A Picture A Day: September 28, 2102

Today we spent the morning at the Renaissance Festival.  We saw the Danger Committee, looked at armor, found my maiden name's history and coat of arms, watched sheep herding, explored an Irish family's cottage and ate!  We met up with old friends and new friends!

A Picture A Day: September 25, 2012

After a emotional and busy week filled with my father's health emergency, we are sort of back to a routine in our learning.  Today we are hanging at a coffee shop between art club and forensic science.  AH can work on Thinkwell math (online) and read.  I get to update blogs!!

A Picture A Day: September 11, 2012

Busy day today.  During the science club meeting this morning the kids played Latitude and Longitude Bingo.  AH attended his first Forensic Science Class of the semester this afternoon.  Tuesdays are going to be a busy day for us this year!

A Picture A Day: September 7, 2012

Today we made chocolate candies from a kit!  We have had this kit for months and I've been meaning to do this activity all summer, but we weren't able to manage it until today.  The kit contains everything to make your own candies and explains the history of Cacao and all the steps candy makers need to take to make chocolate into the treat it is today.

A Picture A Day: September 6, 2012

After going to the open house at Planet Homeschool (one of our co-ops) this morning, we stopped at Como Park and did the tree identification trek.  We found a Cucumber Magnolia, Black Walnut, Douglas Fir, Hackberry and Black Locust trees to name a few.  There is also a very cool labyrinth in the area.  If you live in the Twin Cities you should check it out!  AH was not enthusiastic about this activity at first, but after finding the first tree, he was into it!  A map and list of trees to find is on this page under the About Como Park heading.  Click on the two links labeled: 

Location of Trees with Identification Labels and

Tree Identification Trek

Happy hunting!

Thanks, Michelle, for telling us about this very cool activity!!

Our Homeschool Banquet

Each spring for the last two years a homeschool friend organizes a banquet for our group of homeschool kids and families.  It's a wonderful way to mark each year of learning.

Our group and families and friends gather in a wonderful donated space and share dinner.

Each kid/family displays some of their projects or studies over the past year.  AH had a couple of displays.  Here he is explaining his High Altitude balloon display to his cousin and uncle while Dad looks on.

AH stands before his big project: the results of his study of the spread of communism

AH poses with his Amma and Afi (the Icelandic words for Grandma and Grandpa).  The room was filled with many sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and good friends who came to celebrate the homeschooler in their lives.

It's so important that everyone dresses up!

It is such a wonderful way to end a year and to see what our friends have been up to!

A Picture A Day: September 5, 2012

After a morning of lit and math, we headed to a local park to hang out with a group of friends.  We had the park to ourselves.  Here some of them are working on paper airplanes.  We are so lucky to have this group of kids and parents in our lives!!

A Picture A Day: September 4, 2012

Today was Not Back to School Day at our homeschool.  We traditionally visit the Science Museum on the first day of school and this year was no exception.  In addition to the museum, we explored downtown St. Paul including the Landmark Center.  Hard to believe my youngest is in 9th grade!!