air does push and air carries water

As another couple of introductory experiments we learned that air really does have a push on us. This experiment proved that.
They could feel the air pushing the paper before they were easily able to pick it up.

Then they discovered that salt on a plastic lid can easily be shaken around until

it makes contact with some warm moist air.

They couldn't shake it. I think they like to do this sort of stuff even though I was told by both big girls on two different occasions, without the other knowing the other told me even -"we do wayyy to many experiments". They keep smiling??!

I realize that I posted Thursday's reflection yesterday so this was Wed's.

May you be for ever praised, O Lord, for the wisdom that guides your love. Love me so that you may love me all the more. Love me to the end.

Today's suggested penance: Clean up someone else's mess.

A couple more St. Patrick's day pics

We did a couple other easy crafts to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The kids haven't been feeling well so I didn't get to have a big celebration like I had liked. Actually I think I'm on the verge of going slightly insane. Just kidding. Here Georgia made an origami shamrock.

Josie likes to piece together the paper crafts at DLTK-kids. This is her Lenny. He is kinda freaky looking huh. I think I will save him for next year and hide him around the house. Whoever finds him will win a prize!

Loving Father, we thank you for the gifts of Saint Joseph to the Church, and we ask his intercession for all those called to recognize from you a vocation to holiness in the Church.

Today's suggested penance: Pray for and give alms to the missions.

Catch a Rainbow experiment

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day and to conveniently go along with our weather unit we "caught" some rainbows. The first experiment was to set a glass full of water by a window to witness the effect.
They thought it was pretty neat that it actually worked and the colors were separated by the water.

The second rainbow we caught was in a dish. First Jo (who wasn't feeling 100%) poured a cup of milk into our pie pan.

Then we divided our pan into thirds and dropped 3 drops of primary colored food coloring at those 1/3 marks.

After this Georgia dropped (or accidentally poured) some dish soap into our pan. Instantly the colors started to mix.

The girls worked on a worksheet about their observations after watching it for quite a while. Here it is after about 10 minutes and may I add many bumps and shakes from people climbing on the table.

Lord give us the grace to know our dependence that we may be merciful with others; give us the hope that keeps us from discouragement with our sins.

Today's suggested penance: Point out to another his or her virtue.

Changing the oil with Dad.

Jo got to go to the town garage to help dad change the oil in his car. Georgia wasn't feeling well so she had to stay home. I bet she had fun. I used to enjoy "working in the garage".

Heavenly Father, free us from our complacency and open our hearts to enbrace the love you offer us in the persons and circumstances of our daily lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today's suggested penance: Give away some of your belongins.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Grandpa B had a birthday this weekend too.

Happy Day Grandpa B.!!

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma. We hope you have / had a wonderful day!

xoxo

Father of Jesus, our Father, hold us tight, do not drop us, now and for ever!

Today's suggested penance: Volunteer in a shelter, a soup kitchen or a tutorial center.

homemade barometer

Well we are into our weather unit and we made a homemade barometer. It has been a wonder for the kids keeping track of its movement. We also have been keeping track of the temperature and weather throughout the day in a record book. So far so good. They like to have some hands on science to do.

Father, you destroyed the human tragedy once and for all by having your Son mount the cross on our behalf. Help us to accept and live this as the final word on our lives.

Today's suggested penance: Go to confession.

St. Patrick's day cookies

We made some St. Patty's day cookies yesterday. One of our favorite recipes is Grandma Grems' Half Moon Cookies. That is what we made and then the girls pressed some m&ms into them to make shamrocks. Later I mixed some green frosting and made stems. As you can see, some cookies are more lucky than others (some are 4 leaf clovers). I guess some of the eaters are more lucky than others too because I wouldn't necessarily call it a wonderful thing to have gotten one that little Em decorated!

Just to let you know the girls have a post on their blog if you haven't discovered that yet. :)

Blessed Lord, make us alert to your stirrings and promptings, ever vigilant in keeping to your holy will.

Today's suggested penance: Spend ten minutes praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

Lost Generation

Ernest Hemingway

He popularized the phrase "lost generation" in a couple of his writings. He did not write the poem below.

I am part of a Lost Generation
And i refuse to believe that
I can change the world.
I realize that this may come as a shock but
"Happiness comes from within"
is a lie and
"Money will make me Happy"
So in 30 years I will tell my children
They are not the most important thing in my life.
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
Work,
Is more important than Family.
I tell you this-
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
But this will not be true in my era.
This is a quick fix society,
experts tell me
30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce.
I do not concede that
I will live in a coutnry of my own making.
In the future
Environmental destruciton will be the norm.
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth.
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic.
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it!

Now- read it backwards!

Not sure who to give credit to for this and some of you may have seen it already. Brad brought it home from school yesterday and I thought it worth sharing.

