At my first lesson, I was all excited about getting back on the ice. When we got to the lesson, we found that all the other kids were all 4 to 6 years old! The teacher is very nice and treats me like an older kid and gives me special assignments. Ice skating is way harder than I thought. One of the easier moves is a U-turn, but a lot of moves are really hard. Skating is such a great feeling when you're gliding fast on the ice. I really enjoy it and I still have lessons for the month of March.
I've also been very busy with scouts this month. I had an outdoor conservation project and then a sleepover. I went with the Cub Scouts to a Nature Preserve to see how Maple Syrup is made - from the time they tap the tree until it is read to be sold. This year is also the 75th anniversary of Cub Scouting. My Cub Scout Pack celebrated at our Blue and Gold Banquet when we had a birthday party with a mountain of pizza and three huge birthday cakes! But this year's Blue and Gold was extra special for me because this year I became a Boy Scout!
At the party, each den did a skit and there was a police dog in-training demonstration. The whole time I was thinking about how this would be my last Blue and Gold ever, and I'm not sure if I was sad about leaving or excited about new adventures.
Finally, the time had come for the Advancement Ceremony. I anxiously waited while the younger boys were called up to be awarded their Badges of Rank.Then it was my den's turn. We were called up to the stage with our parents. I couldn't believe I was really walking up there.
I heard my name called and somehow my feet walked over to the Cubmaster. He was handing me the Arrow Of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting. The next thing I knew, the Scoutmaster for my new Boy Scout Troop was shaking my hand and congratulating me. He had one of the Boy Scouts take off my Cub Scout neckerchief and replace it with my new Boy Scout Troop neckerchief. I was so proud!
When it was all over, I asked my mom to pinch me because I thought I was dreaming. It was a day I'll never forget!
In homeschool I have also been very busy. In Social Studies I have been learning more about the Renaissance. I've also started learning about some of the explorers and important people from the 13th - 15th centuries. In Science, I've been studying chemistry and have learned about the structure of atoms, the Periodic Table of Elements, and how molecules are formed. I've read some really good books this month including: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi, Shadow of A Bull by Maia Wojciechowska, Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, and Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, which I wrote about in my book review this month. I've been learning about fractions, percents and decimals in math. I am still learning more French and continuing to play the piano and the recorder. February was a very enjoyable month.
www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi.
This website gives all kinds of information about America, its people and its history. There are some cool facts and a few games that can be played. It is also a great site if you need to do a report for school on one of the states, a famous American or if you just want to check out a time period in our history.
www.funbrain.com/
This website has some good games for kids to play. There are some arcade-type games, some math games and some links for movies, books, crafts and things for adults, too.
It is usually difficult to see Mercury because its orbit is so close to the sun that it is hard to see due to the bright sunlight. However, starting on the nights of March 11th and 12th ( and up through about the 18th), Mercury will be at its "elongation" which means you can see it just after sunset, low on the western horizon if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. For more info, click here.
Consider doing something kind or providing an anonymous service or gift to someone by yourself or with your family.
Einstein was born in 1879 in Germany. He was an amazing scientist who worked on the Theory of Relativity. For a great explanation for kids and adults, (and to read about the possibility of time travel!) click here.
Calling All Adults!
Celebrate Kids by writing a special letter to an incredible kid you know! To learn more, click on the picture link.
Take some time to organize your closets and other places too during Clean out your closet week! For helpful hints and tips click here
This month, one of Gabrielle's fish died. She was very sad, but she soon got a new fish. Joining her shebunkin "Tigery" is a new goldfish that she named "Angel."
This month was also Gabrielle's fifth birthday! She was so excited! Her favorite thing for her birthday was choosing her birthday cake. She also got a great Animal Alphabet game. Gabrielle really enjoyed this month.
