5 Points of Life Kids Marathon and Art Class

We are in the process of training for the, 5 Points of Life Kids Marathon, sponsored by Life South.  This is a kid's marathon where you log the the miles you walk, or run, before the race.  The official log form is on their website.  Then the day of the marathon, you and your kids, walk or run the last mile of the marathon everyone together.  I like this, because my kids are young, and you can go on the marathon with them, the day of the event.  This just gives me a feeling of safety.  This is our first marathon, and is nice and mild.  Since two years ago, we have been increasing our outside exercise.  We first started with walking.  Then another homeschool family, and us, started a Run/Walk Club.  Two days a week, we either walk or run two miles each day.  So, we are clocking four miles a week.  Once the cold weather arrives, I am looking forward to mixing in some light jogging and even running, for me.  I am 44 years old, but my kids are young.  I believe exercise is what will keep me healthy and ready for whatever they throw my way.  Hop on over to their website and sign up.  It will take place in Gainesville, FL but check your area for similar events.

This evening we painted the Swallowtailed Kite.  A predatory bird that lives mostly in the South.  We see them only in the Summer months, and they are beautiful, majestic birds.   To see our art work, head over to my other blog.  Below is a video with different images of these beautiful birds.  Next week Caitlin has picked the Cardinal.  A personal favorite here at our house.

Need Something Fun To Do This Weekend?

The 3rd annual Monarch Butterfly Festival is tomorrow, Sept 14th from 10-2 in Earleton, FL. If you are going from Gainesville it is straight up 26. You really can not miss it. They will be doing a butterfly tag and release, education, tours, and of course food, games, craft vendors and music. Come on out and join in the fun. It is only 5 dollars for admission.


At the bottom of this blog is my new Amazon Homeschool Store. Be sure to check it out if you need some Arts and Craft supplies or homeschool textbooks.

Kika Silva Planetarium

Yesterday, we went to the Kika Silva Planetarium for a field trip. The Planetarium is on the campus of Santa Fe College. This was our first class there, but we will return hopefully next month. The class was on stars, and DJ will be doing a writing assignment on stars, hopefully this week. We were only allowed to take one picture and as you can see it wasn't that great. But, after we got to ask questions to the Astronomer who did the class. If I did not mention it, last Thursday a meteor came right over Florida and caused a huge sonic boom and our house shook like we were in an earthquake. I so wish I had been outside with the dogs, like I normally would be, but alas I was not. The dogs got to see it, but I did not. I asked him why NASA could not see the meteor coming at us, and he said because it was not big enough. This particular meteor was about the size of a suitcase, but still not large enough for them to pick it up before it entered the Earth's atmosphere. No damage was done thank goodness. Then we went to the park for a chilly but not completely unpleasant lunch and play time.

Today, was a regular school day and so will tomorrow be. Next week we are visiting a Bee Farm.

Easy Peasy Homeschool

It is that time of year again. We are one week away from the end of our third semester of school, and my endless decision making for next year begins. There are so many great products to consider. DJ will continue with at least three classes at FLVS, but because 8th grade will be the last year that I get to have lots of fun with his curriculum, I am still looking for fun things for him to do. Once he starts high school, he has to take certain classes in order to get his diploma. I still have lots of time to play around with Caitlin's. She will be in the fourth grade. That is not to say that even when in high school, that DJ can not do other classes that he enjoys. I just can't mess with the curriculum as much. A homeschool friend shared a website called, Easy Peasy Homeschool. I think I have actually looked at this website before, and then forgot about it. I have now bookmarked it, because it looks awesome. Caitlin will still do Saxon Math, Head of the Class and Art class. But, Easy Peasy Homeschool, I might use for History, Science, and extra Math lessons and videos. They even have it already lied out by days. I think I like the Reading too and possibly the Grammar. I haven't had time to go all the way through it yet, but I will. I am also purchasing a World History and Culture book, from the same homeschool friend. This will probably be appropriate for both children, so I look forward to getting it and checking it out. That is as far as I have gotten so far. DJ will be all done with his 4H Photography books, and still has one Entomology book left. So, those will be squeezed in somewhere. As his days get busier, in higher grades, it is harder to squeeze in extra stuff. If you are a Charlotte Mason fan, Amazon is offering all six of her original homeschool books for only 0.99 cents. Get this before it is gone if you want to try the Charlotte Mason method. I am very much interested in doing some renewable energy or something with mechanical stuff next year for DJ. The product below looks very interesting to me.

Tomorrow, we are off to Dudley Farms. If you are in the Gainesville area, they offer classes every Wed. through July. DJ is interested in woodworking and Caitlin will probably do cooking or sewing. Another homeschool family will be going with us. Then we will have a picnic lunch and walk the trails. Don't worry I am sure we will have lots of pictures. Thursday we are having Art and Jewelry Making with friends. Pictures for that too I imagine, lol.