Swimming Creatures

My kitchen counter is serving as Science Central these days. Besides the tomato plants, popcorn plants, and radish sprouts, we have 7 bullfrog tadpoles. I'm actually quite amazed that they are all still living (I even expected some to be DOA), as they came with no instructions, but I've found them to be rather content unless you place them by an open window to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight only to have the blusteriest wind of the season blow the block calendar off the sill and nearly into their tanks. Sudden noises is not one of their favorite things. I keep thinking the biggest one should be getting some legs any day, but I read somewhere that the entire process can take 14 months. I'm hoping that is from the laying of eggs and that these are about 12 months old, because since it was my idea, I have to clean out their tanks every day. Suffice it to say, they are pleased with their new tadpole food I bought for them, and I hope that the rapid growth it talked about occurs. (and in case you are wondering, I've joked about naming them all Legs, but we will probably call the conservation department to see about releasing them into the wild when they are grown).

In other swimming news, Frodo and Smeagol have joined Gandalf, Sam, Merry, and Pippin in our fish tank (we also have a Flintford--the great fish who almost ate---, Jonah, and Mickey). Smeagol is an albino catfish and appropriately eats the scunge off the bottom of the tank. Frodo has rings around him (he's a black skirt).

And lastly, we will not be buying swimming passes again. I've discovered that two family members do not enjoy swimming much at all, and our schedule has not meshed with the pool's schedule very well. I'm hoping we can at least get our money's worth by going in June and July before the passes expire.

Quiet Rest

As one who always struggles with getting my personal devotion time in, the new book I'm reading is really hitting the mark. It's called "A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and she gently reveals the importance of this time through scripture and the example of Christ himself. This is the verse that struck me the most:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

Those of you who know me know that I'm not much of a morning person, yet I know that when I make an effort to get up and spend time with the Lord that my day goes much better. This particular verse comes after several verses describing a day in the life of Jesus and what must have been a very exhausting day, yet he knew how important it was to go to his father and be refreshed in the spirit so that he could continue giving to those around him.

Quiet rest...a peaceful part of the day...basking in the presence of the Lord...praying and listening to him. Is it worth a few more minutes of sleep to miss?

Sweet Cherry Otter

Miss Rose has a new song that she loves to sing over and over, especially in the car. Here's how it goes:

Sweet Mow
Sweet Cherry Otter...

I've never met a sweet, cherry otter before, but perhaps if it comes to carry me home, I'll get that chance.

(and for those of you still scratching your head, start singing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, and I think you'll understand.)

It's never a good idea...

to tell your husband that you just bought a really unique storage box but that you need to get a loan to pay for it. Yes, that amazing box cost me $55,000. I'm very glad that it was in my dreams, because when Mr. Tech was a bit miffed and told me I couldn't have it, the lady at the store wouldn't let me take it back, and the other lady who wanted it wouldn't give me full price to buy it from me, because it wouldn't be new anymore, and I realized I had messed up big time.

A Rodent's Tale, part two.

Ivory and Ebony
lived together in perfect harmony -
till one day Miss Rose
was naughty and chose
to play show and tell with a friend.

Ivory took rides in their dresses;
she ran and made messes
on the floor,
but what's more
that was not the end.

No, Miss Rose had a plan.
She picked Ivory up by the hand
and placed her in her sleeve
and by golly, by jeeves,
she did not know what this would rend.

With a scream I was called,
for Ivory had crawled
up the sleeve, up the arm
and Miss Rose, fearing harm,
pulled the tail, and it came off the end.

So that's the sad tale
of Ivory's tail.
It's now rather stubby,
or maybe just nubby.
A reminder that Miss Rose sinned.

A Rodent's Tale

It's been just over a week since our poor gerbil, Ivory (roommate of Ebony), lost half of her tail courtesy of Miss Rose. She doesn't really seem to miss it, but I realized that she'd never had a rodent poem dedicated to her, so if any of you wax poetic, please share.

For those of you just tuning in to this sad little tale, suffice it to say that when a 4yo puts a gerbil in her dress sleeve (after having been played with on the floor and put in dress pockets and who knows what else), said gerbil WILL crawl up the sleeve of said 4yo causing tremendous chaos to break forth and echo throughout the house. In an effort to get the gerbil back out, a 4yo will grab the tail, and in self-defense, the tail will be come off. It's rather gross to look at, too. A handy houseguest can perform rodent surgery, truncating the bony remains (which would have supposedly dried up and fallen off in a few days), and cauterizing to reduce risk of infection. It's all quite emotional, even for M.E., but the next day you will find yourself laughing realizing that it would be dangerous to have a wire spoked wheel in a gerbil cage, because their tails can get caught in them and get ripped off, and we wouldn't want that to happen. hahahaha

So my advice...never leave a 4yo to entertain her 5yo friend, because no matter how good they've been before, eventually "show and tail" will happen.

Miss Daisy's List

I suppose I must give Miss Daisy equal opportunity here, although her schedule for next fall doesn't look near as bad. :-)

6th grade
English: Wordly Wise 7, Jump In, Easy Grammar Plus, Natural Speller, Diagramming

History: Mystery of History Vol. 1, Supplemental reading from Winter Promise, etc.

Math: Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra

Reading: Progeny Press guides, free reading

Science: Real Science 4 Kids, Physics and Chemistry; TOPS experiments; living books (maybe Intermediate Science Through Literature)

Non-Core:
Ballet, Modern, Violin, Spanish, Handmaidens, Character Building for Families Vol. 2

Her non-core requires quite a bit of time, so this is pretty full load, especially considering she is my crafty girl. She sews, knits, crochets, embroiders, quills, scrapbooks, and more. :-)

Tune in next fall to see if these schedules bring whines and groans or blissful studies.