Science- Growing Mushrooms

I didn't take before pictures of our box, us doing the watering, keeping the case cool, damp and in a dark spot. I did take pictures of the mushroom. There are more, many more but this one was the first and it was huge! Meadow was so proud! She didn't eat it though. I'm hoping that in time she'll develop the same love I have for mushrooms.

It could have grown longer but she was ready to pick it!





You can watch the process here at Veg Box- The Mushroom Diaries.

Read Alouds

I love reading aloud.

I love it.

Somehow I have this impression inside of me of the perfect family. In it I see the family gathered around, the kiddos quietly painting-getting along, the dogs laying at your feet sleeping, the feeling cozy and warm, and the mom reading a good book to them, feeling accomplished knowing that all is well and she is doing exactly what she should be.

I experience it every now and then.

Tonight that impression came true again.

I can't explain how swelled my heart was with thanksgiving to the Lord for this huge blessing.

The book we are reading is The Hallelujah Lass by Wendy Lawton, as shared in the previous post its the fifth book in the Daughters of Faith Series. Reading about the poorness in their city and how the young children had to work in the mills makes my heart cry. I didn't know that there was bold women who stood up to preach Jesus Christ in a time when it was looked down upon for women to preach, I know this is still present today but it amazed me of their determination in the 1800's. Reading about how they boldly proclaimed the gospel in the face of adversity, facing the dangers of being beaten in public to share their own testimonies. Not keeping church in a building but taking the good news into the street to the lost and desolate giving hope to the hopeless. These bold women were called the Hallelujah Lasses or the Hallelujahs. I love discovering these gems in history and I can't wait to read more this weekend. I'm excited to see how the young teen girls stand up for Christ and to see how mightily our God uses them to save souls and change the world.

I pray that the Lord ignite a fire in my girls, a desire to DO something big for Him.

I'll be sure to share!

School Year is Ending

Yes, the end of the school year is drawing near but for this family of homeschoolers the load will only lighten a little. I know that I could use regular textbooks that the girls would work through for each subject at their own pace and that they could finish their work during the year and be able to take summers off BUT I choose to teach my children myself. They do have some textbooks in which I don't actually have to teach them but my point is that I am very very involved in my girl's school days. This is a good thing but it can be a drawback. When life throws things at you at the speed of lightening, sometimes....well actually make that often, *I* don't get to do as I as I planned and we get a little behind. So, the subjects that the girls have been able to do without me are right on schedule (if you count the late start we had) and my part of things will have to continue through the summer.

I've encouraged the girls that if they help me keep a schedule, not rigid mind you, but, if we can get up at a decent hour and school in the mornings we will only have half days and we will be able to spend the rest of the day at the pool. I think that is a fair offer don't you?

We have finally finished Madeleine Takes Command. We learned so much from this book. I know I've discussed this book before but since it's been a while I'll start over. This historical novel, set in 17th century New France, 'Madeleine Takes Command' by Ethel C. Brill is the true story of Madeleine de Vercheres, a very brave young teenage girl with a strong faith in the Lord who is forced to protect not only her home but the homes of every person within the fort along the St. Lawrence River against Indian attacks during the year of 1692. Madeleine takes up arms in defense of family, country, and faith against the Iroquois.

Madeleine is 14 years old. Sky, my middle daughter is 13 years old. I feel that this book really opened my girl's eyes to what they are truly capable of. Sometimes they think, "Well I'm just a kid so what difference can I make?" I believe that Madeleine showed them they can make a difference and that they should expect more out of themselves.

My Father's World has us on a reading break for the next couple of weeks so I've decided to pick up another book that we had started but not finished called 'The Hallelujah Lass'.

The fifth book in the Daughters of the Faith Series, The Hallelujah Lass tells the story of Eliza Shirley, a 16-year-old girl who traveled from England to pioneer the work of the Salvation Army in the United States. The Daughters of the Faith Series gives teens fascinating character-building stories of real girls from history who did extraordinary things for God.

My focus for my girls right now is for them to have the realization that they can DO GREAT THINGS FOR GOD. I don't want them to believe the lies that they have to wait until they are grown to accomplish anything, that today, here and now is important and today, here and now is their life and that they need to live it to the fullest in Christ and not wait around to be older, smarter or to become an adult. If they can comprehend this fact I know I will see growth in them and their relationship with Christ.

Meadow is using a great hands on project for science. My brother gave her this for Christmas and we are pulling it out to use now. Its called, "My First Science Lab" and it contains 10 experiments. She will create a small lab for mixing up dozen's of colors, watch the colors turn to crystals, make a mini-rainbow in a test tube and many more experiments. I like it because it came with almost everything needed to do the experiements, other than a few household items and the experiments are visual and not complicated. We are all very excited about using this product. I'll be sure to share our findings!

So we are moving right along and looking forward to our summer!