http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2010/08/easy-lunchboxes-review-giveaway.html
these are SOOO cool looking!! and so is there gallery of lunch ideas!
but i HAVE to go to bed, so I'll have to peruse further another time--but I couldn't go to bed without letting y'all know about this fantastic giveaway and this fantastic company being showcased!
CHECK IT OUT!!!
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Redirected Day
Yes, I know I still haven't gotten around to moving the old blog over. It's not a high priority at this time. Look at it this way--I'm taking the Creative Memories mantra to heart: start with now, then work your way back as you're able. *wink*
So the current "now" is today, and how today didn't exactly go as planned.
The original plan for today was a parkdate with lunch at home and brief lessonwork; but life happens while making plans and the parkdate fell through. Additionally, a good friend was unexpectedly available and looking for something to do. We decided to head out to the recently renovated art museum.
So, the second plan was to go to the art museum and then maybe look at some legos while we were in that neck of the woods. As mentioned previously, life happens while making plans....none of us remembered that the art museum is closed on Mondays. We decided to head to the natural history museum instead.
Amazingly, that actually happened! We had a pretty nice time looking at things. The kids and I had been a couple of times, but our friends had never been. And they're into "mysteries," so when a hidden doorway in the rockwall of an exhibit was discovered we had to determine what it was for--as any good homeschooler would, right?? *lol*
We gathered data, we plotted maps, we compared locations. We investigated details from the floor above. We also continued to explore the museum during this. Afterwards, we returned to the scene of the mystery and discussed our findings and honed our hypothesis--though the hypothesis was not quite a unanimous agreement. Then we decided that since there weren't designated docents in designated areas that we would go to the front desk (on our way out) and check with them.
Upon arriving at the desk the two eldest children chickened out about speaking, so I hoisted up second-born, so he could see, and briefly explained the above. One of the young ladies behind the desk asked who came up with the hypothesis, and second-born piped up with the exact verbage he'd given during our discussion--I wish I'd documented it! Something about the water going up the pipe and down the waterfall to the fish. She gave him a high-five, told him he was absolutely right and then the eldest two opted to be involved in the conversation. *wry grin*
She was so tickled with second-born and his adorable intelligence that she took us up to see what was behind the door. Then she took us to see one of the hidden kittens in the wall murals. And after that she took us to one of the behind-the-scenes animal rooms where we visited a variety of turtles, snakes, baby American alligators, owls, doves, guinea pigs, hampsters, rabbits, and mice. Oh, and a fabulous tortoise. She and one of the animal curators also informed us of homeschool days, and their Junior Curator program (which is a few years off for us age-wise).
The only bummer of the day? We never got her name...and we didn't quite catch the curator's name when she had introduced us. I'll have to try to call in the morning to see if I can get that information. We were so bushwacked, and she had other work she had to run off to take care of that we didn't get to have a parting conversation.
One of the best parts of the day? Besides all of the awesomeness above?? Second-born kept his hands in his pockets the ENTIRE time we were in the critter room!!!
Afterwards we headed to the mall for an over-priced snack (not doing that again) and a quick look at legos. I picked up a couple of 32x32 platforms so we can work on micropolis scales. We took backroads home to avoid the inane rush hour and didn't get home until almost 6pm!
I have a couple of pics--will try to upload them later.
So the current "now" is today, and how today didn't exactly go as planned.
The original plan for today was a parkdate with lunch at home and brief lessonwork; but life happens while making plans and the parkdate fell through. Additionally, a good friend was unexpectedly available and looking for something to do. We decided to head out to the recently renovated art museum.
So, the second plan was to go to the art museum and then maybe look at some legos while we were in that neck of the woods. As mentioned previously, life happens while making plans....none of us remembered that the art museum is closed on Mondays. We decided to head to the natural history museum instead.
