Yesterday, as soon as Jefferson got home from school, I put him and James to work. They cleaned their room and did their chores. One of Jefferson's chores happened to be laundry, and I was pleased he didn't complained (like I do). James did sweeping and mopping, and folding his own clothes. For lunch he helped cook waffles. Jefferson sorted the dirty laundry, and was in charge of the washing and the drying. He used the laundry basket upside down to reach the buttons of the washer. He then cooked macaroni and cheese all by himself. My only help was pouring the water out and draining the macaroni. When Gillian came home, she did the vacuuming and I helped her with the garbage. She then proceeded with folding of their clothes. Everything went smoothly and without any whining. The only difference from the other days when they hadn't done any chores, was the fact that yesterday I told them of my expectations right away without having them do anything else, and I was serious. After they knew what was expected of them they went straight to work. I felt better. I'm not raising spoiled brats and lazy kids after all.When Elijah got home, Jefferson insisted in performing the electricity experiments with him. Although we were all doing different stuff as Jefferson started his experiments, we all stopped and observed what he was doing. It was really fun for all of us learning the basics of electricity. This kit that he got for his birthday has about 18 different activities that deal with electricity. Jefferson was able to build circuit loops, spin motors and pinwheels, light up bulbs, and his favorite of last night's activities was sending coded messages. He learned how to send signals by using Morse Code. After he tried for a while, we all wanted to try and signal our names. As Albert Einstein once said: "We never cease to stand like curious children before the great Mystery into which we were born." I personally don't know much about science, so every time I get a chance to learn something new I do feel like a child. This world that Heavenly Father has created for us and all the rules and laws that go along with it are amazing to me, and I wish I had a more scientific mind to understand it better. However, this world wouldn't be exciting if we were all scientists. The most important thing is that we have an inquiring mind and we never cease to learn.
Today, Elijah and the children planted a garden. They are not done yet with planting it all, but for now we have plants ranging from strawberries, peppers, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, to beans and basil. Elijah wants to plant more and fill all of our garden with yummy vegetables and fruits. He also wants to keep bees in one corner of the garden. It helps with pollinating of the garden, as well as with Christmas gifts. Garmon honey by the California bees! I personally love honey, and I know it will be a good project for the kids to see science in their backyard.
After they finished working in the garden, Elijah wanted to take us for dinner to the California iconic fast food "IN-N-OUT." I personally don't like fast food, so I wasn't too excited to go. I have to admit for a fast food place, it was very good. I could actually taste the freshness of the hamburger and the fries. They cook the fries right at the time of the order. There was this machine where they would put the whole peeled potatoes and they would come out sliced ready for cooking. It tasted just like when you cook them at home in a deep fryer, with no artificial taste.
I can't close this post without mentioning that today 20 years ago marks the launching of Hubble, NASA's first orbiting space telescope. I'm grateful for this amazing technology that enables us to see and study the stars, the planets, the universes and the galaxies that surround us. I'm also grateful that although I'm a speck in this enormous universe, I know I matter to God. He loves me and watches over me. Elijah and I often look at the different photos that Hubble sends regularly, and here are few of my favorites:
Today, Elijah and the children planted a garden. They are not done yet with planting it all, but for now we have plants ranging from strawberries, peppers, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, to beans and basil. Elijah wants to plant more and fill all of our garden with yummy vegetables and fruits. He also wants to keep bees in one corner of the garden. It helps with pollinating of the garden, as well as with Christmas gifts. Garmon honey by the California bees! I personally love honey, and I know it will be a good project for the kids to see science in their backyard.
After they finished working in the garden, Elijah wanted to take us for dinner to the California iconic fast food "IN-N-OUT." I personally don't like fast food, so I wasn't too excited to go. I have to admit for a fast food place, it was very good. I could actually taste the freshness of the hamburger and the fries. They cook the fries right at the time of the order. There was this machine where they would put the whole peeled potatoes and they would come out sliced ready for cooking. It tasted just like when you cook them at home in a deep fryer, with no artificial taste.
