Here's a quick re-cap of recent weeks, followed by some pics of our many adventures...
Fairy danced on stage, in front of about 200 people for her first recital. The theme of the ballet was Candyland, and she was a Lollipop. Her brother gave her flowers after the performance. She had a lot of fun, but says she still wants to go to a "real" ballet school in the fall!
We participated in the annual science fair at our charter school, which was both a lot of preparation, and very enjoyable. The kids' displays were fairly interactive, so they attracted a fair amount of attention. Elf also helped out at the (older kids) smoothie booth, which was bicycle-powered.
Our most recent field trip with the local homeschool association was a trip to a local honey farm. We learned a lot about bees - their life cycles, differing types within a hive and the roles they play, how honey is made and harvested. The kids wore beekeeping hats and got to go right among the hives. Fairy hung back a little, as she was nervous, but Elf got right in their, holding a drone bee, leaning over the open hive, and so forth. Continuing with the kids' interests in bees, we have signed up for the Great Sunflower Project, counting bees in urban areas.
Yesterday, M, the kids and I headed off to a day at Golden Gate Park. We took a picnic lunch with us, and went early enough that we had most of a day to explore. While it stayed overcast and chilly, we were really warmed up by a trip to the Conservatory of Flowers - we saw many, many incredible and beautiful plants, plus outside we saw a group of Morris dancers. After lunch, we headed off to the Japanese Tea Garden, wrapping up our studies of Japan in style! The kids loved the Moon Bridge, and the Tea House, as well as just exploring in general. We came home with lacquered chopsticks, which they attempted to master the use of at dinner time. Overall, it was one of the best days I have had in a long time! The kids were absolutely well behaved (they even spent 15 minutes picking up all the garbage in a meadow as they found it offensive), we had loads of fun, and there were so many beautiful things to see!
In costume for the ballet
Among the bees at a local honey farm
At the charter school science fair. Elf did a project on taste that seemed pretty popular among visitors. Even though his allergies were really bothering him, and he was getting a cold, he had a great time.
Fairy did a display on Touch, with lots of things to feel, including the ever-popular cornstarch-&-water mixture.
Playing on a bridge in the Japanese Tea Garden
Playing on a bridge in the Japanese Tea Garden
Under a Pagoda (Japanese Tea Garden)
Having tea in the Tea House
Checking out tropical plants in the Conservatory
Smelling a Buddha's Hand (citron) in the Conservatory
Congratulations on finishing the school year!
ReplyDeleteAnd those pictures are all so awesome.
I'm going to totally steal the Fairy's science fair project, though. My son still isn't sure what to do for an upcoming science fair at park day. And today, he mentioned the senses in passing. Your daughter's display inspired us for the science fair. Cool!