Weeks 19-22: Performances, Holidays, and Other Shenanigans

It is now mid-January and we are FINALLY getting back into a good school routine.  Our holiday season was super busy and filled with family, performances, and special outings.   We kicked off our holiday break from homeschooling with Big K's peformace of Around the World in 80 Days.  The kids did an amazing job getting it all put together and had a great run of the show.  Big K had a great experience and is looking forward to his next opportunity to be on stage!

Our holiday break was filled with family!  We had people come to visit us from all over the country including all of Big K and Little E's aunts and uncles and both their grandmothers.  And it was actually the first time their mamaw got to meet Baby W which made it an extra special Christmas.  We also took a trip to downtown Cincinnati and went to the very top of Carew Tower to see the sights.  Big K really liked being able to use the binoculars to see as far as possible.  We also got a special treat and got to see the Cincinnati Bengals on their practice field!  It is definitely a different perspective being so high up!  Afterwards Big K went ice skating for the very first time.  He did a great job, and has since decided when he grows up he wants to be in the Winter Olympics for speed skating. 

After the first of the year, we got back to business.  Big K was asking to learn about measurement so we have been hard at work learning all about measuring length, distance, and weight.  We did several different activities to help us learn the concept.  We started with nonstandard measurement and comparing the lengths of different objects.  Then we moved on to using a ruler and a measuring tape to find the length of objects with both centimeters and inches.  We even spent a day learning how to find the distance between two points on a map!   Afterwards we moved on to learning about weight.  We used a balance scale to compare the weights of objects and order them from heaviest to lightest. 
 

Another math concept that Big K has been working on is double digit addition and subtraction.  We are almost done with our third math textbook in our Life of Fred series and we haven't quite reached that in the books yet, but Big K is ready so we have been supplementing it with our own things.  He has been doing a great job mastering the concepts - even with borrowing and regrouping!

 We also had the opportunity to go to a special playdate at a local gym designed for kids.  Big K and Little E had the chance to explore some of the equipment as well as play some games with other kids.  They both really enjoyed it! Even Baby W got in on the action!

Big K has also been staying active playing basketball with Upward Bound.  His first few games have been a success.  They don't keep score at his age and the focus is all on teamwork and sportsmanship as well as learning the skills of the game. 

One of the most exciting things that has happened in our home the last week though was welcoming three new animal friends to our house!  Big K has been asking for a fish tank, so he decided to use his Christmas money to buy one himself.  We had to do a lot of research about what the best tank and fish would be and how much money he would need to get it.  Right now he has three tetra fish in the tank and is planning on getting a few more in the coming weeks.   The tank is in his own bedroom and he is responsible for feeding them and taking care of them! 

Happy Learning,
Momma C