Bat Festival

I love this picture because it has the 5 youngest in it and Grandpa is in the background. Joshua did not want to touch that alligator! A gator at a bat festival... That's Florida for you!

This bat was thinking, "I vant to suck your blood." No, it's a fruit bat!

I took these pictures at the Lubee Bat Festival last weekend. It was the one day where everyone was well. The kids enjoyed the bats, but I think they enjoyed lunch at a buffet with Grandpa more!

Adventures in Homeschooling... and life!

I have had high fevers around here for nearly 2 weeks. I am talking 103 and 104 degree fevers. Add to this headaches, runny noses, bloodshot eyes, upset tummies, some other yuckiness that lasts about 6 days per child and you get a wonderful formula for the unexpected. This includes late nights and early mornings. Homeschooling this week has NOT gone as I would have planned. It doesn't take much time to figure out that I am not in control. God is! This sure does take a huge weight off my shoulders. I figure if He owns a cattle on a thousand hills, then He's got this. ("For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills." Psalm 50:10)

Do you ever have this? Your plans get totally derailed? In addition to the sickies last night my truck broke down when I was on my way to take Jamie to church for Bible study. Normally I would get angry, but for once, I didn't! Kara Faith definitely taught me how to trust my days to my Creator. I've had 4 of 7 children very sick over the last 2 weeks, derailed plans with homeschooling, and a broken truck, but I'm not worried. God's got this!

Great Holiday Freebie

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has just released it's Digital Holiday Supplement for 2010. Take advantage of this FREE download and get it here.

Dudley Farm Visit

Eden grinds some corn for the chickens.

Dan and Tommy have a "hay" photo op!

We all got a chance to pump water.

Here's Joshua at the general store... He's so cute!

Mom using the wringer--glad we don't have to do laundry this way anymore!

Dan 11, Tommy 6, Eden 4, and Joshua 2.5

Today was one of those days I decided to mix things up and go out for some fun. After homeschooling this morning, we packed ourselves up and headed out for a picnic at Dudley Farm. Unfortunately, Max was with his Dad at work, so it was just Dan, Tommy, Eden, Joshua, and me. (Jamie and Celeste were both in class.) We had a great time! The kids were able to grind corn, feed it to the chickens, operate the pump to get water, and run an old-time wringer. I'm glad I don't have to do laundry that way!! We even saw a big turkey! I think this is something we need to do more often. The farm has docents who dress in period garb and there is a cane festival the 1st Saturday in December. We usually go to that! Since Max missed going with us, we may go visit next week, too. We hope to get a family picture at the farm soon, so be looking for that.

Co-Op Adventures

This year our family joined a homeschool co-op. All of the children have really been enjoying it! The 6th-7th grade students are taking a writing class and doing 2 science texts this year. The science units are astronomy and anatomy & physiology using Apologia's books by Jeannie Fulbright. During the first semester they are studying astronomy and had the opportunity to go to the planetarium today. Above is a picture of the group. My Dan (age 11, 6th grade) is wearing the red tie-dye shirt.