This week we learned about the Indus River and some of the towns near it.

The people in India used the Indus River as a road because it would've been too hard to go over sand and rocks and trade that route. Using the river to transport and trade crops, tools and other goods helped the people with their economy.

We talked about the town of Monhenjo-Daro. There was a citadel in the middle of the town. The houses were made of mud-brick. The people had wells, indoor plumbing and public baths, like pools. No one knows what happened to Monhenjo-Daro. It was deserted suddenly.

This week me and my brother and sisters are going to a Bible camp. We get to swim in a creek, play games and then go to church. We are learning about when God created the Heavens and the Earth. The person that cooks supper is a wonderful cook -- but not better than my mom!

It's important to read the Bible all the time. Today I read Psalm 117. It is important to learn about creation because it gives you a picture of what God did and who He is and how powerful He is. God created the whole world and the universe when He spoke. As Christians we should be careful of what we say because there is power in our words. We can't probably create the whole universe like God did, but we can heal people and help people and bless or curse people with our words. We should speak words that build people up and learn God's Word so when the devil tries to trick us we have the power to know what God really said. The devil likes to twist God's words. We should know the whole Bible and learn as many verses as possible so he can't try to keep us from God.

I have trouble in math. I hate math. It doesn't make sense to me -- and it's boring (at least that's what I think!). If anyone has any good ideas to help with math, please let me know. I'm working on greatest common factors and prime factorization.

Also wondered if any of you do any cool hobbies or have suggestions for handicraft things that are not girly. I already build and sell birdhouses. I want to learn to build bat houses and rabbit hutches and stuff for woodworking, but I want to try some other things too.

If anyone has cool bike or skateboard tricks, I would like to hear about them! I know how to do some tricks, but I'm trying to fix my bike up right now.

Thanks!

I'm going to learn to make bread today. Our family goes through a lot of it, so my mom thought it would be easier - and cheaper - if we made our own.

Did you see the lunar eclipse last night? I liked when hardly any of the moon was showing, because the earth's shadow was covering most of it. It was kind of cloudy last night so we were not sure we would be able to see it. But thankfully God took the clouds away so we could see the lunar eclipse.

I can't wait until we get a really, really good snow storm. One that you can sled in. So far this winter, we've only gotten snow like twice and that was followed by rain and sleet. So everything turned to mush and melted. I really love to sled. There is a farmer's field back behind our alley and we got permission to sled there. The hill is really, really steep so it's hard to walk back up -- but it's fun to go down! It's actually snowing now and I hope we don't get rain or sleet!

I am really good with my hands. I like to draw, do woodwork and learn by doing. Recently I learned how to draw a 3-D block. Usually I draw cars, trucks and motorcycles, but my mom would like me to learn to draw other things.

We are starting a nature study about birds, which is funny because yesterday started the Backyard Bird Count. We counted a lot of birds: sparrows, blackbirds, turkey buzzards, swallows and a hawk. We saw a huge field filled with turkey buzzards circling something...probably their lunch! Once I learn how to draw birds, I'll post some pictures for you!

This morning we had eggs, sausage and orange juice and it was really yummy! My mom is going to teach me how to cook and she said the first lesson is going to be eggs, so maybe next week I will get to cook the breakfast. I'll tell you all about it! I think today will be a fun day. Tonight we'll probably have family devotion and maybe play a family game or read a story. Catch up with you later.