We've been continuing on with USA 'Week' (it's still driving me nuts its not six days in a row). Yesterday was Texas Day, so after a morning of reading we got to our Texas activities.
First the boys used their road trip page to identify three cities and mapped out how to get from place to place.
Then we talked about the saying 'Everything's Bigger in Texas'. I actually found a fun website where you had to guess all the countries that are bigger than Texas. Apparently Texas is bigger than every single country in Europe (excluding Russia, but since that spans two continents, it doesn't really count anyway)
We only had one Texas meal, as it was date night for me and Asa last night and the boys were on a fend for yourself kind of dinner (we had planned bbq of course before we decided we needed a date night, so I'm sure eventually we'll get to that meal) But for lunch, Asa made us all huevos rancheros. It was really pretty yummy, and I'd be happy to have it again.
We talked about oil in Texas, but also the large amount of wool that comes from the state. So, we had a fun 'fingerprint' sheep art project.
Then, because Texas is big on football (like REALLY big, apparently it's not uncommon for Texans to spend big money -- like millions-- on HIGH SCHOOL football stadiums), we made our predictions for this year's NFL Division, Conference, and Super Bowl Champions. Since it was NFL kickoff day (YAYYYYY!), it was a 2-fer project. We always do it before the season starts, so it was a nice tie in.
We'll see how close everyone is at the end of the season, but last year Calib correctly predicted a Bronco's-Seahawks Superbowl. (He just had the wrong winner) In case you're wondering he went out on a limb this year with a Bears Colt's Superbowl. We'll see how that turns out.
We also had a lesson on the Alamo, and brought out our Davy Crockett finger puppet.
Today was Washington Day, but Asa is missing all the fun, he's in the office today. After a relaxed morning I made mac and cheese for lunch, which really had nothing to do with Washington- except for the fact that the noodles were shaped like little Space Needles.
(Sidenote: Dipper makes projects very difficult, he thinks EVERYTHING is something for him to play with)
We had to use a USA map for our Road Trip today, somehow our Washington map was misplaced.
Since Washington is the state that produces the most apples, we made some apple chips. (I really want a food dehydrator- but the oven worked just fine too)
We talked about the Orcas in Puget Sound too, and while I gave the boys a couple of different options on making them- they all went with the same simple design.
Washington is also the birthplace of some popular board games- like Pictionary and Cranium. We have Cranium out and ready to go to play tonight after dinner when Asa gets home.
We had a lesson on Volcanoes and talked about Mount Saint Helen (and the 1980 erruption), the boys then had a mini book about how volcanoes work, and then they made their own with play dough.
The scooped in some baking soda, and erupted their volcanoes with some vinegar.
At this rate, I don't know if I'll be able to get all six states up on the board. We're only half way there! (And I'm getting the blog up early, so you're missing seeing dinner- but we're having Salmon Burgers! Should be super yummy)
Oh, and back tracking to Wednesday- we made a trip to Disney and I totally whiffed on bringing my camera. Just, totally forgot it. So, here's where you pretend there's pictures of us at Typhoon Lagoon swimming with sharks, relaxing in the lazy river, going on slides, and riding the giant wave- all with minimal crowds (I LOVE Disney in September)
After a picnic dinner we went over to the Magic Kingdom where nearly every ride was walk-on (except the new Snow White Mine Train- boo!) Now, I don't have a fancy cell phone (as any of you who know me and Asa know we don't do the whole 'smart phone' thing-- for a multitude of reasons), but I did have to use our little texting phones that has no business taking pictures- to take one picture. Hayden really wanted to do 'Enchanted Tales with Belle', hoping he would get picked to play the part of Chip (people get picked to play different parts and act them out with Belle). Instead, he got picked to play the part of the Beast, which is obviously the best part. He even got to wear the cape and dance with Belle (and at one point he broke out the robot). Not a good day to forget my camera.
That's it from here. The next two days we're on USA Week hiatus, as we've got a weekend jam packed full of football mania. I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it. Plus, Asa gets Saturday and Sunday off- which almost never happens.
Next Up: A Saturday of football, followed by a Sunday of football.
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