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Lil' Red

Charlie the Duck

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So we went to a local county nature park to take pics for a giveaway and since the weather was gorgeous. We found some flowers and took pictures of the kids using the nature guide. Then we walked to the small pond trying to get pictures of Blue Heron which flew away by the time we reached the pond.

Eldest walked onto the wooden viewing deck.  Princess was wondering near when I spotted a duck. Both were taken with the duck.  I was used to this type of duck and even had some as a child.  Next thing I know they are calling “Charlie” the duck to come follow them. Princess lays down in the grass to draw Charlie. Eldest and Princess both try to pet Charlie. We decide it was time to head to grandma’s where Lil’ Red was.  Charlie tried to follow us to the parking lot.  Obviously this duck was a farm duck and very used to people. Soon he waddled over to the pond and went right in probably looking for some lunch:)


Homegrown Learners

 

 

 

Backyard Campfire 101

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Backyard Campfire 101:
How Siblings Light a Fire

backyard campfire

 

It is sad to say Summer is almost over and we hadn’t had a campfire at all this year. I think the main reason is due to a much hotter Summer earlier than normal.  We had weeks of high 90’s and over 100 numerous times.  We have a firepit in our backyard that totally needed some TLC.  Princess set to work arranging all the bricks that had been knocked into the firepit and taking all the small sticks out of it.  I had mowed as close as I could and pulled some weeds the mower couldn’t reach.

 

We promised the kids we would have a bonfire but had been too tired the night before by the time it would be dark enough to have one.  So this brave and CRAZY momma allowed Eldest and Princess to build a small fire in the firepit by themselves.  I provided some guidance and we tried to use a matchless flame lighter. The child-proof buttons proved to be too difficult so we opted for (gasp) real matches.

Eldest declared he had learned the safe way to use a match at nature camp.  I said that was fine and he could teach Princess how-to do it.  So with Lil’ Red on my lap I provided verbal instruction for how to lay the sticks and where to place the small balls of newspaper and where to place the matches.  I reminded them to hold the flame end up so as not to burn themselves.

Once Riley was home from work we proceeded to roast hotdogs for a late evening snack.  I was smart this time and gathered the supplies on a large tray for the hot dogs.  Then I used a different container to hold the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows for s’mores.  Both of these containers were placed on our glass side table within reach of our lawn chairs so we weren’t running inside for missed items.

25 Random thoughts from 2009!

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Flashback to 2009! Facebook Style.

I guess you could say it is the beauty of facebook. Just found some old thoughts I had jotted in the Notes section of facebook. Thought it would be fun to share here:
1. I’m glad that I am on facebook and connecting with other MOPs mommies.
2. Can’t believe January is almost over and our 2009 calendar isn’t hung up. My hubby bought the one on steroids and I need to buy some jumbo kinda holder thingies.
3. I’m glad that my daughter loves cheerleading-even though I wasn’t the cheerleading type.
4. I’m glad my son memorizes Bible verses so easily and hope that he will learn the meaning of God’s Word just as easy.
5. Thankful for kids that can play together and are best friends.
6. Glad that unemployment has been extended for my husband.
7. Leaving only a week and a half gap of income until Nonie’s #1 Ice Shack Opens.(May 1)
8. Hoping to conitnue on the path of “self-discovery” while in the journey of motherhood.
9. Praying that my marriage continues to become stronger as we celebrate 10 years this July.
10. Can’t wait to find out what Riley has planned.
11. Trying not to think about it.
12. SHOCKED that my non-planning, laid-back hubby IS PLANNING something!
13. Surprised how quickly the school year is going.
14. Cannot beleive that Princess will be in Kindergarten next year.
15. Need to decide what I should be doing in the near future about a career.
16. Not sure what I can do about Child Passenger Safety type career.
17. Thinking about OCVN(Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturlist) training.
18. Possibly going to finish a Bachelors degree if I qualify for free tuition.
19. Looking for more Kroger shoppers to help support kids tuition.
20. Still cannot believe I’m 30 and didn’t get a chance to really celebrate.
21. Looking forward to someday making it up (30th b-day GNO).
22. Would love to visit a winery for a wine tasting.
23. Would love to see Tennessee in the fall.
24. Still trying to figure out where to go to church.
25. I need to remember to start the day in prayer AND reading the Bible. Very lacking in that dept.

