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Lilacs for you . . . . . .

May 28, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

lilacs displaye in home

. . . . but mostly Lilacs for me.

Now that the Lilac clusters were all fully bloomed, the scent on the breeze around our home has been just beautiful. I just HAD to clip some and bring some inside.

As soon as I brought the Lilacs into the house, my son said “But Mama, what if bugs live in there and they come in our house?” To which I replied “Oh Honey, I don’t think there are any in there.” No sooner did I get the words out of my mouth, did a baby spider drop down on a silk swing, right out of the Lilacs.

My son follows me into the kitchen and asks if I think they are all out now, and I told him “I think so, Babes”. And then….a little fruit-like-fly flies out almost into his face. “Ok…NOW, I think they are all out.” lol

I placed them in the sun room, and it was no time before they permeated the whole house. They are simply lovely to have around, so I thought I would share them with you. I wish you could smell them too, but unless your computer monitor is of the scratch-n-sniff type, I think you’re out of luck!

Enjoy!

lilacs displaye in home

We Went to the Children’s Library and Took Out a Few Books – Elementary Reading

May 27, 2008 By Laura 3 Comments

I’m about to talk about children’s books, so I can guess right now that this will probably get long.

First of all, can I just tell you how much I have always loved books?? Like…really love books. Picture books especially. I love the smell of them, and the noise that thick plastic cover makes, or the slickness of those big glossy jacket covers. I always have. I recall as a child, the butterflies of excitement I would feel just walking into our town’s or school’s Children’s Library. Just knowing just about anything you wanted to learn about, was possible to find in that room. Shelves upon shelves of books, filled with pages, which were filled with words, that when read, could take you to places you’ve never dreamed, or never even heard of, or may or may not ever want to go! In the pages of the most well written books, are where imaginations are poked and put into high gear. And oohhh……the illustrations! As a little budding artist, the pictures were almost the best part to me.

Now, I have developed a little germ-a- phobia of library books over the years,,,,as I am a little germ-a-phobic. Of many things, that make perfect sense to be germ-y. : ) Not irrationally so. I just really feel the need to wash my hands right away, and thankfully, so do my kids!

To feed the fire for my love of books, was my beloved Godmother — a 1st grade teacher for a ridiculous amount of years. When she retired, her former students from all over the country (in college, with their own families, etc) came back, or sent notes and gifts, thanking her for the love and beliefs in themselves that she had planted in their hearts as their 1st grade teacher. She was never forgotten by any student who was ever blessed enough to land in her classroom. Truly…she is a remarkable woman, with deep seated faith, a passion for teaching, and a such a gentle and patient way with children. She truly lived her vocation a a teacher. So she was a big part of giving me such a love for books, but also truly fed the fire of my faith from a very young age….through ALL of my stages…with her powerful examples of living, her gentle words of guidance, and always unconditional love. Anyway….I have such a vivid memory of being at her home as a high-schooler one day, when our discussion led her to the discovery that I had never read The Velveteen Rabbit. WELL……she could NOT let that be. She quickly disappeared into the other room, to her vast collection of children’s books, and pulled that storybook from the shelves. She ushered me right to her kitchen table, handed me that large storybook, and instructed me to sit down and read it, and not get up until I was done. And there I sat…..16 years old, reading The Velveteen Rabbit. It’s one of my children’s favorite stories now too. Of course the memory attached to the story must play a part too.

When my first daughter was born, my urge to buy every picture book I picked up and loved, kicked in. I gave in quite a bit too, but tried to look in the discount book stores the most, knowing how weak I was around such things. She and I cuddled and read a lot, and she became a book lover at a very young age, and to this day spends oodles and oodles of time, reading. My next 3 children became huge book lovers much the same way, and just sitting for hours surrounded by piles of books. Or, sometimes, all sitting on me, under me, and around me…as we all huddled and cuddled together enjoying a good story. (Oh how I love that!) Now that they are reading, they love books even more! As so many of you mothers know, there isn’t anything much sweeter than hearing your little child read a book, in those little voices that are so familiar to our hearts. But for home schooling mothers, it has to be just a tad sweeter. As a Mama of 3 kindergartners I am very blessed quite a few times a day, to hear 3 little voices reading different books, from there own little places in the house. Sometimes too, they take turns reading to each other, or help each other on a word someone is stuck on. Boy does all of it tug on my heart strings!

