Catching Up…Week 8

I’m so sorry to report that I’m a bit behind on my blogging.  My original goal was to blog once a week but now it’s more like twice a month.  I’m hoping to be able to carve out some more time to get back to once a week updates.  Fingers crossed!

Okay, so back to homeschooling.  This week started off with a bang as it was our once monthly visit to Crystal Springs Preserve.  The topic this month was “slimy monsters,” aka frogs and toads.  Here are some photos from the day, and yes, it did include touching and examining a dissected bullfrog. 

MONDAY

“B” and Little Bro checking out the American bullfrog insides…Love Little Bro’s expression…partly from the insides and partly from the “lovely” smell! 

                                           

The dissection (already done for us by the way) was just too much for Big Bro…so he waited outside until we were done.  So much for his career as a surgeon!  Later on our hike, we found the origin of the spring.  This is where Zephyrhills water comes from!  Water here is $.25 per bottle!

                           

My now-not-sick-to-my-stomach Big Bro…an 800 year old tree, too.

Checking out this really cool frog trap which is nothing more than a safe home on the bank of a pond for frogs to hide in and away from snakes.  Neat idea!  PVC pipe!

                                                       

A sweet moment between buddies and then between brothers. 

                                       

Checking out the naughty toads taking over Florida and eating all of our native frogs

                           

                                                         And now lunchtime!

                              

TUESDAY

Big Bro hardly working, oops, I mean working hard.  :)

 

                                        

We went to a drummer’s circle called Hands on Heroes at Ruth Eckerd Hall.  The topic was bullying and how to help other’s who are experiencing it and how to recognize it within yourself.   Absolutely well done!  They even had (top photo) a group of youths who were in a detention center for bullying (and other type things) who are now teaching others the devastation created by such actions. 

                          

                                            

WEDNESDAY

Can’t find my photos for day at co-op, I guess.  Or maybe I didn’t take any which would highly unusual.

THURSDAY

I had a dr.’s appointment today and was gone all morning so Dad was in charge.  So no pictures from the morning lessons.  All independent work, though, for Big Bro and play time with Papa all day.

 

A little one on one time with Papa…Ala is enjoying her treat Papa brought her :)

           

Preparation for the Fantastic Florida Fair with a homeschool group.  Our topic was “Unique and Quirky Facts about Florida” which was fun for all of us to learn about.  Other topics students had were:  lighthouses, backyard animal friends, Seminole Indians and other similar topics.  Ala loves to help!

                             

Big Bro giving discussing his project with a family.

                                      

After the demonstrations the younger kids went outside for a little free play.

                                                                  

FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

This was the highlight of the week…a camp trip with about a dozen other families.  We went to an awesome campground and actually stayed in a cabin for the first time, primitive, yes, but oh so fun!  Here’s a few highlights from the trip:

Cabin and potluck dinner the first night

 

Time for bed

I think someone takes his job a little too seriously!  Rest time with his girl!

It’s lunchtime…grilling their dogs.  Our wonderful friends…great time together!  Played canasta and Catch Phrase together at night…lost miserably…although in our defense, we had only played once in close to 4 years.

A sweaty, grimy but happy boy!

Tin Foil Cooking…Yummy!

S’mores by the campfire

Jiffy pop camp popcorn…great!

We had so much fun there.  Very relaxing.  The boys all (ALL the kids in camp) brought bikes and since we had the whole cabin area reserved and it was gated, they had the full run of the circle drive around the cabin area.  It was great!  Lots of time for just enjoying the wonderful weather we had and great company.  The last night, Daddy and I sat by the campfire after everyone had gone to sleep and saw a huge deer walk in front of our cabin.  He stopped and stared at us and then went on his way.

Until next time,

Crystal