Spring is in the air!

I'm so happy to see leaves unfolding on all of our trees.  I love to look out the window the second I wake up each morning.  The sun, the leaves, the sounds, the smells.  Each morning looks more and more like spring.  And I love it!  Just like the new things that come with spring, I am expecting new and wonderful things for us.  Not only with school, but in all aspects of our lives.  I look forward to embarking on a journey of self-discovery and healing.  Joneschooling has some fun and exciting activities planned.  Vacation is on the horizon.  Concert season is almost here.  Little Man is growing and learning so much each and every day.  This will be a wonderful spring, indeed!

In Joneschool we are wrapping up our Polar Husky journey.  It has been a great learning experience for BabyGirl and myself!  We learned so much about the native Inuit culture, erosion, environment, respect for nature, marine resources, natural resources (renewable and non-renewable)...the list goes on and on. She has truly enjoyed the experiments and reading that has gone along with this. 

Following the idea that we are going to pursue passion in our work, we've decided to start the Prairie Primer next week.  It is a curriculum guide to the Little House series.  It will include history, geography, literature, vocabulary, spelling, science and cooking!  Since we have a visit to the Rose Hill Pioneer School planned for May 23rd, this will be perfect timing.  She hasn't read the series since she was 6, so I'm interested to see what she notices this time that she didn't the first time around.

Our math has been going so well.  There is no more fighting or tears.  She loves to see what we will learn and do with each lesson!  I'm so thankful to have started this program.  This week we have been doing Roman Numerals. She cannot get enough of them!  In fact, she started a Roman Numeral poster.  (her idea) Listing all the ones she can write starting with I.  I am so proud of her!

She has been doing a lot of reading and writing lately.  She got tons of fairy and horse books from Nanny for her birthday.  She is just flying through them!  We've been using her Write-Away book for writing assignments.  In the past month she has written a research paper on Balto, constructed a picture dictionary on horses, written a funny circle story, and is finishing up an add-on story today.  She certainly has a talent for writing!  Here is her circle story....

If  You Give A Horse A Carrot

If you give a horse a carrot, she'll want to gallop after that.

Then, you'll have to go to the well to get some water for her to drink.

After that, she'll beg you to put down some fresh hay for her to take a small nap.

Then, she'll wake up wanting a carrot.

And, chances are, she'll want to gallop after that.

The End!

Music school has been going beautifully.  The other day when we walked into the building she took a deep breath and said "aaaahhh.  I just love this place."   She has just blossomed in so many ways since starting the program.  It was a wonderful decision. She is so excited for her upcoming concerts!  Just wait until you hear her new pieces!!!

Little Man is as cute as ever!  He only has one more stubborn 1 year molar to come in.  He got his very first hair cut!  He cried the entire time, but didn't try to fight or get away.  In the end, he got his very first sucker.  He is running like crazy.  He can get across the house just as fast as any of us!  He loves to swing and will sit on your lap forever just humming a tune and feeling the breeze.  He cannot wait to play outside every day!  If Sis or Dad go out, you will not get a moment's rest until he is out there, too!

Here are some pictures from this update...(in no particular order)  :)

This is an experiment showing the disappearance of the land bridge.  Here is the beginning....

 Here it is again towards the end....

 This is the book BabyGirl is currently enjoying :)

 A sample of the Roman Numeral poster...

 A witty "guitar chart" she made dad.  (so he can remember to practice each day)  I LOVE the pic of him!!

 Here is Little Man in the middle of his hair cut :(

 Here are some pics of Sesame Street Live I never posted.  Here is how Little Man spent most of the show.  I think he actually saw 4 songs.  :)

 Here is BabyGirl ready to go in!

 Posing with Elmo.

 Watching the show.

 The stage.  (a bit blurry)

 Here is another Polar Husky experiment. This one was making a snow flake.  Here is the pipe cleaner base going into a solution of Borax and warm water.

Here is our snow flake the next day!!  Beautiful!

In the next month we will have so many exciting updates!!  Some will include spring concerts, Bub's graduation, Branson vacation (yay!!!!!!!!!!), Pioneer School, zoo trip....we are so looking forward to everything!  Until next time.....