Week 9 - Camp Kuehner Continues...Open Class Preparation is under Way.

We started off our weekend visiting the inlaws.  Our niece and nephew wanted to spend another week with us, so we visited their parents on Saturday so they could see them before we headed back to our house.  I also took some family photos for a friend of ours at her parent's 50th wedding anniversary!  How wonderful is that!  50 years together!!

I managed to get pulled over while making a milk/bread run.  I didn't realize that the speed limit had changed in an area.  Fortunately I fell "with in his acceptable range for a written warning."  He was nice, and I was grateful for just a warning.  But Holy cow...BG speed limits are going to drive me crazy!

Joe took a group of the kids to see the new Star Trek movie.  He was dying to go and my older nephew wanted to go.  So we set it up while Joe was home on Sunday afternoon.  They all really enjoyed the movie.

While they were all at the movie, I worked away on my blog for the week.  Something I have been rather lax doing and the girls who stayed home painted.

I made up a calendar to help Joey out this week.  I made sure to keep it posted on the fridge.  I haven't been very good lately about keeping things posted and only telling him verbally.  This doesn't work well for him.  So we had to make some changes to help his anxiety level.

I thought it was going to be a more calm week, and it is.  But we still had activities planned for every single day.  It is our last official full week off from school.  We start back part-time next week.

On Monday, we decided to go blueberry picking.  It poured off and on the overnight, but even with that little glitch, it was a beautiful picking time.  Then we were off to lunch out as a treat.  Two of the kids and my mom had checkups at various doctors.  So I timed everything around those appointments.

On Tuesday we went to see the new Ice Age movie.  We headed back home for lunch and then went to the local city pool for some diving.

They swam for hours and had a blast.

On Wednesday, Ms. Caty had her alignment check.  Turns out her pelvis has been out of alignment for a few months.  So now we need to get it to stay in place.  Then we came home for their final online art class in this session.

Then it was a lazy day.  The kids played with the Drone copter and watched TV.  We didn't do anything more than that until it was time for cheerleading practice.  One more week before we start competitions!

On Thursday it was a long day.  We started out going to the Toledo Art Museum and enjoying their hands-on exhibits.

 Their job was to spot artwork either depicting food or had food in it.  They found lots in this corner.

 Then we were off to a unique place friends had told us about in Michigan.  We had to pick Daddy up at Detroit airport.  The kids loved it there.

Lots of tickets won!

Then we played some glow golf..

 And had dinner while waiting for daddy's plane to arrive.  We also went to Barnes and Noble and got their free summer reading books.  We had a great time.

We felt it on Friday.  Wow!!  We were all dragging.  Lydia had her last horse camp of the summer and Caty had riding also.  After getting groceries, we went home and realized how late it was.  So we all crashed and watched TV.  On Saturday we had fair booth set up.  It was a bit much for Joey.  But we all survived it.  Then relaxed at home and waited for Carra and Robbie's parents to arrive.  They were headed home after two weeks with us.  Camp Kuehner was successful and now it's time to get back to regular life.  Light Schoolwork starts back up next week, and we'll start prepping for our county fair's open class.  Everyone is putting stuff in, except daddy.  So we have a lot to get ready!!

Hope everyone had a great week!!  See everyone next weekend!!!

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree- Star Toaster Review

We recently had the opportunity to try out a new interactive book from Star Toaster called Orphs of the the Woodlands at Tangletree.

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree is a 122-page full color chapter book app has been created for ages 9 - 11.  It is the story of Abba the flying squirrel.  He takes care of 6 orphs (orphaned woodlands critters).  Your child will help out Abba with the orphs.  They will need to worry about food, and the other needs of these young ones.    

This chapter book is a perfect transition for those kids that still love to play games and enjoy illustrated books but need more of a reading challenge.  But Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree gives a bit more than just a book for your child to read.  Shhhh...don't tell your child, but they will be learning as they are reading.

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree ($1.99) contains over 75 lessons on math, science, vocabulary, thinking skills, and art.  There are 130 "jobs" that your child will be asked to do, and they will want to do.  

I was really impressed with the questions that Lydia were being asked.  She has really expanded her vocabulary using this program.

The questions not only were vocabulary, but also comprehension skills were "assigned work" that students earn stars for answering correctly.  This caused her to not read as quickly, and really concentrate on what she was reading.

Parents can track their children's work and see how they are progressing easily.

You can use Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree with any of your children.  So it's not a one-type use application.  You can also check your child's progress as they are making their way through the book.

In order to use Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree, you will need an Apple product with IOS 8.0 or later.  It works with iPhone, IPad, and/or iPod Touch.  We used our iPad mini 2 with no issues.  You can view and purchase by visiting the iTunes store.

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree has been a great addition to our summer reading program.  We have been in the van a lot this summer between camps and swimming activities.  Normally each kid brings a stack of books with them to read throughout the time we are out.  Lydia didn't need to do that.  She loves animals, so this was the perfect app for her.  Plus it was a little above Caty's reading level.  

Lydia has loved the story of Abba.  She loved going through her tasks.  I was very impressed with the way that Star Toaster integrated review lessons on homonyms, similes, and math throughout her jobs so that she could help to care for the Orphs.  Some of the lessons provided a challenge to Lydia, and that was a good thing.  It definitely kept her thinking, and I didn't need to worry about her getting rusty on her skills while we were off from lessons during the last half of June and July.  

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree can be used no matter what education style you have picked for your family.  You can be enrolled in public school or homeschool.  You can be unschoolers, use online school or interest led learning. 

In fact, those who use interest led learning will find this program a wonderful educational fun for their animal loving children.  As you are reading through, you will find links for the children to click on.  These include definitions of new words, grammar usage, facts about new animals, and even some nutrition information about superfoods that your kids can enjoy also.

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree has been a welcome app on her tablet.   She has been enjoying it while we are out and about, and I am happy that she is reinforcing important grammar skills.   It is a great value for families!  You can't even buy a paperback for $1.99.  I can't wait to see what else Star Toaster has planned for the future.

Several members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew were given the opportunity to try out Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree.  Take some time to visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see how they enjoyed this program in their homes.

Week 8 - Camp Kuehner 2016!!

Last year, my niece and nephew spent a couple weeks with us for the first time.  We had a blast.  So Camp Kuehner was ready to take campers back this year.  Since we were remodeling so much last year and it was the middle of the fair, we were not able to do as much as I would have liked with them.  So this year.....we planned a ton of little road trips and activities.

Our first day, we spent the day at Toledo Zoo with Daddy.

On our way home, we stopped and road a mini-train over the bridge in Grand Rapids.  This was very neat to do.

This railroad bridge is 100 years old this year.

Our fun continued as we visited an area lighthouse along Lake Erie.  The kids had fun exploring the lake shore and climbing the lighthouse.

 Pointing across the lake to Cedar Point.

Then we went to African Safari Wildlife park and fed lots of wild animals.

Had a picnic between our drives through the park.

We also went to see the Secret Life of Pets one day.  The girls finished their swim lessons.

There was lots of swimming....

A little shopping....I love the mug I found !!

We also visited a local famous Candy factory....Spanglers.  Home of the DumDum sucker!  This was a definite favorite!

We got items ready for our 4H booth.  The kids chose a Minecraft theme.  Here is the sign that was created:

We had a great time at our 4H family picnic.  It was lots of fun and games for the kids.

The girls finished their swim session this week and both passed their respective levels.

We had such a great time!  We have another week of Camp Kuehner.  We can't help but have more fun!!  Watch next weekend to see our adventures this week!