October Explorations

Back log- Maybe now with my new laptop (woohoo!!  Thanks Dad and Mom W) from Josh's family I keep up with my blog a little better-maybe ;)


Schooling
Landon and Arabella are having fun this year with our lessons.  Some weeks are more productive than others but even when we aren't doing a planned/ structured activity I try to take every  to teach.  Sometimes we are playing with our plastic animals and Landon (and now sometimes Arabella)will ask what the animal eats, where they live, or something else related to the animals so we Google it, watch a video or look it up in a book.  We also look up nature related things, physics, or whatever we happen to be playing with and I can use as a teachable moment.

Bella is getting the hang of counting.  She can count to 4 on her own, and count to 3 in spanish on her own.  She knows her colors although she is stubborn with the correct answer when most ask her.  She loves art and music.  Bella loves being read to. She is also learning her letters quite well and loves to "read."  Landon always focused on the pictures at this age but Arabella really studies the letters and runs her fingers over them, as yu would if you were reading and trying to keep your place.  I am thinking she will be reading early but we will see.

Landon loves math.  He can add fairly well with number under 10 that equal 10 or less.  He also love science.  Landon loves our science experiment.  He has also starting to really love painting.  Art in general is not his favorite.  Landon has started being able to sound out words and spell with very little guidance.  I think if he wasn't so stubborn he would be able to start reading.

We are proud of them both.  We love that they are both so into animals and nature but learning in general.

Science Fun!- Baking Soda, Vinegar and food coloring experiment

Landon and Arabella have both been really enjoying painting-canvas, paper, ceramics.  When I have time and am creative enough I try to make lunch or snacks go with our lessons for the day or week.  Below is the grape caterpillar, flower, and insect snacks I made (Landon made sure to tell me my insect was missing a set of legs since insects always have 6 legs).  I have been trying to get really creative with our lessons.   Legos, wiki sticks, and lots of science experiments.  For one of our weather lessons we did a rain cloud experiment with shaving cream, water and food coloring.  It was a big hit!

Art, Science, Food, and Fun

We took a field trip to one of the parks near our house.  The park has a play ground, a huge field and is next to a small farm.  We was an exciting trip because we found deer tracks!

Nature Walk at the Park

Landon is still enjoying his Lego class and getting some extra time with his great friend Joshua.

The Bolins and us joined our MOPS group for a fun outing at the Natural History Museum.  It is always fun at Natural History Museum and joining the ladies with their little ones in MOPS.

MOPS Natural History Museum Playdate

Halloween weekend there were about a million and one things going on in Gainesville for families and children.  We picked 3 to go too.  First stop was the Lubee Bat Festival.  Landon was so excited to run into his friend Ben and Ben's sister with their grandmother.  We walked with them for a little bit checking out the bats and the little stations the festival had set up for the kids.

Lubee Bat Festival

 Trinity United Methodist is where my MOPS group meets. Every year they have a pumpkin patch.  It didn't feel too much like fall with 80+ degree weather but we still had fun checking out the pumpkins.

Pumpkin Patch

After Halloween every year I take all the pumpkins, cut them up, puree them and cook the seeds.  I love adding fresh pumpkin to recipes- family favorite is pumpkin banana bread and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! We all LOVE cooked pumpkin seeds too!!
I let Landon and Arabella help this year.  Landon was excited to use a real knife (under very close supervision of course) but didn't like digging in the pumpkin and getting dirty.  Arabella liked getting the seeds out though.

Pumpkins!

Halloween decorations, dress up, dirt and worm snacks

We joined the Fairows and we to the Panhellenic Goblins, Ghouls, and Greeks.  The kids had fun.  Landon and Arabella walked the whole time.  I was quite impressed how well they did.  I guess all that candy fueled them.  Josh made a yummy dinner and we had a late dinner at the Fairrows house.  The Fairrow boys have snakes and while waiting for dinner Landon was thrilled to hold one.

Trunk or Treat at UF

A happy fun visit from our great friend Chris and her little girl, Daphne

Fun out and about and at home

Our little cuddle bug

Who loves her baby dolls/stuffed animals

My Surprise Birthday Present

I realized somehow I failed to mention my awesome surprise birthday present from my husband.  

He came home from work at lunch time a couple of weeks before my birthday.  He ran in, grabbed something to eat quick and then ran outside.  He yelled from the door for me to bring him something.  So I run to get it, run to the door, walk outside.....to find a van!  We have been wanting a van and looking for one for many months with no avail.  Well he found one on Craigslist, listed with incorrect spelling so the guy selling his company van hadn't had offers on it.  Josh got a great deal on it and I love my van!  It is so nice and roomy compared to our little 2 door Honda Civic that I love but is just entirely too small for a family of 4 with 2 big dogs and 2 cats.  

