drive in theater

At AWANAs tonight it was drive in movie night. They were to create a 'car' using a box or laundry basket. Our middle child helped our youngest make his car. It turned out really cute. It was a large box which turned out to be a real blessings. Another boy forgot that it was drive in movie night and didn't have a car. JJ's car was large enough to allow a friend to sit with him during the movie. JJ thought that was very special. The kids get popcorn, bottled water and a movie. How cool is that! We love our AWANAs.

Isn't it cute - they thought up the idea of doing a windshield / window all on their own. You can't see it in this picture very easily but they taped mirrors on the side to act as rearview mirrors. I am happy to see that even as young as they are they are 'using their mirrors' when driving! Good job!

Book Review - The Dragon and The Turtle Go on Safari - children's book

This was a very cute, lovable story about two friends who decide to conquer their fears by camping out all night at the base of the mountain in the jungle. There are lots of animal sounds but the friends identify the sounds so they become less scary. At the end of the book Deuteronomy 31:6 is quoted "Be strong and courageous". When I was reading this I was thinking of Joshua 1:9 where it says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." The friends didn't need to be discouraged or afraid. All they had to do was pray to God. He would never leave them nor forsake them.

This book was very well illustrated. I like that many of the picture had the boys shining their flashlights - a light shining in the darkness scaring away the evil - kind of like Christ is our light in the world fending off evil. My son talked about a light of truth blowing forth into the world. I thought that was a great analogy.

I received this book from WaterBrook Maltnomah Publishers for the sole purpose of reading and doing this review.

Book Review - Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere

Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere

This book is a call to women to wake up and change the world. Lisa Bevere uses the lioness as a symbol for women to follow. She shows many of the lioness's characteristics and then uses scripture to demonstrate that women should take on many of the lioness's qualities for the betterment of the world. For example, lionesses are fiercely protective of their young - but not just their young - all young. She calls women to be passionate about children being abused and to rise up to fight against it.

I really enjoyed her look at the lioness. It gave me an insight into the role of women that I hadn't thought about before. She does question the role of the wife in regards to submission - and she talks to what God really wants that to look like by quoting scripture. She challenges the notion that women can't hold positions of leadership within the church. She says that "gender alone does not qualify a man to lead, just as gender alone should not disqualify a woman. Virtue qualifies both male and female." (p. 97) She gave me alot to think about and all of her points she backs up with scripture. I can see both sides of this issue though and can see where some Christians will take issue with her conclusions. Our church has walked this line by allowing women in many positions of leadership including serving communion. We just do not have women pastors. Only men fill the role of pastor in our church. Again, there is much disagreement in the church community on this issue --- I can see all sides but I personally am most comfortable with the stance our church has taken on this.

The book is very well written and very engaging. I do hope you will read it. It was very enjoyable. I received this book from WaterBrook Maltnomah Publishers for the sole purpose of reading and doing this review.

Too much shoveling

Makes for one tired Hubby! Who says naps are just for kids!

class at the zoo on animals in the Rainforest

It was hard to get a good shot of the kids due to the glare from the windows. It was a nice sunny day outside - and it was so nice to see the sun.

After the classroom portion we then walked around to see the primates that live in the Rainforest. It was very nice for the kids to get to see the animals.

Afterwards, we had some extra time before we had to get to piano lessons - so we went to the bird house. We actually got to see one of the baby penguins - that was only 2 1/2 weeks old. They also had to more babies - one was 3 days and one was a week or two. I couldn't get a good picture of them through the glass. It was very amazing to see though.

At this section of the bird house, the birds are not behind glass. They fly all around you. They are so used to people coming through they rather expect you to move - and they will just stay on the paths. Here is one cleaning himself right on the walkway. Couldn't care less that we were there. Kind of amazing!

Clearly I was in his way. This was his house after all!

Science project

My middle son is in Apologia's General Science. One of the projects is to make a model of DNA out of pipe cleaners and beads. To help it keep it's shape, we taped it to the table for a few hours. He really enjoyed doing this.

Happy Birthday

It was my middle son's birthday. Happy Birthday!

One thing that he has really wanted is a mummy type sleeping bag for camping. My oldest son got him that for his birthday. Here he is trying it out. It does look warm and snuggly - doesn't it!

Libby's helping open

Libby loves to be in the thick of things. She was helping my son open his presents.

Sled Hockey

This was such a fun game for one of my son's team. The team we played - their kids are disabled and they bring the sleds for the teams they play. Our kids had never done this before. It is interesting - mostly because ya really don't think about this - our kids had developed their leg muscles but their upper body isn't as strong - as they don't use their arms to get around. On the sled - the kids utilize more of the arms and upper body muscles. By the end of the game our kids were just tired.

This is what the sled looks like. It has two blades underneath. The kids strap themselves in.

The kids are given two smaller sticks and those are used for both getting around and for shooting the puck.

Our kids did not win the game but this was one of the most fun games they have played. Once in a while the kids would tip over on their sides - they reminded me of a turtle stuck on its back. 'I have fallen and I can't get up.'

The Big Snow

Our area had between 12 to 23 inches of snow - depending on what part of town you were in. Plus lots of winds - creating some high drifts. Some of the drifts were 5 feet tall. Everything is closed today - even the stores. Honestly, it is very pretty outside. It is a heavy snow though. Tough to shovel. We had a smaller snowblower and it had a hard time going through some of the drifts. We have a neighbor that has a very big snowblower - even that had a bit of a hard time. He did the alley for us. We did all the sidewalks for him, us and the other neighbor next to us.

This is the neighbor across the way - and you can see just how buried things are. The snow is up to the tops of the windows on the car.

Just look at what we shoveled through. Amazing, isn't it!