The Creation Museum

We had the wonderful experience of visiting The Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY...just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.  We have been wanting to visit the museum for several years, I even tried to get there with the kids on our road trip last October, but we have never made it.  

This was by far, our favorite part of the trip.  What a wonderful day we had!  The museum far exceeded our expectations.  The quality of the exhibits was superior.  Even my techie husband acknowledged the state of the art equipment and technology being using throughout the museum.  This is necessary, because often times Christian organization don't have the money to put into exhibits and it ends up looking cheap and cheesy. Not the case here.  The Creation Museum rivaled any well known museum in our country as far the quality of the displays are concerned.  

Add to that the TRUTH that is given and it makes this place an A+, top notch place to bring your family! Although it will probably be a few years...I can not wait to get back!

The best part though is that the gospel is weaved into every section of the museum.  The heart and soul of The Creation Museum and Answers in Genesis, the organization behind The Creation Museum, is that the gospel go out into the nations.  They beautifully demonstrate the need for a Savior starts very early in Genesis and the creation of the world, and that this need is met in the person of Jesus Christ.  

The entrance to the museum, our crew with John Michael.

A close up of dinosaurs in the main hall.

The kids, checking out the fish tank

The 7 C's in God's Eternal Plan- a portion of the museum walks through these 7  C's.

A chameleon

The first portion of the museum lays out the argument of starting with man's word vs. starting with God's word.

The first room included this display of an archaeologist digging up dinosaur bones.

Reading about and touching a dino bone.

dinosaur eggs

Our first close up view of a dinosaur.

One of the many beautiful displays throughout the museum

A depiction of Paul the Apostle writing a letter to a church in His time.

Looking into the empty tomb

A small portion of a large display about the critiques of the Bible, Christianity and Creation

Check it out!  Martin Luther nailing the 95 thesis.  Jeremy was there!

Another beautiful display

Now we entered into the second stage of the museum.  A beautiful section with depictions of the events of Genesis 1-11.  This walks you through the first several C's of God's plan and follows with a video called The Last Adam to tie up the final C's of God's plan.

Who are those monkeys in the Garden of Eden? hahaha.  Adam is naming some of the animals

A dinosaur eating something yummy. They, along with all animals were vegetarians until after the fall.

"Wow!"  is what Adam said when he first saw Eve.

The Tree

Look who is watching Adam and Eve....can you find him?

The first sacrifice.  The first death because of sin.  

What do you think they felt when they saw this happen?  Until they had sinned, there was no death.

Click on this photo to make it large enough to read.  It explains the need for sacrifice after sin entered the world.

This dinosaur moved and scared the life out of Nicole, hahaha.

Now hard work and toil as a result of that sin.

This was "inside" the ark.  The kids played an interactive video game, asking questions about what they had learned so far.

A small model of the ark.

 Sneak peak!  A new insect exhibit was opening the day after we were at the museum.  However, the week before, we had met Ken Ham, CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis and The Creation Museum, and he offered to show us the new exhibit, even though it wasn't ready!  So amazing!

This was an interactive exhibit that Nicole really liked.  She used this ipad to scan each of of the 7 steps of  a life cycle of an insect.

 The following are just a few photos of the insect exhibit someone donated to the museum.  These are insects found and collected all over the world!  God's design is amazing, beautiful and causes us to worship Him!

Our family, with Mr. Ken Ham, of Answers in Genesis.  This is a wise and Godly man who  is bold in his message of the gospel.  He has dedicated his life to helping others understand that God's word is true...every part of it.  I am so thankful for AiG's books, curriculum, and their museum that helps to equip parents like us to raise our children with a great love and respect for God's word.

John Michael got in on the Ken Ham action as well.  A close friend of Jeremy's who is dedicating his life to preach God's word.  Only three more years until he earns a Ph.D.

 Back to the dinosaurs....

Raptors.  

Another dinosaur bone

Stegosaurus

The mighty T-Rex!

The girls with Buddy Davis.  He has designed and sculpted the majority of dinosaurs in the museum.

Buddy Davis also sings and makes song and videos for children.  He sang this song for Nicole because she worked hard to learn  "It's Designed to do..."

Even the cafe was beautiful!

 The Creation Museum also had a beautiful garden area with various bridges, walk ways and even a petting zoo.  Lovely place for a wedding!

Our crew, with JM

And....a silly picture!

A Zorse!

Love my kiddos!

Daddy and his girls!

