National Museum of the American Indian

The entire family went to visit the National Museum of the American Indian today via the Metro. Riding on the Metro is always exciting, especially for Ian. The kids and I had never been to the American Indian Museum. I got the kids excited about our visit since we have been reading about Native Americans.

One corner of the museum had this beautiful waterfall.

The entire building is curvy and soothing to look at.

A few statues were outside.

This circular area is the first thing you can walk by. It shows boats from different Native American cultures/tribes.

The museum was beautiful inside and out.

A few horse statues were near the imagiNATIONS area. Shannon loves horses so a picture was required.

This statue was put in a little alcove. The location was peaceful and beautiful. If I had been by myself I would have been happy to sit there for quite some time.

A large part of the third level is made exclusively for children. It is called the imagiNATIONS Activity Center. The kids each got a passport and as they completed the activities they could stamp their passports.

Here's Ian balancing on a skateboard trying to get as many points as he can get.

Ah, resting in a kayak.

Ian and Shannon quickly learned they needed help to put the igloo together. 

All done!

Shannon is seeing how long she can balance. This station spoke of balance used with kayaks/canoes and riding horses.

Udvar Hazy with friends

Shannon and Ian had a blast at Udvar Hazy today. We went with another family that includes Shannon best friend. Everyone enjoyed looking at the planes, but the space shuttle and rockets were the biggest hit. Ian really enjoyed reading some of the signs that gave information about the rockets and planes.

Fun with rockets and all things space related.

Seeing the space shuttle was amazing.

Board Game Day at Chinn Library

We went to a new group's game day at a local library. Everyone brought games to share and the kids and moms played games. Ian had a good time but Shannon wasn't keen on being there. We stayed for a little while and Ian and I played one of the games we brought.

I am hoping we make friends in this group since it is more local than our usual activities. It would be nice to attend activities that are closer than 40 minutes from our house.

Winter Session of SCOOP

Ian decided he wanted to take some classes at the co-op Shannon had joined in the fall. The winter session goes from January 9th to March 13th. Shannon had originally chosen to take a Great Books class that was canceled due to low enrollment so she joined Ian in the Lego Challenge class. They both signed up for the first part of the Elementary Chemistry class.

In the Lego class everyone was given time to build for fun and then were given a challenge for them to attempt. One challenge was for them to build a boat that floats. All the boats were then tested. I'm happy to report that both Shannon and Ian had a blast.

The chemistry class was led by a mom who is a chemist and the materials were taken from the Real Science Odyssey Chemistry 1 curriculum. The kids had some homework every week involving some assigned reading, or watching a video, or a worksheet. In the class Shannon and Ian did one or two experiments per class.

Homeschool Rollerskating and Laser Tag!

The kids had a blast going skating at a local rink today. We met up with some good friends and met new friends while we were there. The rink has discounted prices for homeschoolers on Fridays. Usually we can't go since the kids are in their co-op at the same time, but we managed to make it during a break between co-op semesters. It had been a few years since the kids had skated so they took their time at first.

Obviously my phone can't take action shots. I swear this is Ian.

The rink also has a small laser tag area and both Shannon and Ian had a so much fun. It was their first time trying it out.

Multiplication

Both Shannon and Ian are beginning to learn multiplication. I keep introducing it and have had to let it go numerous times since the concept isn't making sense. I have tried many different ways. We will keep working on it.

Here is one of Ian's multiplication problems.

Shannon was working on similar problems but she didn't want me to take any pictures of her work. 

More Lego Challenges

Very important to note that today was pajama day at the co-op. Shannon and Ian decided to wear their winter boots the entire time as well. :)

The kids made fulcrums and then found out how far the balls fly in the air.