Over the summer, we worked on developing some new habits. One of those was to eat healthier and lighter and add more fruits and veggies to our diet. Last fall we bought a wheat mill and started making our own bread with freshly ground wheat...yum! Since then I've only bought one or two loaves of store bread simply because I didn't have time to make any. It really doesn't take long to make, but I have to be around to bake it after it rises. There is nothing better on a cold winter day (or even a hot summer one) than the smell of fresh, baking bread. When we bought the mill, I also bought a book about cooking with fresh ground flour. I hadn't really looked through it until this summer and some of the recipes are so good, I had to share. Here a couple of our favorites...you should try them!
Sausage and Cheese Polenta
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 medium red pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 lb. Italian sausage
2 1/2 c. chicken or beef broth
3/4 c. fresh finely ground yellow cornmeal
2 tbsp. fresh sage
2 tbsp. Italian parsley, chopped
1/4 tspn. cayenne pepper
1 c. ricotta cheese
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste
4 c. tomato sauce
5 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated
1. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil; saute onion, garlic and pepper. Do not brown. Crumble sausage and add to mixture. Cook until sausage is cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, add broth and bring to a moderately high heat. Slowly add cornmeal. Using a wire whisk, stir briskly to prevent lumping. Bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes continually stirring with a spoon, until mixture is very thick and smooth. Remove from heat; stir in sage, parsley, cayenne pepper, ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix in the sausage mixture.
3. Line two 9 inch pie pans with plastic wrap. Pour in the mixture and cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate over night for the flavors to blend. (When I made it, I prepared it in the morning and we had it for dinner that night...very yummy!)
4. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly oil a shallow baking pan. Heat tomato sauce. Cut polenta in wedges and place in the pan. Do not crowd. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake 15 to 30 minutes or until lightly brown. Serve with tomato sauce on the side.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Herb Zucchini Bake
This can be served as a side dish or a light entree. When I make it, it's our entire meal. It may not sound very filling, but it is! The kids really like this one!
Herb Zucchini Bake
2/3 c. soft white wheat (pastry flour)
1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 tspn. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg white (I use the whole egg - who has time to separate eggs?)
1 tbsp. water3 medium zucchini, sliced
3/4 inch thick (I always do 4 zucchini to feed all 5 of us)
1 small onion, chopped
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz.)
2 tspn. olive oil
2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Lightly coat 8 inch square baking dish with olive oil.
3. Combine freshly ground wheat, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper; mix well. In shallow dish, lightly beat egg and water. Coat zucchini with freshly ground wheat mixture; shake off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat again with wheat mixture. Place zucchini in prepared dish; sprinkle with onion. Spoon combined tomato sauce and olive oil over vegetables. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake about 30 minutes or until zucchini is crisp tender; top with mozzarella cheese. Serve warm.
We've tried it with and without the tomato sauce on top. The first time I made it, it seemed like the tomato sauce would be too much. So we just had it on the side to dip the zucchini in. But it is so much better with the tomato sauce baked on.
Herb Zucchini Bake
2/3 c. soft white wheat (pastry flour)
1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 tspn. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg white (I use the whole egg - who has time to separate eggs?)
1 tbsp. water3 medium zucchini, sliced
3/4 inch thick (I always do 4 zucchini to feed all 5 of us)
1 small onion, chopped
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz.)
2 tspn. olive oil
2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Lightly coat 8 inch square baking dish with olive oil.
3. Combine freshly ground wheat, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper; mix well. In shallow dish, lightly beat egg and water. Coat zucchini with freshly ground wheat mixture; shake off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat again with wheat mixture. Place zucchini in prepared dish; sprinkle with onion. Spoon combined tomato sauce and olive oil over vegetables. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake about 30 minutes or until zucchini is crisp tender; top with mozzarella cheese. Serve warm.
We've tried it with and without the tomato sauce on top. The first time I made it, it seemed like the tomato sauce would be too much. So we just had it on the side to dip the zucchini in. But it is so much better with the tomato sauce baked on.
