A few weeks ago the two youngest asked if we could please start school again. How do you refuse that request?! We've been easing back into a school routine with them and the girls will start next week.
This afternoon we dissected owl pellets after reading about owls for the past few days. Ian took part in the activity for a bit, but Jonathan really enjoyed searching through the pellet and identifying the various bones. He told me that I was the "bone archeologist" and he was the "bone-ologist" (I got to do the fur removal using special tools and he would put the cleared bones to a clean bone identification area.) I remember doing the same science activity with the two eldest and it left quite an impression on all of us as to how many 'pests' owls take care of in one meal.
Tomorrow I pick up Matthew for the long weekend. He's looking at purchasing a used car and is taking it for a test drive while home. It would be great if he could drive it back to Bath next week.
We had the first corn on the cob of the season--unfortunately, it wasn't from our crop. Our corn didn't produce well and is destined for the goat and sheep. At least it's not going to waste, but it was a disappointment to have to buy corn.
I made a batch of pesto from my basil tonight. It was quite good with the summer squash stir-fry. I love having fresh grown veggies from our garden! We're researching how to expand the harvest by putting hoops over our raised beds.
This past weekend we had a great visit with Kathy and Jim. They brought lobster for those of us who love it (only 3 of us--silly children!) and we went to Pie in the Sky on Sunday for home made ice cream. They went to church with us and heard Katelyn play a violin solo. The 2 boys were supposed to have a special part in the service, too, but the schedule was changed at the last minute so they didn't get to see their part.
All too soon the leaves will fall and we will be dealing with cold weather, but for now we're cherishing the last few days of summer.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
August is upon us...
Marc and Katelyn had a great time on the bike trip. I am still amazed that they pedalled over 150 miles in the Catskill Mountains.
Katelyn had a wipe-out on Wednesday, but is healing well. We're all very thankful that it was surface wounds and nothing major. Her bike's gear shift was duct taped back together so she could complete the week, but it will need an overhaul before she goes on any other trek.
I'm preparing for a yard sale this Saturday. It's time to weed out all the home school material for preschool through 2nd grade. It seems strange that there are no more 'littles' coming along to use the younger level material. I'm also trying to weed out the attic collection. We used to 'lose weight' with each move when we were in the military, but it's been 15 years without a move and we have the 'weight' to prove it!
Today I cleared out and re-organized the home school shelves since it'll soon be time to hit the books again. The IHIPs (individual home instruction plans) have been submitted to the superintendent of schools, and now I await word on whether I am 'compliant' with NY state law. (They just review our plans and make sure that we are covering all the required courses.) Actually, the children have already been doing activities that 'count' as school. Ian has been having a wonderful time writing stories on an old Underwood typewriter that was loaned to us. Jonathan has been learning about amphibians since Rachael brought home a baby newt (named Geico). Geico has disappeared, but not before Jonathan learned all about what newts eat, where they live, and how to care for them. (Thankfully, Geico was being kept on the back porch so I don't have a newt wandering through the house...that I know of!)
It looks like Nathanial and I will be heading to Cary, NC September 8th-11th for him to visit Shepherds' Theological Seminary, which he plans to attend for the spring 2014 semester. (He wants to check the school out before committing to a move to NC.) I'm going along to help with the driving, check out where he'll be moving to, and have the treat of meeting up with some friends who live in NC.
We're all looking forward to my sister Kathy and brother-in-law James coming for a visit next weekend. It isn't often that we have family from Maine visit, so it's a special gift to all of us that they are making the long trip in this direction as part of their vacation.
As I type this, there are flocks of Canadian geese flying over...I don't want to think about what that means!
Katelyn had a wipe-out on Wednesday, but is healing well. We're all very thankful that it was surface wounds and nothing major. Her bike's gear shift was duct taped back together so she could complete the week, but it will need an overhaul before she goes on any other trek.
I'm preparing for a yard sale this Saturday. It's time to weed out all the home school material for preschool through 2nd grade. It seems strange that there are no more 'littles' coming along to use the younger level material. I'm also trying to weed out the attic collection. We used to 'lose weight' with each move when we were in the military, but it's been 15 years without a move and we have the 'weight' to prove it!
Today I cleared out and re-organized the home school shelves since it'll soon be time to hit the books again. The IHIPs (individual home instruction plans) have been submitted to the superintendent of schools, and now I await word on whether I am 'compliant' with NY state law. (They just review our plans and make sure that we are covering all the required courses.) Actually, the children have already been doing activities that 'count' as school. Ian has been having a wonderful time writing stories on an old Underwood typewriter that was loaned to us. Jonathan has been learning about amphibians since Rachael brought home a baby newt (named Geico). Geico has disappeared, but not before Jonathan learned all about what newts eat, where they live, and how to care for them. (Thankfully, Geico was being kept on the back porch so I don't have a newt wandering through the house...that I know of!)
It looks like Nathanial and I will be heading to Cary, NC September 8th-11th for him to visit Shepherds' Theological Seminary, which he plans to attend for the spring 2014 semester. (He wants to check the school out before committing to a move to NC.) I'm going along to help with the driving, check out where he'll be moving to, and have the treat of meeting up with some friends who live in NC.
