Friday, September 18, 2009

Finaly able to download video from our camera!

September 2009

This has been a couple weeks filled with field trips! We took a trip to Charleston to see the capital building. We also went to the mall and Jude and Lainey loved the glass elevator!

We went to the fair parade where, sadly, Lainey did not like it. She has always loved parades but this time she didn't. She and I sat in the van and she was happy then! Daddy surprised Jude and took him to the fair and Demo Derby! They had so much fun! Jude said he had to go look in the horticulture building because that's "where Mommy always loves it"- how sweet! They talked a lot about how the vehicles had to be modified to be safe for the derby.

The next week Mamaw and Papaw came and took Jude to Fort Boreman park, had a sleepover at their cabin, and then went on a boat ride over to Blennerhasset Island! They are having trouble with their computer so I'm waiting on pics but will post as soon as we get them! He had so much fun! He talked for 45 mins about all he learned from that trip. He even wrote 5 sentences about it!! He didn't want to ride the carriage so they walked the 3.8 miles around the Island.

Yesterday, Mamaw and Annie-Banie(my aunt) came in Annie's 1967 restored awesome red Camaro and took Jude "cruising" and out to lunch! He and Daddy talked about how engines are different now than in the '60s.

Amidst all that, Jude finished two chapter books! He also asked about cancer so we had a lengthy discussion about that. Because of some health concerns, we have been trying to eat healthier so Jude has been all about nutrition the last few weeks. He has always loved helping in the kitchen and this week he made lasagna and salad.

He also of course has been doing science experiments. We did a really cool one that made like a lava lamp. Jude did a video and I'll try to post it soon.

The kids and I also had a over-night stay in Columbus with Mamaw for two apts for Lainey. The kids had a blast. Lainey loved holding a balloon! go figure, she's afraid of balls lol. Lainey has been walking like crazy and so very proud of herself! She sat in the booths at the restaurants. She is too big for the highchairs but needs to be kind of restrained. She loved it and did wonderful!

This week Jude chose books about the Titanic and China at the library. So hopefully we will have some fun crafts pics to post soon!
Jude sitting in the Camaro!
The derby line-up.
This is a picture in the horticulture building at the fair of my favorite flower- "black-eyed Susies" as Jude calls them-melts my heart!

Thought she was being too quite! This never happens with cheap paper towels- only the expensive ones! LOL



The capital building in Charleston, WV.




At the hotel with Mamaw in Columbus.


Lainey loving the balloon!







Thursday, September 3, 2009

Sept. 2009 week 1

This week has been a great week. The weather was cooler at the start of the week so we went for a nature walk and bike ride! We all had so much fun.

Jude did an experiment with white carnations to see how they pull water up to their blooms. He hypothesised that the ones with food coloring in them would die quicker because the dye would clog up their tubes inside. He was pleasantly surprised that they just changed colors. We also did an experiment dealing with hot air and cold air. He put a balloon on an "empty" bottle and put it in hot water and then cold water to see what happened to the balloon. We covered a lot of science topics in general conversation as well. We have found Planet Green on TV and he loves learning about new ways to help the environment especially Eco-houses.

In math we did a couple of workbooks that Jude chose. He also did some math games on the computer. At the grocery store he rounded to the nearest dollar the price of every item we chose so that I could write down a running total. At the end he was able to see how we were near the actual total in our estimated total. He turned in his "Handipoints" for a reward of $5. He then shopped for something he wanted that was within his price range and still had money left.

In history/geography we spoke a little of the holocaust. He had heard the word genocide and wanted to know what it was and the topic just lead there. He wanted to say prayers for people that judge someone just because of their faith or country. He got a new book that "goes on the inside of structures and cities". It goes inside Eco-houses, ports and docks, skyscrapers, dams, growth of a city, etc. He was fascinated by it and that a big city once started as a small village.He also learned some state jokes from veggie tales.

He has completed a chapter book! He started a new one today. Five books before he reaches his goal reward. He has been writing in our monthly expenditures journal. His writing is still shaky but improving! He also looked up where the abbreviations am and pm and OK came from.

Jude designed a new dog wash invention and drew the design. He also has been sculpting with Play-doh. He does something with art/music every day!

Lainey has been really enjoying playing with Jude this week. They have been giggling so much together! She has started to stand up in the middle of the floor with no help! It's only on occasion but still impressive! She has also been wanting to do songs together like wheels on the bus, pat a cake, etc. She been playing with her new train rolling it back and forth and laughing.


This is a picture Jude took of his "octopus hot dogs" that we made. It is one of his favorite things to eat!
Daddy put Jude up in a tree on our nature walk! So fun.
We all thought this tree was pretty cool looking.


We heard a noise up in the tree and I saw two squirrels fighting and they scattered and this fell to the ground!


Jude took this picture from the pier of the old bridge.




Lainey LOVED the walk! Jude was riding his bike and she was riding her wheelchair.





This is the results from Jude's carnation experiment. Starting on the bottom left and going clockwise- red, green, control (in reg water) blue and yellow. The red didn't absorb the color very well.






This is Jude's new loft bed. We found a general pattern online for one and decided to make some changes and build it ourselves! He loves it. It's raw wood for now until he decides what he wants to to with it!