Mr.E

I was laughing at the title which I wrote first.. Mr. E... mystery... anyway ..

Mr. E is a wonderful gentleman who happens to be a Master Gardener, Master beekeeper, science enthusiast, speaker, and educator. We are blessed that he is willing to share his passion with a group of homeschoolers which include my children. 

Here are a few pics from past classes..

During one class we learned about composting, vermicompost, drip irrigation, and more

Mr. E's garden and chicken coop in the background

  

how to vermicompost

beets in a tub

During another class we learned all about bee's .. well, a lot about bees!

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Honey comb

Man made snag for wild/ native bees to make their homes

We ... I mean the kids ( o.k. we because I am there too and  I learn so much!) also had an astronomy class with Mr. E and it was so cool! I wish I had taken pictures but they did get to look at the sun through a special film which made the sun look kinda like the moon, without the blinding rays and all.  It's called a BAADER film if you are interested in one. 

Next month we are lucky enough to be having a class all about chickens which I think is awesome because one day I would love to have some. I think the kids will love it also because they keep begging me to let them move to a farm. My oldest says she is " an accidental city girl", waiting to be a "farm/ cowgirl"

It's no mystery, I think we are pretty blessed by Mr.E

We'll be seeing you next time! 

Creeping Things

           And God said , "Let the Earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds-livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds" And it was so. Genesis 1:24

Today ended up being an "creeping things" kind of day. During our ( the kids and I)  morning walk we decided to deviate from our usual route and stumbled upon an armadillo carcass. The kids had a great time snapping pictures and identifying all of the bits.... but were quite saddened by how this armadillo could have happened upon its fate.  They decided that it had probably been hit by a car and then that vultures had eaten the flesh. Bears and dogs were rules out since so many parts were still intact and the kids were sure a larger animal would have done more damage. We also talked about the birds and how they would be fed by the armadillo. It was a neat learning experience and discussion.

Here are some pics that my eldest took on my phone

Poor guys claw

Jaw and a few teeth

Spine...we found the ribs a few feet away

The debate topic for the day by chance was " should animals be used in scientific research?"
The kids all said no immediately. They made a pro and con list and decided against any pro's. I then had the kids watch an episode of  "Nick News" with Linda  Ellerbee " Animal Rights or Wrongs.

" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlqQE4ADJ3M

The kids still thought that there were no pro's after watching the show. It was a bit emotional since they discussed the use of dogs in research for diabetes treatments. Being that my son is a Type 1 diabetic made the information bittersweet. My sons eyes grew wide and then teary, I could see the conflict.

While I understand the use of animals in research, I don't necessarily like it. My heart is conflicted... and so are my children's( though they are still against it), and I am kinda glad.  I am kinda glad because I see compassion an respect for living things. I also see hearts that will be good stewards of our Lord's creations.  
If we look at Genesis 2: 15 we see that "The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it"

I think that the word dress and keep imply a tender caring for. To dress means to prepare or treat something in a particular way. We "dress" our children .. we treat them in a particular way. And then to "keep" to retain possession of, or to cause to continue in a specific condition. We keep things we value in a specific condition.

I think that's an ideal we should try to maintain.....  

Flat Stanley Visits Florida

I was thrilled to hear from my cousin who was sending Flat Stanley all the way from New Jersey to our home in Florida. Here is what Stanley did while he was here for two days.

This is Stanley arriving! The kids were so excited!

After meeting the family, Stanley met our pet bird Paco. Paco sings whenever he hears water running, so he is very chatty.

Every morning before school, our family and dog go for a bike ride and then play in the park by our house.

This is what the sky looked like in Florida while Stanley was here.

While at the park we found all kinds of neat things like moss...

Lichen.. 

it's made up of fungus and algae

and acorns. The kids learned that you can make acorn flour out of acorns. Some people actually eat this. They didn't, but had fun looking inside the acorns.

Stanley went to school with the kids, they are home schooled. This is Stanley with the kids in the schoolroom. 

This was their work for the day

Stanley joined in during school. Here he is doing a craft.

  

While the kids were busy Stanley had fun playing with math manipulatives

Stanley found out that we owned a book about him, it's a good one!

One day a week the kids go to art class. Stanley came with 

Stanley also learned a lot about Type 1 diabetes. That's what they call it when your pancreas doesn't work. It means you have to check your blood sugar and take medicine in shots.  

When school is done and so are chores we sometimes work in our garden

Stanley helped out by pulling weeds in our bed of lettuce

Stanley learned how broccoli grows

Stanley also learned about hydroponics while he was here.Hydroponics is growing without soil. 

On the night before Stanley left we made cookies. 

We were so happy to have him here with us, it was a lot of fun!