Spring is sprung!

I just saw bulbage sticking through the frigid wet ground yesterday on the way home from piano lessons! AND, my seedlings on the grow-light table are coming along too. Well, except for the red salvia and jalapenos. I started more jalapenos in different soil and set them in a warmer location. Not sure there is hope for the red salvia. I will start zinnia, zucchini, coleus, squash and green pepper soon too. I'm thrilled that the tomato, lettuce, impatience, basil, coriander, sage and alyssum seedlings are still growing. We may even be able to work on transplanting lettuce seedlings into clay pots too.



Speaking of piano lessons, G#3 began violin lessons from someone we know from new church. He did so well and liked the 1/4 sized violin much better than my full sized one. On the cultural note, I've not done history for a couple of weeks and don't miss it one little bit. We've worked through several Magic School Bus books on Earth Science AND we're working through the Zoology I book on flying things. The kids are looking forward to the scavenger list at the end of chapter one that helps us identify all kinds of insects and birds. The 3Gs enjoyed watching several library videos about flying dinosaurs too.

G#2 & G#3 finished Explode the Code 4 today and start the next book on Monday. We're in the final 10 lessons of First Language Lessons for both first and second grades. Spelling Workout B and C are in the final 10 lessons along with Handwriting for a Reason. G#1 will finish MUS Beta for 2nd grade and it'll be easy to move him on to whatever math we choose for 3rd grade. Things are busy and my favorite part of the year is almost here, Easter!

Classical Christian Homeschooling Online Catalog: Orthography of Grammar (1-2 Grades)

As we finish the first chapter of Zoology I Flying Things, I consider that the remaining weeks of the school year leave me no other choice but to plan for next year, not buy - mind you. Just to plan. I'm am reminded by this site Classical Christian Homeschooling Online Catalog: Orthography of Grammar (1-2 Grades) and relieved for some idea of what to look for in language arts materials. Our trip through First Language Lessons will finish for G#1. I don't know much about Lexile ratings or how much he should be reading, but for now, I'm not scared so bad that I should send him back into the classroom. Dictation works, memorization satisfies and composition looms. What to do? I wonder if it's time to pray about it?

Those Intercontinental Marketers are at it again!

I just love this stuff!

Utah wins!

All 3Gs and the Daddy skied again and won! For the 3rd year in a row, our uncle has taken the children up to Brighton to ski. It was a good experience again. AND the weather this year was perfect! Last year it was a blizzard and we almost got stuck up there!

In this picture you will see my 3Gs digging patiently in the Dig Quarry for fossils at the Museum of Ancient Life. We also thoroughly enjoyed the Erosion Table wet sand play. The big take away from the trip was the hips of dinosaurs differ from reptiles. It was a wonderful collection of ancient life displays.

When we weren't able to leave SLC as scheduled, we took a look at the IMAX show about the International Space Station at the Clark Planetarium. I was so excited to see how this field trip wrapped up the Apologia book about Astronomy! The children had been there before and were excited to introduce me to it too.

Less Refereeing (sp?)

We are one child less of a set since I sent the little girl with Gramma yesterday. The loads on planes this Thursday are quite full as everyone is anxious to ski Utah, so, the Gramma (and Grampa) agreed to take on a first grader for the week if she could travel Monday instead of a larger, more-difficult-to-load Thursday. 3 people trying for one flight beats 4 people trying because stand-by is not ideal. This will be the children's 3rd year to ski with Uncle Jerry and we look forward to this next adventure. I might even try my hand at a few projects while away from where we live now. If we can get on the plane, that is...
This is a picture of our attempts to blast off home-made rockets on the sunny Saturday morning in conjunction with study on Saturn. The study was weeks ago, but the alka selsor rockets couldn't be set off inside, so we enjoyed blasting each, except for G#3 who was upset that his didn't go higher which led to discussions about fuel and more "wheels" turned.

Less school, but more life lessons in tree trimming and disposal as well as garden preparation. Still, the schooling continues. We're finishing the astronomy book this week and beginning the flying creatures book next week. I compiled a Lenten study for children that was taken wonderfully this morning by the boys. I know it's a bit early, as I was reminded by the engineer of the group, but we won't get to school constantly through all 40 days of Lent and I believe there is too much to miss if we don't finish it before Resurrection Sunday. Spelling, penmanship, grammar and reading lessons, math, history, geography, and music study keep going even though there is travel and breaks.

This is a picture of the AWANA grand prix cars and base coat painting tonight.

Tuesday with Mighty Acorns

Sumac discovery, then lopping off buckthorn and honeysuckle aliens for G#1. All the while, the two other Gs slopped along with me on the forest path. We didn't get to meet the industrious beaver though.

Monday

Urban critters in the backyard ---- opossum.