Food, Friends, Fun and Sun!

Before I add more pictures to my overwhelmed hard drive, I'm sorting through some that I never actually got to during 2011! The girls are none too thrilled that I forgot to share their Homeschool Summer Picnic at Oaks Park! We had such a fun day...picnics, 3 legged races, freeze tag, potato races, a watermelon eating contest (go, Elora!) and more all with friends old and new. Seleia's BF's Mikaela and Danie and Elora's BF, the lovely Rose, were there to share in the fun. And then, of course, there were the rides! WE can't wait to organize the 2nd annual summer picnic!

The Petting Zoo

Children and animals are always an entertaining combination, but watching a child really discover them for the first time....well, priceless. We had a great time with the goats, cows, pigs, donkeys, chickens, roosters and more at the petting zoo.  The girls had so much fun introducing their baby brother to the farm animals, telling him all of their names and what sounds they made. Dashiell and a baby goat spent quite some time quietly regarding one another, and then seemed to come to some sort of understanding. The goat agreed to hang out with Dash amidst the chaos of hungry animals and excited children, and Dash agreed to talk to him for awhile while intending to pet his face but inadvertently poking him in the nose. Repeatedly. Oddly enough, baby goat didn't seem to mind. After some wandering, Dashiell discovered the pot-bellied pig. For some reason, that little pig tail wagging back and forth was the funniest thing Little Man had ever seen. The pig would face Dash and grunt at him for a bit, then turn around and aim his rump that direction and Dash would laugh and point at that little piggy tail. (Then the other kids would laugh even harder and point at Dash...egging him on, of course.)  We were also highly entertained at two little piglets that kept chasing a frazzled rooster at high speed. Good times.

I must point out...Miss Seleia is wearing a scarf that she knit all on her own in these pictures, and was quite proud to show it off. That's my girl!

Lego Robotics

We ♥ OMSI labs. Seriously. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is hands down one of the best places to learn about....you guessed it: science and industry. We regularly take about four science lab classes at OMSI per school year, but this year we upped the ante and are doing 13 different labs. Lab number one was Lego Robotics. Joel took Seleia ans Elora and they all came home telling me ALL of the reasons that we needed to set aside $300 to purchase out very own Lego robot. (Joel found one a day or two ago on sale for the bargain price of $289. Not that he wants one or anything.)

First the girls got to "know" their robots. Elora's name was Orangie Peanut Butter, Seleia's was Blackout. They learned about how they worked, did a few simple tasks, and then came the computer programming. They learned to program the robots to respond to their physical commands and move from one place to another, with some turns along the way. Surprisingly, Seleia's favorite part was the programming. She added in sensors so that it would stop and turn when she clapped, etc. Way too cool!

The only disappointment?
"I thought we were going to get to take the robots home!"

If only!

Nature Class!

Outdoor education is so much fun.  I always learn something along with my children (or occasionally from my children). After hiking learning about the birds and bats and all manner of flying creatures, we headed in to a classroom to learn about everyone else that they share the forests with! Coyote, deer, raccoons, beavers...we handled their pelts, antlers, skulls, bones, footprints...learned about their habits and habitats.  (For instance, I did not know that they knew the difference between antlers and horns, and was astounded when Seleia asked if deers had a pump for their blood in their hooves like horses do.  Horses have a pump in their hooves?) And headed to the Wildlife Care Center to meet some American kestrels, turtles, a turkey vulture, a spotted owl, a red tailed hawk, and see what they do to rehabilitate animals to their own environment when possible and care for them when it is not. Seleia, debating a veterinarian career, was full of excellent questions. Something else that is so cool? Hiking with the kids elsewhere afterwards and having them recognize footprints and bird calls.  They can't wait to take their nature guides camping them next week.  I love that they love learning.