More Amazing Art

2nd Annual Fine Arts Show Case

Being part of the best homeschool group has been such a blessing to our homeschooling experience. We are always planning something for our kids to show them how much we love them and allowing them to experience so much. Yesterday was the 2nd annual fine arts showcase for our group which now has a name L.I.G.H.T. (learning in Godly homes together) The kids were encouraged to share something with the group in the area of fine arts. The variety was amazing. We had a pianist, violinist, artist, authors, craftsmen (and craftswomen), ballerina, and even some taekwando. Isaiah and Elijah each played a piece on the guitar and also showed some artwork. Isaiah and his biggest fan Hannah. He was so happy because he did not miss one chord.

Isaiah is explaining his technique for making this fall painting.

Elijah and his biggest fans! He is explaining how he first used an ink pen to draw the hummingbird.
He looks so little even with that small guitar. He did so amazing.

Hannah loved the window clings.

Hannah was a big fan of the origami jumping frogs.

We had programs and great seating for the event!

Love is in the Air

So why do I insist on making our Valentine's every year? I am blaming it all on Family Fun Magazine which I have subscribed to since Isaiah was a toddler. They always have the CUTEST ideas and every year I get sucked in.

Elijah working hard on making tire tracks on his Valentine's.

Here's Isaiah's...confession mom had to make most of them because it was really hard for Isaiah to wrap the red paper and then hold it tight and place the tape on it.

Here's Elijah's completed valentine. The little note says "I'll never tire of our friendship" and then I ordered little gummy car candies.

Simple and sweet Hannah's lollipops that say "Love, Hannah"

Time to pass them out.

Welcome To Lynden

First check out this little blurb about Lynden. It's just the cutest town ever. So about 3 weeks ago I got a call asking if we would like a welcome basket from the chamber of commerce. I explained we have been living in Lynden since May so we're not really new but they insisted we were so I agreed. So yesterday this sweet little lady came to our house dressed in traditional "Dutch" clothing. She even had on the wooden shoes. She brought a basket full of coupons, cheese, baked goods and candy. She was so sweet. She loved to talk about her grandchildren and enjoyed interacting with our kids.

From the desks of Isaiah, Elijah, and Hannah

Last year I thought homeschooling with an infant was a little challenging. Hannah love to be held and nursed all day and did not enjoy long naps by herself. I thought homeschooling with a toddler would be so much easier. I would have to say not easier just a different set of challenges. For awhile I thought Hannah had to be out of sight and ear shot for the boys and I to get anything done. That meant waiting for nap time. But now that Hannah has switched to one nap that isn't really a good option. So what to do with a super active toddler doing school? Let her in on the fun! I have observed that she really wants to be part of whatever it is we are doing. So whenever the lesson allows Hannah joins us. If that's listening to a book, working on flashcards, or doing a science experiment. I just let her join in. I have found that we all view her less as a disturbance and more as part of the learning fun. Having my children build strong relationships with their siblings is one of the many reasons we homeschool. All my worries of how Hannah would "fit in" have been put to rest. She loves homeschooling! A lesson in potential energy. Making our own pendulum. This was actually really fun. As you can see Hannah loved it.

Yes Hannah there is potential energy in that hex nut even when you pull on it.

Ok let's get this thing moving.
Where did the energy come from in the first place?

Keep it steady.

Where does it have the MOST potential energy. Just hanging or when you lift it up in the air? Potential energy is highest where the weight is the highest. So potential energy is highest at the ends of the swings

What about two?

Elijah finished learning about the Mycenaens. They used fresco paintings in their palaces. So the boys did their own. I love how they turned out.

I didn't let her paint on plaster but did let her paint for the first time on paper.

She loved it of course.

Here's the disclaimer to these cute Hannah pictures. Right before we started out day, I went up stairs to get her clean clothes. I came down to her screaming and there was blood everywhere. She banged her lip on the corner of an end table and her little lip was swollen all afternoon. Poor kiddo.

From the Desks of Isaiah, Elijah and Hannah

What a week! Some good times, some rough times, but in between we had some fun times. I tell you one of the rules of homeschooling I have learned to hold on to is "This too shall pass" Just when I think to myself " Can this day go any worse?"( and sometimes it does) the sun sets and a new day begins and thus "it has passed" And can I get an "Amen" that His mercies are new every morning? EVERY means every! And let me just state for the record that the cause of stress this week was NOT the kids,but ME!
But learning happened, love happened and FORGIVENESS happened.

Elijah and finally left ancient Egypt. It's been a long journey but like it had to come to an end. And how appropriate that we studied the "after life" Elijah and I really marveled at what these ancient people believed about death. Yet how some of their beliefs are still held by people today. We were both very thankful to know TRUTH.

Here's Elijah's paper mache and clay "Canopic Jar". (Minus an ear the fell of 3 times at different phases of this project and not even gorilla glue could put it back on) The Egyptians used these jars to hold deceased organs.

And here's our newest student. Seriously she is so adorable. She has to sit with her notebook and marker when the boys are doing their work. I made a "desk" from an end table and a little kids chair that I had. For now it works just fine.

PRICELESS fun and learning. Look at Elijah's face. LOVE it. We are studying energy more specifically this week potential energy. We made this 'mystery toy' from an can with a lit a hex nut and elastics. It was so neat and Hannah loved it. It rolls back to you all by itself. Check out the video bellow to see it in action.

FUN with elastics and potential energy. The boys had lots of fun just flinging them and I had to duck a few times. In these pictures they are stretching them over and over again to create heat.

Putting them on your cheeks or upper lip is the best place to feel if you got the elastic warm enough.

Sweet Fellowship

Here is a really great picture of a group of sweet ladies from my church. We all went out for Thai food to celebrate lots of January birthdays. It was so much fun. We laughed so hard, ate some AMAZING food, and enjoyed some great fellowship. It's been a blessing to have woman who love the Lord, love you.

I am learning so much from them. The most important thing is that although you may have many friends, it's so important to open your heart to more. I am so thankful that these ladies have opened their lives to me. I may not have years of history with them, our children may not have known each other from "the womb", I didn't go to their wedding, share in in work in the ministry, we don't have tons of memories to laugh about but they love me just the same. I am learning so much about the importance of the friendships we have with our "sisters" in the Lord. It is a very precious gift to be treated with care and much prayer. (If you haven't read Beth Moore's book "So long insecurity you've been a bad friend to me" I highly recommend it for some brutal honesty about women and their friendships)

Now that being said, my heart still misses my sweet friends "back home" I am so blessed for the beautiful and amazing friendships I have with my "sisters" in Maine. Friendships that have stood the test of time, and distance. Friendships that pick up just where they left off. Friendships knitted together with prayer and love, and tears. I miss you sweet friends, more than you will ever know. You are always close in my heart.