Coastal Reflections

Whew!

Do you use Apologia science?

A little time down under

We went to our first summer library program today.  I honestly hadn't planned on attending any of them with gas prices so high, but one of the branches is a very quick drive down the river  south of us and I like the programs they have planned better than the library branch we normally frequent. 

Today's program was all about the land down under.  We were treated to lots of didgeridoo music, learned about koalas, wallabys, kangaroos, and the duck-billed platypus, and x-ray art.  Ds1 is usually shy when it comes to participating, but today he had loads of fun dancing with the music like a kangaroo, the heat of the day, the water, a dingo,  and the kookaburra.

He also signed up for the summer reading program and checked out loads of books and magazines (back issues of Ranger Rick and the like) while we were there.  This particular library branch is located in a 'retirement' area, but has a fabulous children's department. 

The drive along the river lifted my spirits as well, as it always does.  I came home feeling refreshed and peaceful. 

Environmental Education printables

Earth Connections for ages 5-8 (pdf file)

Earth Connections for ages 9-11 (pdf file)

Stamps, stamps, and more stamps

Yesterday was ds1's 3rd homeschool stamp club meeting.  He seems to really be enjoying it and we're learning a bit more each time.  On the way home we stopped by the library and I picked up Stamp Collecting for Dummies.  I've read through a bit of it and have found it helpful so far.

This morning we began going through some of ds1's stamps.  He has a couple from Benin which led us to get out the encyclopedia and read about lynxes and pumas.  He's had the attitude that he wants to collect every stamp ever made.  I finally got across to him that would be impossible so he's decided to work on topical/thematic collections along with collecting any other stamps that he really likes.  His list for topical collections looks a little like this....... famous Americans, flags, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, lions, pumas, jaguars, other big cats, dogs, cats, horses, koalas, environment/conservation, space/solar system, Christmas, butterflies, birds, quilts, Olympics, sports, rabbits, dinosaurs, seashells, fish, cars, rocks and minerals, flowers, native American, and the list goes on.  Can you hear my brain sizzling from the overload???  Later today he wants to design a cover for his album and tomorrow we'll get started on sorting his stamps into topical collections.  He surprisingly moved a few stamps today from his collection into his 'for trade' pile (clown, circus, and snakes - he doesn't want to collect any of those).

Surprise for my ds

While grocery shopping yesterday afternoon, I decided to buy a chocolate cake for ds1 in honor of him finishing first grade.  I could have made a cake more cheaply (or maybe not since my ingredients would have been organic), but it's been in the 90's here and I knew I wouldn't have the energy left in me by the time I got home since the heat is so draining.  He was as surprised as I hoped he would be.  The smile on his face was priceless.

Had a date with a gorgeous guy this morning

This morning I had a date with one of the most gorgeous guys I've ever seen - my ds1!   He took me to see Clifford the Big Red Dog Live at our local performing arts center.  We had a fabulous time....... we sang, we clapped to the music, we screamed.  Such a grand time!

Ds1's Interesting Spelling & Handwriting Assignment

In my flurry of getting ready for our upcoming vacation AND trying to ready 3 rooms of our home for some remodeling work that will be done by one of dh's friends while we're away (so we won't have to deal with living amidst dust and fumes), I assigned ds1 the task of making up the lists of things we need to get together for vacation - I dictated, he wrote.  I've been looking through the lists and here are some interesting entries I noticed.......

- siploc bags

- tylanol

- thermonoter

- undys

- cashues

- contacs

- contac case

- mascra

- cutips

- razer

- sleppshirts

- flos

- loten

- safety pens

I bet you can figure out most, if not all, of them!   Overall, he did a great job for me!

Free trial membership to HSLDA

I saw this mentioned on a local e-list I belong to.........

https://app.hslda.org/default.asp?TC=11cnCR