Another great week last week for these Homeschool Girls.† We did lots of fun learning things and took some amazing field trips.
Kei is loving Teaching Textbooks.† She has always liked Math but less and less as the years go by.† She is really liking TT though.† She doesn’t complain at all, just does it every day.
She is writing in her journal daily too.† I wish she would blog but she just doesn’t do that with any regularity.† We are using mainly this site for Grammar.† Kei doesn’t love grammar but I never did either.† Really, who does?†
†We are learning tons in SOTW.† We finished Islam and Muhammad last week.† She used a resource in the activity book and put on a play about Sinbad.† We also watched a video about Sinbad.
Monday she had her first Life Group at church called “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”.† It is for middle schoolers and she loved it.
We have also been using Stossel in the Classroom for Current Events.† It is a great DVD that is FREE.† There is also lesson plans on the website.† Check it out if you haven’t!
We have had “To Kill A Mockingbird” practice twice a week.† Kei knows all her lines and I am so proud of her.† It is such an inspiring, sad, poignant play.† I am so happy she has this great opportunity.
- Kei with Jem and Dill
We went on a great field trip Friday. We got to tour Wilson Dam. This is the FIRST time they have allowed this since 9/11. We learned so much. We got to see a barge actually enter the lock and exit on the other side. The barge was carrying metal, sand and rock. It was actually 3 barges locked together. With a little tug pushing the entire thing.
The tug boat had to move in beside the barge in order for the gates to swing close.
The gates are 118 ‘ tall and there is almost 20’ of water under them. As soon as the gates closed the lock filled up with 50,000,000 gallons of water! It took about 20 minutes. That is a lot of water!!
After the water levels are even, the bridge on the other end closes and the barge is pushed out into the river. It takes about 45 minutes total. It was really amazing to see this in action. The Tennessee River is a huge water highway. There are 14 dams scattered all over the river.
The barge was finally on its way. The captain even tooted at us and came out to wave.
Someone, I am NOT mentioning any names [cough Karen cough] thought it would be a good idea to toss a penny on the barge for the trip. Chandler thought Flat Stanley would be better but we had to make do with what we had.
After the barge went past they raised the bridge and let us all walk over it.
”]”]
After the dam we all went to Krispy Kreme.† I am not a huge fan of doughnuts and neither is Kei but it was cool to see them being made.† After eating a doughnut we felt a little yucky.† Too much sugar for us.† Several of our group felt the same way.
Saturday was Free Museum Day.† We are so lucky to live near The Space and Rocket Center and haven’t been in a few years so us and everyone else in a 100 mile radius set off to enjoy the day.† I just put our pictures in a slide show because I took so many!† We learned some very cool things.† We felt the way it felt on the day they tested the 5 rocket boosters, we saw the food the astronauts eat, saw the trailer where they decompress and are checked for infections, saw space suits, tried out a pair of moon gloves and so much more!† Kei is taking a class here in October and she and I are both so EXCITED about it.†
Sunday at church we began having FIVE services!† Kei and I went to the 9:00 am and back to the 6:00 and watched another one online! Epic’s growth is unbelievable.† It is something few people experience in their lifetime.† I am constantly blown away by it.† We had Baptism Sunday and during all 5 services 111 people were baptized, including our dear friends, Brit, Bobby and Cody. It was an amazing day.† We believe in throwing a party to rival the angels in Heaven and it was definitely that! † I know most people really love their church but our church is truly life changing.† You can watch any of our online services on Sunday here.† We have people watching from all over the world! †
Blessings abound in our life.† I am so thankful for all the wonderful things happening.† I pray all of you have an amazing Autumn [or Spring as the case may be ;)].
†We are also going to be able to go on an amazing trip this weekend.† More to come!
Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen
Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.† ~Charles Dickens
I got butterflies just looking at the pictures of the barges. too high for me!!! lol
Hey there … thanks for visiting my blog. I commented back to you about how your girls are probably cool too. UM … hadn’t read on your blog yet … now I see that girls plural means your and your daughter. That’s COOL!
I love, love the hat Kei is wearing. Did she make it?
I had dreads until a few months ago. I am enjoying wearing hats again. Need to pull out the crochet hooks and teach myself some patterns.
And as for donuts? yeah, I hate Krispy Kreme donuts and my family loves them. But it is fun to see them made.
I don’t like the title. I want you to rearrange it.
Dam Space Doughnuts.
See?
🙂
You are always having so much fun. The problem is, you live where it’s nasty humid, full of tornadoes and I have to READ about your adventures rather than participating.
I’m wondering if the Cascade Locks are open here again, they too were closed after 9/11.
Hm. Have to check on that.
Sounds like a full and fun week! Doughnuts always make me feel a bit yucky, too. I also think that Kei’s hat is great! And, I have not read To Kill A Mockingbird either.
I love Kei’s hat. I am so glad that she is enjoying TT! Allie started youth group tonight and LOVED it!!!
I loved the dam pictures! And the penny…lol…
Do you know I have never read To Kill A Mockingbird? That title keeps popping up over and over lately. I am going to read it. This week. I am plugging in my Nook and charging it and ordering it. Gosh, how I would love to see her in a play. We are going to be looking at our calendar to see when we can get to TN. When is the play?
Another wonderful week! You guys keep pulling new things out of your bag o’ tricksóyour glorious life! I loved all the things you did and places you went and thoughts you thought and learning you learned and smiles you smiled! Love the penny on the barge. Thank you person without a name (cough Karen cough) for being so delightful and quirky 🙂
I’m so excited for Kei about her play. I so wish I could come see it. Maybe they should do an international tour with it. You know, we Australians like ourselves a good play. ‘Specially one with a Kei in it. 🙂
Sending you love and smiles!