"Insta"-replay #29, cookies, dance, Doctor Who, and Aunt Abbie!

The week began with piles of cookies to sort and deliver.  Thankfully the piles are much smaller now!

It was observation week at dance class so I got to watch.  It always amazes me how serious my older daughter is during class.  

My younger daughter sat with me, watching the older girls.  

My valentine's present finally arrived!  It is a kindle case so even though is it the size of a book, an entire library fits inside.  It's bigger on the inside!

Doctor Who was a theme for our gifts.  I bought "matching" shirt also.  I don't know what the apeal is with the strange My Little Pony, but it cracks me up and I love it.

The weekend was spent with Aunt Abbie.   It is always fun to see her!  Her visits always bring out lots of laughter.

This video also brought out the Wii.  My inlaws use it more to watch netflix than to play games so the friendly competition was a treat.

"Insta"-replay #28, all kinds of partying

This last week was full of celebrations!

We celebrated getting out of the house despite snow blocking the driveway.  Roads had been cleared by piling the snow to the side.

We celebrated the end of "winter" when rain came and washed away the snow.  And the best way to celebrate is buy something educational to keep kids busy.

Then we had fun celebrating a cute kid turning 8!  

She showed her sense of style and humor by making uni-kitty wear the glasses on her necklace.

We wrapped up the week by wrapping up our 100th day of school.  I'm more excited to be celebrating that one than they are!

We decided to celebrate valentines by going to a family movie.  

This last pic isn't from my Instagram so I feel like I'm cheating by including it.  But I wasn't feeling well so missed Merry's second celebration.  The lalaloopsie cake and doll were so cute I had to include them.

"Insta"-replay #27, a long weekend

Last week was more of just a really long weekend than an actual week.

We. Had a visit from our far away cousins.  Always great to see them!

Charry unfortunately didn't get to see them.  She was in quarantine because she hadn't been feeling too well.

Then we had a quick bit of snow.  Where we live even an inch sticking is rare so there is a lot of excitement when flakes start to fall.

Despite the guests and excitement we managed a bit if school.  I'm trying to let the girls use the computer once a day for typing practice.

Thursday night the snow really came!  The next morning we went out to measure snow fall and look at animal tracks.  

Not only did the girls get a long weekend but so did their father.  Since snow is such a rarity we were a bit unprepared, no chains, oops.

We made the most of being house bound.  Board games were played.

Skeletons were put together.

Birds were fed.

We were happy when roads were clear enough for a trip to town to buy anything!  Mostly we just wanted out of the house after 4 days. (Like I said snow is a rarity so we tend to be a bit over dramatic when it comes.)

All in all it was a good week.  We were glad to have power throughout the storm and are glad warmer weather is on the way!

"Insta"-replay #26, Chinese New Year and the Super Bowl

It has been quite the week.  It started out pretty normal, with waiting around at dance class.

Charry lucked out when Aunt Kimi left her 3DS behind for her to borrow.

Merry lucked out when I found a quarter in my pocket so she got Red Vines.

The girls had some fun doing school on the go, addition and subtraction with dice.  The set has dice with in dice which added to the fun, I think.

The weekend was less typical.  Friday was Chinese New Year so we made puppets to celebrate the year of the Horse.

We made a few other crafts as well, including paper plate drums, thanks Pinterest.

Sunday started at Church where I snuck a picture of Merry following in the hymnal with her dad.

After that we were off to watch the Super Bowl, although the girls spent more time playing with Aunt Katie's stuffed animals.

Charry did manage to give dress up a football feel.

And now it is February, I can't believe how fast the year is going!

"Insta"-replay #25, cousins are the best!

Last week had a definite theme to it: cousins!

We spent quiet time in the van, with a cousin, picking up a cousin.

We had a grand time creating all kinds of lego structures with our cousins.

And the highlight for my older daughter, she got to hold her newest cousin.

Having my extended family close makes me feel very blessed (of course it also makes me wish other cousins where close too.)

The entire week was not spent with cousins, we managed a family night out at our favorite place, Dairy Queen!

 

"Whatchadoin?" #10, States and Capitals

I have always thought that having a good basic understanding of geography was a good thing.  Knowing which states were where and how the climate was different in those areas is helpful for understanding how people are.

But teaching it has proven to be a struggle.  We have used "Knuffle Bunny" for the last few years.  Allowing us to imagine traveling all over but I'm finding very little has stuck.  They know climates are different in different places but they don't remember which places are where.

So this year I am taking a more direct, memorization approach.  I have a set of State facts flash cards and matching maps from the dollar section at Target.  Instead of introducing all 50 states at once, we add 2 new states a week.  Also instead of learning any one section, I make sure the states are spread out.

So far this approach is working well.  The girls are learning where states are as well as their capitals.  Once we have gone through all the states I'm thinking of adding states trees or birds.  

Using the map and flash cards makes reviewing information pretty easy.  I keep the flash cards with me and quiz them on capitals throughout the day.  The maps get used as a play mat for dolls and Legos to travel to the states they know.

We are only half way through the states but already I am seeing greater retention than last year. 

"Insta"-replay #24, the week felt busier than it was

The week felt really busy but in the end it was a pretty normal week.

We start the week at dance class.  Charry made sure she had a book to keep her busy.

After class the boys hung out with us for a bit.  They put on quite the owl performance.  I had to muffle my laughter so they didn't know I was listening in.

It was a full week of school.  Complete with a Latin quiz.

The girl used the sidewalk outside of Girl Scouts as a makeshift hopscotch grid.

Thursday has turned in to pizza and "What's in the Bible" night.  We are watching an episode a week so we will be ready when the final DVD comes out.

The week had a nice quiet ending.  Cousins read books together.

It was a good week, the new year is going well for us.