 There was a lot more to The Creation Museum that I didn't get to take pictures of.  We watched one of the planetarium shows as we raced through the universe, looked at old Bibles in the Scriptorium, browsed the bookstore, and many, many, many more displays that I didn't capture.

Our family is thankful for the ministry of Answer in Genesis....and now thankful for the ministry of The Creation Museum.  It is a controversial area of ministry and they are often attacked.  Atheists often come to the museum to laugh at and mock the  exhibits....how some have heard the Gospel, been convicted of their sins, repented, and became believers.  Many have come to know the Lord in part to the ministry of the museum, and untold others have heard the Gospel as they have walked through the exhibits.  I think Answers in Genesis and The Creation Museum need prayers to stand strong in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to God's True Word!

Desperate... a non-professional book review

One of my virtual mentors is Sally Clarkson.  She is a woman, probably a bit older than my own mother, who write some wonderful books geared towards moms, homeschooling, and families.  I have read both The Mission of Motherhood and The Ministry of Motherhood, several years ago.  She recently co-authored a book with Sarah Mae, a mother who is about my age, with three children about the same age as mine.

This book is called Desperate: Hope for the mom who needs to breathe.

I have to be honest, when I first heard about this book I thought, "No way....I hate that title, and I'm not desperate."  It wasn't until I noticed a book review by a blogger I respect, Time Challies, reviewed the book and said he is going to promptly pass it on to his wife.  When I read his review, I figured that I needed to get past the title and give the book a chance.

From page one, I felt like Sarah Mae was writing my story.  The idea of the book is that it is a collection of letters and thoughts from a young mom (Sarah Mae) and her mentor (Sally Clarkson). Honestly, several times while I read Sarah Mae's portion, I looked around my house for cameras, just sure that she was spying on me and writing about my life (or my day or attitude).  And, I was so relieved and encouraged when I read Sally's reply.

They talked about the perfect little mothering dream we all seem to have (but quickly realize is not reality), the difficulties we have created within our culture of "I don't need any help" (that's me!), when really we are crying out for the help of our mothers, or aunts, or grandmothers.  They talked about when ' the darkness invades', the lack of training most of us have to be mothers, dealing with our own selfishness, issues we may have with housework,  the need for time alone and with friends, and much more.

I have generally stopped reading parenting books because I always feel like even worse of a parent.  I feel condemned because I do it this way, or that way.  I never once had this feeling with this book.  I felt like I understood and related to Sarah Mae's struggles.  And I felt encouraged and spurred on by Sally's responses.  I can honestly say that I did not agree with every piece of advice that was shared....but that's just what it is, advice to reflect on, ideas to consider and then use where you deem appropriate.

Here are a few of my favorite portions.

Chapter 1: "In this culture of quick satisfaction and gratification, many of us have never been taught to believe that someday we will have to give an account to God, face-to-face, for the spiritual, emotional, and moral work that we steward in the lives of our children...My home, then, became my kingdom over which I longed to rule well as I was crafting lives, my own children  for His glory.
    This kingdom of home is the place of refuge, comfort, and inspiration.  It is a rich world where great souls can be formed, and from which men and women of great conviction and dedication can emerge.  It is the place where the models of marriage, love, and relationships are emulated and passed on to the next generation.
    ...Understanding that the best and most lasing "work" I would ever do was wrapped up in my call as a mother gave me a grand scope for my life such as I had never known before..."

Chapter 2- On being alone:
"Going at it alone is, without a doubt, one of the most common and effective strategies that Satan uses to discourage moms.  A woman alone in her home with her ideals eventually wears down and become a perfect target for Satan to discourage."
    ..."I learned that I had to become an initiator if I wanted to have friends and fellowship...Having a friend who shared my ideals was essential to my own well-being and the emotional health of my family."
..."I have had to start almost every group to which I have ever belonged.  One of the first lessons I learned was to not be discouraged if others did not invite me."  (whew boy....have I had to struggled through THAT this year!)
She gives a strategy with out to develop different groups...
1. look for a few women my age who have children the same ages of my children.
2. Look for an older woman in the church or in a ministry whom I think might stimulate me spiritually....
3. Find a mom or woman who is younger than I to befriend and offer encouragement.

I love this...."seek out younger women in whom to invest my life and time because I had so longed for such fellowship and friendship when I was starting out.  I have found that when I feel responsible to encourage other younger moms in their walk with God and in biblical ideals, I am more encouraged myself to live up to the standards I am teaching."

