Our newest garden bed

I hope that this works out in the cool way we envisioned it and doesn't end up as aesthetically pleasing as a van bench on the front porch.  Neal and I went to what is know as Peter's place (the flea/junk/eyesore/ shop) and he came upon an idea for our square foot garden.  We might as well plant one since the grass is mostly weeds anyway.  We decided on an actual bed frame as the surround, and even found a discarded composting bin .. all for fifteen bucks!  So, my man will likely keep you filled in with pictures, while I try to think of something else to blog about ...



The other really cool thing we experienced this week was not, perhaps, as emotional as a kindergarten graduation (not really "done" here in the homeschool circles) but definitely elicited cheers all around ...

 



I have no idea how it is that a Mamma robin can build a nest right over your head without you noticing, but I guess that is all part of God's plan.  We had a great time watching these three (though you cannot see the third in this pic) stretch their necks for a feed, and scrunch down to hide whenever we approached the garage.  One of them looked a ton like "Beeker" from the Muppet Show.  He had the craziest "hair" ever ...  Anyway, we were enjoying the beautiful weather last night out on the porch and, as usual, were staring over in the robin direction when it happened.

fat boy (aka Beeker) flew the coup!  I have always wanted to see the whole thing from start to finish, but never have I been so obliged until now.  He hopped along the top ledge of the garage for quite some time until taking flight.  We all cheered (Neal missed it because he just stepped inside for a quick minute) like he was one of us; freedom realized is a beautiful thing.

One down, two to go ... *UPDATE*

My oldest went outside with me to water the garden and were delighted to watch the last robin fly the coup, sort of.  Actually, he glided down from the garage and ended up inside.  I guess his wings aren't quite dry.  My son walked slowly around the car from the left so mr. robin would hobble out to the right, and onto the grass.  His legs aren't so great yet either.  He fell quite a number of times in his attempt at independence when just yesterday he was being fed by his mamma. 

I thought of me

I want to do it all on my own and I am not always willing to wait for the best timing.  I wobble and stumble, sqwaking all the while, trying to show off and prove that I know exactly what I am up to until ...

hilarious.  little chubb got himself stuck in a hole ... in lattice ... in the fence ... in my garden.  Yep, that's me allright.

new site full of homeschool videos

I really like the Erskine site as it is, but now this is even cooler.  My guys watched these videos when they got back from delivering papers.  Here is the link for you to check them out (but you have to sign up) 

freehomeschoolvideos

tomorrow I will be teaching French to the 5-9 year olds as well as the 10 and up class. Sensass. Je parle Francais, mais, je parle un peu du Français.  Naturellement... j'ai un professeur fantastique (bonne chance).

the happy problem

As things are beginning to wind down to a close for summer (yes!) we spent the morning here tying up loose ends.  The boys have been working really hard to fill the requirements for as many Cub and Scout badges they can before the year is out.  My oldest just brought home his beautiful canoe paddle ... complete with burnished initials and the year.  It is deserving of a home on his bedroom wall, made of Arizona Cypress, and waiting to be dipped in Bear Creek in June for the over-night canoe trip.  He spent the morning researching pinhole cameras. 

My youngest swims up the second week in May (becomes a Scout) and will make for easier badge work around here since they will be in the same troop again, meeting on the same day of the week (free date night for Ma and Pa!).  He was introduced to my beloved sewing machine and undertook the task of making bean bags.  His Dad helped him find an easy pattern on the Internet last night while I was at rehearsal.  So, what have I got to complain about?

The happy problem?

The ten year old, on his very first try, sews a straighter line than me.

Move Over, Charlotte

we had a really great homeschool weekend (I know, maybe I should let the kids rest, but homeschooling is life, right?)  Saturday had us at a Scout car rally since my oldest placed first for the Bluewater area a few months back.  None of us really,  really wanted to go, but we knew that the other family competing with us were some good homeschool friends.  What we didn't know was there is a wee black history museum nestled in the corner of the building we would be racing in.  Chatham, Ontario, is a place full of history, being on the underground railroad route (I find myself completely fascinated by black history and wanting to learn more and more).

Yesterday we went to church and then felt a need to celebrate the first warm weekend yet by spending the rest of the day gathering and burning brush.  We live in town, but we can have a fire if we also have a water source or fire extinguisher near by and are also cooking (hotdogs and smores always count).  In the process we not only saw a great toad, and helped him move in,







By the time we had also witnessed a rabbit, a woodpecker, multiple robins and squirrels, this little toad had completely buried himself and, we hope, settled in for a long summer of garden life.  (I have to refrain from posting all the pictures so my boys can have a post today, too!) If we hadn't had our eyes open, all this would have still happened but we would have been none the wiser.  Imagine.  I wonder what else simply passes us by because we are too busy to take the time to reflect?  I am beginning to practice the art of seeing by "being".  I mean that I am trying to remember to take some time each day, in the middle of whatever it is that presents itself as pressing, to stop and observe what is happening on the outside of my concentration.  I think it's working.

While I was off at another rehearsal, my husband and boys took a bike ride.  Normally they would go the "back way" downtown, but last night they took a detour to Bear Creak and were rewarded with the sight of a muscrat ... as close as 5 feet the boys estimate.  No one else to see it but my three.  The muscrat swam straight down the overflow of the dam, too (a small waterfall, but cool to see him in action).  We already own a muscrat skull from a previous adventure ... now to do some more research to add to our science notebook.  What did you see this weekend?