Garden Woes

 We started some seeds.  We watered them faithfully.  We whispered encouraging words.  

We smiled when a few popped through here and there.

 The planting of the garden was somewhat of a family affair this year.

 Everyone did their part.

 Rows were straight and seeds were placed in just the right way.

 The girls did more sitting than working - but Someone had to supervise.

 The boys and their dad worked hard.

Most of the boys that is.

It appeared like we were having a great start to our garden.  Sometimes appearances aren't what they seem.  The plants we started were looking fairly decent.  The tomatoes were a complete waste of time.  We have 3 tomato plants that look pathetic.  The sqaush, pumpkins, and watermelon did GREAT!  They were doing so great that I shared some with my friend.  She will probably laugh after she reads this.  I spent the day at her house on Saturday. While I was gone it got too hot in the greenhouse and baked the plants.  I have one little spaghetti squash plant alive and those 3 pathetic tomato plants look even more pathetic.  I didn't even think that was possible!!  Sigh...sigh...sigh.  Yah, even I am laughing a bit.  All Darren said was "I guess we will try again next year."  In the meantime we will be hitting the local stores for tomatoes, peppers, and possibly zucchini.  I hope we can get a few hills of watermelons and pumpkins started this week.  To add to the trouble - it hasn't rained near as much as anyone would like.  We will need to figure out how to get water to those seeds and SOON.  Always something.  Don't be surprised if I come visiting and take home a couple bushel of tomatoes from your garden this fall.

Happy Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day to the best mommy who...

 was great to snuggle with,

  was there for me when I took my first step,

 made holidays and birthdays fun,

 gave the best tea parties,

and took care of all my needs.

The best mommy who loved me then and loves me now.

I love you, Mom.

History Class

We finished our history for the year this past week.  We had a great time.  We were using the Homeschool in the Woods history program The Early 19th Century.  Take a look at some of the projects the boys worked on this week....

 Blase working on a corn husk doll.

 Stephen made a boy doll named Fred.

 "Fred" got a haircut...

 Blase learned how to braid the hair of his girl doll.

 "Kateri" and "Fred"

 We also did a little gold panning...

 This was our gold panning stash....shhhhh, don't tell anyone.

A fun cabin with paper windows just like the pioneers.

Family Day at Caterpillar

We spent Saturday morning visiting Darren's work.  First they had breakfast for everyone along with games  for the kids and booths for the parents.  There was even a magic show.

 Rex was fishing...he caught a nice sized bag of goodies.

 Brech was a fireman for a moment.  Then we boarded a trolley bus and headed over to the Caterpillar building.  Come along with us....see where Darren works.

 This is the new addition that Darren has been in charge of.

 Bet you didn't know this - but the seals in that thing behind Blase are one of the first projects Darren designed and worked on when he started out at Caterpillar in 2000.  At that time he was a chemical engineer working on - you guessed it - seal design.  

 Brech Earl back in the fire truck after we were done with our tour.

 Rex checking out the police car.

 Cormac had a great time.

 Brech Earl "hauling" his brother in.

The kids with Dad by the CAT machine!  (that's what we call Caterpillars around here - CAT machines)

A little of this...

 When your hair is long enough to stand straight up after a bath - its time for a haircut.

 Two of our trees in the back yard.  They smell SO wonderful.  I really hope there is something good to show for all those blossoms.  It appears that the apple tree on the other side of the yard will not be getting many apples.  I was looking forward to canning apple pie filling again.

 

 Blase made meatballs for supper one night.  He is getting to be quite handy in the kitchen.  He is my right-hand man when it comes to cooking and cleaning up.  I think I will teach him how to make cookies next.  I don't like making cookies, so maybe we will actually have some in the house if Blase takes over.

 Happy Be-lated Stars Wars Day to you.  May the Fourth be with you!

We celebrated by having a special breakfast - "cereal in a cup and watch a movie".

Someone Else (Brech Earl) stamped Someone's forehead with a yellow turtle stamp.  Oh the memories.

Notebooking Excitement

There is a big surprise happening over at my favorite website for notebooking page sets.  You should really stop over if you need to shake up your homeschool with a little fun.  We love notebooking.  Ok, honestly - I love notebooking.  The boys are less than thrilled about writing anymore than they have to.  I use my blank notebooking pages set for the boys all the time.  We have used them to pretty up a poem for someone, reports about anything and everything, for art drawings, and for just about every subject.

I love notebooking.  I know I already said that - but its so true!

Go check out the surprise at  NotebookingPages.com

Here is a link to their free notebooking pages.  You will need to sign up for a free account.  Trust me when I say it will be worth it.   http://notebookingpages.com/I5