Summer School Africa

We finished our Africa projects.  We finished working on the Deserts, and Jungle activities.  Our sand paintings are beautiful.  What a fun time we had making a big mess with colored sugar and salt.  The kids loved learning about the trees that bleed poison, how some tribes fish using poisoned laced tree bark, and eagles that eat monkeys (take them in flight from the trees).  I know they loved the desert spider that cooks his food before eating it, and the one that turns itself into a wheel to escape from the wasp.  We had a great time. 

Lion pattern art

Desert Sand painting

Favorite places in Africa

African pullouts in our journal

Thomason's and Fun

I have a new little nephew, and he is really cute.  We had the wonderful opportunity to have my nieces and nephew over for a few days.  We had a great time.  We went to the Spring Canyon Park and played in the water.  We also had a great time at the library watching a show put on by the "Spirit of Colorado Pioneer Museum".  IT was fabulous.  The lady was so good I would love to learn more about the museum.

Summer School -- Africa Savanah

Africa Map

In  Summer school this week we worked on our addition, subtraction, and multiplication.  We practiced phonics, and we read books.  We also had a great time learning "Called to Serve", and working on a pioneer song.  We talked about the continents, and the difference between the United States, and the countries of Africa.  We spent most of the time learning about the different Biomes in Africa, specifically the Savannah.  We talked about the making of a Savannah, the animals of the Savannah, and even the weather patterns on the Savannah.  We made an Africa journal.  We are going to keep our journals for when we talk about the African Jungle, and Sahara Desert.  Even though we had a great time in the Savannah, I think that our best time was had swimming.

We're having a great time at summer school.

Savannah project -- lots of cutting, folding, pasting, coloring

Finished Savannah project

Update again

On stage before the big event.

Kirsten and Isabelle after their dances -- it was intermission.

1st day of summer school.

So, here I am catching up again.  I will post pictures soon.  We have been busy with Ethan's baptism and confirmation.  Mom and Dad came and we had a great time.   I love playing cards with  my parents.  Mom helped me around the house and planting in the garden.  Dad bought me some seeds and some summer squash plants. I sure did love having you here.  I've got to say that I'm glad when there's an excuse for them to come visit.  So, I'm glad Ethan is 8 this year.  Thanks Ethan for begin such a great example.  Thanks Beverly and Scott for the great food and fun times.

We also had a Dance Recital.  Isabelle and Kirsten were ADORABLE!!!  They did a great job and were so dang cute up on the BIG stage.  They led their groups and knew their dances well.  James loved the dancing, but ended up screaming so loud that everyone that knew him == knew it was him.  He wanted to leave the theater, but when Bobby got up to go with him, he started screaming because he wanted to go by himself.  Afterwards we all went out for burgers.  It was fun.  I'm so proud of my little ballerina.  She had a great time.

I also started summer school today.  We had a great time.  We began learning some new songs, practiced times tables, addition facts, spanish, and did some coloring.  We talked about the continents, and started studying Africa Biomes.  We had a great time putting up the calendar, and reading.  What a fun little group we had.  I loved it.

Reeve Family Visit

DeAnna and her kids are here, and it's so much fun!!!  The kids play outside all day long, and really enjoy each other's company.  DeAnna, Bev, and I get to hang out and just be together.  Bobby tended all the kids (10 of them) so the three of us could go out to dinner at Bev's favorite place - Autsins.  It has been good times had by all here in Fort Collins with DeAnna and her family.  I hope they come back soon.  DeAnna is a kind and wonderful person, she makes my life better just by being with me.  Her kids are soooo cute.  That little Rosi Lin just takes my heart.

Rosi Lin in the water

Rugar and Joslyn with a chicken

rugar, kimber, joslyn

My back isn't doing well, and I have to tell you that DeAnna and Beverly were great about taking Isabelle and letting her play with the cousins while I rested my back.  James stayed with me.  I hope to be doing better soon.

Reeve Family

I am so glad the Reeves were able to come play in Fort Collins for awhile.  DeAnna brought her kids, and Mom to visit.  They got here Saturday evening, and we have had a great time together.  The kids love to play, and Bev's yard is the best.  Mom flew kites with the kids, and got them stuck in Bev's trees.  They sent them up to heaven with balloons.  Everyone had a great time.  We all watched conference (Bev's family at there house with Mom), and it was great to listen to the prophet.  Beverly made wonderful enchiladas and rice, and DeAnna made a sweet sweet apple treat for after Family Home Evening.  It has been fun having everyone here.

Ethan's Aquarium Fieldtrip

Today we took Ethan on a field trip to the aquarium.  We had a great time.  The kids loved to watch the archer fish, and Ethan got to feed them as they shot water up at the cricket he was holding.  They loved the sharks, and petting the rays.  We got our picture taken with the mermaids, and Jimmy Joe kept saying, "Momma, they're pretty" over and over again.  The kids found a turtle we had never seen before, and Ethan read up on the Wolf Eel, that's not a true eel, and mates for life.  I know that the face painting is one of the favorite activities, and the 4D theater is still a thrill.  We ate lunch, watched the tiger training/feeding, and got to pet the starfish.  All in all, it was a wonderful day.  It certainly is a full day for me trying to keep up with James, even when he's wearing the monkey leash.  Holy Moly, he's getting faster everyday.

All Three at the beginning

Ethan Scott

Otter

cheese

petting the rays

climbing the tree

Mermaids

treasure

petting the starfish

I'm in it too!!!

tiger swimming

James climbing and trying to escape Mom

feeding the archer fish