Weekly Wrap-Up: Mix and Match Edition

This was a busy long week. For some reason, right in the middle of the week I started to feel like I just needed to get outdoors. This wasn't your normal spend a few hours outdoors sort of feeling, but rather a need for a long breath of air somewhere different.

The first part of the week was productive and we found lots to keep us busy. We studied Thailand last week so the news on the internet about the unrest in Thailand has been a daily topic for my boys and I. Reflecting on how much we have enjoyed our World Geography course this year makes me realize that we need to keep it going at least on the current events track over the next year or possibly two. We have all learned so much, more than I ever anticipated.


There was lots of nature study both in response to spontaneous topics that have arisen in our everyday life and in helping me prepare for the Summer Series of Outdoor Hour Challenges. I have had a chance this week to talk to several people about mosquitoes, owls, and bats. We completed our apple tree study and our cattail study from the current Spring Series of challenges.

One thing we enjoyed this week was this video of the volcano in Iceland. It is worth the few minutes.
http://vimeo.com/11673745
Hat tip to my oldest son Mr. D.

Run Down on the Normal Subjects
Writing is a work in progress and will be finished next week in time for our end of the year. We made a goal for our math studies and decided we will take the summer off from any formal math work. Science is winding down and we are busy pulling notebooks together and reviewing amongst ourselves. Literature is continuing with our reading of Hamlet....wonderful times that I wish would never end. I love sharing these experiences with the boys and seeing the story through their eyes.

Both boys are working on their final artist study of the year. One is working on a pencil sketch and one is working on a oil pastel. I am enjoying watching their process. I actually found a *wonderful* new book for teaching acrylic painting for next year. I plan on dabbling with it over the summer with a few of my own projects.



So how did I quench the need for some outdoor time?

We took a trip to our favorite nature center and botanical garden.


A burst of blooming flowers in this native plants garden....I gleaned lots of ideas for our own garden this time.


A few butterflies in the butterfly exhibit at the nature center....so many it was hard to focus on just one at a time.



A really pretty butterfly...a monarch up in the tree.


Some time walking in the garden....complete with artsy mosaics. I love this sort of thing and I dream of someday making a sculpture of some kind in my backyard with lots of bits and pieces.


This was my favorite part of the artwork, a dragonfly of course.


How about this one? I love the way this place has mixed art and gardens together to make it a feast for the eyes. It inspires me to do something artsy and creative in my own garden.


We also did some geocaching.......five finds this day. This is something we enjoy doing as a family but we have not made the effort lately. I must print out some caches near home and get the boys working on a few each week over the summer.

I almost forgot. Mr. A passed his aviation ground school test! He completed the eighteen week class and now he needs to take the actual flying in the airplane class. Keep reaching for your goals Mr. A.

One more week of our official school year....I promise to share some of our end of the year projects this Friday.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

PS I am also working on some summer art and music plans so stay tuned for more information soon.