George Bush Library

JD got out of class early his last day, so we headed to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of Texas A&M.  It was well worth it.  We spent several hours inside.  The library told the history of the Bush family (and also of Barbara's family), his time spent in the war, their years leading up to the presidency,  the white house years and more.  The library also also houses the 'red dress' collection, which is designed to bring awareness to women and heart disease.

The girls earned another 4 hours in American History and Government from this field trip (in addition to the other side trips we had taken during this vacation). 

The Bush' boat

Doll collection

The red hat belonged to "Red Adair", of whom the John Wayne Movie Hellfighters was based on.  His company was out of Texas, and famous for fighting fires around the world, mainly oil and oil rig fires.

 

Plane similar to what Bush was in during the war

Mock up of a tent during desert storm.  We sat here and heard the story of events leading up to the war, the war, and facts of what happened after the war.

Bush's car while he was president.

Part of the Red Dress Collection.

Texas A&M

Since JD was taking classes at the fire school there, the girls and I decided to check out part of the campus.  The campus here houses the fire school, school of Medicine, Veterinary School,  airport, the George Bush Library and a lot more.  We spent several hours touring the fire school.  The school has scenarios set up for everything you could image.  There were downed planes, cars crashed into tankers carrying hazardous materials,  all sorts of chemical hazmat set ups, bunker and structure fire scenarios, and a lot more.  In the back is a whole other section called "Disaster City" which as the name implies, has set ups for all sorts of disasters.  Through out the training field, are outdoor classrooms and locker rooms.  It was a very interesting tour.  This is the field my husband goes to train at when his company sends him.

Brayton Field has the Texas Wall of Fallen Firefighters

Our Texas Vacation...

Piece of the Twin Towers

We just got back from our Texas vacation a few days ago. My husbands employer often sends him down to go to the fire school at Texas A&M, and this year, the girls and I tagged along. His classes were at College Station, so the first few days we hung around there and the girls and I entertained ourselves while he was in class. The hotel had a pool, so that was a huge plus, as it was on the warm side.

One afternoon we visited Veterans Park in Bryan. That is a park worth spending the day at. We were there for around 4 hours, and I have given the girls 4 hours of American History. In addition to the usual ball fields, the park also features a 'history walk'. It is a sidewalk that starts with the beginning of America, and ends at present day. If you follow the walk in order, you visit and learn all about our great country and its wars, achievements, inventions, and famous persons. The sidewalk has bricks in in that every few feet feature a different year, and tell what happened that year. Along the sides of the sidewalk, are statues and placards that tell of other events in that at same time frame. This park also features the Texas Wall of all fallen soldiers from the state of Texas, as well as a large piece of the twin towers. This is a park you definitely want to visit, and talk a sack lunch and drink with you--you will be there several hours to see it all.

Free Safety and Wellness Fair

This is at City Market, 20 E 5th St in Kansas City MO, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday May 13, 2011.

Lots of fun activities, KC Fire, a drunk simulator, lots of booths and more.

KC Wolfe and the cheerleaders will be there from 11:30 – 1. There will also be a lot of information on teenager safety.

Hope to see you there!! If you have any questions about this FREE event, let me know and I will get an answer back to you!

Add caption

Do you have an artist??

Do you have an inspiring young artist?  Check out this link for some free how to draw videos.  I am not sure how long they will be posted, so you might want to check them soon.

http://www.janbrettvideos.com/video/video_main_page.htm

I know one of my daughters will have a lot of fun with this one.  She loves to do all forms of art, including drawing, and is actually rather good at it.

Do your kids understand?

The past few days, we have watched a lot of the news (first night we stayed up till 3 a.m.) on Bin Laden.  At the time of  9-11, my girls attended a Christian School.  The kids were informed and had prayer.  Emily still remembers it and she was in kindergarten.  Their school had a lot of military families and they knew what it most likely meant for their families. The twins were in pre school (at the same Christian School).  When I picked them up that day, they were aware of it and knew quite a few facts, but today they don't remember much, as they were only 3 at the time.

My husband and I were discussing how for the younger kids, this is all they knew--they didn't know life before 9-11 because they had not been born yet.

