Adrian

Adrian really enjoyed the (extremely wet) water tree house for the younger children. It had toys to shoot water, buckets that dumped water and slides.

He learned how to go really fast on the slides and would race whoever he could persuade to go with him.  He gave me some pointers, wiggling his little body to show me how to do it.  His lessons improved my speed, and I even beat him once or twice (out of about “50” attempts.)

He impressed the life guards that he talked to.  One of the girls, after watching him give lessons, told me that he was “a keeper”.

Adrian was just big enough to ride some of the “big kid” rides. We asked him on Thursday if he wanted to ride some of the milder ones. He was willing to do the Cheetah race and loved it.  When asked about some other rides, he said no, maybe after lunch.  After his nap, he still refused to try them.

Before leaving he started talking about riding the Victoria Falls. He really wanted to do it.  So Allan took him down twice.  He loved it!

School Today–Learning to Wipe Out

Today we met some unschoolers and discussed what unschooling means.  Allan and I have a lot of questions, but know that we are not unschoolers!  We learned a new phrase, eclectic homeschoolers! I guess that describes us, using a little  of both ideas.

For school today, the kids learned about boogie boarding and “wiping out”.

Waterpark Hair Styles

We debated a long time on how to do the girl’s hair for the waterpark.  We knew it had to be braided, but we did not want to have to brush it out every time we swam. So, we went with a cousin recommended style. A few years ago we came to the Kalahari with Allan’s cousin’s family. Michelle planned to do her little girl’s LONG hair in little braids. So to match, we did all the girls similarly.

We took about 4 hours to put about 25 braids in each girl’s hair.  Then they have 5 pony beads at the end.  Their hair is cute, and I won’t have to do anything with it for a few days.  We slathered each braid with conditioner as we braided it and the girls take a shower to soak their braids before swimming.

They give the thumbs up to this cute and easy to care for style!

Home School Field Trips

One of the nice thing about homeschooling is the ability to go on educational field trips!  This week we are in the Kalahari, a waterpark in Ohio.  Our family is at an “unschoolers waterpark gathering”.  We will meet other homeschoolers, most with different philosophies on life, play in the water until we are sick of it, and have the chance to play as a family.

The children will do school, but it won’t be paper and books.  We will interact with strangers, explore unknown places, have lots of gym time, learn to do new things and just enjoy life school.

Our first activity (art 🙂 ) was to decorate our door.  This week, as the kids color additional pictures of African animals, we will put their art work on our doors.

 

 

Growing

When Audrey was 11 months old and Mark was 5, we went to Pakistan to visit some relatives.  Allan was going to do some computer work for his uncle while the kids and I explored with his cousin.

While there, we bought some clothes for the kids. Aren’t they beautiful?

New Look

Megan’s hair has been growing so fast!  We have tried pulling it back to keep it out of her eyes, but it still comes out of the elastic or barrette and gets in her way.

Allan informed me that it was time to cut Megan’s hair.  I knew it needed to get done, but was really hoping to be able to put it off a little bit longer.  So, Saturday night, Allan cut Adrian’s hair and then Megan’s bangs.

She did pretty good. She started fussing just before it was over, but sat pretty still for her first hair cut!  Allan was right (he almost always is), she does look better 🙂

I do have to laugh though… almost no one noticed her hair cut!

Megan Wants to Sled

It is snowing outside! Megan really wants to go sledding.

She found this tray and keeps scooting around the kitchen in it.  When we ask if she wants to go sledding, she gives us a huge smile.

I guess she is done sledding. She just came to me with a bag of marshmallows asking “please”.  Time for hot chocolate :).

Exciting Find

The other day we went to the park to play with some friends. The kids were playing hide and seek with a green container (great camouflage) and a bright yellow softball.  It was fun watching them enjoy the game!

I found a neat surprise while we were out.  I discovered two mantis egg cases (called an ootheca)!  I had never seen one until the kids were given one last winter to take care of.  So for me to find two in one day is exciting. I know where they are at the park, so will have fun watching them occasionally.

Now the challenge is to find one in our own yard!