Zoo Lights

Zoo lights are usually a damp affair. This year we got lucky and a high pressure system kept the rain at bay. However, it was rather chilly but hot chocilate helped Lily and Nicholette to withstand the long wait for the train. As usual, we had a great time. There was a pinch of drama on the train -- it didn't have quite enough steam to make it up a short grade. The engineer had to attempt a couple flying starts before we all made it safely back to the station.

We had intended to eat at the restaraunt because they serve a nice holiday buffet. Unfortunately, the buffet is only on Friday-Sunday and we visited on a Thursday. We'll have to keep that in mind for next year.

While the train ride is supposed to be the highlight, I love the hippo river diarama the best. There was also a cool snake.

Cannon Beach

Nicholette's mom, grandma, and aunt came in for a visit. We took them all to Cannon Beach, OR for a day trip. As is customary, we stopped by the giant sitka spruce and took a look. In Cannon Beach, the ladies went shopping while Frost and dad went for a hike. The hike was cut a little short since Frost decided it was time to take a nap.

Halloween 2006

Halloween 2006 - VERY Scary! This year, Lily was a Cheetah, costume made by mom of course, and Frost was a Dinosaur, costume via hand-me-down. We hosted our homeschool co-op's Halloween party and had a blast. We all ate harvest related foods, the kids made halloween bookmarks and played some cooperative games. Mom's and dad's chatted.

Homeschooling is fabulous! We're so glad we made this choice. Just to give you an idea of what we've done for kindergarten this year:

Cooperative Games
Nature Study
Weather - the rain cycle
Phillip Foster Farm Field Trip
Rocks and Minerals
Improv Theater - Animal Acting
Halloween/Harvest Party

For those of you that are interested in specifics, Lily's been reading on her own for about 6 months now. She loves her Highlights magazine, Top Secret activities, and is very much an engineer - always designing inventions and putting them together with anything she can get her hands on. She reads to Frost which is a great help to mommy when she needs a shower. We just bought her her own cd player/radio and she listens to books on tape, the radio and other music. She's been in dance class for three years now and really loves it. Frost and Lily both take swimming lessons. Lily also takes classes at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Oregon Zoo.