Thankful Thursday February 2nd

Last Friday I was so blessed to be able to meet two of my bloggy friends and their children in person!  It was wonderful to be able to get together with Theresa from Red Oak Lane and Aurie from Our Good Life at Giggleberry Fair, a local fun center for kids.

The kids had so much fun climbing several stories full of tunnels, slides and obstacles. 

And, of course, we cannot forget the thousands of nerf-like balls that get vacuumed up, shot, thrown and exploded into the air!

It was wonderful to see our children playing together and enjoying each other's company

I am thankful for the opportunity to meet in person these friends with whom I have shared email, phone calls and blog posts.  It is wonderful when you feel like you have known someone for years and have a comfort level in conversation immediately.  These moms are both an inspiration to me and we have so much in common with each other. I am lucky to now call them my friends IRL as well as in the "blogosphere."  :-)

Here is a photo of Theresa and her children:

and Aurie and one of her girls:

I look forward to sharing about future get-togethers that are in the works! 

I'm happy to be linking up with Theresa at Red Oak Lane.  Come share what you are grateful for today!



Look! What we did!

Today we were studying sound waves and vibrations.  We found the following experiment on NASA's website and the kids had a great time trying it.  We are linking up with Theresa at Red Oak Lane today with her "Look what we did" linkup.

Good Vibrations

Purpose: This activity investigates sound vibrations.
         
Materials

• an empty coffee can with a plastic lid
• uncooked rice grains or small black beans
• metal tablespoon
• notebook

Procedure

1. Place the coffee can in the center of a table. Make sure the plastic lid is on tight.
2. Place a 1/2 tablespoon of rice in the center of the plastic lid. Predict what will happen.
3. Strike the rim with a metal tablespoon.
4. Observe what happens to the rice grains.
5. Record observations in a notebook.

Conclusion

1. What causes the rice to bounce?
2. What is needed to make the rice jump higher?

What's Happening?
A series of energy transfers makes the rice jump or move. The energy used to tap the tablespoon on the coffee can lid was transferred into a moving vibration that bounced around inside the can in all directions. As the vibrations hit the lid, the energy or vibrations transferred to the rice, and the rice then vibrated or jumped off the surface of the lid.

We also dropped a marble into water to watch the vibrations and circles travel through the water:

Happy to link-up with our science experiment today!

Homeschool Mother's Journal /Weekly wrap-up January 27th

In my life/homeschool this week: Another busy and fun week.  On Friday, after our studies, we met some friends at a new bowling alley for lunch and an afternoon of fun.

On Saturday, we woke up to snow, albeit just a couple of inches.  After the record blizzards of the past 2 years, this winter has been a letdown, but at least the kiddos got to play out in it for a little while.

After Church on Sunday, we enjoyed football playoffs together.

On Monday, as part of our early American history studies, we dipped beeswax candles.  We were excited to open our hands-on kits from "Hearts and Hands" and the kiddos are already asking what we are going to make next.  What a fun kit!  :-) I really enjoyed making the candles, as well, and gained a new appreciation of how much work went into maintaining a household during the colonial times.

Tuesday found us doing some mapwork that accompanied that Hearts and Hands history kit and looking forward to using our candles during dinner tonight!  :-)  After our schoolwork was completed, we took advantage of the snow being gone and I took the kiddos out to spend some giftcards that they had gotten for Christmas and/or birthdays.   It is always fun to see what they choose and also how very frugal they become when it is "their" money that they are spending, lol!  :-) 

Kiddo #1 bought an inflatable remote control shark.  Of course, this is the kid that can fly anything, so he had no problem cruising the 5 foot long creature over and around all of us!  Too funny!

We did use our homemade candles at dinner.  They gave off a beautiful, bright light! 

(have I mentioned today that I just LOVE my new camera? :-))

Wednesday was a pretty uneventful day. (I guess it's good to have those sometimes)  We just got our work done.  :-)

On Thursday, we were supposed to visit a farm for a ice harvest festival.  We were really looking forward to it.  However, the rains came and an outdoor program would be out of the question, so I tried to improvise quickly, having no lessons planned out for the day.  We used some writing prompt cards from "Write Shop" and the kids got to make up and write some funny stories.  I thought that would bring some laughter (and some writing practice!) to the kiddos on a dreary rainy day.  It did help with their disappointment on not being able to get to the farm, too.  :-)

I am very proud of how our daughter not only wants to make her own lunch, but how she wants to take care of her brothers and make theirs, as well!