So all of this backstory leads to a point. Imagine our EXCITEMENT when I discovered that a wonderful woman, homeschooling mother and author of A Picture Perfect Childhood, named Cay Gibson, decided to organize a way to feature, study and celebrate one children’s author a month. It’s called an Author Fiesta! During that month, we find as many books by that author as we’d like, and read them to, or with our children, or even let them read them on their own. Cay also will be providing wonderful printables for each author, so the kids each have their own 3 ring binder. Should I tell you how ECSTATIC the kids are to have their own notebook to keep their stuff in?? It has a cover of the beautiful bookworm too. I’m even thrilled to have my own notebook. lol. Our little ones will each have a list of the books they’ve read, they’ll be doing some copywork from the printables as well as whatever books they choose, drawings they’ve done based on the stories, and life-aiding quotes to learn. {A} will be studying the author’s works, writing author research papers, and anything else creative she would like to add to her notebook. I asked all of the kids if this was something they’d like to do together and all 4 were all for it and couldn’t wait to get started! In think there will be a new author featured every month for a year, but can be done at your very own pace. In the end, the kids will have a very informative collection of various children authors for keeping, treasuring as their own childhood work, and perhaps as a reference to use for great books to enjoy one day with their own children. (But we won’t go there now. I’m just saying. lol)

The kids have all been loving this book journey so far. Any time is a good time for another story you know! It isn’t anything we HAVE to do, and we can take or leave anything we want to along the way. This is just another thing we consider FUN, that happens to be so educational. And did I say, FUN?!

So the first month of May featured the child author Patricia Polacco. We’ve discovered she writes from the heart, in a way that really reaches her readers hearts and minds as well. Her works are based true stories, sprinkled with lots of fun imagination, based on her own family members, or other people she knows. Each story is very interesting. We have really loved the ones we have read so far. Below are just some of the titles we have at the moment.

I was not familiar with this author before. So the very first book we happened to grab and read (almost as soon as we got home from the library) was The Lemonade Club.

OH MY!! Maybe not the best one to start off with. Very, very good, but very sad. It’s about 2 little girls who are very good friends, and one gets Leukemia. Very touching and it did lead to wonderful discussion with the kids. It ends well, and there are beautiful life lessons to take from the it, including the gift of friendship, expressions of compassion and support, the celebration of life itself, and the encouragement to make lemonade, when life hands you lemons. But there was a point in the story where the knot in my throat was so tight, as the tears spilled over my eyelids, that I couldn’t get the next word out. My children were very patient while I gained my composure.

The kids and I talked openly after about how sometimes people get sick, and how we get through these things. (With our faith in God’s greater plan, prayers, support of family and friends, etc.) I love that they are able to learn about these things, with ME (or us), so I have the opportunity to help them sort their questions and fears. My youngest daughter is the most inquisitive of them all, and likes to truly ponder and absorb these things thoroughly. So she spent some extra time with the book.

We’ve read quite a few titles by now. I’ve read a few to them, and {A} has always loved reading to them as well, so she took it upon herself to do that. I’ll be blogging more about them. None have been nearly as sad, but all very entertaining and very well written, filled with wonderful life lessons and messages for the children, and us! And naturally, amazing illustrations grace the pages. What I admire so much about Patricia Polacco too, is that not only does she write the story, but she also illustrates of all her own books as well! What gifts God has given her to be so talented, and reach the hearts and minds of so many children through her work!

It won’t be long before June’s author is announced, but we’re in no rush. We were late in the game joining, but are enjoying the ride at our own pace. I am sure I will blog about this book or that as I am inspired, and keep you updated on this wonderful journey of our Author Fiesta!

Have you read a good book today?? : )

Awful Awful Milkshakes!

