Mason: Blog Of The Week 2

My egg's name is Justin and he is 14 years old.  He lost his family when he was ten, he has no family now.  His job is he delivers pizza.

Mommio: Art Class- Modern Art- Futurist

Today in our Artistic Pursuits art class we studied a short-lived period in modern art, the Italian based Futurist movement.  From 1910 to the early 1920's a small group of Italian artists began creating pieces of work inspired by the new growth of cities and technology of machinery around them.  The Futurists did not have one style of art but instead created all styles of art based on the ideas of speed, motion and machines.  We learned a little more about the movement on the The Art Story website.  Then we took a closer look at one of the leaders of the Futurist artists, Umberto Boccioni.  We looked at a gallery of his work, including the painting that is considered to be the first Futurist work.

The City Rises, 1910

Today's project was to create futuristic looking foil sculptures- there weren't any really any rules, although I did give them some tips from our art book.  Here is what they all came up with...

Connor: Fairy Tale Journey Week 2

I. I carry my spoon and flute.
II.  I take the flute in order to put any monsters to sleep and the spoon to sneak past them and onto the path.


I.  I was surprised by the trees and overwhelmed by the fact that they could walk.  I was bewildered that they needed my help when they were tall enough to rescue the bird themselves.
II.  The enchanted trees looked like they were a cross between a birch and a pine.  The bark had smooth bits and sharp bits.  Their leaves looked to be mostly green some were leaf shaped others were needles.
III.  I used my spoon to climb swiftly with one hand and rescue the bird with the other.  I had no need for the cloak or the flute.

Connor: Word Challenge

The villain's evil plan was quite obtuse.
Art and literature can have many nuances.
The government nullified the bounty hunter's contract.

Kiki: Fairy Tale Journey Week 2

1.  I'm going to take the spoon because it will be easier to see where the path is because it can shoot lasers.  I am also going to take the magic cloak because it can make you fly.
2.  I will use the spoon to make light with the lasers and use it like a flashlight to see where I am going.  I will use the magic cloak to see the whole path from above.

1.  When I first saw the trees I was scared of them but then I wasn't because they needed my help and I helped them.
2.  The trees are scary, with green bark on them.  Their bark feels like macaroni and cheese mixed with rocks. They have big blue spots all over them and they have purple leaves.  They have a scary face and tiny bits of hair.  Their roots are not green, they are rainbow but the rainbow is all grey, black and white.
3.  I will get the bees away by using my laser powers to scare them away.  Then I will fly over to the bird and bring it to its mother.

Marney: Fairy Tale Journey Week 2

1.  I would use my cloak and my spoon.
2.  I chose they cloak because I can breathe fire and fire is bright and I can see if I use fire.  I chose my spoon because it can make me happy and I was scared so I bit my spoon and put my cape on.

1. I was scared and I could not believe what I saw.  Since they could talk it was even worse.  Once I saw that they needed my help I did not know what to do.
2. They were not nice at all.  They had long branches and they did not have any leaves on them.  They were super ugly.  But at the same time I could see why they were mean to me.
3. I would use my cape because it can make me fly.  I would use the spoon so the baby bird would be happy and not scared. 

Marney: Word Challenge

The dog was being obtuse because he thought he could fly.

Dad's trial was nullified when it didn't go to court.

I was staring at a three legged cat picture and it had many nuances.

Marney: Blog Of the Week 2

My egg was laid in Austin,Texas at 11:30 on a Tuesday, on the 16th of March.  He is only 2 days old.  His name is James.  He has a mustache and weird hair.  He hates his dad and mom because they're forcing him to go to the egg drop.  He went to one before and he hated it, but that was when he was a minute old.  So he forgets what to do a bunch.  He won the last time and this time he is planning on winning.