Amazingly, that actually happened! We had a pretty nice time looking at things. The kids and I had been a couple of times, but our friends had never been. And they're into "mysteries," so when a hidden doorway in the rockwall of an exhibit was discovered we had to determine what it was for--as any good homeschooler would, right?? *lol*
We gathered data, we plotted maps, we compared locations. We investigated details from the floor above. We also continued to explore the museum during this. Afterwards, we returned to the scene of the mystery and discussed our findings and honed our hypothesis--though the hypothesis was not quite a unanimous agreement. Then we decided that since there weren't designated docents in designated areas that we would go to the front desk (on our way out) and check with them.
Upon arriving at the desk the two eldest children chickened out about speaking, so I hoisted up second-born, so he could see, and briefly explained the above. One of the young ladies behind the desk asked who came up with the hypothesis, and second-born piped up with the exact verbage he'd given during our discussion--I wish I'd documented it! Something about the water going up the pipe and down the waterfall to the fish. She gave him a high-five, told him he was absolutely right and then the eldest two opted to be involved in the conversation. *wry grin*
She was so tickled with second-born and his adorable intelligence that she took us up to see what was behind the door. Then she took us to see one of the hidden kittens in the wall murals. And after that she took us to one of the behind-the-scenes animal rooms where we visited a variety of turtles, snakes, baby American alligators, owls, doves, guinea pigs, hampsters, rabbits, and mice. Oh, and a fabulous tortoise. She and one of the animal curators also informed us of homeschool days, and their Junior Curator program (which is a few years off for us age-wise).
The only bummer of the day? We never got her name...and we didn't quite catch the curator's name when she had introduced us. I'll have to try to call in the morning to see if I can get that information. We were so bushwacked, and she had other work she had to run off to take care of that we didn't get to have a parting conversation.
One of the best parts of the day? Besides all of the awesomeness above?? Second-born kept his hands in his pockets the ENTIRE time we were in the critter room!!!
Afterwards we headed to the mall for an over-priced snack (not doing that again) and a quick look at legos. I picked up a couple of 32x32 platforms so we can work on micropolis scales. We took backroads home to avoid the inane rush hour and didn't get home until almost 6pm!
I have a couple of pics--will try to upload them later.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
It's a Small, Small World...
Now that I have this song stuck in your head (be grateful you aren't my husband who was stuck on a broken Small World ride for three hours directly in front of one of the speakers blaring the song on loop), I have a tidbit to share about how small the internet makes this world.
Occasionally, I get a little fancy-free and click that nifty little button at the top left labeled "Next Blog," just to see where it takes me. Tonight when I clicked it I landed at heidiopolis whose post about being a night owl (which is so NOT me *cough*sputter*) lured me in--hook, line, and sinker. I scrolled down, admiring her sidebar entries about co-sleeping, non-circ, breastfeeding, baby-wearing, HOMESCHOOLING (*angel's singing*)....how could I NOT follow her???
What does this have to do with an annoyingly cheerful song, you ask? During my sidebar perusal I noticed that Heidi follows the wife of an old high school buddy. So there's my small world story. Once again I've decided to not follow wifey, despite her fantastic cakes and adorable kiddos--I have her hubby on Facebook; don't want them to think I'm stalking them or anything. *lol* Which is the reason I haven't friended wifey on Facebook either--afterall, I haven't seen her hubby since what, 1994 or so?? Just feels like it would be encroachment or something.
Oh, and I didn't get fully prepped for tomorrow or this week because I was too busy vegging in front of other people's blogs after a long, busy weekend. We might have a parkdate in the morning anyway--that buys me an extra day, doesn't it? *whistling innocently* Our field trip is coming up soon...we need to shift into high gear.
Occasionally, I get a little fancy-free and click that nifty little button at the top left labeled "Next Blog," just to see where it takes me. Tonight when I clicked it I landed at heidiopolis whose post about being a night owl (which is so NOT me *cough*sputter*) lured me in--hook, line, and sinker. I scrolled down, admiring her sidebar entries about co-sleeping, non-circ, breastfeeding, baby-wearing, HOMESCHOOLING (*angel's singing*)....how could I NOT follow her???
