We used a simple machine to learn how to lift a lion today. Lynnea, as usual, did a fabulous job. Thank you.

Claire placed us into the first ever Reston Orchestra! She explained each of our instruments and roles and then allowed us to play our invisible instruments with classical music. Claire is definitely a TVTL (too valuable to leave). We love her dearly.


Lynne is a baby-monger. I can say this because I am constantly fighting her to hold babies. She has an incredible heart and wonderful hugs. Here Faith is being comforted while her mommy teaches us orchestra.


This was a scene from Isaac's family play. He was one of the Wright brothers finally flying their plane.


Linda takes our little ones so seriously. She has absolutely no fun with them at all. Today she brought in dress up clothes. Seven princesses and one prince!

Brian loves the history cards!


Nancy has cleaned our church every week for the last seven weeks! Wow! Nancy is incredible! Thank you! This week she needed to be elsewhere and our newest Harvest janitor took charge. Boaz made the men's room sparkle and smell great!

Dr. Lynnea, scientist supreme, had us dissect diapers today. Hopefully she'll email me the scientific explanation!

Melissa hard at work.


Amanda, now a mature twelve-year-old, shows off her beautiful braces.



I'm not sure Donna or I realized what a treasure it would be to have Claire in our group. She is a scientist who has the ability to explain in simple terms making the complex understandable, a teacher who illuminates our subjects and encourages our children to learn and an incredible mom.



Diane learning the hand motions to the Veritas cards too!


Claire teaches us the handmotions to our Veritas cards each week. Thank you Claire.

Melissa, Jack and Boaz were helped by Joel, Daniel, Caleb and Isaac today. They sang and acted out Oh My Darling Clementine while explaining the Gold Rush of 1849.

In a cavern, in a canyon,
Excavating for a mine
Dwelt a miner forty niner,
And his daughter Clementine

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Light she was and like a fairy,
And her shoes were number nine,
Herring boxes, without topses,
Sandals were for Clementine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Drove she ducklings to the water
Ev'ry morning just at nine,
Hit her foot against a splinter,
Fell into the foaming brine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Ruby lips above the water,
Blowing bubbles, soft and fine,
But, alas, I was no swimmer,
So I lost my Clementine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

How I missed her! How I missed her,
How I missed my Clementine,
But I kissed her little sister,
I forgot my Clementine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

da Vinci

Stephanie studied da Vinci's profile before beginning her work. Great job Stephanie!




Jordan dissected a radio!




Caleb and Christopher unwound a tape...all the way around the room.

da Vinci would have loved our drawings! Jonathan did a superb job!



Nathan is just a kick. I love this little guy.



This is Justin's first semester of homeschooling. He's doing GREAT!!! Justin is an artist, a comedian and an all around great guy!



Luke and Caleb, my favorite mud people, along with Justin, above, transitioned back to their normal selves and drew detailed views of a radio. Caleb and Luke's "normal" is actually extraordinary. Both are examples of godly young men who are kind, strong, intelligent, considerate, mighty warriors of God. We are blessed to have them as example in our group.