Northwest Homeschoolers Christmas Party - 2007

1. nwcp46, 2. nwcp45, 3. nwcp44, 4. nwcp43, 5. nwcp42, 6. nwcp41, 7. nwcp40, 8. nwcp39, 9. nwcp38, 10. nwcp37, 11. nwcp36, 12. nwcp35, 13. nwcp34, 14. nwcp33, 15. nwcp32, 16. nwcp31, 17. nwcp30, 18. nwcp29, 19. nwcp28, 20. nwcp27, 21. nwcp26, 22. nwcp25, 23. nwcp24, 24. nwcp23, 25. nwcp22, 26. nwcp21, 27. nwcp20, 28. nwcp19, 29. nwcp18, 30. nwcp17, 31. nwcp16, 32. nwcp15, 33. nwcp14, 34. nwcp13, 35. nwcp12, 36. nwcp11

I could only squeeze 36 into this mosaic by fd's flickr toys, so there are about 10 more photos on my flickr web page.

Why I love homeschooling...#3

The moments of shared learning, despite an age difference of 4.5 years.

Why I love homeschooling...#2-B

Reading is fun.
Books are treasured.
All bookstores and libraries feel like home...

(taken in the children's section of Barnes & Noble)

Why I love homeschooling...Reason #2

Reading is fun.
Books are treasured.
I never know when or where I might find one of the boys completely engrossed...

early afternoon sunshine

I think that I will start a new theme for this blog...Reasons I love homeschooling...

Reason #1

When the sunshine calls us to the great outdoors, we can answer. No school bell to wait for!

jousting with Grumpa A

South Texas Corn Maize

in Hondo, Texas.



They did it!

a putting green...

My boys started golf lessons a few weeks ago, and they have now decided to build a putting green in the back yard. So far, they have completed six holes...

we love...

my pirate and 3-eyed alien

handwriting "aha!" moment

The solution to my 10 year old's handwriting woes was borrowed from the old school...a real quill pen, dipped in an ink well.

He asked (o.k., begged) for a quill pen and has used it diligently (and willingly!!!) each day to practice his handwriting. The result has been a noticeable improvement in his penmanship and an increased willingness to pick up a pen and write. Woohoo!

When a person wants to do something, he does a much better job of it. :-)

tomato, mozzarella and basil

prepared by Astro A. Later, he adds olive oil and basalmic vinegar...yum!

Pumpkin Patch 2007

great bedtime book...

Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the illustrations in this and ALL of Jon Muth's books!

rocket science

Alas, I did not get a shot of liftoff...but it was grand!

vinegar and baking soda :-)

Yep, last Tuesday was 'Science Day' at our homeschool group's park day, and I am just now getting around to putting pictures up...

weeeee!!!

Everyone had a great time at Aunt Joyce's birthday bash!

photo finish - 2

photo finish

I am still working my way through photos from our trip to the coast...

Dad, sorry I cut your hand off. I guess Sports Illustrated won't be asking me to cover the Olympics for them this year. ;-)

just finished...

reading aloud Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink.



The boys and I read one or two chapters each night. Each chapter was a self-contained adventure, and each night when I was finished, they always asked for more. If you like the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, you will probably like this.

more from the coast

Peter Pan/Grumpa A takes pictures of the Lost Boys...

Here is what he took. :-) And another, my favorite.

5 boys on the dock

That's right...I said 5. My dad and Peter Pan have more than a little in common. ;-)

one at a time...

We went to the coast last weekend, and I am working through the photos s-l-o-w-l-y...

Here is one of Grumpa and Mr. O...



Hopefully, there will be more to follow within the next few days.

The Shadow Garden

The Shadow Garden at the Austin Children's Museum is SO cool! It is a completely interactive exhibit that has to be experienced to really appreciate how cool it is! You should check it out if you are in Austin.

playing a version of Pooh Sticks in Colorado

just couldn't wait

to open their new Lego sets. They put them together right outside of Target! (Thank you, Maureen!)



Today is Astro A's 10th birthday!



Happy birthday to my curious and creative Astro A!

park day :: sand play

the consultants

quiet Sunday evening at home

Tim and A went to see a movie, while O and I hung out at home. We went out to watch the deer until the mosquitoes chased us back inside. Here are a few photos from the time we spent with the deer.

drawing the deer...


one of the three baby deer that hang out in and around the yard...


mr. o, with Bija Dark Chocolate Omega Truffles on his face...