Back in Time: Camel Barns Field Trip

Recently, the children and I went back in time; back to the 1800's!  We visited the Camel Barns Museum and was gifted with information of the city of Benicia from hundreds of years ago.  After touring, the children got to participate in some hands on activities that were part of life in the 1800's.

                                        No washing machines back then!

                                      Grinding corn~

Trip to the Winery, Fresh Grape Juice

Adear friend brought the kids and me to her parents' winery.  We were able to pick grapes straight from their vines.  It was AWESOME!  That evening, the children and I used the grapes to make our very own homemade grape juice.  Delish!  Thanks Auntie J!

Kajukenbo w/ Offie

All summer long, Offie was talking about being in a karate class.  As shy as he WAS, he told anyone who would listen that he WILL be in karate when he's in kindergarten.  Well, as promised, Dad and I enrolled him when school began, and he is LOVING his kajukenbo class.  Even taking the class at the end of a long day, after swim class in the morning, Offie still has a ton of energy left. 

September Highlights--A Month Later

It can a bit of a challenge to sit and post during the beginning months of school, but, today is the day to catch up!  Here are the highlights of the previous month.

Gold Rush Days in Sacramento with the Lendway Family.  Being a history enthusiast, this field trip was right up my alley.  It was both educational and fun.  The whole family enjoyed seeing a re-enactment of the Pony Express, a saloon gun fight, gold panning, and playing dress-up as pioneers.

Next up, September birthdays!

Timmy turned 14 this year.  Our family is big on doing something on the day of, even if that something is small.  Timmy feels most blessed when we buy him donuts.  So, buy donuts we did.  His siblings and I bought a dozen yummy donuts and surprised him at school.  He ate 2 before we left.

Jazzy turned 12!  Her request was a skating get together with her friends and a luncheon.  (Thanks Groupon for a deal on skating!)  She was very thankful that her friends were able to celebrate with her.

2011-20112 Tran Fam School Yearbook

Because our children are homeschooled, they don't get the opportunity to have a yearbook at the end of the year.  A couple of years ago, we decided to compile pictures of their schoolyear activities so we can create a yearbook of our own.  We just got the yearbook for this past schoolyear!  It's fun to look back and be reminded of what God has accomplished in our lives in the past year.

                      Sample page below...

A Homemade Kind of a Day

With the free, HUMONGO zucchini we got from the farm, as well as fresh plums from a friend, we set out to make yummies.

                                    Jasmine named this, Mom's Delicious Jam..

                                  Mmmmm.  Zucchini bread...

A Bonus to a Great Day

Last Saturday, we unexpectedly ended our afternoon with a visit to a local farm.  It's always fun to see the different animals there.  BUT the highlights were: the children finding and collecting tons of peacock feathers and getting a free, HUMONGO zucchini. 

Tran-lympics 2012

Inspired by watching the Olympic Games, the kids and I decided to have one too; A fun way to keep the kiddies active.

Event:  A Shoot-out

 Event: Court Run

Event:  Wheelbarrow

 

Event:  Coin Toss

Prize- A big tablespoon of ice cream!!!

Disneyland 2012!

This trip wasn't without its CRAZY moments, but overall, the whole fam enjoyed the 2 day visit to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Scary place!  The children were both excited and scared.  My arm still has marks from my girl's grip. j/k

                Daddy finally got to ride a horse! :-)  Yee Haw

              Eww!  Getting sprayed with dirty, bug infested water.

                   Timmy's favorite ride. 

                    Just couldn't get away from guns..  Out of all the rides, this was his favorite?

                      Tim's 2nd most favorite ride.  Little train ride in the Bug's Life area.

           Thankful to the Lord for memories made.  1 Thess. 5:18