We have talked about it a lot, as 9-11 and his death are both dates that will be in future history books, along with the election of  Obama.  Regardless of whether we agree or disagree, approve or disapprove I still feel my kids need to be aware and remember it.  We also talked about how his death didn't bring back those who died that day, and in the war following.  The girls brought up that his death could also cause future retaliation  among his followers towards the US.  One of the girls brought up that she wondered how the guy who pulled the trigger felt.  Was he sad because he took a life?  Or glad that he helped end the deaths of others, or a little of both??

We have been reading the Old Testament and noted the old burial laws of burying within 24 hours, similar to the laws that were followed.

It is hard though, to help my kids understand it all when I don't.  I do understand what has happened, but it is the why that is so hard to understand.
 

Neat new blog

This young newlywed is following in her momma's footsteps (her mom writes food and budget, organization type articles, recipes and such)  She is a great and thrifty shopper and a fellow couponer, and following her blog gives great ideas.

Visit her at youthfulhomemaker.blogspot.com

Prayers

Our family believes in the power of prayer.  Right now, we have some special requests, and are asking others to join us in praying for the below...

My sister in law Debbie, who has stage 4 cancer.  She is a very courageous Christian mom and a special lady.

Our former minister Daryl who is also battling cancer.

Those in Alabama left in the afterwake of the tornadoes.

Our country and our military, especially with this recent news of Bin Laden.

A homeschooling friend, Monette, who was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

God always always answers prayers.  Sometimes he says yes, sometimes he says no, other times he says wait.  But, there is always an answer.  So our prayer is that his will be done and we be given strength and understanding.  He has a purpose for what happens. We may not understand the reasoning now, but someday we will.




 

Happy May Day

Do they even have May Day Poles anymore?  I remember them from elementary school--they had them in recess-volleyball poles with stremers.  And, in art class we made May Day baskets and were told to put them on someones porch, ring the bell and run.  Now days that would probably get us shot.  Have times changed or what??

Two weeks ago I spent a good part of the week taking and teaching classes.  I now have my CPR and First Aid instructor certification from the American Heart Association.  I have already taught my first class.  Later this summer I will be teaching some more.  Emily will be old enough to get hers as well in 15 months, then we can work together.  Until that time, I have a friend who is also an instructor as well.  I find that if the class is very big, having another instructor works better.  This isn't the first time I have had my instructor.  I had it years ago with the Red Cross and let it expire.  So, this is another thing in my life that has come full circle.

How often do you mow??

I mow about 15 acres of our farm. Part of that 15 I mow each time I mow.  Other parts, I only mow about every 2nd or 3rd time I mow.  Around the house I always mow, but the other side of the barn and the orchard and vineyard I only mow every 2nd or 3rd mowing.  Mainly I mow that just to keep the bugs and insects at bay so they don't eat on my grapes and fruit trees.

Yesterday, I finally mowed for the first time this year.  Others have been mowing since March.  Twice I had planned to mow, but it rained.  Then, on days when it was nice enough to mow, I had other things going on, or was out of town.  So, it didn't get done till yesterday.  I love to mow, I find it relaxing.  Of course I am on a rider.  Mowing that much would not be so relaxing with a push mower.

At first I felt bad I hadn't mowed.  But, after I went into town and bought the fuel, I felt a lot better about it.  I paid around $32 for fuel for the mower.  And, that didn't even fill it.  That filled all of one tank and part of the second.  Not to mention what I spent in diesel going to town to get the gasoline....I also didn't mow everything, as several spots were too swampy to mow.  I thought I'd give my husband a break this time.  Normally, I try to mow the swampy areas and each time I get stuck.  I used to have to come in the house and get him.  Now, he recognizes the change in pitch from the  mower, and just gets the truck and chain and comes to me, rolling his eyes as he pulls me out. 

For the last 2 years, I have mowed less, and let the front and east hay fields get a little bigger.  Considering the price of fuel, I think they will get a little bigger this year as well.  It will save fuel and we will get a few more bales out of each field.

