Science Friday's

We've been "rowing" the Pumpkin Runner by Marsha Diane Arnold, Pictures by Brad Sneed this week in school.  The story was "inspired by Cliff Young, a 61 year old farmer from Victoria, Austrialia, who shuffled from obscurity to national prominence in 1983 when he defeated younger opponents in an 875 kilometer (542 mile) run between Sydney and Melbourne, cutting nearly two days off the record.  He won $10,000 for winning the race, which he split with the other runners."

For science, we took a look at hot air balloons and the density of hot air and cold air.  We put balloons on three 20 ounce water bottles, then left one on the counter, put one in hot water, and one in ice water.  It was amazing how quickly the one in hot water inflated and the one in ice water "sucked" in the balloon.

A very cool science moment, at least for a few moments.

The name Jennifer

There was a time, when growing up, that it seemed about every other girl was named Jennifer or went by some version of the name.  It got to the point, I just stopped turning when I heard "Jennifer" unless I knew the voice well.  As I got through college, there were fewer and fewer Jennifer's.  Now, many years after college (16 years December 15) I am finding the circle including a lot more.  On the FIAR forum, there are 24 variations of Jennifer.  At the church we've been going to, there are 4 or 5 besides myself that I can think of quickly.  

Ah, at least I'm unique to God.

One Blustery Day

around the home front.  Almost want to move the van out of the drive way and hope that all the leaves blow out of our yard, past my neighbor's house, down the hill, and into the tree line.  No raking for anyone.  :)

If I can get a good picture of the trees swaying, might have to post it.

Double Posting Today

Wow is the only word that totally fits right now. Not so much that I am posting a second time today, but the overwhelming feeling of how blessed life can be. Nothing in particular has happened here. It's the realization that on a cold, kind of dreary day, we (all four of us) are warm, safe, and happy. Kevin is working on Bible studies for the coming week, Thing Two is happy as a lark in the play room, and Thing One is going between Wii and Lego's. I've been able to "watch", listen is more like it, to the cooking shows on PBS while I begin to prepare for next weeks lessons. It is just a beautiful thing when you realize how blessed you are and to be content in the moment.

Musing

So, I knew event it would eventually come this:  I'd either keep up face book or my blog.  I am trying to keep both up, but haven't been posting as much here as I thought I would.  Oh Well!!

Cedar Creek

My eldest son and I went camping this past weekend to Middleton, VA with his Cub Scout Pack.  This has become an annual camping trip to Cedar Creek where part of the American Civil War took place on 19 October 1864.  It's hard to imagine, that on all these rolling acres, so many lives were lost, while fighting for what was considered basic freedoms.

It was an enjoyable time with my son.  It was probably the most time we'd spent together, without his brother, in 5 3/4 years.  We spent a lot of time just hanging out and walking around looking at the living history exhibits, learning about cannons, and watching different aspects of the war being re-enacted.

It had been forecasted that it would be cold, so both Friday and Saturday nights thermometers were set out.  Saturday, we woke to cool weather, cool enough to go through a lot of hot chocolate.  Sunday, though, it was 31 degrees.  There was frozen dew on the tents, a wet dish cloth was stiff, and the scouts had earned there Polar Bear Patch.  The warm air in the van, on the way home, felt wonderful.  Being clean and a nap that afternoon was a welcome change.

How to Make Apple Pie

This is the title of the book that we "rowed" this week.  It has been a fun fall type book to row.  We took a look at England, Sri Lanka, Italy, Jamaica, France, and Vermont.  We also worked with measuring cups, went over evaporation and set up some salt water to evaporate for science, looked at street scapes for Art and just had fun with school this week.  The best part was making the apple pie today, a first for me.  Below is a picture of how it turned out, not to bad for a first time!!

Picture updates

It's been awhile since I've loaded pictures onto my blog.  These are from the last week!!  We've lived here for just over six years and this is the first time we've taken the time to photograph "wildlife".  This is one the main reasons I don't have flowers in our front yard.

Deer enjoying our neighbors yard.

There were three, total, but can't guarantee that the three photo's

where of the three separate deer.

OUR SCHOOL DAYS

During the morning hours, there is a lot of

light coming in.  The boys loving sitting

here doing their school work.