200th POST!!

It only seemed  fitting that my 200th post be about a science experiment!  After all, a few years ago when I started this blog in 2008, it was an experiment.  I was testing out the idea of keeping up a blog~ since we get around a lot!!!  And, well, here were are in 2011 and I've been able to keep it up:)

The pictures today are of the girls doing a surface tension experient:)  First, we tested it in a cup of colored water.

 Fill the cups and drop pennies in 1 by 1 until you see the bulge at the surface--before the water runs over the cup!!!!

                 Then, do the same thing, only use a cup of soapy, green water :)

Some everyday household items make for the easiest and fun for the kids home projects~~~

Then, a penny, water, and medicine dropper.  This penny held 24 drops of plain water, but only 8 of soapy water!!  (The soap changes the water molecules and they are weaker)

Cool experiment~
....  I suddenly realized that I am not taking enough pics or writing enough memories!  So, that means, more posts:)   Stay tuned.....

My Joy

I wanted to post about how much I am enjoying homeschooling our girls!   In the beginning, ie preschool,  it was a notion I was not all that excited about.  I was one of those naysayers that we all know.  I was the one who had doubts about the social aspect and friendships and sheltering my children.  I agreed to try it for a year. Then, kindergarten, it became very convenient for our lifestyle.  I slowly learned that I was not so right!  Homeschooling definitely does not mean that you're at home or sheltered--let me tell you!!  Finally, first grade, I realized that it was the best thing for our family!   Our girls are learning so much, they are social butterflies, and are well traveled :)   
      I have the pleasure of seeing my children everyday.  I have the privilege of teaching them. I love that I am getting to know them so well:)  I get to see how they learn, when they face difficulties, how they deal with that, and when they have a victory!  We get to decide what we are learning about-so they love it!  We get to decide when we have school.  (And, it is not at 8am my friends!!!) We choose what feild trips and when!  We even get to have school in our jammies and drink hot chocolate:)

In thinking about this, I don't know what it would be like to send my children out to be taught everyday and only see them for a few hours in the evening?!  I don't think I'd like it.

Faith is learning and growing so quickly.  She is loving the piano and flourshing in ballet!  Her reading skills are great for first grade and I love to hear her sing. 

Dalaina is also loving our piano.  She is getting tall and learning so much!  She is learning at kindergarten level and doing amazing!

Science is their favorite subject--hands down!

Anyway, it is so amazing to see the fruit of our labor!  I get so excited when I catch glimpses of it:)

Arch Rock

We took a drive as a family, which is becoming a favorite around here.  It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day here.  So, we took a drive out past Bodega.  The scenery was just stunning!

The cliffs, and rocks, and waves, and birds.....

 ...and flowers

 ...and of course-slugs!

We almost stepped on this Ginormous, slimy, slug!!

Dalaina loved it!

The above picture shows Arch Rock---beautiful spot!  I got the picture right when the waves were crashing upon the rock!  It was quite the hike down, which we did not take today.

My gang~~~ I love 'em!

Gifts

The great thing about living on the opposite coast from your family is that Christmas lasts for more than a day!!  The girls get gifts from the cousins, the Grandma's, and Auntie April:)

GG sent them their very own princess Snuggies!!!!!!  They just love them. And, Dalaina was delighted to get her very own craft scissors--(at the age of four!)

 Faith was also delighted to get her very own garden kit---compelte with the tackle box to the watering can! She was so happy:)

 Gram sent them new coats for the cold days---perfect for this year and next!

Thanks everyone! ...until next Christmas

We took 2 weeks off from homeschool in December to make memories and messes!  We enjoyed the Wii---it is hilarious to watch the girls play these games:)

This was the first year that I didn't make our traditional Christmas casserole the night before--but, it worked out just fine!  We also baked a birthday cake.  The girls wanted a white cake and red icing- purity and blood:)

This was first year that we had the girls but gifts for each other and it was an awesome experience!  They loved shopping for each other and it was so nice to see them open the gifts and just love them!

The mess part came with baking 14 dozen cookies---what fun!  This was the first year I baked sooooo much-and different cookies:) However, I felt like something new!   Coconut maccaroons, snickerdoodles, peanutbutter blossoms, sugar cookies, oatmeal raisin, and chocolate chip.....shared with friends and family:)

We had great fun celebrationg or Savior's birth in December!!!!