Saturday, December 10, 2011
Candy Cane Deer project
I just posted the instructions and supplies for these cute reindeer candy canes, on my What's in the Box? blog. Thought I would let ya know in case you are looking for a simple, fun project to do this season.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Our annual pumpkin catapult project
A couple years back, we purchased a catapult kit (from Rainbow Resources) for our boy, since we were covering Medieval history that year. It also happened to be the time of year when those little candy corn pumpkins were flooding the stores with their sweet goodness, and so one particular day the boy decided he wanted to see how far a candy pumpkin would go. It was then that our annual pumpkin catapult was born. So each year we now make an effort to see how far the pumpkins will go, and then add in a variety of other items to test their fly-ability too. The winner is noted to see what can break it the following year.
Mind you, this is not just play time. The boy must mark out with a tape measure, the distances and mark them (math)-then once we have the distances marked, we will (do this next week) average out each item's distance traveled (math again). We also are seeing physics and aerodynamics in play. We make predictions on which item will go the furthest (so we're calculating mass to figure this out)...and so on. Plus, it is just plain fun. We had a gorgeous day and our results were fun.
Pumpkin did the worst-but was consistent
Frog was quite the flyer actually, beating pumpkin by at least 4 ft each time
Rock, well it did pretty good-it was all over the place
Ball went fairly far but wasn't giving us the results we expected
Die was the champion hands down! It rocked the competition and the winning catapult was at 29 ft. 6 in.!
We didn't touch the tension at first-so pumpkin could have gone farther after we tightened it right? Nope. Didn't go but an inch or so farther after-interesting heh?
Once tightening the tension-things did go further.
The catapult we have cannot withstand our grueling tests-we needed to tape the bar that the catapult arm slams against-so hopefully, next year we can do this with a new one. This baby needs to retire.
And there you have it-our annual pumpkin catapult results.
Mind you, this is not just play time. The boy must mark out with a tape measure, the distances and mark them (math)-then once we have the distances marked, we will (do this next week) average out each item's distance traveled (math again). We also are seeing physics and aerodynamics in play. We make predictions on which item will go the furthest (so we're calculating mass to figure this out)...and so on. Plus, it is just plain fun. We had a gorgeous day and our results were fun.
not sure where the ball was-but these were the main contenders
Results:
Pumpkin did the worst-but was consistent
Frog was quite the flyer actually, beating pumpkin by at least 4 ft each time
Rock, well it did pretty good-it was all over the place
Ball went fairly far but wasn't giving us the results we expected
Die was the champion hands down! It rocked the competition and the winning catapult was at 29 ft. 6 in.!
Facts:
We didn't touch the tension at first-so pumpkin could have gone farther after we tightened it right? Nope. Didn't go but an inch or so farther after-interesting heh?
Once tightening the tension-things did go further.
The catapult we have cannot withstand our grueling tests-we needed to tape the bar that the catapult arm slams against-so hopefully, next year we can do this with a new one. This baby needs to retire.
I pointed out the pumpkin-I actually caught it just before it landed-cool!
And there you have it-our annual pumpkin catapult results.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Salt Dough Projects that really burned an impression on us
Working thru the Considering God's Creation-unit 4, we came upon this activity for the Sedimentary/Metamorphic rock lesson. I have not done salt dough projects in a long time-so after making the dough-I had to research to see how long we needed to bake these babies [this info was sadly missing from the guide]. Well, after a small fire (a hot pad fell down outta my pile I had used to pull the parchment paper/dough off the cookie sheet to cook the underside. I didn't see it when I closed the door-luckily the hubby spotted a small flame rising from the bottom of the oven) and then forgetting about it b/cuz it takes oh, 4-5 ish hours on about 212 degrees to bake it right [yes, it is easy to forget, and then hubby jacked up the oven to get ready for dinner]-we ended up with a decent (albeit slightly toasted looking) project. [sheesh!] Let's just say this is one project we won't soon forget! LOL....it is a great way to illustrate the idea of what happens with sedimentary rocks and fossils.
