Indian Valley is Busted By Rain!

Well, we were on our way north to Indian Valley last week but by the time we got to Ukiah, which is on the way, it was pouring rain!  Ugh.  Rain!  We couldn't go where we planned to go because there are dirt roads to that campsite and we are only driving a station wagon without all weather tires.  We didn't want to get stuck in the mud so far away so we had to go to Plan B.

We visited my good friend, Mikey, instead, and his mom, Ms. Pam, and his sister, Britney (hope I spelled her name right).  They live in Ukiah and we were there overnight.  Britney did my sisters' hair in curls.  That was cool.  She put feathers in their hair, too.  Mikey and I watched Harry Potter (without my sisters in his room) but he missed the ending because he fell asleep.  The movie was longer than we expected.  It was still a great time.  Here's a picture of me and Mikey from last year when I saw him play football in Cloverdale.

Most of the week, we visited my Tia Leslie, who is staying at my Nana's and Papa's in Sebastopol.  That was super fun because Ms. Maria is there with her boys so we had a great time together.  John is my cousin and my Tia's son.  He is out of school for the summer so he hung out with us, too.  I even got to talk to my Tio Adam about the Hubble Telescope.  Tio Adam normally is too busy or he is working and can't talk so it was nice to talk with him this time.  He knows a lot of stuff.

Here's my cousins Johnny (he's 15) and Mikey (he's 6).  Johnny's always joking and clowning around.

Well, it's Memorial Day Weekend and we are off to the coast unless the rain spoils our fun.  There is fishing, camping, and, of course, the beach!  My sister wants to spend her actual birthday at the beach, rain or shine!  (She's crazy.  She says we can use an umbrella if it rains!)  Well, it IS her birthday so I guess we will be at the beach on the 31st.)  My Mama found a great place to camp for free.  We will be near Bodega Bay.  I hope it's sunny!

The rest of next week, we are going to Tahoe, while our car is repaired in Santa Rosa.  We will get a loaner car from the shop that is brand new and drive it to Tahoe, unless it's storming or snowing badly.  It will be a short trip but if Mama can get a deal on the hotel, like she did last time, we will all go snowboarding!  The last time we went up there, we took an old, blue station wagon and we got a hotel for $34 a night during the summer.  Mama says that kind of deal is unheard of in Tahoe during the summer but my Mama can find all the deals.

We have to be back in town by Friday because Mama has a new job interview and needs to meet someone in Rohnert Park about it.  We also have an application for a new place that is getting processed and they said they won't be finished with it until the end of the week.  I hope we get the new place but I still want to keep traveling.  Mama says she thinks she can squeeze one more trip in this summer even though we are going to be at summer school and even if she gets the new job.  If she doesn't get the new job, she still has her old job waiting.  She is supposed to go back to work right after 4th of July at H&R Block.  She'll be there while we are at summer school.

Happy Memorial Day!  Remember the veterans you know who have fought in wars on Monday.

What I Do for School Work

Some people have been curious as to what I learn when I homeschool.  Well, it's not all fieldtrips and fishing!  We do a lot of driving (sometimes all day!) from one place to another.  So, each of us has a laptop to complete our work in.  We are trying to "go green" and become as paperless as possible.  A lot of our work is scanned if it's done on paper and then the paper is recycled.  We also save some work on SD cards through photography or video documentation.  We are really trying to keep our own carbon footprint as small as possible.

What I do on a normal day for school work is the following:

