Science Is Fun!

Ok. Let's face it. Science is not my thing. I didn't excel at in school. I don't excel at it now. (Did I mention I majored in English Literature in college? The Canterbury Tales. Now THAT is my thing.) But... I digress. As a homeschooling parent/teacher, I am determined to give all subjects the attention and enthusiasm they deserve. I do have a science program that goes with the curriculum I am using for Flynn.  It is The Catholic Heritage Curricula and I love it.  I wanted to supplement it with monthly activities and decided this month to do apples, leaves, and pumpkins.  The Pumpkin Unit was by far our favorite! Pinterest was a huge inspiration and with a little planning, I discovered Science can be fun! Flynn knew it all along. : )

We started each lesson with one of our favorite books from the October Bin...

We studied the cycle of a pumpkin from seed to pumpkin...

And then planted our own little pumpkin seeds. : )

We read and recreated scenes from our favorite book Big Pumpkin...and we studied a little pumpkin and learned about all of the parts...inside and out. Then we did a Pumpkin Investigation...

We made a hypothesis of how many seeds were inside.

And we were surprised with the result!

Another hypothesis...

Would her little pumpkin sink or float?

Well, it floated.

And we discussed why.

And in an effort to give my baby girl the "Exploding Science" she was waiting for...

We added vinegar to baking soda and watched it go!

Then we discussed why.

Then we did it again!

And it wouldn't be school here without baking!

We finished the unit with some yummy Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

So there you go.

Science is doable.

Even for an English nerd like me. : )

A Kindergarten Graduate

Yep. It's true. My baby graduated from Kindergarten. And we hosted a small Open House/Graduation Ceremony to celebrate her. And it was fun.

We set out her outfit the night before.

And yes. That is the same skirt she wore on the first day of Kindergarten.

Like, yesterday.

We set up the schoolroom with some of the artwork she completed this year...

and it was crazy to think how quickly it all flew by.

Posing for the obligatory photo...

Then preparing everything before her guests arrived...

There would be yummy punch in this bowl later...

along with tea, coffee, fresh fruit and dip, super delicious homemade fudge...

and cupcakes.

Always cupcakes.

The party table was all set...

and ready to celebrate our girl.

Her sweet friend Aly surprised her...and us...with this adorable Graduation cap!!!

Aly made it just for Flynn!

Aly is a dear friend who comes once a week or so and spends time with Flynn.

She teaches her how to weave potholders, how to play games like dominoes, all about movies and characters and so much more. : )

Flynn and I showed her guests around her schoolroom. The people that came...Grandma and Aunt Margie, Aunt Sally, Blueberry Mary, our neighbor Joanne, Aly and her family, and our friends Justin and Jessica...are people who mean so much to Flynn, and were happy to celebrate her. After she showed her schoolroom, Flynn read a few books and a beautiful poem we practiced in printing class.

And then she received her certificate and moved her tassel and was a Kindergarten Graduate!

Her teacher...her Mommy...was so very proud. : )

We all were!

Then there was food and fun and gifts and games.

And favors to take home.

And one very happy First Grader.

( I'm excited too! I already have her curriculum for next year...and just looking through it is making me happy! )

Random Photo Friday

It's Friday again. Here we go with the round up of random happenings around our home this past week!

Somehow it became March. Time to change up the schoolroom...

which is gradually beginning to resemble much more a classroom than a preschool.

How do I feel about that?

Kindergarten is great! We love it.

Sight words, counting bears, story time...What's not to love?!

Oh. And someone has become a reader too! : )

I added a little table with our favorite games and activities...

Soooo much better than having them hidden in a closet.

The kids play them soooo much more now.

Peyton is all about the Advanced classes...

as is my Rhett. Good thing they have each other.

I max out around third grade. : )

Recess outside one day this week!

Aaaaand...inside for the rest. : )

Which was alright with me. I got to enjoy my new fireplace insert! With apologies to all true fireplace enthusiasts...We just weren't. It is way too windy here on the hill, and quite frankly...we just never took the time. Enter my friend/contractor who suggested an electric insert. That's right. You plug it in. And use a remote. And presto. A fire. Sort of. It actually lets off heat. And it is cozy. And I'm all about that. Happy Day.

 More cozy.

Braids on my girl. : )

Cinderella still rules this house.

Enough said.

I'll leave you with this happiness.

How blessed am I that my hubby does the shopping after work, AND brings me pretty flowers as well? Very. Indeed.

A sweet friend of  mine from my days of Instagram recently began her own space here in Blogland. If you would like to meet a new friend, you can find her here.

Have a blessed, cozy weekend yourselves, my friends.

Thanks for visiting. : )

A Fun And Easy Countdown To Valentine's Day Craft

As a child, I made paper chain countdowns for almost every holiday. Surprise, right? Well, when I saw this Valentine Countdown craft idea from Lacy over at Catholic Icing, I was thrilled. Flynn and I made this to count down the days until Valentine's Day. The original idea was to put bible verses on them, and I will most likely do that when she is a bit older. This year, I made hearts with small, fun ideas associated with love and giving that she could do each day. : )

Flynn is excited to start tomorrow. : )

For more fun ideas,  visit Lacy over at Catholic Icing.

Happy Love Day, my friends!

A Peek Inside...Our January Schoolroom

A new year means a fresh start. So our schoolroom got a good cleaning and a fresh look for January. We spend our days here, learning and laughing together, cozy and warm and safe inside away from the bitter winter cold. And that makes me both happy and content.

My little one has suddenly gone from letters and colors and shapes to learning sight words and reading booklets and counting coins!

But finger-painting will always be part of the curriculum...

as will story time. : )

This is our favorite January book. If you haven't read it to your littles, please do. : )

Happy January, my friends!