Kiki: Blog of the Week 2

My eggs name is Lolo and she is ten and she has four brothers and two sisters and a mom and a dad and a grandpa.  Her dad was in the civil war and her mom is 46 and her dad is 47 and her sisters are 5 and 7 and her brothers are 17 and 14 and her grandpa is 69.  She was born the day after the civil war and she got to meet Abraham Lincoln but he died so she can't play with him.   the end

Avery: Blog Of The Week 2

My egg's name is Tammy-Lu.  Tammy-Lu is a single child who was born in Italy.  Her parents are both American though.  Their names are Jo Jo (her father) and Lola (her mother).  They are both very nice, but very weak too.  Tammy-Lu was born 14 years ago, which means she is 14 as we speak.  She is working at the pharmacy in her little carton with the others.  She is not well paid but she tries her best to get the most money she can.  Her parents don't have jobs.  If they moved on inch then they would crack.  Her pet dog is named Jerr-Bear.  He wanted to go with Tammy-Lu on her dive down the ladder, but she wouldn't accept that.  She likes to be very dramatic sometimes, but she is also one of the shyest eggs I've ever met.  She has long, black hair that she wears in a braid, her clothes are old and a little worn out, her eyes are blood red, and she is ready for the egg drop challenge.

Avery: Word Challenge

The yoga class took a long time because the kids talked nuances over why the pose is called Down Dog.


Some people get mad over the most obtuse things, when they don't have to.


The children made a deal, but one child didn't want to do it, so they had to nullify their contract.

Gabe: Blog of the Week 1

Mommio: Blog of the Week #2

So you just designed contraptions to protect your eggs for Easter's awesome EGGDROP CHALLENGE, right?

Well let's up the stakes.  I want you to really care about your eggs.  So for today's blog of the day post, I want to write a biography of your egg.  What's its name?  How old is it?  What's its history?  Does it have a family and/or a job?  It's all up to you, but you need to come up with a compelling backstory for your egg 

Avery: Fairy Tale Journey Week 2

1- I will choose the cloak and the flute.

2- I choose those items because I will use the cloak to go invisible and walk around the woods until I find a monster under ten feet. Then I will use the flute to control the monster and use his knowledge and keen sight to find the trail again. That way I will remain safe and without any harm.

1- At first they frightened me a little because they had hands and feet. But they were nice little (well, big) creatures. They wouldn't hurt a fly. How I knew they were nice is when they asked for my help. They were so scared that they would hurt the small baby bird.

2- They are scary looking. The arms that appear are the worst part. You think the are going to get you bad but they have leaves for fingers. Then I knew I was safe from that part. Their legs and feet were long and had the thickest bark I've ever seen in my life. Sap was spilling out of their mouths as they spoke. Their eyes were so tiny I couldn't see them. They probably had a hard time seeing. I bet they had to squint.
3- I was hungry and a little weak so I put the spoon in my mouth and tasted fried chicken covered in gravy. I felt much better, but it didn't help my slight thirst. The first thing I used was my cloak. I made sure no one could here or see me. I climbed up the tree making no sound possible and grabbed the nest. My hands slipped for a second when I grabbed it. On my way down my hands became covered in sap that smelled like apple cinnamon. I slipped and fell to the ground still making no noise because of the cloak. I caught the nest in my hands and took off my hood.

Cooking With Kids: Octopus Dogs

We didn't do much cooking in our cooking time today but it was lots of fun making Octopus Dogs (otherwise known as Spaghetti Dogs).  First the kids cut up the hotdogs.

Then they stuck uncooked spaghetti through them (four- to make eight legs).

Then we boiled them for a few minutes and ate them up.  The kids actually REALLY loved these so I think it might become a semi-regular lunch.

Mommio: Fairy Tale Journey Week 2

Forest of Fabled Creatures

You are carrying your three magical items.  You enter a deep, dark forest.  It is so quiet you can only hear your footsteps along the dirt path.  As you walk deeper into the woods, the sun grows dim and the forest grows deathly silent.  You walk along the path for what seems like hours.  You feel that you are not alone, but you never see another living creature.  Suddenly, you realize that it has become so dark that you have strayed off the path.  You look around for something familiar but realize that you are hopelessly lost.  From the wise woman's package you pull out two of your magical items.  With your courage and their magic you know you can find your way to the path once again.

