Back to School 2015

It's Back to School time in the Finn house!

This year, we are doing school a little bit differently.

The two big kids are enrolled in Faith Tutorial here in Jackson.

They will attend the tutorial on Tuesday and Thursday mornings,

and will cover English, Science, Art, and Math (for G).

They will have homework/assignments for the days they aren't in class.

I will still cover history, spelling, and other subjects at home.

Since they are now going to school (even in a reduced manner), the kids needed backpacks.

After reviewing a very professional poll (I asked Facebook:-), 

I ordered L.L. Bean Deluxe backpacks--and to say Georgia and Baxter were excited was an understatement!! They were thrilled, and I am excited about quality backpacks 

that should grow with them over time. 

Epic First Day of School Fail

It was the first day of tutorial.

It was a parking lot.

It was blazing bright.

Epic Fail.

Baxter in his tutorial class.

He's obviously impressed with my taking pictures of him.

A few days later, we took our "Clapham Academy" pictures.

Fuller and Eleanor were just cheesing it up for the camera the entire time.

Here's to a new school year, a new state, a new homeschool/tutorial plan!

My first grader

My pre-kindergartener

My crazy toddler

My third grader

Strawberry picking 2015

One of the joys of spring is strawberry picking!

This year, we were able to go with our homeschool co-op, the Saplings. 

We picked LOTS of strawberries, and ate lots of strawberries, and had loads of fun.

This crew. We love them. 

So blessed by the fun we've had with them this year.

This is best picture they've taken yet--

eagerness for strawberries is too much to contain:-)

Our week in pictures (week of April 13)

For fun, here are a few snapshots of our life last week:

Our friends from seminary days, Jason and Michele, now live in Wake Forest where Jason works as director of the library. This means we get to hang out a lot with their family. The Finnlings love Russell Fowler, and much silliness ensues when they are all together!

Sweet picture

Silly picture

Best buddies

I was cleaning out leaf debris and weeds under my azaleas--with my bare hands--when the leaves moved and this snake appeared.

I kept from screaming, and even managed to pick it up with a stick to try to move it.

But... it flipped off the stick and slithered back into my azaleas.

So it's still alive, and I'm probably not touching those bushes again for a long long time.

We studied the Diaspora of the Jews in history last week, and the kids had a coloring sheet of Herod's Temple. G used bright, rich colors for her sheet.

B asked if he could color fire and smoke on it. After all, it DID burn.

Also, apparently it was attacked by knights with bows and arrows, swords, and catapults.

Revisionist history

We are working on writing coherent paragraphs. G knows what she wants to be, though she didn't ask how to spell that particular job:-)

The Finnlings plant a garden

At the NC State Fair in October, we were given these Growums garden kits.

I kept putting off starting them because the weather was off and on cold for weeks.

Finally we opened them up and planted the seeds.

Okay, I could have done it sooner if I had read the instructions.

These packages come with grow pods (little pods of soil) that you plant seeds in, a watering tray, and seeds. I LOVE these watering trays! So very easy to use, and easy to see how much water the plants need. Once they sprout, we will replant these outside.

Each child has a different 'themed' garden: pizza, stir-fry, and ratatouille.

Here's to hoping the Finnlings don't inherit their mother's black thumb.

Clapham Academy Takes on Marbles!!

 Last week, we took a trip to Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh.

We were able to meet our former neighbors, who now live 1.5 hours away from us.

It was great to visit with Amy again (I miss our chats), and to see our kids play together.

Our science for the day: studying sound waves. 

This interactive exhibit was engaging, instructive and fun! Two thumbs up!

Few things are more fun then a huge pile of blocks, 

or seeing yourself in a mirror!

That Eleanor

Baxter spent close to an hour building and racing cars.

He's my master builder.

Georgia worked hard at sawing (in her tulle skirt, too:-)

then she moved on to fashion design, which is her latest passion

Our former neighbors, R and C:-)

Exploring how energy works

The whole gang!!

Note to local homeschooling friends: If you show your state identification card (which can be printed after you register with the Department for Non-Public Education), you can get in for free and your children get in for $4/each. This is a nice savings over $5/person :-)

Date taken: January 27, 2015