Chemistry and 4-H

The kids got to go to a Community College and do some experiments in the chemistry lab. They had a blast and learned a lot. It was a lot of fun. Don't they look great in their goggles? They did not love that part!

Emily had to do a presentation for 4-H. She was very nervous, but did a great job! She talked about the different mediums of art. She loves paints, pastels, water colors, chalk, colored pencils and so many others.

We have a very busy life and are enjoying every minute--well, relatively speaking. :) We have lots to keep minds and hands busy and are learning so much.

Lindsay's class that she has been doing these last few weeks separate from Emily has been on insects. Well, last week she learned about bees and has been terribly impressed with them. She talked half the way home on how bees carried pollen, how they did a little dance to tell the other bees where honey was and all sorts of other facts. She is growing so fast and it's hard to believe my baby is almost a first grader! Not sure I'm ready for that!!!

Well, I'll post more later. How much later, I don't know.....:) Trisha

We have just returned from going to IHC in Ohio. We had a wonderful time. The Lord really helped some of the speakers and we were able to renew many friendships. My Grandma and Great Aunt were also there and played a large part in our decision to go. It was great to get to visit with them.
Oh Thursday, we went to the Creation Science Museum and had a blast with my brother and sis-on-law. It was very crowded and busy there, but there was so much to see. It is a fascinating place with beautiful wax figures and the full story of the Biblical account of Creation, the flood and other things. We hope to get to go back one of these days.
We got home Thursday Night and were glad to be back in our own beds! Sorry I am such a horrible blogger! Life is just too exciting sometimes to stop and come down to update it.:)
Trust all are doing well! Until next time, Trisha

Fun Week

We ended up leaving on Monday and went and spent the week in Michigan with my sister-in-law and mom. We had a blast and did a little running around. Mostly we just chilled and had some time to just do nothing. Of course, with 5 kids running around, nothing IS a relative word as there are so many things to do just to keep life operational.:)

As most of you know, our pastor has resigned and is moving to Alabama. We are in the process of finding a new one. That is NOT an easy task. We are going to miss the Jones' terribly! The kids were fast friends and cousins, and as homeschooling moms, Penny and I did sooo much together! It will be a big adjustment!

Let's see, other than that, we will be in school for atleast 4 more weeks, though most of the kids' work will be done by the first of May, a little of it will go into the second week of May. Then we will be done!!! I am soo looking forward to that!! It has been a good year, though! One of the best years I have ever had. Partly because we found a co-op that is doing the KONOS curriculum and the kids fell in love with it, consequently Mom did too!!! THey are so excited for what we will be doing next year that they have been poring over the book trying to get a head's up! They are so funny and I am so glad!

That is all I can think of. Hope you are all having a wonderful start to your weekends! Trisha

Co-op

Here is Lindsay dressed as a locust getting ready to molt!

Here are the kids as caterpillars in cocoons. Getting ready to change to butterflies.

Here they are after they have come out of their cocoons. They were so funny and cute. The lady who is teaching them is a kindergarten teacher. She does a great job! The kids love it!

Here they are butterflies and trying to fly around. They look pretty funny and cute!

Saturday

Today has been a busy day! The kids had a Dodgeball tournament today and we left the house at 7:50Am on a Saturday. We should get a medal for that:) Went to Muscatine High School where they played. Had a great time and then went to the extension office to work on record books for 4-H.
This afternoon, we headed to some friend's house and helped shuck corn for 8 new baby calves and their 1 yr old calves. It was fun and relaxing, but I came away with two medals from it--blisters on both of my thumbs.:) Pretty funny! Didn't know I used my thumbs so much!! Goodness! I feel all thumbs tonight.
Well, we are getting the kids to bed and hope to get their ourselves soon. Maybe I'll find time to load more pics soon! It can take awhile! Bye for now...Trisha

It has been a busy day. Travis and Jeff went to a gun show and had a great time. Jeff went to work on a plumbing job and the kids and I hung out at Boardman's and had fun. I got most of my house cleaned today and was very proud of myself.
Friday night was 4-H and the kids enjoyed that. One of the presentations was on Great Pyrenese dogs and this girl brought her puppy for demonstration on puppy shots and worming. He was HUGE and only 10 weeks. Very cute and cuddly! Can't believe how big those dogs get. She said up to 160lbs! I like lapdogs personally!
Trust all are doing well.

Quad City Symphony Dress Rehearsal

The kids got to attend the Quad City Symphony dress rehearsal last Friday Night. We went with some other homeschool friends who are in our 4-H group. It was a lot of fun. The conductor was amazing! Did you know that when you conduct a symphony, you have to be one beat ahead of the music with your hands than where the orchestra is?? IT is crazy to watch! They served hot dogs, chips and pop before the concert started. When it was over there was a question and answer session for all the kids. It was very informative.Here is the featured Cellist. He played amazingly! He is only 25 and was homeschooled almost all of his life. He had pretty funny hair, but he said he started playing the cello when he was 2. The suzuki method. He said his dad encouraged the cello over the violin because it was more mellow and not so squeaky!:)

Here is the whole group. I am a bad picture taker! Sorry!

The kids are learning the table of elements at the co-op we do in Muscatine. They are really learning fast. I;m always amazed at how fast they can absorb information!

The little ones learned about the life cycle of the butterfly. They all rolled up in cocoons(sleeping bags) and then popped out with material as butterflies with wings!! Then they came to the table to make a chart about butterflies and then over to read about them. It was so cute. I didn';t have a good one of Lindsay so Alissa is in this picture.

Trust you all are having a good week. We are off to Muscatine tomorrow. Let's see if I can remember my camera....