Why we're writing about what our family enjoyed...

We're reminiscing… sharing a bit about us… reminding our children of the heritage they have - that they can pass on to their children… encouraging enjoyment of this life God has given… and hopefully sparking ideas for other families…

Shuttle Sighting

Frisbee-thons

Snowflakes!

Shuttle Sighting

We watched the Space Shuttle Discovery take off recently (live via www.nasa.gov) and were reminded of our homeschooling days when our family thoroughly enjoyed making a Shuttle model and sighting the actual Space Shuttles as they flew over the areas where we lived. We'd spot and track 'em across the night skies (at the appointed times and places we were told to look). When we lived in Texas we could even watch the Shuttles' contrail (condensation trail) as they'd enter the atmosphere heading toward a landing in Florida. The craft would move across the sky leaving a thick cloudy arc that'd linger for a little while. Pretty neat. Can't watch those from where we live now, but we sure did enjoy it when we could. Many years ago, our children's grandfather Dale worked on some components for the Shuttles, and he also worked on things for smaller rockets that would be launched in the night skies of the Southwest. Perhaps watching those go up so long ago began the interest that continues today, an interest that has been passed on to our children now. Look up… you might see some interesting man-made things in the skies.

Frisbee-thons

We've been to innumerable local parks to toss a frisbee to each other. It's relaxing and enjoyable, and can be easily incorporated into most trips out to do something else.

Frequently, our quest is to see how many times we can throw it to each other in a row without it touching the ground. We'll spread out so there's enough room between each of us and we'll have a 'frisbee-thon,' counting out loud each time it is successfully thrown and caught without being dropped. If it drops or even grazes the ground, our count goes back to 1 again. We've had some pretty high numbers at times without even really trying. (Wonder what we could do if we did try? LOL!)

It's just one more way our family enjoys time with each other, and we think it's fun. Why don'tcha try it with your family!

Snowflakes!

We lived in the Great Lakes area for some time (where John is from and where all our children were born) and we homeschooled there, too. We had some wonderful times of investigating snowflakes - and there were plenty of 'em to see with all the lake effect snow we'd get! (Sometimes 12" - 18" or more overnight! Boy do we remember shoveling lots of snow from the driveway and walkways! LOL!)

For a really cool website to see the intricacies and variety of snowflakes our Creator has made, go to:

www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/class/class.htm

Be sure and check out their Photo Galleries I, II, III (see the top left of the above page for links). Such beautiful pictures! (Note: This isn't a Creation Science website - but it's a good one! Please see the second paragraph on our disclaimer page.)

We'd go outside and hold up black construction paper to 'catch' the snowflakes on and see the different sizes of snowflakes and watch how fast the snow was accumulating. 

We also enjoyed making 'snow angels,' and going snow sledding, and of course making lots of snow forts from which to launch some great snowball fights (splat!). We even constructed a decent 'snow slide' to glide down, too! Such fun!

We'd pour water onto our back porch and make our own mini-skating rink, and had wonderful times of 'ice skating' there without having to brave the icy or snow-packed roads in our car.

Hey! Have you ever made 'snow cream'? Skim the top 6-8" of WHITE snow (har har) off the backyard picnic table and mix it in a big (cold) bowl with a mixture of a beaten egg, sugar, a touch of vanilla, and some sweetened condensed milk (if I recall correctly - LOL!) and eat it like ice cream. Really 'lish.

So take your children out to enjoy God's chilly creation this winter.

© 2007 John and Kim Namestnik    www.givengrace.com

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