Our third year of homeschooling

I can't believe this is our third year of homeschooling! While it wasn't something I planned to do, it just seemed like the right thing for our family. We also love the freedom and not having to stress about finding a good school each time we move. Heck everything is about to change less then a year! Getting out of the military, jobs, moving to who knows where yet and more likely  college.
Now back to the topic of homeschooling, I am changing things, as I learn last year we did way too many boring dry workbook pages. This year we doing more, oh lots more hands on. Notebooking, lapbooks, more art projects and way more nature studies. I also asked each child what they would like to learn/create this year. Sophia said she wants to make a big poster size coral reef (our aquarium/zoo membership is handy!) C.J. said he wants to make his own map of our local area. Don't worry we do have a set curriculum for the "main subjects" We are using:

Horizon's phonics in 1st and 2nd grade
Horizon's math in 1st and 2nd grade
History: Story of the World Vol. 1 Ancient times along with the activity book for both kids.
Science: Apologia's Astronomy along with the Jr. notebook (worth buying), we are trying the immersion approach, so that means we are studying Astronomy for the whole school year.

Filling out here first day of school interview, she wants to be an artist when she grows up.

This year C.J. is all about playing with his friends, still sporting his mohawk and look forward to traveling/moving. This kid loves road trips so he is look to be a driver. When he grows up.

I would say the kids had a great first day, we started with our core subjects, then mommy  left to her dentist appointment, don't worry I didn't leave them home alone, daddy was able to babysit. After lunch we did our first science project of the year, making a solar system out of balloons. The kids did a great job blowing them up and painting. I am also trying to step back a little more this year, I believe the whole of a teacher is to guide them not do it for them.

Painting the balloons for the solar system.

The solar system, the kids and I went over how Pluto is no longer a planet. Our book said it is for us to decide, so it was a yes we will at least learn about the former planet. 

Chamber's Creek

The other day I made a wrong turn while driving, I came across a park sign and people walking down with floating rafts. Being an outdoor fanatic I had to look it up online and take the kids the following day. It turned out to be a fun place, we even had so much fun floating up and down. The best part this place was a hop and skip away from home.

The Pacific North West is just so beautiful during the summer and not to mention perfect weather temps around 70-80 degrees. This is why I do not travel out of state during the summer, come visit me instead!

He said this park is pretty awesome mom.

She likes it too.

Playing in the creek

The kids playing will it sink or float away.

His chair and his Kindle, even the Mr. was having fun.

A day in downtown

It has been raining for about four days, I guess as most people say summer starts in July out here. I took my kids downtown to visit the Wagon shop and the museum. Boy did they have fun, talk about cheap and free entertainment. Steilacoom is the first town built in Washington and they sure take pride in it.

 At the museum downstairs they have an old school room, kitchen, a piano from the 1900, a barber shop and sewing set up. Everything is hands on, the lady showed the kids how everything works and they played a good hour with everything.

If you are into the Pioneer days or looking for free ($2.00 donation is suggested not required) entertainment, go the the beautiful small coastal town of Steilacoom. The Wagon shop & museum are open from 2-5 pm every Wednesday during the summer along with the Farmer's Market (Wed. 3-7). And on the weekends 1-5pm, it is a great small town to stroll while making your way to Sunnyside Beach for some play in the beach or the play ground. 

 By the way I blogged straight from my phone since that is where my pictures are. The Blogger app is pretty awesome! 

Our weekend

Saturday was such a perfect day, when the sun comes out here in the NW you better hurry and make your way out! The hubby is working a super CRAZY schedule this summer, ok well it still feels like winter here today. Anyways we decided to try out a park we have never been to because it had a playground, lots of grass, shade, hiking trails and a creek. It was such a nice place and so quite. We had a picnic lunch, relaxed, the kids hiked, played on a steep hill and in the creek.
 After the long day we headed home, as we waited for the super moon to make its appearance the most amazing sunset appeared out of nowhere. I took some from the yard but I hopped in the car for a mile drive down to the beach for more pictures, I barley made it in time.

They kept climbing up and sliding down

 Eight months of rain brings beautiful wild flowers. 

The creek was COLD

Our backyard view, amazing sunset.

PJ's and all, it was too pretty not to pose for the sunset.

Sunset on the Puget Sound

Our view of the Super moon.

The last day...

On the last day towards are trip, we woke up early so we can make a final stop in Astoria and see the Goonie's house!!!! Being an 80's kid it was like a dream come true!! I grew up watching the movie way too many times with my brother and all my cousins. We also found The Devil's Punch Bowl, as we were driving. They have a fence over it, so we were only able to see it from a distance. It wasn't storming and with the early morning low tides the bowl was empty.

Sunrise at the resort the morning we left. 

The Devil's Punch Bowl

At first the GPS couldn't find the Goonie's house because the street was divided by this bridge. My hubby wanted to give up, heck no! I told him we WILL find it. He didn't understand or grow up watching the Goonie's, I know shocking! But he had a *cough* crappy *cough* childhood.

As soon as I seen this, I was so excited!!!

It looks just like the in the movie!!! Even the drive way, street, ect.

One must do the Truffle Shuffle!! My son is my hero!!!

Then two hours later we were back home to cold and rainy Washington. That was such a great drive and the Oregon coast is truly a beautiful place not many know about.

The Oregon Coast day 2

We woke up the next day not wanting to leave the resort yet. The combo of two days driving and the nice resort made us cave in for another day. Besides time was on our side and we got a good deal for staying another night. We paid for another day and after breakfast we headed out to find The Devil's Punch Bowl (we ended up finding The Devil's churn and the Punch Bowl the next day), went on a hike and visit the Sand Dunes.

Somewhere on the outskirts of Florence, was just beautiful, made the hubby pull over for a picture.

Just taking in the beautiful view

So beautiful and peaceful, I just want to pitch a tent and camp here.

Ready for a hike

Down, down we go

Checking out the Devil's Churn

Now time for a hike

Logs, sticks, rocks always make a kid happy and the best things to play with. Who needs toys?!

Then we stopped at the Dunes 

After another fun filled day, we headed back to the resort. I made dinner, had some wine and watched the kids play on the beach.