kids and stuff

The kids are loving the IXL math program online and F especially is learning so much. He is doing all types of math from 5Th grade up to 8Th grade. They like getting the virtual rewards and the virtual gold medals once they complete a section. It motivates them to do more and the explain button if you get something wrong is so helpful and it makes it so easy for F to do it independently. He works on it at least an hour a day. F has started reading the Hardy Boys books lase week and he loves it! He reads every night and sometimes during the day as well. F decided that he wants to study interesting facts on the 194 countries in the world. He already knows their names, locations and at least 1 fact for over 100 of them, but he wants to write down a lot of facts and interesting things about them. So he started a notebook and has done research online and in his books on 1 country every few days. The first day he was online/reading his books for over 2 hours! I keep noticing how once they are really interested, learning takes it's own course and is done enthusiastically.
J is reading from her Rainbow Magic fairy book and her goal is 5 pages a day which she usually reaches. She loves that she can now read chapter books with minimal help from me. I am working on her reading by herself at night but she'll get there soon enough. :)

F has also been cooking by himself more and is very interested in learning how to make all types of things, he has made scrambled eggs, a spinach omelet and grilled cheese so far. Next we are working on rice and other simple things. J and A are very good helpers in the kitchen and J especially can't wait until she is old enough to use a real knife :). I figure by the time she is 8 she'll be ready.

Since it basically snows every week now, we have had a few play dates at PP with J and F's friends and went sledding numerous times this last few months. The kids love sledding and having snow ball fights and building forts. We have also spent a lot more time indoors playing board games, watching,movies and just spending time together.

2 weeks ago we took a trip to PA and had a really great time, it is so beautiful there with all the snow and so peaceful. This time we went to the Indian Echo caverns and took a 45 min. tour. It was so interesting and very educational and fun. The kids learned about stalagmites, stalacites, and how most caves are formed by water seeping thru limestone and saw some really cool features and even some small bats that were sleeping. They were so cute I wanted to take one home :).
We also were told about the PA hermit that lived in the cave during the 1800's, we saw how he slept on top of a cave formation, where he cooked his meals etc..
Afterwards the kids and I fed a 3 very hungry bunnies at the outdoor petting zoo.
I borrowed some books on caves once we got home and that has been a good read the last few days.
I can't wait to visit some other caverns this year.