Manicotti Florentine
Manicotti Florentine
1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. flaked wheat berries
1/2 c. ricotta cheese
2 tspn. basil2 tspn. oregano
1/2 tspn. thyme
1/2 tspn. rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
8 manicotti noodles, uncooked
2 cans (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1/4 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cook spinach according to package directions, with onion and garlic. Cool slightly; drain.
3. Put the spinach in a large bowl. Stir in flaked wheat berries, ricotta cheese, 1 tspn. basil, 1 tspn. oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Set aside.
4. Cook manicotti in boiling water four minutes; drain.
5. Spread 1/2 of tomato sauce in bottom of baking dish. Stuff each manicotti with about 2 tbsp. of spinach mixture; arrange in baking dish. Pour remaining 1/2 of sauce over manicotti. Sprinkle with remaining basil and oregano. Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover; bake 25 - 30 minutes or until bubbly.
1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. flaked wheat berries
1/2 c. ricotta cheese
2 tspn. basil2 tspn. oregano
1/2 tspn. thyme
1/2 tspn. rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
8 manicotti noodles, uncooked
2 cans (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1/4 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cook spinach according to package directions, with onion and garlic. Cool slightly; drain.
3. Put the spinach in a large bowl. Stir in flaked wheat berries, ricotta cheese, 1 tspn. basil, 1 tspn. oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Set aside.
4. Cook manicotti in boiling water four minutes; drain.
5. Spread 1/2 of tomato sauce in bottom of baking dish. Stuff each manicotti with about 2 tbsp. of spinach mixture; arrange in baking dish. Pour remaining 1/2 of sauce over manicotti. Sprinkle with remaining basil and oregano. Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover; bake 25 - 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Dear Lord
Dear Lord,
Keep my face turned toward You always. Lead me in the way that I should go and do not let me turn away from your path. Let my life be a reflection of Your mercy and goodness. I know I should not be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. I know I should clothe myself instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to You. Keep me from attempting to glorify myself and help me to instead glorify You in all that I do, wear, and say. Let the way I dress and behave show holiness. Show me areas in myself that are displeasing to You. Help me to remember that my body is a holy temple and help others to see You in all areas of my life. Wash me and make me clean.
Take my life, lord, and do with it what You will, and make me content and joyful always and in everything. Help me to obey Your Word so that I might glorify and enjoy You forever. Help me be diligent in all that I do. Help me joyfully seek Your will and not my own pleasure.
Help me to love my family the way that You love me. Let me be a blessing to my husband and children as I serve You through loving and serving them. Teach me, O Lord, that I might learn Your ways and not the ways of the world. Give me a godly desire to please my husband as I glorify You, my heavenly Daddy.
Lord, help me to remember that You are in control of every situation, no matter how big or small. Your word says You will never leave me nor forsake me. Reveal the areas of my heart where I have not trusted You. Replace my rebellious heart with one that is obedient, tender and teachable.
Help me to remember that I am made in Your image and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for creating me, and forgive me for the times when I am arrogant or proud.
Keep me focused on loving and serving You and others, not myself. Help me to love my family as myself. Help me to serve them with love and gentleness. Help me to remember that You have given my family to me as a gift and that we are to love one another. Please help build and strengthen our relationships and help us to live and serve You in unity.
Dear Lord, place a guard over my lips and help me to speak words that build others up and glorify You. Keep me from words that hurt and destroy. Put words of kindness in my mouth.
Please keep me pure in all ways. Guard my mind, spirit and emotions. Show me areas where I am sinning and compromising my purity. Give me a humble and repentant heart so I may ask Your forgiveness and be cleansed of my sin. Show me ways I can glorify You in my relationships. Help me to daily conform to the image of Jesus.
In Jesus name,
Amy
Keep my face turned toward You always. Lead me in the way that I should go and do not let me turn away from your path. Let my life be a reflection of Your mercy and goodness. I know I should not be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. I know I should clothe myself instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to You. Keep me from attempting to glorify myself and help me to instead glorify You in all that I do, wear, and say. Let the way I dress and behave show holiness. Show me areas in myself that are displeasing to You. Help me to remember that my body is a holy temple and help others to see You in all areas of my life. Wash me and make me clean.
