Tag Archive | homeschooling

Off to the Zoo

September 1-2

It took us multiple tries to get to the zoo… we totally misjudged a holiday Monday AND a fair which left the parking lot so packed we simply did not have the patience to hunt down a rather elusive parking spot even further from the entrance. Como may not be the biggest zoo in the state but as the “free” zoo there are more than a few draws to have people come out in droves to visit. Our final aborted attempt led us to a park instead.101_9410 101_9412 101_9414 101_9415 101_9419 IMG_4079

Miss Echo squeaked in some school time… working on her name for Gammie. 101_9420

BUT we made it on the 2nd. This was Karyn’s first trip to the Como Zoo. We didn’t see everything but we had a blast.101_9425

It was the perfect day for flowers AND animals…101_9424 101_9426 101_9427 101_9428

There was an amazing art display all carved out of wood.101_9429 101_9430 101_9431 IMG_4095

We did another plastic mold. This is our third… we now have a seal, a gorilla and now a bear from the polar bear area.101_9469 101_9470 101_9472 101_9477

I have to say the best animal of all was an accidental one – a very courageous chipmunk. He did everything but stop for a pet… running by our shoes… picking up a nut right near us. What an unexpected snack time supplement.IMG_4156 101_9481

Two of the lions were indoors and rather restless, waiting on their dinner. Echo was VERY unsure of the experience. The enclosures are rather old school and there was only thick glass between us and the lions.101_9483 101_9487

There was a couple of educational opportunities (more than just the ever helpful signs by the animals) with little booths that had helpful guides who could tell us all about the animal they were parked across from. The giraffe set up was very interesting.101_9499 101_9498 IMG_4177

I have to say, Karyn being here once again has been an amazing gift! Even better… we had an overnight trip to… of all places… Wisconsin! Of course, that will be a blog entry (or two) all its own. Lots of pictures! But until then, zoo overflow!IMG_4197 101_9508 IMG_4191 IMG_4184

This entry was posted on 02/10/2014, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Gotta Love a Sleepover

July 27-29

Middle of the week… sunny day and the morning schoolwork accomplished, when friends call we jump up and head to the park. Renee and her boys had invited us out to enjoy the park and the connected lake with its pseudo splash park set up. Sort of a little waterfall and such set up for kids to play with.101_8825 101_8826

101_8828 101_8830It is so lovely to have the opportunity to up and spent quality time with a friend. Doubly so when our kids get on so well.101_8831 101_8832

Our afternoon was spent picking up the amazing Aidan and bringing the kids back to the house.101_8833 101_8835

We ended the evening with a movie. The kids did amazing watching Jack the Giant Killer all the way through!101_8836

We spent much of the next day outside in the backyard.101_8839

With the end of our overnight visit finding us at a small park with a geocache called Riverdale Park where we met up with Darcy and Alex. Every overnighter we get in with Aidan is so much fun! I really hope we can eventually have Alex over again!101_8840 101_8842 101_8843

We ended our week with another big conclusion – Gavin finished his journal! Time to move onto titles, dates and 7 or more sentences!101_8844

Trinity completed her review book for the year. She was so utterly proud.101_8845

We ended our day with the yard work. The whole family out in the sun giving the yard a tidy. What a perfect way to end the week! Time to face the weekend AND creeping up on the big goodbye. The cousins are off on the 1st of August. Where has the time gone??101_8851 101_8848 101_8849 101_8850

Hypsilophodon

I am jumping line for this one… our book Dinosaur Hunt by Karen Carr mentioned this dinosaur as ALSO being found in Texas and as we are currently learning about Texas… well we reintroduced this herbivore so enjoy our jump forward!

Emanuel has requested NO MORE Cretaceous period dinosaurs… but today was not the day for that… The Hypsilophodon has a horny beak with cheek teeth and ran on two legs. It was a fast dinosaur that sustained itself with plants and was found in the woodlands of Europe. At first it was believed that it was found up in the trees but this has since been disproved. We had TWO videos… first a “Spore” video by Cainori.

Our second video is a gorgeous speed painting piece by Michele the Sea

.

And now the links

  • Dinosaurs.about.com HERE
  • KidsDinos.com HERE
  • Dinosaur Isle HERE
  • Melbourne Museum HERE
  • Jurassic Park Wikia HERE
  • Dino Directory HERE
  • Dinosaur Jungle HERE
  • EnchantedLearning HERE
  • Wiki HERE
  • And our colouring page was found at deviantArt HERE by our favourite artist Zakafreakarama HERE.

    So pleased to have our two littles involved together