If you drive by and see I haven't mowed...I'm not being lazy, I am being frugal...I think I will lower the blade to the lowest setting, and mow it every 18 days.  Last year I mowed it every 13 days.  The first year we were married I mowed it weekly....but fuel was much cheaper then.

I've tried to convince the husband we just need a goat, but so far, he hasn't bought into that idea.  He has ill visions of a goat standing on his car or truck, and that gives him the shivers.  So, until he gives in, I guess we will continue to support foreign Arab oil fields to have short grass, while we ignore our untapped underground oil stores here in the US of A.   Ever notice the countries rich in oil ride camels?  We get our oil from them and drive the gas guzzlers.....

Somethings not right about that picture, and the gas isn't getting any cheaper.

I've cut back on my driving about all I can.  I live in the country, so I can't really walk too many places.  I know it was my choice to live in the country and could move to town to save fuel.  But, remember, we are farmers. We grow your beef.  What we save by growing a majority of our food here on our farm probably equals half what extra we spend in fuel to get around as a result of living in the country.

I am showing my age when I say I remember when gas was 17 cents a gallon at McBrides gas station in Warrensburg MO.  During a price war, gas might even get down to 9 cents or 11 cents.   I also remember when it shot up to 72 cents a gallon when I was in junior high and went to summer camp at Ozark Christian College in Joplin.  My dad was so worried about making the trip because the gas was so expensive.  Ahhhh...the good old days.  You could mow the entire lawn for less than $3 then.

So, this homeschooling, penny pinching farm mom will be looking for other ways to save and cut back this summer, to compensate for the price of fuel.  Any ideas you want to share, post them!

Spring on the Farm

Spring on the Farm
Spring on the Farm  will be held at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Spring has come to the Watkins farm and join us for a day filled with fun and learning!  Witness 1870’s style sheep shearing.   Enjoy our American Livestock Breeds Conservatory display of rare and endangered livestock.  Take a stroll through our heirloom garden while 1870’s attired interpreters prepare the raised beds and plant vegetable seeds saved from our heirloom plants the year before.  Other activities will include toy making, wood stove cooking demonstration, rag doll making, and more. For further information contact the park office at (816) 580-3387.

http://www.watkinsmill.org/calendar.html#spring

Used Computer Sales

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City school district is selling late-model
Apple computers for $50.

<http://webfusion.kcmo.org/coldfusionapps/surplusproperty/PropListPublic.cfm
?%7bts%20%272011-04-19%2008%3A51%3A10%27%7d> See Complete List of Computers,
More

The school district said the computers were used in classrooms and offices
and are in solid condition. Officials said that the computers could be used
by people and families who need access to basic computers.

<http://www.kmbc.com/download/2011/0419/27601658.pdf> See The Computer
Specs

Anyone interested in buying the computers can do so through the
<http://kcmo.org/CKCMO/index.htm> city's website.

City officials told KMBC's Maria Antonia that they have sold 80 so far. The
computers are being sold at 2600 Parvin Road. The office is open from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Money orders or cashier's checks are accepted. With tax, the cost
of each computer is $53.68.

KCMO City Website: http://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/NewsArchives/041911C

Free day at Powell Gardens in Lone Jack MO

Powell Gardens is free this Friday, April 22 in honor of Earth Day.  This is also Good Friday this year and would make a wonderful family trip.  The tickets are normally a touch pricey and the gardens only open for free once a year.  Powell Gardens is a series of gardens in different styles (some fancy, some 'natural', some exotic, some fruit and vegetable, a chapel, a tower with lookout, fountains) that you tour on shady and sunny paths.  There is also a trolley that takes guests from garden to garden (although you can walk too.)

Missouri History and FREE for a limited time ancestry.com records

A friend facebooked me this link to day.  http://www.windingriver.com/. 

It is full of history of Missouri in and around the Kansas City and St Joseph areas. It tells of various local exhibits, library archives and museum information.

If you didn't know it, this is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. The civil war was fueled over slavery and rights of the states, and was the costliest battle on US soil, and the bloodiest. It lasted 4 years, and more Americans died during those 4 years, than all our other wars combined to date. The first battle of the Civil War was Fort Sumter, on April 12-13, 1861.

