In my life this week… spring is on its way. We are surrounded by water including many small streams and ponds. The Little Misses are strictly forbidden to go near the deep water, but there’s enough safe water in the yard for them to sail home made boats.
In our homeschool this week… we finished the last of our ‘outside’ commitments for the year, a history fair. No more competitions or contests are planned. Although they are fun and educational, they are also draining. It will be good to concentrate on our regular work.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… included the history fair as well as a fantastic fun land. For being the top youth fundraiser for a crisis pregnancy center, Miss 13 received a day’s worth of unlimited mini-golf and climbing wall tickets for her and her siblings. Everyone enjoyed the mini-golf.
The 18 foot climbing wall, however, presented challenges. While Miss 10 cheerfully clambered up the easier portions of the wall and even managed the difficult section where the wall actually juts out, others feared the heights. Not Mr. 15, of course. He only had to go half way up the wall to reach the bell pull at the top. In fact, he’s used to heights since he’s well over six feet tall. Someday we’ll take him to higher wall, if we can find one that’s not too expensive.
Miss 8 and Miss 13, however, found the wall challenging. Miss 13 bravely went back, conquered her fears, and climbed many times. Then she discovered that swinging on the safety rope is rather pleasant…. Miss 8 was actually terrified. Over and over she’d climb a few feet, ask to be let down, and rush back to the bench. Finally, shaking, she dared to go a bit higher. The next time she ventured even higher, and eventually she did make it right to the top. After that, of course, she clambered up the wall like a monkey.
Climbing requires great exertion, so the mini-golf served as a welcome rest break. I was so thankful we had unlimited mini-golf as well as unlimited climbs! It took many attempts before everyone was comfortable on the wall, and no one faced any pressure that this was the last climb, or that I had needed to pay for each failed attempt.
My favorite thing this week was… when the Little Misses decided they needed a thief for their playhouse. They didn’t want to use any of their beloved people, so they decided to cut the thieves out of wood. Now we have lots of sawdust and scraps of wood on our carpet, and a whole den of thieves for the playhouse.
What’s not working for us… is hiking the Rideau Trail. The countryside is full of water, and none of us have hip waders. We’re hoping to get back to it in April, when we expect to enjoy a window of a few weeks of drier terrain before the black flies arrive.
Homeschool thoughts I have… We really should go out more just for fun, like we did this week. The children will never forget that wall and the lessons they learned there. And we really should concentrate more on being grateful for our precious days at home as well.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…Just look at the effort required to cling to that wall!
To find out what other homeschooling families have been up to, you can visit:
You know, I have never tried a climbing wall and I don’t think my kids have either~at least not one that big! Looks like fun!
We’ve been considering a trip to the climbing wall place. (My son can even earn a Boy Scout merit badge for it.) I’m still debating whether I should be a climber or just a Mom observing. The rest of your week sounds like a lot of fun too. I hope the weather cooperates for your hiking, but playing in the water puddles was always a favorite here. I’m beginning to think our back yard will never dry out.
Janet W
http://homeschoolblogger.com/wdworkman/
I’d suggest going as a climber. 🙂 Some day I hope to be strong enough to try it.
It is so cool that your son can earn a Boy Scout badge for it. While the children were climbing, I realized that it could contribute to a PE credit, but a badge is more concrete.
Annie Kate
Wow! Look at them climb that rock wall! Nice! Stopping by from the Weekly Wrap-up!
very cool climbing wall! Looks like fun – once you’ve conquered your fear! I’m not sure I could.. I do NOT like heights. I like your ‘categories’ for the weekly wrap-up!
Thanks! I love the categories, too, and got them from the Homeschool Mother’s Journal.
Annie Kate
Looks like you had a great week relaxing and playing with your kids. It is great to take time away from the studies and play once in a while.
Kathi Sewing, Knitting, Candle Making, Homeschooling Mama
I love the wall climbing but, I really love the mini-golf. I am a golf fanatic and I love playing any kind of golf. Golf is a sport that the whole family can enjoy and play. Golf is also a good way to get in some exercise.
Mini-golf is my level of exercise!
The kids, however, have enough energy to see golf as relaxation and climbing as the exercise. LOL
Annie Kate