In case you want to try this yourself, you will need
1 cup of salt
1 cup of flour
and water to make it pliable
a cookie sheet and parchment paper if you don't want it sticking to the pan
items to make impressions
spread out to use, bake at 212-220 degrees for 4-5 hours until baked thru. Flip at least once 1/2 way thru to bake underside. I pulled the parchment paper with the goodies on it off the cookie sheet after it had baked for about 2-3 hours-it is safe to sit on the rack. Note to self: check for dropped hot pads. Cool-use for demos. :)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Convention Post 3: Ludy's When God Writes Your Love Story
All the information I note is available in their books. I have been using the Ludy materials for years with my kids and I can honestly say, they are some of the best. I will list (at the end of the post) the ones I have personally read and own. I must say, they are doing a great job with our youth! They are causing them to really think about what they are doing (not just in the dating arena, but what they are doing-or not-for God). Now after so many years, I have had the pleasure of hearing them speak, and am convinced that the Lord has one powerful call on their lives!
Eric spoke about how we, as Christians, [usually] will pitch our tent just past the line of demarcation [barely past the desert line] over on the Promised Land side-to then simply set up camp, and call it quits He stressed we should not quit, or settle just past that Promise Land entry. Due to the expanse being so great, we shortchange ourselves by being content with stopping there. Keep moving inside of it, toward the other side to see what God brings. Great concept actually. This would make for a great convo with your teens for sure.
He also pointed out that we should never measure ourselves with everyone around us (worldly view on things) but rather compare and measure ourselves to Christ (to go deeper into our faith and walk with him).
Now I must say, if you have never heard Eric speak-well, he has the gift of preachering (new word there) like those old timers who would set up a tent and fire up the town with their message. He is the "Love Brother Love Traveling Show" [Neil Diamond song there, in case you are wondering] kinda preacher! Seriously! He has that kind of anointing on him and it suits his personality well. He definitely is passionate about what he lectures on and teaches, and it is a nice, refreshing change. Then his lovely wife, Leslie is much more subdued and gentle. It is nice to hear them both speak during the session so you can get a change up in presentation, as well as a male and female point of view.
Leslie got into the 4 points that allow God to write your love story (and again-all of this is noted in their book with the same title). Ok, here is where it gets a bit muddled...they spoke so fast to cover the points, that I am not entirely sure which is which and if I have em right exactly. Suffice it to say, I am slightly guessing but it sounds right (if my ole brain can recollect right).
Point 1: Give God your pen. IF you try to write your love story-it will come out a mess and can lead to well-nothing good. (my words not hers) [Eric popped back into the chat with this ditty]...When God comes knocking we only let him in the front hall and a few rooms. We need to allow him in all of our rooms, even the locked ones-so that He can lead our lives-not the other way around. He noted that most of us cannot trust God because we cannot see His heart but by doing so-He can get into all the areas of our heart to make them ready.
Point 2: Build your life around Jesus Christ. I think that goes without saying.
Point 3: Live in an Act of Faithfulness. Be single in your mindset-that yes you are taken but not with a dude or chick-but with Christ himself. Live as you should-with a pure heart and mind. Not to be a "somebody" or attract attention of the opposite sex. I will save my opinion and preachering on this for another post someday (I am totally agreeing with them on this, in case you are wondering-and have brought our kiddos up to follow this point).
Point 4: Draft a Winning Team. Use your mom and dad to help you along in your story. Have a good relationship with them. See their assistance not as a pain but rather as a blessing-esp. since mom and dad may have some inside info/feelings that you the prospective bride/groom doesn't. You know you are in a Godly story when your relationship pulls you closer to God/Jesus Christ instead of farther away. Use your mentors and such too-but (I don't recall if they said this exactly but it is a good way to live) always check your spirit (not your heart b/cuz it can be deceived) against the Word. This is one that you will have to work on (mom and dad) to help build that bridge of trust and respect. Being overly involved to the other spectrum of taking a vacation to the moon, in regard to your child's life/love story, will not work-find the middle ground. Pray for clarity and wisdom.