Did you have any ancestors who fought in the Civil War?? From April 7-14, marking the 150 year anniversary, you can research the millions of Civil War document on Ancestry.com for FREE. What a great history lessons for kids, combining family history with our countries history!

Great field trip idea

This one is making the rounds on some of the homeschool email loops. 
There is a Medieval Fortress in Arkansas, open for tours. For more information, go to
http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com/  It is in Lead Hill, Arkansas, located halfway between Springfield MO and Little Rock.

Homeschool Prom in St Joseph MO

Prom invitations and reservations will be available tomorrow in the kitchen
area of Enrichment Classes at Grace Evangelical from 1:45 - 6:00 p.m.

Unsolved Mysteries: Prom 2011
The St. Joseph Homeschool Prom will include an exciting Murder Mystery
Dinner this year! Mark your calendars for Friday, April 15 from 6 - 10 pm
at the St. Joseph Country Club.

Menu: Cemetery Field Green Salad with Blood Oranges
Stuffed Pork Chop or Stuffed Filet of Sole smothered in Guilty Gravy
Twice-Interrogated Potatoes
Sing-to-the-Cops Vegetable Medley
In-hot-water Dinner Rolls
Tea/Water/Soda
Death by Chocolate Dessert
Coffee/Tea

Schedule: Please arrive between 6:00 - 6:30 for complimentary pictures.
Our social time will include sparkling punch, and the chance to receive your
props, alter-identity, and clues about the murder mystery. A three-course
dinner will be served at 6:45 pm. At the end of the meal, a special tribute
to the senior class and resolution of the murder mystery will take place.
Dancing will follow until 9:30 pm. We are pleased to host Christian DJ Seth
Mason again this year to keep things fun on the dance floor!

Invites: Pick up your special invitation with detective magnifying glass
at Tuesday classes or after the Grand Finale.

Price: Tickets will be $30 per person and on sale from March 30 -
April 12 at Tuesday classes or via email. All homeschoolers in high school
(grades 9 - 12) will be invited and each student may bring one
non-homeschool guest and/or several homeschool guests (friends can be male
or female). Students from other homeschool groups are always welcome.
Parents are also encouraged to come for the dinner and dance and enjoy the
evening.

Dance Practice: Paul and Chris Stickler will be offering a FREE dance
workshop
this weekend. Watch for details and come practice your waltz, swing, and
fox trot!

Couples: The formalness of this occasion is what makes it special-not
whether students come with a date or not. We recognize and fully respect
the courtship goals of many families, and this event is not focused on
pressuring anyone to date or form couples. In fact, the majority of
students came without a date the last two years! Our Prom atmosphere
strives to encourage conversation and mingling among all students. The
dance will include a variety of line dances, group actions, and chart
toppers from other eras, as well as the Mother-Son and Father-Daughter
dances.

What to Wear: We endorse modesty and recommend wearing your best clothes.
Tuxedoes and long formals are not strictly required, but always welcome.
Cinderella's Closet will be open this Saturday April 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3
p.m. Junior League members will assist the girls in choosing one gown with
shoes and any accessories for free at the AFL-CIO Community Services Store,
1203 N. 6th Street (off St. Joseph Avenue).

RSVP: by April 12 to Reid or Candise Schmidling
Mail payments to: 18 Eastwood Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64506

Questions: Candise at 816-671-0562

Contest Results

Today was the day Emily went up to the next level for the Optimist Speech contest. She came in third for the girls division.  (The also had a boys division).  She did very well!  Mind you, Emily is only 14--and her competition were 16 and 17.  In fact, out of both divisions, she was the youngest contender and she held her own.

We also learned a lot from getting to watch and listen to the others.  She learned several tips-both good ones and bad ones, so it was a good learning experience.  In talking to the girls division parent, we learned she has been doing this since 7th grade, and this was her first time to take first place.  What Emily learned from that was practice and experience do pay off.

All of the kids were very very good, and very knowledgeable on their subjects.  Both the boys winner and the girls winners were from Maryville.  Others were from Savannah, St Joseph, Plattsburg and more.