What is working: definitely hands-on activities.  I just need to continue to be diligent in planning these types of lessons for my children.  It truly makes all the difference in the world for them to be fully engaged in the lesson.  They learn and retain so much more from "doing" and having the fun factor surely doesn't hurt!  If they love learning, then I truly feel that I am being successful as an educator.

What I'm reading:  "Just David" and "These Happy Golden Years" with the kiddos and my Bible for two online Bible studies that I am really enjoying.

I am grateful for: My three "Fs."  You can read about them in yesterday's post here.

I am praying for: our country and its future, the unborn, my children and husband, those who are unemployed, ill, suffering or have a special need for which they asked me to pray.

A quote or photo to share: "What is a faithful man to do in the chaos of events which seem to swallow him up? He must sustain himself calmly by Faith. Faith will make him adore the eternal plan of God. Faith will assure him that to those who love God all things work together for good." - Blessed William Joseph Chaminade (1761-1850)

I am linking up today to Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Thankful Thursday- January 26

I really am fortunate to be able to homeschool my children.  It is such an amazing blessing!  I am thankful for the precious gifts of my children and for a husband who works so hard to provide for us and supports me 100% in our homeschooling journey.

I am thankful that today, Thursday, we are going on a field trip with other families to a local farm.  We will learn how to carve ice, make ice cream and learn about winter chores on the farm.

Tomorrow, Friday, the kiddos and I will be meeting two bloggy friends of mine and their children for the first time!  I am so excited and grateful!  We will be visiting a wonderful and fun place called "Giggleberry Fair."  I hope to have pictures up on the blog soon from both the farm and fun center.

So, I guess I can sum up my "gratitudes" this week by saying that I am grateful for my three "F's:"

my Faith,

my Family,

and my friends.

I am happy to be linking up today with Theresa at Thankful Thursday.

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up January 20th

Another week has gone by already?  It was just Christmas, and here we are, almost all the way through January.  I know, it sounds like a broken record, but time literally does fly.  :-)

In my life/homeschool this week:

Friday was a washout as far as going anywhere (the weather was just too cold and wet), so we ended up staying home and doing some extra work and activities.  Kiddos 3 and 4 enjoyed making a flip book in their Notebooking Journal for their Apologia Zoology class.  They learned about wolves, coyotes, African wild dogs, dingoes, etc.  I have been learning right along with them.

Saturday was a fun day.  Kiddo #4 was at church volunteering with some other young ladies in the morning and Kiddo #1 was baking a vanilla cake to top with chocolate frosting this time.

Our "game night" became "football playoff night," lol, but it was fun watching the two games with our boys, as they enjoyed the cake.  :-)  Kiddo #4 would watch on and off, but made a great discovery in a closet in the basement-- a new Lite Brite toy that the kiddos were given a couple of Christmases ago.  So, she and I made some interesting creations together.

Monday was a day off for everyone.  The kids were thrilled to have their dad off from work.  :-) We took down the rest of the Christmas decorations down (yes, there were still some left, lol!) and the kids all had their music lessons.

Tuesday we continued with our study of the human body with the Digestive System.  We watched a video, made diagrams and then played "Body Bingo."  The kiddos made the cards themselves!  I found a blank template and a sheet of 24 different organs/systems.  The kids got to choose which 16 to include on each other their cards.  Playing the bingo was fun! (and we got to learn a lot about all of the systems of the body that we are going to study)

On Wednesday, the highlight was that we did crossword puzzles and matching games I made about the Digestive System.  They really did well with them.  It is amazing how well kids do when the learning is fun and hands-on!  :-)

What I'm cooking: Friday: French toast, pancakes, waffles, omelettes, Saturday: Shepherd's Pie over noodles (hot dogs and nuggets for the kids, lol), Sunday: raviolis, meatballs, veggies, Monday: Chicken and broccoli over rice, Tuesday: Pasta and peas, chicken cutlets and baked eggplant, Wednesday: sausage and pepper sandwiches, Thursday: take out pizza

I'm praying for: those who are sick, seeking work, depressed, lonely, deployed overseas, and for all of those who have asked for my prayers.  The list can go on and on.....

I'm grateful for: Whenever I start to feel down about anything, I just try to focus on the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon me.  I posted about some of them here yesterday.

