The Power of Seeds

This was a science experimemt of Abby's. She filled a container with plaster and dropped in dried lima beans. We let that dry completely and laid a wetted paper towel over top of the container. She keeps the towel wet everyday. The beans broke through the hard plaster to sprout anyway, with the help of the moisture from the towel. Isn't that amazing! I just love science! :)

Our Future Artist

Chase loves to draw! He had an assignment to draw what came next in his story book and he did so well I thought I would share it! :)

Our Christmas Tree

We went to Country Cove Tree Farm in Murfreesboro, where we found this magnificent tree! It is a beautiful Fraser Fir. Our theme is snowflakes. I think we started a new tradition! Merry Christmas to all!
http://www.countrycovetrees.com/

Thankful Turkeys

The kids and I made these today. So cute! :)

Grading at the High School Level Stressing You Out?? Yea, Me, Too.

Got questions about grading your high schooler's work?

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Watch "GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS by CECE WINANS with lyrics" on YouTube

Standing Guard

What a wonderful picture! Thank you to all the soldiers and passed on Veterans for fighting non-stop for the freedom of this great country! God bless you all! :')

We Like 'em Homemade :)

Homemade cheddar biscuits! Yum! :)
2 cups all purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp extra course sea salt
1 tsp sugar
Mix all dry ingredients
1/4 cup shortening (cut in)
1/4 cup butter (cut in)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup whole milk
After you cut in the shortening and butter one at a time, mix the cheese in. Add the milk last and stir until thick, yet still wet. Drop by spoonfuls onto a buttered cookie sheet. Bake at 450 for 12-15 min.

They are sooo yum!!

The Hearts Have It

Zach needed some headphones, so Abby let him borrow hers. Only a manly man can sport heart headphones and get away with it! Lol :)

There Ain't No Beans About It

Chase is play playing with his food again. Manipulatives can vary from pennies to macaroni. Kids and their imagination are limitless! :)

Skip Counting

Chase making stacks of pennies for skip counting. Making math fun! :)

The Sands of Time...

Well, it's that time of year again! We are heading to the beach this upcoming weekend! I am looking forward to the relaxing sounds of the waves and seagulls and the therapeutic effects of salty breezes. A week is never long enough, but I hope to take each second as they come and waste not one of them. Time, although as a friend once observed, doesn't really exist persay, but it's those very special moments that we ingrain into our memory that help us to keep a catalog of sorts of our lives tucked away in our minds. It's those very points that we first remember when we try to recapture a chapter in our lives and then, as a magician tugs and tugs each interconnected different color scarf out of his pocket, we turn page after page of memories attached to those single important points on our life timeline, and within moments, we're their again! My hope is that these special trips and vacations will hold precious areas in our childrens' hearts, so they can bring their memories alive when they decide to dig their toes into the sands of time...



Branden's Experiment : Atoms and Molecules

He attached two coated copper wires to the two terminals on a 9-volt battery. He then put the other ends of the wire into a jar of water mixed with baking soda. The ends began causing electricity to flow through the water and we see this in the bubbles and fizzing that was coming off the ends.

This caused the wire connected to the positive terminal to turn a bluish green color; similiar to what you might see when a copper item becomes discolored in weathering over time.

Very cool!

Abby's Chemical Reaction Experiment

Abby put vinegar into the bottle, then added red cabbage water. It rolled into the bottle a greenish color and as soon as it hit the vinegar, it turned pink. Very cool.

 

We then added baking soda from a balloon that was attached to the top and when the two reacted, it caused fizzing, another color change and the release of carbon dioxide that inflated the balloon.

Having fun with science this year! :)

Mondays...

I always hear from others how Monday is the most dreaded day of the week. Why is that, I ask myself. It becomes clear to me that the ones who make the "I hate Monday" complaint, are unhappy with their weekly routine. Another reason I feel very blessed. I love Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays...etc. I am able to be home with our children everyday and teach them in the way they should go and be a homemaker and to strive at making my husband happy. That is my weekly routine and I am very happy and content with it. I owe the gratitude to the Lord for bringing my husband into our lives and providing a way for us to have the life we have always wanted. Thank you God for Mondays!

Our little pond dweller :) JR brought him and his sister from the pool and they couldn't be happier!

Abby's blue jean babysitting binder. She made it herself. I helped a little. =)

Chase's bean seed plant

Brussels sprouts seedlings.