May 23, 2008 By Laura 4 Comments

Today was a busy day, and not all full of fun. Lots of school work to be done, 2 boats to letter (work), and TWO allergy appointments. Now, if you knew how long it takes to go through just ONE of these appointments…..

So every time we go by this place (see photo below) in the area of all of our pitstops today, the kids ask to stop to have an ‘Awful, Awful Milkshake”. We went here with {A} when she was 3 or 4, and took her mini golfing next door to this stand, as well. So she’s the told the little ones all about this memory of when she was little, and naturally she made the milkshake sound like Heaven in a paper cup. {J}, {O}, and {S} have wanted to go ever since (and {A} has wanted to go back!), and really, there’s never any sneaking by it, if you take a look at the place. You can spot it a mile away! It’s just never been a good day or time to stop. So today, we thought we deserved the treat…..and stopped to have that ‘Awful, Awful Milkshake.” Right before dinner time. <gasp!>

In their ads, their shakes are described as “awfully thick, awfully good”. On their menu, they are listed as “Awfully Big Milkshake”. But we’ve always referred to them as we do.

As we ordered them, the server asked me what flavor we wanted them in. Now, I think it says something about me to realize, the question stumped and confused me. I think there was 10 seconds of silence as just I stood there staring at her, completely puzzled. What did she mean? CHOCOLATE of course! Were there other flavors? And if so….do people order them? I couldn’t imagine.

The shakes were indeed ‘awfully big’, and so we split them up into smaller cups. The kids enjoyed them to the very last drop, and so did we. I had my camera with me, and was all about getting a couple of shots of this moment they have waited for, for so long. One very interesting thing we learned today; it’s not easy to suck and smile at the same time! : ) There’s an experiment for you! Try it!

Everyone agreed the milkshakes were awfully, awfully good. No doubt we’ll be back again this summer, and next time we’ll probably play a game of mini-golf as well! Hopefully, we won’t suck there, too.

What’s growing around our house right now – Flower Photography

May 20, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

Not too much to say today really, but I did take some shots of what’s growing around our house at the moment, so I thought I’d share some of my flower photography with you. I hope you enjoy them!

Pink Apple Blossoms of the apple tree. The petals are looking a little beat down from all of the rain,
but there is more buds to bloom, and I think they are beautiful none-the-less.

Lilacs of the Lilac Tree. Still have lots of bud-opening to do as you can see. They put out such a lovely scent though – don’t they?

Purple Phlox. Such a pretty ground covering.

Bell Flowers

Pink Azaelias. This Azaelias bush was here when we bought the house. I look forward to it’s blooming every year.

I have to admit, of these photos, only the Azaelias are actually on our property. The trees and other flowers are actually just on the other side of our property line. But we manage that property, so it’s all as good as ours. : ) We sure enjoy it all.

The hostas are in their full glory. The tulips I was so looking forward to had not been bloomed for 2 days before their heads just got chopped off in one bite at the upper stem. Decapitated, with their heads just laying there on the ground, to be clear. It’s happened in years passed (and makes me mad as the dickens!) Who does it? Is it the squirrels? I’m not sure-but I suspect so.

That’s all for today! Come back soon!

The REAL Science Field Trip – Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

May 19, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

The kids finally had their real science field trip, to the Mass Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary, on the RIGHT day. Michael and I were not as excited to go anymore, feeling like we’ve ‘been there, done that‘. But the point was to meet and experience a homeschool co-op that was having a day there, and the kids were all for going again. So we went, and were all really glad we did. I must say, the weather wasn’t quite as nice as the mistaken day, which was so warm and sunny. This time it was on the cool side, and pretty cloudy and grey out. Rain was expected later that day. (And it indeed started sprinkling before we left.)

But what a great field trip it was anyway! As I mentioned in the post about our accidental trip, the place consists of tons of conservation land, which includes various kinds of habitats: grass plains, marshland, and ponds. These habitats are home to all kinds of birds, animals, reptiles and amphibians. There were experts there from Mass Audubon, who took us in groups and taught us and showed us so much.