Take my life, lord, and do with it what You will, and make me content and joyful always and in everything. Help me to obey Your Word so that I might glorify and enjoy You forever. Help me be diligent in all that I do. Help me joyfully seek Your will and not my own pleasure.
Help me to love my family the way that You love me. Let me be a blessing to my husband and children as I serve You through loving and serving them. Teach me, O Lord, that I might learn Your ways and not the ways of the world. Give me a godly desire to please my husband as I glorify You, my heavenly Daddy.
Lord, help me to remember that You are in control of every situation, no matter how big or small. Your word says You will never leave me nor forsake me. Reveal the areas of my heart where I have not trusted You. Replace my rebellious heart with one that is obedient, tender and teachable.
Help me to remember that I am made in Your image and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for creating me, and forgive me for the times when I am arrogant or proud.
Keep me focused on loving and serving You and others, not myself. Help me to love my family as myself. Help me to serve them with love and gentleness. Help me to remember that You have given my family to me as a gift and that we are to love one another. Please help build and strengthen our relationships and help us to live and serve You in unity.
Dear Lord, place a guard over my lips and help me to speak words that build others up and glorify You. Keep me from words that hurt and destroy. Put words of kindness in my mouth.
Please keep me pure in all ways. Guard my mind, spirit and emotions. Show me areas where I am sinning and compromising my purity. Give me a humble and repentant heart so I may ask Your forgiveness and be cleansed of my sin. Show me ways I can glorify You in my relationships. Help me to daily conform to the image of Jesus.
In Jesus name,
Amy
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Every once in awhile Jon or I will ask the kids what they want to be when they grow up. Jacob's answer is always something to do with Legos...work for LEGO, create new Lego sets, run a Lego store, you get the picture. Rarely does he say anything other than that. He used to want to a writer or an artist, but now his life is pretty much Legos. Abbi has gone from wanting to be a housebuilder to an artist to now, a babysitter. She has high aspirations of turning 12 and being able to take the Red Cross Babysitter's class so she can begin babysitting without my assistance. We do our share of babysitting for friends and Abbi just loves it. Our children's pastor's wife had a new baby (number 3) in March and we had the blessing of caring for their 1 year old for 4 or 5 days while she was in the hospital...it was wonderful! Abbi had the time of her life helping to feed, change and bathe little Emory, as well as pat his backside as he drifted off to sleep. I didn't even have to entertain him since Abbi never left his side. Here's the two of them...
For several years now, when asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Caleb has always said, 'a policeman.' A few months ago, I began praying for a long life for Caleb. We were doing our bible study one day and talking about God sending his one and only son to die for us and just how powerful that is. I shared with the kids that the night I was saved, I had read in my Bible about Jesus' life, trial and crucifixion and the fact that He was God's only son. At the time, Jacob was just over a year old and I thought about how much I loved him and I realized that I didn't love ANYONE enough to let Jacob, my one and only son, die in their place. I don't even think I love Jon enough to let one of my children die for him. And then the lightbulb went on and I realized just how much God loves me. Me, in all my unworthiness. Me, after all the terrible sins I had committed - things I hadn't yet forgiven myself for. God so loved ME that he gave his only begotten son so that I should not perish but have eternal life. I asked Jacob if he loved Caleb or Abbi enough to die in their place. He answered, "probably not." I asked Abbi the same thing...her reply was a slow "I - don't - think - so." I asked Caleb if he would die for his brother or sister and he soberly looked straight in my eyes and said, "I would, Mommy." There is not a doubt in my mind or heart that he spoke the truth - that he would be willing to die in another's place. So to hear him say he wants to be a policeman is a frightening thought to his mommy. I began praying for a long life for Caleb - that he will marry a godly woman with a good sense of humor (whoever has the privilege of marrying Caleb must have this quality), that they will have children and grow old together and have many grandchildren. I recently asked Caleb if he still wants to be a policeman when he grows up. He told me that no, he had changed his mind. I breathed a silent prayer of thanks to God and asked Caleb what he wants to be. His reply - a fireman. I guess it's back to my knees.
