looking for the positive...

One of the *good* things about the drenching Texas rains we've been getting... What an awesome sight in the middle of the day!

Letter Writing

My oldest son writes a letter (or more) each week for his copy work. He likes keeping in touch with his friends and grandparents that live far away and he LOVES getting mail. Lately he's been asking to write to all kinds of different people... so one letter went off to Derek Jeter from the New York Yankees and another is going to his favorite author this week. Letter writing is so rewarding in so many ways that it is perfect for a homeschooling family to incorporate into the daily schedule of seat work.

My little "Edward Scissorhands!"

My middle son LOVES to craft things and is constantly drawing, coloring, sketching, cutting, glueing and taping...!!!! He made this really neat giraffe one morning before the rest of the family was even up and going! Every shape was individually cut out and then positioned together. He's so clever! These creations make me smile and smile!

Releasing Butterfly

Our monarch came out beautifully and we decided to release her in our rose bush. The boys loved it! She didn't stay around our place though, and flew up, up and away as soon as we let her go. It's so much fun to watch a caterpillar become a butterfly!

Volcano!

My oldest son had this volcano kit given to him on his birthday so we thought it would be fun to do on this hot, stormy week! His brothers had a ball gathering around and watching him *explode* it over and over!! We have also made volcanoes from water bottles before too. Just mix the vinegar with some red food coloring and add it to the baking soda- stand back and watch the reaction! Such fun!

Caterpillar

This is our newest 'pet'- Chris the Caterpillar. We found him a few weeks ago on some milkweed around the lake and brought him home to watch him become a Monarch. We haven't done this for 2 years, so the boys are all very excited! My middle son, at 6, is especially concerned about the caterpillar and makes sure he is well cared for and is anxious to collect the milkweed and check on him.

Chris grew very rapidly! I waited to take his picture until after he was much bigger. We could barely see him when we first found him. He has now gone into his chrysalis and we are patiently waiting for him to emerge as a monarch!

"Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab"

This was a great picture book about the African Baobab tree. It's written by Barbara Bash (who is also the author of "Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus") and is packed full of information. I love these books that focus on one particular tree and show the entire life cycle of the tree and how it can affect the land, animals, and humans and how God in His infinite wisdom has created everything in such perfect harmony! A great read when you can't be *out* in nature!