Regardless of if you are homeschooled or traditional schooled, students need to check out their local businesses and clubs for speech contests, essay contest and demonstration contest.  In our area, our electric coop also offers various youth programs, sending the winters to Washington DC.  Not only do the kids get experience, but also the chance for trips and scholarships as well.






 

Last day of homeschool coop

Today was our last day of homeschool coop until the fall.  The girls are going to miss going, and I am going to miss the kids that were in my classes!  I was a teacher for one and an aid for two others.  But, the girls have contact information for most of their coop friends, so I am sure they will be staying in touch over the summer months, and we are planning on having them all out for a cookout in May as well.

The class I taught was "Fire and Personal Safety".  The kids I had were older kids.  We covered a variety of subjects the last few months, including some basic first aid, floods, snow and ice storms, identifying storm clouds and weather patterns, tornado, earthquake, what to put in a car kit and house kit, making a home escape route, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (each student was also given an alarm to place in their room or in their home), kitchen and home fire safety, using a fire extinguisher and studying the various careers associated with fire science.  One week they had a hazmat fireman come in.  Today, for our final class, Captains Mike and Richelle with Independence Fire Dept came.  We set up a burn pan, and the kids got hand on experience using the fire extinguishers to put out the propane fueled burner.  They all did very well and managed to extinguish the fire.  As the final hour was almost over, they arranged for pumper #3 to come and as all the coop kids were dismissed, they got to come out and tour the truck.  The truck was a big hit for the younger ones.

Field Trips in Independence MO

As part of our homeschooling, we like going on field trips. Last week, with a group of area homeschoolers we went to Independence MO and saw just a small part of the many sites to see in Independence.

Our first stop was at the Western Museum. Outside the museum is a statue of Jim Bridger, which we found interesting, because we have already been to Fort Bridger in Wyoming. So, we have seen where he started, and where he ended!

Beaver-used for beaver hats.  When silk hats came out, it hurt the beaver fur traders.

If you don't know much about Independence, it is not only the hometown of former president Harry Truman, but also where the wagons took off for heading west.

Blacksmith shop.  With all the wagon trains starting, Independence at one time had over 60 of them. 

After our guided tour at the museum, we went on a covered wagon ride, pulled by 2 mules. On the movies they always show the wagons being pulled by horses. But, horses were not suited for the hard pulling. Instead, mules and oxen were used. They could pull heavier loads, and required less water.

Part of our wagon ride went over a section of the Oregon Trail that Independence has paved over. They have not widened it. The road is lower than the ground on either side, as the wagons wore it down.

Beginning of the Oregon Trail

We rode past an old brick home where the owners have found unfired shots from the civil war in their yard.

This brick homes owners, have found unfired cannon shots in their yard while doing yard work!

We also passed the home of Harry and Bess Truman, and plan on visiting that after it opens for the season.

Former home of Harry and Bess Truman.  It is open for tours during the warmer months.

Later this year, Independence will be having Civil War wagon tours that will tour sites of battles. We are planning on going to that as well. We also want to visit the old log courthouse and several other sites, including the Truman Library.

Done Testing!

Well, I finished my schooling in January and passed my state test at that time.  But, due to my name on my drivers license reading slightly different than how I was enrolled in class, I had to produce a paper trail to prove I am me.   (My drivers license has my name correctly, but also contains my maiden name as a second middle name.)  Just having that extra name on there, slowed the process down.  So, I didn't get to take my National test until yesterday.  I am happy to report I passed!  I have now sent off my application for my license, so am awaiting my number.  I already have one job lined up as a camp nurse (aka medic) for a week this summer.  I also have a couple other services that are interested in using me on a PRN base!

As a result, today was the first day I have not had to study since August.  And it felt good.  Actually I did sort of study in a way, as I have already started in on my CEU's.

The girls have been working on their typing software, and are now about half way finished.  Their WPM are starting to get into the double digits!  Wont be too much longer before the fingering becomes natural for them.

