Mystery Science: Why we Wear Clothes

Today for Mystery Science the kids learned about why we wear clothes. :) they made some pretty awesome hats to protect themselves from the Sun after being shipwrecked on a tropical island. Bracken made a hat with a paper towel next to his head to absorb his perspiration, a paper plate for stiffness, and aluminum foil on top of that to make his hat waterproof. Chandra made three hats, one to protect her from sun, one for rain, and one to be cute. I think all three of her hats are cute. 

BB Gun

A week after Christmas Bracken got a present from our neighbors a couple of doors down.  His very own BB gun!  We are seriously surrounded by the Best neighbors!  (And yes, they checked with us beforehand.) Oh my goodness, to say Bracken has been delighted is a huge understatement. He is over the moon! He read the manual for his bedtime reading.  He's written letters to his cousins and uncles and neighbors and friends to let them know he has a CO2 pistol BB gun that splits army men action figures, and that they need to come visit and shoot it with him.  I hope his primary teachers were able to get a word in edge wise on Sunday because he was bursting at the seams to tell his class about it. He tells anyone who comes to our house about the safety and the magazine and how to hold a bb gun safely and all the rules surrounding it. 

 Brian grew up shooting army men action figures with BB guns. Bracken also likes shooting at targets and balloons because they're easier to hit.  But he is super excited every time he knocks an action figure over.

Whenever Brian has an afternoon at home now, Bracken wants to go shooting.  He earns his BBs by doing his studies and chores happily...it works perfectly, rationing out the BBs so they last a while, encouraging industry, and super special fun time with dad.  Thank you Pinegar's!

Snow Fun

Brian had more time at home in Dec-January this year since he was on his psychiatry rotation and it just has a lighter load.  It has been AMAZING.  We also had a couple of good snowstorms and the kids spent a lot of time outside with Brian.  They made 2 igloos, a sled hill, 2 snow thrones, and 6 snowmen.  

 Kira and Kinsey

 Chandra and Bracken

 Getting ready to make another snow fort.

Even Brian could fit in their igloo!

Mystery Science

 MysteryScience.com is one of our favorite homeschooling resources. My kids absolutely love the lessons and activities. I love that everything is pre-planned and the activities use simple supplies that I always have around the house. This day they split an orange in half with rubber bands after learning about forces. They had so much fun they split several oranges in half and made orange juice. 

Something Tickles...

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas! Can you tell Bracken is excited? A wonderful day filled with presents, Christmas breakfast, cousins playing, acting out the nativity and just being together as a family. 

 Rob and Sue

 Kira, Kinsey, Bracken, Brian, Steve, Melissa, Zedek, Chandra, Spencer, Kristi and Rick.

 We did our nativity on Christmas day this year.  Such a special tradition!  The wisemen always have so much fun with their costumes.