Chapter 6- Lack of training
"...don't measure your success in life by your ability or inability to do housework efficiently...'Where no oxen are, the manger clean (Proverbs 14:4).  When I realized that I had six oxen in my stall all the time, it gave me peace knowing that the messes that reflected the six people in my home were a part of having all of us together!"

Chapter 7- Selfishness:
(This is from Sarah Mae, but could have been me!)
"I guess the truth is that I liked watching my children explore when it was new for me too.  When I had one little one and everything was a grand experience for the both of us.  Now, after three babies, the new is gone and I'm back to my ugly root: self.
    Selfishness is an ugly, life sucking disease that infests our very DNA....I ache for the hearts of my children who have been put in front of a TV screen, so that I don't have to entertain them.  I ache for my ugly heart, and how desperately I want it to be beautiful and humble like that of my Father.  This selfish blood that burns me with guilt and threatens the souls of my children, this selfishness cannot live. I need to bleed it and be filled with the blood of the One who laid down His very life for those He created.  This is the sacrifice we are called to make:'Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.' (John 15:13)"

(A small, cut up portion of Sally's response)
"...is that it's boring to play with little children sometimes.  Sitting on the floor playing ponies and trying to drum up conversations between Star Song and Rainbow Dash gets old really fast.  Two, we know that if we sit down to do that craft, our two-year-old is going to jump in, make a mess, fuss, upset the older ones, and everything is going to go south fast.
   Choosing to enter into the mundane with our children, who see playing ponies as anything but ordinary, is a sacrifice of love.  Choosing to enter into a project that will probably turn into a training session is also a sacrifice of love.  We will have to choose patience and kindness over frustration and giving up...It means taking the time to cultivate the souls of our children...It shows them we care, and we want to be a part of their worlds.  I think it also shows them the Father's love.
   Are your children still in the home with you?  You have time!  Ask Jesus to help you, to mature you, to teach you how to begin laying down whatever it is that has your attention and choose to offer yourself to the souls in your care.  You will be glad you are able to one day look back and say, "I was intentional: I was faithful: I chose my children."  Put in the work now."

Status Updates

I have a love/hate reationship with Facebook.  A few years ago, I signed off for a while (like a year and a half).  Then, I began an account again because I wanted to be able to connect with the moms in my MOPS group that I was ministering to.  It escalated from there.  There are a lot of cool things about Facebook, and a lot of problems.

One of my problems is that I started using Facebook to talk about our days, instead of my blog.  It was fast and easy.  The problem is, I can't save, print, and keep this information.  So, I am in the process of gathering a lot of my status updates because they contain memories I don't want to forget.  The best way for me to keep those memories...is right here, in my blog.

So, I may occasionally post random remarks and pictures.  That means I'm just trying to keep up:)

These are great status updates (without pictures) from 2012 and 2013.

4-17-13 My favorite part of the day.... Snuggling with Nate as I read him his before nap story.

4-16-13  I don't mind that my bushes never have flowers on them.... It's because my sweet little boy always picks them for his mommy;)

2-13-13

Came home from a busy morning. Nicole asked me, "Mom....what can I do to help you?" (awe...so sweet...right?). So I told her that she could start making the sandwiches for lunch. Her reply......"I don't feel like working right now." 

*sigh* Neither do I my dear....

2-11-13 My daughter has been thinking of "inventions" for the past hour...I love watching her little creative mind in action.

2-27-13

Nathan: Mommy, you is the best mommy I never had!

1-8- 2013

Today, while flying through the air, mid trip, I hear Hannah exlaim "I'm ok mommy!"

How does she know that? She hasn't even hit the ground yet? hahaha

btw...she was ok ;)

12-26-12

One of the Drs this morning said to Nicole "Oh, sweety....you look sad."
To which Nicole replied "This is my regular face".

hahaha...the Dr. chuckled and repeated it a few times. I'm guessing this is the first time he's heard a reply like that! We often ask her if she's ok and her reply usually is "this is my regular face mom".

12-24-12

Christmas Eve fun...
Nicole: hey I just grabbed food that made a math problem!
Jeremy: what?
Nicole: 2 chips + 3 Crackers = 5 grapes!

