Forest school

One of the great things about homeschooling is the ability to be flexible and we can sign the kids up for things that interest them.  We recently signed all the girls up for a Marine Biology 7 week course.  They'll perform experiments, make tidal pools, learn about currents, coral and marine life, and they even get to dissect a starfish.  

We also just recently signed up for Forest School.  Members of the local Forest Service offered this homeschool class once a month for free.  We met at a park nearby.  The kids started out making bird feeders out of sugar cones, crisco, and rolling them in birdseed.  Then we went on a nature walk and they were taught about local wildlife (snails, snakes, racoons, ducks, turtles, bobcats, ladybugs, bees, etc) and learned how they adapt in the Alabama winter.

Does Evelyn look like she's hanging on his every word?

Ninja rank testing

All of the kids participate in Ninja Warrior lessons now.  Joseph has to stay with the little ninjas until he's 6-7 years old, depending on his focus and ability.  The girls all work out together in one giant group but the kids are broken up and divided according to "rank".  Everyone starts at rank 1 regardless of age.  If you want to rank up, and a coach thinks you're ready, you have to participate in rank testing to test your skills.  Rank testing is held once a month.  Obviously moving from rank 1 to 2 is an easier test and it gets harder and harder as it goes along.  Lorelai and Evelyn were both invited to rank testing this month after only a week and a half of classes.  They got 3 minutes to perform all their tasks properly.  It's not great video but you can see them complete the obstacles.

 

Monster Jam

Joseph got Monster Jam tickets for Christmas.  He traveled with his Daddy, just the boys, to Nashville.  They stayed in a hotel overnight, went to the Monster Jam and then came home.  I think Joseph is most excited about spending "buddy time" with his Dad, one on one.  

Waving goodbye to Mom!

Gas station pitstop for snacks

Checking in at the Marriott 

Fancy breakfast

This was Joseph's favorite truck

Barely made it out of the parking lot

 

Back to school

After two weeks of Christmas break we are back to school and officially halfway done our first year on this educational journey.  I'm so proud of their hard work and thankful we have such a great provider for a husband and Dad so that we have this opportunity.  

Each week of Joseph's school has a theme.  This week was space.  He's learning about the moon and he's making craters on his moon surface.

This is how Scarlet started off her third quarter.  I put a divider between her and Joseph to keep them focused.  She looks thrilled.

Duchess has no boundaries

I am very proud of Joseph's progress as we prepare for Kindergarten next year.  He is ready to start reading.  

Joseph was learning all about the calendar.  Days, weeks, months.  It was getting too easy for him so in this video I asked him to put the months of the year in order going backwards.

 

New Year’s Eve!

We celebrated New Year's Eve with friends.  We played games, ate good food, the kids did sparklers and they even toasted with sparkling cider.  Here's to a wonderful new year.  I want better things for my family and I pray we begin our new house!

Umm easy with that sparkling cider, Evelyn.  

 

December wrap-up…

December pictures

Christmas cookies

painting christmas ornaments

kids might be a little clingy with their Auntie

Wearing Auntie's clothes and shoes

Joseph worked really hard on this building

The dog bed had to be put in another room so we could fit our Christmas tree.  They don't know what to do with themselves.

Lorelai is getting into cooking and trying her hand at an omelet

Joseph loves legos.  He's very good at following directions and did this one mostly himself

The girls have an entire Calico Critter village