Gothic.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6402.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6402.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This morning we made sidewalk paint out of cornstarch, water and food coloring. It was great fun. I brought out paint brushes but we found it was much more fun to paint with our hands and feet.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6420.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6420.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6432.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6432.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6438.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6438.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6444.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6444.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_6436.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_6436.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-5967356117136364522008-08-21T15:09:00.000-07:002008-08-21T15:11:17.677-07:00My new favorite quote<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he's not interested, it's like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating."</span> ~ Barbara Lansing</span><br /><br />From <a href="http://www.throwingmarshmallows.com/">Throwing Marshmallows</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-39346240295393536092008-08-18T18:33:00.000-07:002008-08-18T20:23:53.706-07:00Up and coming...<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.atlasquest.com/aboutlb/wiki/browse.html?gCatId=14#q1">Letterboxing</a></span>: We discussed trying letterboxing a year or two ago but the boys just weren't old enough. Now we are thinking we can ease in to this fun family activity with finding some simple letterboxes in our area. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Letterboxing, at its basic, is a like a treasure hunt type game. Small boxes are hidden in various locations—usually outdoors, though many are planted indoors as well—and the creator of the box will release clues so others can go out and find them later. The box is expected to have a logbook that finders can log into and a unique stamp, usually hand-carved, that the finder can stamp into their own personal logbook as a record of all the letterboxes they've found. Most letterboxers have a unique stamp to represent themselves, called a signature stamp, they stamp into the logbooks found inside letterboxes so others who find the letterbox later know they found it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.littleblueschool.com/bash/contestdetails.shtml">Book Arts Bash</a></span><br />Zachary loves making books and we may do this just for the fun of it.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The purpose of the Book Arts Bash is to have fun writing and illustrating books, and to help students and teachers reach across the curriculum to include writing and art in other areas of study. Any homeschooled student or homeschooling parent can enter. Prizes include the usual stuff you can hold in your hand plus invaluable critiques from people in the writing and illustrating biz. </span><br /><br />Books we (as parents) are reading or waiting to get from the library:<br />Homeschooling Our Children Unschooling Ourselves by Alison McKee<br />Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling by John Holt and Pat Farenga <br />How Children Learn (Classics in Child Development) by John Holt<br />Learning All The Time by John Holt<br /><br />Zachary is really in to Boy's Quest magazine - we bought a box of back issues on eBay and he thinks they are just spectacular! If anyone finds back issues we would love for you to pick them up. A new subscription is very pricey but he doesn't mind the back issues so we will keep collecting.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-44015522756321265562008-08-18T09:24:00.000-07:002008-08-18T10:17:01.347-07:00HSC ConferenceThis past weekend we attended our first <a href="http://hscconference.com/index.html">HSC conference</a>. A whole weekend with 100s and 100s of other homeschoolers. It was amazing! We are all exhausted and overwhelmed but thrilled to have had the experience. Our hotel reservations are made for next year and we are just waiting for the discount conference tickets to go on sale.<br /><br />My parents drove back and forth each day to spend a few hours with us, go to sessions with the kids, help us out with childcare and bring us food. They were an amazing help. (THANKS, MOM & DAD!)<br /><br />The boys started out the conference a little soggy - in the water play zone. They had a great time!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8088.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8088.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8096.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8096.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary wanted to take official kindergarten pictures wearing his backpack.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8100.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8100.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8104.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8104.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Zachary and Carl went to a session called Cupcake Geology - a huge hit!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8106.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8108.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8108.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The art deck was very popular with our kids - all sorts of art supplies and time and space to try them out. We have a beautiful collection of art work on our gallery wall now.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8118.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8118.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Construction Zone had blocks of every sort, Knex, wooden trains and model trains, Legos, giant cardboard boxes and lots of small building bits. We spent a lot of time in the Construction Zone.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8127.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8127.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8131.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8131.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8133.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8133.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />There were all sorts of kids activities. The boys did finger painting, magic scratcher ornaments, Sharpie tie dye, clay models, hands on science and much more.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8136.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8136.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8138.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8149.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8149.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We spent hours at the science deck. So many interesting things to explore, touch, manipulate and check out.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8153.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8153.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8154.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8154.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8155.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8155.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8157.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8157.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Exhaustion sets in:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8121.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8121.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As Sunday wrapped up wind tubes turned in to Balloon Swords:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8162.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8162.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8163.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8163.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8165.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8165.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We stopped to say goodbye to the giant koi fish and then it was time to head home.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8171.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8171.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-48224794561325623662008-08-14T00:07:00.000-07:002008-08-14T01:26:58.823-07:00Summer Wrap UpIt is mid-August and time for a Summer Wrap Up? While summer is technically not over tomorrow starts our school year and Zachary's first official day as a kindergartener! <br /><br />So a quick re-cap of our busy summer:<br /><br />We started the summer off with a beautiful event... the marriage of Uncle Corey to Aunt Heather:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7519.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7519.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7508.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7508.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We spent a great weekend with out of town family and we were sad to see them go:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7599.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7599.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Learning never stops, in June we went to the <a href="http://www.explorit.org/">Davis Explorit! Science Center</a> for a safari and lab. We hunted for bugs and checked out the jackrabbits in a nature preserve. Checked out compost and explored their variety of hands on activities.<br /><br />Checking out the bugs we caught:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7656.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7656.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Recording his findings:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7684.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7684.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The 4th of July was celebrated at Grandma & Papa's house with Corey & family. <br /><br />We watched the parade - the firetrucks are always a favorite.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7701.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7701.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7706.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7706.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7728.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7728.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Nothing quite like a 4th of July tea party:<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7742.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7742.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7745.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7745.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7732.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7732.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Just like the rest of the year, a lot of our summer was spent at the park.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7896.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7896.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7914.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7914.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Our favorite time of day - bedtime stories<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And shortly after those stories<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8080.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8080.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We have yet to brave overnight camping with the boys but we had a great time at our "day camp" at Sly Park. It was an authentic camping day with hot dogs cooked on sticks and smores!<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8036.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8030.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8052.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8052.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_8055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_8055.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow we become "official" homeschoolers. Our charter school requires evidence of learning which in many cases will be photographs so I should have lots of material for keeping this blog updated. Check back soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30907937.post-58202043938913995622008-05-21T14:58:00.000-07:002008-05-21T15:55:38.686-07:00SamuelSamuel is Zachary's very special friend. He has replaced <a href="http://digitaljustkc.blogspot.com/2006/09/so-maybe-i-stink-at-this-now-i-have.html">Buzz</a> as the top lovey in the house. Last week Samuel went missing. He had been in the car with a distraught Zachary (we had to leave Target without purchasing anything which resulted in dueling meltdowns) but when Zachary came in the house Samuel did not. I thought Samuel was still in the car. He was not. We searched the car, searched the house and Samuel was nowhere to be found. The next morning Samuel was discovered in the garage, next to the cat door. Turns out that Samuel had a night out with the cats! Our Sunny cat likes to steal small squishy things (socks are a big favorite) and take them for a spin, give them the full experience of a cat's life. Samuel had apparently fallen out of the car and Sunny had found him. He came home no worse for the wear and regained his rightful place in Zachary's heart.<br /><a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/?action=view¤t=IMG_7360.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e199/tchrgrrl/IMG_7360.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0