12-21-12

While eating grapes this morning, Nathan says, " mommy, the Grinch licked all my grapes and turned them green"

12-10-12

The kids are watching a show that has Santa in it. I reminded them that "this is just a fun pretend story....you know, like Cinderella". Hannah nodded her head in agreement, thought about it for a moment and said, "WAIT! You mean...Cinderella...is just pretend?"

12-6-12

Nathan is walking around the room saying "Stop repeating after me" "stop repeating after me" (crosses arms and with attidue) "Hmph".

I just asked him who was repeating after hime. With a smile he said "Hannah". (Hannah is downstairs watching TV!) Goofy Boy!

10-28-12

6 Days
5 Geocaches
4 States
3 kids
2 Thousand miles
1 Mommy

It's been a great adventure... But we are Sooo happy to be home. I missed my Jeremy!

9-25-12

Nathan: mommy- the Jello is laughing in my mouth.

;)

9-23-12

The other day I was sitting on the couch reading to the kids when my phone went off. After answering it, I sat on the couch messing with my phone and checking email when this text message comes through, from Nicole who is sitting next to me.

Mom. Ples. Kep reeden

Guess my daughter thinks she needs to use technology to get my attention... Oops:/

9-11-12

After planting flowers on our back lanai today, Hannah was sweeping the patio and said, " mamma, I'm kinda like Cinderella. You know, because she has to sweep with a broom too"

9-8-12

Funniest Hannah moment of the trip....My dad Mike Strang, was letting the kids taste some Dragon Fruit (it's a bright pink fruit with white, seedy "meat"...very much like Kiwi).

He said to Hannah, "If you eat the Dragon Fruit, you will be able to breathe fire, like a dragon." Hannah quickly covered her mouth and giggled...then she took a bite.

A moment later she giggled and said, "Papa, you were just kidding about the fire"

8-30-12

My kids are eating enchiladas for breakfast because none of them would eat it for dinner last night. I have a feeling Hannah will hold out all day.

8-23-12

Hannah: " daddy, you should call us chipmunks, because we like to eat chips!"

8-22-12

When Nate asks me to do something and I do it, he says,"Now that's what I'm talking about!" haha

8-21-12

Woohoo! She's on her way home (much better than sleeping at the hospital).

For those interested, she simply fell down. We just got home from gymnastics (where she did Not get hurt!) She was walking to me to give her the keys so she could unlock the door into the house when she trip over her little toes and fell flat out on the driveway. She immediately screamed and I had to pick her up off the driveway. I knew something was wrong, thought her elbow was dislocated, and strapped everyone back into the van to head to an urgent care. After her xrays they told me she would probably need surgery so we headed downtown to a hospital and ....well...now my little one has gone through something I never have.

She is seriously super duper brave! She had a few tears...but NO hysterical crying at all. She would wimper and grimace in pain and take really really deep breathes when the Drs. were hurting, I mean examining her ;) She was so brave and strong and give all the Glory to God! On our way to the urgent care I told her that we should pray and she said, "I already have mom" She has such a deep and sweet faith that God will always provide for her, no matte

8-10-12

Hahaha...I love when Nate speaks self motvation to himself. As he's trying to pry magnets off the board..."Ugh..keep tryin...ugh...yeah! OK, try 'nother one. Keep trying...ugh...it's hard...keep trying....yeah! Try 'nother one."

8-2-12

Do your kids "not sleep" too? All three took a two hour nap today (wish I would have know they were going to do that...I would have taken one then!!!) But, the girls insist they did not sleep. They were just laying really still with their eyes closed, but they were NOT sleeping!

7-27-12

Hannah and Nicole are playing "Vet". Hannah says," I have a diagnosis! YOU have bacteria in you!"
Haha.. She's so cute!

7-16-12

Nicole just went on cheetah hunt- she may never ride another coaster again! Haha

7-3-12

My girls just got in their first real fight... Hurt feelings, tears and all. We spent 10 minutes talking about how God chose them to be sisters and how we ought to love one another and use " pleasant words that are like a honeycomb, sweet to the spirit and healing to the bones" (proverbs... Forget where) and not bitter words that hurt our hearts. Followed by the fact that we ought to forgive as Christ forgave us ( Eph 4:29).

True forgiveness and repentance followed. May the Lord use moments like these to show my children their need for a savior and draw them to Him.

7-3-12

Nate loves to wear his daddy's cologne. I love to smell him wearing it ;)

6-17-12

Jeremy wanted to go to the driving range today to hit golf balls.... With the whole family ( crazy, I know). We talked to the kids about some of the rules of golf ( like talking quietly;).