Answer the following:

1. Which two magical items do you choose, and why do you choose them?

2. How do you use these items to help you get back on the path?

With relief, you see that you are back on the path once again, soaking up the beauty of the quiet forest.  You still feel that you are not alone, and you notice that a few of the trees around you look familiar.  Suddenly, you are surrounded by the trees that have come to life!  To your surprise, you discover that their roots have come out of the ground and are now shaped like feet.  Their branches have become arms with long, leafy fingers.  You stop and look at them with awe.  You have become surrounded by the legendary enchanted trees.  They step toward you and speak:

"You have come into our home.

We can see you are alone.

If you wish to pass through safely,

you must prove you can act bravely!"

Their voices boom in your ears, and the trees step aside to make a small opening, pointing to a clearing with their long, leafy fingers.  In the clearing you see a baby bird trapped high up in the branches of a breezle tree.  The bird is crying loudly for its mother, but it is at least 200 feet off the ground and surrounded by huge thorns and angry bees.  The enchanted trees look hopefully to you.  You realize you are their only hope for rescuing the baby bird.

Answer the following:

1. Describe your feelings when you first saw the enchanted trees.  Have your feelings changed now towards the trees?  How did your feelings chance once you realized the trees needed your help?

2. What do the enchanted trees look like?  Are they gentle-looking or fierce-looking?  What colors are their bark and leaves?  What do they feel like to touch?  Do they have any kind of smell?

3. How will you use your magical items to get the baby bird back safely to its mother?

You have proven that you are strong and brave, and the trees are grateful that the baby bird is safe.  To show their gratitude, they give you three of the berries that grow in the trisstle bushes.  Each of these berries has the power to make you invisible for as long as one hour.  The trees step aside to make an opening for you. A burst of sunlight greets your eyes as you step out of the Forest of Fabled Creatures.  You are ready for your next challenge.

* This Fairy Tale Journey can be found in The Beanstalk and Beyond by Joan M. Wolf. 

Mommio: Word Challenge

Write a sentence for each word.  

Anyone who can come up with a complete sentence that makes sense for each word gets a dollar!

nuance- (noun) shade of meaning

The scholars argued for hours over tiny nuances in the interpretation of the last line of the poem.
nullify- (verb) to make legally invalid; to counteract the effect of 

Crystal nullified her contract with her publisher when she received a better offer from another company.

obtuse- (adjective) insensitive, stupid, dull, unclear

The directions were so obtuse that Alfred did not understand what was expected of him.

*all words, definitions and sentences are from the Kaplan SAT Vocabulary Prep Level 1.

Mommio: Blog of the Week #1

Easter is in two weeks!

And on Easter we're going to have a special, awesome, spectacular.... *drumroll*  EGGDROP CHALLENGE!

So the deal is this.  You're each going to get a raw egg.  We will set up the tall ladder in the driveway.  Then I will take your eggs, one at a time, to the top of the tall ladder, and I will drop your egg to the driveway.  But don't worry about your egg yet!  Because I will be dropping it in a contraption of your own design.  If you design it safely enough, it will protect your egg and it won't crack.  But if you don't... scrambled eggs.

So for today's blog of the day, you need to design and plan the device/contraption that will protect your egg.  Scan a drawing of your plan and post it up. 

Mason: Fairy Tale Journey Week 1

1 The old wise woman was polite but I also think she is scary because she disappeared before I could ask her any questions.

2 The magical items were a flute, a spoon and a cloak.  The cloak felt light, the spoon was light and the flute was light.