1. Algebra - We have a lesson of each day that is internet-based which is about twenty minutes long.  After our internet lesson, we do practice problems in our notebooks.  At first, I didn't like algebra because it seemed too hard but now it is getting easier and easier so I don't mind doing algebra anymore.  It's starting to make more sense to me.
2. US Constitution - This is a card game based on the Constitution and we got this game at The LBJ Library and Gallery in Texas. 
3. US History - For history, we watch videos and we go to museums and national landmarks, like the JFK Memorial or The Sixth Floor Museum (where the assassin shot from when he killed JFK).  We have also studied about Native Americans.  Before the trip, we completed reading three textbooks since September, with reading comprehension questions, on US History (two books was on World History and one book was on US History) and a video series on US History so we are not currently reading a text book.
4. Literature - This includes reading fiction, reading non-fiction, writing answers to the questions about the story that was read, and we listen to audio classics.  For example, we are currently listening to The Sign of the Beaver.  It is a very interesting story to me.  
5. Art - We study art by going to galleries and art museums, studying the sculptures and paintings.  One of my favorite paintings was in a gallery in Arizona and it was of a giant burger.  It looked pretty good to eat to me!  The art that I'm personally doing right now is photographic art.  Below are the burger and one of my own photographs I've taken recently of Mama.
6. Science - We recently completed studies on biology.  We completed a computer program on biology.  We almost finished a workbook before we left town, too, and we dissected a frog.  Did you know you can order a frog to dissect in the mail?  They keep it perfectly preserved for you - DISGUSTING!  To learn about possible careers in science and what science can lead to in real life, we can explore this website:  http://thefunworks.edc.org/SPT--homegraphic.php and you can too!  But, I still want to be an engineer.  When we are out of internet range for a few days, we end up having a 'science' day where we focus on science that day and usually do a science project.  
7. Handwriting - This is a little hard to learn but I am working on it.  This is one of my hardest subjects.  We work out of a handwriting workbook for this subject.
8. Typing - I use a computer software that teaches typing.  I actually took a typing class at the Mendocino Junior College so I already knew how to type but I was really, really slow so this software is fun and has games.  I am becoming a faster typer!
9. Business - I am starting a business and currently reading a lot of books on online businesses and how to start a business.  My Mama is a traveling notary and is getting her own business off the ground.  She does taxes, too, but not all the time.  I also read about successful businessmen such as Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki.  Once I get my business started, I will learn how to use MSExcel so I can keep track of my expenses and income by myself.  Mama says Business Math is really important to understand if you want to be successful in business and I do.
10. PE - I really enjoy golf and taekwondo.  Those are sports I can practice even when I'm not at home.  But my new sport that I'm trying to learn is skateboarding.
11. Foreign Language - We study Latin and Spanish by using computer software.  We actually use Rosetta Stone and it is fun to use.  It makes learning language feel like playing a computer game but it also teaches reading and writing, in addition to speaking.  We are supposed to finish both softwares by the end of summer.  They come with headsets that you use to speak into in order to record yourself speaking the language.  Mama says that learning Latin will help me in other subjects.  Hmmm....

Here are some pictures I took recently.

In the summers, we go to summer school or summer camps.  We only go to academic ones.  These can be boring because I already know most of what they are teaching (my sister says she already knows everything they are teaching, too) but the best part is recess and lunch, when I can hang out with friends, or computer class.  Mama says it's good for us to go to summer school but we don't really want to.  The days are long and we already know what they are teaching but it's okay.  Mama says we always say that before we go and then we always have fun once we are there.  But Mama says she will try to get special permission for me to attend the high school classes at the junior college this year so I won't be so bored and I can hang out with other teenagers.  My sisters are probably going to go to the Catholic summer school nearby at St. Eugene's.  That's where one of my sisters went last year and I went there, too.  There is also a special summer school at Stanford for kids my age.  I am really interested in that program because I am really interested in going to Stanford.  Stanford was ranked as the number two school for engineering studies in the nation.  I want to go there when I am older!  Here's a picture of Stanford U.

Camping at Lake Mendocino

I have been offline for a few days because we were out of internet range, out fishing for trout and crappy fish on the lake.  I will be out of range again most of this week but please check in next weekend for an update on our outdoor adventures!

We camped at Lake Mendocino all last week. We  had a great time there. When we first got there, we set up and I had a "fist fight" with the tent, meaning that the tent was difficult to set up. We had hot dogs for dinner that night. We went into the tent and we told stories until Mama said that it was time to go to sleep. What I liked about camping at Lake Mendocino is when we went fishing on our last day. We were just putting our things into the car when we stumbled upon a lizard that did not want to leave the car. It was on Mama's seat and didn't want to leave.  We had to shoo it out of the car.  The picture above is a picture of that lizard outside of the car on a stump.

I am also working on attaining some merit badges in Boy Scouts.  Some of the requirements include that I must set up and break down the tent alone, pack my gear alone, including rolling up my sleeping bag.  That's isn't as easy as it looks!  I'm about 95% of the way towards my goals but still working on taming the tent!

I have some pictures of us fishing above and when we were fishing, we saw a fish jump up at the insects and we tried to catch  the fish but we failed. I wanted to stay longer, but we had to leave. We left in the morning. For breakfast, we went to Denny's. My sister had all you can eat pancakes and my other sister had the Track and Cheese meal. I had the Zesty Nachos and I ordered them without jalapeños.

This week, we are camping in Indian Valley and trying to hook the big one!

Remember the Alamo!