Well, some guy hit a terrible shot that barely landed outside the tee zone. However, Nicole didn't think so and wanted this guy to know, so she yelled ,"Wow! Good job!!!" hahaha.... I about fell over laughing while Jeremy was correcting her:)

Later on we caught Nathan working on his "Tiger Woods" shot... You know, throughing the club in a temper tantrum over his bad hit. Hahaha

It was actually a fun time:)

6-6-12

You would think after the third or fourth time being peed on, I would stop tickling Nathan so much! Hahaha. 

I still haven't learned-and got peed on again , hehehe

6-3-12

Tonight at bed time, Jeremy read the kids the story of Moses on Mt. Sinai and the Golden Calf that was being built as the Israelites waited. After the story, Jeremy usually asks a few questions...tonight Nicole asked the questions instead. She asked Hannah, "What was Moses doing up on the moutain?"

Hannah said, "Planting Flowers!"

Bwahahahahahaha!!!! Everyone got a GREAT laugh out of that one. After the laughter, she made sure we knew the right answer and told us, Talk to God.

That girl is so stinkin cute! She does things just for a laugh, and has perfect timing!

6-1-12

It's always fun when my very busy day starts with fighting, tantrums and crying.... And this is just going on in their bedrooms. *sigh*. It's not even 7:00. I think I'll just stay in bed today :)

5-30-12

Jeremy was having a conversation with Nicole tonight about showers. He told her that she can take a shower in the morning...but not to let it take to long because we have to pay for the water. He said, "It's like money is going right down the drain."

Nicole replied...."What if I just clog the drain then daddy? "

Bwaaahahahahahahaha!!!!!

5-18-12

Just heard screaming from the girl's closet...so I went to check it out. Hannah is on the floor, Nate is on her back and Hannah is yelling, "Get off me...Get of me Nate...I'm not a horsey. Get off me!" hahahaha...I had to smile. Nate had the biggest grin on his face, and we all ended up laughing.

5-13-12

Hannah: mommy- you don't have to do any work at all today. When we get home, you are going to lay down and watch TV. Daddy is going to do laundry, and I am going to sweep the floor and Nicole is going to do the dishes. You are not allowed to do anything!

Later, when we get home- Hannah picks out a movie for me and tells me to lay down on the couch. Then she says: mommy, I don't want to work. I'm going to lay down on the couch with you. Hahaha. ( daddy is making her work;)

5-11-12

Hannah is very good for my self esteem right now. I am "the best in the whole world" at almost everything I do.

Mommy, you are the best whistler in the whole world.
Mommy, you are the best cooker in the whole world.
Mommy, you are the best nail polish painter in the whole world.

5-10-12

Nicole lost another tooth. Three down....three more loose (two top front, and the other lower right "canine" one. This girl is crazy though. She will NOT pull it. She wiggles her teeth for months!! Earlier today when I told her to just pull it out (because it was sideways in her mouth), she said NO! I told her that she was stubborn and she said, "Yeah, well...You're hilarious!" hahahaha....no...she's hilarious!

5-9-12

The great thing about homeschooling is that God is always using me to teach my children (OK, I know you don't have to homeschool for that to happen...but this examples ties directly into our curriculum) Case in point:

A few nights ago I "lost it" with my children. As in...I exhibited no self control in my attitude, my words and my actions. It was terrible..and yet another time of teaching forgiveness and repentance.

Fast Forward to today....our new memory verse for the week comes up in our My Father's World study. It is....Proverbs 29:11 "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Yep...we brought up the other night and how mommy acted like a fool because I gave "full vent to my anger" and not like a wise man who keeps himself under control. Then...Nicole confesses, "Mommy, the other night when you were mad, I wanted to remind you about our Bible verse "Pleasent words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Because your words weren't very sweet or healing.

*sigh* Yes my dear one. I need Jesus just as much as anyone else. Such great conversations can come from our sinfulness along with great rejoicing over God's grace to cover those sins with the blood of Jesus.

I share this...not to get everyone to remind me I'm a great mom or to make me feel better about my attitudes. No...I was wrong and acting in full fleshly sin at the time (and I knew it!) But to remind you to take those moments, seek forgiveness and reconciliation and draw your children back to their need (and Your need) for Jesus.

5-9-12

Just overheard -
Nicole: Hannah, I have an idea. Let's play pretend. I'll be a dog in a pet store, and you come and buy me.
Hannah: OK
Nicole: Just remember...I'm a coloring dog and I like to stay in my cage and color.