UPDATED 2012 version:

1. Glad I am blogging and connecting with lots of awesome homeschool moms.
2. Cannot believe August is almost over and school is starting.
3. I am glad my daughter loves ballet! and I am PA to Piqua School of tHE ARTs earning free classes:)
4. Wish all of my children would memorize more scripture.
5. Thankful for two BIGS that will take care of Lil’ Red!
6. Glad my husband has part-time job and would love for him to get full-time in IT dept.
7. Glad that the Ice Shack sold in 2010 since city ordinances were giving us too much trouble to re-open.
8. Still on a path of discovery for myself, my marriage, and children.
9. Still praying that God leads us as we are in 13 years of marriage.
10. Still have lots of anniversaries to make-up/celebrate.
11. Trying not to think, worry, or be bitter that we weren’t able to celebrate big.
12. My husband still shocks me-mostly with his weird sense of humor.
13. Surprised how quickly the year is going-not really-time flies when you are an adult!
14. Cannot believe that Princess is in 3rd grade and Eldest is in 4th grade.
15. Working on a blogging career while being open to what God calls us to do.
16. Still a Certified Child Passenger Safety Tech, but not very active.
17. Didn’t complete OCVN but am taking Project Wild and Project Aquatic on saturday!
18.  Enrolled in one 3 credit Accounting Class working on Certificate to transfer to 4 yr. for BA in Business Management.
19. Looking for Swagbucks referrals to help pay for Christmas, lol. Still owe CAS for tuition, but working on that one.
20. & 21. Still waiting to celebrate. Maybe when I turn 35.
22. Would still love to go to a winery.
23. Still wanna see leaves in the fall in Tennessee!
24. Had been going to a church for 3 yrs. But major ministerial changes and high gas prices have not made it a priority. So may need to search for a local church, ugh.
25. I need to remember to start the day in prayer AND reading the Bible. Very lacking in that dept. Doing Hello Mornings and hoping I can finally get a good grasp on this:)

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What we did ALL Week- August 11-18

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Princess has a mini ballet recital this week. One of her classmates was returning home after a summer visit with grandparents.

We went to the fair! The Sheriff’s Department was there and so was Santa Claus?!?

Princess had a friend spend the night and we went to a park on the way to take her friend home. Boys loved climbing and sliding. Girls went off to do their own thing.

That very tall old slide scares me every time we are around one! Lil’ Red insists on being BIG. Eldest help keep him safe so I could snap some pictures!

LINKING UP WITH:

Weekly Wrap-up and Homeschool Mother’s Journal August 17, 2012

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In my life this week… I spent lots of time on the pc learning about blogging, buffer, socialoomph, tweetdeck, etc. Still lots to learn but automation is definitely the way to go.

In our homeschool this week… we prepared for a new year. We organized some binders. We cleared some more space to play in the backyard. I was able to schedule 2 fieldtrips for co-op. I ordered free resources from ODNR Wildlife, ODNR Forestry, and contacted OSU extension about 4-H.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Find a realy good resource, print it and THEN USE IT. Make sure to put that resource in your daily binder or on your fridge so you can easily use the new resource!

I am inspired by… Ann Voskamp of One Thousand Gifs, still trying to finish her book AND my Hello Mornings group AND my blogger mommy tribe!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… We went to the fair this week and meet lots of friends from MOPS and Homeschool groups. Found out one is doing a Foster to Adopt program and has a teeny-tiny baby boy she is in care of.

My favorite thing this week was… finding our lost dog even though it cost $55 to get him back-ouch!

What’s working/not working for us… We are not on a school schedule of any sort. Mom and Dad start college in 2 weeks. Kids will start school Monday to get a good week in BEFORE Mom and Dad start college.

Questions/thoughts I have… Still learning Social Media, blogging, and trying to keep my sanity!

Things I’m working on…Transforming my backyard into a place everyone wants to be vs. a big weedy mess that everyone hides fromJ

I’m reading… One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, Homeschool Sanity by Sherry Hayes, misc homeschool freebies and resources, Prairie Primer by Margie Gray

I’m cooking… Pizza tonight since I was too tired after searching for 3 hrs for lost dog. Crockpot roast on the day we went to the fair and Hanburger pork ‘n beans with mashed potatoes another day. Hamburgers on the grill with onions and fresh garden tomato sliced. Chocolate Zucchini cake-yummy!

I’m grateful for… having a home even though it is messy and crazy and sometimes even dirty from dog prints and kid spills.

I’m praying for… peace, divorced friends, and getting through another week.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…