Feb. 5, 2009 - Explosive Science project
For science, we have started the Apologia Astronomy book this year. My children are loving it! I can not recommend this curriculum enough! They have just finished the Mars chapter and anyone else using this knows that the project at the end of this chapter is to build a model volcano to represent Olympus Mons on Mars.
On Tuesday, we made our model of the volcano. The kids were disappointed to find out that we had to wait for it to dry. But first thing on Wednesday, after breakfast of course, we assembled the needed ingrediants to make our lava. They waited in anticipation and asked all sorts of questions, such as, will it be hot? will the house catch fire? maybe we should stand back. After explaining that this was just a model and it wouldn't be a very forceful eruption, they relaxed and enjoyed the expirement.
Here are some pictures of the eruption. We did it twice with different amounts of ingredients to see if the eruption was different. We used red food coloring the first time and green the second.
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Jan. 17, 2009 - Winter Summary
Winter isn't really boring here. Sure, we have our days of just sitting around but for the most part we keep pretty busy. Lately we have been in a deep freeze which kept the kids from going outside to play but we have found ways to keep them occupied.
As a family, we have embarked on a journey through the Bible. We are trying to read through it this year in its entirety. This has fit in nicely with school but has hit some road blocks with my work schedule. I have found myself behind and having to catch up so as not to get too far behind. We have utilized a great website Blue Letter Bible that has an audio option. We have found this very helpful with names. The children have found it more interesting to listen to because of the sound-effects. It brings the Bible to life. We have just finished the Ten Commandments in Exodus and WH decided that he would rent the movie The Ten Commandments. So for the last two days we have watched the Bible come to life even more. Sweetheart and Daddy worked together to find any and all errors in the movie. Since reading the Scriptures, she had a better understanding and could see parts that weren't quite accurate.
Daddy and the girls have been wanting to go on a winter camp-out but with the amount of snow we have had and the extremely cold temperatures they have not been able to go yet. They were starting to get really disappointed. So, we planned the next best thing...camping in the living room. Daddy pulled out one of the girls mattresses for himself (sleeping on the ground doesn't agree with him) and a big comforter for the girls to sleep on. It seemed to settle them down and appease them for a while.
About three weeks ago, WH and I tackled the girl's bedroom. The girls had two twin beds and their bedroom is pretty small. It was becoming very tiresome to make beds and it was constantly a mess. I'm sure the decision was based mainly on the fact that WH is off work and has to be around the choas on a more constant basis. Whatever the reason, we designed and built the girls a bunk bed. They were thrilled and have enjoyed more floor space to play. Plus, there is now room for their dresser. So, their bedroom is now truly a bedroom.
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Jan. 6, 2009 - My One year Blog-iversary
Yes, I am still here! I remembered today is my blog-iversary. I have been blogging for a year now and have enjoyed all the friends I have met and grown to know. It has been very encouraging to meet other moms who homeschool and are as dedicated to it as I am. A special note to al my friends: You have all been such an inspiration to me and have challenged me to grow more and more!
Amazing how a year can change life and how many things change in a year. I went back to my first blog entry and re-read it and WOW! my kids have changed and grown. I know life will continue to change for us in the very near future as my husband is still without work but the Lord has faithfully provided for all our needs! How great is our God!
I look forward to another year of blogging and knowing my friends more and more!
For my faithful friends and readers....(you are all important to me), do not give up on me, my life is hectic and filled to capacity right now but I know that I will have more time someday to update this blog a little more frequently. Thank you for your comments, love, prayers, support, and encouragement. They mean a great deal to me!
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Dec. 8, 2008 - Dashing Through the Snow, In a TWO horse open WAGON....
This past weekend, WH and I took the kids to a nearby town that was having a winter wonderland weekend. The whole town sponsored the event with many deals and extras going on throughout the downtown. What drew us was the free horse-drawn carriage rides and free pony rides for the kids. We had happened upon this last year and were too late to partake in this. The children had been very disappointed.
The wonderful grace of God and His care for even the most insignificant things was again displayed to me! We don't get our towns newspaper but we do get the free paper that is distributed throughout the county. However, I rarely look through it. I just happened to riffle through the paper and stumbled on the ad discribing the towns festivities! The kids were excited and thrilled!
So, Saturday, even as cold as it was, we bundled up and headed to the nearby town. They had two "carriages" being pulled by two horses each! One "carriage" was basically a trailer with hay bales to sit on. The other was a little more pleasant - with benches and a roof. By the time we got to the starting point, it had started to snow. It was a picture perfect moment - unfortunately, I forgot the camera :( We rode on the covered wago first. It took us through downtown where they had Christmas music playing. It dropped us off at a nearby store that was having the pony rides. The kids got in line and waited their turn to ride. They all enjoyed their ride but it was Peanut's first and I wish I had my camera. Her smile was huge! I took her mitten off and told her to "pet" the pony. Her smile grew larger. Her ride was much to short for her. After she got off she wanted to get right back on! Thankfully, our return ride hadn't arrived. Also, there were only two other children in line. Our four got to ride a second time and they were thrilled! Peanut especially.
Finally, our return "carriage" arrived and this time we got on the hay wagon. It was a little less comfortable as it was snowy and cold. But I could well imagine what it would have felt like many years ago when that was the only mode of transportation. There was a lot more that we could have done but opted to call it a day so that we didn't freeze!
We hope to do this again next year if the town does it again. I promise to bring the camera next year :)
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Dec. 4, 2008 - Thanksgiving and things
Right before Thanksgiving my children (except Peanut) stared in a homeschool production. My children joined a homeschool art group that meets twice a month during the school year. This year the moms decided to venture into a new form of art ... drama. The kids reinacted the first Thanksgiving from Squanto's perspective. Sweetheart had a speaking role and did very well. Angel and Little Man were extras for the big feast at the end. Us moms made the costumes and came up with the set design but the kids helped - they made almost all of the hats as part of their art class. They all did really well. They practiced hard and there was hardly any mutiny as we made them practice over and over. Oh, the things we moms/teachers have to put our children/students through :) I enjoyed helping but I know sometimes we had just a few too many Chiefs and not enough Indians - if you know what I mean :) 
Here is Little Man with all the other Indian Braves.
Sweetheart played the part of Mary, a young Pilgrim girl. Here Squanto was teaching the children to plant corn.
This was the feast at the end of the play.
On to other things, we have completely decorated our house for Christmas. This is one of my favorite times of the year! I don't really enjoy the cold or the length of our winters but I do love freshly fallen snow and Christmas! The trees (real), the lights, the baked goods....but that isn't what I really love about this season. No, I love celebrating Jesus' birth and remembering why He chose to come and walk among us - those He created! It is amazing His love toward us.
We don't usually decorate this early but my WH and I are both excited about Christmas this year! Not for any specific reason but we love seeing the delighted smiles on our children's faces and the wonder of our youngest as they gaze at the tree. We love reading about the birth of our Savior. I love making the goodies to give to special friends and family. It seems to me generousity flows more freely from people around this time of year.
I may not write much between now and the New Year so I want to wish you all a Blessed Christmas and Wonderful New Year from my family!
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