Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Mmmm... Science

I love it when the science book says you need a chocolate bar.
One? Really? I got a six pack!

 

Connor was learning about focusing heat with a magnifying glass.
We've all done this a time or two, but never with chocolate.
It was fun watching it melt.



It took him a few tries to get a good focus with the big lens.



Hey look, smoke!


He melted a hole completely through one of the bars.
We missed it with the camera but not our mouths!
We like tasty science.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Last Run

This is not my typical blog post.
I debated about this.
I finally decided that I had to write something.
How could I not?


On Friday, September 4th, we laid my father's body to rest.




This is one of the trucks that escorted my dad for his "final run".
The trucking industry calls this "bob-tailing"
(A long time ago my dad had to explain it to me.)



We had two trucks in the procession.



My dad served in the army for 13 years.
We had Military Funeral Honors.
If you look at the tent you can see the honor guard detail waiting for our arrival.





I can't take credit for all of the photos in this post.
I only took a few.



The cover for the casket.
It turned out really nice.
My dad loved wolves.



No words for this touching photo.
Standing attention.
Dad's name.
Playing of Taps.

I knew the graveside part would be the most difficult part for me.
It was so touching and moving.
Full of honor and respect.
I had never witnessed the folding and presentation of the flag before...
and when I was handed the flag and saluted...
I crumbled.


My dad would have loved it... except for the part that it was for him.
One thing did happen that made me chuckle.
After the ceremony was finished, one of the grandchildren came to me and
congratulated me on getting the flag.
I knew what she meant.
I immediately thought of all the times my dad talked about how kids say the darnedest things.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

First Day of School


Last week we started school.
We did one day.
Tuesday we headed to South Bend to clean out my dad's apartment.
We didn't return home until Thursday evening.

This school year will be different.
My dad jokingly called himself our superintendent.
Sometimes he called during school and usually I answered it ;)
The boys knew it was break time when grandpa called.

We've never started school this late in the calendar year.
I'm thankful all of us were able to be together to take care of what needed to be done.
Since we homeschool, we have that luxury.
We'll try school again this week.
I know I'm not really ready to jump into this school year, but I don't want to wait any longer.



Nolan is 13 and in 8th grade this year.



Connor is 10 and tacking 6th grade this year.