This weekend Emily goes up to the next  level of the optimist speech contest, and today is our last day of homeschool coop for the semester.  The kids will have a coop open house and program later to show off what they have learned and made this winter.

Wireless High Speed

I finally got fed up with our slow dial up. I had called our phone company many many times over the past 4 years since my husband had the internet installed, and each time we were told that it was all they offered in our area. Someday, the assured me, we would get better service. I so wanted it from them, as this is the company I worked for for over 21 years, and supporting them in turn, helped to support my retirement check.

BUT,

I finally had enough. As homeschoolers, there were just too many things we were missing by not having a local library and by not having high speed. As a single being, I could nothing about the library, but I could on the internet. Some good friends of ours recommended we go wireless with isotech, Inc, out of Trimble MO. This week, it was installed. Wow. Gone are the days of turning on the computer, logging in, and then doing the dishes while it slowly slowly logs us on. For $49.99 a month, we can move quickly!! Next week, we will have the house phone and internet disconnected. The dollar amount will be about the same for what we just had put in. See www.isotech-inc.com if you are in the Clinton, Clay or Ray county area of Missouri. If you give them my name, I get a free month!!

Before, I could not even upload pictures for ebay or to send to family. Now, I can!! And, we can have up to 50 computers on it at the same time!

Potatoes are in

Thursday is the day you are supposed to plant your potatoes, in honor of St Patrick. Usually, we don't get ours in until later in the year, but this year we got them in. As last year, I planted them in a raised bed, made out of 4 plastic pallents on end, formed to a square. They are wired together.

To harvest the potatoes, we will unwire a corner, and remove what we need. Next time, we will unwire a different corner.

My pallets have a layer of straw, then dirt, then straw and more dirt. My potato eyes are planted in those layers. All year long I will be adding to it, and this usually guarentees potatoes up through November or
December. The combination of straw and dirt lets the potatoes get the right amount of water and is easier to dig. The pallet squares are large enough that it also offers some insulation, so that they don't freeze.

My potato scraps from the kitchen never make it to the compost pile. Instead, they go into the potato square. Some of them also sprout and produce adding to our harvest.

Meanwhile, my kitchen cabinets and my master tub continue to house watermellon, pumpkins, garlic, squash, zuchinni and cantelop. Around April 1 I will get my lettuce, radishes, onions and greens going in raised beds outside.

Time Change

If your area observes Daylight Saving Time, remember it starts this weekend.

'Spring Forward, Fall Back'.

Saturday night, set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed (unless you are one of those who prefers to change it at the official time change, which is 2 a.m.).

I will admit though, on Sunday mornings at church, it can be interesting to see the bewildered looks on peoples faces when they walk in an hour late, or those who never show for Sunday School come in an hour early thinking they are coming just for church! On those Sundays, I know God has a sense of humor!

Speeches

There are those who think that homeschooling families "miss out" on activities that other kids do.  Well, some activities we do miss, but because we want to!  Activities we really want to do, we find a way to do.  Speech and Debate are some of those activities. The activities are out there, you just have to look for them!

Emily, 9th grade, is big into speech and debate.  She has spoken for 4H contests and the Optimist International.  Her latest contest was yesterday, in the Optimist Oratorical Contest.  She came out the winner of the gold medallion, and will be advancing to the Regional level in April.  Next Wed she will be giving her speech again in Excelsior Springs.

If you think these activities don't exist for your homeschooler, try contacting various groups, such as Toastmasters, Optimist, American Legion, VFW, as well as your local electric coop. Most of these organizations

offer speech and essay contest that are open to all students, regardless of public, private or homeschool.

Other events we attend are music recitals, open gyms, book clubs, homeschool coop, music lessons, group history, spelling bees, science fairs, scouts, 4H and sports. If you truly can't find something, put out notices and see if you can start your own!

Watch Nesting Bald Eagles

Below is a great website that links you to a live cam about 4 or 5 feet away from a pair of nesting bald eagles near Decorah, Iowa. The nesting cottonwood tree is on private property near the Decorah Fish Hatchery in northeast Iowa.

