His Roses

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

A Brooding Parsite

That is not a very pleasant thing to be called.

At first we were excited to see a new bird that we had not seen before, but once we read his bio we were less enthusiastic about him.

His call is most fascinating and unusual like gurgling water, and he is bold for a bird.

We identified him as a male brown headed cowbird. The reason they are called brooding parasites is quite sad, for the female lays her egg(s) in another bird's nest and then leaves. The resident mom sits on the egg(s) along with her own. When they hatch, that's when things get messy. The cowbird baby gets all of the food, because it's bigger. The other babies either starve or get pushed out.

What lesson can I learn from the cowbird? Build my own nest. Don't leave my responsibilities to someone else. And teach my kids to not be selfish. What do you learn from the cowbird?

Mother/Son Minute To Win It

Josiah and I had a great time at a special event for mothers and sons with our homeschool friends. We had a dinner and then played games from a show called Minute To Win It. Although us moms, were a bit nervous at first about what we might have to do (like pick up cotton balls with our nose using petroleum jelly), we quickly got into the action and had a blast with our sons.

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Friday, March 23, 2012

What's Next?

Well, after a short study on the reproductive system, which involved learning about glands and hormones and genes, and reading this book . . .

Sorry it's sideways, I'll try to fix it later

we are done with Anatomy and ready to start learning about the Solar System with . . .

In the Young Explorers Series

Our study of the human body was fascinating and fun, but it's so exciting to begin something new. I've been looking through this book and there are some really cool hands-on things we will be doing. Can't wait to take pictures and share those with y'all.

Also, we just finished another one of our read-alouds.

Yet another sideways book

It was about a young boy who was to be a squire, but became sick and could not walk. He was cared for by monks, who helped him to regain his strength (learning to walk with crunches) and taught him how to carve and play a harp. This book helped us to get a picture of what it was like to live in the Medieval Times.

Now, we look forward to reading . . .

Last sideways book

This book has alot of color pictures in each chapter. It should be fun to read. We've already heard this story and even seem a video of it, but I'm still thinking it will be new and fresh.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

What do you see?

Eyes look out into pollen filled day. Chatter of excitement coming from their lips.

What could be so fascinating? Their gaze is held as she downs Ibuprofen and nurses a stubbed toe.
My curiosity won't let me wait another minute.

With camera in hand, I come closer and see that the window is open a bit at the bottom to allow for exchange of conversation, . . . but with whom?

"Oh, it's just a squirrel", I think. Yet to them, it seems an old friend. He even has a name. Is this why some refuse to eat the crust of their bread, so that I will put it on the railing to wait for a moment like this?

To see nature up close. Wild eyes looking at you. Studying each other. Fascinating creatures God has made. Looking at us in our house with windows. Taking what we offer without complaint.

Help me to see with fresh eyes, Lord, what you have for me today.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Great to Be "8"

Josiah turned "8" today and to make it special, he got a donut cake for breakfast with a candle stuck through the hole.

He also got to go to Alexander Park to fly a kite that he got for his birthday at an early party he had last month at Grandmother and Grandfather's (at which I did not take my camera).

a boy and his kite

"Come on, go up!"

"Success!"

Others also enjoyed flying kites. It was a cloudy day, but the wind was just right. We chose Alexander Park, because they have such a big open field with very few trees.