School Work and Antics

We spent a lot of time learning about space this year.  We used a really fun Usborne book called "Astronaut Academy" to help us learn more about the training of astronauts and life in space.  Apparently, the kids were inspire.  They created a really fun (and funny) skit about the space shuttle taking off and landing.  I loved their creativity.  

They also practiced "docking" a space ship to the International Space Station.  The kids were each blindfolded, then their siblings had to give vocal commands such as forward, left right, up, and down to "land" the cup inside of a another cup.  Easier said than done!

Silly antics when you steal mom's phone.  Nathan love his stuffed animals, especially if they are soft :)

Just because we have a farmer's market, it doesn't mean that school is out for the day.  Nope, Nathan and Hannah always had a table set up for some math and spelling to take place.

Silly antics.  How can she look so adorable in this outfit.  I want to be Hannah when I grow up!

The kids and I attempted to build models of the rockets for US Space missions (one piece of their memory work).  We build Mercury and Gemini.  Apollo and others are still in the box, haha

Just a little photo of Hannah giving a presentation during CC.  I don't know what the topic was, but she has come a long way from the days of nervously lifting her skirt to high :)

Nicole is reading one of her Essentials papers to her class

Back to Astronaut Academy.  The kids had to dress like an astronaut, then go search for objects in their room, with the lights off.  

This was a hilarious activity.  Someone may have had to change their pants! hahaha

They wore a mask, a heavy backpack, rain boots, and a flashlight.  oh....they also tried to balance a bucket on their heads, but it kept falling off.  Nathan could barely stand, let alone walk!

The kiddos also build a DaVinci inspired catapult.  It was very cool, and flung grapes, marshmallows, and any other small object, about 15 feet.  I believe that Hannah built this on her own!

More presentations!

This is one of my favorite pictures.  It always makes me laugh.  I found it after a market day.  Apparently Nathan and Hannah were feeling silly.  Aren't they funny?

I don't know if long hair is the right choice for him :)

Funny masks at Yaya's house.  I don't even have words...

Crazy hair day at CC.  How is it that my kids still look adorable.  I must love them.

This actually has potential to be a really pretty up do.

Nathan wouldn't let me cut his hair for 2 months so he could grow it out for this funky hair day.

 Hannah was going for a Cindy-Lou-Who style

I decided to go as the crazy Lilla Rose lady...it worked :)

Nathan and Hannah, working on their timeline cards.

This sweet girl right now has started her own book club.  She has invited friends to gather together once a week to talk about books they have read, and then swap them.  I love it :)

FPEA Day at the Capitol

I finally took the kids to Tallahassee.  The FPEA, Florida Parent Educator Association, had a "Day at the Capitol".  Homeschoolers across the state descended upon the capitol to bring attention to who we are and visit with a support our representatives.  

Honestly, I thought there would be hundred and hundred of families.  There were several dozen, but not hundred.  It's ok though, we had fun!

The kids were overlooking the city, you can see FSU in the distance.

This amazing woman and representative was home schooled.  Representative Jennifer Sullivan was the youngest person elected as a state rep, and gave an incredibly inspiration speech!  She couldn't read until she was 9...which gives great hope and encouragement to many parents there (myself included!)

While waiting for an elevator, this gentle looked at Nathan and said, "Well, hello Trailman!".  I don't think Nate knew what he was talking about at first, but he was sporting is Trail Life USA hat at the time.  This is John Stemberger, the Chairman of Trail Life!  We thought it was cool to "randomly" meet him in the hallway.

This was the original capitol building....much more interesting than the current building.

A memorial to fallen firemen in the state.

We took a tour of the Governor's mansion, which he actually lives in.  This was in the garden while waiting to be let in the gate.

 Hey look!  it's me!  I was there :)

We got to spend some time with friends we don't often see.  Nicole and Jordan had a great time together in the Governor's garden.

The Governor and Lt. Governor weren't there, but we got to peak in his office.

 A friend of mine from college is now a Florida State Representative.  It was so nice of him to take a few minutes of his time to meet the kids and chat with us about what he does.  Representative Mathew Caldwell is serving his area well.

Unfortunately, we only got about 15 minutes in the old capitol building.  We didn't realize it was closing down.  But....it was so quaint and perfect!

This is the old Supreme Court Room.

And, this is kind of hilarious!

The next day there was going to be some sort of special even honoring the National Guard.  So, they were setting up a lot of their trucks, tanks, and even helicopters in the courtyard.  We enjoyed looking at them and speaking with some of the reserves there.

We had a really fantastic trip to the state capitol.  I'm so glad I took the kids.  We got to sit in on a few legislative sessions, visit some representatives, and see a lot of the city.