For Their Sake

I've been trying to read so many books for quite some time now. One that is on the list is For The Children's sake. Today, while I've been waiting for little Peter to fall asleep for his nap (1.5 hours later, and he's still not sleeping!) I read the first part of ch. 2. Great read. Today, I plan to take the kids out and get to know them. How I'm going to do this, I don't know, but I'm going to do it.
I think I've given the last 90 minutes enough of a try. My two oldest are tired of waiting, I'm sure. Now to get out and see what we can find in God's nature!

FMHTY!

What I've been looking for!

Since we moved to our new home, I've been on the search for a nature study outlet. Living in the desert after a few years of experiencing the midwest has brought us to quite a transition! We are enjoying it, but discovering nature has been tougher than I thought it would be.
Now, I have found it! An information resource! This is a website to all the recreation parks in our area and it's amazing! There are bird walks, wildlife walks, stargazing, nature hikes, etc. I'm so excited! Tomorrow is the first bird walk coming up and I'm afraid we're going to have to miss it, unless I can pull everything together quick!
Anyway, I'm just so excited and had to share. For those who might live in the Phx, AZ area, here is the link.

A new phase...

I'm sure we (homeschooling mothers) have all been there. One in school, another just entering school age and interest, and then there's the little one who thinks he's just as big and can do all the others can. I am sitting in the bedroom of my boys. Frustrated is the word for my day. We have been going through a naptime transition for two months now. There have been times I've wondered if he was done, but that is a definite "NO", he's too cranky in the afternoon, he still needs them. There have been a few days that worked out perfectly. Then there are days like today. I've been battling with him for an hour. I'm at a complete loss! There are readings I must get done with my oldest child, not to mention the narrations to go with them. There are still a few things to get finished with for my middle one. And here I am, fighting with my toddler.
Have you been there too? What do we do? How can I find comfort in this time of frustration? I'm reminded of the Psalms. I think this one is somewhere around 120. From where does my help come? I look unto the hills. My Father in Heaven is up there, no he's down here with me. I am so thankful that God has revealed himself to us through his word. He is revealed enough for me to know and understand that, as many have said in the past, "this too shall pass." We all just need to take a deep breath and remember that we are not the only ones suffering our frustrations, and God has never left us alone.
Now, look at that. As I have been sittig here writing this down, my baby has snuggled himself up into his blanket on his bed and is obviously drifting off to dreamland.
I know this has been an odd sort of post, but I really needed to just let this out somehow. Remind myself (and maybe others in the process) that these times are to be cherished!

We are in the period of time that I am beginning to add my daughter into the mix for the school day. We are beginning her off with some short kindergarten lessons. She is thoroughly enjoying it.

The other day, we went on a nature walk in our neighborhood (yes, it actually happened in the city!) and we were delighted! God blessed us with the sighting of a beautiful Black Chinned Hummingbird! We are pretty certain that we have an idea about where the nest could be, we want to find it. We were also blessed to see an abandoned nest. Or it could be a decoy! I have no idea what bird it could belong to, but it was a nest and the kids got to see it in it's natural place!

Blessings, blessings, blessings. It's a new phase and frustrations have accompanied this one, but we are going to be okay!

From my heart to yours!

Drip, Drip, Tic, Toc!

Our Benjamin Bunny has decided that this term he wants his handicraft to be a clock. Today, we researched clocks. First, we learned that one of the oldest clocks (which were not very acurate all the time) were water clocks. Instead of the tic toc we hear today they heard drip drip! It was very interesting reading about all the different clocks created and used throughout time. Of course we all know about the sun dial, but the Clepsydra, Astrolabe, & Candle Clock were all new to me! They were all interesting to read about. The visuals at this website were fantastic in showing how they all worked. It is obvious there is much more to learn about clocks! If you go to the above website, be sure to click on the smaller pictures at the bottom of the page to see several other clocks used over the centuries!

Today, we picked up our first clock kit. Benjamin will begin working on it this week. He sure is excited!