...a few minutes later...
Hannah: awe, what a cute doggie.
Nicole (in her best doggie voice): I'm a coloring dog.
Hannah: well, you are really cute. My husband doesn't want a dog, but I really do, so I'm gonna get a doggie.

5-3-12

Nicole just brought down to me a drawing of a angel...not the chubby cute kind you see in stores...but the kind the Bible describes, with 2 wings it covers it's eyes, with 2 it covers it's feet, and with 2 wings it flies. Very cool that she remembers such details :)

4-3-12

Hannah was very excited this morning when she discoverd that he clothes still fit her, even though she is four now ;)

4-29-12

Hannah has called herself . " the birthday girl" all day.

The Birthday Girl is hungry.
The birthday girl is tired.
The Birthday Girl wants a cookie.

Haha... She's so cute!

4-25-12

Yesterday Nate broke out in hives all over his body after being stung by a few fire ants. This has never happened before. Does this mean that since it's happened once, it'll happen every time now and get progressively worse?

4-20-12

Yesterday while working on school work, I asked Hannah what her last name was. She said.... Banana!

Hahaha... What a funny girl. She did it for a laugh. She knows exactly what her last name is. I love her personality!!

4-17-12

After very much impressing myself with my drawing of "Nicole" on a scooter...I sat up and said," How about that? How 'bout them apples?"

Hannah looked at my picture and said, "Where are the apples?"

I started cracking up laughing (like...big time cracking up). When I was done Nicole said, "What's the matter with you mom? Hannah asked you a question and you just start laughing." (to which I started laughing even harder!)

Hahahaha...it's always so funny to use a weird expression and the kids have no idea what you mean! I'm crying I'm laughing so hard.

4-17-12

My greatest accomplishment so far today....my 2 year old son recognized my drawing as an airplane (and that's what it really was!) Drawing with Children really is helping ME learn to draw! woohoo!!!

4-7-12

Hannah has been cute lately...trying to use grown up phrases...but getting them wrong. yesterday she said, "I'm talkin 'bout it"...instead of "That's what I'm talkin about" and "this water is cold to death"...instead of "freezing to death".

3-16-12

Nate knows most of his colors... Except yellow. After earning a sticker he pointed one out. I asked what color and he said " pretty" hahaha

3-15-12

I love that Nate asks me to open the "door" when a cap is on a marker or a zip lock bag is closed up. He says "Door mamma, door".

3-14-12

We went to this little thrift store today that I drive by every time I head home. Finally stopped to look and as we were pulling in, Nicole saw what she wanted. A "2 wheel razor scooter" (like all the kids around here have). I wouldn't buy her a new one. She was SOOO sweet. We went to look at it, and it's in decent condition...just lots of names written on the body of the scooter. Sooo...

Nicole went in to ask a man how much it was...this is what she said, "Um, excuse me sir. I have always wanted a 2 wheel scooter and I finally found one outside, but I have no idea how much it is. Do you know?" (she was so sweet and polite). He walked outside and made up a price - $3.00. She looked at me with big giant eyes and I asked her if she had her money with her. She quickly perked up and said she had her wallet in the car. She empitied out her piggy bank the other day. This little girl couldn't be happier right now...and I'll be she'll take better care of it since she bought it herself :)

3-9-12

Hannah is still learning to pronounce a lot of words correctly. Today as we were on our nature hike Nicole and Hannah were talking and Hannah said the word Shadow wrong. Nicole kept trying to correct her and finally said, "Hannah, it's like cookie dough, but without the cookie". Haha...she cracked me up

3-6-12

Nicole just saw two ladybugs on top of each other. She said, " wow... They must really like each other.". 

Ya, I just left it at that:)

2-22-12

We are watching Black Beauty( the girls know the story well) and Hannah said, "mommy, what's that horse's name again... peppermint? "

Haha, no Hannah, it's Ginger ;)

2-9-12

Hannah likes to pretend she's a doggie or a kitty cat. I hate it. But, I've allowed the girls to pretend this if Hannah chooses (Nicole often "walks" her around). However, I won't talk to her if she's barking at me (I do interact with other pretends...I just don't like this one). Anyway...Hannah comes up to me, barking and squeaks "I pay 1 dollar, you buy me?" hahahaha...She has to pay ME to buy her! Silly girl.