A quote or photo to share:  I just LOVE this quote.  This is something I have really been trying to work on:

"To be optimistic in spite of everything, trust in God should be the pivot of our thoughts and actions."- Pope John Paul I

and another cute picture of my parents' kittens:

I am linking up today with The Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Thankful Thursday

Wow, is it Thursday again?  I remember how I only thought it was only "old" people who thought time went by quickly.  Either I was wrong or I am now officially old.  lol. 
:-)))))

Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, we had another planning meeting at church for our annual family retreat.  This year it will be in late October.  I am grateful not only for the opportunity to yet again attend such a rewarding and amazing weekend, but to be able to be part of the planning with wonderful people I am lucky to call our friends.  They welcomed us with open arms several years ago at our church and my husband and I just knew we were "home."

I am also grateful for a group of online friends with whom I have found fellowship, support and prayer.  I will be meeting two very soon for the first time as we get our kids(and ourselves!) together for a playdate.

I am grateful this week for the spontaneous hugs that I can still grab throughout the day,

for hearing, "that was a fun day, mom, thanks."

for 15 1/2 years of marriage in a world that says that marriage is worthless and unnecessary

(from our 15th anniversary back in August)

I am always thankful for my husband, who works very hard, despite physical injuries and pain, and in all kinds of horrible weather, to provide for us.  I am thankful for the friendship we have, for that makes a marriage all the more special.

And I don't ever want to forget to thank God for all of the blessings He has bestowed and continues to bestow upon us.

I'm happy to be linking up with Theresa at Red Oak Lane today.

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly wrap-up January 13th

In my life/our homeschool this week:  Saturday was a fun day for the kids pursuing individual interests and relaxing.  Kiddo #1 baked us a cake and experimented with decorating with tools that I got for Christmas (he got to try them before I did, lol!)

Kiddo #4 used her perler beads and made all kinds of things: dogs, cats, planets and the like.  She beads, I iron.  We had a good little system going.

Kiddo #3 had fun with his new train and train track.

Kiddo #2 was preparing for the football playoff games.

Our school week was really non-eventful.  I guess that could be a good thing?  We got back into a good, daily routine and it is working.

On Monday, the kiddos all had their music lessons, and kiddos #1 and 2 had their bi-weekly Biology lab.  This week they dissected a fresh water mussel.  This is not my "cup of tea," so it is real blessing that a homeschooling friend  hired a wonderful teacher-- a good Christian man with 20+ teaching experience in addition to his advanced degrees.  He is enjoying his retirement, but is also enjoying sharing his knowledge with a class of homeschooled kids.  :-)

On Tuesday, I spoke with the children about how the New Testament was written in Greek.  They wrote out the Greek Alphabet and we even sang it to the tune of our "ABC" song.  :-)

(I noticed one misspelling after I took the photograph, but am very proud of Kiddo #2's Greek alphabet, nonetheless)  :-)

On Wednesday night, we went over to church to help take down the Christmas decorations.  I believe it is a good thing to put not only the spirit of volunteerism into the hearts of our children, but a sense of responsibility to help out at their church.  We also got to take home some lovely poinsettia plants that had adorned our church so beautifully this Christmas season.

Thursday morning had Kiddo #1 and I at church.  We were asked to help out with a funeral.  I was proud of how Kiddo #2 took care of math and other studies with the younger two while we were gone. (Don't worry, I don't leave underage children home alone.  My father was there with them while I was gone, but let Kiddo #2 handle all of the "tutoring."  I am very proud of him!)

Friday's forecast is calling for cold and rain, so any plans I had of a field trip have had to be postponed.  I am figuring we are going to do something fun in the afternoon-- perhaps a craft or a good recipe?  I love spontaniety.  Don't you?  :-)  I will surely take pictures with the new camera and let you know what we decided upon. (all of the photos in this post were taken with my new camera!  It has been set on "auto."  I haven't tried any of the manual settings yet, but I will get there.

What I'm cooking: Beef Stew, Hashbrown and Ham Casserole....

What I'm grateful for: in addition to what I mentioned in my Thankful Thursday post, I am grateful for my children, my family, my church family and the many friends I have made via the blogosphere.

What I'm praying for: there seems like there are so many more lately afflicted with illness, tragedy, the loss of a loved one.  I am keeping them all in my prayers.

A quote or photograph to share: Can I share both?  :-)  My parents got new kittens and of course, my kids are crazy about them.  Meet Mittens and Smokey:

This is Mittens

and this is Smokey

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Never rely on what you think you know.  Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right way.  never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.  If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains." -- Proverbs 3:5-8

I have linked up this week with The Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.