Also-they touched on the fact that -we (mom and dad) need to be praying not only for our children, but our children's future spouses! How awesome is that!? God is so amazing and wants nothing but the very best for our kiddos-including our children's spouses! :)
When God Writes Your Love Story
When Dreams Come True
When God Writes Your Life Story
When Dreams Come True
Authentic Beauty
Set Apart Femininity
God's Gift to Women
Teaching True Love to a Sex at 13 Generation (this one is for the folks more than teens)
Bravehearted Gospel (new-still reading)
Wrestling Prayer (new-still reading)
Eric spoke about how we, as Christians, [usually] will pitch our tent just past the line of demarcation [barely past the desert line] over on the Promised Land side-to then simply set up camp, and call it quits He stressed we should not quit, or settle just past that Promise Land entry. Due to the expanse being so great, we shortchange ourselves by being content with stopping there. Keep moving inside of it, toward the other side to see what God brings. Great concept actually. This would make for a great convo with your teens for sure.
He also pointed out that we should never measure ourselves with everyone around us (worldly view on things) but rather compare and measure ourselves to Christ (to go deeper into our faith and walk with him).
Now I must say, if you have never heard Eric speak-well, he has the gift of preachering (new word there) like those old timers who would set up a tent and fire up the town with their message. He is the "Love Brother Love Traveling Show" [Neil Diamond song there, in case you are wondering] kinda preacher! Seriously! He has that kind of anointing on him and it suits his personality well. He definitely is passionate about what he lectures on and teaches, and it is a nice, refreshing change. Then his lovely wife, Leslie is much more subdued and gentle. It is nice to hear them both speak during the session so you can get a change up in presentation, as well as a male and female point of view.
Point 1: Give God your pen. IF you try to write your love story-it will come out a mess and can lead to well-nothing good. (my words not hers) [Eric popped back into the chat with this ditty]...When God comes knocking we only let him in the front hall and a few rooms. We need to allow him in all of our rooms, even the locked ones-so that He can lead our lives-not the other way around. He noted that most of us cannot trust God because we cannot see His heart but by doing so-He can get into all the areas of our heart to make them ready.
Point 2: Build your life around Jesus Christ. I think that goes without saying.
Point 3: Live in an Act of Faithfulness. Be single in your mindset-that yes you are taken but not with a dude or chick-but with Christ himself. Live as you should-with a pure heart and mind. Not to be a "somebody" or attract attention of the opposite sex. I will save my opinion and preachering on this for another post someday (I am totally agreeing with them on this, in case you are wondering-and have brought our kiddos up to follow this point).
Point 4: Draft a Winning Team. Use your mom and dad to help you along in your story. Have a good relationship with them. See their assistance not as a pain but rather as a blessing-esp. since mom and dad may have some inside info/feelings that you the prospective bride/groom doesn't. You know you are in a Godly story when your relationship pulls you closer to God/Jesus Christ instead of farther away. Use your mentors and such too-but (I don't recall if they said this exactly but it is a good way to live) always check your spirit (not your heart b/cuz it can be deceived) against the Word. This is one that you will have to work on (mom and dad) to help build that bridge of trust and respect. Being overly involved to the other spectrum of taking a vacation to the moon, in regard to your child's life/love story, will not work-find the middle ground. Pray for clarity and wisdom.
Also-they touched on the fact that -we (mom and dad) need to be praying not only for our children, but our children's future spouses! How awesome is that!? God is so amazing and wants nothing but the very best for our kiddos-including our children's spouses! :)
Ludy Books we use/have read and recommend:
When God Writes Your Love Story
When Dreams Come True
When God Writes Your Life Story
When Dreams Come True
Authentic Beauty
Set Apart Femininity
God's Gift to Women
Teaching True Love to a Sex at 13 Generation (this one is for the folks more than teens)
Bravehearted Gospel (new-still reading)
Wrestling Prayer (new-still reading)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)