For several years now, when asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Caleb has always said, 'a policeman.' A few months ago, I began praying for a long life for Caleb. We were doing our bible study one day and talking about God sending his one and only son to die for us and just how powerful that is. I shared with the kids that the night I was saved, I had read in my Bible about Jesus' life, trial and crucifixion and the fact that He was God's only son. At the time, Jacob was just over a year old and I thought about how much I loved him and I realized that I didn't love ANYONE enough to let Jacob, my one and only son, die in their place. I don't even think I love Jon enough to let one of my children die for him. And then the lightbulb went on and I realized just how much God loves me. Me, in all my unworthiness. Me, after all the terrible sins I had committed - things I hadn't yet forgiven myself for. God so loved ME that he gave his only begotten son so that I should not perish but have eternal life. I asked Jacob if he loved Caleb or Abbi enough to die in their place. He answered, "probably not." I asked Abbi the same thing...her reply was a slow "I - don't - think - so." I asked Caleb if he would die for his brother or sister and he soberly looked straight in my eyes and said, "I would, Mommy." There is not a doubt in my mind or heart that he spoke the truth - that he would be willing to die in another's place. So to hear him say he wants to be a policeman is a frightening thought to his mommy. I began praying for a long life for Caleb - that he will marry a godly woman with a good sense of humor (whoever has the privilege of marrying Caleb must have this quality), that they will have children and grow old together and have many grandchildren. I recently asked Caleb if he still wants to be a policeman when he grows up. He told me that no, he had changed his mind. I breathed a silent prayer of thanks to God and asked Caleb what he wants to be. His reply - a fireman. I guess it's back to my knees.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Blast from the past
The kids and I were looking at old 'videos' the other day and came across this one. It's too precious not to share. We made this little video to email to my mom (Grammy) and stepdad (Pata). I had to watch it 3 times so I could watch each one of their faces. Where did the years go? What happened to my babies? They're not supposed to grow up so fast!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Alex
Our oldest neice, Alex, is the one pushing the stroller with Abbi and Laura enjoying the ride. Alex the big sister to Devon, Adrien and Clayton (below).
Laura
Here's a cute picture of Jon and our precious niece, Laura. It was such a blessing to get to know her (and for her to get to know us) this summer.
Daily Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your Spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of You. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.
- Mother Teresa
Help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your Spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of You. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.
- Mother Teresa
Great article
Here's a great article for you homeschoolers from the GHEA website...
Why Homeschool Another Year?
I had the most interesting phone call the other day. A mom called and challenged me to give her three reasons why she should keep on homeschooling her children. Now, I know this gal, and was quite surprised at her request! I asked her why she would consider not continuing with home education. She said she’d give me the reason after she heard my answers. This is something of what I told her:
1. Most importantly, there is no better way to help your children to become mature disciples of Christ than to have them with you. When you are with them in the daily events of housework, yard work, school studies, sibling relationships, Bible studies, neighborhood issues, and cultural challenges, you have the best opportunity to train and instruct them in the Lord. It is our relationship with Jesus Christ that is of most value. Being in the peer environment of a traditional classroom will greatly restrict those opportunities and, in many cases, will neutralize all that you hope to accomplish.
2. They can have the best social experience at home. Spending most of their time in the company of peers is not beneficial to any child. Do you want them to model their behavior and attitudes after other children, or after adults? You can structure how much time they will spend in peer environment. You control who will be influencing them and how much time they will spend with those persons. The conventional classroom is a subculture that is not "real life". The best social experiences that will prepare your children for "real life" IS real life – the life of family, church, and community.
