Science: Fetal Pig Dissection

Today we were able to do our final dissection which were two Fetal Pigs!

We got our dissection supplies and specimens from this website: https://www.homesciencetools.com/

We use Richard Glassford's youtube videos and he has all but the pig so far but said he would do it soon: https://youtu.be/qC89SLOXIvs

Well also got this book from the homesciencetools website: How to Dissect by Berman

We also picked up The Zoology Coloring Book by Elson from Amazon but they are pretty deep and we haven't used them a ton...but if your kids love coloring more they might!

Let me know if you have more questions!

Science: Frog Dissection

We used homesciencetools to get our supplies and followed along with Richard Glassford via youtube: https://youtu.be/9Y8Ysek4Vac 

 Frog sticking his tongue out

 Female frog with loads of eggs

Dear Child!

Oh, Dearest Child!  You are a little stinker lately. I try to keep up with you but it is truly exhausting!  You just seem to go, go, go.  You go from climbing shelves and triple bunk beds to making messes and breaking things.  Then there are those sweet moments when you snuggle in close, give big hugs, and make the whole family burst into laughter.  Though you are not two yet...I think you have hit the "Terrible Twos" or as a former teacher told me the "Terrific Twos" as you gain your independence, push bounds, and explore the world around you!   We love you and are so glad you are growing and enjoying life!

Mr. Climber finding dirt in the window sill to play in.  I think it was that same day he pulled over and broke the lamp in the family room.

I tried to snap a photo of scripture study.  #7 Boy decided he wanted to read from the scriptures also (and gets very upset if he doesn't get a book)...but if you notice in the photo...right as I pulled my camera out the capture the sweet moment he decided to rip the pages instead!

#7 Boy tried copying one of his siblings and ended up planting his face into his doughnut

#7 Boy loves wearing these 'roller-blades' and being like the big kids! (It really does make him feel so old!)

Little stinker wouldn't stay in his bed after he had already made his way up to our bed once...so he took after #6 Boy and talked himself to sleep on the red couch.

Little boys enjoying a box...they spent a long time stabbing holes all around the box

Cheese, after he scraped up his nose while biking

He loves to scare and attack his siblings and they all get a kick out of it!

He decided he needed a wet rag on his head to be a monster and would make a deep growling sound with his arms reached out as he chased his siblings...who would all crawl away acting scared and laughing!

The kids also made human swings for #7 Boy to play on

I love #3 Girl's laughter in this photo!

Dad decided he wanted a try also...the kids got a good kick out of that!

Two cut up shirts in one day!  Little stinker would hold the scissors in and snip, snip away went his nice shirts!

The Leonardo

I was pretty excited about this field trip. The kids enjoyed their time there with all the different hands-on activities!

Craft Area - with illusions, blocks, and valentine making area

Science area showing the beginning of making gummy bears

Create area that had a huge marble wall, wind tunnel and building blocks

Kids testing things that float

Then they tried to draw themselves without picking their pen up.

DIY Reverse Videos

The kids have been wanting to make reverse videos for some time now.  I haven't had the ump to figure it out.  So, Dad stepped up and helped load down the right editing software and teach the kids how to do it.  They have had a blast thinking of different ideas of things that would be fun to see in reverse.  I love them gathered around Dad just laughing away...and then the freedom of them to go and create on their own.

LDS First Vision Picture

On Sunday my 4 year old brought this picture home.  I love his drawing of the First Vision.  Since that time he keeps reminding us that we get to go see the "sacred grave" on a "field trip."  (We are planning a 10 day church history trip for this summer that includes seeing the sacred grove).

Living Planet Aquarium 4D Movies Free

 The aquarium  has free 4D movies with membership.  The aquarium was packed but we didn't have any trouble getting into the theater.  It was a fun experience.  There are three other shows that we can go watch some time but I think the kids would even enjoy just watching the same one. They all had lots of fun!

DIY Food Baskets

I think it was last spring that we bought them to put on the wall.  They sat on our counter for that long waiting to be hung.  6 hammered hooks later and ta-da! They are hanging by hooks so we can lift them down easily.  I love having them on the wall and off of the counter!

Managing Time

Homeschooling has really opened up the day for all of us. I love being about to create our own schedule and fit in things that matter to us. (There are some things I hope to add to our schedule as time goes including having my older kids more involved in family history.   I love that they can get through most of their school work early in the day and have time to play. But, it also has meant that they have more time to play...thus wanting more time for electronics or wondering what to do.  Most of the time I feel like we manage pretty well at balancing, but sometimes it gets off balance.  So, this last week we started a new program at our house in hopes of providing a variety of activities, helping around the house more, and managing their own time better.  So far, it seems to have helped...but I do realize some things only last a season.  So, here is our new 'electronics rules' (see bottom of post).   The kids get a lot more electronic time then they used to but I also get a lot more help around the house and they also keep busy doing other things.

We manage to get out of the house doing fun things like going to the Aquariums new playground

The little kids area

Playing

I am not sure how we managed to get a sock stuck here!

We manage to have plenty of time to build, create and show love for each other!

Working on her tie quilt

Kids came up with this quilt idea...designed on paper and in the cutting process

Cutting together

Working on more cutting

#4 Boy made this with help from #2 Boy

#2 Boy created this parrot that sits on his shoulder

Managing some Family time...I love how they all line up in a row...#7 Boy even pulled himself up on to the end and laid with the others!

#6 Boy managing some play time asking for photos

We also manage to get some cooking done.  One night #3 Girl made dinner: Quesadillas, Salad, and Apple Crisp!  Yum!

Coring the apples and the little ones helping to eat the skin (memories from growing up!)

#3 Girl did all the hands on work for this.  I did help make sure she got the right amount of everything. 

Managing to enjoy one another!

The kids are choosing the help more around the house.  They already do kitchen duty every night or chicken/rabbit, front room duty (boys and girls swap).  But, now they are often found cleaning the bedrooms, bathrooms or walls throughout the day without me having to say a word!  The little ones love doing it along side their older siblings.  Tonight #2 Boy was wiping down the door and jumping while he was doing it.  #7 Boy was standing beside him with a rag bouncing up and down!

Yes, me laying there while my house begins to shine!

Cleaning together

#6 Boy often asks now "can I clean?!"...yes, yes you can!

Note: We have added more to our 'chores' section to give more variety.

Treehouse Museum Field Trip

We love that we get to do so many fun field trips this year and that we get to share the experience as a family (well, minus Dad).  Anyway, last Friday we got to go to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden.  As a school group they have a special "World Tales" (focused on Asia) that we got to be a part of.  It included stories while sitting in a Chinese Hunt and a Mongolian Hut.  Then we made a fish wind sock craft while hearing stories from Japan. It ended with the kids helping to put on a play.  I can't remember where the play was from.  I was pleased to see most of the kids participate (#5 Boy could have been a star fish but wouldn't dress up.  #6 Boy dressed up but wasn't about to go near the stage, #7 Boy played around on the floor, stage and steps just like a sea anemone).  After the "World Tales" part was over the kids had time to explore the museum.  The found a variety of fun things to do.  As we left they also gave each child a free pass back.  Just have to pay for an adult to join!  Anyway, I didn't get pictures of most of it, but couldn't help but pull out the camera during the play.  So you get treated with some of those!

 "Alligator King"

The "Princess Turtle"

Starring as "A Kid"

As a "sea anemone"

The "snail"

The kids poking the turtle

On a boat ride

As a fish swimming around