Hyancinth

In our glee of finding crocuses today, I also spotted a couple of wee hyancinths waiting to burst out with the joy that I felt today. My guess is that this photo is about 200x magnification of what was in our garden.

Quilt

I don't know why it is, but whenever I have started a quilt for the kids, it takes me years to get the project to completion. Yesterday, when I had the house to myself yesterday, I did a burst of sewing on Sofia's quilt-top. Here is a sneak peak of what it is going to become her quilt... hopefully sooner than later.

Random Updates

Well, life is running along here.

I wanted to let people know (if you read my blog - hi sister Lisa) that in our Christmas letter we mentioned that I was hoping to go back to school this coming fall. While I still have my sights on a higher degree, the time-frame and the direction have again changed. No sour grapes here. Just wondering about the path that I am on.

We optimistically watched more snow melt today. We have many green shoots pushing their way through the soil in our back yards. And the kids are enjoying bikes, scooters, and mud-puddle swings. Anna is even trying to get the courage to use her roller-skates.

So, there is my little newsie update.

Twice in one day

This quote has come across my path twice today: on a blog and in Sunday school.

Vocation... the place where our deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
-Frederick Beuchner

Research Paper for Homeschool

We are entering a season of research papers in our homeschool.

I had intended to do this with 9yo Caleb, and 6yo Anna has expressed interest in doing one too. I decided that I would also do a research paper, so that not only will I be telling Caleb what to do, but will be able to show him and walk through the process.

In a rather random way, I've ended up with a homeschool buddy whose son is also going to do a paper. What is most perfect is that she will read Caleb's work and I will read her son's work.

There are some phenomenal resources online to help with writing research papers. The primary source http://www.studentsfriend.com/aids/curraids/reports/report.pdf

Other resources that I have found:

http://www.infoplease.com/homework/t1termpaper1.html

http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/00_Introduction.asp

http://www.ipl.org/div/teen/aplus/

http://www.factmonster.com/homework/t2picktopic.html

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/writing.htm

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/research-papers/writing/2123.html

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/writing/index.asp?topic=Research

I'm hoping to keep posting on our progress as we go along. Our next stop on our journey will be a visit to my favorite local library.

from church this morning

During Lent at church, we are remembering some of our legacy as Methodists by studying John Wesley's Three Simple Rules. Pastor Arlene included this Wesley quote this morning, and I dolled it up to print out and keep it in front of myself and our family during our pre-Easter season.

Sofia turns four

Here is the cake that I made for Sofia's birthday... Can't quite get my head around the our 'baby' being four years old.