Have you met The Little Travelers?

We're so happy we've "met" them and think you should too!

About two weeks ago we picked up one of their videos at the library and took it home to watch. It was about traveling to The British Isles and I thought the part on Ireland would be fun with St. Patrick's Day approaching. Watching & listening to these two adorable sisters on their travels was truly captivating for each one of us. They made us feel like we were right there with them and by the end of the video we felt we made new friends, We knew we had to check out another travel adventure with them.

Mom, Angelina Hart, who produces the videos says it best: "What these DVDs lack in 'slickness' they make up for with authenticity. In the same way that a woman with a gorgeous smile, laugh lines and graying hair is authentically beautiful in comparison to a botoxed, lip-injected one, our DVDs have an authentic quality to them that is best appreciated for what they are rather than what they are not."

I agree 100%. It was the "realness" that drew us in. And left us wanting more!

So, we checked out their Bali video and watched it today. It has been a hoot to see my kids trying to impersonate the Bali dancers on the video, especially my 8 year old son. Today he created a "head dress" with a headband and a wooden comb and tried bugging his eyes out and getting the hand movements just right. Of course my 4 year old and 6 year old joined in and there were great laughs around the dinner table tonight. We also talked about where we would most love to travel together as a family. Of course, Italy was #1 on everyone's list. My husband & I went years before having kids and I think we have sold our kids on that particular destination as they see our eyes light up when we reminiss.

So tonight, I searched out The Little Travelers Website to learn more about these wonderful productions. While perusing the site I discovered their Mom's Blog and it inspired me beyond belief to see learn that Angelina has reloacted with her two daughters to the place I wish I could live more than any other: the island of Kauai! She sold/gave away everything and moved there to follow her bliss, her heart...I am sure the island was calling her. Her girls joyfully gave their vast American Girl doll collection to their cousins because they too would rather have the beach. I have seriously fantasized about doing exactly what Angelina is doing. Letting go of all this material stuff we all *think* we need so much and living a truly simple life. Her girls will be unschooled in Kauai - how awesome is that?

If you get a chance check out her Kauai posts/photos and I am sure you too will see the appeal. I go to bed tonight knowing I have found a kindred spirit.Who knows maybe our kids will end up playing on the same beach on our next trip to Kauai...the island has a way of working magic!

Astronomists for the Afternoon

Yesterday we spent the late afternoon/early evening hours on the campus of the University of Washington at the Theodor Jacobsen Observatory.

Trying out their telescopes they just built in class.

Six years old and learning  Astronomy from two female professors - way cool!

Hey Mom - you're upside down!

Focussing in on  planet posters

Enjoying some Space Ice Cream made with Liquid Nitrogen!

Learning how to make Alka Seltzer Rockets...

Heads up!!

The most awesome solar planet tour which was led by a very bright 8th grade girl!! :)

She volunteers at the Observatory and her knowledge was so deep...nothing was scripted, it was all internalized and is obviously her passion. It was so inspiring!

After all that great learning and fun we worked up a great appetite and headed over to...

Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe (one of my faves and now one of hubby's faves too!)

K and his YUMMY pesto sandwich and tabouli salad!

Hubby's soup and lentil burger was also AMAZING!!

J enjoyng a little fizzy "Synergy"...always a good thing and rather perfect since it summed up our fun evening!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We took a break from our learning activities and  made some yummy vegan, gluten-free St. Patrick's Day sugar cookies!

Then we sat for "Afternoon Tea" Irish Style! I guess I should have had green tea - duh! But at this point in the day I don't need any caffeine, and of course the kids never do, so pink tinted tangerine-ginger it was!

Some Inspiration from Wilderness Awareness School Today...

This was on the discovery table in the barn shelter where my kids gather before they trek off  into the woods at their wilderness school with their guides. What a perfect composition and message...I absolutely love it!

Women's Retreat!

This evening I will head off to a beautiful cabin in the woods with about 11 other women from my church. This is my first ever Women's Retreat and only the second time I've ever been away from my family in the past 8 years! Although I am excited, I am missing them already and I haven't even left. The kids told me last night they didn't want me  to go. I have to admit, life has been so busy lately and my husband has had so much work travel, that I would just prefer a weekend with my family too!  I also haven't been feeling that great lately - mysterious stomach ailments and overall tired. Yet, I know that this might be just the thing I need to recharge my batteries and I know they will have a great weekend at home with Dad. He joked with me that he is taking them to Legoland in CA. At least I "think" he was joking! I am sure he will have some good fun up his sleeve! Here's to a fun weekend for all.

There is a beautiful labyrinth on the property that I look forward experiencing in person:

To hubby & kids - I love you guys and will be thinking of you! I look forward to catching each other up on all our weekend fun when I return! xoxo

Learning Fun with Slim Goodbody

We met up with friends today to see Slim Goodbody's show, Bodyology. It was a blast. My friend and I both commented  to each other how impressed we were with his multiple intelligence approach during the whole show. There was story telling, singing, movement, verbal repetition, great visuals, audience participation and lots of great content. The kids were captivated, from my 4 year old all the way up to my friend's 9 year old...and we adults learned a thing or two ourselves! Want to see some of what we learned today? Check out this teachers guide. It is full of interesting facts and fun stuff.

Both of us remember Slim from our youth and thought it was very cool that we got to share the original Slim Goodbody with our children. He looks great and must practice what he preaches about a healthy diet, no smoking, learning all the time & exercise...like he said, we only get this one body and can't go buy another at  the body shop, so we gotta take care of it!

Today

Acting class - K & F received their scripts for The Snow Queen. K will play Kay and F will play Gerda. They are excited!

K finished listening to the unabridged audio edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. He loved it. He also took a comprehension test after at Book Adventure. Although he is an avid reader and doesn't need any prompting to get his nose in a book or listen to stories, he LOVES programs like this because he just thinks it is plain fun to rack up points and earn prizes.

F logged herself on to Math Whizz and did three lessons and tests. She scored a 100% on each. Math has always come so naturally to her -lucky girl!  We also spent some time on spelling and reading together. I can see that her list of sight words is expanding...she is soooo close to reading on her own, I know it frustrates her because she just wants to be there NOW! She'll get there.

K, also did some drawing homework in his journal for his class tomorrrow at the co-op. Love these entries: