A New Week

We began our new school week by reading about some health issues...health is required in this state. We have been learning all about the respiratory system and cigarette smoking, and how smoking can affect your breathing and overall health. It's been pretty interesting. My kids have never been that intrigued by smoking, they think it's gross, but I hope learning about what it can do to your body will stay with them and they will refrain from trying it themselves. We were able to see an unhealthy lung that has lung cancer, and I think for now they want nothing to do with cigarettes, second-hand smoke, etc. Next I'm thinking of covering Diabetes/Gestational Diabetes, since we are dealing with that in our family right now. We already try to eat pretty healthfully but I think learning about an issue that they need to be careful of due to genetics will help them to really understand why healthy foods are important.

We have also been making some special cards today that we'll be sending out. The kids have had fun with it and have gotten pretty creative, I think. Some of you may be receiving these cards in the mail real soon. ;)

We've just finished lunch. I'm letting the kids play while I take care of some emails and write this, then we'll get to our history and science readings, as well as the basic math and english we do each day. We've been enjoying learning all about Ben Franklin and his inventions. Next we will learn a bit more about George Washington.

I think we've finally found a church that we'll call home. We've been attending for about 4 weeks and Karl and I really like it. The music and speaking are much closer to what we were used to in Florida, and it seems there is much to get involved with if we choose. We're thinking of getting started in a home group but haven't found our place yet. So, those of you that are praying specifically for our church life, please pray that we'll find a good group where we can form great friendships and grow in the Lord. Thanks!

Other things we're doing:

• the kids will all start in the homeschool bowling program tomorrow being held at one of the facilities here
• Hailey begins piano lessons at the end of February (we have a piano teacher that will come to our home, plus Hailey has taught herself two short songs on the piano so we thought it was time...the boys and I may try to learn through listening and practicing with Hailey's lesson book.)
• Registration for baseball has begun...we've decided to go with HIS baseball again because it is much less of a time commitment than the city league. It begins at the end of April.
• We may do some activities through Camp Arrowhead again beginning in the spring...whenever the snow has pretty much cleared out.

That's all I have. I'll try to post again soon.