Science Friday

On this brisk, foggy morning, we gathered together for Science Friday. Our study this session was about stems. The students divided up into three age groups and moved around to different "stations" as they reviewed what they had studied. Here, Merritt, Honor, Grace and Moriah are counting the rings to this ash tree the Bolliers cut down last fall. After all the groups rotated through, we came to the unanimous conclusion that this tree was 60-61 years old.

The youngers take their turn at counting the rings and marking the decades. (Olivia, Leah, Tiege, and Larissa). Not only did they count the rings, but they looked to see if they could identify where the zylem and phloem were.

The entire younger crew: Claire, Olivia, Tiege, Leah, Larissa, and AnaBefore going back inside, we looked around the yard for examples of phototropism. It's amazing all that you SEE when you really take time to study creation! Then, we warmed up inside and watched a couple short videos showing phototropism. Next, it was on to stem dissection. They dissected a tulip stem and two different kinds of cactus plants.
The third station was reviewing woody and herbaceous stems, looking at any similarities and/or differences.

Art finished up the day......making their sculptures out of Sculpy. ~Wee

Her First....

In exciting news this afternoon....Leah scored her first goal in today's game! In this picture the goalie picked up the ball, BUT shortly after she got her ball to go in!
I had to split my time between the two games, but thankfully I was able to witness Leah's goal and Megan's two goals.
~Wee

Week 4 Highlights

I had to split my time running between Leah's game and M & G's game this morning, but I was still able to see Megan score and Grace score her two goals. It sure was exciting! I love watching how they work together as a team. From my vantage point down by the goal, I was really impressed as I heard our team communicate with one another during play.....they encourage each other, call out plays, warn of approaching defenders, etc. It's so cool!
Leah and her team set up before the goal kick.
Grace.

Megan, Moriah and Grace cooling off in the shade with their snack. Stats:

Team Paragon: 7-0

Team Gutwein Chiropractic: 6-1
~Wee

IPFW River Walk

Oh, man, you can't ask for better weather this time of year, right?! We had our Botany class on leaves at the IPFW campus, which has an awesome Native Trees of Indiana River Walk. We divided up into groups and went on a scavenger hunt. Moriah, Merritt, Honor, and Grace along the St. Joseph River. The girls recording their observations of, I believe, the Cucumber Magnolia tree.
The whole gang.
~Wee

Under the Lights #1

Leah had the early game in the schedule of tonight's games. The exciting thing about having night games throughout the season is that they're the only time Alex is able to see the girls play!

Grace and Megan's game was at 6:45, with most of it played under the lights. Grace scored her first goal this season and it surprised even her! She said she was making a pass to a teammate inside the box, but made the goal instead! She'll take that! Stats:

Team Gutwein Chiropractic: 5-0

Team Paragon: 4-0
~Wee

A Day Filled with "Littles"

The girls and I had the privilege today to watch some precious "Littles!" The weather was absolutely beautiful, so we spent most of the time outside. Here Leah rides along side of Little J in her car.

Little J and Minnie

Little A giving her baby a ride. She liked riding her car through the pile of leaves.

Then in the evening, we enjoyed the presence of Little Lee.

Thanks for the opportunity to watch them, ladies! Please bring them on back!

~Wee

A Freezin' Week 3

Boy, was it cold out on the soccer sidelines this morning! This is the kind of weather we expect at the end of October, not now! At least today I wasn't splitting my time between the two games; I was able to sit (and freeze) and enjoy both!

Megan and Honor

Sadly, no pics of Grace this week :(

Stats:

Team Paragon: 5-3

Team Gutwein Chiropractic: 6-4

~Wee

Milan Center & Grabill Country Sales

Our September field trip landed us "out in the country." We started our day at Milan Center Feed & Grain where we learned what happened to a farmer's grain as it is stored and then processed into feed for a variety of animals. What struck me was how scientific and specific the feed is measured and what ingredients are used as a recipe is formulated and mixed. Here is Leah inside the pellet room where the mix comes out of a "giant play-doh machine." The pellet mixer is behind her.

After the tour of the mill and warehouse, we ended up in the store for an animal story time. As you can see, the featured animal was an orphaned fawn.

The second part of our field trip took us to Grabill Country Sales. GCS is a bulk food store and relatively new to our community. It is owned and operated by the local Amish. The owner, Katie, was our group's tour guide, so we received a lot of the history, etc., of how they got started in this area. Here the girls are in the cooler. Along with this, we were able to walk through the kitchen, see their bulk warehouse, and watch them make fresh peanut butter and ice cream. We finished up our day with some good 'ole Amish cooking.

~Wee

Week 2 Highlights

Here are my faves from this week's games. Grace battling it out in the corner.....

...and now driving toward the goal.
Leah approaching the ball.

Megan outside the goal box. When she kicked the ball, it hit the edge of the goal post.

Stats:

Team Paragon: win 7-0
Team Gutwein Chiropractic: win 8-0
~Wee

EHSS

This is what we have been looking forward to for several months......seeing Ernie Haase and Signature Sound on their Cathedrals-influenced tour. With this being our favorite style of music, it is something we enjoy as a whole family.

During intermission, we met up with three of the four guys.
Devin McGlamery - lead

Ian Owens - bass

Doug Anderson - baritone. When he saw that we wanted a picture, he came around the outside of the product table and said, "I have girls; I know how to do this."

And probably my highlight of the night ~~ meeting Ernie Haase - tenor, who I have followed back to his Cathedrals days. He thanked Alex for "bringing the family" and told the girls to "come and see him again."

~Wee