July - August 2013

We started our 2013-14 school year July 1.  Here are a few photos from July and August, some directly related to homeschool and some that are just good memories.

A sympathy note that Suzi wrote to me in August (she was 6) regarding her little brother and sister.  It says, "Sorry that Ivey and Robert are annoying you.  They're annoying me too."

We read Beezus and Ramona, in which Ramona embarrasses Beezus by wearing paper bunny ears out to the library. Suzi was inspired to make herself a bunny costume.

Ivey worked on a numbers matching game while Suzi advised.

Robert loved this little sailor puzzle, and probably still does!

Just one of Suzi's many creative projects.  I think this may have been inspired by "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" part of Fantasia 2000.

We took the kids on a little educational/fun visit to a nearby waterfront park on the lake.

Suzi thought that if she made herself wings like an eagle, she would be able to take them outside and fly.  She made a pair for Ivey, too!  She was disappointed when they didn't work, but we turned it into a science and history of human flight lesson. 

At the amazing Love to Learn homeschool conference that we attend each year, Suzi went to the duct tape crafts workshop and made this mouse house with her Daddy.  She was so proud!  It sparked what will probably be a lifetime affinity for duct tape crafting.

Suzi and Grandma made this little jacket together.  Suzi loves dressing up to get into character!

Suzi wasn't so enthusiastic about writing at the beginning of first grade.  She resisted meaningless writing exercises, and I don't blame her.  Everyone wants their work to be meaningful!  She loves Halloween and was thrilled when this catalog came in the mail, so I told her to make a list of items we should order for our Halloween party.  That was fun--especially after we ordered and the things arrived in the mail!

Suzi made this parachute independently.  It did not work as she thought it would, but it, too, made for a science learning opportunity.

For a month or two, Suzi was in a kids' Crossfit class.  She loved it, but we unfortunately we had to cut back on activities.  This year I am hoping we'll find a dance class she likes!

Ivey is interested in hair, nails, and makeup.  I made her this "beauty spot" for her fourth birthday, but it has since been downsized due to changing interests and space issues.

Robert was her first "patient," and a very trusting one at that.

She still paints his toenails for him pretty regularly.

Later she got a styling head, which she named Alexis.  It kept giving us small frights when we walked into the room and saw it out of the corner of our eye.

Suzi drew this Adipose, a Doctor Who alien.  It was a big hit on the Doctor Who Hub Facebook page!

And then I made her a flannel heat pack inspired by her artwork.

Stay tuned for more photos of our 2013-14 year!