3. They have the opportunity for the best academic experience at home. Individualized instruction is premier in education. You are not tied to one curriculum or one teaching approach. There are many sources a parent can turn to for students struggling in a certain subject as well as for the student who is extremely bright. Many parents worry, especially in the high school years, that they cannot provide adequate academic challenges for their children. However, the child that learns how to think, how to find information he does not have, and where to find that information, has learned three of the most important academic skills. Couple those with good, strong character, and any shortfalls can be easily overcome later. Most importantly, a belief system cannot be separated from academics. Secular textbooks are written from a humanistic viewpoint, based on evolution, self-absorption and the absence of Biblical Truth. One cannot hope to overcome that negative influence by throwing in devotions and Scripture reading. What belief system do you want them to learn?
"Okay, Cam, this is why I asked you the question. I woke up this morning thinking, I am tired. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to plod through another chapter in math. I don’t want to deal with my child’s whiny voice. I don’t want to hear my mom ask me for the hundredth time how do I know what I do for my kids will be enough. "But do you know what I hear you saying? Homeschooling is not about me. It’s about the children and my responsibility to them. And it’s about God. Do you know what? I am not really going to quit homeschooling, I was just being selfish and wallowing in self-pity for a while. But what I am going to do is put away the books today. I think we will make muffins and bring them around to some neighbors. Get our minds off of ourselves. And do you know what? I think homeschooling is also about my own spiritual maturity. Ouch. It hurts to grow up. Bye, and thanks!"
I hung up the phone with a smile. As beneficial as homeschooling was for our children, now adults, it has been just as beneficial to my husband and me. Not only did we relearn history and science as it should have been taught to us, but in our efforts to bring up our children in the training and instruction of the Lord, He trained and instructed us. May the Lord bless your efforts as you seek His wisdom in your parenting.
Why Homeschool Another Year?
I had the most interesting phone call the other day. A mom called and challenged me to give her three reasons why she should keep on homeschooling her children. Now, I know this gal, and was quite surprised at her request! I asked her why she would consider not continuing with home education. She said she’d give me the reason after she heard my answers. This is something of what I told her:
1. Most importantly, there is no better way to help your children to become mature disciples of Christ than to have them with you. When you are with them in the daily events of housework, yard work, school studies, sibling relationships, Bible studies, neighborhood issues, and cultural challenges, you have the best opportunity to train and instruct them in the Lord. It is our relationship with Jesus Christ that is of most value. Being in the peer environment of a traditional classroom will greatly restrict those opportunities and, in many cases, will neutralize all that you hope to accomplish.
2. They can have the best social experience at home. Spending most of their time in the company of peers is not beneficial to any child. Do you want them to model their behavior and attitudes after other children, or after adults? You can structure how much time they will spend in peer environment. You control who will be influencing them and how much time they will spend with those persons. The conventional classroom is a subculture that is not "real life". The best social experiences that will prepare your children for "real life" IS real life – the life of family, church, and community.
3. They have the opportunity for the best academic experience at home. Individualized instruction is premier in education. You are not tied to one curriculum or one teaching approach. There are many sources a parent can turn to for students struggling in a certain subject as well as for the student who is extremely bright. Many parents worry, especially in the high school years, that they cannot provide adequate academic challenges for their children. However, the child that learns how to think, how to find information he does not have, and where to find that information, has learned three of the most important academic skills. Couple those with good, strong character, and any shortfalls can be easily overcome later. Most importantly, a belief system cannot be separated from academics. Secular textbooks are written from a humanistic viewpoint, based on evolution, self-absorption and the absence of Biblical Truth. One cannot hope to overcome that negative influence by throwing in devotions and Scripture reading. What belief system do you want them to learn?
"Okay, Cam, this is why I asked you the question. I woke up this morning thinking, I am tired. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to plod through another chapter in math. I don’t want to deal with my child’s whiny voice. I don’t want to hear my mom ask me for the hundredth time how do I know what I do for my kids will be enough. "But do you know what I hear you saying? Homeschooling is not about me. It’s about the children and my responsibility to them. And it’s about God. Do you know what? I am not really going to quit homeschooling, I was just being selfish and wallowing in self-pity for a while. But what I am going to do is put away the books today. I think we will make muffins and bring them around to some neighbors. Get our minds off of ourselves. And do you know what? I think homeschooling is also about my own spiritual maturity. Ouch. It hurts to grow up. Bye, and thanks!"
