Tree-Climbing Dolts May 22, 2009
Posted by Laura in Farm.3 comments
For all their annoying habits (like getting their heads stuck in the fence and eating the blueberry plants 
), goats (a.k.a. “dolts” according to Lydia) are entertaining. I glanced out the window yesterday to see this.
No, they didn’t do anything particularly amazing to get up there, but it was funny to see. Remember that tree that came down (well, partly anyway)? The goats are able to climb onto the ends of the limbs that haven’t quite separated from it and and go up from there. They are pretty proud of themselves.
School Year Wrap-Up May 19, 2009
Posted by Laura in Family, Homeschooling.6 comments
As the days get longer and warmer, children (and teachers) all over start getting antsy for the end of school. Homeschoolers are no exception. Each May we look forward to those events that signal that summer is rapidly approaching and mark the accomplishments of the term. Last Tuesday was the last class day in our enrichment program, last night we had our art show, and today was Field Day.
From the Art Show
Rachel’s lovely watercolor frog. She is a frog lover like her cousin Sarah Elizabeth.
Benjamin took Oil Painting this year. This is one of our favorites.
A colorful still life Rachel cut out in her mixed media class.
This includes an interesting reflection and could be displayed this way or upside down.
From Field Day
I love the classic drag-your-partner, win-at-all-costs going on to the left of Benjamin.
Rachel was quite happy with this ribbon because 3 is her favorite number.
The “Pillowcase Race.” I distracted him so Benjamin was slow getting out of the gate.
I only saw one child cheat and hold the ball on the spoon with his finger while running.
Lydia may have been too young to compete, but she didn’t miss out on the best part- Snow Cones!
The Girl Scouts Father / Daughter Dance May 16, 2009
Posted by Joe in Scouts.2 comments
A couple of months ago, I had the privilege of escorting Rachel to a Girl Scouts Father / Daughter dance. We had a wonderful time.
Here’s a picture from the dance. I love that girl!
A message from the Ad Council May 13, 2009
Posted by Joe in Family.2 comments
This is your daughter.
This is your daughter when she’s found Mommy’s makeup drawer.
Any questions?
Out of the mouth of babes May 11, 2009
Posted by Joe in Family, Farm.2 comments
Lydia’s vocabulary has grown considerably over the past few months and she seems very pleased about it. And so are we! She can communicate much better now, telling us what she wants rather than playing a frustrating form of toddler charades until we figure out what it is that she’s trying to say.
She frequently points at something and calls it by name as if to make sure we know that she knows what it is.
Her pronunciation, however, has lagged a bit behind her growing vocabulary. Sometimes when she says something, it’s not quite as clear as it could be. But that’ll come with time. In the meantime, it can be a source of great amusement.
For example it tickles us when she points at the goats and says quite confidently “Look, dolts. Dolts, Mommy, dolts”.
She probably more accurate than she realizes.
Here chick, chick! May 8, 2009
Posted by Laura in Uncategorized.3 comments
Lydia is so proud of her rapidly expanding abilities. She has moved to a “big girl bed” and is delighted to be allowed to help however she can. Her job when we put away dishes is to do the silverware- “Dis goes here. Dis goes here…” Who says you need a fancy sorting toy to teach that skill! Here she is helping to feed chickens this morning.
And when we told Timothy about her accomplishment, he was very proud too!
“I just did what anybody would do.” May 6, 2009
Posted by Joe in Family, Scouts.3 comments
Last summer, Benjamin and Rachel were invited to a friend’s pool party to celebrate the end of the school year. There were about a dozen fellow homeschoolers there along with a handful of their parents. It was a beautiful day for a pool party and picnic. Everyone was having a good time swimming and playing.
A 3 year old little girl was there, swimming with the aid of her water wings. She eventually grew tired swimming and got out of the pool to play for a little while. She took off her water wings.
Later, when she wanted to get back in the pool, she had forgotten all about her water wings and she jumped into the deep end of the pool. She couldn’t swim. She began to sink.
Benjamin saw this happen and ran to the side of the pool, jumped in, grabbed her, and pulled her to the ladder where her mother was waiting to help pull her out.
Benjamin didn’t mention the incident. We learned of it later from the girl’s mother. I asked Benjamin why he didn’t tell us about it and he just shrugged his shoulders and said “I just did what anybody would do. No big deal.”
Through a passing conversation, the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America learned of the incident. They asked for more information from the people there. And last month at our Pack meeting, they awarded Benjamin a Certificate of Merit.
And he got his name in the paper.
Obviously, we’re proud of him, as much for the character and attitude as for the act itself.
It’s a girl! April 26, 2009
Posted by Joe in Farm.1 comment so far
Time is a funny thing. One the one hand it seems like only yesterday we bought our first two heifers from a friend of ours, and yet on the other hand it seems like they’ve been a part of Blessed Acres Farm for quite some time.
But it hasn’t been too long, since this month, #6 and #7, affectionately known as Gloria and Lacy to the kids, turned two years old. And what a way to celebrate. #6 had her first calf today. It’s a little girl.
The new calf, yet unnamed, seemed to know what exactly what to do. Mama, despite the picture above, is not 100% sure she wants to be nursed. I think she’ll figure it out soon though. Her protective instinct has been spot on; she protects her calf from the others and watches over her pretty well.
Here’s a close up on the new little girl. I think she’ll one day grow into those ears.
We’re thankful to another friend who allowed us to borrow their registered bull last summer to make this day possible.
Here Comes Lydia Cottontail, Hopping Down the Bunny Trail… April 11, 2009
Posted by Laura in Uncategorized.3 comments
Lydia LOVES her baby brother! She wants to kiss him and hold him and love him (and call him George- no wait, that’s another story). MANY times a day she demands to “hold it, T-Man” as she refers to him. One of her favorite things to do is to feed him a bottle of pumped milk and repeat motherly things to him. Here she is posing with the bunny ears she got from her grandmother Beck.
Chick Chain April 10, 2009
Posted by Laura in 4-H, Family, Farm.3 comments
We have really enjoyed 4-H since we joined last year as “Clover Buds.” Benjamin is in 4th grade this year, so he is now a full-fledged member and can participate in the various contests and projects. A couple of months ago, he competed at the county level in Speech. Recently, he decided to raise a batch of chicks to enter in the county fair in the fall. His 25 Black Star chicks, plus one mystery rare breed chick, arrived Monday and he has had sole responsibility for them since then. There was a close call with one that got steamrolled by some others while napping, but much to my surprise, it made a full recovery after a night in a box by the fire in the house. After Benjamin gave it more water, some TLC, and a pep talk, it was chirping away by morning and he returned the little guy to the brooder.
After raising them all summer, Benjamin will choose his 6 best to go to the fair, compete, and be auctioned off. He gets to keep the rest. It is a wonderful program. In the end, you get a flock of chickens for just the cost of the food and a great experience that helps develop responsibility and character.
