Spring Break

This week threw me for a loop.  Since this was our first spring break as a homeschool family I began talking to my homeschool friends to see what they did. Some families do school as normal, others scale back the work, and others take the week off.  Since we have 2 trips planned before school gets out I wasn't sure what we should do.  But then I review what we have left to cover for the year and we're on pace to finish all our work on schedule.  So I decided to take the week off.  There are too many fantastic fun things to do in Grand Rapids this week we needed all day to enjoy our favorite educational spring break activities. We also plan to keep up with our reading during the week.

Monday-The Wyoming Library had a free robotics lab.  The kids loved this and we stayed for over 2 hours.  The had robots the kids could control and build as well as 2 robotic teams there showing off their latest models.  GRCC also had a trailer with their 3D printers to show the kids. We met up with some friends for lunch and then headed home. While Westin napped the big kids listened to a historical fiction book on tape about Napoleon crossing the Swiss Alps and both big kids read to me.  Great day.

Robotics with our friends Michael Olivia and Kerriah

Westin loved the robots

Robotic grasshoppers

This robot follows the path you create

Toddler area

Lego robot build

Catapult

Leonardo DaVinci tracing activity 

Highschool robotics team

GRCC lab

Tuesday- In the morning we met some friends at the downtown Y and then after Westin's nap we headed back downtown. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is free on Tuesdays and they also had a free open studio experience.  The kids loved the open studio and spent over an hour painting, drawing, and creating their own tapestries. We then walk around the museum and enjoyed the art. 

With the extra time in our day I painted Maddy's nails.  

The boys playing together in the morning.

Wednesday- We met up with some friends from church for a free tour of a local green house.  The kids got to plant their own tomatos and see some fun animals and play in the kid area.  There wasn't a tour this year and it was raining so they didn't get to do the bumble bee express.  But we still had a lot of fun and stayed over 2 hours.

Morning craft time.

Thursday- The Res life homeschool program had a free special spring break fun day for the kids.  We also went to the YMCA after Westin's nap so I could get a run in. 

Little house on the Prairie

Friday- I took the kids to a rock and mineral show in the morning.  Caiden then made a showcase of his rocks based on what he saw at the show.  We also read and looked through some books on the rocky mountains to get ready for our trip.

Petoskey stone display

One of the display was cracking open Geodes 

Caiden making a display case for his rocks.

Caiden making up his own game

Getting ready for our trip to Colorado

Maddy played with the balancing cactus for a long time today.

Saturday- Once a year Michigan State University's Veterinarian department has a free open house.  This was awesome but there were a ton of people.  Super crowded, but the kids learned alot and got to do some pretty neat things.

Horse blood ticks and hook worms

Listening to the dogs heart beat

Using black lights to see how many germs are on your hands. 

Pretend tranquilizer guns

Maddy doing a dog rehabilitation corse.

Craft area

Exotic animal lab 

Life size baby calf station.

Talking with a Vet student about Cows.

Looking inside a cow.

Milking a cow.

MSU Dairy store