Out Smarted 4 to 1: More Field Trips?

Wow, try staying indoors with the best kids ever when the weather is so beautiful.  We can't seem to focus beyond Spring Fever.  This past week has been full of hikes, parks, bike rides, sprinklers in the backyard and more field trips.  This time we visited some horse friends that we will be taking care of this week (AKA as horse camp) and spent the day at the Ben Avery outdoor expo.  I can't believe all of the awesome things Arizona has to offer, who knew?

Meet the horses!
The kids had a good time petting, feeding and meeting the horses at the horse farm.  This week they will be getting even closer and learning to care for, saddle and ride a horse.  We are all so excited!

 A horse after my own heart! 

Outdoor Expo
All you have to say is "outdoor" and we are there.  This was a great family event packed full of animals, stories, fossils, wildlife walks, fishing and we even met Smokey Bear.  The kids couldn't believe how many people knew who he was.  They asked if he was famous or something.   Man, what do they teach in Cub Scouts now a days?  MY LB took the day off to be with us and I was so happy that he did.  He has been an awesome support with home school and I love him to death for it.

I have a new found love for Spring!  Reading books, working out math problems, learning history and exploring new outlets together while listening to the birds, enjoying the sights of spring, trampling in water and laying in the grass.  Spring is my favorite time of year.

Please don't get to hot!  Please don't get to hot!  Just a little bit longer, PLEEEAAASSSSEEE!

Spring Has Sprung

Yeah!  I love spring and being outdoors.

Please don't get too hot, please don't get too hot.

We have been really taking advantage of Spring and the beautiful weather and nature that it brings.  The kids and I have been hiking the White Tank Mountains on a regular basis and participating in as many outdoor activities as we can.  We are so grateful to be together all day and enjoy the great big world that God has created for us.

Tres Rios Nature Festival

World Wildlife Zoo

This little monkey neighbor came with us.  So cute!

Family Trip to the Desert

Instigated by the visit of Aunt Alison

MY LB and his dad helped each of the kiddos shoot guns and bows.  The kids had a great time!

A little dirt never hurt, right?

This picture has to be one of my favorite pictures taken this year. 

It's that wonderful time of year.  To get outdoors and play, hurry fast and love it while it lasts.  The girls have already been running through the sprinklers in the backyard and the smell of sunscreen has begun to tickle our nose buds.  Oh, please don't get too hot, please don't get too hot.

Outsmarted 4to1- Trashy Clothes

So much for teaching morality!  I finally gave in and let my kids dress as "trashy" as they wanted. 

Here is the outcome of their agency.

Tres Rios

Recycle Fashion Show

Put on by Luke Air force Base

This was such a fun project.  The kids and I discussed the three R's all week , planned and put together these awesome recycled out fits. 

 Maggie was "Queen Recycle"

Matthew was a "Spartan Soldier"

Spencer was a "Skater Dude"

I am always so impressed with their creativity.  It was very surprising what we could make from cans, water bottles, foil, cardboard, and magazines.  We made crowns, shoes, protective gear, skate board, breast plate, sword, helmets, skirt, shirts, and a purse.

For entering the contest all of the kids received bags full of goodies and Spencer received a $10.00 AMC gift card for participation.  Matthew came in third and received a $25.00 Barnes and Noble gift card.  Maggie came in second and received a $25.00 gift card too.  They were all very excited! 

After the show MY LB told the kids that his favorite part of the entire show was that at the end when there were only five kids left on the stage (out of about 20) for judging three of them were his.   He smiled and hugged all of them.

Outsmarted 4 to 1- Science Fair

As promised here are our magnetically wormy, yet, sun shiny science experiments.

Maggie: Isn't it "Sun-tastic"

How does color affect the absorption of the sun's energy?

 Maggie is in first grade and has totally impressed me with her knowledge and desire to learn.  Like her brothers she loves Science (especially experiments).  She did an awesome job presenting at the Science Fair and has my vote for "Girl Scientist of the Year."

Spencer: Magnetic Attraction

What can a magnet pass through?

This was a fun experiment!  Spencer searched many magnet books until he finally combined a couple of experiments into one.  He was very thorough in his reading and studying on the subject of magnets.  At first mom was the only one to be able to hold the magnet still enough to get the paperclip to suspend in air, Spencer's stubborn nature drove him to keep trying until he became a "pro".  He was able to do the experiment at the Science Fair on his own.  Fun Fact:  Spencer forgot string at home for his experiment so his friend Maddie from our Home School group fashioned him a string out of nearby plant.   What a sweet girl!

Matthew: Meal Worms Oh Meal Worms

Do meal worms have all five senses?

This Science project was actually four in one.  Matthew did four different experiments to test the meal worms senses.  He  formed questions and hypothesis for all of the experiments and really rocked the house on this one.  I am so impressed with his perseverance and detail.  We all enjoyed watching the meal worms but only one of us would tolerate holding the meal worms (me).  That was until the day of the Science fair and they saw all of the other kids handling them without dieing.

We love our home school group, it is full of creative, fun and energetic kiddos and parents.  Every child had a chance to explain their project and do a little experiment if they had one.  After everyone was done the kids went around to the different projects and did some exploring on their own.  I was so excited to see how wonderful all of the projects were and how excited the kids were to share their projects and best of all how eager they were to hear from their peers.  They were all so respectful and polite, an awesome group of kids.

In conclusion:  You didn't think I would leave you hanging did you?
Maggie:  Dark colors attract more of the sun's energy.
Spencer:  The magnet pulled through air, paper, fabric, wood and glass.
Matthew:  No, meal worms do not have all five senses they are lacking hearing and smelling and have a very acute sense of sight.  They rely heavily on the sense of touch.
Mom:  The kids and I had a wonderful time together and I love home school.

Stay tuned for our next adventure when Outsmarted gets a little trashy.