Cells: First Science Lab

Today we started science. I am staggering our subjects. We started language arts in August. Math in September. We are starting one subject at a time to get a feel for each before beginning another. Science is one of the subjects I am nervous about in addition to math. In college it was one of those classes that I dreaded taking but ended up really enjoying. I am hoping that is the case with home school science. My friend Megan spent many hours researching different curriculum. We are using Elemental Science. My friends who I am homeschooling with, Jen and Megan, we were all in agreement that we wanted a secular science curriculum. We will be studying Biology, plants, animal life and the human body this school year. The plan is to rotate houses to host science weekly. The text books and the supplemental books look really interesting. Olivia and Vivian are both very excited. The first science lab was today at Megan's. We are learning about cells this week. Like Megan explained to Jen and I to ease our minds. We are exposing our girls to biology. They do not need to know every little detail in the readings and experiments. We are introducing them to new ideas, concepts and the scientific method. We will cycle back through this again in high school. Still wanting to breath into a paper bag. I can do this. Thankful Google, YouTube and Megan for being our fearless science leader.

Brave Writer Arrow & Girls Only Book Club

In our little mini co-op we are using Julie Bogart's Brave Writer curriculum for our language arts this school year. Megan used it last year. She was so excited when explaining the curriculum and how it worked, it seemed like an easy choice. We are using the Arrow which is for 3rd-6th grade. The Arrow is ten books that are used one per month over the the course of the school year. The above book, Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai, was the Arrow's September's selection.  

Each month, in our monthly subscription comes four selected passages are used for each week. The selected passage from the book that are used for weekly copy work and dictation as well as monthly literary element that is usually a fun writing exercise. You can purchase it month by month. I purchased the entire year in August as soon as it came out. It's still all very new to me. Two months into this the girls are enjoying it. The one thing that we all do is read the book on our own and have the five girls discuss the book together. The first book club discussion was awkward but we have faith as the school year continues that it will become easier and easier.  

It was Olivia's turn to host book club. We had dim sum soup and glutinous rice cakes. We went to a Asian Food Market and the lady helping us suggested the correct noodles to use, Vietnamese tea and the type of incense Vietnamese would most likely use as she was Vietnamese herself.  Olivia was so excited as we put together our dinner. She even found some Vietnamese music to play when our friends arrived. We are loving our little all girls book club. We are looking forward to next month's selection, Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm. 

The Wonder Wagon Gets a State Sticker!

 
In our recent adventures in the "Wonder Wagon" I've been seeing these state stickers on RV's. I've been wanting one. On a recent shopping trip at Camping World Vivian found a set!

We were so excited to have Mr. W put it on for us so we could apply the first two stickers to our brand new map! Oregon & Washington. My goal is to one day visit all 50 states with the girls. We have knocked out a bunch on our cross country adventure to Maine a few years back. In the course of six days the girls and I drove through 14 states together along with my MIL and our cat Zeus. Yes, it would be cool to visit all 49 states in the RV. Hawaii will be a little difficult via RV.

Mr. W thinks that we have to spend a night in the RV in the state before we can apply the sticker to the map.  I think if we drive through the ENTIRE state in one day that counts like as if we stayed the night in that state. Example: Driving through a larger state like Wyoming or Colorado. There is debate over this rule.

Dressed Up & Looking Fancy

We added a wedding last weekend for a family friend and neighbors of my parents. It was a beautiful Catholic Mass and fun reception afterwards. It was fun seeing family friends who a grew up and babysat as a child. I have to admit it did make me feel a teeny tiny bit old.

I enjoy getting dressed up. I don't get to very often. As you can see if I even broke out the red heels. As much as the girls are growing, I had to make a quick shopping trip to the outlet mall. At least I remembered to get a few pictures before we walked into the church. It's these little moments that I treasure and enjoy looking back on. Before I know it Olivia and Vivian will be taller than me. One we will be celebrating their wedding days. I try to capture as much as I can, thus why I enjoy blogging.

Our Very First Poetry Tea Time

 We are using Brave Writer by Julie Bogart for our language arts this school year. One of her suggestions is having tea once a week where we read aloud poetry to each other. Instead of just poetry we are going to also include song lyrics as Vivian is all about Cher lyrics these days.  That is what I love about homeschooling, the flexibility of tweaking things to fit our interests.

The girls got a bunch of fabulous books from their older cousin that they are enjoying reading aloud. We even incorporated Vivian's speech "home work" in reading aloud and working on pronunciation but along with Earl Grey tea and cucumber sandwiches.

Vivian put together our table centerpiece. A globe puzzle that Uncle Eddie gaveVivian, her scarf and some candles. I pulled out my china that I got when we visited England a few years ago. It is nice to actually use it instead of just look at it.

After our first tea time Vivian suggested that we have tea everyday. It was nice. I ordered a deluxe sample pack of tea from Stash Tea. I think this is going to be a fun way to spend our Tuesday mornings. Our first Poetry Tea Time was a hit!

Cowboy Dinner Tree Adventure

 We returned to visit Mr. W's parents who live in Central Oregon. Now that they are all settled in their new house it was time to explore the high desert.  As always, it's an adventure when we head out with "Popa" and "Mama." What the girls lovingly refer to their grandparents.

My in-laws had heard about this place and were anxious to take us there when we came over for a visit. Reservations where made and we made the long trek out to the middle of nowhere, Silver Lake Oregon.  As soon as we sat down I was waiting for John Wayne to stroll in.

 Vivian, Olivia and Mr. W waiting for the first course: soup, salad and unlimited refills of tasty iced tea and lemonade.

Uncle Eddie, my father-in-law and mother-in-law; Vivian, Olivia & Mr. W. The Cowboy Dinner Tree is a rustic barn that is quite cozy and decorated in Western motif. Soup and salad is served family style. The salad dressing was delicious as was the Corn Chowder and Bean Soup that we had as well.

The Cowboy Dinner Tree requires reservations. When calling you get the option of a 26-30oz. steak or a entire chicken. Only Uncle Eddie managed to eat all of his, which is no surprise. It was a lovely day of exploring and making new memories in the new part of the state that my in-laws now call home.

Not Back to School Day at Oaks Amusement Park

The Williams Family had a total blast at Not Back to School Day at Oaks Amusement Park, hosted by Oregon Home Education Network (OHEN). I am a native Oregonian and I am sad to say it took me until almost 40 to finally experience Oaks Amusement Park in Portland. Our family had a fabulous time. If you are local you NEED to visit. The park is super clean. Not a toothless carny in sight. The food is even awesome. Mr. W, the girls and I conclude that we will be attending next year AND roller skating!

 Olivia~11 years old, 6th grade

Vivian~9 years old, 4th grade