Leaves! Leaves! Leaves!

Emily could NOT wait until the leaves all fell off the tree! I think she asked almost daily if we could rake the leaves “now?”.  She was so excited when Daddy finally agreed to make some leaf piles!  My little “sensory seeker” was on cloud 9!


Hubby filled up the slide for Bug to slide down – Weeeeeeeeeee!


Then he tried it with the cat.  She was not as impressed, but forgave him quickly!
 

Kindergarten – Month 1

What have we been doing for the last month? 
Having a great time!  

We officially started school on Sept. 8, right after Labor Day weekend.  The previous 2 weekends were huge “field trips” as we spent a weekend with my parents in Oklahoma, and then spent the next weekend at the Galveston beach with R’s mom!  Both weekends were filled with fun and learning about nature!

Each week we cover the following subjects:  Reading, Writing, History, Geography, Math, Bible, Science, Spelling, Home Economics, Arts & Crafts, & Physical Education.   The core of that is done in 2-3 hours a day!
We are having a great time!

Here are some of the highlights from the past month:

* Learning about Egypt and the fact that they used to shave off HALF of one eyebrow when their cat died to show they were mourning.
* Learning that the country of Italy looks like a boot on the map.
* Reading (Mommy read, she listened) to the first book in the Boxcar Children series.
* Checking the weather every day for our Weather Chart.
* Changing the days on our “Today is…” chart.
* Making fossils
* Making a weather vane
* Having a paper race to learn about wind
* Hearing my daughter ask if we can PLEASE “do more school!”
* Learning how to operate the “self-check” machine at the grocery store.
* Going to a local Greek festival after learning about Greece.
* Taking soil samples
* Building a rocket out of a cardboard box

Making a coracle and testing to see if it would float.
It did!


Fun at the Greek Festival:
 



Making Fossils



Soil Samples


Weathervane


Fun with Spelling


Egyptian Collar


Learning the difference between sedimentary & igneous rocks


Physical Education (aka: Getting the extra energy out!)


Whew! I can’t wait to see how October goes!

Texas State Fair Discounts!

It’s almost fair time, and I can’t wait!! The Texas State Fair means it’s finally Autumn – my favorite time of year!   I love the sights at the fair, and look forward to a yummy corn on the cob!  Last year we spent the whole time running from building to building because it was pouring rain the whole time, so I’m even more excited to go this year for another chance :)

I think every child should get to have cotton candy at certain occasions and the fair is one of them!  Since we don’t eat any artificial food coloring, the typical stuff is off-limits, so I buy Bug’s cotton candy at NaturalCandyStore.com – it is kid-loved, and mom-approved around here!  If anyone in your family is following the Feingold diet too, then check out this awesome candy source for the upcoming holidays!

Also, anyone that knows me, knows I love to be FRUGAL! Which means, I don’t ever pay full price to go to the fair (and I take in a cooler of snacks to save even more $$).  

Here is the list of Discount Days for this year!
Advance purchase General Admission tickets are $13.50. A Season Pass is $29.95. They may be purchased at the check-out counter or at the service desk at your local Kroger.
Daily Deals
Opening Day: Sept. 25—Bring a full 20 oz. Coca-Cola product for donation to the North Texas Food Bank containers at Fair admission gates and enter the State Fair for $4 per donation per person.
Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway, Texas Star and selected other attractions) are 5 coupons.
Dr Pepper $5 after 5 pm: Bring an empty Dr Pepper can to any State Fair admission gate after 5 p.m. and enter for $5.
Kroger “Three for $1″ each Wednesday: Admission is $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.
Coke $4 Thursday: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $4 admission.
FREE Thursdays for Senior Citizens: HealthSpring and Mature Texan Magazine sponsor of Seniors Day. Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday.
FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.
Any Day—McDonald’s offers $4 off General Admission: with one of their State Fair coupons (available on tray liner or bag stuffer) any day of the Fair. A free child ticket (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald’s. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.
The State Fair of Texas opens September 25 and goes to October 18.  ENJOY!