Week in Review::A Random Assortment of Things

Legos:  

We missed the official "Lego Quest Challenge" this week, but the boys were game to do their own when we had some time on Thursday. The challenge- scoop two cups of Legos out of the bucket and create! No picking certain Legos.

I suspect Mark (above) picked from the bucket that he knew had rock monsters in it. I have to confess to not remembering what he told me about his creation on the left (I'll try to remedy that). The one on the right is a rock monster playground complete with rock monster parents "sitting and visiting at the table". James was equally enthusiastic- he created a Batcave battle scene. Neither of them used all of the Legos, but they had a great time with this challenge.

                 

Seasons/Art:

As fall is well on the way to winter, I am trying to savor these last few weeks before the holidays begin in earnest. I have a fondness for fall decorations and colors- it makes me sad to see them swiped away from the stores without a trace already.

Mark and James helped me by painting these fall leaf banners. I had planned this project for James for his 1st grade year, but fall sort of blew by us last year.  The boys painted white paper with fall colors (which they loved doing), traced and cut leaf shapes out of their painted paper, cut out the other pieces and assembled the banners. I love them hanging on the front door.

 We are filling in the nooks and crannies of our home with our fall/Thanksgiving  decorations.

I am thankful for: boys who are willing to indulge me and make a few crafts to decorate with. They tend to enjoy the more opened ended creative projects, but are willing put things like this "Give Thanks" decoration together for me.

Co op:

My favorite time of week continues to be our little Geography/Spanish co op that we have on Thursdays. I am still woefully unprepared and slightly out of my element to teach a larger group of children (how do classroom teachers do it?!), but I am glad to have the chance to try and work this out. The thing that surprises me most are the answers the kids give to questions- I am constantly amazed at their how much they know and by their thoughts on things. I could just sit and listen to them talk the whole time.



Map in Progress by 11yo Student

 Well, Paddle-to-the-Sea has made it from Lake Nipigon, through Lake Superior, detoured through Lake Michigan and has landed in Lake Huron. We have learned a bit about ballast, iron ore, copper mining, pond life, Davy Jones' Locker, and the geography of the Great Lakes area- not a bad way to spend one afternoon a week. :) 


Work Experience:

Final on our wrap up. Paul, who is 12, has the wonderful opportunity to work an hour or 2 a few days a week with his dad's construction company. The company has a job just the next street over, so Paul gets to ride his bike "to work". I love that he also gets so spend time with is uncle/Godfather, who is partners with dh in the company. Adding to that, Paul's future brother-in-law as well as my dear nephew (Paul's cousin) are part of the company too! I couldn't ask for a better place for him to go and work for a couple of hours.

Just Cuz:


                                   

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