3 The cloak could make me invisible, the spoon could make me fly and the flute could put any monster to sleep.

Gabe: Fariy Tale Journey Week 1

#1 I feel surprised when I meet her. I also feel scared when she gives me the items. I think she is a demon in disguise. I think he was tryng to kill me.
#2 The spoon has a golden bowl. It also has a golden handle. The handle is two feet wide and 8 feet long,  the bowl of the spoon is 5 inches around. The magic cloak is blue and big enough to wrap completely around you. The flute is red and normal size.
#3 The spoon can unlock any keyhole by changing into the size of  the key hole. The cloak can turn you into any form of water.  The flute, when you blow in to it, can turn into a metal sword with electricity.  

Marney: Fairy Tale Journey week 1

1- She does not remind me of anyone, she is very scary because she is very old and keeps tons of weird things.  I think she is 123 year old, she could still be in a costume but that means her costume is really, really detailed. I think she has some disease.

2- The spoon was gold with a zebra stripe down it, it glowed and it was pretty.  The spoon was about as big as my foot and it had a fancy diamond on top, it feels like a normal spoon but it was not, I put the spoon in my pocket so it did not move.  The flute was brown, it looked like it was made out of wood and it had 20 holes in it and had a diamond on top.  The flute was as big as a chair, it even felt like wood and I had to attach it to my necklace.  The cloak was bigger than me, much bigger.  It was red with a diamond sewn on to it and it feels like slik when I thouch it, and how I carried it was I put it on my back.

3- The cloak can make me fly and breathe fire, the flute makes me charm people, and the spoon made people happy- also me.

Mommio: Homeschool Field Day!

Yesterday one of the larger homeschool groups in the Austin area held their first field day, we went and it was awesome!  There were over 100 kids there and they split them into age groups then let the races begin.  They had all the typical field day races and some fun extras like a giant Red-Light, Green-Light game for everyone and Capture The Flag for the teen group.  

Here the kids are getting ready for the games and showing off their new t-shirts.

Max was a little nervous in his first race, the potato sack race, but he was happy as could be after he won first place in the race!

Then it was on to the egg-on-a-spoon race. He had practiced this one at home so he was ready!

While Max was busy the other kids were all in their own age groups having fun too.  Here is Avery and Gabe's group working at tug-o-war.  Gabe was thrilled to be the anchor- and with kids on both teams they both won ribbons!

Over to the teen races and Mason getting ready for the Blind Man's Bluff game- 

he came in second in this one!

Next I checked in with the younger girls who were kicking butt in the three-legged race, I guess it helps that the sisters had practiced at home together all week!

Back over to the 10-12 yr. old fields, where I ran in to a very happy Gabe and a crab walking Avery- this was her race for sure!

And to Mason again- this time he was doing the wheelbarrow race, I really don't think this one is meant for big people.  He was having a blast though!

And back to the little girls (yes, I did a lot of running around to catch their races but the fields were nice and close to each other and it was very worth it)- and they were busy with tug-o-war and the crab race.

The little guys were pretty hot and tired three hours into it, luckily they won some bubbles in the bean bag toss game and took a nice, shady break blowing bubbles.

And Avery took a break from her races to compete in the hula hoop contest- she was determined, but way too tired to go her usual hour long...I think she made it to 10 minutes though.

To finish off the day they held a giant Red-Light, Green-Light game and Kiki came in 3rd place out of 

75 kids- this one was really fun to watch.  What a wonderful day, we can't wait to go back next year!

Connor: The Elven Chronicles: Volume 1: To Slay A Murderer: Chapter 1: The Quest Begins

