Electronics Learning Lab

So we're in the middle of moving things around and somehow this thing shows up. I had been thinking I wanted to do some electronics and was looking at the Snap electronics but this was here and free. Nothing else came with it, so after a little googling I find a manual and list of parts.  I went to Radioshack several times, priced out the parts and decided it was crazy expensive there to buy all the parts, and on top of that, they didn't have everything. My husband said his dad had a bunch of resistors and capacitors so I decide to wait  and go raid his dads stash. I figure he probably wouldn't have any transistors so I buy one from RS. Then soon after that a box of parts comes over from my moving neighbor. How awesome is that?! It even had the one thing I already bought from RS. Anyway, we were able to put together this flashing LED circuit.

Pointing to the LED

Finished Year 1 Writing with Ease

We started this year slowly, and really just did the bare minimum of Math and Vietnamese. She reads a lot on her own anyway, tons of books from the library. So I had this writing curriculum(Writing with Ease) that we didn't resume working on until Feb( we had started it last year). We did it double time and 5 days and have just now finished level 1. I expect that we'll continue on the double pace until we finish Level 3. It's not really so bad, I think it really is only about 15 minutes for both copywork and narration, not including the actual reading time. I'm using the instructor guide and not the workbooks. I like the flexibility of the instructor guide a lot. Plus it appeals to my frugal nature since 4 years worth of material are covered in the one book.

Homeschool class at Miami Seaquarium

We go to the Miami Seaquarium once a month for a homeschool class. It's basically  marine biology, each session is focused on a topic such as fish, reptiles, mammals, etc. This was the last one for this year, and it was on marine animal care careers. After a lecture, we went over and caught the Flipper show and then talked to the trainers.

yea, look at how well she sits in a class room setting!

Home school class photo with dolphin trainer

chatting about bird care

Homeschool Audiences

There are times when you have to have an audience. That is one disadvantage here, not a lot of kids willing to sit and watch your performance. So... you get your local soft friends to fill in.

Ren-fest 2012

We went again this year to the Renaissance Festival in Deerfield Beach. I got the scout program to add to the educational aspect, although this is our middle ages year also. This year she dressed up as a fairy.

Playing human chess

A Fairy and Mermaid

Tug of war

Lunch with the King

Sword in the Stone

It's a good thing this is our middle ages year. A large part of Disney World is about stories taken from those eras, so it was a fun addition to this year. We have the weekday pass, so there's less people around.

Flying trapeze

In a former life I learned to fly, but rigs go up and down around here. We went one day and the Cowgirl tried it. I was able to catch today, even if I hadn't been up in a few years.  She did really well, but seems to have acquired a fear she didn't have when she was younger. She also doesn't listen very well to other people.