Trip to the Apple Orchard

On Friday, we were blessed with beautiful fall weather for our trip to an apple orchard.  We were joined by three other homeschooling families and their children, with whom we have become friends.

Just the journey to the orchard, about 40 minutes away was beautiful!  The leaves are all changing colors now and as we drove further away from "suburbia," and out more toward "farm country," the landscape became more and more stunning.

My kids had such a good time!  They had several types of apples that were ready for picking.  We chose Fuji, since the description read that they are sweet, juicy and good for snacking and baking!

And, the kids did enjoy a snack along the way!  :-)

Kiddo #1 was called on a few times (I guess that's a fringe benefit of being almost 6 feet tall) of reaching to the top of trees for the rest of us.

And when even that didn't work, he utilized a ladder that was there in the orchard.  Kiddo #4, having no fear, also climbed right up the ladder to reach an abundance of apples at the top!

I am loving the smell of apples throughout the house, have already downloaded some recipes and am planning to do lots of apple cooking and baking in the next few days.  Fall really is a fun season, isn't it?

Many blessings for a good weekend!

Homeschool Mother's Journal- October 21st

Do I say every week that another week has come and gone?  Wow.  :-)

In my life/homeschool this week:

On Tuesday, we continued our study on the eyes, and made our eye models out of ping pong balls.  They turned out really well.  You can see them here.  I was so glad that my husband made me a sample the night before (which you can see here) and that we experimented with different glues and ways to make the iris and pupil, so then when it was time to do it with the kids, I was ready!  :-)

Wednesday was a dreary rainy day.  What better way to follow-up our studies than with pumpkin painting and baking pumpkin shaped cookies?   It is so wonderful that my children really enjoy doing these kinds of activities together and with me.  I just love doing it with them, too!  :-)

Thursday found us doing some schoolwork, followed by going out to lunch with "Pop-Pop" and running errands and more errands.  I not only am teaching at Church on Thursdays, but my college class that I'm teaching started; it immediately follows the church class and will be on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for the next 7 weeks. eek!!!   Please pray that I can keep up the pace!  Thanks!  :-)

On Friday, we are going apple picking!  I am really looking forward to it.  I will post pics as soon as we have them!  :-)  It was so difficult to find orchards that still had apples.  Our bad weather this year destroyed most of the crops.  We found that with tomatoes, as well, a couple of months ago.  Entire crops were destroyed because of the rainy weather and hurricanes we had.  Very sad.

What I'm reading: I am continuing in my online study of 1 John.

What I'm cooking:  Well, other than the pumpkin cookies?  lol.  Dinners this week included sloppy joes, hot dogs on the grill with homemade pasta salad, pasta and meatballs, pizza....

What I'm working on: giving my kids lots of hands-on experiences and activities

I'm grateful for:  a husband who works hard to provide for us, a family who loves and supports us, friends, fellowship and of course, our faith.  :-)

I'm praying for:  friends and family who are ill, farmers who lost all of their crops and livelihood, our military personnel and their families......

A quote, thought or photo to share:
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31
(I'm going to keep reading the quote myself as I try to keep up with my schedule, lol!)  :-)

This post is linked to THMJ , NOBH Weekly Wrap-Up and The Friday Blog Hop.

Have a blessed weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Ping Pong ball eyes, followed by Inspirational Hammer Crafts (made with their own handprint!)  and homeschool baseball.  It was a fun day yesterday!  :-)

Monday Musings

Another fun and busy weekend has come and gone.   Both Friday and Saturday night found us at church, but for different reasons.  And, of course, we were there on Sunday.  :-) Friday night was a rehearsal with other children whose families will be attending our family retreat.  We went over some of the lyrics and motions to songs that we are going to be singing.  The children really enjoy learning the motions to the songs.  It brings the songs to life and the kids get so enthusiastic when they can participate like that.  Saturday night was "Italian Night," another evening full of food, friends and fellowship.  My poor husband missed another night with friends and family at church due to his military duty, but he was asked for and missed by many.  :-)  Sunday's Mass was wonderful.  I just loved the music and the sermon;  I was so privileged to be a lector and get to read God's Word from both the Old and New Testaments to the entire congregation.

And thus it is Monday again.....  How did this happen already?  :-)  I think that I used to be among those who would laugh at the "older" generations when they would comment on how time was passing so quickly.

Today we learned about the eye.  I even found out some things I didn't know before.  Amazing.  The more I learn, the more I am in awe of all of God's creation.  It is nothing short of miraculous. 

