RANDOM THOUGHTS

I have a weird confession to make:  I blog incessantly in my head.  Sometimes I wish my brain were plugged in to a word processor so I could keep track of all the posts and articles that I write in my head.  (Of course, most of my head compositions are spectacular and masterpieces.... and of course, they are "written" while sleep deprived and TRYING to drift off to sleep....)

Our baby birds are growing daily.  It has been fun to watch these miniature robins grow.  Our dog loves barking at them. We love listening to them chirp.  They have feathers now and sleep often.

These unusual flowers are blooming outside my front door.  They are so beautiful and almost look fake.  I LOVE them!

I love The Piano Guys!  If you get a chance check them out on You Tube.  I even have a Piano Guys radio station on Pandora Radio.  The Piano Guys help soothe crying babies and even keep my big girls entertained!  They really do a lot of good with their talents!  Here is their newest piece:
 

HOME SCHOOL CONFERENCE

I'm sorry that I have been missing in action for the past two weeks.  I have been anxiously engaged in good causes but my blogging has suffered.

I was blessed to be able to attend a home school conference last weekend in Cincinnati.  It was amazing!  I had fun with my roommates; Michelle, Lori and Tina.  And I learned so much from all the classes I was able to attend.

Amanda Bennett was one of my favorite presenters.  She has been married for over 32 years to the same guy and has 18 years of homeschooling experience.  She is the author of more than 90 books and teaches a lot about unit studies.  (Which is a method I love using with my daughters.)  She is very down to earth, and uses both humor and candor to share her messages of encouragement as well as practical help for homeschooling parents.  I loved her classes.

Andrew Pudewa was another of my favorite speakers.  Andrew developed the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  He addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity, insight and practical experience.  (He also is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan [Suzuki Method].  He actually studied under Mr. Suzuki, himself.)

There was also TONS of shopping for curriculum and school "goodies".  I had to show a lot of self-restraint not to spend millions of dollars.  :-)  I think I did good.  I spent under $50.

It was a fun trip.  And an educational one.  I'll share my notes later....

PHYSICS PHRIDAY AT THE SCIENCE CLUB

Learning about physics was TONS of fun! We created pin-wheels and marshmallow catapults! :-)

BABY BIRDS

About three weeks ago we discovered this in our gas grill:

The birds created a nest....

And laid 4 eggs....

Today we saw this:

Heavenly Father's creations are truly magnificent!

ART IS FUN!

Wow! Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy are extremely talented. I already knew that... but today I have proof. First they created an incredible landscape with our friend, Stacey LaRue, out of pastels. Aren't they spectacular?

Then we created miniature corn-hole games with Applesauce. It was a fun day of learning!

TODAY IN SCIENCE

Today was Edible Science! It was really fun!

First we put colors in milk and "magically" swirled the colors using dish washing soap. It was BEAUTIFUL!

Kotten Kandy learned that just because something IS edible doesn't mean it tastes good. Oobleck is made from cornstarch and water. She didn't like the taste. I wonder why?

Oobleck is truly amazing. Sometimes it's a liquid and sometimes it's a solid. Key Lime Pie loves playing in the unusual substance.

Kotten Kandy and Marmalade shook their concoction of milk, sugar, cream and vanilla.Key Lime Pie and her violin student also made ice-cream by tossing the mixture back and forth.

DELICIOUS!

Edible science is really yummy!

And here are some pics from Monday's crystal activities:

I WILL RISE

This song touches my heart! It really is what Easter is all about! Please listen!

EASTER

I forgot to blog about Easter! Oops.

I truly love the Easter holiday! I enjoy the Spring-time feeling in the air.

I love the chocolate.

I relish creating Easter surprises for my daughters and handsome husband. (The Easter Bunny always comes on Saturday for us so we can focus on what's most important on Sunday.) Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy LOVED their Hunger Game posters... and Scott got 200 Easter eggs with a note of why I love him in each.....

I adore the dresses! Key Lime Pie made her dress yellow and Kotten Kandy chose pink. They are very talented. I even sewed my FIRST thing - a skirt! :-)

But at Easter I am mostly grateful for my Savior's sacrifice. I am indebted to Him for his love and devotion. I am thankful for this holiday to focus on what is most important - Jesus Christ's atonement and resurrection!