Manna Lesson

We've been studying ancient Egypt in our homeschool lessons and it has been so interesting!  We are learning a lot.  Me too! :)  So, we've just reached the part of history where the Israelites leave Egypt...  the Exodus.  So, one morning last week the boys woke up to "manna" (a.k.a. popcorn) for breakfast.  And they had to gather it to eat it.  Sometimes "doing" is the best way to learn!

There were mixed reactions...  some thought this was a very fun treat and they were excited to "live" what we are learning.  Another fought disappointment over not getting his usual cereal and begun to grumble.  Hmmm... I have a feeling that this was probably a lot like the Israelites... some grateful, most not.  But, even my grateful little fellows began to lose heart when they found out that "manna" was also our mid morning snack and maybe even lunch too.  :) 

There was much rejoicing (and perhaps even a huge sigh of relief) when a normal lunch was served that day.  We tried to imagine 40 years of manna... 

Will David

Something happened.  It seemed so sudden.  Surely it's been happening gradually, but nevertheless, it feels sudden.  Our littlest one is changing.  It's as if overnight he's not little anymore.  Well, he's still little compared to everyone else in the family, but "not little" if you know what I mean.  This is the little guy who could barely be still...  nothing held his attention for long...  he was loud...  and ACTIVE.  I don't know what happened but now he occupies himself for long periods of time with only one or two toys and he does it quietly.  Amazing.  This does not mean he's not active or loud at all anymore...  it's just not ALL the time. :)  He even played on the computer today for the first time!  He was a natural. :)  We've always hesitated not trusting that he wouldn't crash it somehow...  but well, he did great today.  You go, big guy!

(That black spot on his cheek...  that's just what he drew on his face with the white board marker during school...  so not all mischief is gone!)

Feather News

We lost our first chicken today to a hawk. 

Thinking about it makes me shudder with heebie jeebies.  The country might put the city back in me. :)  Not really.  But, still...  I do wish I was stronger about that sort of thing.

THANKFULLY, John was here and had it all taken care of before any of us even knew it had happened.

It was kinda hard on the boys too.  They blinked back tears at the news. 

I can see that these are the kinds of lessons that can't be learned in school books, but that they need to be learned.  So, I'm thankful.

And we are learning...

New furry friends at the farm

Baby rabbits.  Yep.  The boys had a hankering for some baby rabbits...  and hubby says that's why we live out on here on the farm...  so off to the store they went.  Shepard and Will each found a rabbit to bring home.  The rabbits are both white but with different types of black spots... so we have Domino and Spot.  Josiah couldn't find one like he wanted, so we'll have to keep looking for him.  

Soooooooooooo incredibly soft!

A New Year... pictures from last year

2012 has dawned.  To begin this year's blog I've got to share pictures from the end of last year that I didn't get posted yet.  One day in mid December I took a few pictures of the boys.  Here's how they really felt about it... (haha)

Will gives me LOTS of expressions...  rarely the ones I'm looking for though. :) 

These three boys just make my heart melt!

(I tried some new editing software with several different finishes that I really enjoy.)