A Trip to the Coast

  

Although Hubby and I went to the Coast for our 10th anniversary last year, it has been a LONG time since we have taken our children to the Ocean. So long, in fact, that the three oldest (who were only 3, 1 1/2, and 1 month old at the time) only "remember" seeing it in the pictures.

So, when Hubby suggested last Friday that we head over for a day trip, we were all VERY excited.  It was also just the motivation I needed to get back on track with our Alphabet Path!  (We finished S Week just before Easter and have been trying over and over to start T with little success.  It was a perfect opportunity to review and be inspired to move on to learning about Tide Pools and Tall Trees!)

Since the weather was going to be a little better on Sunday, we decided to drive over then and left early enough to attend an 11 a.m. Mass in one of the coastal towns.  After Mass we picked up coffees and headed down to the beach.

~ T is for Trails ~

It took a bit of hiking, but we were determined to visit the tide pools. 

~ At the Tide Pools ~

~ S is for Sea Stars ~

After Studying Sea Stars during S Week, finding this little Starfish was one of the highlights of the day!

~ The Scary Seagull ~

This Seagull totally scared Snuggles.  It wouldn't leave us alone!  He was determined to take off with our lunch, but was only able to get away with the bag that contained it, which sent us scattering all over the beach to reclaim our snacks!

~ A Social Squirrel ~

This little squirrel wasn't quite as aggressive as the seagull, but I am quite sure he would have sat on my lap if I would have let him get any closer.  Sorry little guy, the sign said "Don't feed the wildlife!"

~ Ocean Waves and Currants ~ 

The three oldest ventured down to the water line to "touch" the ocean.

The boys are still talking about feeling the pull of the ocean currents.  We are off to the library today to find some more books on this topic.  Any suggestions?

~ Shadow Tag ~

Inspired by a friend, we played Shadow Tag on the beach.  So much fun!  I love this picture of Chiquita trying to protect her shadow from Twinkle Toes, who was "it."  She ended up getting tagged! 

Snuggles LOVED "tripping" in the tall beach grass! 

~ T is for Tallest Trees ~

Before heading home we also made a stop at Stout Grove, the world's most scenic stand of redwood trees.  This grove also contains the Stout Tree, which is the bulkiest known coast redwood. (It is 340 feet tall and 16 feet in diameter at chest height.)  The grove is absolutely breathtaking, but to tell you the truth, if Hubby hadn't been there, I would have been totally spooked!  Next time we will have to make sure we visit when there is a little more light streaming through the trees.  (These pictures were taken shortly after arriving and it was just starting to get dark.  An hour or two earlier would have probably been perfect timing.)

My camera battery died just after arriving at Stout Grove, so that is it for pictures.  When we got back to town we treated the kids to Cheeseburgers and Blizzards (They were on special in honor of the Blizzard's 25th Birthday!) and then headed home.

It was such a fun trip and I hope we are able to do it again soon!

Wordless Wednesday ~ T is for Tide Pools

  

A Fairy House Birthday Cake...

...for Chiquita's 5th Birthday!

(Inspired by the Alphabet Path Fairies, Coolest Birthday Cakes and my friend Aimee!)

I just couldn't wait any longer to share a few pictures... Now back to the party!

Happy Birthday Chiquita!

Highlights from "S" Week

Learning Along the Alphabet Path

~ Letter Formation ~

The girls made the letter S with Modeling Wax, HWT Wooden Pieces, and on paper.

~ Strawberry Fairy Coloring Pages ~

They also colored from the The Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book while listening to A Flower Fairy Alphabet on CD.

~ Picture Book Science ::  S is for Sea Shells and Sea Stars ~

Starfish (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Seashells, Crabs & Sea Stars (Take-Along Guides)

We worked on some of the mini books included in a lap book on Sea Stars using from Homeschool Share.

~ Picture Study ::  S is for Stars ~

From Museum ABC's book and nesting blocks.

While on the topic of Stars we also read The Sky Is Full of Stars.

~ S is for Saints ~

Here is our hand-painted St. Sharbel for with An Alphabet of Catholic Saints.

The girls colored St. Sharbel Coloring Pages from Catholic Artworks and completed some copywork, which I created at Writing Wizard using the quote from An Alphabet of Catholic Saints.

Our Homeschool Group's All Saints Fair fell at a perfect time, and we also celebrated the feasts of St. Patrick (with Saints, Shamrocks, and Six Smiling Sweeties!) and made Symbolic Shapes in honor of St. Joseph.

We also Spray painted a Shelf for our Saints!

My friend Marci knew I've been looking for something, and found this tray at Good Will for $4.00.  The girls helped me spray paint it Gold and we hung it on our school room wall.  I think it turned out cute!

Many, many, months later, I still have 4 saints to go...  Getting close! 

~ S is for States ~

The girls enjoyed staying up late one night to play States & Capitals Sequence.

~ S is for Sewing ~

The girls Stitched, Stuffed, and Served up some Super fun Felt Sweets!

~ S is for Sunflowers ~

I downloaded and printed The Story of the Sunflower Coloring Book for the girls to color while learning about sunflowers.  We then decorated some Sunflower Cupcakes for Sunday. 

Sunflower Cupcakes

~ S is for Strawberries ~

Slicing Strawberries

Strawberry-Coconut Tres Leches Trifle

I posted the recipe at Catholic Cuisine, for those of you that have requested it for Easter!

We are busy Spring Cleaning this week, and next week is Holy Week, so the girls won't be starting "T" Week until next month... That should give them plenty of time to finish the rest of their sewing!