Both kids love it but Landon considers it a birthday present to him as well.  He really Loves it!

So happy birthday to me from the best husband!

Falling into September

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!

Some of our letter fun

Letter matching

Letter writing with Wiki Sticks (Bendaroos)

Learning is hard work!

Birthdays!!!!!!!!!!

I love September. Well I might be a little bias... it is my birthday month and the month that I first held my first child for the first time.  Landon and my birthday are 5 days apart and I love it.  I also love September because the day after my birthday is Autumn my favorite month. 

This year Landon choose a Batman birthday theme.  Not really what I wanted him to pick but I went with it.  I was surprised he picked it because he has never watched Batman and doesn't even have a Batman toy (although now he has lots (;  ).  Landon helped a lot in the planning, I have to say he is quite the planner.  He knew what he wanted to eat, what decorations he wanted, what kind of dessert and who he wanted to invite.  I helped offer some suggestions but it was mostly his ideas. 

I thought it would be fun to have the kids dress up so we edited the theme to be Batman's Superhero Party.  I loved the costumes!  I think I will be encouraging my children for more dress up themed parties.  Arabella went as Sailor Moon.  Sailor Moon is a Japanimation or Anime Super hero that was my favorite growing up. I made Bella's costume. Landon went as Batman, of course.  My parents, Josh and I bought the different parts to Landon's costume.  I was Catwomen and Josh was Joker, per request of our son-Batman. 

The Super Heroes (and Joker)

 Thank you everyone who made Landon's birthday special!!!

Party Time!

 The Joker had captured some of our little Super heroes (seen in lower right hand corner) so all the BIG super heroes had to brave past THE JOKER and bring the little super heroes to the safety of Mrs. Victoria ;)  The kids had fun!

Save the Super Hero Game!

Birthday Boy and His Cake and Cupcakes!

 Mommy and Batman's Party back home with our family at Uncle Jon's and Aunt Merry's.  I was surprised with the most amazing chocolate raspberry cake made for me by my sister, Merry.  It was the best cake I have ever had!  Although the trip home included leaving a day late (due to sickness and just too much to do), loosing Reesie for 4 hours in Tallahassee (Josh stayed behind to look for her and thankfully he and Sally found her), Jon driving to Tallahassee to pick up Josh, and a whilwind trip home in general, Landon and I did have a great time celebrating our birthdays and so thankful we have an amazing family to celebrate with!

The Super Heroes, Cat Women, and Joker

Cake, Presents and Play Time!

We also enjoyed celebrating a family friend's birthday.  Emma turned one! 

We were excited to celebrate with her and family and friends!

Catchup of our August

Catchup of our August

We are huge fans of finger lights in this house.  Talk about inexpensive fun!  I picked a pack of 3 up for $1 at Micheal's at Christmas for Landon last year.  After everyone enjoying them so much we bought 40 online for less than $7.  The kids love them.  They get played with everything, stuffed animals, plastic animals, trains, cars, dress up, and and everything in between. 

Finger light fun!

Ashley invite us to the creek to have some fun in the water and search for sharks' teeth. We didn't bring out swim suits so Landon borrowed a cloth diaper cover and Bella played in her diaper.  Yay for cloth diapers being multipurpose! I am planning on taking some of the teeth we found and make Josh and Landon shark necklaces. 

Creek Splashing and Play Time

Our Findings

Arabella has been praciting her photogratphy skills.

Landon's friend, Ben came over for a play date.  Landon has been asking for a while for him to come over.  Finally our 2 busy families were about to coordinate a date.  We did a Lighting Mcqueen/ Cars2/ Olympic art work.  The boys had fun with trains, finger lights, and big Legos.

Play date with Ben

Unfortunately, this was one of the few trips to the beach this summer.  It was quite the eventful trip.  Our car tire got a hole in it.  Thankfully it wasn't a blow out and it was a mile from the beach.  Josh dropped us off and took the car up the road to a mechanic we had seen close by.  The guy who worked there was very nice and really helped us out a lot with putting the tires on right away and gave Josh a good deal.  After he was done, he mentioned that he wasn't even suppose to be at the shop that day because they were closed but he had gotten a call and had to meet someone at the shop.  Very thankful!  While at the beach we meet a little boy a few months older than Landon who was named Landon.  Needless to say, our Landon was so excited to meet another Landon.  He still to this day talks about him.  Josh joined us for about an hour before a storm rolled in and we had to leave. 

Beach trip

Isiah's birthday party

Fruits of our labor from our garden.