Green Hour Challenge #1- Follow Up

Just a quick re-cap of what we did after our nature walk. I had the kids write a little about their time at the mangrove and what sort of things that they saw there. I also had them draw a picture of a scene from the mangrove.

Then we talked about what sorts of things they would like to know more about. We all agreed that the things that we were most interested in were; how the mangrove tree reproduces, and information about the silly mudskipper.

This is a mangrove seedling that we picked up off of the boardwalk at the mangroves.

I consulted Anna Botsford Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study on these topics, but since it is written mainly for North America, we didn't have much luck. I am still waiting on a few Indonesian field guides from the States, so we made do with what we had and we learned a lot! We found this website about the mangrove trees that we observed and how they reproduce. I won't write it all here, but if you want to learn more, go check out the website.

We found the mudskipper in Britton's field guide, Marine Fishes of South-East Asia. We learned that the mudskipper is a goby and it's scientific name is Periophtalmus argentilineatus. The field guide said that they inhabit brackish water in magrove estuaries, and are often seen resting on muddy banks. Of course, we already knew that, so we went to this website to learn a little more. All in all, we had lots of fun and learned a lot!

Blessings!

Green Hour Challenge # 1

"Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight and habit through life." - Charlotte Mason

Barb has graciously offered nature challenges for the past few months, and while everyone else is on challenge #13, we are just starting out at #1. You can find the first challenge here. To sum this first challenge up, take a walk with your kids and enjoy nature. Then, come back talk with your kids about what you saw and come up with two things they want to investigate further.

For this challenge, the kids and I went to the nearby Mangrove preserve (5 minutes away from our house) to enjoy nature there. We had such a wonderful time that we brought Daddy back the next day to show him some of the things that we saw (and we needed him to take pictures)! Here is some more information about mangroves. This is what the trees look like. Almost all of their roots are visible and above ground.This is how the mangrove trees replenish themselves. They drop these spikes into the mud and new trees start to grow! Isn't that amazing?!At the park, there are boardwalks built to walk on, since the entire mangrove floor is mud (or water when the tide is in.)We saw some amazing things on our walk. Look at the flourescent colors of these crabs!

This is a mud skipper. He is by far the funniest, most unusual animal that we have ever seen! The mud skipper is an amphibious fish (a gobie) and you can learn more here and here.
There are lots of things to be seen in the mud, and here the kids are watching quietly. As we sat, we saw mudskippers, crabs, a skink (a type of lizard), a snake, and various bugs.

"We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things. " - Charlotte Mason

Next, we were off to look for monkeys. And we weren't disappointed. Almost immediately, we spotted some proboscis monkeys.
The word proboscis refers to the monkey's large nose. A butterfly also has a proboscis. You can learn more about these monkeys here. The male proboscis is the one that has the large nose. The proboscis monkey is an endangered species. The next thing that we saw were the macaque monkeys. These monkeys were not afraid of us at all. As you can see, they came right up next to us. Although we didn't have a problem, sometimes these monkeys can get quite aggressive! Here's more info about macaque's.

Look at the sweet little baby!We all had such a wonderful time getting out and enjoying God's creation. We have been to the park several times before, but this time, as we stopped and observed, the kids really got into the nature around them. I really agree with Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education. Charlotte says that an education is a science of relations, and as children interact with nature, living books, and the world around them (along with a few other things) their lives are richer and fuller.

"There is no part of a child's education more important than that he should lay- by his own observation- a wide basis of facts towards scientific knowledge in the future."- Charlotte Mason

As I seek to teach my children about the loving God that we serve, one of the best ways I see to do that is to show them the amazing creation that He has made for us to enjoy.

“That the child should be taken daily, if possible, to scenes—moor or meadow,
park, common, or shore—where he may find new things to examine, and so add
to his store of real knowledge. That the child’s observation should be directed to
flower or boulder, bird or tree; that, in fact, he should be employed in gathering
the common information which is the basis of scientific knowledge” - Charlotte Mason (Vol. 1, p. 177)

In my next post, I'll tell you what we all chose to investigate further and what we learned.
Blessings!!

Some Days Are Like That

One box of powdered milk + two mischevious boys= one BIG mess!

Uh-oh, we've been spotted!Ha, ha! Aren't we cute mommy?!

Mommy, it tastes so good!!
Look! Now we have a milk bath with enough milk for everyone!

Sometimes you just gotta laugh....

Blessings!!

Cherish Your Children- Praise!

This week's challenge is to worship the Lord in song along with your children. There are lots of ways to do this, and lots of different types of songs to use. If you are of the hymns only persuasion, there are lots and lots of great hymns.

For me, while I love great hymns, I don't only worship with hymns. However, I do feel that it is important to make sure what you are singing (and your children are singing) is biblically based and theologically sound. A way I find is easiest to insure this is to use songs that are Scripture set to music.

My all-time favorites in this category are Seeds Family Worship Albums (specifically the Praise one) and Glory Revealed (you can listen to samples of both on their websites. And no, I am not getting any sort of commission...I just love these songs!) Both of these are straight from the Bible, and they are great songs. I love, love, love these albums. And better yet, so do my kids.

Also, there is a kids worship radio station over the Internet called His Kids. We like to listen over lunch. It is fun and encouraging worship music!

So, what does this challenge look like? It can look however you want. You could gather your kids together in the morning and sing a few songs together. You could play some great songs as you work or play and dance and sing the tunes. The important thing is for your children to see that you love the Lord and you aren't afraid to show it!! Now, let's get out there and worship our Almighty Savior before our little ones!

Blessings!

Invisible

I do not normally (or ever!) put music, videos, or the like on my blog since until just a month ago I was on a terribly slow dial-up connection, and I know how frustrating it is to try to load someone's blog who has those things on them.

However, when I watched this over at Sheila's blog, Timothy Moms, I knew I wanted to put it here. I have read this before, but seeing it acted out was beautiful. So, here you go. I hope it is encouraging.

Thank you Sheila also for this award and the sweet words that went with it. You are such an encouragement for us moms.

Blessings!

A Cool Life

What is really cool for a 7 year old boy who loves animals? How about bottle feeding a Sun Bear cub? While we were at annual conference in Balikpapan, we visited a animal sanctuary for Sun Bears and Orangutans, and Britton had this wonderful opportunity. Then the bear decided that Britton's ear looked tasty, but Britton didn't mind!
Just one more reason I love living in Indo!

Blessings!

And the Winner.....

....of the book The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson is Jen from Be Thou Exalted!

Jen, I sent you an e-mail.

Thanks, everyone, for playing!! If you didn't win the book, may I highly recommend you get a copy!

Blessings!

Mother's Day

A few years ago, I was totally blown away by what a friend told me. He told Dave and I that growing up his mom always celebrated them on Mother's Day. She gave them presents and thanked them for making her a mom. After that conversation, I thought a lot about what he said. What an interesting idea, actually have a special day to acknowledge the precious lives that made me a mom. So, I decided to try it.

For the past few years, I have made the shift from Mother's Day being all about me, to having special things for my children and my husband, to thank them for allowing me to do the best job in the world.

Now, I'm not saying we should do away with Mother's Day and make it Kid's Day (I still enjoy getting cards from everyone!). However, I am saying there is a lot of joy and happiness in focusing on the ones who made it possible for me to celebrate the day at all.

Here is the special breakfast I prepared for Dave and the kids:

Here's to a new year of mothering for His glory!

*Scroll down to enter the Mother's Day Giveaway.*

Blessings!