Kate and Caleb

The older Caleb gets, the more he and Kate pair off. They have some wild times together, but here are a few of their calmer activities:

Kate reading to Caleb

 

“Tree climbing” in a bush about 2 feet off the ground

High Museum

We attended a homeschool day at the High with the Frasers. (Unfortunately) the featured exhibit was Modern Masters, but we still had an enjoyable morning. I think we did quite well considering we were dragging 8 kids 9-and-under through a classy museum.

Sorry no real pictures of the art exhibits. We didn’t have a photo pass…

Moving Targets

“Green” Smoothies

We’re going through a mini healthy phase here. It is surprising how easily berries and bananas mask the flavor of spinach. Kale is a little harder to disguise, but we might be getting used to it.

A snapshot

Once again a simple photo taken on a whim (because the boys got a kick out of their coincidentally coordinated outfits) actually captures so many little idiosyncrasies.

Typical: Nate’s shirt on backwards, Caleb wearing a girl’s belt (it was part of his dog leash), my children outside barefoot on a chilly day, Caleb pointing a nerf gun at an innocent bystander.

Atypical: Caleb’s clothes not on backwards (although we can’t see his underwear…50/50 chance there)

Science Demonstrations

Meg and  Nate did a nice job on their science demonstrations to our homeschool group. Meg made a compass with a magnetized needle and Nate balanced water between bottles by siphoning, adjusting levels, etc. I’ll see if I can find the video clips…

100s Day

There are some things about the “regular school” culture I can’t seem to give up. Like yearbooks (homemade via snapfish) and summer vacation (three months straight with no school!! hallelujah!! who cares if they forget all their math!!) and, in this case: Hundreds day. This is a funny one, because I don’t remember doing it as a child; don’t even remember hearing of it ‘til my college friends student taught. Then it was on Meg’s kindergarten class calendar at Perimeter and she was very excited about it. Only she was sick and couldn’t go to school, so I stayed up until midnight the night before googling “100s day activities” and collecting supplies from around the house so we could do our own. Of course the next year Nate remembered it and asked repeatedly when his hundreds day would be.  Two years later kindergarten Kate probably would not have remembered it, but Meg and Nate kept asking about it. So on (more or less) the 100th day of school for Kate:

estimating various objects, counting to verify, comparing weight, volume, etc.

paper chain with 100 links (things we’re thankful for)

fun ways to “spell” 100 scavenger hunt/contest

how far will you travel in 100 steps?

 

It is fun being a teacher, sometimes.

Teamwork

Sometimes they all hit their stride at the same time, headed in the same direction. It’s so satisfying for me to witness. (They’re building a run for the hex bug.)

Bird watching

We’ve had lots of action at our bird feeders this winter. Conveniently, the birds’ meal times seem to coincide with ours, and we have a good view from our kitchen table. Hers is a sampling: bluebirds, house finches, a greenish/yellow mystery bird, and a red-bellied woodpecker. Pardon the photo quality.

 

Gymnastics at last!

Meg and Kate have waited a long time to take gymnastics and are having a great time in their class. Kate’s cartwheels are improving every week, and Meg has practically mastered the back walkover. Keep up the hard work, girls! It’s paying off!

Basketball

Nate had a great basketball season this year. His speed and aggressiveness in the game improved dramatically. He took lots of shots (in the bottom photo he is scoring the first points of the season for his team) and stayed tuned in to the game even while on the bench. He really enjoys this sport. Way to go Nate!

Holiday Outings

After all our trips, Pappy and Mema stayed in town to take care of the kids while Erik and I got caught up and ready for the new year (I undecorated the house and prepared lesson plans; Erik put the final touches on the sermon he was preaching at our church Jan 1.) They enjoyed three big outings with my parents: a movie at the theater, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the zoo. For months we were on the waiting list for our library’s free zoo pass. Somehow the week before Christmas we went from #1300 something in line to #1. Perfect timing.

The main attractions at the ABG were the miniature train sets and the “real” train ride around the grounds.

 

Meg at the zoo: she loves to feed any kind of animal.

Holiday Travels

The day after Christmas the six of us plus Pappy & Mema piled in the car and drove to Black Mountain, NC, to visit the Siegenthalers and Harrises. Besides enjoying our cousins we toured the Grove Park Inn to see the entries in the annual National Gingerbread House and spent some time at Biltmore Village.

A tasty supper by Aunt Bertha. (Not pictured: cooked-to-order breakfasts by Uncle Ron.)

One of the famous “walk-in” fireplaces at the Grove Park Inn.

Beautiful view from the porch.

 

Immediately upon returning to Atlanta, my mom and I flew to New York for the surprise birthday of our dear family friend Betty Vogt, who lives and works at the historic Crabtree’s Kittle house Inn in Chappaqua. Thanks to dad and Erik for holding down the fort at home.