Holiday Cookie Making

In preparation for going down to the grandparents' house for the holiday the kids and I made some cookies that were gluten free/nut free for their dad and other cookies that everyone else could enjoy. Once at their grandparents' house the kids decorated the various shaped cookies with frosting. Unfortunately we used natural food dyes that didn't make the colors very bright for the gingerbread cookies. They ended up pink, light green, cream, and a strange mustard yellow. Oh well, they were yummy.

Toasting Marshmallows with Candles

A friend gave both Ian and Shannon "fishing rods" for toasting marshmallows for Christmas. They REALLY wanted to try them out but what are you going to do in the middle of winter? We used candles of course!

The kids learned that it takes a whole lot longer to get marshmallows to toast when they use a candle in comparison to last summer when they used our friends' fire pit. It was a lot of fun.

They are looking forward to the summer when they can try out their new rods with the fire pit.

Homeschool Classes through a Microsoft Store

Both kids have gotten the opportunity to attend free classes through a local Microsoft store. Each class had 4 sessions that are held once a week. The first was video game design using Kodu, then digital photography, and the last class was coding using TouchDevelop. These classes ran from October through December.

I couldn't get good pictures of what they were working on but here are some of the main screen where the instructor walked them through how to use the programs.

Here is Shannon learning how to navigate in Kodu.

Here is Ian learning to navigate Kodu.

Everyone got a chance to change the parameters while in TouchDevlop to see how the games change. Then they got to play the games. 

Walking a Winter Solstice Spiral

A homeschool family we are good friends with usually has a Winter Solstice celebration that includes walking a spiral (inwards and out) along with a get together of friends. It was a lot of fun with good food and new and old friends. We each got a candle and silently walked the spiral thinking about the past year and what we hope to do in the coming year. I forgot to take my phone outside so no pictures of the spiral were taken.

Zoolights!

As a family we went to the Smithsonian National Zoo's Zoolights night. It was our first time going to Zoolights and boy was it cold. The main walkway was wonderfully decorated with lights in patterns and pictures. We also loved the small mammal house and the reptile discovery center. We also went in the think tank and the great ape house. The gorillas and orangutans were sleeping so we didn't see much going on there.

Shannon giving the anteater statue bunny ears.

Ian and his dad in the reptile house. Sorry Drew I cut off your head.

Sleepy guy

SCOOP - Elementary Drama Skits

Today was the last day of the fall semester at SCOOP and Shannon's drama class put on a presentation. Shannon had a few lines in one of the skits. Originally Shannon had the option of being in multiple skits but she wasn't comfortable learning that many lines. She had a blast and so did I.

Tectonic Plates, Cookie Style!

The kids demonstrated how the tectonic plates move using cookies and homemade frosting. Both Shannon and Ian moved the cookies around making the their tectonic plates diverge, converge, and transform. It was a bit messy, but definitely yummy!

The Make Up of the Earth

Shannon, Ian, and I had fun with playdough today. We used it to make the Earth from the inner core on out to the crust.

Shannon's Earth

Ian's Earth

Great Falls Hike

Shannon and Ian went on a hike at Great Falls, VA. They had never been there before. We went with friends and their friends' 4H group. They climbed on rocks, got as close to the edge by the falls/river as they dared, and had a glorious time.

Pyramid!

Ian decided to make a pyramid in Minecraft. The kids had studied Egypt last year and I guess it was on his mind today.

Inside Ian's pyramid 

Ian's pyramid at night

Halloween Party Homeschool Style

Shannon, Ian, and I went to the annual Halloween Party at a homeschool parkday. Costumes are optional and Shannon wore the one she designed. I took the picture of the Pokemon trainer she wanted to be and modified a winter hat and an old dress to make her costume. She took her Piplup as her Pokemon. Ian didn't wear his costume for very long and I never got a picture of it. It was too hot for Ian to want to stay in his one piece Star Wars clone trooper costume. Games were played including dressing up in random costume pieces. It was a lot of fun.

Shannon as May with Piplup.

The kids brought clementines that they decorated like pumpkins for the party.

Cox Farm Fall Festival

It was a first for us to go to Cox Farms for their fall fun. We went with three other wonderful families on a gorgeous day. It wasn't too crowded either. I love homeschooling, we get to avoid most of the major crowds that happen on weekends for things like this.