What does this have to do with an annoyingly cheerful song, you ask? During my sidebar perusal I noticed that Heidi follows the wife of an old high school buddy. So there's my small world story. Once again I've decided to not follow wifey, despite her fantastic cakes and adorable kiddos--I have her hubby on Facebook; don't want them to think I'm stalking them or anything. *lol* Which is the reason I haven't friended wifey on Facebook either--afterall, I haven't seen her hubby since what, 1994 or so?? Just feels like it would be encroachment or something.
Oh, and I didn't get fully prepped for tomorrow or this week because I was too busy vegging in front of other people's blogs after a long, busy weekend. We might have a parkdate in the morning anyway--that buys me an extra day, doesn't it? *whistling innocently* Our field trip is coming up soon...we need to shift into high gear.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Lego Lessons
Lessons that could be learned (or practiced) with Legos:
-Math: counting
-Math: sorting
-Math: calculating scale for models
-Art: architectural design
-Art: aesthetics--paying attention to how the eye is drawn to/along the design; as in photography: leading lines, fore/mid/background, rule of thirds, lighting...
-Art: color (and the use thereof--integral to aesthetics)
-Creative Play
-Sharing
-Planning: layout, determing supplies needed
-Money-management: planning how to get and manage funds to increase lego supply and feed builds/Lego addiction
-Presentation/Public Speaking (if involved in a group, or a public display)
-Logistics of transporting displays safely
-Teamwork when involved in group displays, group builds, or group events
Of course this list would be longer if the Mindstorm/NXT was involved. :D
Which Lego Lessons can you add to the list??
-Math: counting
-Math: sorting
-Math: calculating scale for models
-Art: architectural design
-Art: aesthetics--paying attention to how the eye is drawn to/along the design; as in photography: leading lines, fore/mid/background, rule of thirds, lighting...
-Art: color (and the use thereof--integral to aesthetics)
-Creative Play
-Sharing
-Planning: layout, determing supplies needed
-Money-management: planning how to get and manage funds to increase lego supply and feed builds/Lego addiction
-Presentation/Public Speaking (if involved in a group, or a public display)
-Logistics of transporting displays safely
-Teamwork when involved in group displays, group builds, or group events
Of course this list would be longer if the Mindstorm/NXT was involved. :D
Which Lego Lessons can you add to the list??
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Mowing Down
Due to rain, a broken drive belt, then a broken deck belt, and DH getting sick last weekend, our yard didn't get mowed for at least 3wks. Fortunately, it was mowed last night!
We found a large white capped mushroom over in the side yard. I took some pictures but they're on DH's camera (my phone spazzed out).
A small, dark toad was hiding underneath the grill. The kids and I herded it up to the mound so it was out of harm's way while mowing. Those pics are on the other camera as well.
When I took some water out to DH he was corraling a baby snake to move it out of the way. It had snapped at him--his eyes were clouded over so he's preparing to shed soon. We tucked him underneath the back stoop so he'd be protected.
DH also said the 5-lined skinks were freaking out and instead of hiding up underneath the lip of our vinyl siding were leaping off the brickwork in front of the lawn tractor...except for one tiny juvenille that was maybe two-inches nose to tail--he went in the opposite direction along the bricks.
No pics of the skinks or snake, but when I get a chance to post pics I'll dig out the pic of a snakeling that was flushed out of the grass a few years ago, it's the same markings.
We found a large white capped mushroom over in the side yard. I took some pictures but they're on DH's camera (my phone spazzed out).
A small, dark toad was hiding underneath the grill. The kids and I herded it up to the mound so it was out of harm's way while mowing. Those pics are on the other camera as well.
When I took some water out to DH he was corraling a baby snake to move it out of the way. It had snapped at him--his eyes were clouded over so he's preparing to shed soon. We tucked him underneath the back stoop so he'd be protected.
DH also said the 5-lined skinks were freaking out and instead of hiding up underneath the lip of our vinyl siding were leaping off the brickwork in front of the lawn tractor...except for one tiny juvenille that was maybe two-inches nose to tail--he went in the opposite direction along the bricks.
No pics of the skinks or snake, but when I get a chance to post pics I'll dig out the pic of a snakeling that was flushed out of the grass a few years ago, it's the same markings.
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