1-25-12

Having three children who are super excited about birthdays makes for one fun day! All day my kids have been on ther best behavior. I have had crowns made, numerous cards, my name "mom" is taped on almost every door (?) and when Hannah started whining earlier Nicole said, "Hannah - NO WHINING! it's mommy's birthday and we don't whine today". Even my sweet baby boy occasionally looks at me and says "birday mamma, birday"

1-9-12

Just an FYI....Hannah talks and asks questions throughout a movie, so don't expect to get to watch it for yourself (and if you ask her to stop asking questions, she just whispers them to you instead ;)

1-8-12

We were not able to go to church this morning :( The girls were both so disappointed that they organized a home church service this afternoon.

First, we had Sunday School in their room. I read from their Bible while they ate snacks. Then, we went downstairs and sang a few worship songs... Daddy "preached" from John 8, followed by discussion and more singing.

I'm so glad my children have a heart to worship the Lord!

1-6-12

Best comment of the day so far, from Nicole ( my 5 1/2 year old)..." I feel like I'm six with these high heel shoes" hahahaha

Date: Unknown.  Sometimes when Hannah was 3 or so.  I had read the book Black Beauty to the girls.  Then, we watched the movie.  They loved the story and often asked to watch the movie.  Except....when Hannah asked it, she would say, "I want to watch Black Booby".  Funniest moment.  Hannah went up to Jeremy and said, "Daddy, you like Black Booby?"  Of course we couldn't help but laugh.  I couldn't post that on facebook, but I needed it written down somewhere so I never forget.  Thankfully, she can now saw Beauty:)

Hannah's teeth are falling out!

Somehow, Hannah's age hit me this afternoon. I still see a silly little three year old when I look at her. Not a 5 year old kindergartener. However, this afternoon I had to face the facts. Hannah lost her first tooth! I can't see a three year old anymore. Nope, I see a little girl growing up way to fast!

Her little tooth has been wiggly for over a month. She has enjoyed working on making it loose. Finally, today we knew it should come out. I made a batch of brownies as incentive for her to get it out. There was lots of years and drama. Finally, she came to me and asked me to pull it out. I wasn't sure I was ready for that, so I called on Jeremy. More years, more drama, and a few minutes later, he got it out.

She has been excited ever since! She keeps walking up to me and smiling.

So, here I am, realizing my babies are growing up.

Weather projects and other end of year school fun

One of the last units we studied with Cycle 1 of CC this year was weather.  I found this really great packet full of fun weather related science activities.  We spent a day trying most of them out.

This was my favorite.  For the first time ever (I know...I'm slow) I understood how weather fronts works, in the most basic ways of course.  I think this activity was called "Creating a Thunderstorm".  It was great!  The night before, I made several blue ice cubes.  The next morning we filled a container with warm tap water.  I put some red food coloring on the right side, and dropped a blue ice cub on the left side.  Immediately, you could see the warm water "rising" over the blue cold water.  Isn't it cool?

This is the moment of the Thunderstorm 

You can see the cold front has taken over.  

Next, we went outside to see if we could catch air.  We used a plastic produce bag.  For some reason, they were REALLY impressed by this.  Now, every time I go to the grocery store, they grab produce bags and run around "catching" the air.

Her bag of air.

 We also rubbed Vaseline all over one side of a paper plate, put a string through it and hung them on  trees around our yard.  We wanted to see what was in the air.  Unfortunately, we didn't get much.  Not eve a bug!

We tried to make rain.  I've done this one before and failed.  No surprise here...didn't work again.

 We made a cloud in this bottle.  Nicole thought it was pretty cool, so we kept doing it.

 I forget what we were trying to figure out here...but, the balloon got sucked into the bottle as the air inside it got colder.

 This was another "weird" one.  We were suppose to be discovering that air has weight.  The weird thing is that the deflated balloon showed more weight than the inflated one (wrong answer).  I am a good resource for science projects gone wrong by the way.

 This experiment was suppose to help us understand why the sky is blue.  I still don't know ;)

 This is a really cool math cube I found on pinterest.  Nicole learned about fact families, and this die had three numbers on each side. She had to roll the die then write the fact family math problems out.

I have no idea what is going on here...but it looks fun!

 Apple Tasting.  We bought 8 different types of apples.  First they had to inspect and draw the apples, then we tasted each of them.  This was a sour apple.  Wish I could have captured both of the sour faces as once!