We went to the Alamo today and learned that there were a few survivors from the battle.  The survivors were the women and children and the only man who survived was the slave Joe who was injured but not killed.  They were given a blanket and two silver coins each and allowed to go home.  The story of the Alamo is about a battle between the Mexicans and the Texians.  They were not called Texans at that time.  The Texians wanted independence and the Mexicans wanted Texas to be a part of Mexico.  This led to the battle at the Alamo.  The Mexican forces had more than 3000 men and some believe up to 6000 men and there were only 150-200 men at the Alamo to defend the Texians.  Santa Ana was the leader of the Mexicans and the leader of the Texians was a junior officer named Travis.  Travis was only 26 years old and led the forces at the Alamo.

During the battle, the Mexicans cut off the Alamo's water supply. They climbed up the walls with a ladder and broke down some walls with cannon fire.  The Alamo was outnumbered and the Mexicans won the battle but the Alamo is remembered today because of the brave men who risked their lives for Texian independence.  They died for what they believed in.

Happy Mother's Day!

To Granny and Nana and all our Tias and our Mama's friends who are moms:

Sorry for the slight delay - we had technical problems. Hope to bring you more videos in the future!

I will blog again very soon!

Our Visit to the Elisabet Ney Sculpture Garden

We went to the Elisabet Ney Sculpture Garden yesterday. It was interesting and fun to learn about. We learned how the busts were made and then, we saw a statue of Lady Macbeth with blood on her hands. The reason she has blood on her hands is that she killed someone and she had her husband kill people and she was upset.  What I liked about the museum in there is that it has statues of people from stories. There was even a bust of Jesus Christ. I thought that she did a good job.

The Elisabet Ney Sculpture Garden and Museum is a must for people who like art or statues. We went to this place because my sister likes art.  

In 1907, Elisabet Ney suffered a heart attack. Dr.  Montgomery rushed to her side and stayed there until she died that June.  After she died, the house was sold to her friend and it was turned into a museum. Her sculptures are in the house today. The second floor in this building tells the history of her marriage, and her life.

Here is a picture of us outside the Sculpture garden, posing as statues.

Here is a picture of the dog park where we took Mickey.  He used to try to bite other dogs but after working with a trainer, he is nice to the other dogs now, even the little ones.  That's because the trainer said Mickey thought he was the only boyfriend Mama could have so he wouldn't let any other guy dogs around her.  Now, he knows how to behave and he doesn't try to eat the little dogs.

We are now on our way to San Antonio, where we will visit the Alamo. I will also ride the trains there too. The Austin Steam Train Association is also in San Antonio. I will blog about San Antonio later. San Antonio is only an hour away, but we had car trouble, and the car was not running well. We have only 15 minutes to drive it or else it will stall and all the lights will light up.  Luckily, everything in Austin is only about ten minutes away.  We have seen three mechanics and no one knows what is wrong with it.  So, we are seeing a Volvo specialist in San Antonio on Monday.  Hopefully they will be able to fix it then.  When we get to San Antonio, we will be walking all day on Mother's Day in the historic district after church and then the next day the car will be in the shop all day while we hope to ride the train so Mickey is going on vacation to the kennel on those days.  He is going to get a bath at the groomers while he is on his vacation.  I don't think he will like that.  He doesn't like to be wet - even on hot days.

Pictures of the LBJ Museum & Austin Nature Center

Here are some photos from the President LBJ Museum and Library

This is the same limo President Johnson was in with his wife the day President Kennedy was shot.

This rock came from the moon.

This is an exact replica of what President Johnson's office looked like.

This is what Lady Bird Johnson's office looked like.

The Austin Nature Center had a small zoo and hands on science center where we were allowed to hold real animal bones.

There was a cool dinosaur pit where we used some of the techniques paleontologists use to dig up fossils.

It was a fun time!

In Austin, At Last

We are now in Austin.  We are camping at McKinney Falls State Park.  Click here to see a video on McKinney Falls State Park.

Today, we went to the Inner Space Caverns and it was huge inside.  It is a cave that is underground, which was formed by water.  It goes 100 feet deep and goes under the interstate.  Pretty cool!  The number one thing to NOT do is to touch anything.  That is because the oils from your hands can damage the rock formations in the caverns.  The second thing to know is to stay with your group.  It's a big cave!  The paths go on for five miles and some go on in total darkness.  The cave was discovered when the highway engineers were looking for fifty feet of solid rock to put the interstate on.  The engineers drilled holes in the ground and these holes can be seen in the cavern.  In Texas, if a cave is found on someone's property, it's their cave.  So, this is a private cave.  We walked for about a mile in the caverns.  One of the cool things we saw was a bat but we didn't get a picture because bats do not like flash.  It wakes them up.