We're all looking forward to my sister Kathy and brother-in-law James coming for a visit next weekend. It isn't often that we have family from Maine visit, so it's a special gift to all of us that they are making the long trip in this direction as part of their vacation.
As I type this, there are flocks of Canadian geese flying over...I don't want to think about what that means!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
A Whirlwind of Days...
Seasons seem to pass so quickly, but summer seems especially fast as the warm days are filled with regular activities in addition to those that can only be done in the summer sun.
We've had the usual trips to doctors and dentists. Katelyn has developed asthma, but is responding well to the medications. Wayne's oncologist/hematologist doesn't need to see him until November since his blood tests were so good (Yahoo!)
The past two weeks have been filled with visitors. Wayne's Mom and Aunt Millie came for a few days before returning to PA for a family reunion and a memorial service for one of Wayne's uncles. They and several uncles, an aunt, and Wayne's sister stopped on their way to Massachusetts for Uncle Gilbert's burial. They stopped on their way back to PA for dinner and a quick visit before completing the trip home.
We also had the members of East Wind Gospel Group arrive from Maine last Saturday. Nancy and Phil spent the night here while the 3 remaining members stayed in a local motel, but we had a great day together Sunday after a concert at our church. The newest member of the group is from my home town of Pownal, Maine. We had fun talking about mutual acquaintances and things of "home".
Matthew also made it home last weekend for a visit. It was great having all the kids together again.
Monday I took Matt back to Bath and then Katelyn to the doctor's for a check up before her upcoming bike trip. Wednesday was music lesson day, shopping for necessities for the bike trip, and meeting with the Artisan Guild to discuss the reopening of our shop (which is still in limbo). Yesterday Marc had his monthly black smith lesson in North Hampton, MA.
Today it was yard work day, making last minute purchases for the bike trip and packing for the trip. Tomorrow we take Marc's and Katelyn's gear to the loading area to help pack the trucks with all the luggage and tenting equipment. Early Monday a.m. the bikers leave Oneonta and head to Cobleskill, NY where their tour through the Catskills begin. They'll be gone until next Saturday. It will seem strange to have only Nathanial, Rachael, Jon, and Ian home (and Nathanial will be working most of the week).
As I mentioned earlier, the re-opening of the shop is on hold for the time being as we await the legal workings of the church organization allowing us the use of one of their buildings. Our using their facility will not be generating any income for the church, which will be confirmed at the upcoming hearing. We have no idea how long this process will take, but the local church is very anxious for us to be in the building and not leaving it vacated any longer than necessary. We are praying that it will be speedily put to rest and we'll be able to open our doors soon. In the meantime, we're gearing up in production so we'll be ready with ample inventory.
No wonder the days are flying by!
We've had the usual trips to doctors and dentists. Katelyn has developed asthma, but is responding well to the medications. Wayne's oncologist/hematologist doesn't need to see him until November since his blood tests were so good (Yahoo!)
The past two weeks have been filled with visitors. Wayne's Mom and Aunt Millie came for a few days before returning to PA for a family reunion and a memorial service for one of Wayne's uncles. They and several uncles, an aunt, and Wayne's sister stopped on their way to Massachusetts for Uncle Gilbert's burial. They stopped on their way back to PA for dinner and a quick visit before completing the trip home.
We also had the members of East Wind Gospel Group arrive from Maine last Saturday. Nancy and Phil spent the night here while the 3 remaining members stayed in a local motel, but we had a great day together Sunday after a concert at our church. The newest member of the group is from my home town of Pownal, Maine. We had fun talking about mutual acquaintances and things of "home".
Matthew also made it home last weekend for a visit. It was great having all the kids together again.
Monday I took Matt back to Bath and then Katelyn to the doctor's for a check up before her upcoming bike trip. Wednesday was music lesson day, shopping for necessities for the bike trip, and meeting with the Artisan Guild to discuss the reopening of our shop (which is still in limbo). Yesterday Marc had his monthly black smith lesson in North Hampton, MA.
Today it was yard work day, making last minute purchases for the bike trip and packing for the trip. Tomorrow we take Marc's and Katelyn's gear to the loading area to help pack the trucks with all the luggage and tenting equipment. Early Monday a.m. the bikers leave Oneonta and head to Cobleskill, NY where their tour through the Catskills begin. They'll be gone until next Saturday. It will seem strange to have only Nathanial, Rachael, Jon, and Ian home (and Nathanial will be working most of the week).
As I mentioned earlier, the re-opening of the shop is on hold for the time being as we await the legal workings of the church organization allowing us the use of one of their buildings. Our using their facility will not be generating any income for the church, which will be confirmed at the upcoming hearing. We have no idea how long this process will take, but the local church is very anxious for us to be in the building and not leaving it vacated any longer than necessary. We are praying that it will be speedily put to rest and we'll be able to open our doors soon. In the meantime, we're gearing up in production so we'll be ready with ample inventory.
No wonder the days are flying by!
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