I hung up the phone with a smile. As beneficial as homeschooling was for our children, now adults, it has been just as beneficial to my husband and me. Not only did we relearn history and science as it should have been taught to us, but in our efforts to bring up our children in the training and instruction of the Lord, He trained and instructed us. May the Lord bless your efforts as you seek His wisdom in your parenting.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
piano
The kids started piano lessons last month with AWESOME Mrs. Jackie. Here they are at their lessons today.
Monday, September 10, 2007
For those of you who didn't know, last summer Abbi decided to grow her hair out to donate to Locks of Love. In July, she finally had 10 inches of hair and we were able to get it cut. Aunt Sandy had the honor of the cutting while we were in Illinois. Sandy did a fabulous job and Abbi is so happy with her new do!
Interesting things we learned last week
Did you know that Christopher Columbus didn't really discover America? It was really discovered around 1000 AD by a Norweigan Viking named Leif Ericson. I'm sure we all remember the song "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492." I always learned that Columbus discovered America...are schools these days still teaching that, I wonder?
One of our science books this year is written by Jeannie Fulbright...she has a whole series of science books for elementary grades. I had the opportunity to hear her speak a few months ago and she is AWESOME!! The book we're studying now is called Exporing Creation with Zoology 1 - Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. Last week we learned all about migration and how God designed birds with all kinds of instincts. We learned that when birds migrate, they always follow the same path, usually stopping at the same feeders from year to year. I found the following to be fascinating: "Birds have an incredible sense of direction! Scientists experimented with certain terns, taking them from their home in the Gulf of Mexico and shipping them hundreds of miles away from their homes. They sent the birds places that they had never been before, over oceans and islands they had never seen. They then let the birds go, and, within a few days, the birds found their way back home, right to their nest! Scientists also took a Manx Shearwater from its home in Great Britian and took it to the U.S. as soon as it was released, the bird flew 3,100 miles across the Atlantic Ocean (nonstop) back home to its nest in 12 days." Isn't that just amazing?! I love that we can learn about things like this with God the Creator getting the credit He deserves.
We also started a new apologetics curriculum from Answers in Genesis. Did you know that many evolutionists believe that insects, including bees, evolved 200-220 million years ago but that flowering plants did not evolve until 100 million years ago? So, if that's true, what did the bees eat for those 100 million years until there were pollinating flowers?
"The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher."
Elbert Hubbard
One of our science books this year is written by Jeannie Fulbright...she has a whole series of science books for elementary grades. I had the opportunity to hear her speak a few months ago and she is AWESOME!! The book we're studying now is called Exporing Creation with Zoology 1 - Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. Last week we learned all about migration and how God designed birds with all kinds of instincts. We learned that when birds migrate, they always follow the same path, usually stopping at the same feeders from year to year. I found the following to be fascinating: "Birds have an incredible sense of direction! Scientists experimented with certain terns, taking them from their home in the Gulf of Mexico and shipping them hundreds of miles away from their homes. They sent the birds places that they had never been before, over oceans and islands they had never seen. They then let the birds go, and, within a few days, the birds found their way back home, right to their nest! Scientists also took a Manx Shearwater from its home in Great Britian and took it to the U.S. as soon as it was released, the bird flew 3,100 miles across the Atlantic Ocean (nonstop) back home to its nest in 12 days." Isn't that just amazing?! I love that we can learn about things like this with God the Creator getting the credit He deserves.
We also started a new apologetics curriculum from Answers in Genesis. Did you know that many evolutionists believe that insects, including bees, evolved 200-220 million years ago but that flowering plants did not evolve until 100 million years ago? So, if that's true, what did the bees eat for those 100 million years until there were pollinating flowers?
"The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher."
Elbert Hubbard
Kids projects
As promised, here are photos of the kids projects from co-op last week. Jacob and Caleb both did One Stroke Painting. Aren't they beautiful?! You can't really tell in the photos, but some of the paints are metallic.