This pair of eagles build the nest in 2007 and are currently laying on three eggs. Last year the eggs hatched in early April.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles

NASA

I received this one in an email--we will be subscribing to it.  I have a daughter who loves space, flying, NASA and such.  This will help her to see what type of math is used in space.  Check it out!!


NASA has created a downloadable curriculum series called Solar System Math that provides fun, hands-on learning. The Solar System Math series includes:

• I: Size and Distance
• II: Comparing Mass, Gravity, Composition, & Density
• III: Comparing Planetary Travel Distances
• IV: Analyzing Payload Size and Cost

Each of the above parts within the series includes a downloadable student workbook, a teacher's guide and an answer key.
The first unit of the series is Solar System Math: Comparing Size and Distance. (Preview now!)

The main concept of this unit: The Earth is the third planet from the Sun in a system that includes Earth's moon, eight other planets and their moons, and small bodies including asteroids and comets. These bodies all vary greatly in terms of their size and their distance from the Sun.

Math topics covered in the unit:

• Ratio and proportion
• Measurement with standard and metric units
• Unit conversion
• Scale
• Data analysis
• Problem solving

Major Focus Concepts
Math

• Measurement involves measurement tools and measurement units that have been determined by people.
• Different measurement tools and measurement units are used to measure different properties. (Example: rulers with centimeters or inches or yards are used to measure length.)

Science

• In our solar system, nine planets of different sizes move around the Sun in oval orbits that are known as elliptical orbits. These elliptical orbits are very close to being circular orbits, so in order to make our calculations easier, we will assume that the orbits are circular.
• The sizes of all of the planets vary greatly and the distances between them are so great that it is often easier to develop two small-scale models, one for size and one for distance.
• The paths of most planets around our Sun do not vary that much, which means that their orbits are nearly circular.
• Since each of the planets orbits the Sun at a different rate, the planets' distances from each other at any given time vary a great deal.

Preview Solar System Math: Comparing Size and Distance
Ready to download? The student workbook, teacher's guide and answer key can be download on the Christian Home School Hub. (There is a $1 a year subscription fee which allows for unlimited downloads from the CHSH site.)
You'll also find other related downloads as well on the Hub: Solar System Exploration (NASA), NASA Rockets and 321 Liftoff.

__._,_.___

My Garden Update

I started my garden in February.  In Missouri.  Yep, I know, its not the norm.  But, I did it anyway.  I decided that this year, my garden is going to be mostly a raised garden, except for a few items, such as the corn and my bird garden.  I also decided, that I was going to do it on the cheap.  Last year, I spent just over $140 for plants.  This year, I am growing all, but the tomatoes, from seed that I had left over from years past.  You know how seed has expiration dates??  Well, ignore them--they grow anyway.  In fact, the leftover watermelon seed from 2006 is the best growing of the lot!!

My "plant babies" as my girls and I call them (while my husband rolls his eyes), sleep on top of the refrigerator at night, where it is warm.  During the day they are on one of the kitchen counters under a florescent light. For an added treat, on a cold day I can put my heat pad under them for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.  They like warm soil.  I also have several pots of garlic, which are doing very well.  Until they go outside, I can snip of bits of their tops to use in salads and cooking.

Today I replanted the cantaloupe and pumpkins, as only a few of the original ones grew.  I also stuck in a few more of the watermelon, yellow squash, and zucchini.

I figured by using up the old seeds, I had nothing to loose--they were already paid for, so if they grew, they grew and saved me $$, if the didn't, they didn't.  And, most grew.  And, by planting them early, if they didn't grow, that gave me time to go buy fresh seeds and replant.

I originally planned to put the seeds in egg carton cells, but found the jiffy pots on sale left over from last year, for $2.  So, I opted for them.  But in a few weeks when I start more plants, I will use the egg carton cells in saved clear take out, cake and pie containers.

Now, lets just hope that the groundhog was right, and I can get these in the ground soon.

My next project will be to make a cold frame.  My walls will be haybales (squares) and I will simply put an old window over the top.  Then, the plants will move on to the garden.  The cold frame will help harden the plants off, and also protect them from the chickens and ducks.  That way they can free range a little longer.  We opted to fence in a large area around the coops rather than fence in the garden.

