Volcano Day

This week in school we have been studying volcanoes.  I like to use unit studies by Amanda Bennett and Logan picked out the one on volcanoes.  I learned just as much as him during this study too.  They are a really fun way to learn about a topic, but another reason I like to use them is because they are cross-curriculum.  We learn about science, geography, chemistry, history, etc....through these studies.

One of Logan's friends, Nathaniel Randolph, recently started being homeschooled.  I told his mom about these studies and this week we did the study simultaneously.  On the last day, we had a "Volcano Day".  It was a fun, yet educational day. 

We first recorded a news show. 

It was hilarious.  For a good laugh, click on this link to see the video: Volcano News

Our next activity was making lava lamps.  This was an easy, inexpensive, fascinating project. 
Here's how what you need:

-Vegetable oil

-Groovy shaped water bottles

-Food coloring

-Alka-Seltzer

-Funnel

-Water

First fill up the water bottles half way with vegetable oil:

 
Next, fill the rest of the water bottle with water:

Then add food coloring:

The next step is where the magic happens.  Break up an Alka-Seltzer and drop in the bottle. 

Watch it bubble...

(before watching the video scroll down to the bottom of the page and pause the music)

Our next activity was explosive.  We did this a few years ago, but it is a favorite!  You can get this kit at Hobby Lobby.  Make sure you get diet coke so it isn't sticky.

We quickly learned that we needed to do this on a flatter surface because this was our first attempt:

Our last project was making our own volcano.  Here's how to make your own.  First get a tub, dirt, and a jar.  Place the jar in the center and put dirt all around the jar:

Add 1/2 cup of water:

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda:

Add 6 TBS of dishwashing liquid:

Add red food coloring:

Stir together:

Take turns☺

Then, add 1/2 cup vinegar and watch it erupt!

They said it was Mt. Vesuvius covering Pompeii.

Logan already asked to make another one.

Amanda made these cool treats that represent the parts of the earth. 

It shows the crust, mantle, and core when you cut it open:

I think we should take a field trip to see some volcanoes in Hawaii☺ Whether you homeschool or not, these are great studies to do with your children.  Next week, we are going to do study about Israel.  I already want to go there!

Living Worship

I have been studying the book of Hebrews for the last several weeks and in my study of Chapter 10, I learned something that I wanted to share.  The focus in Chapter 10 is to point out that Jesus is the one and only sacrifice.  There is no longer a need for continual sacrifices to be made for the sins of the people by the priest because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice made for us all.  Everything in the Old Testament was pointing toward Jesus and what He came to do.

Later in the chapter, the writer talks about judgement.  The bible repeatedly refers to the judgement of the wicked.  That can give us a sense of justice when the wicked can get away with murder while the godly suffer for doing right.  God is the judge, and vengeance is His, so we can leave that in God's hands and know that He is right.

The Bible also talks about the judgement of the righteous.  The righteous are not condemned because of their sins, those sins are forgiven and eternal life based on faith in Christ is granted.  The Bible is clear that the righteous shall live by faith, so in what sense are the righteous judged?

For believers, our judgment is clear.  It determines reward of loss of reward, not guilt or innocence.  We are all guilty of sin, but when we believe in Him we are declared not guilty because of the work of Christ on the cross.  He paid our debt and took our punishment. 

However, Jesus will return and His reward will be with Him.  We will one day stand before His judgement seat, and He will judge us according to the deeds we have done-how we lived in faith.  We may receive rewards or we may lose them.

The rewards are described as crowns.  In Revelation 4:10 the elders fall down before the throne of our Creator and cast their crowns before His throne.  This is a beautiful picture of wholehearted worship.  We live our lives in faith, we persevere, and we love the Lord's appearing.  We can give the crowns we receive to our Lord to show Him our allegiance and our submission.  We acknowledge that all we have came from Him and belongs to Him, so we give it back to Him in worship. 

We aren't perservering in order to get; we're perservering in order to give.  Our faithfulness is an act of worship that culminates in giving everything to God.  That's what our everyday lives should be like-living worship of the living Word.

from The Key to Living by Faith by Kay Arthur and Pete DeLacy

Hungry Caterpillar

I had a request from family in Indiana for some updated pictures of Lane, so here they are.  The talented Amber Weatherly made the outfits for the photos.  So stinkin' cute!!

Doesn't he have beautiful lips? ☺

This is a turtle outfit.  This is the best one I got.  He was over taking pictures at this point.

Look at his little fat rolls.  He is getting chubby.

The face before a cry.

Easter Weekend

Easter is one of my favorite holidays because of the meaning for the celebration.  Without Christ's death and resurrection, we would be without hope.  We had a wonderful, but busy weekend with gatherings with family and friends. 

On Friday evening, we tried something new.  We had a glow-in-the-dark Easter Egg Hunt at my house.  It was seriously the best egg hunt I have ever seen.  It will be an annual event from now on.

The boys were helping to get the eggs ready for the hunt.

Lucas couldn't wait for his friends to get there.

They were ready to hunt! 

This looked so neat in the yard.  I wish my pictures would have turned out better, but it was too dark.

My boys love trophies, so I got this for the winner of the most eggs.

It was close, but Logan won.

Trent found the prize egg and won a gift certificate to 32 Degrees.

Lane was there too☺  He slept the whole time in his swing.

I haven't ever dyed or decorated eggs with the boys before.  We usually just fill plastic eggs, but I wanted to do real ones this year.  They loved it!



We let the boys open up their Easter surprises on Saturday instead of Sunday morning this year.

The newest "What's in the Bible" DVD is out.

Check out these cool socks.  They have capes on them.  The boys loved them!

I love seeing their faces!  Landon got them a basketball goal for the basement.

Easter at Mom's

A little corn hole and dragon slaying...

I am so glad they are back in Sparta!!

Resurrection Sunday

I put Lucas in the egg hunt with the big kids this year because I couldn't be in two places at once.  Margaret let him have a head start. 

And they're off!

'Tis the season for argyle.

Lane's first Easter.

Easter at Mike and Suzanne's

The adults still hunt for Easter eggs.

Lucas wanted to help me, but he was very disappointed in our pitiful attempt.  I only found two.