Williams family: Autumn

September was a whirlwind. Planning birthday parties, starting school and getting prepped for Jeremiah and Sally's wedding. We had fun enjoying our friends and family as always! ;)

Visit Home
A visit home for the beginning of September. Of course too short and fast but enjoyed our time there none the less. Owen, Landon and Arabella are starting to have a quite the bond. I love it. I remember loving that one of my cousins lived close by. I hope they get to enjoy a lot more time together. Boy oh boy to I love being an aunt to such a cute little boy!

Picnic and Fishing

A relaxing picnic/fishing trip to the lake near our house. We didn't catch anything but a couple of bug bite. It was beautiful out there.

Pool Time
With Josh working 12-14 hour days, we didn't get nearly enough time at the pool at the end of the summer but when we did get to go we had lots of fun. Arabella is getting so confident in the water. Landon is improving every time. He can swim without floaties and can hold his breath. He just needs to work on being more comfortable laying on his back and being able to bring his head out of water to get a breath.

Birds, bugs and books

Our school field trip with the Bolins at the Library.
Arabella (Especially )and Landon had a lot of fun. The event was put on by some group from UF. The people running the event did a really great job. The guy in charge of the "Bird Beaks" was so patient. Landon spent so much time with the guy and the "Bird beaks." The kids had to see what kind of bird beak (tongs, spoons, etc.) would work the best with different types of bird food. There were butterflies and eggs and see and inspect. Nature and animal puzzles, block to play with and drawing paper to draw your best bird.

Puzzles, Computers, Blocks and Eggs

My ladybug LOVED looking in the spy glass

Look Mommy, I drew a bird!

Preschool

We started preschool at the beginning of September. Landon is like many boys and a lot like his daddy. He doesn't want to sit and he really dislikes worksheets. Knowing that worksheets really aren't a good way to learn anyway, I have looked for more "Montessori" lessons this year. For those non-education family and friends of mine...
Montessori education is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological development, as well as technological advancements in society. Mixed age classrooms, which is super easy with homeschooling since we have Arabella and hopefully more to follow. Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options. Uninterrupted blocks of work time. A Constructivist or "discovery" model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction.

We also enrolled Landon in a Lego literacy class. He has enjoyed especially because his friend, Joshua is also enrolled in the class.

Animal exploration with books, paint, rice, and letters

Angey Birds experiment was a huge hit with both kids. Landon did an awesome job at predicting which "birds" would be the most effective at getting the "pigs" and explaining why they would work.

Science experiment fun, my favorite. I was so impressed with Landon on this one. He predicted the water transferring to the middle cup and making green. Only downfall, the kids didn't like waiting for it to transfer but we played some games in the kitchen so it went by fast. I think it was a great lesson for science plus a practical lesson on patience. ;)

We even have learning at lunch and snack time.

It is self proclaimed "Mcqueen Girl." Always dress up fun happening at our house.

Patterning-Landon did this symteric pattern on his own after us doing a lesson with colored block earlier that day. Can you see the pattern?

Books

and more books!

Lots of Lego building. Landon recieved a huge box of Legos from Uncle Jon and Aunt Merry for his birthday. We did a lesson on following directions. Landon picked out from the instruction book and built this house basically by himself. He was really proud because he made a house and car port on his own!