Bottle Rockets!

We made these nifty little rockets at the Library today. They were so much fun!

The best directions I have found are at the Exploratorium Website.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/math_explorer/tfl_BBO_leaderGuide.html

The only thing we did differently was that we added a couple of pieces of wire hanger on the end of the pvc pipe so it would stick down into the ground.

My girls are a little young to understand the science of the project, but with older kids you could really explore aerodynamics, as well as displacement of air, and the math of figuring out how high they went.

Hope you have fun!

Our little volunteer!

Earlier this summer we put out a couple of little tomato plants in the front garden, and have gotten a few tomatoes off of them, which the girls have loved. But a few weeks ago, we noticed a tomato plant in the back yard so allowed it to grow and it has been amazing! We didn't even plant it and it has grown better than the two that we did plant. It is loaded with tomatoes! And we have no idea how it got there! The girls think it is so cool and have loved picking the tomatoes off of it! Here is the picture.

God's Provision

Today it was renewed in my mind that God loves us and wants to give us what we need, and many times answers prayers that we don't even realize that we have need of.

I was in town today, enjoying a quiet day with only the baby, because the girls are with Grandma for the weekend. I went to the Library (a regular occurrence for a homeschooling family) hoping to find some good books to help K. learn to read. While I was there, I overheard a conversation between two ladies who were sitting near me. (I know it's rude to eavesdrop, but it was kind of hard to not notice, and I think it was directed by the Lord.) I heard the one lady say that she was homeschooling, and I kept trying to think of a way to start up a conversation with her. So eventually, I got up enough courage to go up to her and asked her if she was a homeschool mom, and she said she was. Her kids are the same ages as mine and she seemed interested in getting together. Praise the Lord!

Although I totally disagree with those who say that homeschooled children are socially disabled because they aren't constantly in the company of their peers, I think it is good for children to have friends that have some of the same interests. So even though I hadn't actually prayed for a homeschooled friend for K. and some fellowship with another homeschool mom for myself, God knew what I needed and he made it happen - and I am so excited to see what else he is going to do in my life and the lives of our kids.

My Favorite Links:

Homeschooling:

• Freely Educate
• Ambleside Online Curriculum
• An Old Fashioned Education
• CSMP Free Math Program
• Center for Innovative Mathematics Teaching
• Mom to Mom Radio Show
• Homeschool Share

Thoughts about Blogging

A blank slate. A new beginning. A fresh undertaking. Many thoughts run through my mind as I sit staring at an empty screen. What do I say? What is important about me? What do people want to know about?

I love my life, but what makes anyone else want to read about it? Maybe this will just be a personal record, never to be shared with others. Maybe just Grandma will occasionally drop in to see what the grandbabies are doing today. Or maybe the Lord will send someone along - someone who needs to know about Him - the Best Friend of All.

Whatever the audience, who ever might happen to read my thoughts, I pray that this will touch someone. Even if the only one who is ministered to is myself by having a record of my thoughts, I pray that I will have not only a spot on the web that is taking up valuable hard drive space, but a place that will help people to live for God Forever!