Sundays

Last Sunday we took a bike ride to a local park. We wanted to because we like to take rides on pretty, sunny Sunday afternoons, but also because a friend of Beatrice's came over that afternoon from church. The first thing she told me when we got into the van is Travis won't have to help me learn to ride the bike anymore because I learned how now. As soon as Travis got in she told him also. So it was a fun thing for her to share with us.

The cool activity on this ride (aside from Tea sharing her new skills) was a guy at the park with his kids and birds. He kept whistling every once in awhile and they would stay near by him. I think being able to train them that well is pretty cool. He said he has another one at home that does a few more tricks. He has had him longer. I was happy watching from afar, but as soon as Malia saw them she went to check them out. The white one is a fiddlederoo, afigilreuu or something pigeon and the yellow one is a love bird parrot. The parrot likes to stay in the trees and the pigeon is happier on the ground and they both seemed to be happier in Margaret's hair. She has a very sensitive scalp and was not too happy to be their favorite landing perch. It was funny though.

Beatrice was smitten for the next few days and kept begging for a bird, any bird, one that would be hers and she could care for. Then for some reason since I wouldn't let her have a bird (they stink and I do not ever want one to live in my house :) she decided that a pig would be fine so she had Travis looking on craigslist for pigs. No luck. Except for a guinea pig which we all agree they stink (except for Bea).

Can you find the Love bird?

This Sunday we had a couple over from church that have been coming for awhile but we have never had over to our place. The food was fine, but I tried a Lime Cheese Cake Recipe and it was REALLy good. They were so sweet and thankful to come. It was fun. I have been really trying hard to be ready to have a decent dinner on Sundays ready so we can invite a family over every Sunday Travis is able.

This morning Gregory was the first one up besides me and he got all dressed for church right off. Often he fusses about needing to go to church and hasn't wanted to go to class for a really long time. So that was neat that he got ready so perkily. Then he got out the bowls and spoons and cereal and milk for everyone and started eating his breakfast. (This is the only morning of the week we do that but to get to church on time I want the kids to eat as soon as they are up) Once Gregory got all set up at the table he asked me if it was morning church and I said yes. He said, oh, good because then we will have friends over afterwards. That made me feel so good. Then at church he went to class without me asking him too, or anyone!

I like Sundays!

~Anna

Airplane rides

Today Margaret got to realize a dream of hers. She has long wanted to fly and today she did. She was so excited!

This is a homemade airplane that you can buy a kit and make. It is considered a two passenger. I think it would be very crowded! It is cute though. While the kids waited for their turn to fly they flew Styrofoam gliders. Beatrice's is just behind Gregory's shoulder in the air. The boy in red, his airplane, is above his head.

More waiters.

Before getting into the plane the pilot gave them a little walk around of how an airplane works. Here they are learning about how the aileron works, what it does.

Harrison was allowed to be the co-pilot and Margaret and DJ sat in the backseat. They all wore headsets. When they got out of the plane after their twenty minute ride Margaret was jumping all around so excited about it her experience. This is a Piper Archer. They received certificates of flight.It was a really neat experience.

It is hosted by EAA an airplane flying enthusiast club and their cooperation with Young Eagles which is a club that encourages young people to get excited about flying and dreaming big.

So any of you can come visit us on the third Saturday and we will take you to watch and ride airplanes!

Why I Enjoy Homeschooling

1. When Travis is home we are able to do something fun as a family or just he and the kids. Being flexible is very important for Travis' job. If we sent them away from home they might only see their Daddy every week or so.

2. Playing games with a purpose. Climbing Mount Everest allows them to know what mountain climbers go through and some facts about the mountain. Chinese Checkers is cultural. Playing games is not really a favorite past time of mine but I think it provides a great bonding time so multi-purposing my time is really nice.

3. Home school kids are not as bound by age limits in their friendships. Gregory's best friend right now is 13 years old. 4. When the days are sunny and it is beautiful weather we take a walk and enjoy the changes of spring. The mallards appear to have set up housekeeping on Ames Lake. The snails were huge sitting on the lily pad stumps from last year. Without all the greenery on the plants you could see them. We never have before. It was pretty cool to me. 5. When time is running out and Beatrice hasn't gotten all of her school work done, then her mini teachers kick in and get the job done. Computer time can't start until all of the school work is completed. I like seeing my kids helping each other. 6. Gregory wanted a story read. Harrison was doing his schoolwork but he happily read his little brother a story and the girls gathered round. Sweet fellowship is fun to watch.

