Family Fun: Girls' Night Campout

Activity girls' campout was this weekend.  It was cold that night (low of 46F), but we had a nice big bonfire that kept things pretty cozy. We roasted and ate hot dogs, s'mores, chips, salads and fruit for dinner. Then we told silly ghost stories, played funny circle games like "would you rather", and looked at the stars trying to see the meteor shower. 

  We doubled up our sleeping bags in the tent and that was cozy too (one sleeping bag inside the other.  The only problem was that L kept rolling out of hers and I spent most of the night trying to make sure that she did not get too cold.

Farm Fresh: Popcorn

 This week's harvest - popcorn! 

 We grew this from seeds we saved last year. Remember that corn that we picked up at the Pilgrim Festival?  It popped so nicely. I was not sure that the seeds from it would grow the same variety, but I figured it was worth a try. I left it hanging out on the stalks while I was waiting for it to dry. 

 It all popped and some kernels were a little golden.  They tasted sort of crunchy like Kix cereal -- possibly those kernels were a bit on the moist side?  I am not sure why that happened, but the results were delicious.

We harvested enough kernels from our little corn patch to fill my gallon jar. I will try to plant more of it next year.

While we were in Iceland

While we were having a relaxing vacation in Iceland my mom and Grandpa J took over at the farm. They had to do all the animal chores, keep the kids entertained, do all the cooking, teach for me at co-op school, and keep up with all the house chores.  They did an amazing job and the kids were so sad to see them go.  I am glad that the kids were able to make so many happy memories together with them.
 Before we left I gave mom a little coaching on the pottery class that she would be teaching for me at co-op school.

  The kiddos were spoiled with food treats while we were away- Lucky Charms, McDonalds, IHOP, store-bought bread... it was everything they were hoping for and more.

 

  Grandpa J and Grandmama put up the pool for the kids (a task we are often to lazy to do, and usually just tell them to play in the sprinkler instead):

 They went shopping and each of the kiddos got a new outfit:

They went to Storytime at the library:

Here they are all ready for church:

 They got a pro-pilot tour from Grandpa J of the Udvar-Hazy Museum near Dulles Airport. They were especially excited to see planes that Grandpa J flew in the Marines and could tell them all about. Grandpa J has lots of good stories.

 Grandpa J's plane:

 And of course, seeing the space shuttle up close is always so amazing.

 

 They went up to the sky tower and watched planes landing and taking off:

 They watched "The Sound of Music" for the first time.

They joined Uncle P and the cousins to do the annual "Buddy Walk":

 Grandmama successfully taught the kids in my co-op class to make coil pots: 

 

 And they had a big family party with Great Grandpa, Aunt C. and Uncle P:

I am so glad my Grandpa got to see the farm.  I knew that he would love it. 

 My Italian uncle making spaghetti and meatballs from scratch:

 My party planing daughter A set-up this rock painting activity for the cousins:

 I am told that they kept Great Grandpa busy reading for a long time that night:

 They had fun times with Aunt C. She is still waiting for grandchildren of her own!

Family Schooling Summary: Recent Projects

 Here are some photos of our recent projects.  Cute result of family pizza night creation:

Brother M and S's ocean life projects:

 Science lesson on properties of water: count how many drops the top of a penny can hold...

 Observe how the water domes up:

 A's practicing her cake decoration. 100% her own work, including making the cake and frosting from scratch.

 M&S's co-op school designs...

Family Fun: Fall Activities

The weather does not feel like fall, but we are still doing our fall traditions. The kids love decorating for Halloween and so do I.  Here is one view of that:

 'Tis the season for caramel popcorn and apples. Yay! I bought 4 bushels of apple seconds from our local orchard and we have been eating apples every which way.

 We also found out about this cool wooden slide park that is free! The kids had a blast going on it for hours.  Since we were there during the day it was just us and some other friends who invited us.

 Gathering hickory nuts - the trees are on a three year cycle and this is a big production year.  We are drying them on screens in the attic for the winter.