Homeschooling and Life: Week of May 12-17, 2014

This week has been challenging. I have been tired because of our busy whirlwind schedule of appointments, out-of-town events, so many things to do at home, etc. Also, Baby Girl has had a few meltdowns this week, as well as a couple of VERY early risings (one morning it was 2:30 a.m.) Bug and Doodles have been hit with a combination of spring and summer fever, and we still have lots to do. It's been a struggle, but we've managed to make it through another week & learn in spite of the difficulties. On the plus side, we've had some very nice weather days, so we took advantage of that and spent time outside, which always boosts our moods! Here's a look at our week:

Bug's watercolor painting

Doodles' painting

Baby Girl's painting

Baby Girl's books and schedule for this week

We played the "drum" per a suggested activity in Baby Girl's guide.

Baby Girl "slides the beads."

Baby Girl loves to run and play outside.

Checking out the "green grass."

Cuddle time with Mom on the swing

More playtime!

Sheer joy!

Sand and water table

Beep! Beep! Here comes Baby Girl.

A ride in the wheel barrow

Doodles learned about probability and odds in math.

Doodles studies the Mayans this week and we played a game like they did....

and I could NOT get the ball through the hoop without using my hands!

Bug is working on creating the Tabernacle on Minecraft.

If you look closely, you can see a woodpecker on the right side of the tree.

Homeschooling and Life: April 28-May 11, 2014

We have been enjoying our past few weeks, between orthodontic visits for both Bug and Doodles, co-op classes, and all of the other typical life stuff. I am so happy to announce that...finally... the initial orthodontic phase is over for both Bug and Doodles, so the appointments will slow down to once a month as opposed to once a week...thankfully!!! (Especially when we have a two-hour round trip drive to the orthodontist's office.) We have still managed to get in a good amount of schooling, which I'd like to give you a peek into now:

Books and Instructor's Guide for this week in Baby Girl's school. We are LOVING it!

This is a game that came with Baby Girl's school stuff. I tried to get her interested in it this week, but she wasn't ready yet. I am going to try again this upcoming week. With her special needs, it always takes her more time to get interested in things and to understand them. 

Another awesome book from Baby Girl's school set. This week we read Blueberries for Sal and then dropped counting bears on to a tin pie plate. She enjoyed that!

Baby Girl worked on making lines go from "top to bottom."

Bug works on math, one of his favorite subjects.

This week for nature study we learned about parts of a plant and went outside to investigate and explore.

Bug takes a closer look at flowers.

Bug is currently reading this book to learn more about the American Revolution.

Bug enjoys lying under the tree and enjoying nature.

After all the rain, we found this little guy on our front porch. We love toads!

Also, this little guy prompted us to reread some of our favorite stories from our Frog and Toad books. Hey, you're NEVER too old for Frog and Toad!

Bug made this Lego creation and...

drew it and wrote about it here.

Bug wrote a story about these three Lego characters.

Bug made these two Lego creations...

and compared and contrasted them.

Bug learned about volume this week, so we did some hands-on activities.

Doodles works on her science paper.

Doodles wrote about the dangers of smoking. She was studying the respiratory system.

Doodles, getting ready to lie down outside under the tree and observe nature

Doodles and I watched the 2013 movie Romeo and Juliet and are working our way through the play.