And here's Abbi with her stenciling. Didn't she do great?!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
last week
We started school this past week. We started slowly with the 'fun' subjects...geography, history, science. No math or handwriting or grammar yet. Those will start Monday. And we're learning Latin this year - even me. I'm really excited about all of our curriculum this year. It's gonna be great!
Abbi is TOTALLY into American Girl right now. Jon and I got her the Kit doll for her birthday (don't tell her) and some accessories, but there are a ton of American Girl books and Abbi wants them ALL. We went to Borders last weekend and they have a whole wall dedicated to American Girl books. Abbi was in her own little heaven. She loves to read. She read a 140 page book in a day this week. I had Jacob and Abbi do an online reading test last weekend to see where they’re at and find things we need to work on this year. Caleb isn’t quite ready for the test, but at the end of this school year, he should be. They both did awesome on the test. Abbi surpassed Jacob’s scores in a few of the categories (which didn’t surprise me) and she’s reading on a 4th grade level. Jacob is reading on a 7th grade level. Jacob is very much into Legos - mostly Star Wars Lego. He builds anytime he has a chance. Of course he does take a break long enough to play the PS2 Star Wars Lego game. Caleb is really turning into an outdoorsman. We got him a bow, arrow & target for his birthday. He wants a bow so badly. And a BB gun. He can’t wait until he’s old enough for a BB gun. We'll see how he does with his bow and arrow.
Our co-op started yesterday. This year we'll be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. The 2nd Friday we'll do our field trips. On the 1st Friday, we're following a program called Keepers at Home (girls)/Contenders of the Faith (boys). It's similar to American Heritage Girls and Boy Scouts. Yesterday, the girls learned how to stencil. They each made a card and then got to stencil on whatever kind of project they brought. Abbi brought a little frame. She loved the stenciling. So today I went and bought her some stencils and paints. While the girls did that, the boys learned one-stroke painting from a lady we hired for the afternoon. Each boy painted a mallard duck and boy, are they ever beautiful. I'll take pictures of the kids' projects for you all to see.
Abbi is TOTALLY into American Girl right now. Jon and I got her the Kit doll for her birthday (don't tell her) and some accessories, but there are a ton of American Girl books and Abbi wants them ALL. We went to Borders last weekend and they have a whole wall dedicated to American Girl books. Abbi was in her own little heaven. She loves to read. She read a 140 page book in a day this week. I had Jacob and Abbi do an online reading test last weekend to see where they’re at and find things we need to work on this year. Caleb isn’t quite ready for the test, but at the end of this school year, he should be. They both did awesome on the test. Abbi surpassed Jacob’s scores in a few of the categories (which didn’t surprise me) and she’s reading on a 4th grade level. Jacob is reading on a 7th grade level. Jacob is very much into Legos - mostly Star Wars Lego. He builds anytime he has a chance. Of course he does take a break long enough to play the PS2 Star Wars Lego game. Caleb is really turning into an outdoorsman. We got him a bow, arrow & target for his birthday. He wants a bow so badly. And a BB gun. He can’t wait until he’s old enough for a BB gun. We'll see how he does with his bow and arrow.
Our co-op started yesterday. This year we'll be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. The 2nd Friday we'll do our field trips. On the 1st Friday, we're following a program called Keepers at Home (girls)/Contenders of the Faith (boys). It's similar to American Heritage Girls and Boy Scouts. Yesterday, the girls learned how to stencil. They each made a card and then got to stencil on whatever kind of project they brought. Abbi brought a little frame. She loved the stenciling. So today I went and bought her some stencils and paints. While the girls did that, the boys learned one-stroke painting from a lady we hired for the afternoon. Each boy painted a mallard duck and boy, are they ever beautiful. I'll take pictures of the kids' projects for you all to see.
Well, after looking at some blogs belonging to some friends at church, I decided 'I can do that!' So here I am. I figured this will be a good way for my long-distance family and friends to keep up with all of our goings on. Since it's not very practical (or likely to happen) to keep in touch with everyone on a day-to-day basis, I thought a blog would help you keep in touch with us. I'll just take it slowly and see how it goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)