Know Your Farmer

We have a new farmers market in town this summer...the offerings are from local farmers...so all around the market you will see signs that read "Know Your Farmer".

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I got that chance.  We visited some "farmer friends" to get a kitten and ended up getting to experience a day on the farm!

We visited All One Farms in Rineyville.  All One Farms boasts a lovely flock of Shetland sheep--complete with playful spring lambs, two beautiful dogs (they make you feel like family right away), three proud roosters, countless felines--by the way there are three litters of new kittens if anyone would like a kitten or two or three.  Oh yeah...there are also the resident farmers: Aunt Luna and Uncle Alan.  Maybe you are familiar with Luna and Alan from the yarn and wool boutique in Elizabethtown-- Blueball Mountain Spindle and Needleworks but here is what life is like after the shop is closed...imagine this with cool refreshments on the lush lawn.

Aunt Luna gives the tour of their magical yard complete with its own apple tree tunnel!

 Uncle  Alan gives a riding tour of the farm...funny he got to be the rider :-P

 A botany lesson?!  Maybe I should record this as a field trip?  A lovely grand pecan tree shades the front lawn and there is so much to learn about nature from our farm friends.

Day 2!!

My favorite part today?  hmmmmmmmmmm.....maybe that Eli slept until 11 and we schooled about 3 1/2 without him? :-)

I guess I better say Writing.  Handwriting is an area that I have miserably failed the boys.  But this year I wanted to grab that bull by the horns and straighten it out.  So back in June I went to the CHEK homeschool conference in Louisville and met Iris Hatfield.  She has written New American Cursive  Penmanship Program published by Memoria Press.  Actually I had purchased the books before I met her...but once I met her and she gently talked me through the program...I felt empowered.  Thanks Iris!  It is our second day and the boys are loving it and begging for more than 10 minutes on writing :-)

She also introduced me to Twist 'n Write pencils...so we are off to a fun start on our writing.

Day 1 of School!!

Our Latin lesson for the day:

to one of you: Salve!

to all of you:  Salvete!

"Hello"

It was a lovely day of school!  I over slept.  And the boys woke up so they purposely let me sleep in...how quick they learn. :-)

 None the less...we got started and had a successful day.  Ben started his third grade studies, Nate first grade and Eli is following along with the boys Science, History, Christian Studies, and Latin...but for him we will still do Montessori activities along with follow the Highlands Latin Schools 2 day a week Jr. Kindergarten.  In a short while we will begin learning the memory work for Classical Conversations and attending the Friday school.

Here is a picture of Nate starting his History notebook for Story of the World Vol.One....I am sooooo excited about a history that has hands on projects all along.  This is going to be a fun year.  I feel a little guilty about getting to learn along and enjoy the experiences with the boys.

chickens? Chickens!

Back in early spring I asked someone what they suggested I do about the bugs eating my peaches every year before I got a chance to pick them. {{disclaimer:  I knew this person might be able to give me a chemical free solution}}  And so they suggested chickens.  Easy enough we got some chickens.  And let them out of the cage to see what they would do...

 I have yet to figure out the getting them back in the coop for the night....but these past three evenings I have managed after chasing them around ....which feels as silly as...

this!  Glad no one has videoed the nightly chicken bedtime struggle!!

Montessori #4!!!!!!!!

Friends this is endless!  And I am searching around on the web I am finding so many more ideas!!  Please note:
~~yes do use the little trays...the confined area is part of the whole space
~~this is work and lessons--not play
~~lessons should be rotated out and in about every couple of weeks...and objects can be mixed around into a new lesson

Most of all--HAVE FUN!!!!


This is one of the awesome kits that I purchased from Debbie Fox of   The Bottom Shelf

BUBBLES!!!

Gather...

plastic bowl

couple of straws

a wire wisk

egg beater

mix a small solution of 1/3 dishwashing liquid to 2/3 water

pour into bowl

blow through straw to see how the straw creates bubbles

next work with the wisk

then the egg beater.

loads of fun and the bubbles will be different with each.

Get Over The Hump

Wednesday is often referred to as "Hump Day"...here is a little boost to help you over the hump!