7. When our schoolwork is too frustrating, we can take the rest of the day off to do less stressful activities. When a new morning breaks and we are rested we will likely have no problem with the previously frustrating material. 8. When the opportunity presents itself for an exciting adventure we aren't bound by predetermined time tables.

(the macho team from the Hurricane 2009, they came to almost the exact weight limit)

9. I am learning so many neat things that I must have forgotten since my school days.

10. We get to eat the product of our research and labors from the countries we are learning about. 11. Great grandparents are the recipients of more letters than would likely happen if the kids were away all day at a different school.

This is not a complete list, I am sure, but, some of the reasons I do homeschool.

Enjoy your day.

~Anna

Springtime

In one week you can really see a difference in our greenery. We have gotten two nice rains and everything looks so much nicer! I love new buds on all the trees.

There is just one week between the taking of these two train pictures.

Now that Spring has Sprung I am enjoying grazing around our yard for edible plants. There isn't too much out there yet but I have managed to insert dandelion greens into two meals so far, with a bit of red clover leaves for good measure. Harrison and Margaret try to say they don't like greens, but truly they do. Especially when they are in a nice rice Pilauf or in Kabab Masala. The Shepherd's purse are growing nicely. They are really good cooked until tender and add a few beaten eggs and salt and pepper. Cook until set. Yummy stuff.Spring is when my Birthday is. This is my terimisu cake Margaret made for me. This is also yummy stuff! We had it for our morning tea. She couldn't wait any longer to see how it turned out. All week, until yesterday, she was trying to get everyone to vote on the type of cake to make and never could she get one hundred percent vote for her choice so yesterday she just went ahead and baked it without consulting the rest of the clan.

Our Weekend

We just got done with a lovely few days up in Bemidji. It was very peaceful and fun, not exactly relaxing since we probably stayed up later than we needed most nights but we did have a really good time.

I think this is such a homey picture. I love it!

Abner the goat is glad we have all gone home though since somehow he was harnessed up and expected to give many children rides in the wheelchair chariot Dad and Luke rigged up for him. I guess he didn't pull his weight this past fall so now he had to do it this spring! He was given regular rewards of grain to keep him moving. See, Margaret is carrying his rewards bucket. These guys played many games together. Most of the games needed helmets and leather gloves. Jaten thinks Grandpa's rendition of Jesus Loves Me is the very best. And now it is time to say goodnight with one last big smile.

~Anna

You can see more of our weekend pictures here.

Our Week, so far

This week we have had sweet, surprise visitors around our place. At three months this one is not afraid of strangers and is perfectly happy to give lots of sweet smiles.

Margaret can't take enough pictures of Jaten.

We got to take our first bike ride of the year on Wednesday to play at the park. It was down right hot out on March 31st! Such pleasant weather to be out and about! I made gluten/dairy free rumpledoodles for snacks this week. They turned out quite good although a bit dryer than they would normally be. I used rice and corn for the flour.

The lizard liked seeing the warm sunshine, just like us.

This morning I sent my eldest and Nic off on a ride with Travis at 3:30 am to sneak a ride. I expect them home in a couple hours. I hope they have made fun new memories. It ended up they needed to sit in the car quite awhile waiting for things to get organised in the office so I am hopeful they didn't have too much down time, but with their active imaginations it was probably just fine!

Talk to you later,

~Anna

The Lost and found Story

Tuesday of this week was very beautiful. Through the morning we had a lot of going in and out of the house. For gym I had the kids jump rope up and down the drive way and they instituted their own breaks from schoolwork and would swing. It was also a tempting day for Henry to take his own walk, evidently.

I didn't miss him until around noon I noticed I hadn't seen him for awhile. I called, checked for him outside. Not there. Oh well he'll be back soon. So then all through the afternoon we regularly called for him and checked at the back door but no return. By supper time I thought I had better do something a little more proactive in searching for him as I didn't want to tell Travis about this without being able to report that I had tried. So my children plus several of their friends and I took a long walk all around our community. We looked through the woods, we looked in all the ditches, we looked along the train tracks and around all of the houses. He wasn't anywhere. We were certain some one else had wanted a somewhat sweet puppy and Dognapped him. Henry wouldn't purposely leave us!

Wednesday morning I called (and listened to long messages about how to find your lost pet) the humane society and the animal control in St Paul to see if they had a dog like Henry. None. Nothing resembling him at either place. We looked at all the pictures on line of found pets in our area. Nothing there either. Thursday I filed a lost pet form on a couple sites on line and then got through to Animal control again. They had a terrier that was brought in on 3/23 from our area, I ought to come look at him. After spending an extra 15 minutes looking for this place I finally found it and went in to look at this dog. It was Henry! After filling out the proper papers and proving that he was current on his rabies and was neutered I was allowed to take him home, after I paid more than he is worth for their efforts.