          I was standing in the monster's lair.  It was dank, disgusting, dreary, and smelled like the dead.  It all started mere decades ago.  Fifty years ago I witnessed my entire family's death.  It was caused by something out side, something beyond our control.  Up until that point I was just an average Elf who ran a mystical item shop.  My parents thought it would be a good idea to give an elf of the age of one hundred the ability to run the family business.  For us elves one hundred years old is equal to seventeen years old for humans.  I had wanted to be a wizard, but my parents couldn't afford to send me to the special schools required.
   I was unable to assume the role I had wanted.  I almost ended up with the job of town fool as well, to make matters worse.  After my family died I had no connection to the other elves.  As any one in my position would, I ran away from town leaving behind my previous education and childhood.  I swore I would slay the beast that murdered my family.  It was no dragon attack that did it, no matter what the stupid politicians said.  Someone wanted my parents out of the picture and I wouldn't rest until I had my revenge.  I started my quest by leaving the forest in which the village was built.  I ventured toward the nearest human town and started inquiring at the bars.
   I soon had myself an adventuring party ready to help me smite my sworn enemy.  At the time I didn't know her identity or gender, but I had found some allies who had a bone to pick with her as well.  My partners in this were a human fighter, a Dwarf who was adept in alchemy, and a kobold ranger.  The human was named Heinrich, the Dwarf preferred to be called K I, we had no ability to pronounce either of his names so we called him by his initials.  The kobold was named Leo, most likely after the animal.  We started off sharing stories of why we were seeking revenge.  Mine actually seemed to make the most sense, ironically Heinrich was only trying to get revenge for the destruction of the public library.  It was ironic because Heinrich could barely write his own name, I was surprised he could even read in basic, Elven, and Draconic.  Leo was after some kidnapped hounds and slaughtered lions, how appropriate.  K I however wouldn't say what his quest was.
    Meanwhile she was planing her next attack on the Never Agreeing Kingdoms.  One would think that with all these peaceful groups the kingdoms would at least agree on something!  She was waiting for my arrival in general.  She had been planning a war with my race for sixty years, we found this out later.  The group stocked up on some much needed supplies and then we headed off for her Democracy.  The only thing that confused me was she was a tyrant and it was still a democracy which is almost as weird as kingdoms having a council meeting together in a civilized, nonviolent manor.  The first task was to get past a strange and unusual guardian being, a man with his five heads.  He at least told us that one head speaks truth the rest speak lies, quite ironic considering he could have been lying when he said that!  This concludes the tales of my exploits for tonight.

Connor: Fairy Tale Journey Week 1

I.  I don't think any normal person would be carrying magical items.  I admit I feel suspicious that she isn't human, but I don't think she's a dangerous monster.  She was probably some sort of Fey like an elf or an imp the usual mystical creature.  These are most likely because they are humanoid beings and live for multiple centuries.  Knowing that elves and imps are liable to prank people I find her to be quite pleasant.
II.  The spoon is a small size.  The cloak is just my size.  The flute is smaller than the cloak and bigger than the spoon.  The cloak is black as night, the spoon is silver and the flute is a shade of yellow.  The flute is made of a bamboo like substance, possibly enchanted bamboo.  I wear the cloak on my back with the hood down.  I keep the spoon in one pocket and the flute in the other.
III.  The flute magically puts anyone who hears it into a deep slumber.  The spoon allows me to move silently and swiftly.  The cloak can change my appearance to disguise myself.  

Avery: Fairy Tale Journey Week 1

1. The woman seemed very nice and wouldn't hurt anyone even if she had to.  When she gave me the items I felt like I could trust her sometimes.  But, when she vanished, that really scared me.  She might be a witch, or a nice demon.  I think she is old for real because even if she's a witch or a demon, they live for a long time.
2. The magic spoon is a shimmering silver with a dark handle.  It felt like a normal spoon, but it smelled like dark chocolate melting in the sun.  The Flute was made of wood, but not any wood.  It was enchanted, covered in pixie dust.  It was painted with little designs around the finger holes.  The cloak was in black but glittered in the sunlight.  Its hood was a bit big for my head but it might come in handy.  It felt silky and warm.
3. The cloak is an invisible cloak that can block out sound.  When I put it on no one would notice me or hear me.  When I move I'm like a ghost and people can go through my body.  But I can't go through anything.  So if something were thrown in my direction then it would just go through me.  The sight in it is not the best.  It makes everything just a little blurry when far away.  The flute can tame any creature 10 feet tall or under.  I have to play the correct songs.  There is the song of joy, the song of sleep, and the song of control.  If I play the song of joy the monster will be sweet and happy with everything and live a great life.  If I play the song of sleep the creature would fall to the ground and sleep for 48 hours and then awake as it's normal self.  The song of control will paralyze the creature and I can take over its body for 1 minute only.  The spoon will help with food.  If I ever get lost and need food I just put the spoon in my mouth for a few seconds and it will fill my stomach with all sorts of food.

