Heading South....Adventure Awaits!

Last week, after a week plus of flu, nasty weather and down right cabin fever, the kids and I packed up and headed south. We had no plans. I personally have always wanted to go to Sea World, but I wasn't 100% sure it would work out.

As we got close to Waco, I thought it would be fun to stop at the Dr. Pepper Museum and Soda Shop. 

As we got closer to Austin, I told the kids we were going to do a "drive by" of the State Capital. During this moment, I was reminded why I absolutely LOVE teaching my kids at home. Prior to leaving for our trip, we had missed about 2 weeks of our "scheduled" {things on my lesson plans} school activities. The flu had wiped out the students as well as the teacher. 

 As we got closer to Austin, I reminded the kids about the 3 branches of government and how they were different on a State Level vs. a National Level. I also highlighted the fact that Texas now has a governor who governs from a wheel chair and then that led into a conversation about President Roosevelt.  As we were pulling closer to the Capital for our "drive by" I heard the "Mom, I really need to go to the bathroom." So, ok, lets go inside! I had NO IDEA what a treat we almost missed out on! I quickly scanned the beautiful hills on the grounds of the Texas State Capital and saw a sign directing us to the Visitor's Center.

After getting in the Visitors Center and finding the bathroom, we saw a bunch of school kids on a field trip going up some stairs. The teacher in me could not contain myself, where are they going? What is up those stairs???  SO...we followed! We found a guide passing out a scavenger hunt. I had no idea this would turn into a bonified learning experience that was for sure to make up for at least 5 of our sick days! Right? {In Texas, we don't have to account for sick days, but this was like teacher candy to me!} I was clueless there were activities for the ages of my children at the State Capitol.  It reminded me though, how I love being their teacher and being able to take advantage of learning opportunities at a moments notice. It has made me so appreciate for their excitement to learn wherever we are!

We quickly grabbed a scavenger hunt that led us to the following pictures.

This was a super Serendipity of a Day! I wonder where our next stop will be?

Motion, Gravity, Force and SPEED

Hello dear blog. Remember me? Well, I've decided to dust you off and play with you again.

Yesterday was an exciting day for the TripleSmiles. We have been preparing for the Awana Grand Prix..AKA a good ole fashion pine derby car race!

The Awana Grand Prix has been a great opportunity to teach a Science Unit on Force, Motion, Friction, Gravity, Pushes, Pulls, and Motion and SPEED! 

For several weeks their dad has been volunteering his time to help other children as well as the Triple Smiles get their cars ready for race day. This has been an exciting few weeks of planning, cutting, sanding, more sanding, {crying} heating a cold garage to work during the night and finally painting their cars for RACE DAY!

We had an amazing photographer capture some awesome close up shots of our kids watching their cars cross the finish line. 

 Each child got to race their car 4x. Each of my children won at least once in their heat. Which was very very exciting!!!

Then came, THE MOMENT......where all the scores would be averaged, the slowest score thrown out  and the average of the 3 best times, computed...and the FASTEST 3 cars would be awarded......

The 3rd place winner of the Night was.......

Zachariah Donaldson!!!!! 

Oh. My. Word. 

The 2nd Place Winner of the Night was........

AVA DONALDSON!!!!!

and the GRAND PRIZE, FIRST PLACE WINNER WAS......

LEVI DONALDSON!!!!

Oh, my word ya'll. I was dying inside of so many emotions.  The crowd was going wild with excitement for our little family. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. 

This was a moment they will never forget learning about Motion, Force and SPEED. 

Welcome back to the blog, I'm gonna try to stay a while:) Thanks for reading!