Dig Pit at Last

The kids have been bugging me to go to the natural science museum out in Sugar Land for some time now. Since our membership expires next month, we went. This was Mirek's first time in the junior pit. Watching him play reminded me of how these ball pits used to be everywhere when I was a kid. I do not know of anywhere but here that has them now (and this one is small).

 The others dug up dinosaur bones (their prime reason for wanting to come).

 The kids have been interested in shadows lately so this was pretty cool. Different color lights change the color of your shadow.

 The temporary exhibit is about bats.

 This next picture reminded me that we have still not been to Austin to see the bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge there. Road trip!

We picked up a few things at the museum gift shop. Taven bought a potato gun with his money and I bought a little kit on optical illusions and another on kitchen science. I will post on those soon I'm sure.

Classical Failure

I knew the time would come. We've given up on any sort of classical education that remained in our days (which wasn't much). I was somewhat trying to have the kids learn about Ancient Greece and the olympics while the olympics were on. Eaden is a bit interested, but she would much rather be learning about earthquakes (on this day). Also, I realized that we have had our Ancient Greece library books for 6 weeks and now they must be returned. We have not read even 1/3 of them...and I'm pretty sure we had them for 6 weeks before that.

 So we returned every book on Ancient Greece and checked out one on fun activities to do at home. Here is Eaden attempting to write a message in invisible ink with lemon juice. It worked...for most of the letters...ha!

 Naia would rather eat the lemons.

Please take a close look at these hands and fingernails. Remember the image for later...

 The girls love watching doodle bugs crawl upside down.

 The boys find the bugs. Excuse the flash. My camera has a mind of its own (I guess that's what "AUTO" means).

Okay, remember the hands? They are making cookies now! And I know for a fact that she did not wash them!

 And I'm pretty sure he didn't wash his hands either! (I did NOT eat cookies).

 This booger face loves plantain chips with ketchup...to each his own.

 Last minute fort before Mirek's nap.

 Mirek is sleeping. What do we do? What do we do? ....PAINT!

 So here is our new homeschooling style. I will have to change the little "how we homeschool" tab up top! We created a book. A book of questions.

The kids are always asking me questions! Most of the time I do not know the answer. HOWEVER, I am a librarian! I did get a Masters in Library Science for some reason right!?

The kids write their questions in the book and I help them find the answers. I do not give them the answers, but I show them where they might be found and I provide them with activities they might find engaging.

So here is our "curriculum." Completely self directed and completely INTERESTING!!!!!!

Softball!!!!

Well we are all very excited around here because Naia started playing softball! My sister and I both played growing up and my parents miss going to games. Luckily for them, Naia liked it!

Most girls were more interested in the dirt and the coach had to keep telling one of them to stop picking her nose but hey! that's what 5 and 6 year old softball is all about right?!

I knew Naia would like it, but I admit I was a little surprised when she asked to hit some balls when we got home. I am so proud of her because she was scared and shy at first. She didn't really want to play, but I know her well enough to know that she would like it once she tried. She is very eager to have friends and be a part of something. She wanted to take an art class but I could not justify spending the money on something that I could provide. 

We did not do too much on Valentine's Day yesterday. I managed to start (key word) a few chores outside because the weather was perfect. The kids went on a bike ride and chased the garbage truck  around the cul-de-sac.

I got a letter from the HOA asking me to move my flower pots from the driveway. Needless to say, I was NOT happy! I mean really? Get a life people! They referred to the pots as "storage." Well I did not move all of them, but it did get me motivated to empty them and prepare for planting again! Spring is always an exciting time, but also a little depressing. It makes me think of how I want land and how I do not have any. Even though I only have these few pots to grow my vegetables in, it's better than nothing....I suppose.

 I really want to do a raised bed out back for the kids, but Mirek is at the age where he will rip everything out...We might just wait until next spring. Then we can do a few raised beds. I do not want to have to keep Mirek inside. He loves playing out back (and I love getting him out of the house).

We went over to my sister's house for a Valentine's Day dinner. The kids helped me prepare.

I don't always allow them to chop vegetables, but I decided it would be funny to let them all have a go at the onions.

 Peeling potatoes is always a hit. They are slow but at least this actually helps me out as I can do something else while they are peeling.

 Not one of them has mastered the art of cracking an egg yet....

 Mixing, of course, is their favorite!

I tried to write a little more than usual in this post. Baby steps.

The Right Thing

Happy Valentine's Day! We made a ton of stuff this week and today I declare a crafting break! My house is in ruins.

Also, I've been thinking about this space and how I usually just dump photos here and write a sentence, an incomplete sentence, or nothing at all. I would like it to become a little more than that. I guess a want to write more...we shall see. I'm usually not really up to it.

However, I did get rid of the TV in my room and I now have more time to read, write, reflect...I go to sleep a little earlier and I wake up a little earlier. Maybe I can write here at night (if I can stop reading the Game of Thrones series for a few minutes).

I posted this photo so that I might remember to use my time more wisely. My goal is to "unplug" everyday, be present with my family, and post at night after they are in bed. I am clearly not to that point yet!

We are going to have great weather here for quite some time. Let me go outside.

Our own fire station

We got our own private fire station tour today! Our new homeschooling buddies just happen to have a fireman for a Dad. Lucky them and lucky us!

 The fire station is in Old Spring Branch, right where I grew up.

 The station received a call while we were there! Someone had a seizure which is ironic because the only time we have ever experienced an ambulance (knock on wood) was when Taven had his seizure a little over a year ago.

We are very lucky to have such nice friends (with nice hookups). I will have to repay them with an invite to the beach house...