NRH2O May 23, 2007

With the heat coming, our homeschool group has moved its weekly get togethers to NRH2O- a water park about 15 minutes from our house. We tried it out to see if it would be enjoyable enough for us to participate in these weekly get togethers. Was it ever!!! Thank you Cheryl, Johnathan, and Jacob for the passes so that we could check it out. The kids had an absolute ball (so did I) despite the chilly day/water. Elijah kept asking if we could stay there until nighttime. Pictures of water fun are limited as I had to partake and the camera is not fond of water…

Considering Our Impact May 23, 2007

We came to the park to feed the ducks but walked away with a lesson about our impact on the environment. While feeding the ducks, Sadie noticed about 30-40 ‘giant bugs’ (crayfish) floating in the water. Did they die because of all of the litter that was floating on the shore that day as well? That is the assumption we evaluated. Both Sadie and Elijah are very aware of litter and frequently ask if they can pick it up and dispose of it properly. What is the answer when your child asks you why people throw garbage on the ground?

Main Street Days, Grapevine, TX May 20, 2007

What?! Another festival? Texas sure does love a good festival and they are great! Mix up art, music, trains, food, children’s entertainment, sports- they have it all. I’m told it’s festival season before the weather gets hot, hot, hot so we checked out another one!

Trying out kayaking in a giant pool. Both felt they were ‘a little tippy.’

Coloring their own tiles.

This is how it ends….

After Soccer Fun May 20, 2007

Soccer was just the beginning. The great blue heron was accompanied (I say that loosely as he chased her all over the pond just as he does with the ducks) by a stunning snowy egret. Many of the homeschoolers had fun playing around the pond, feeding the ducks, and playing at the playground.

Soccer!!! May 20, 2007

Heeere’s Elijah! He ran right out on the field Thursday after a couple of weeks of rained out practices and joined eight other homeschoolers for soccer practice. Tina and Clarke, parents of Brye, and tremendous soccer coaches and enthusiasts made a soccer player of Elijah in minutes. He ran drills and learned to dribble.

He shoots……

He scores!!!! Thank you Tina and Clarke for a little boy who continues to tell us all about his soccer moves!

Paper Anyone? May 18, 2007

Bodyart is big these days in our house. Sadie actually puts in requests for what she wants drawn on her back as she is unable to reach. Yes, we have drawn octopuses and spiders on Sadie’s back. Elijah (boy who washes hands while painting…) actually joined in the other day and promptly requested a bath.

Trendsetter May 18, 2007

Sadie dresses herself and is setting the fashion trends everywhere she goes. I particularly love this one!

Fantastic Firetruck! May 18, 2007

The kids made this old fashioned firetruck from a kit. Both are quite handy with the hammer and glue. Elijah follows directions like Mommy- look at picture and go.

Taste Addison! May 14, 2007

Taste Addison! is an annual festival in Addison! (yes, the ! seems to be part of the town name), TX with fun for all ages. Hundreds of restaurant booths with delicious foods from the town of Addison! (now I’m just having fun typing it- I wish Ft. Worth had an exclamation point…), shows for children including an educational piece on native Texan wildlife, a hysterical clown, flea circus, artisans, and live music for adults and children.

Sadie and Elijah watching dancers performing traditional Italian dances in their native dress.

Daddy accompanying Elijah through the bouncy obstacle course.

A huge fountain/wading pool area to soak the hot children. What an awesome place!

Two soaked and exhausted children.

Peeks of Bear Creek May 14, 2007

We investigated Bear Creek Park- one of the many local parks. Elijah and Sadie played on the little playground and in the sandbox with a class of all different ages of hearing impaired children communicating in many different ways with each other and their teachers.

Elijah fed the many and beautiful ducks and ducklings while Sadie ate her piece of bread herself.

We found an abandoned duck egg! Though the children didn’t touch it, Sadie thought we should knock on it to see if the duckling would come out

Turtles, turtles everywhere- sunning themselves on the shore. I snapped this picture after our voices scared 4 others off the bank into the creek.