(the kids are going to be making these ping pong ball eyes on Tuesday!  :-)  This is hubby's sample for us to use.  I will post pics on how ours turn out)

The rest of our day was filled with music lessons-- guitar for the oldest and piano for the other 3.  It is wonderful to hear the sounds of music being practiced in the house everyday.  Now I know how my parents must have felt when I was younger and would play the piano.  I so enjoy hearing my children play.  It is so worthwhile when they really enjoy it and take pride in their accomplishments.

Homeschool Mother's Journal- October 14th

Wow, has another week really gone by?  It seems like I was just summing up last week! 

In our homeschool this week:  Since Monday was Columbus Day and my husband was off from work, we took a visit as a family to visit the Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia.  What a peaceful, rewarding and spiritual experience.  How blessed we were that our son was able to be prayed over.  He is receiving his Confirmation in a few weeks.  St. John Neumann was an amazing man and an amazing Christian.  He was always thinking of others and wanting to bring them to God.  He taught himself 8 languages to better serve the growing immigrant population in Philadelphia.  When he died, in his pocket was found a worn rosary, less than a dollar in change, and candy that he gave out to children.  That speaks volumes of a man whose life was full of prayer and service.

Monday was only peaceful for that short time, as once afternoon came, the normal "craziness" set in with everyone's music lessons and the older boys' biweekly Biology lab.  Dinnertime conversation was interesting, lol, after they learned about the various ways that animals (including cows and rabbits) digest their food and how certain plant materials are difficult for us to digest, as well, thus "seeing" them again.  You get the picture!  :-)))

On Tuesday, we continued reading a biography of George Washington that we are really enjoying.  It is called "George Washington: Man of Prayer and Courage."  It brings to life a man who was not only devout, but of such good character.  Homeschool baseball was after lunch and I was really pleased to see everyone get on base at least once.  But, more importantly, is the fun and fellowship that is taking place, not only on the field between the children, but off the field with all of the moms.

Wednesday is usually YMCA day, but we took a break from it this week and went to AC Moore to pick up some much needed crafts and supplies.  It was a fun change.  One of the greatest benefits I have seen from homeschooling is how much we actually enjoy each other!  We made our great Christopher Columbus craft/project today, which you could see in my last post.

Thursday had some schoolwork in the morning, followed by a treat out to lunch at McDonald's and Church for classes at 4:30.  I am helping to teach the 1st graders.  They are so precious!  :-)  Since Kiddo #1 has finished his studies there, I am very proud that he is now volunteering and helping out each week in many different capacities.

Friday was a fun, geography day!  First, the children did a project regarding the Holy Land.  They had to figure out distances between cities that were important in Jesus' ministry.  For example, did you know that from Caesarea Philippi (where Christ told His disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world), he traveled 102 miles to Jerusalem to die on the cross?  Or that the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem was 70 miles?  Amazing when you think it was all on foot or on donkey.  We also did some geography studies of Pennsylvania.  We looked at where Christ lived and where we live.  :-)

 

Things I'm working on:  Regarding school work, just working on our rhythm, which is getting better each week and trying to fit in everything I would like to get done.  I also want it to be fun and hands-on.

I'm reading: I'm still working on the Good Morning Girls Bible Study on 1 John and was wondering if the George Washington book with the kids counts?  Just haven't had the time for recreational reading, unfortunately. 

I'm cooking:  I've cooked some new recipes this week and some old favorites, as well.  I SO need to work on a menu plan.  This deciding each day and at the last minute is too difficult!  :-)

I'm grateful for: my "3 Fs"-- Faith, Family and Friends.  :-)

I'm praying for: many people have asked for prayers this week and I have humbly asked for theirs, as well.

A photo, video or quote to share:

Since we are reading about George Washington, I thought I would share a few of his quotes:

"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."

"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

There are so many more, but as a homeschooling mom, I just to include this one, which was a tribute to his homeschooling mom:

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

I can only hope and pray that our children will one day give us such a tribute, by not only their words, but by their lives and example to others!  :-)



Remembering Christopher Columbus

We made a pretty neat craft today commemorating the voyages of Christopher Columbus.  We used a blue posterboard, drew the continents and colored them green, and made 3 ships that we could "sail" back and forth.  It was hands-on and a lot of fun.  It was on October 12th that his crew finally spotted land, thus us doing the project today instead of the observed holiday on Monday.   :-)

Wordless Wednesday-- some photos from Bethany Beach