Branden and Abby made a dna out of clay...waiting for them to dry, then we will paint them.

Zach is studying the Aztec and Mayan Indians and we're weaving just like they did. Looks pretty cool!

Homemade vocab filing system

Abby and Branden working on their own creation. They are making a homemade filing system for their vocabulary words. Using index cards, tiny post its, paper clips, tape and a pop tarts box.

We then put the egg into blue water...it is now absorbing the water trying to have as much liquid inside as outside...the process of osmosis.

Abby's osmosis experiment...she first placed an egg in vinegar. The shell dissolved. It looks like a clear translucent hard boiled egg.

It "Bugs" Me

The weekend is coming to an end and I am more anxious than ever. Why? Because the kids will be coming home from their Dad's tonight. It has become very apparent that when my children are absent from my presence, it's almost like a vital function of daily living becomes temporarily disabled. So, here I sit in Kroger's parking lot thinking about my compiled list of VW "Punch Bugs" that I will get a punch in for, hoping the next few hours pass by quickly. I miss my kids. =(

Half Way Thru

Well here it is! The halfway mark! And we're still doing fine! I am happy that I have had the support of so many since starting this journey. The kids are working on their mid-year Math exams as I type. They have done very well so far.  I just gave Chase his assessment and he is right on! We may have to move him on up to 1st grade work.  He is getting a bit bored with the K work. We'll see. After today we are taking a short break to celebrate the birth of our Savior, then it's back to work sometime next week.  I hope you all have a very merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!!  God bless!!

The kids made some things for the nursing home visit.

The turkey's already done 'em in

Our sweet niece Madison

Abby's model of a cell...that was fun!

FW:

Abby's model of a cell...that was fun!

Zach fell asleep while I was reading to him and Chase. So sweet.

Zach practicing with the bow and arrow during 4H

Branden practicing with the bow and arrow during 4H

Zach with his new yellow belt, patch and certificate.

Branden with his yellow belt and patch.

It's All About the Name

So I contacted my name sake today....This is what I wrote to the "contact us" on their site, The Hemphill's

Hi.  My name is L'Briska and I am 31 years old.  My grandmother is a very big fan of the Hemphill's and named me after Lebreeska Hemphill.  I have told the story to so many whom have asked where the name came from, but never really sat down to research the woman who I was named after.  My mother changed the spelling of it to L'Briska (not legally) when she submitted for my social security number when I was a baby.  It wasn't until I was taking my driving test at the age of 17 that I found out when looking at my birth certificate for the first time, that my name is actually spelled Lebreeska.  I was so shocked!  LOL  That's when I first researched the Hemphill's and found a few things about the group.  I love the fact that I have a story like this to tell about my name! I think Mrs. Hemphill is a beautiful woman and has an amazing voice that lifts up the name of our Savior and I am proud to share her name.  Just wanted to share with you my story.  May God continue to bless your family!  ~ L'Briska Robertson



Joel and Lebreeska Hemphill

                                                              The Hemphill's Home Page



Abby with her yellow belt, certificate and patch! Way to go Abby!

Wish List...I Wish!

So, I have found the flaw in homeschooling.  When I ask the kids to go home and ask their parents to donate to the copy paper supply...they just look at me like I'm crazy.  Hahahahaha!  Good thing, we are going to recycle all this paper we use.  We use LOTS!! 

If anyone would like to donate, send me a comment.  LOL  J/K

Our pond in the morning.

Pre anniversary roses

We can spell!

Yay for smart kids!!  The kids all made 100% on their tests this morning!!  Love it!!!

Chase made a scarecrow for his S theme today!

Smoky Mountain Majesty

Magnificent, untouched, natural beauty here....

Why anyone would question God's existence after witnessing such natural beauty is beyond my belief.  This is God's beautiful creation at it's finest.  Thank you Jesus for such beauty here on earth.  I know, only just a glimpse of what we have is store for us one day!  God Bless you all this Autumn season!!

Halloween is Near

Our oldest Branden, on the beach in Florida. He has grown into such a big boy. He starts high school next year. We're not decided if he's going back to public school or is going to stay home. We'll see. So proud of all our kids.

Chase made a Peacock to go with his lesson on the letter P today.

A little taste

The tattoo we got on the pirate ship

Gosh that's beautiful

Chase and Zach digging in the sand.

Man that's pretty.

Our new little friend that Chase found at the pool.