Gracious Lord, by your name I am healed. Open my eyes that I may see- really see- each person I meet as a brother and sister.

Today's suggested penance: Do something charitable for the homeless.

can you guess where Em went?

Look at those pearly whites!! (and look at the loot). The girls had a cleaning and I was told you know Emeline can have a fluoride varnish, would you like her to? Sure I said. She was such a big girl. She LOVED the bubble gum flavored varnish and just kept sticking her tongue out to lick it whenever "Nancy" would get close with the paint brush. Good jog Emmy.

Lord, grant me the faith to pray in your name, and the courage to drink the cup of your paschal love.

Today's suggested penance: Serve somone today with love.

Pics from the weekend.

It was another warm weekend so the girls spent some time outside with dad. Here is Jerry peeking through the door saying hello.
Em, I may have put your hat on backwards.

Dad had the girls raking rocks again.

After a little while I looked out the window and Georgia was basking in the cloudy day on a lawn chair. They had their bikes out as well. We take what we can get!

Father, source all life and truth, may my desire for communion with you through your Son lead me to love communion with all your children more than any distinction.

Today's suggested penance: Pray and offer some sacrifice for the Pope.

picking up stones

As another preparatory exercise for a weather unit we learned about the water cycle and partook in an experiment about evaporation.
One of the links on the girls' Lenten chain was to shovel snow. Well as you can see we have no snow so instead they shoveled stones left over from plowing.

They worked really hard and got about a 2x2 foot area picked up before they were tired!! Thank you girls-great sacrifice.

Jesus help me to see your face as I take a step in showing mercy to someone I meet today.
Today's suggested penance: Do some extraordinary kindness to someone who would never expect it.

Happy Birthday Theresa!

We wish you a GREAT day. Hopefully we'll see you next weekend. Love love love and miss you girl.

Father of Jesus, my Father, let me see them all, friends and enemies through your eyes, as you see them from heaven.

Today's suggested penance: Do something kind for someone who does not like you.

Sacrifice Chain for Lent

Our Religious Education classes made a sacrifice chain for Lent. This link says I will help with the dishes without being asked-and they did!
The girls have many many sacrifices to make.

Lord, help me to forgive all those who have injured me in any way and free me from resentment and bitterness.
Today's suggested penance: Make a gesture of reconciliation with someone from whom you are alientated.

Em's ready!

Em's all ready for a new little one. She loves to feed her baby "apples".

Lord, help me to pray today for the things I truly require. Help me see my true needs and reveal to me how you answer all my prayers.

Today's suggested penance: Pray with special insistence for the most pressing petitions in your life.

new post

Georgia and Josie have a new post on their blog. Be sure to check it out.

Lord, may we grow in gratitude for the gift of your friendship with us; may we learn to trust your goodness in all that you will for us.

Today's suggested penance: Sacrifice some ordinary comfort or convenience today.

stick horse

I guess taking care of the horses put Josie in the riding mood. She created her own stick horse to giddyap around on. The kids are in NEED of a pony!!

Eternal God and Father, grant me the grace to pray the prayer that Jesus taught us with all my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength. Let this prayer, I ask you, transform me into what you will for me.

Today's suggested penance: Spend ten minutes slowly meditating on the Our Father.

Hay is for horses.

We were out of hay this weekend so we had to take a trip down the road where we store the bales to get some more. Here is Jazz coming to meet her girls. She loves it when the kids go out.
Jo and Dad headed down the road to the barn.

Poor Daddy doing all the work since Mommy can't lift a bale. Well I can but Dad said "absolutely not" after I tried to get away with it.

Georgia and Josie exploring. This barn isn't ours or even the famiies. A man that lives down South sort of put it in Grandpa B's care since he isn't close enough to care or monitor it. It works for us!

Georgia hitched a ride back. Here they are zooming back home. Slow down Dad you're going to lose some. Sure enough right after I snapped this picture that bale in the back fell in the road.

Jesus, you taught us that judgment belongs to you, and that you wold judge us based on how we treat you in each other. Please grant us the grace of seeing you in the least of our brothers and sisters, and the generosity to act accordingly.

Today's suggested penance: Do something concrete to help the poor.

Anthony's Game

Theresa was in town Friday night. Her boyfriend Anthony had a basketball game against JCC. Unfortunately it didn't work out for us to go to the game (late and weather plus little kids-not a good combo) but we were thinking of them. Theresa the girls think their stickers are awesome and Georgia's birthday card is one she will save forever. Glad we got to see you for a SECOND!! Sorry Anthony that we missed your game. I read it was a good one.

Father, my mind and heart are barraged with solicitations. Show me what to choose, show me the essential by showing me your Son, who gives me reconciliation with you.

Todays suggested penance: Spend ten minutes reading the Bible.