I didn’t really get any great photos. Again, I would have needed that big tele-photo lense for some really fascinating shots. But also, our kids were always in groups with other people who may have not wanted their photos taken, and it wouldn’t be right to post them on my blog with their faces showing, (without permission either)…..so my camera did a lot of resting. Although I did get a few simple photos, one of course of the boardwalk bridge, which I probably took one similar last time too.

boardwalk bridge

The first thing we did was go out on a tractor-pulled wagon hayride with a group, and a very nice and informative woman who was a wildlife expert, right out into the grasslands, where she taught us much about the birds that habitat there. The little ones enjoyed the ride, and learned quite a bit just listening to the talk. {A} brought along her notebook and sketchpad. Remember I told you {A} was ‘a bird expert as far as I could tell’? Well, she’s a bird expert as far as a bird expert can tell, too! lol. The woman had large laminated cards of various kinds of birds, not all the kind we see every day in our own yards. The woman often started with ‘Does anyone know what kind of bird this is?’, and {A} always did. She also knows more about their behaviors than I even knew she knew. The woman was impressed! Some of the birds we saw and/or learned all about were Osprey, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Swallows, Bluebirds, Flycatchers, Bobolinks, and Orioles, as well as red and grey fox, raccoons, and some rodent of which I forget the name of or what it really looks like. (Maybe on purpose. lol) ) We saw LOTS of Bobolinks darting around, there was an Osprey there as well, and we learned that Orioles fly all the way to and from South America every year! (Wow!). We have seen them in our yard several times in the past couple of weeks, and I just LOVE them. The woman said if we put a string out on our deck, the Orioles will take it to build a nest. If we put one out every day for them, they just may build there nest in your yard and stick around for the whole season! I definitely want to keep them around….so we did just what she said today. But it was still there last I checked.

When we got back from the hayride, we learned about bird-banding Tree Swallows. The woman explained how they catch the birds, how they harmlessly band them, measure their wing span, weigh them, record all of that info, where they send, and why. She had different strings of leg bands, as shown below, each of all the same size, but with different identification numbers on them. It was fascinating to hear the woman tell us how some years she would have birds she had banned the year before come back, or get notice in the mail from another sanctuary that a bird she had banned had been at their habitat thousands of miles away.

After that little information session, the kids moved on to learn more about bugs and insects. They even went into the tall grasses to catch some in fabric nets, put them in containers, and learn more about exactly what they caught. (You can bet I did a tick check after that little activity!) After {A} transferred what she had in her net, into a container, she discovered she caught syphrid flies, aphids, a spider, beetles, and ants. Did you know there is a difference between bugs and insects?

There were games to play, a bubble blowing table, and a little craft table as well. The kids made these dragonflies out of pipe-cleaners, beads and tinfoil. Pretty cute, huh? I don’t think they’ve much put them down since.

All in all it was a fantastic day. We all learned LOTS, had FUN doing it, and met so many wonderful people. There’s another co-op field trip coming up soon too…….a tide-pool study at the ocean, with more Mass Audubon experts there! We have a few of our own field trips planned as well, but I am sure we’ll be sure not to miss the co-op tide-pool study! The kids will really, really LOVE that, and so will us big kids! We love the beach and ocean, and feel so blessed to have a private beach within walking distance of our home.

The next day, {A} had a parish youth group activity planned. They were having a beach clean-up, and then gathering at the parish center for a cookout and some volleyball. It initially was cancelled that morning because it had been raining and was still drizzly. But some kids showed up anyway, so the leader called {A}, and she was happy to go and help. I did not take photos activity either, because I didn’t go. Michael took her. But I did some shots of her ready to go (one of which is below) with her own trash poker stick, and one to share. She had a really great time, despite how the weather was less than ideal at first. Of course she makes everything she does fun. The sun did break out once they were done cleaning up. As if God was pleased with their work. : )

The rest of our weekend was spent doing some work, some house-cleaning, and some shopping. You have no idea how excited our kids can get over bubble wands and water-shoes! Good golly. We are all knee-deep in enjoying this warm weather season, and still have so much exploring, learning, relaxing and FUN to look forward to.

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