THMJ Week of 5/4/14

    In my life this week…
We continued our travels this week, returning home on Wednesday.  Spent Thursday unpacking and getting ready for Friday School. 

   In our homeschool this week…
We're still on vacation, so we aren't doing a lot of book work.

    In our homeschool co-op this week... 
LAST DAY OF CLASSES FOR THE YEAR!  
Magic School Bus Science- Magic Schoolbus Goes to Seed.  We planted sunflowers in pots (from the Target Dollar Spot) and put morning glories in a baggie with a paper towel and a bit of water.  I showed them my apple seeds that had sprouted in a baggie.
Wiggles and Giggles - Merrick went to the nursery.
Duct Tape Art- Mal made a bank out of a tissue box and covered a frame with tape.
Amazing Body - Mal was given this "AMAZING" shirt, made by Miss Trish.
Nature - Xav got to collect creatures on a nature walk.  He found an acorn "that still has its hat on."  The class put their treasures in a jar terrarium.
Arts and Crafts - Xav made a mother's day "thing" (his word).
Archery - Xav got to use the bow and arrow, but was disappointed that he didn't get to go outside because it was too windy! 

    In Rangers this week... 
No Rangers

    What we're reading... 
Dad emailed a recording of himself, reading the last chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

    The picture I didn't take, but should have...
Merrick happily stomping in the puddle at Kristi's.

    Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Sunday - Saige's Birthday Party
I so wanted to visit some of my favorite non-family people this trip.  I messaged them and got myself and the boys an invite to my favorite ten year old girl's birthday party.  This way, I got to see the whole family.  Xav, of course, fell in love.  He always does when they are ten.  At one point, Xav asked, "Where did that beautiful birthday girl go?"  When she heard, she spit on the ground as if to show him she was no beautiful girl.  I love those kids!  Elaine got Mal to warm right up to her.  They went for a little walk together... straight to the trampoline!  Merrick climbed on the playset and Xav joined Mal on the trampoline.  And, oh my goodness! the conversations about cows!  We *live* in dairy country.  You'd think the boys had never seen or heard cows before to hear them talk.

  

Merrick stealing Kait's soda.  She *barely* even noticed!

Monday - maze bridge and lunch
We crossed Corning's maze bridge, which I had hoped might take a bit of time.  Unfortunately, they literally figured it out in seconds and were through it in a minute.  The bigger littles went back and forth a few times.  We popped through the Corning Museum of Glass shop on the way to Corning Inc's Decker building, hoping to see another friend, but she wasn't available.  Merrick had zero interest in walking a single step further.  Well, he pretty much had zero interest in walking all stinking day.  We grabbed the "honeycomb" bus (which is actually CMoG's bus that runs around Corning taking people from parking lots to the Glass Museum and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art and historic Market Street and back to the parking lots) and took it back to the other side of town then headed to Bob Evans for lunch.  Mal thought the sign was Bab Evens.
 

Tuesday - Ithaca Science Center
This science center in Ithaca, NY is INCREDIBLE!  I'm writing a field trip post all about it.  Don't worry.  Merrick was only unhappy until we got inside!

 Heading home...
Single lane of traffic in Binghamton.  Speed limit 45.  Or zero.

Lunch at the rest area where I realized I left all our bread at Mom's.  But we had fruit and chips.

Saw three helicopters.

The eggs seemed surprised to see me at home.

    Things Dad is working on...
The house.  In secret.  While no one was there to interfere.  This is kind of what the boys came home to, except it was neater when we got back!

    In the yard...
Micah and the boys made the most of the day Saturday, before we headed out again on Mother's Day.  Two raised beds and all the dirt to fill them had to be moved closer to the house.  There was lots of "help."

Xav surprised Micah with a mid-afternoon picnic for the two of them.  Micah kindly took a break to spend some 1:1 time with him.  I think someone missed Dad.  The cat came over and had to butt in. 

The chickens got to run around free for the first time.  Some boys need to learn not to chase them.  (I will be so glad when those bushes start to look spring-like.)

    Out of the mouths of boys... 
On Saturday, Xav was asking what we were going to do.  Micah told Mal and Xav that he and I had decided on double school since they had been on vacation for so long.  Xav said, "No! We can't.  Today is the Sabbath!  No one can work on the Sabbath."  Apparently, the whole weekend is now a work free zone.

    This week's reviews...
Schoolhouse Review Crew Maestro Classics (including my own)
Schoolhoouse Review Crew Logic of English (including my own)