The only formation we were allowed to touch was this one.  It died from other people touching it.

This was the first part of the caverns that the  engineers found.

There are some low overhangs, like this one where we had to duck to get down the path.

Our Visit to the Stockyard Station

We went to the Stockyard Station in Fort Worth yesterday and learned a lot of things. We learned about the Old West and saw a light bulb that has been burning since 1908. The light bulb was placed on someone’s back porch and when they tore the house down, a guy asked if he could have it. The light bulb still worked, so he put it in a museum, which we visited. The light bulb is still there today.

The Stockyard Station is a fun place to go and learn about the Old West and a lot of other things. What I liked learning was about the wagons in the Cowboy Hall of Fame.  We also saw a cattle drive, which was cool. The cattle had long horns, and most of the cattle were Texas Long Horns, which were the result of cows from America that bred with the cows the Spaniards brought over from Spain. We watched the cattle go down the road herded by cowboys and then we went to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, which showed a lot of real wagons used in the 1800s and cowboy exhibits.

We watched a movie about Texas and I learned that Texas still has the right to secede from the nation. If they did, it would be hard because Texas is part of the United States but they still have the right to do it. Texas did secede from the USA during the Civil War.  When Texans wanted to be a part of the USA again, it took them another five years to be accepted as a state. Texas was ruled by six countries during its history and the names of the countries are 1: Spain, 2: France, 3: Mexico, 4: The Confederacy, 5: Texas (as its own country) and last of all, 6:  the U.S.A.  This is where the phrase "the six flags of Texas" comes from.

Texas is an independent state and won its independence from Mexico. Texas was its own nation for nine years until Mexico did not accept that. This led to the Mexican American War, which the US won. The US took Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico and Nevada away from Mexico and added them to the nation.

Editor's Note:  On the way to Austin, we had some mechanical trouble in Waco and that's where we are currently staying.  It's Austin or bust tomorrow!

A Fun Day with Local Texans.

Yesterday, we went to St. Catherine's Church. The church was very big. There were a lot of people there.  It was the biggest church I'd ever seen. After service, we went to the Stone Brier Mall to get an oil change and shop a little. After that, we were invited to a party by locals who had a birthday party for their son, who was turning two. We got him a present and went to Chuck E. Cheese. It was  a fun time. I got 132 tickets and got a prize. I played Guitar Hero there and most of the games there.

St. Catherine of Sienna

We were going to go to leave for Austin after the party, but the weather was bad. There were storm warnings for tornadoes and a lightening storm where we were, so we didn't go to Austin.  When we got back to my mom's friend's apartment, it was thundering. The weather forecast said that it was going to rain for two days and it still is. The thunder and lightning scared my sister and my mom had to calm her down. They have a saying in Texas. The saying is, "If you don't like the weather, wait a while."  It goes from freezing, crazy rain storms to hot, humid and sunny in just a few hours. Tonight, we are finally off to Austin! I am going to see the Alamo.

Honoring JFK

John F. Kennedy was shot by  Lee Harvey Oswald.  I learned about this in a museum In Dallas called The Sixth Floor, where the event actually happened.  John F. Kennedy was the youngest president to be elected. He was one of our best presidents since Abraham Lincoln. If he hadn’t been shot, the world would be different. He was in office from 1961 to 1963, the year he visited Dallas. The motorcade took place in Dallas, outside a school book storage place. At 12:30, gun shots rang out. One struck JFK in the neck, the second missed, and the third hit him in the head, killing him. The crowd was shocked. The presidential limousine rushed him to the nearest hospital. At 1:00, the president was dead. Many people were sad, and some even cried. 

Today, there is a memorial with his name carved in gold letters and is 200 yards from where he was killed. The museum that I visited in Dallas is on the 6^th floor and there are exhibits on JFK.  What I liked about this museum is the view from the sixth floor. You can actually see the street where the motorcade took place and the grassy knoll, which looks the same as it did in the sixties.

JFK Memorial

The Sixth Floor Museum

  

The Grassy Knoll

This morning, we were in Fort Worth, Now, we have just left Dallas. We are on our way to my mom’s friend, Ty, but we call him Mr. Ty. We ate at Ihop for breakfast before our day in Dallas. I had a breakfast sampler, which is made up of ham, eggs, sausage, and hash browns with pancakes on the side. I will put in pictures later. It was a delicious breakfast.