Building a Vegetable Garden

We decided to transplant our potted fruits and vegetables into a raised vegetable bed that Eric built for us. The last six weeks of first grade science Jenni is learning about plants so I thought our garden would be a great addition to our homeschooling adventures. We planted blackberries, strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes, several different peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumber, cilantro, and onions.

Co-op Fun

Do you remember parachutes during elementary PE?! They were the BEST! I remember having the biggest smile when a teacher or coach would get these out during class because they were that much fun. Our co-op has one. Sometimes it is used for the littles to hold above their heads and another little run under and sometimes it is used this way. :) It was too cold for PE outside so one activity involved an adult and children running with the parachute on the ground carrying a child in the middle. Too. Much. Fun.

Jenni practicing this week's memory verse!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

If only I could have recorded Joshua explaining this verse to me. It was precious.

Joshua: "Mommy this verse is talking about like how God built me in your tummy. But he didn't build me like a building. It's like he built me, like created me. Like God did it. You didn't. I was in your tummy though, like my baby sister is now!"

The Great Pyramid

After learning about Egyptian pyramids, we built a pyramid with sugar cubes. Fun!

LEGOLAND Field Trip

So, really, there's nothing more fun than field trips - regardless if you attend public school or are home-schooled. We were all looking forward to this trip with our co-op. The littles had a good time and I'm glad we went. However, I really wouldn't recommend this place to others. It is simply not worth the price of admission. But we did buy some Lego sets at the Lego store on our way out, so that's a plus.

Memory Verse

Both littles said their Bible verse at co-op this week. This is sweet Jenni J practicing before co-op began. She takes the process of learning the verse very seriously, practicing several times throughout each day.

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Books & More Books

Sweet, sweet moments this morning!

Co-op Days

 What fun we have at co-op!

 The little boys walking to their wing.

 Sweet Jackson James diving in. Just precious.

 Working with modeling clay

Handsome little man!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)

Educational Activities

 Putting together an "I Spy" game, matching riddles with pictures

 "No Stress Chess" - Our favorite new board game

 I highly recommend this game for beginners. Jenni has really picked up how to play, the names of the chess pieces and different strategies. And she's super cute trying to win.

Little man working on his puzzles :)

School Time

 Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards - a favorite of Joshua's

 Another favorite - Melissa & Doug "box puzzles" - four small puzzles organized into one box (We have a dinosaur set, construction set, and transportation set - great for little hands)

"Somebody" board game - Jenni loves board games and we're learning about the human body in first grade this year. It's a win win.

Just a glimpse of our school day today!

Co-op Christmas Party

 Today was our last meeting for the fall semester of co-op. The littles had a fun day displaying their school work, crafts, and projects they completed over the past few months.

 We also were able to have brunch with the other homeschool families. We brought homemade cinnamon rolls. The littles were excited to share with their friends. Jenni and Joshua drank hot chocolate with their meal. They were so excited. After brunch, we rotated stations reading stories, playing games, and making Christmas crafts. What fun!

 Joshua won the round of Bingo. Such excitement!

 Joshua and I noticed Jackson's hands clasped together like he was praying. Joshua ran up close to him and knelt down exclaiming, "Jackson say his first prayer! He thanking God for his teachers!" Sweet.

 Jenni and Joshua participated in an ornament exchange. They took their time a few days earlier selecting just the right ornament to buy for a friend. Jenni chose a ballerina, hoping one of her friends would get it. Joshua chose a basketball and hoop ornament, hoping he would get it. :)

 Celebrating Jesus's birthday!

We are so grateful for our wonderful co-op and all the relationships we have formed this semester! We are looking forward to a break for Christmas and excited to start back in the new year!