The petting area was lots of fun.

Group photo

Girl's Book Club

Once again Shannon has been invited to be a part of a monthly book club that her friend started last year. This club is run by the girls. The moms just provide snacks. This year the books can include chapter books, graphic novels, picture books, etc. Each month one girl picks out the book they will all read for the following meeting and decides on a craft or activity to present to the group.

The books that have been picked include:
-Turtle's Race with Beaver by Joeseph and James Bruchac

- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

- Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch (graphic novel)

- Thea Stilton and the Dragon Code by Geronimo Stilton

National Zoo

We went to the National Zoo with some friends on a beautiful day and had a blast.

Shannon and Ian spent a lot of time at the elephant learning station

It was snack time for the elephants so some came right up for a close up. :)

We really enjoyed seeing the mama panda with her baby.

Moon Circle with Friends

Shannon and I went to the first Moon Circle that a friend started. It's a small group of moms and their daughters to get together and do crafts while talking about feelings and growing up. Shannon decorated a glass container with pictures. Inside the container she is keeping stones she picked out. The stones are meant to be used in a form of meditation.

Pokemon Day at Dale City Library

Both Shannon and Ian are having a lot of fun with Pokemon cards. They love to collect, trade, and play battles with them. Shannon also loves to trace, copy, color, and draw Pokemon pictures. A local library has monthly Pokemon days (year round) where they earn points toward badge pins that both my kids are collecting. You earn points by doing anything related to Pokemon; trade and battle at the library, bring in artwork, crafts, and/or stories to the library. My kids try and make it every month.

National Museum of the Marine Corps Homeschool Day

Ian wanted to check out the National Museum of the Marine Corps Homeschool Day. In the end he wasn't all that interested in the extra activities that were there for the homeschool day. But we did go through the entire place with me reading everything their was to see. I read every label with Ian reading some as we went along. Ian was fascinated with the vehicles, planes, and guns. Afterwards Ian played on the playground outside.

                                     

Here's the entrance. The angled roof is mostly glass and has planes and helicopters suspended from the ceiling.

Ian with one of the many planes.

Truck Touch

Ian and Drew went to a local Truck Touch and had a blast. It was a great father son event since Shannon had no desire to go to it (we went as a family to one many years ago). Their were police cars, heavy lifters, motorcycles and more. Unfortunately Drew forgot to take any pictures so Ian just has his memories.

Apple Picking with Friends

We went to our favorite apple orchard and picked a lot of apples. We picnicked there as well with our friends.

The kids

Ian and friends waiting for us to get started.

Not Back to School Picnic/Parkday

Every year we go to the Not Back to School Picnic/Parkday that is held at one of our local parks. 

Shannon having a break.

Ian on the playground.

American Girl Book Club

Once again Shannon is going to an American Girl Book Club the first Monday of each month during the school year. We read the assigned book at home and then Shannon goes to the club and they talk about the book, make crafts (sometimes related to the book and sometimes not), and play games. We drive out to Warrenton, VA where I drop Shannon off at Tagaloo for her club.

While Shannon is in her club Ian and I go to a bakery and play board/card games while we eat a treat. A good time is had by all.

Shannon Meets a Horse

Shannon has dreamed of riding a horse. She wants to take lessons. I hope some day we can get her the riding lessons she desires. In the meantime she was able to meet and ride a horse that is owned by a family friend.

Big News! Homeschool Co-op

Shannon gave the go ahead to try a local homeschool co-op that many of her friends attend. She starts two classes in September; Great Artists and Elementary Drama. This is a first for her in taking any class that wasn't dance related.

The co-op is secular and located on beautiful church grounds where the kids can play outside in nice weather when they are not in classes. Their is plenty of grass and woods to play in and explore. They even have a Pokemon club that meets during lunch whenever the kids want to attend.

Ian says he's not ready to take classes so he will play with friends (and make new ones) when they aren't in classes. I am hopeful that he will want to take classes there once he gets used to the new situation. He is really looking forward to the Pokemon club.

Welcome Piano!

The kids' grandparents are moving and we got their piano. So far the kids have just been playing around with it. They both seem to have the ability to make up music that is nice to the ears.