Learning while playing

There are so many games or activities out there for kids to help them learn in different ways.  Making learning fun.

Dartanian has always like playing with his Rainbow Caterpillar from Melissa and Doug.  He likes moving each gear, taking them apart and trying to put them in their correct spot.  Great for identifying colors, matching, and motor skills.  

Little man is trying his hand at lace and trace by Melissa and Doug.

The kids liked popping out the letters from their ABC's foam puzzle.

Kanani matched the number to the word that went with each one.  Then we discussed what colors each one was one.

We love using our bananagram tiles to spell different words.  This time around we decided to practice her name.  She knows her first and middle name really good, we still are practicing with her last name.  Poor thing has such a long name but she's doing great with learning her name and is very determined to learn it.

The kids received two tents for Christmas and then I found a great deal on some ball pit balls.  They both have enjoyed playing in the tent.  We went over colors, counting, and sorting.  

Kanani got a Doc McStuffin Veterinarian Clinic for Christmas, she has said for the past two years that she wants to be a vet when she grows up.  It's so great seeing her playing and pretending to be a vet.  She really has a love for animals.  

Christmas Tree Farm

Today we went to Daniel's Christmas Tree Farm with our homeschool co-op group.  It was such a great experience, and even better that my husband was able to join us.  

On our way to the farm.

The kids really enjoyed the goats.

Observing the Christmas Trees on the lot.

We learned that it takes approximately 5 years for a Christmas tree to grow.  Daniel (the tree farmer) has to get his Christmas trees from another farm in the mountains due to the fact they haven't yet to discover how to make them grow faster.  His trees takes approximately 10 years to grow.  They are working with NC State University students to find a way to make the trees grow faster.

Every time he finds sticks laying around he just has to pick them up and then run after us chasing us around.  Such a silly little boy.

View of some of the trees on the farm.

All the kids had a blast on the barrel train.  They let the kids ride 3 times around the farm.  

One of the workers brought over a little goat named Dasher for the kids to pet.  Once I went in with Dartanian Dasher quickly wanted a selfie and kept getting in front of my phone.   She was very sweet and gentle.

We went on a hay ride around the entire farm and got to see a couple of horse, ducks, more goats, new guineas, chickens, and kittens.  The kids loved seeing all the horses.

Once we got back from the hay ride the kids made a wreath to take home.  Kanani did an awesome job and couldn't wait to get home to hang it.

Once we were done with all the activities we sat around the camp fire talking and enjoying each others company.

Going to the farm was a great way to start the month.  All the workers on the farm were so kind to everyone and very attentive to the kids.  Made for a wonderful, outstanding experience.

Puerto Rico

Today at our co-op was our 2nd International Day, last year we did ours on Germany.  This year I wanted Kanani to learn more about where are family come from so we picked Puerto Rico.  The last time Kanani and me went to PR was when she was 6 months old, back in 2010.  It's been awhile and can't wait to go back, especially now so our family can meet Dartanian.  

DISPLAY BOARD

We placed several information on the board about PR and brought some items from home to show some of the things that come from PR.

She was so excited to do her report on Puerto Rico

Talking about the Coqui

Giving her presentation

We made Templeque for her presentation food

Having fun in the sun 

My beautiful princess

Together

Togetherness 

Kanani has always enjoyed shadow puppets and was very happy to have abuelo over to play shadow puppets in her tree house.

She's got such a great imagination.

Observing the stars from her tree house.

She loves to play with daddy's flashlight.

Dartanian fixing his slide

Our little climber 

so much fun

she loves her abuela

Letter Sounds

Learning and reviewing letter sounds with Leap Frog magnetic letters.

Set this up on a yoga mat as an invitation for the kids to play with it while learning the letter sound.

Little man didn't care for it while it was on the mat but once I placed the letters on the floors he was all about it.

He would place the letter in the slot and then press down on the letter to hear the sound.

Of course Kanani quickly started to play it with, it's a great review for her even though she knows all the letter sound.

Once Dartanian saw Kanani playing with it he went over to play with the letters as well.

Metros

It's Soccer season again, which Kanani has been anxiously waiting for.  Can't believe how much she has changed since last season.  We don't have a little girl any more.  

First picture is how she like to pose: we call it her soccer pose and second picture is her game face pose.

Barbados

Today at one of our local libraries we the kids enjoyed learning about Barbados.  It so happens that one of the librarians is from there and from her last trip there she brought lots of goodies to show the kids.  We learned a lot about Barbados and hope to one day be able to visit.

Fayetteville Police Department

We've always had many respects for the Police, not only because they are authority figures but for the things they do for us.  I've always had family in law enforcement so I grew up around that.  having my husband work so close with our local police department is very rewarding.  

Today our local Police Department came out to our co-op and give the kids a demonstration of what they do and their wonderful K-9s.  We really enjoyed it and the kids loved being able to pet the dogs.

It's great to teach our kids to respect law enforcement, especially after all these negative news you hear about them.