Next Door Neighbor

Furry Little Friend

Time For Two-Wheeling!

Learning To Ride
June 2008

Armour & Weaponry 101

Here are a few pics from our homeschooling field trip we took today to Windsor Castle. It is Queen Elizabeth's official residence and some parts are open to the public throughout the year. We had an outing there which included passes for the entire day along with a workshop on armour and weaponry that knights used long ago. They even let the kids try on armour that they commissioned to have made for this specific purpose. We are good friends with another homeschooling family here so we are doing lots of trips together. That has been great for me and the kids as well. We had a ball hanging out together...

Enjoy the pics...you can tell the kids had fun!

Changing of the Guard, Windsor Castle

Jack trying on his armour

Sam the Knight

Our "class" watching the guard on duty (this one actually smiled real quick at them as he walked by...we all were surprised at that)...

Our "class" outside the castle

Not even toothless Sam could make this guard laugh!

Jack taking his turn posing!

Mummified.

Jack's mummy

What They are Listening To: Walk Like An Egyptian by the Bangles

Here are a couple shots of the boys wrapping their mummies during our study of the Egyptians. Yesterday they made the sarcophagus that the mummies will lay in. They absolutely loved it and tomorrow they are making pyramids. I love school like this! :) Oh, and that is my better half John helping them out...I had to hold the camera! Tomorrow I will post a few more of these after they finish.

John helping Sam wrap

Another Hobby

Artist at Work, 2007

Remember to click the image to enlarge to see details.

These were taken an an outing into the city. A friend and I sat and talked, while Jack sketched. He loves drawing and wasn't distracted in the least by the people walking by looking at his work. He was right at home with his pad and pencil. Below is what he drew (it took him about 15 minutes to do this) and the bottom image is what he was his subject. Hope you like it!

Jack's Rendition of the Gates at Buckingham Palace


The Gates at Buckingham Palace

Lego Building 101

Legos are a course in our homeschooling...seriously. They love them. They use their imagination and follow directions. It is a wonderful tool that I can go to when we all need a five minute break! During that time and after school is finished, they have been busy putting this together. These cars have provided hours of playtime and been an inspiration not only for lego construction but also for artwork as well. This is one of their first joint builds. I hope there will be more to come!

Project grade: A++ CLICK TO MAKE THEM GINORMOUS (that is from ELF)!

The proud builders with their finished project.

The entire complex...including the racetrack with the big screen in the middle so spectators can see the race.

Doc Hudson on the "bench" in the courthouse...by Jack

Movie Moments Woody and Sheriff in the diner having a coke...by Sam

Movie Moments Buzz Lightyear car in his workshop...by Jack

Sam's version of Flo and Doc at the gas station...notice the pump in the back.

Sharing a Hobby with Friends...

For all you lego builders out there...send me your pic along with a description of your project. I would love to put it on our site. Only Sam and Jack's friends along with parents can submit pics! Also, make sure you send the pics in high resoltion so they can be BIG! Thanks!


My Sam and his friend Sam...hanging on his 7th birthday.


This photo was given to us by my Sam's cohort in Lego building...Sam. They have become fast friends and enjoy a lot of the same things. He built this red dinosaur all by himself...he followed the directions and it took him a few hours.
Way to go Sam! Good job!