Moonflower

I had to post my pictures of our Moonflower plant. Last year Helen gave me this moonflower plant. We never got to see it bloom, since it only blooms at night. We would go out to wait, then decide to do something else, like dinner and then night life starts and totally forget about it. Then the next morning we would say, bummers we forgot to look.

It dies back in the winter or re-seeded itself. But it came back. It has really grown, twice the size as last year. It's hidden from the sun behind a tree. It has bloomed so many times this year but once again we have missed it. Once it blooms the white, main flower dies and falls off.

(The two round things hanging off the plant are the seed pods. The plant has a soft velvet stem and leaves.)

Now last night while I was trying to take pictures of a spider at twilight (talking to my sister the camera expert) I looked over and one of the flowers was in full bloom. I was so excited and it is so lovely to look at.

I am practicing with my new camera and the flowers were taking in full darkness...very nice.There was some bug inside, too.

These were two spiders that I was trying to photograph when I saw the moonflower. Was an exciting night for the girly farmer.

Playing in the Rain

Couple of evenings ago the weather was nice and warm. Then it started to rain and that maked perfect conditions to run in the rain. Well, at least three kids were home and they had a blast. Nice to see my 14 year old still enjoys the simple pleasures of life…..jumping in mud puddles. Moments like this I wish would never end!!

I even got a cool shot of a water droplet with my new camera!

Tree Identification Class

Today was our first Plant/Tree Id class and river day at the Barker family’s home. They have such a lovely homestead and lots of acreage for the kids to run and play. The most exciting part is their river. There is so much to explore.
We started out with Bob taking us on a walk through the woods looking at trees…wow there are lots! And even more information to know!! We collected some leaf samples. Then we came back and Bob showed the kids how to ink press their leaves in a notebook. He gave the common name and the Latin name. Even Ryan got to do some leaf rubbings.
The three trees we identified today was:
1. Sweet Gum/Liquidamber styrasifluia
2. Red Bud/Cereus canadensis
3. Red Maple/Acer rubra

We changed clothes and ate lunch and then headed to the river for water fun. Daniel even brought out his two kayaks. I would post more photos but my camera battery went dead after 8 shoots.
We had so much fun, we hope to make this a bi-monthly outing.
The out doors, some education and lots of fun with friends…you can’t school any better than that!
cool spider

Planning

August tends to me my planning and re-planning month for the years activties.
For school, the kids and I plan what goals we want to accomplish for the year. We always manage to change SEVERAL times during the year. But at least I feel we have a direction. They also get new math books (which Kelly Belle thinks is the most exciting thing in the world...she is my textbook kid, yikes!).
So, I thought I would list our activities and each child's interest.

Monday:
Babysit Ryan (all)
Tae Kwon Do Class (Jack/Kyle)
2xmth-American Girl History Class taught here by me. (Kelly Belle)
1xmth-4-H (all)
1xmth-Homeschool Parents Meeting (mom)
Drama Troupe (Shannon & Jack)
Ballet (Kelly Belle)

Tuesday:
Babysit Ryan (all)
Childcare Alexa (all)
Horse Riding Lessons (Shannon)
Tap (Kelly Belle)

Wednesday:
Babysit Ryan (all)
Childcare Alexa (all)
Storytime at Library (all)
Tae Kwon Do (Jack & Kyle)
Ballet (Kelly Belle)

Thursday:
Babysit Ryan (all)
Babysit Jessie (all)
Clarinet and Flute Lessons (Shannon and Kelly Belle)
Food Coop (all)
Irish Folk Dance (Kelly Belle)
1xmth LLL Meeting (mom)

Friday:
Babysit Ryan (all)
Band Class (Shannon, Jack, Kelly Belle)
Park (all)

Saturday:
Sabbath
Movie Night

Sunday:
Make up and Chore Day
Symthony Practice (Shannon)