Sunday, September 27, 2009

Photo shoot!

I'm working on a project that requires photos of Mickey. Her and I spent a morning doing a mini photo shoot. We had so much fun! Here are a few samples.






Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Toronto Science Centre






Last year we had a membership to the Toronto Zoo and it was fantastic. We probably went 6 or 7 times throughout the year. We definitely got our monies worth. This year we decided to get a membership with the Science Centre. My verdict is still out on this decision. We went on Friday and it was extremely quiet. The majority of the visitors there were from the Fergus Homeschool Group! We didn't make it to the section on the Human Body and the Special Exhibits had just finished with new installations coming soon. My first impressions were this; the building and exhibits were tired, lacking, and wordy. I didn't find it to be hands-on at all. Too many buttons! Buttons to push EVERYWHERE. What is with that? Displays had a lot of written material accompanying them - too much for younger children. There were very few scientists available throughout the building for questions. I had been looking forward to the rain forest and it was laughable. All this being said the kids had a great time. Go figure! I have high hopes for this membership. Perhaps our second visit will be more successful in my eyes.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Our Annual Not-Back-To-School Event

Here's a few photos of our annual trip to Chudleigh's Apple Farm. I got lazy though and passed the job of taking photos on to another mom! Can't wait to see how they turned out!



Sunday, September 13, 2009

Couldn't resist!

In order to manage homeschooling this year while still working as a teacher two days a week I've traded child care services with two other friends who are also working. It's working out great. The kids are getting time with their friends, I don't have to stress about who's going to watch the kids and the kids get another adult for a teacher. On Thursdays, their 8 year old friend comes for the day and boy are we structured! These are pictures from our day. Luckily Mickey didn't have to go off to gymnastic! The kids did 6 hours of learning. Our friend's mom had sent his work along so he worked on that (mainly english and math) while I bounced back and forth between my two and helping him. It was especially good for my two to see what he was working on and he was able to read some of his compositions to them and share his ideas.

I got out an old desk I had. My unschooling friends are probably having convulsions right now! The desk was actually my dad's desk from grade school. It would be at least 70 years old. Mickey fell in love with it and she was pretty cute sitting in it.


In the afternoon we worked together on our Story of the World and our art lesson. While we may have very structured days, they don't all look like this! Trust me! We've had three field trips in three days and there was no in house learning but a lot of learning was still accomplished. I guess I am an eclectic homeschooler.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

And she's off!

Mickey's off the training wheels. In her words, "WHEE"! After trying to keep up with the two of them at RIM park today on foot we have now decided that we're either going to have to come prepared with running gear (including running bra), bike or roller blades. They left us in their dust. At the start of the walk today she still needed our help, by the end she was completely on her own, manoeuvring around others on foot, bike, blades or in golf carts! There were a few "yikes" but not one bandaid was required! She was thrilled to be able to keep up with Mason.