TV School- Science

We have watched some amazing science shows this week on TV. I just had to share incase you can catch them on replay.


Raw Anatomy: Inside the Elephant (National Geographic Channel)
We were mesmerized!


Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air (Nature/ PBS)
Slow motion is amazing!


(On DVR) Building Pharaoh's Ship (Nova/ PBS)


ANTS- Nature's Secret Power (The Science Channel)

Static Magic

While trying to clean up after refilling a bean bag chair, we were treated to laughs by the magic of static electricity. G wants to submit it to America's Funniest Home Videos.

Looking for One but Found Another

Isn't homeschooling and life full of rabbit trails? I was trying to find a version of Go Tell It On the Mountain by Garth Brooks, one of my favorites, and found Belleau Woods. Belleau Woods is based on a true story from WW1, where the Germans and their enemies held a truce over the holidays and even shared celebratory time together. Then this made me think of a movie, Joyeux Noel, I watched last year... based on the same story. Huh

Marshmallow World

One of my ALL TIME favorite songs. My mom had this album when I was growing up and couldn't wait to play it each winter. Memories (sigh)




Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra- Marshmallow World

Christmas Time

As we are done with school for the semester and have 2 family Christmas parties done, I am all about feel good Christmas Music. I will be posting some new finds as well as old favorites! Whether you celebrate the season or not... best wished to you and yours from Boys+



Trans-Siberian Orchestra- Christmas Canon

Winter Piano Recital 2008

G had his piano recital this morning. He played two pieces. After all of the piano students were finished the Kid's Fun Choir sang. It was great!


Turkey Dinner


We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Bull Jumpers

We learned this week about Bull Jumpers in Crete. So we explored our new favorite resource, You Tube, to find some examples. There were very few examples there but I did find this one on another site. Enjoy!


Crazy Bull Jumpers - Watch more Free Videos

Olive Oyl for President

Parents Choice in Education

Oh how true. History is Elementary had this clip from the british show Yes,Prime Minister on her site. EHT says "How do I know the video speaks volumes? Well, I’ve sat in on meetings where I’ve heard some of the same comments. Say what you want to regarding the high level of poor parenting today, but parents are still the parents and should be able to make decisions regarding the education of their children." I've sat through many of those same meetings and conferences. This video is spot on! LOL

Mom's Overture

I have about 5 entries started but not finished so until then enjoy!!!


UPDATE: Here are the words!
Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepy head
Here's your clothes
And your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now
Get up and make your bed
Are you hot?
Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat
Don't forget you got to feed the cat
Eat your breakfast
The experts tell us it's the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today?
Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon

So you must play
Don't shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside
Don't play rough
Would you just play fair?
Be polite
Make a friend
Don't forget to share
Work it out
Wait your turn
Never take a dare
Get along
Don't make me come down there
Clean your room
Fold your clothes
Put your stuff away
Make your bed
Do it now
Do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn?
Would you like some hay
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone
Get Off the phone
Don't sit so close
Turn it down
No texting at the table
No more computer time tonight
Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up

Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me
Makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You'll appreciate my wisdom
Someday when you're older and you're grown
Can't wait 'til you have a couple little children of your own
You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now
I thank you NOT to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew
Would appreciate
Take a bite
Maybe two
Of the stuff you hate
Use your fork
Don't you burp
Or I'll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an egg A, Get the door
Don't get smart with me
Get a Grip
Get in here, I'll count to 3
Get a job
Get a life
Get a PhD
Get a dose of reality
I don't care who started it
You're grounded until your 36
Get your story straight
And tell the truth for once for heaven's sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff
Would you jump too?

If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before that
You're too old to act this way
It must be your father's DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straight when you walk
A place for everything
And everything must be in place
Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth
Wash your face
Get your PJs on
Get in bed
Get a hug
Say a prayer with Mom
Don't forget
I love you
**KISS**
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends
You don't need the reason why
Because
Because
Because
Because
I said so
I said so
I said so
I said so
I'm the Mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
The mom
Ta-da

Animal Kingdom

Note: While viewing the above slide show turn off your air conditioning, open you your windows and bump around in your seat. There it is just like you are really on the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride at Walt Disney World.


WDW's Animal Kingdom is an amazing zoo with a few rides tossed in to make it a theme park. Every path is scattered with lush flora & fauna. We were able to see new animals we'd never heard of and up close views of old favorites. You can find a list of some of the species here.

Some exhibits were captioned by "chalk" boards rather than static printouts. Such as this one at our new favorite animal the Okapi.


Or the Massive Gorillas


AWSOME!!!!!

Did you know that Hippos sleep underwater and that their bodies natural rhythm floats them to the top for air about every 5 minutes? G thought that the one in our picture was a rock or dead until he bubbled up for air. I could have stayed in there all day.


In one section there were bird guides you could carry with you. Talk about the Ultimate Hide and Seek. G loved this and was disappointed that we did not find all of the birds.




While at Rafiki's Conservation Station we listened at a trainer explained how and why they train the animals to respond to a clicker (feeding, measuring, medical care...). They demonstrated this with a Tamandua or Lessor Anteater. Once they put the animal away they talked some more with the 3 kids... did I tell you September is a great time to visit?! Because there were only 3 they each got a turn "being" an animal and learning with the clicker. Then they gave each a button to wear. Buttons are big this year at Disney but more on that later.



Oh... I almost forgot, there is a really cool dinosaur play land made to look like a dig. There are many educational posters and replicas. G enjoyed the actual dig, though at closing time they must cover the mastodon bones to hide them from a poaching professor. Wink, Wink. G didn't know there were fessors at Disney.


Finally (I promise), at the Animal Kingdom you must walk around the Tree of Life to get to the Bug's Life 3D movie (Excellent by the way). The carvings are breathtaking. Once inside the tree there are buggy things like one of G's all time favs... the Dung Beetle. He insisted on a couple of pictures.


I hope to lapbook about these truly wondrous animals, and if we do I will surely post it, but for now we have a bulletin board covered with our pictures and books & videos from the library. Until next time...

Something to Think About..

I started the last post as an introduction to this video which I found quite thought provoking. But the former took on a life of it's own so, if you've got 5 minutes check out this video...