Puffer Fish

Emma and I really had a great time reviewing ‘Puffer Fish’, a unit study from The Curiosity Files published by The Old Schoolhouse. We’ve done unit studies in the past, but we haven’t ever done one by The Curiosity Files. We are both big fans, and would definitely do another.

This is a complete unit study. I enjoyed having the information all in one place at the beginning of the unit. From there, Emma was able to choose a few activities to go along this the study. She chose to do some copywork, a math exercise, and of course, the art project (a paper mache puffer fish which is still in progress).

 

Emma put her measuring skills to good practice while comparing the sizes of various species of puffer fish.

There were a lot more activities to choose from on all different levels. The recommended age range for this unit is 8-13. I used it with 7yo Emma with no trouble. I did pick the activities geared toward the younger end of the range. I could have easily used this with my middle-schooler, as well. However, he was pretty content with his own ongoing science lessons, and he chose not to join us.

There are many more titles available in this series. You can choose to learn about the blue-footed booby, dung beetle, platypus and more. With a price of $6.95, this is a great, inexpensive science supplement!

My Sweet Boy is 13!!

Where in the world has time gone?

I can’t believe it has been 13 years since I was blessed with a(nother) beautiful baby boy!

God has certainly blessed me with a wonderful young man!

Isaac is witty.

He is funny.

He’s a natural-born comedian (which he says is due to the fact that his name means ‘laughter’).

I remind him that his name also means Promise of God.

And, he’s quite handsome if I do say so myself!

I am so blessed to call him my son!

Happy Birthday, Isaac!!

More Sketch Tuesday

This week’s Sketch Tuesday assignment was ‘crafty things’.

Isaac drew a teddy bear.

Emma drew a myriad of crafty things – a teddy, a pillow, a quilt, a hankie, and more.

Lego Quest

Isaac and Emma really enjoy Lego Quest. This week’s assignment was ‘occupations’.

Isaac – A band of body guards

Now, he doesn’t really want to be a body guard, and that’s a good thing considering he’s a scrawny little thing. However, at 12, he still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. So, this was just an occupation he could ‘build’.

Emma – Veterinarian

Emma does want to be a veterinarian, and she knew exactly what she was going to create when she found out this week’s topic.

Sketch Tuesday – Things with Tails

Isaac’s giraffe

Emma’s pig in a sty

Easter 2011

After feeling a little down about not spending Easter with family this year, we had a fantastic holiday with our friends! We met several of our friends at a local Easter egg hunt. There were thousands of eggs…

Pony rides…

a petting zoo…

and LOTS of good friends!

Then, we came home and decorated Easter eggs…

filled Easter baskets after the kids went to bed…

 

enjoyed a wonderful family meal…

 

and a movie that reminded us of God’s magnificence…

 

I hope your Easter celebrations were as wonderful as mine!

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

{Pretty} spring flowers on a bush in our neighborhood

I’m {happy} that we finally have a garden (this is one of three beds), and it is doing well so far!

Isaac thinks this is Logan’s best side! I didn’t know he had done this until I went to find pictures for this post. {Funny} boy! (Sshh…don’t tell Logan! He’ll be mad! 17yo’s have NO sense of humor!)

Here’s Logan’s {real} best side! My sweet boy who isn’t really a boy any longer!

Easters Past

Since we won’t be traveling to TN for Easter this year, I thought I’d reminisce about Easters past. Before we moved to TX, we would celebrate Easter with our extended family (great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, etc) the Saturday before Easter. We’d have a potluck brunch and an Easter egg hunt. Then, on Easter Sunday, we’d go to church with my parents or my grandfather. We haven’t been able to make the trip home since moving to TX three years ago. And, while I always dread the drive from TX to TN, I sure do miss my family! Here are some pics from the last two Easters I spent in TN…

Easter ‘06 (Isaac 7, Logan 11, Emma 3)

Taken in my Papa’s front yard

Easter ‘06 – Kids all gathered for the Easter candy hunt!

Easter ‘07

Emma 4, Logan 12, Isaac 8

The Easter Bunny made an appearance that year!

Abs and Em had to wear coats, because TN weather is pretty unpredictable! It was COLD!

We do a lot of hugging, hanging out, and picture taking during these family celebrations!

My sisters – Chrissy and Jessie

A Peek at our Week – 4/18 to 4/22

2nd Grade ~

Memory Work – The Little Bird, 12 Disciples

Science – Puffer Fish

Reading – Charlotte’s Web

Baking – pumpkin muffins

Art – Watercolor Flowers

Crafting (Keepers) – Quilting

Draw sketch of windowsill garden to use for observations.

Outside Classes – tap, jazz, ballet, gymnastics

7th Grade ~

Science – Geology

Contenders – Archery

Grammar – Troublesome Verbs and Subject/Verb Agreement

Art – Sketch Tuesday

Memory Work – 12 Disciples, Linking Verbs

Reading – The Princess and the Goblin

Outside classes – gymnastics, pottery

11th Grade ~

Health – ‘Made in His Image’

English – Reviewing pronouns

Memory Work – Paul Revere’s Ride (1st 2 stanzas), 12 Disciples

Art – Sketch Tuesday

Reading – Scarlet Letter, War of the Worlds

Outside classes – basketball

Together ~

Bible – Genesis 2-4

History – The Oregon Trail

Mom’s Goals for the Week:

Spend time daily prepping the next unit in TOG

Post book reviews/giveaways x2

Spend at least 2 hours organizing/ordering photos for Project Life album

Spend at least 2 hours organizing sewing closet so Emma and I have a place to sew our quilt!

Head to Nothing Bundt Cake this week for a family dessert (to use the Groupon I bought earlier this year – It’s about to expire).

Blog Hopping

There's a great blog hop happening at the Magical Mouse Schoolhouse!

Be sure to stop by and check it out.

Our garden is planted!

‘Hot Lips’ Sage on my back patio

Numbering the squares from left to right, front to back ~ 1-4: marigolds; 5: (will be) serrano peppers; 6: basil; 7: parsley; 8: cilantro; 9-16: 3 ‘Big Boy’ tomato plants (will by cages soon)

Front to back/left to right ~ 1-2, 5-6: zucchini; 3: marigolds; 4: mint; 7: lettuce; 8: brussel sprouts; 9: parsley; 10: cilantro; 11: green peppers; 12: rosemary; 13: yellow peppers; 14: jalapeno; 15 & 16; green peppers; 17: oregano; 18: jalapeno; 19: squash; 20: marigolds; 21: marigolds; 22: basil; 23: squash; 24: marigolds; 25-32: Roma tomatoes

Front to back/ left to right ~ 1-2: strawberries (need a few more plants); 3-4: cherry tomatoes; 5-6: strawberries; 7-8 cherry tomatoes; 9 cauliflower; 10 –11 jalapenos; 12 marigolds; 13 cauliflower; 14-15 okra; 16 marigolds; 17 marigolds; 18  squash; 19 sage; 20 yellow peppers; 21 marigolds; 22 squash; 23 chives; 24 oregano; 25 – 26, 29-30 zucchini; 27 brussel sprouts; 28 lettuce; 31 chives; 32 thyme
I am so super excited about the potential this garden has! The kids are excited, as well, which makes it even better! I will continue to share pictures as the plants grow, and as we harvest our crops.
I’m thinking I may have to cover these with PVC arches and netting to keep out the rabbits, but I’m going to wait and see.

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