The kids do their own dioramas and stories

When I was in the 6th grade, I remember making a diorama in a shoebox, with an ocean scene and tissue paper over the top, just like Savannah's. So I had the kids do their own dioramas and stories to go along with their creative scenes.  

Savannah's diorama: under the ocean theme, and her story.

Tucker's diorama and story, miners in front of the mine

Tucker's story started out being a page and a half long. He is now adding to it and it is almost 5 pages now. 

Carson's diorama and story. It takes place in the year 2050 (the red thing is a house in Japan)

Homeschool Valentine's Day Party

I am a part of a homeschool email group that is made up of local homeschoolers and they have two parties a year, for Valentine's Day and Halloween. They reserve a room at a local library and bring decorations and everyone brings food and drinks and games and crafts. The kids are playing monopoly (they look stoked, right?) and we brought our chess board and other games that are popular. 

These aren't the best pictures, but it's just to show what the overall atmosphere is like at these parties. They are very relaxed and casual. There are craft tables and game tables set up, and the kids just do what they like. The food table is in the background. 

Each kid brought a box and some valentines to exchange and everyone goes home with a box full of cards and candy. 

We brought some cupcakes we made at home, some capri suns and chips, and a few games. All our food was eaten, and the kids all had a great time. I was glad to get an invite to this party, as I was just trying to figure out what we were going to do for our own Valentine's party here at home. You can't see it in these pictures, but there is a circle of chairs where a lot of the moms sit and chat during these gatherings. 

Historical Fairfax Courthouse Mock Trial

At the center of Fairfax, VA is a historic courthouse, built in 1799.  The first confederate soldier death during the Civil War took place there.  We have gone several times, but had never been able to go inside.

This weekend Fairfax hosted the 'Chocolate Lover's Festival', featuring 28 events throughout the historic downtown area of Fairfax.  One of the events was a mock trial at the courthouse.

So we attended the 'Chocolate Caper Mock Trial'.  The had an actual judge and lawyers acting out the children appropriate 'Miss Muffet vs the Spider' case.

The children were the jury; the case ended with a hung-jury.





The kids were the jury.



The jury deliberating:






They also had historic documents on display.



George Washington's Will