Fall Leaves!

Took a break from school and went leaf jumping with our friends! The kids love playing "Leaf Monster" and also being tossed about and flipping into the 4' pile of leaves. Fun fun...

Trip of a Lifetime!

We took the opportunity to travel to Italy to see the sites and meet our family in Catanzaro, Italy (the heel of the boot)! Here we are at the Coliseum in Rome. More on what we learned in Italy later!

Flower Girl

Hannah was the flower girl of her cousin Valorie's wedding. She did a fantastic job! We practiced at home with torn paper -- she had fund tossing paper all over the floor. It was a total 'girl' weekend, complete with the salon hair style, flower, etc. Here are a couple of photos.

Reptile Zoo

We saw a man named Jim Harrison from the Reptile Zoo in Kentucky last week. He takes care of the reptiles and also extracts venom from the snakes. The venom is being used for cancer and stroke research. Jim has been bitten 19 times from snakes. He has been pronounced clinically dead twice on the operating table from venomous snake bites. They were able to bring him back to life. We learned that only snakes and lizards are reptiles. Alligators are in their own class. The photo to the left is an Eastern Diamondback snake. You can go to this video clip and learn more... http://www.kyreptilezoo.org/?Your_Visit

Great Blue Heron & Quote on Nature

Charlotte Mason Quote on Nature--
"It would be well if we all persons in authority, parents and all who act for parents, could make up our minds that there is no sort of knowledge to be got in these early years so valuable to children as that which they get for themselves of the world they live in. Let them once get in touch with Nature, and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life. We were all meant to be naturalists, each in his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things." --Charlotte Mason, Vol.1, p. 61

The Great Blue Heron posed long enough for us to get this photo. What a powerful and gorgeous bird!

The Helicopter Ride!

I went in a helicopter last Saturday. It was fun up in the helicopter. I got to ride in the front seat. You need to wear headphones so you can talk to the pilot. By Mark

By Hannah Summers I went up in a helicopter. I thought it was a blast. Once I went up in the helicopter, it was great and spectacular! It was the best thing I've ever done in the whole world! I got to go for two rides. I thanked Sam for taking me.

Blue bells...

Blue bells are my favorite spring flower! We went hiking with our friends last week and noticed some in bloom on the trail. If you get a chance, get out and see these beautiful, yet simple, flowers. I'm also posting a close up photo (not my own). My photo was too blurred -- trying to keep up with the group :)

Hosanna In the Highest!

The kids and I just re-read the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. They loved the story and also drew pictures of what they liked about the story. Hannah said that Jesus was smiling when he rode upon the donkey when the people were worshiping Him. I reminded her that He smiles even now when we worship Him and looks upon us with love and mercy, much like her drawing.
Mt. 21: 10-11 "And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."

Cullinan Diamond

This is the largest diamond in the world. This is our favorite diamond. It is 530 carats and it is shaped like a pear! It was found in South Africa and is named the Cullinan or the Star of Africa. Cullinan I was placed by King Edward in the Sovereign's Royal Sceptre as part of the Crown Jewels, and it is now on display in the tower of London. Estimated value is over $400 million! Wow!

Heroes

In the mornings, we've been reading a book called "Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes" by Dave & Neta Jackson. Today we read about Harriet Tubman who was conductor of the underground railroad, who freed 300 slaves during the Civil War. Her story is very inspiring. This month, we will be visiting a site that was part of the underground railroad and participating in a reenactment.

American Idol, look out!

I found this old clip recently of Mark and Hannah each singing a song. When Hannah sings her ABC song, she (age 3) is distracted by her new doll and the shoes. Listen & enjoy!

Piano lessons...

Mark is taking piano and learning his first few songs. He took group lessons last year for music theory and technique (notes and rhythm). That same group of boys are all taking individual lessons now and playing songs to the written music. He is enjoying it immensely and loves his awesome teacher, Beth. So Beth, if you're listening... here's Mark. He also just asked me if we could buy a piano just like the one at church (the Kurzweil). OH NO!! We're in trouble!

Upward Basketball

This was Mark's (and our) first stab at joining a basketball team. We have a local Upward Basketball league. We are thoroughly impressed with their approach to teaching the younger boys the sport. Here's a video of Mark playing and actually making a basket! Shoot 2!!!! Way to go Marko!