Honestly you think you are about to really get some things done and something silly comes up to take all of your time. And I had to sweep the floor way more often because there was no one around to clean up after Gregory's messy eating habits!

May your Dog always stay where he belongs!

~Anna

James Herriot

For the last year, or maybe more the kids and I have been reading these books in the evenings when Travis is not home. (He always reads when he is home). I started them because Margaret has often thought that she would like to be a vet, and because I had fond memories of them. I think she has grown out of that ambition but none of us grew tired of this series. For me they work best as read a loud books since he does throw in quite a bit of rough language that I would prefer my children not reading. Aside from the language it is a very wholesome story of life as a vet in Darrowby England before, during and after World War II. There were many evenings that at least one of the chapters had Harrison and I laughing pretty hard. And several had me in tears (but that is pretty easy).

They make for an excellent animal anatomy science class I am sure. We certainly know more about labor and delivery of cows, sheep and pigs then we ever did before these books.

I know this series of books was made into a video series at one time. Sometime soon I want to check them out from our library and see if they are very good viewing.

Happy Reading!

~Anna

Birthday Greetings to my Father!

This is a pretty wonderful guy and to him I say Happy Birthday!!

Love you,

~Anna

Signs of Spring

I suppose we will get some more snow here before the winter is actually over but, today the sun was warm and bright. It sure did feel like spring was here! With such encouraging weather we got busy with some much needed cleaning. We aired out all the snow boots and cleaned them up to put away until next winter. They'll just wear their mud boots from here on out. I am waiting a bit longer to wash all the mittens and snow pants. I don't like repeating myself, that much.

With the lovely weather we also had some bare chested conquistadors around the backyard! ~Anna

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY aunt MARTHA! LOVE,MARGARET.

Happy Birthday Martha, Love, Harrison

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Martha, Beatrice

Happy birthday AUNTIE MARTHA! Gregory

May Your year be grand and your day be great. We Love you Martha!

~Anna

Black Irish Ginger Cake

In preparation for Saint Patrick's Day we had this cake for supper tonight. It was a hit with everyone. We had 5 unexpected guest and everyone of them asked for seconds or thirds, too. I got the recipe from here but as is my style I did change it in a few ways. 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup blackstrap molasses 3 cup whole wheat flour 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup fresh hot strong black coffee Preheat oven to 350* F. Grease 9 inch round cake pan or a 9x13 cake pan and set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar and molasses until smooth. Beat in the eggs, add the flour, spices, and salt. Dissolve the Baking soda in the coffee, then add to the batter. Beat vigorously until well blended. Scrape the batter into prepared pan and bake for 40 -60 minutes, or until tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Excellent served with: 8 oz whipping cream whipped with 1 teaspoon coffee granules and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Why don't you try it today and tell me if your family likes it as much as mine did. ~Anna

Projects

I was given some time last week so I thought I had better get something done with it. So I painted the upstairs bathroom green and the girls' dressers I sanded down, glued a few loose corners and then painted.

It didn't take me long to tell you what I did, but it took me several days to get the jobs done.

All I wanted to do was read a book I had started on the weekend. I like to read but I don't like to wait to finish the book. If I enjoy it I have a hard time doing my other responsibilities. I would like to just see how the book ends. I am still waiting to see how this book ends as I have only made it half way through it and I read more than I didn't read as I was riding to Bemidji this past weekend and most of the way home. Oh well someday in the next month I will finish it. In general I guess I prefer books that are for fun that aren't 1168 pages long. I am just to slow of a reader.

Well I am off to read,

~Anna

I did it!

I have not

been able to

give blood very

often the past

year or two.

My hemoglobin

just keeps being

a point or two to low. But today I had an appointment to try again at 12:45. I had almost decided I would like it if it was still to low this time because things just kept coming up that I wanted or needed to do TOdaY. But I wanted to give it my best shot. So, yesterday I worked hard at eating beef. This morning I had a Tablespoon full of blackstrap molasses and various other things that are supposed to help

build up iron.

It worked!

I was able

to Give

My blood

For some one.

That made

Me feel

Good!

Now I am off to bed so I can make more.

~Anna

Touring

This past Friday we

went on a field trip

with our home school group

that got a little long

But still we had fun. Learning about the United States Post Office.

~Anna