Our 2013 Show

As promised, 

here are some pics from our 2013 End-of-Year show. 

Orange Peels, Chocolate Cakes, and Tests

December has been pretty random. We're finishing up the calendar year and the school year. Since we've finished most of our 5th grade stuff, we're doing little art projects here and there. Lu's been playing lots of guitar and learning more with YouTube tutorials, and other sites like Kids Guitar Zone.

 

Orange Peel Creation:

A little friend we caught:

One of the many baked wonders Lu's been whipping up:

 

At the end of the year, we practice testing.

I download whatever standardized tests I can find

for whatever grade Lu's in, print them, and hand them over.

Here, he's doing a California 5th grade Science test:

 

Lu knows that they're just for practice,

and to help us see which areas we haven't covered.

Not that we have to cover everything,

but it's good to know where we stand

in relation to the "standard".

 

Our social arts project is also finishing up,

and the kids are getting ready for our

End-of-Year show.

Pictures of the show coming next week!

Flash Mob, Banana Cream Pie, and a Rifle

Last week was a very different kind of week for us. I was hired to choreograph a Flash Mob -type performance and Lu learned the moves and participated in all the rehearsals. There were a few other kids in the group, and it was loads of fun! In a couple of weeks, the group will make their dance debut. Lu has been invited to join them and is VERY excited.

There were also some drumming and face-painting workshops Lu took part in. He had an awesome 5 days meeting new people and learning cool stuff.

* * * * * *

Recently, in Lu's kitchen:

There was a Banana Cream Pie to die for.

Cha brought some ribs home 

and challenged Lu to make baked BBQ ribs, 

which he did, and very well!

 There were also these very cute zucchini rolls -

And last Saturday, a friend came over to cook.

Together, they made a 4-course dinner for some very lucky parents.

 

Lu's cooking blog is up and running. 

We had a great time making the header for it -

We're finishing up most of our 5th grade curriculum.

Math and Spelling are almost done.

In History, we're working through The Slavs.

And in Science, we're learning about volume, density,

and buoyancy.

It's jocote season again!

(HO-CO-TEH)

pure deliciousness

Which means that Lu wants to spend EVERY waking hour 

picking them from our many jocote trees.

There are lots of new tools in the workshop

that Lu is learning to use.

Together, Lu and Cha designed and built

this elastic-propelled launcher.

(aka rifle)

We never allowed toy guns...

but the rules are different for self-made... "launchers".

Puppies and Tomato Sauce

 Yes, we got ANOTHER puppy.

If you frequent this blog, you've seen three already this year.

Our pack is now 6-dog strong.

This is Izoxa, and she's a boxweiler.

 Bringing her home has been this week's main event :)

She's to be our only indoor dog and has extra-special privileges.

 

 Art School activities were wrapped up this week

as we'll be taking a two-month break for the heavy rains 

and our always exciting hurricane season.

The kids worked on putting together a performance in groups: 

Hula-hoop, juggling, flags, and drums.

Lu was the director of the hoopers,

and they did a great job.

 *   *   *   *   *   *

On this week's menu -

Our young chef learned how to make tomato sauce, and in so doing, 

discovered the gateway to a new realm of cooking.

Eggplant Parmesan on Sunday -

Going into the oven

 and coming out!

Stuffed Zucchini Boats on Wednesday -

On Friday he made mashed potatoes, 

and today he's making strawberry mousse for his mama :happydance:

He's really taking off with this, and asking for more time in the kitchen. He wants cooking to be a main subject in his homeschool curriculum, and I think we're going to do it - especially if it means more strawberry mousse :)