Kiki: Fairy Tale Journey Week 1

1.  I think she is nice but she can do weird things, like she can eat a banana with her head backwards.  I am scared of her because she is creepy.

2. magic spoon- It is purple with green glitter, it is two feet big and it weighs half a pound. I will carry it in my mouth.
magic cloak- It is three feet long, it has big fake antennae on it, it is made out of silk and it is orange, yellow, red, pink, purple and green.  I am going to carry it on my back.
magic flute- It is eight feet big, and twenty five pounds.  It is aqua with purple and pink glitter.  I will carry it with my hand.

3.  magic spoon- It shoots lasers and it makes you fly.
magic cloak- It can make you super fast and make you zoom in on things.
magic flute- It can make you hypnotize anyone you want.  It can also make you shoot fire out of your hands.

Mommio: Fairy Tale Journey Week 1

For the next six weeks you will slowly be going on your own Fairy Tale Journey by responding to a story and questions on the blog.  It's sort of like a create-your-own adventure experience and you are choosing the path to take by answering the questions at the end.  Have fun, be creative and use lots of details!

In The Beginning

You stand at the entrance to the Forest of Fabled Creatures.  Before you stands a woman who looks older than time itself.  Her skin falls in pale wrinkles around her face, and her hair cascades in white ringlets down to the ground at her feet.  When she speaks it is as if the wind itself has a voice.  Her eyes are deep pools of blue.  In them you can see that she is a very wise and gentle woman.  She gives you a package containing three magical items to help you in your quest for the Treasure of Wonder.  You take the package and find in your hands a magic spoon, a magic cloak, and a magic flute.  You look up to thank the woman, but she has vanished.  You are now ready to begin your quest.

Answer the following:
1. Briefly describe your feelings for the wise woman.  Does she remind you of anyone you know?  Do you find her pleasant or scary?  Do you think she is really an old woman, or is she some other creature or being in disguise?
2. Describe what each magical item looks like.  How big is each item? What color is each item?  How does each item feel when you touch it?  How will you carry each item?
3. Assign one magical property to each item.  You get to decide how each item is magical and what it can do for you.  Be careful- whatever property you assign to each item must remain for your entire journey!  Good Luck!

* This Fairy Tale Journey can be found in The Beanstalk and Beyond by Joan M. Wolf.

Mommio: Good Luck Daddio!

Good luck to our very own ace attorney at your trial in Dallas this week! 

Mommio: Art Class- Modern Art- Assemblage- Picasso

Today in our Artistic Pursuits class we learned about Pablo Picasso's assemblage art.  Assemblage art was a very new idea in the early 1900's- Picasso, and other artists, started to take apart the rules of sculpture in the same way they had changed the rules of painting.  Assemblage art is any art put together using mixed media and found objects, it can be a sculpture or a 3D form.  We took a look at one of Picasso's first famous assemblages which was made of sheet metal.

Guitar, 1914

Pablo Picasso

Assemblage art was also becoming popular in America during this time and was known as Folk Art.  We studied a work by Clark Coe made of scrap wood, metal and string.

Man On A Hog, 1890

Clark Coe

The kids all made their own assemblage pieces today using paper cups as the base.  They glued on folded cardstock, buttons, straws and other found objects to create a sculpture they liked.

Next they painted the entire assemblage with a thick coat of gesso and let it dry.

After the gesso dried they painted their sculptures using acrylic paints.

Here are their magical creations!