Mnemonic Phrases

Our study of Astronomy began this week.  We are using Exploring Creation with Astronomy by Jeannie Fulbright.  The girls really enjoyed the reading this week.  But the best part was making up mnemonic phrases for learning the names and order of the planets.  The book gives an example - "My very early morning just started under Nancy's pancakes." 

Lulu came up with - "Miss Vent eats my jelly soup under Nellie's pug."

Monkey came up with - "Madilyn Violin eats monkies, jumps some underwear, next please!"

The two minds of my oldest girls.....  Any of you that know them personally -- true to their natures!

By the way, the order of the planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.  And with these funny phrases the girls almost have them down.

More September Fun

We took the girls fishing at Salato.  It was such a beautiful day.  Our first fall day....which is now but a memory.  It is always so much fun to see the girls squirm and squeal over the fish.  Lil was able to catch her first fish.  She caught two actually!

She was so proud of her little fish.  Lulu also caught two fish.  Monkey didn't catch one but she did hold the fish and put it back in the water.

After our fishing, we went to see the animals.  Shawna, Doug and "Little Man" showed up and walked around with us.  That was a great suprise!  It ended up being a very nice afternoon.

This past weekend we went camping again at Natural Bridge.  We had a great time.  We stayed three nights.  The creek is always a highlight for the girls.

But we also enjoy hiking and seeing all the wonderful things God has created.  We hiked to Sky Bridge, Hansen's Arch and Angel Windows this trip.  The girls are such troopers.  We even let Lil hike back out from the trails this time.  She did really well.

September Events

I cannot believe it is already the middle of September.  We just finished our first six weeks of school.  The girls are doing really well this year.  Lulu is improving on her math skills by leaps and bounds compared to last year.  RightStart Mathematics is a great program.  Very parent involved, but great for the child that does not like flash cards and the same worksheet after another.  Her handwriting is much better as well.  It is really neat to see your children progress from year to year and know that you have a hand in that progression.  God is so good to us to allow us to keep our children home.  Monkey is beginning to get in the flow with her reading skills.  She read her first two-syllable words yesterday.  You should have seen her face.  She was so proud of herself.  I think it was a real confidence booster for her to be able to read words like gossip, napkins, contact, etc.  And she loves math.  She really understands numbers and picks up new concepts really quickly. 

Anyway...back to the point of September events.  We went to the Museum Center in Cincinnati on Labor Day again this year.  The girls (and us too) really love the museums there.  They learn so much and have a great time no matter how many times we go.  This time they took a friend with them so that made it even more special.   Here are some photos from our trip:

The girls like to play at the diner.  James and I get fed really good there.

 

Our future construction worker.......Daddy says "No Way!"

Inside the ice cave...

Lulu is working a bird puzzle with her friend.

Lil is climbing up the inside of a tree trunk to play in "The Woods".

Another fun thing we have done so far this month is go to a family reunion in Ohio.  We were able to see some family that we only see once a year so that was nice.  The girls always love to get to stay at Mammaw's!

Then we had our Fall Kick-off for Co-Op.  We go to an apple orchard after all the orientation stuff.  It is always a fun day.  The girls are so excited for Co-Op to start on Monday.  Lulu and Monkey will be in the same class this year.  And Lil is going to go ahead and start in the 3-yr old class.  I wish I could be there to see Monkey and Lil's faces as this will be a big day for both of them.  I am teaching two computer classes this year for the high schoolers so I will be at the library for most of co-op. 

Having fun on the big slide at the Apple Orchard.

 
Today we are taking the girls fishing and next weekend is camping........more September fun!