Tornado!!!

I named our blog Tornado! this week for a couple of reasons. Number one, we have been sooooo incredibly busy this week, it has literally been a tornado! Number two, we will get to later in the blog. :)

I will briefly tell about what we've done since I have to again scurry this afternoon to get us ready for the big dance recital!! This week in Origami we had a great time as usual. We made several more animals (pics posted) and the teacher gave us a little apartment building she made for us to keep them in. The children had fun decorating with doors and windows. I cannot say enough great things about our teacher. She is fun, imaginative and so giving to all of us!

We broke out the slip'n'slide this week due to the wonderful sun and heat. BabyGirl had an absolute blast playing in it!! I was able to get lots of weeding done in the garden while she played. I think we have gotten rid of the cucumber bugs, fingers crossed. I drowned all of the ones I saw, and treated the plants with my grandmothers home made solution. So far, so good! Some of our new friends also gave us a bag of lady bugs this week. Yesterday evening we sprinkled the garden and set them free. BabyGirl was filled with joy letting all of the lady bugs crawl all over her! She was even naming them. If you look closely in the picture you can see one playing in her hair!

We had dress rehearsal this week, and it was the cutest thing ever. I love watching not only BabyGirl dance, but all of her friends. We have truly made some life-long friends through dance and in our little community. I am amazed when I look at how each of them grow every year. It's nice to see the tears in all of the mom's eyes, and the proud looks on their faces. Priceless.

BabyGirl is doing awesome in level 1 gymnastics. She loves going twice a week, and never tires of learning something new. The best part about this week was watching her do pull ups. She was trying her best, pulling with all of her might! They must have done sets of 5 at least 10 different times. She was just kicking butt! Later in the class as they were doing floor, she looked at herself in the mirror, and put up her arms in a body building pose flexing as hard as she could making a meeean face! It was adorable, and I already notice a wonderful change taking place.

Now, to the second reason we call this one Tornado! We went to tour KOTV channel 6 today, and had the best time! BabyGirl just loves weather, and it was so interesting to see behind the scenes at all they use. We got to see everything! The kids got to stand in front of the green screen and see themselves as a meteorologist would. If you look in the background of the pic, you will see them in the monitor. They could have played with that alllll day! Alan Crone was a great host, and provided us with a wealth of information. This is one that will not be forgotten!!

So...on with recital, a three day weekend, a birthday celebration at Nan's, and a fabulous week ahead!!!!!!

Love is all you need

We're still having a wonderful month of May filled with all the things that May usually brings...performances, ceremonies and being busy as a bee!! We're having fun and learning along the way! For origami last week we made a tree, a bug, a blue bird, a grasshopper, and a snake in the grass. Then, the children assembled them on a large piece of paper making an outdoor scene. We loved the class, and really loved the company!

Bub had a drum line performance this week, and it was awesome! He is so amazing, and I'm so proud when I look at him. What a terrific young man and human being he has become. Although there are soooo many times I miss my little Bub, I embrace this new big Bub and can't wait to treasure each moment of our adult relationship. We love you, Bub!!!!

Our other Bubb was inducted into the National Honor Society last week. He is full of intellect and the drive to be the best that he can be. He has surpassed everyone in the family already in his education, and has plans to go all the way. I cannot believe that my big little brother is almost ready to spread his wings and fly. Bubb is exactly what you would hope for in your children's ambition, and I couldn't be prouder of who and what he has become. He has an awards ceremony tomorrow, and I fully expect him to make a clean sweep. We love you, Bubb!!!! Don't ever change....

BabyGirl will be starting level 1 in gymnastics this week. I could see it on the horizon quite some time ago, and there is just no more putting it off. She thrives on this stuff. The look of self-confidence on her face when she successfully does something new is priceless. This is a deep-rooted passion that we cannot deprive her of, and I'm excited for her to blossom.

Recital is coming up next week, and BabyGirl cannot wait! She LOVES getting on that stage and performing. Every year after her last dance, she asks if she can go back out and do it just one more time. Daddy-o and I have noticed how much she has really grown in dance this year. One of her most favorite things is to put on her Blondie or Pat Benatar CD and dance away. She is very gifted, and we are blessed to be able to provide her with the tools to run free.

It becomes more and more clear to me that life is all about doing what you love. Not the 9-5 making ends meet day, but the can't-wait-to-get-up day. By supporting and nurturing every passion that burns within us, we can truly LIVE. This is what I believe is the foundation of our home education. We rock! Love is all you need...

Konnichiwa!

We had our first origami class last Thursday, and it was fabulous! The teacher is amazing. BabyGirl was completely taken by the whole experience, and we cannot wait to return! She made several different origami, learned some Japanese words/phrases, and sang some traditional songs as well. I'm so thankful I decided to try this!

We started our study of Asia this week. We are working on Japan right now, and using our Usborne Internet Linked Introduction to Asia. We have found all sorts of cool resources and information! We plan on making a couple of traditional recipes later this week that look very interesting! We will post more on that later....

On May 1st we celebrated May Day by making some home made baskets, filling them with (slightly soggy) flowers, and secretly delivering them to the neighbors. We had an absolute blast doing this, and it will be one of our many new traditions! What a great feeling you get when you give to others! I'm so glad to give BabyGirl this gift.

In science we are finishing up the human body this month. We've covered the body systems, taking care of your body, and have moved onto health & nutrition. Our experiment this week was observing how our teeth work. We used a carrot and a cracker. First, we used scissors to try to demonstrate the cutting motion of our teeth. Second, we used two wooden blocks to demonstrate the grinding motion of our teeth. We used both methods on both foods. Then, of course, we got to eat what was left! BabyGirl had a blast with this!

Our garden also fits into the last of our science lessons. We know and practice proper nutrition on a daily basis. BabyGirl understands the importance of buying organic (local when possible), eliminating toxins from our daily lives, recycling/reusing, etc. It's an invaluable lesson to grow and produce your own fruits and vegetables that are free from all the things we don't want to ingest. She can see that it is hard work, and takes part in everything including planting, digging and weeding. This is a great bonding time for us and it's so nice to be able to sit back and look at your hard days work. It will be even nicer when we can taste it!

Sayounara for now!