Experimenting With Plants And Soil

Every summer I produce a calendar of activities for the kids. Each day there would be an activity they would have to do. This summer I decided that we were going to read all summer and play a game together each day. We read everyday regardless but this summer I plan to have them choose a subject and then we are going to read all about it and if an activity presents itself we'll do it!

We started this plan yesterday. It went GREAT! Our reading lasted about an hour and a half. During that time I had a chance to go over some things we had learned throughout the year. We read about plants and soil. When we had finished we thought we might do a couple of experiments. First we took a jar and filled it 1/3 of the way with dirt--Math. We added water to the top then shook it. We then put it on our counter and we are letting it settle for 24hrs. We hope to see what kind of soil we have; heavy, light or a mixture. For our next experiment we took a pan and filled it with dirt, planted some grass seeds and watered it. After a week in the sun we will cover half of the pan with cardboard. We each made a hypothesis of what we thought might happen to the grass under the cardboard. The activities ran smoothly. Each child had a job and felt good about his/her role. There was no arguing (in fact there wasn't any the whole day!) and everyone pitched in to clean up when we were done. I think from start to finish "school" took 1hr 45min! What an awesome way to kick off our summer!

Linz

Science Project Pictures

Science Fair

Last night was our homeschool groups science fair/end of the year party. All of the projects were great! There was quick sand, plants, biomes, the 5 senses, reports, bird adaptation, habitats and more. My children did very well! My younger ones had a scrapbook of what they did in science, they read it and showed the pictures. June Bug did a project on birds, the different types of beaks they have and how they adapt to there surroundings. He did a fabulose job! I love having a big kid who can get an idea and with very little help from me ("Mom, where's the tweezers and plant seeds?") do his own science experiment! I love teaching my kids at home!

Linz

No Greater Calling

Last week we went on a small trip. We stayed at my Mother in Law's house, except she wasn't there. My husband had to work so the kids and I went on a few field trips to keep us busy. The week before we took our oldest and youngest to a HS conference at Southern Virginia University. When we returned home we did laundry and went to church. On Monday we took the kids to an amusement park and then drove a few hours to stay at my MIL's house. Everyday that we spent there was go go go! The kids had stayed up late while we were gone and then every night since we had been home. My husband had to work and we only saw him at night so I kept the kids busy all day. The kids started to complain and argue over everything. My patience were running thin. One morning as we were getting ready to leave the house to start our day, my husbands Aunt stopped in. We said hello and continued to gather our things that we would need for the day and pack the car. The kids said goodbye and went to the car. As I went to say goodbye she said to me, "Linz, you really enjoy your kids--it really shows!" Wow! Here I was frustrated and thinking I had had enough and then someone comes along and reminds me that I have no greater calling than to be with and raise my children! I know that my Heavenly Father was speaking through this woman, telling me He's proud of me and that He loves me. Over the next two days I received three compliments about my family--one from my Dad, a stranger and another one of my husbands Aunts with tears in her eyes. I am so grateful to those people who felt the spirit whisper to them to uplift me when I was feeling unappreciated and tired.
We are now home and ready to kick off our summer! We will be attending our homeschool group end of the year party tonight. The kids are excited and so am I! Happy Summer!
Linz

Frying Pan Park

The kids and I went on a field trip to a farm last week. We saw a cow and a goat get milked. We petted a horse, calf and a goat. We took a hay ride around the farm and learned about the many types of crops they grow. It was hot but the kids had fun!

Linz

Nature Baby

Our little guy loves trees! He is always staring at them and when he is near them he reaches out to touch the leaves. He is such a sweet boy!

Linz

Homeschool Conference

Last week my husband and I attended a homeschool conference at Southern Virginia University. Beautiful school! We took along our oldest, June Bug, and the baby. While we were in classes, June Bug was in his own mini youth conference. The conference was wonderful, the speakers were great and the families were awesome!! On Saturday the everyone went to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home). Our tour guide was fantastic! If you ever get the chance you must visit; Jefferson, Madison and Washington's homes. Happy Memorial Day!

Linz

Tongue

Water Bug has figured out how to stick out his tongue! Soooo cute!
Linz

Salt Water Marsh

For our last science class, I took the kids to a salt water marsh. I handed out some information on marshes and some pictures of animals that can be found in a marsh. We had a great time walking the trails, looking for different animals and habitats.

Linz

A Mud City

Some of our friends had a big mud pit in their backyard and invited our kids over to play. The kids built a big Mud City! They each had a job and a home. They had a lot of fun-MESSY-but fun!

Hilton Head Island

In April we went to Hilton Head Island with friends. We had tons of fun! We visited a light house, a children's museum, went to the beach and swam at an indoor pool (everyday). The kids played basketball, baseball, soccer and tennis! They were so wiped out by the end of each day! The dads spent one day golfing and saw an alligator!! We enjoyed our week with our good friends and the time we spent together. I recommend Hilton Head to everyone--great place!
Linz

7 Months!

Look how BIG Water Bug is! Time just flies when you are having fun!
Linz

Sledding Pictures

Lightning Bug Is The Star!

Just put Lightning Bug's name in the white boxes (except for the boy bugs--thay would be Wheel and Jitter Bug).

Yummy Chocolates

Doesn't she look happy!? Can you tell what this little Ladybug is doing? She is licking the filling out of her chocolates! For supper Dad and I put a box of chocolates for each kid in their bowl. They were so excited when they came for supper! We had homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with crescent rolls on the side. Not a typical Valentines supper but it's what they wanted. June Bug popped out of his room, only after 6 min. of cooking, and said mmmmmmmmm I thought I smelled something good! He is always my biggest fan when it comes to my cooking (besides Dad :))!!
Happy Valentines Day everyone!
Linz

Star Of The Week

This week our family started a new tradition. We call it Star of the Week. Each week someone will be chosen to be the Star for that week. To be chosen you need to show STAR qualities (helpful, kind, try something new etc). The STAR will be honored on Family Night with a certificate and sign on their door saying, There Is A Star In Here! It is then the Star's job to appoint the next weeks Star and write about what they did. I hope this helps each of us to strive to be better to those around us and to appreciate what each of us do as a member of our family. Keep a lookout for next weeks STAR!
Linz

Family Night

Every Monday night we have Family Night. We take turns planning the lesson, game, refreshments, song and prayer. This week it was June Bug's turn to make the refreshments. He made a Valentine cake. He has never made a cake all by himself before and he did a fabulous job! It tasted great too! Way to go June Bug!
Linz

Nice shot June Bug!

Roll Over

Something I just heard Ladybug say:

"EEEEEKK I just saw the baby roll over! YAY! Ha ha ha ha he is so good! First he was there and then he rolled over to there! He's so good at rolling over!"

Linz

Oasis

Last week we talked about what an oasis is. We talked about how not only there can be an oasis in the desert but how our home is an oasis from the world. We then made an edible oasis. The kids had fun making them and EATING them too! :)
Linz