School

We homeschool. It is a choice Papi & I have made for our family. Each family needs to decide what education model is best for their family, and often times for each individual child. And, those choices need to be made each year, on a year--to-year basis. This is not about what I think you should choose for your family (I don't know, you know your own children best), or even why we have chosen to homeschool our children (which I may choose to write about in the future, but not today), rather the fact that we homeschool is more like background knowledge needed for this post.

Typically, we school year round. That allows us the freedom to take breaks as needed, rather than when someone else thinks we should. This year, however, we never really picked things back up after we moved home. Of course, there is always reading going on (the kids completed the reading for 2 different library reading programs) and nature studies for all of the wonderful things they discover while playing outside, but we didn't get back to the directed lessons and seat-work. So, we decided that August 1st would be our start date. Now, that decision was made at the beginning of July, and several things have happened since then. I am going to physical therapy for my wrist (an injury I've had for - ugh! - 19 years!), the box clearly labelled "school stuff 2012-2013" has gone missing, among other things. So, tomorrow won't be the big start I had planned. Then, as I was beginning to show JA some of the things she would get to do this year for 2nd grade, she begged to begin today. So we began.

JA worked on a Formalibro from the Prensa Libre in Guatemala. They are the best little booklets that the newspaper publishes for grades K-6. We're grateful to family that saved a year's worth for us, and JA has enjoyed them immensely. JT and I painted with water outside on the driveway. We practiced letters, numbers, and even some words (he got ambitious and asked for a 3 syllable word) and had a great time. I'm glad because he has been concerned about beginning kindergarten. His concern is that he doesn't know as much as his sister, and it has been difficult for him to grasp the fact that she is 2 years older and didn't know all this stuff when she began kindergarten either.

Now, we have added in history, language, and math. JT has discovered that math isn't as scary as he thought, and he does indeed know enough to be in kindergarten. JA has learned that school work is, well, work, and it is not just going to disappear. We're still working on her understanding that though reading is wonderful, it can't be the only part of her school day. (Sound familiar to anyone who knew me 25 years ago?) We are also working on figuring out the routine for our day that works best for everyone. Right now, it seems that our seat-work is best accomplished while JMC naps.

Sunfish

Papi has begun something new this summer - he surprises us by coming home from work early. The first time, he took JT fishing and out for ice cream. The 2nd time, he took JA for her first golf lesson and fishing. Yesterday, he let me take a nap and then took us all fishing. JMC and I just observed - me as the official photographer & toddler wrangler. JA & JT were doing so well fishing, that Papi didn't even have time to put a worm on his hook! They were catching a fish as soon as their hooks were in the water, easily more than 10 fish each!

Learning how to hold the fish. She did not like it.

Showing off for the girls.

Throwing the fish back

The kids had to touch each little fish that was caught. They were all sunfish.

I gave up on the toddler wrangling.

After fishing, we got ice cream and fruit for the kids, and then headed home. It was a wonderful beginning to our weekend, and such a blessing that Papi surprised us with the weekend beginning early.

Playday

We are blessed to live within easy walking distance to 2 parks. It's been so hot out and we've been attempting potty training with JMC, so we haven't been to the park nearly as often as we all would like. This past week though, it wasn't quite as hot, so after breakfast, we walked to the red & blue park (about 6 blocks away.) It was great! The kids & I had a blast, and by the time we came home, they were hungry for lunch, and then everyone took a nap! We may have to make an effort to get to the park more often. :)

They found 2 crab-apple trees and had a blast collecting them. It was fun to watch them work together. (And it smelled like apple cider under the trees!)

There was a garden behind the park with lots of bright colored flowers, grasses, and even a statue.

They have been wanting to use their umbrellas. Well, it hasn't rained in ages, so they decided to use them as parasols. 

Critters

We all really enjoy learning about and seeing animals. It's amazing how creative God is, to make each creature unique and special. As a family, we love going to the zoo, watching documentaries about animals that live in other parts of the world, and reading animal books. While in Florida, we got to see close up all sorts of animals that we don't normally get to be around (and some common ones, too.)

grasshopper

alligator at Bayou Bill's Crab Shack

baby alligator we got to hold

a tiny lizard that visited often

TONS of tiny fish, several different kinds

mussels & a venomous sea snail

some of the fish were washed up dead on shore

goose-neck barnacles

tree frog that visited our kitchen window 3 nights

HUGE leaf bug

2-3 foot long snake that scurried under the pine needles quicker than I could get the camera out

Plus, we caught a lionfish (Papi), a teeny tiny puffer fish (Mami), saw a bobcat crossing the highway, a red & blue skink lived under our vacation home, and a bunch of armadillo roadkill. (Don't worry, we put the fish back before leaving the beach each day, and the other critters were put back the following day each time.)

2!

 JMC's birthday present. The cars spin around and there are racetrack sounds.

He was a little apprehensive on the zoo train at first, but he calmed down quickly.

 It was 105 that day so we tried to stay in the shade.

And in the reptile building, which had A/C

 A family picture, though the lighting wasn't the best for a photo.

 

I gave up on my idea for a Pocoyo cake, but went with JT's suggestion of a red cake, JMC's favorite color.

El zoologico

After a wonderful time at the beach, we decided to take our time getting home. So, we drove to Birmingham, AL, visited the zoo (we got in free with our MPZ pass) and stayed the night at a great hotel. The S. family had stayed at this hotel on the way down to FL and told us about it. Included with your stay is a free dinner, popcorn until 11pm, and free breakfast. How nice to not have to drive around an unfamiliar town looking for places to eat!

Our family loves going to the zoo, which is why we have a zoo pass. The Birmingham Zoo was great. It wasn't too big or too crowded, everything was clean, and the exhibits looked well taken care of.

They all wanted to walk with Papi

This bobcat was pacing right in front of the glass!

This is for you, Uncle A.  - a tower of turtles!

La boda

The wedding that brought about our trip was for one of Papi's brothers. He actually lives in California, as does Papi's other brother, and we hadn't seen them in 4 years (our last vacation.) It was so good to see everyone. This is the first time since our wedding that everyone was together.

The wedding was beautiful. We brought along changes of clothes for the kids, and one of the bride's aunts brought beach toys for them to play with during the reception. There was a photo booth, music, dancing, yummy food, and the cutest cake topper. Everyone had a great time and our children didn't melt down despite the very late night.

The afghan I crocheted for the bride and groom, based on the colors from the restaurant

Just before the ceremony began; the 10 seconds JMC sat still and didn't cry. Once the bride walked down the aisle, JMC & I walked the other direction and hung out in the back with the most precious 4 month old baby and his papa.

Wow! a family picture! :)

Papi and his siblings

Isn't that cake topper the coolest?!

 The reception:

all the cousins, except JMC

Don't worry, it's just Sprite.

Felicidades Tio E. and Tia L.!