November School

Some of the highlights of our homeschool activities this month were making our own stethoscope at home and then actually making it work. We visited the San Fernando Mission to learn some California history while on vacation--just getting a jump start on fourth grade, right? We've been competing in the game Name that State to solidify our knowledge of states and capitals in the U.S.

I can hear my own heartbeat with our little contraption.

Bryce, I don't think I can hear your heart if the tubing is disconnected.

We were getting a little wet, but we just had to take a picture with the famous statue of Father Junipero Serra.

We chose not to wash our clothes in the fountain, but that is what they used to do here back in the 1800s.

This was the original wall from the 1700s. Mommy and Daddy barely fit through the doors and archways...I guess they were short back then.

Mommy, this is just like the teepee we made at home on Native American night!

One of the grey coats as they were called in the book we were reading, "Walk the World's Rim."

This was our little stroll into the Middle Ages of knights and chivalry.

Part of the opening ceremony at Medieval Times. Mommy is this really an educational activity? Okay, cool, I'll try to learn what I can.

Where are the forks and spoons, Daddy? I'm not sure I can eat with my hands...you've trained me so well to have etiquette at the table...

This is the heavy armor they wore for these games among the finest knights.

Can you name that state?

The Beach

We chose to spend our last day in Southern California at the beach relaxing in the sun and playing in the sand and water. It was a great day of exercise and good to be away from lots of crowds of people. Some of us got a little wet in the process, and others just got sand all over them. Corona Beach is where we decided to stake our spots out, we explored the North and South beaches in reverse order.

We drew this in the sand before the waves came and washed it away...look out Mommy, you're about to get wet!!!


A picture looks so much more beautiful when Mommy is in them.


Okay guys, here are the rules.


Checking out the tidepools was unrevealing at high tide...they were mostly covered up.


If we throw sand at the waves, maybe we will scare them away.


Daddy tries in vane to wear out the boys with a run up and down the beach.


Here we are running from the waves, this is fun Daddy!


Daddy and I were playing chicken with the waves and I lost...


Since we were at the beach on a schoolday, it sure was nice to have a marine biologist present to give a little lesson on the spot.


We found this sign for Poppy, we're still not sure what happened to Griff's clothes.


Daddy entertained Griffin and I by pitching to Griff and playing catch with me.


I really wanted to work on my tan, so I stripped down to my Skivvies.


You can call me buckethead!

Disneyland / CA Adventure

We spent two weekdays at Disneyland in the beginning of the month with our boys. The first day we stayed in Tomorrowland for the first five hours before we realized there was the whole rest of the park to explore. Garrett is the only one of the three boys who had been to Disneyland and that was when he wasn't quite two years old. So of course the big draw was Star Tours and the Jedi Academy Training area. But the Buzz Lightyear ride ranked close to the top as we competed for high scores. The next day we went to California Adventure and conquered that park with the highlights being the Toy Story ride and the Toy Story Army Men troupe performance with our boys participating. We also got a visual preview of the Cars section to open next summer which will be a highlight the next time we venture down.

It wasn't even Thanksgiving yet, but we were still able to get a picture in front of the Christmas Tree.

Mommy, I would've looked if you weren't tickling me...or not!

One of us is pouting right now, do you think you can guess who?

Come on guys, we have to take a picture before we can go on any rides, so let's get our act together.

Daddy says "we have arrived at our destination, our journey is now complete."

I, Bryce, got chosen to be a padawan in training at the Jedi Academy. I must have more mediclorians than my brothers!

Darth Vader tried to sway us to join the dark side. I just smiled at him.

I'm just to the left of the boy who is testing the lightsaber with his mouth...I think he might lose a tooth when I activate his blade...or more.

Got him, he just burned his nose off, whoops.

We're not sure what kind of establishment they are running here, but we all have our driver licenses, beware on the roads.

That's right, I'm driving, you may want to get out now Griffin.

Is this driver's training? I'm ready.

We found the gold...how do we get all this money home?

We all attended the Golden Corral, in honor of Poppy.

The jury is still out whether Bryce or Toad is the better driver.

Daddy, you are supposed to hold on with two hands, not be all crazy.

The next day we went for an adventure in California...this may have been one of the longer lines we waited in.

Dancin' with the Army Men and learning how to be a toy soldier, I can do that.

I, Bryce, figured if I was standing out of the line, I might be the logical pick for whatever I was volunteering for.

A ferris wheel...who is scared of a little ferris wheel as long as you're not in a sliding cage.

How much do you think are three pack of action figures would go for?

We waited for the light show called Color of Wonder, so we got this great family picture.

Who is the mouse again? We were here for Lightning, Woody, Buzz, and Star Tours.

Visiting Family

We took advantage of being in Southern California and had dinner with Brett's cousin Tristy and her husband Devraj. We enjoyed catching up with them and sharing some recent stories. They survived our whirlwind of children who had been couped up in a car for the better part of five hours right before we stopped for dinner.

November 2011

November brought the annual downfall of our leaves which led to playtime and cleanup. We also enjoyed a quick five day trip down to Southern California for Disneyland and California Adventure. We also spent some time at the beach and enjoyed Medieval Times and the San Fernando Mission. Our family bike riding time was enhanced with some of our boys learning some new skills. We celebrated Thanksgiving on two separate occasions which were both fun and tasty. Come take a look at our month.