KINGS DOMINION

On our way to Kings Dominion Nikholi stole Roger's sunglasses and Roger stole mine; complaining that I have two pairs and now he has none.

Nikholi whined a lot on the two hour car ride there, but once we finally got there, he couldn't believe his eyes!

Our first ride of the day started out with a Scooby Doo roller coaster ride; which was also Nikholi's first roller coaster!

Nikholi wasn't quiet sure what to expect.. but he definetly was in for a surprise!

Check out Nikholi's face! It's hilarious.. Poor boy.

Kambri even was able to ride some rides.

Scooby Doo, where are you?

What was really nice is that majority of the bigger rides, except the roller coasters of course, we were all able to go as a family and no one was left behind.

Here is another ride, Kambri was able to get on..

Look! Nikholi joined the gang and is driving away in the Mystery Machine!

They also had something similar to a McDonalds playgound, but it was soo much bigger. After Nikholi was measured standing 44" tall, both Roger and Nikholi went into the big portion of the playset.

While Kambri and I stayed over in the little section, meeting a friend and playing with the stuffed blocks.

I need to make some of these, she loved them!

After the play ground area, Nikholi had fun at the bumper cars.

Then we went to the carosel. Kambri loved it!

Nikholi, on the other hand... You can ask him to get on a roller coaster with you and he'll be all in... but ask him to get on a horse at the carosel and you can forget about it!

I wish this were a real horse!

I love this picture of Nikholi!

Everyone gathered tight together for a group picture right before jumping on the feris wheel.

Our cute little girl wanted to walk every where, so with a little bit of daddy's help she was able to.

Another cute picture of Kambri

Me trying to talk to Kambri and keep her occupied as we wait in line for the Feris Wheel.

Here are some of the pictures of the park, taken from the Ferris Wheel.



I love this picture of the Feris Wheel.

Kambri screamed to be put down while we were up in the ferris wheel. This picture just happened to be at the right time, it's priceless.

After the ferris wheel, Roger took Nikholi on another roller coaster ride.

And here is our last family picture at Kings Dominion.. right before the kids started to kill each other.

We had soo much fun. However, the next time we go we are going to leave the kids at home.

Kambrya and Roger's Birthday

Since Roger wasn't home on Kambri's birthday we let her open a couple presents and eat a cupcake before daddy came home, then threw a celebration the following Sunday after his return.

I made this tutu for Kambri to wear on her birthday. It turned out soo cute, I'm going to have to make more with alternating colors!

The cake was awesome, with chocolate on one side and vanilla on the other.

I love this picture of Kambri and Roger.

And here is a picture of the birthday girl with Mommy.

Some parties can be so boring, good thing they had a pool to occupy the older ones.

Roger and Kambri cut the cake.

Kami was excited, she's clapping here!

Then we opened presents. Kambri actually did a really good job doing it all by herself.

Cool, presents!

Wow, what is this?

Playing Peek-a-boo!

Look Mom, I'm walkin'

Happy Birthday Kambri and Roger!

Science Extravaganza

Learning Through Science - Southern Maryland Tri-County Head Start Program 2008-2009

On June 3, 2009 Head Start sponsored a "Science Extravaganza/Health Day" to culminate the year long "Learning Through Science" and "Model Health" programs.
I was lucky enough to be able to chaperone this event!

This was my row on the bus for the trip there. To help entertain them for the 30-45 minute drive we sang The Wheels on the Bus, Mother Duck, Monkeys Swinging a Tree, and many other fun Nursery Rhymes.

There was a little confusion at first in regard to where we were suppose to be, but everything worked out and the activity was more organized than I had expected.

One of the biggest concerns prior to the activity was all the children receiving and wearing the same shirt. So each county ordered wrist bands with different colors, just in case a child got lost, they could be returned to the appropriate county. Luckily, we didn't have any problems, and all the children did a great job staying with their chaperons.

The Learning Through Science progarm was implemented this school year to strengthen the children's aptitude in science. The goal was to stimulate their natural curiosity and develop "scientific thinking" abilities in preparation for their transition to kindergarten.

In this model, brought to us by Priority Partners, promoting good health and hygiene, the guest speaker shared her germs. She took a squirt bottle and sprayed some "germs" on her hands, then shook a childs hand, who then shook their friends hands.

Everyone had the opportunity to pass the germs around.

Once Nikholi realized how quickly we can catch germs he said, "That's gross!"

Then Barbara Hairston, Education/Disabilities coordinator for Head Start took us on a Nature Walk. We walked down a very rough, secluded path, down to the beach.

Here is a picture of Nikholi and Talaysia on the beach.

Throughout the program year Head Start children at every center, their families and the teaching teams have been engaged in the "Learning Through Science" program. Students become familiar with the steps of the scientific method by observing, gathering information and conducting simple experiments to learn that science is all around every day.

After the nature walk we went and saw a MaD sCiEnTiSt!
He showed us how Tongs scream when they are placed upon dry ice because of the drastic change in temperature; going from room tempurature to a -78.5 degrees.

Can you hear it? The tongs are saying, "Help me, I'm freezing!"

Nikholi was worn out, but yet he was still intrigued.

The Model Health program introduced a variety of healthier foods from multi-cultural backgrounds to help avoid obesity. The program also used role modeling for Head Start children and families to inforporate physical activities into their daily lives for life long benefits.
This is a picture of Mrs. Willie and Ryan.

Teaching teams received hands-on quarterly training to empower them to provide quality lessons at the pre-school level. Parents received training through parent meetings and newsletters. Science and health activities were provided by "Learning Through Science" Homework Helper" designed to encourage parent-child interatcion at home and to reinforce what the students have experienced at school.
We really had a blast and I'm looking forward to my parent participation in the Head Start program next year.