Another Horse Hands Class today....

Hope spent the weekend with us. They were up at 4 AM chomping at the bit to go. Only problem is..the class doesn't start until 11 AM. We went to the zoo early to walk around and see a show...the performing porcupines, hedgehogs, rabbits, turtles, rats, hawks and turkey vultures:). So tired from not getting enough sleep that we had to skip swimming and do a make up class later this week:( The two toothless little girls:) Checking out the hedgehog after the show. Starting to lead the horse for the first time! How to move around the back of a horse. Going home!:))

Last day of Camp....

Still not really sure what they did there all week. They went to the zoo yesterday, and the day before they travelled to China to study tigers and pandas:) I know that I won't miss the 45 minute drive four times a day!

Spring Break...

This week is Spring Break at school. Jazzy is attending the Environmental Education Center Spring Camp. I am not exactly sure what they do, since I don't stay during the day. Plus, she will never tell me anything about her day. I believe they take hikes around the lake, study various plants and animals- and I do know that they "flew to Africa" to study the animals there:) It's not terribly far from our house, but with the heavy traffic it is 45 minutes each way back and forth:( A hedgehog who lost his eye:) Some type of bird:) Back to school next week!!

Horse Hands Class.....

Horse Hands Level One held at the Thunderbird Equine Facility today. I coerced Hope Gonzales mom to let her join the class with us:) The facility is located inside the Phoenix Zoo, so we hung around there after class. They have various levels of classes for kids. Level 1 is about approaching a horse, putting on a halter, brushing and how to move around a horse. We will be there for the next three Sundays. I refuse to go to the zoo in the summer, so we may do Level 2 and 3 next fall and winter. Later we walked around the zoo, rode camels, had ice cream:), and went to Jazzy's swim lessons. When we took Hope home, her mom said that they probably are going to be moving back to New Mexico this summer:((( Jazzy's best friend moving away:((((

Sid the Science Kid at Comerica Theater.....

Fire, Water, Earth, Wind.....

We spent the entire day at a Girl Scout workshop in Papago Park learning about the Four Elements. My original idea was for Jasmine to go so that I could accomplish something at home. Then.. I received an email saying that all parents had to be there. So, even though we had fun, I didn't accomplish much today. We couldn't have had better weather! Seventy five degrees with a slight breeze. There were around 32 girls there- divided into 4 groups. Just arrived:) We started with Fire. We learned how to properly build a "fire". Fire ring first..(M&M's), kindle (coconut shreds), tinder (small pretzels), then fuel (large pretzels). The fire itself was "red hot" candies. Next we made the volcano out of vinegar and baking soda. Then, the big attraction was watching a hard boiled egg being sucked into a bottle by a vacuum created by fire:) Here we are at the "fire station" making "fires" and learning about "fire safety":) This is hilarious how everyone is so excited about an egg being sucked in a bottle:)) I think it's because there was a breeze and it took awhile to keep the match lit long enough to get it in the bottle. Next to the "water station" where we made "water tornadoes" and "quick sand". Playing in cornstarch and water "quicksand": Learning about the relative sizes of clay, silt, and sand as represented by various sizes of beads and a ping pong ball. Next, they made a craft depicting volcanic rock, sandstone and other types of rock. (I was not paying attention at this one:) At lunch. Met lots of new friends. Kianna- who was not in our group since she is a bit older- became attached at the hip with Jasmine:)) Painting with "wind":) - blowing thru a straw into the paint. Conducting an experiment concerning clouds with her partner, Ella. Funny how Ella and Jasmine ended up together. Ella was just adopted into her new family. Then... we had to go to swim lessons and grocery store for this week!! Long long day, but it was nice to be outside.

My 2nd Grade Science Project by Dr. Judy Stolz

Made three stethoscopes out of various sized tubes and funnels, researched stethoscopes, made the silly board. Jasmine had to write a few vocabulary words and stomped her feet. She did somewhat enjoy doing the actual experiment of listening and comparing the stethoscopes. I REALLY hope I don't have to do this again next year!! Maybe I'll just save it and use it again! What a PIA!!!