Spring Break

Spring break was in Valley Springs.  While Kevin was working hard with his brother on the cement project.  The kids got to play play play!  Three days with their cousins, makes for happy happy hearts!  We also enjoyed a family dinner out at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate my birthday.  So much fun to have everyone together, even if they did tell on me and have the waiters sing! good times!

The day I picked the kids up after a sleepover with their cousins, I met a couple of my cousins for lunch. Then we all traveled to a bird refuge, met my aunt and uncle there, and scouted a few birds out while getting in a nice visit.  I thought Caiden would be really excited about this. He was SUPER tired from all that star wars and wii, he did spot a few and did manage the walk, by the end, both kiddos crawled into the van ready to sleep on the way home. I haven't seen them worn out like that in a LONG time!

The artists at work

We spent our spring break in Valley Springs.  Kevin and his brother did a good size concrete project at their parents' house during the week.

The first step was to cut out the broken section. Roughly 25x10 foot size.  We rented a walk behind concrete saw.

The saw used lots of water, which caused a large puddle at the end of the drive.  I got to sweep a bunch of it up onto the street to drain away.

Once enough cutting had been done Terry started lifting out the sections.  They would be set aside, then broken by the sledge hammer and put into the pickup.  By the end of the project, four loads of broken cement had been taken to the dump.

Next came using the pick ax to clean up the edges and put molds in on the side. Level out the dirt/clay, spread wire and suspend it so it would be in the middle of the cement, not against the ground.

Next up?  The big day....Cement truck arrived around 9:30 and the guys were ready!

A little smoothing out, and all done!

Beautiful work!  I do believe those two guys were just a little tired and sore for a few days!

some glimpses

A few scenes from our homeschooling time.

 Kevin has graciously taken on spending time with the kiddos during science labs.  Our emphasis this year is physics.  I was able to order some pretty cool educational kits for them.  They have completed magnetism, light and electricity together.

 This is our schedule helper this year.  Instead of using a piece of paper that I lose or forget about. I put it up on the wall and rearrange each week and each day as necessary.  I started by making cards for each time I wanted to cover a topic for the week. (For example, 4 math cards, and 1 math games card) Then by working around outside activities and events, I fill in our school days with the remaining time.  This helps us all stay on track, as well as helps us remember to get the "extras" in each week (like art lessons, music and art history, piano).  It is easy to remember the Basics, but often the wants and extras slip through the cracks as the days go by SO fast.  This helps us all feel like there is a rhythm to our time.  The kids like to turn the cards over when a subject is done, that helps them feel like they are accomplishing important things!

 Our school table moved to the end of the dining room to make room for the Christmas tree in the living room.  I like it there for now, so it hasn't gone back.  Some science posters for the year.

 We spent a few weeks on South America and the struggles for freedom. (we are in the early 1800's)  I found a great site to print FREE large maps.  Then I found flags somewhere online, and we merged the two into a neat wall display.  I also had each kiddo read a book about one of the countries and write a couple of paragraphs about it.

Next up?  We are finishing up a history text, which will take us up to the 49ers. Then beginning another text, and will start into simple machines for science.  I think these will be great topics to end the spring with!

preparing the ground

There are several meanings to "prepare the ground" or preparing for the harvest.  One of my favorite movies is Facing the Giants  Where the idea of "preparing for rain" refers to being obedient to the Lord in good and bad times, and trusting Him, the Lord of the Harvest, to bring in the crop, or souls.

As a farming family we depend on rain, both from God and through man made irrigation systems.  We live in a desert area, so any chance I have for a lush yard, requires irrigation and plenty of effort on our part.  We have been in our new house for 3 1/2 years now and it is time to put in grass!  I can hardly wait to have green outside our windows, to hear the sprinkling of water, to hear the roar of the mower, and smell the fresh cut grass.

Today, bright and early, my hubby went to town to rent a trencher. This fabulous machine makes quick work of an otherwise back breaking labor!  Before noon, he had gotten nearly a thousand feet trenched.  Down to the main line and up around the house for spigots.  He will be laying in pipe for water to come up from the irrigation ditch, as well as extend the line from our well for fresh water.

The man has many talents.  He has also welded together a new clothesline for me!  We bought heavy gauge wire today to string between the posts and concrete to cement them in!  I am looking forward to line dried clothes and green grass this summer!