I am also going to make a "bird garden".  It will use the leftover seed, and I will add in some sunflowers and corn, milo and soybeans.  The purpose is to help feed the birds, and my chickens and ducks.  I have been trying to find an old fashioned corn sheller and if I do find one, I will start growing my own corn for the birds and my poultry as well.  Once, while staying at an Amish home in Shipshewanna Indiana, I was given a detailed tour of the families gardens.  One was just for the chickens, another was for herbs only, and another for the families vegetables.

The lady of the house also gave me a list of "companion" plants, which I will also try this year.  The idea behind companion planting is that one plant repeals pest that eat its neighbor, or that it provides a nutrient that its neighbor requires.

Only 14 days until I will be planting the potatoes.  My potato bed is set up and ready to go.

Can you tell I have a touch of spring/garden fever???

Confirmation Code: GHXMDCC14497266

Rebecca's Art Work

Drawing our her puppy, "Dreggo"

Rebecca is my artist. She creates art in the kitchen, and also in the traditional sense.

Water Flower

She does drawings, paintings, photography, works with polymer clay, charcoal, does bead work and more. So, I thought I would share with you some of her work.

She is 12, and has only taken a few hours of art instruction. However, there is an art workshop coming up this spring I plan to enroll her in.

Daddy's hand

Pandas, Kitty and Snake

Monkey's

Science Fairs....

Last week the girls had 2 science fairs to attend.  Since they were only one day apart, they were able to use the same project for each.  Emily had other things going on, so for the first time, she missed doing the science fair.

Elizabeth did her project on electricity.  She made several batteries, out of pennies and foil, apples and potatoes and lemons, that powered a clock.  Then, she made a windmill that ran an LED light bulb.  

Rebecca did hers as a research project and studied the solar system in great detail.  She made a replica of the system to accompany her display board.

Why can't little girls just be little girls?........

This was the subject of two different conversations I had with two separate women this week.  Why can't little girls just be little girls?  Society seems to be pushing them to "grow up" way to fast.  I don't know how it is with boys, but it sure seems this way with girls.

I think it is silly how girls, really young young girls scream over stars and singers.  Just like they did years ago with Elvis.....why?  Is one more screaming in the ground going to somehow make him notice them??  And, what if he does notice them??  Girls going nuts over some superstar that doesn't even know that that girl even exists.... 

Then there is the clothing issue.  I hate that girls run around with their bodies half exposed.  I feel it is immodest, and often times down right embarrassing.  I really don't care to look at someones daughters midriff, thighs or rear end.  In fact, no one really does except for some young men.  Really parents, when you allow your girls to go off like that, are you really wanting them to attract young men that are attracted to them only based on their half exposed bodies??  If you do, then you need your head examined.

Don't even get me started on swim suits.....  Why does 1/16th of a yard of fabric cost $32 for a swimsuit??  And, where is the rest of that suit???

So, you are probably wondering what got me fired up AGAIN on this subject (yeah, its not the first time...) Well, WalMart did.  The girls and I just came from WalMart.  Men and Dads, don't turn away from this one--if you are leaving this one up to your wives, I'll tell you, some of them aren't doing so hot at the job of dressing your daughters.  Have you taken a good look at them lately??

All I wanted was some undershirts or bras for a young girl.  Hey manufacturers--a 10-12 year old girl doesn't need padding a half inch thick on her bra!!!!  That isn't a part of her body she needs to be showing off!!!  Trouble is, you can't hardly find any that don't have the padding.  As for the girls undershirts??  They only come halfway down their midsection....so, we have to buy them from the boys department, and sweeten them up with some lace.

Why is society teaching them not to be happy with what they have, so they "pad " it???  It isn't right, and it isn't modest.

I'm tired as a mom, and a shopper, of not being able to find modest clothing unless I sew it.  And, sometimes the patterns aren't too easy to find either, so I have to create my own..(Thanks Mrs Swisher, Mrs. Denker and Mrs Reynolds for teaching me those skills back in the 70's).....

Let's quit pushing them to grow up.