'Tis the Season!

Last weekend we bought our Christmas tree! This is usually a fairly quick process for us. We typically agree on the fluffiest, biggest tree we can find within the 7-8ft range.

The kids helped Juan get it in the stand. 

We were debating on going taller this year but it turns out an 8ft tree was the perfect fit! 

 A few days later (after we let the branches settle), the kids decorated the tree. 

The dangerous shenanigans her father lets her get into!

 This year was Jayden's turn to put the star on the tree. 

And here is the mini tree sitting in our kitchen window!

Karate & Science

The kids are working very hard in karate. Last week they got to break boards, which is always a special treat. 

Jayden did very well! He broke through two boards at once with a nice strong kick. 

Caitlin is working on her follow through when it comes to board breaking. She tried chopping it with her hands, kicking it, then went back to trying with her hand.

After some persistence and cheers from her classmates, she got it!

We had a pretty relaxed week school-wise, due to Thanksgiving. But we did manage to catch an episode of The Magic School Bus, which means we snuck in science! ;)

DIY

Just before Thanksgiving we had a co-op day where we created our own cause and effect contraptions. The idea was to invent a contraption that would make a bell ding.

Everyone branched off to make their creations in smaller groups. Eventually most of us pitched in to make a domino line up that went around the room.

LA & Geography

Jayden is working diligently to finish his 4th grade math early. He is now 66% complete!

The kids have been working on conjunctions. Caitlin worked on putting two sentences together.

 Jayden worked on commas, conjunctions, and independent clauses.

We finally picked up our geography lessons again. Jayden helped Caitlin locate it on the map. Then we read a little bit about it in our Atlas.

 We learned many facts about Delaware, including the state fish, bird, and flower.

We learned about the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the kids made their own replica out of legos.