Things That Go (Rewind to January)

He lines up his cars and airplanes in straight rows. He has done it since he was two. If you mess up his order, it's as though a mountain has crumbled in his world. Since our boy loves all "things that go", we decided to take him to the warplane museum for his birthday. It was there he got to see how the "big boys" line up their airplanes :)

(Named after Great Mama, I'm sure of it :)

It's Springing Here

Creation is springing into action here and so are my kids. Upon noticing several butterflies twirling around her head, Molly exclaimed that there were thousands of them. She was right! They covered trees and fluttered all around us. She then made it her mission to capture at least one. Molly kept at it for a very long time--unsuccessful and yet, quite satisfied in the joy of the attempt.

And then, of course, in true homeschool style, this momma printed off a butterfly lapbook since I had discovered a passion in my daughter.

 And with much gratitude, my heart is springing too.

Gratitude:

1164. butterfly/moth love
1165. strengthening the left side of the brain activities for Molly (thanks, Diane!)
1166. how she showed me all the sensory-gym equipment, with excitement, after her first class
1167. for Papa's birthday and all he does for his grandchildren
1168. an abundance of homeschool communities we can be involved in
1169. God's grace in returning my husband's parents home safely from their trip
1170. Dad's joy in describing the resurrection and how all the campers celebrated on the beach
1171. Claire's huge, open-mouthed, silent laugh and how she beams from her wheelchair as we begin to sing at Friendship Club
1172. how my sister-in-law organizes all the meal-planning for Linda while she's in her last round of chemo
1173. the way my husband calls me to share how a meeting with another nursery transpired, and his enthusiasm
1174. the creation of kids' books and how they're finishing up their illustrations for writing class
1175. how Oliver thinks some birds must live in the holes in the ground because he sees them disappear there (?)
1176. Camille's gratitude in the midst of her pain and suffering
1177. for each day her son is alive
1178. the way our coffee break table of women shares and supports one another
1179. how my lovely friend teaches me about using "impeccable words", without a hint of gossip
1180. beet soup and how Rebecca and Guy share some with me :)
1181. how Christians are still celebrating the Resurrection as it continues to be a part of several recent discussions
1182. learning how to surrender--not fully understanding--but He's revealing

For The Love Of Science

After researching science fairs in our area, my sister decided she was going to take the bull by the horns and run one all by herself. Since I'm a cheerleader of all great ideas, I rallied my troops and joined Hilary in her vision. Somewhat lacking in a love for science in the past, I began to wonder what I had gotten myself into. Wasn't it so much easier to pull off a few experiments at home and read a little here and chat a little there all about God's amazingly ordered world? It wasn't until my children had chosen their topics, that I began to fall in love with the actual doing part of all this project stuff.

Meg busted bacteria when she discovered that toothpaste cuts those germs in half and that Arm and Hammer toothpaste is the best choice for cleaning teeth.

Brooke shared her samples of DNA from a cow and chicken.

Eden told us all about fungi.

My sister asked each child to present their projects to the entire group of parents and children :)

Baby chicks hatching before our eyes was a favourite.

Molly discovered that it's good to protect your lips and that the best options for moisture retention are petroleum jelly and Chapstick.

Filling out the participant awards.

A mesmerized audience.

Papa with his little scientists.

Interested onlookers.

Oliver's favourite project--testing the speed of cars.

Cousin Love

Auntie Annie tests Molly's homemade lip balm.

Making new friends.

Emily shares how disgusting her mold experiment was.

DNA (candy :)

Enjoying the projects of others.

Listening intently.

I'm giving thanks to the Creator for his marvelous miracles we have the opportunity to discover. I'm also praising him for a homeschool community that rose to the occasion and demonstrated how some of those miracles work. Sighing deeply and relaxing from the whirlwind that accompanies the week before the fair, I'm pleased to realize I've truly gained a love for science. I hope it's been contagious to my children.