School Bell is Ringing.

Christmas break is over, the decorations are all packed up for another year, routine has begun and the books have been dusted off & cracked open. We had a fantastic break and did enjoy those "lazy days" (as lazy as one can be with a house full of monkeys!) :)

I have to laugh at the groans I get about art from the older two and nearly EVERY time, they surprise themselves and enjoy it!

Today we were learning about form art (sculptures) versus flat art (paintings/drawings).

The kids' assignment was to take a flat piece of paper and create form with it.

I thought they all did a darling job! Megan had a pink spotted cow, Joshua (the least keen on this one) made a sea lion and Sarah made a pink spirit bear.

I enjoyed all the giggles during the process!

Homeschooling with a toddler. THIS is a challenge for me. Usually when Matthew is sleeping we race the clock to get our activities done. Of course we can't fit everything into that 2-hour window so we have many moments like this! Matthew climbing on whatever to get into something he knows he probably shouldn't be getting into, but the exploration gene is just too much not to give it a try! :)

I can hear Sarah saying finally! when it comes to learning the piano. This is something she has wanted to do for awhile now and I've been dragging my feet. Unfortunately our plate is too full with activities to go out to a teacher weekly and I couldn't find anyone to come into our home, so that leaves.... me! It's been such fun to watch them learn and love their music time.

Even Matthew loves to get in on the action and plunk away at the keys :)

As we finished up NOEO biology this was sitting in the storage room waiting to be opened.

Today we dove into the first experiment and began learning about water/air compression.

They were pretty thrilled to see that we got to make water guns. Of course they had to practice, so the window got a good washing this afternoon!

Oh, I'll end with a funny FYI. Megan's kitchen tip for cutting onions in the kitchen: wear ski goggles and it completely eliminates tears & stinging eyes! Of course, it also creates lots of chuckles and smiles too.

WIN-WIN!

Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong.

1 Kings 3:9