First Day Of 'School'

Well our first day went fairly well. We got up this morning, went to Mass (church), then out to breakfast. Well the breakfast part was because the store I wanted to go to wasn't open yet and I needed 10 minutes to kill, so we went to the McD right next door.

After breakfast we went to the grocery store, came home put groceries away.  Now putting groceries away at our house is a GAME!!! We shop at Aldi and I don't spend the extra money on bags (nor do I bring bags) everything has to be brought in a few items at a time by hand. The kids generally bring them in the front door, put it on the table, and then run out through the back door...the cycle goes on and on.

Here is a video I made back on April 2011.  I made the video for my sister, who is STILL in Iraq, that is why at the end of the video WP said "I love you!"  Also seeing the video was for Auntie they hammed it up bit for the camera.

After the grocery game the kids asked if they could go outside for a bit and play blind tiger. I agreed and off they went. Blind tiger is a game they play on the yard trampoline. I'm not sure of all the rules, because I think it was a game they made up, but one person is blind tiger (pulls their hat over their eyes so they can't see) and the others try to stay away from the blind tiger. The blind tiger CRAWLS while the others are free to walk, hop, crawl around. I think they play this on the trampoline, because it keeps the area the blind tiger has to hunt in "small". Especially seeing we have an 1/2 acre yard.

When that was done they came in and did the 3 subjects I had plan today. Math, World History, and Science. Would you believe it if I told you all of this took place BEFORE noon! Mass this morning was at 8 am, the store didn't open up till 9 am. It was 10:30 by the time we got home this morning and I think quarter to 11 when they decided to go out and play blind tiger. I'm not sure but I think they were back in the house by 11 to do the school work. So it took just about an hour to do those 3 subjects.  Yes a light day, but we are just starting out this year. It will get longer and 'harder' as the year moves on.

But Mom It Fits? Measuring Objects

So we have this "cube" (see picture to the left). I will admit that some may think the kids are a little old for this cube, but for the last several years it has served as a stepping stool to get up on our yard trampoline.

Well the kiddos just realized this morning that they don't need to cube anymore to get up on the trampoline. They now can climb up without the aid of the cube. Something they are proud of....

In the course of play they came in and asked for the measuring tape. I asked if they meant this measuring tape and they said yes. So I gave it to them with clear instructions on not to break the tape or leave it outside. That when they were done they were to return it to me. (Something they did very well I might add)

So what does this cube have to do with the measuring tape? Well, besides measuring themselves, sticks, and other objects. (cool to see them use math). They decided to measure the width of the cube and the width of the door way. I might add I had nothing to do with these endovers. I just was really letting them do whatever they want outside while I get some housework done, then we'll do some school work.

Anyway, they measured the width of the door and found that it was 31.5 inches. They then went and measured with width of the cube and found it was 26 inches.  They then approached me with their sceme:

Web-Princess: Mom the door is 31.5 inches and the cube is 26 inches. Can we wash the cube outside and after we clean it can we bring it inside?
ME: No
Superstar: Mom we measured it! It will fit through the door.
ME: No, it's an outside toy so it's going to stay outside
Web-Princess: But mom!!! It fits through the door? Why would it fit through the door if it was an outside toy?
ME: It doesn't matter if it fits. It's an outside toy so it's staying outside.
Web-Princess: BUT MOM!!! It fits! Why would it fit through the door if it was an outside toy?
Superstar: It fits because it has to fit through the doors at the store. You have to be able to take it out of the store don't you?
Web-Princess: OH!!! Mom, why can't we bring it in?
ME: Because it's an outside toy and its staying outside. Ball fit through the door all the time, but we don't play with them inside.
Web-Princess: (sigh) Okay (sigh). Bro, lets go back outside

After that the kids went back to playing.....

Trampoline Wars: Gym Activity

Trampoline Wars is our planned activity for gym class. It basically is a child doing seat drops for as long as possible. The first child that fails to do a seat drop and and lands back on their feet looses the war.

The kids had fun with this game. Web-Princess didn't loose all the games; she did when a few. Superstar as you can see kept on doing seat drops even when the war was over! He wanted me to be sure I told everyone that he did over 100 seat drops in the 10 minutes we played this game.

After Trampoline Wars we did a couple games of Blind Tiger on the trampoline. For that game one child is blind-folded and placed in the middle of the trampoline. At the word go the blind child CRAWLS around on the trampoline trying to find the other people!! It is very important that the blind child CRAWLS!!!

Now with the Trampoline Wars I can understand how some parents may not want more then 1 child on the Trampoline. If that's the case my only suggestion to you is have your children go one at the time and count the number seat drops they do. The one with the most wins!

We also want to do a game of popcorn on the trampoline, but I have to get a few Nerf type balls first. With that game you place 4-8 balls on the trampoline. The child(ren) jumps on the trampoline being careful NOT to be touched by the balls. If the ball touches them they are out!

All of these game ideas came from: Homeschool Family Fitness

Here are some more picture of the kids smiling faces! (For more of an inside peak of our lesson plans for this week, click on the words lesson plans in the menu above)