Our Garden's Debut

I just have to brag about what Alex finished up for us this weekend.  The soil in our garden plot is horrible, has been for the eight years we've lived here.  This year, we decided to no longer fight against the natural clay soil we live on and do a raised garden.  Originally, we were planning to do a 3-level-high bed, but when the first level was put in place, we decided we liked that better.  Alex got creative with the remaining cement blocks and made what Megan has named "our cactus," tripling our original plan!  We had our dirt delivered on Saturday, and the plants were planted.

I couldn't be more excited to be gardening this year, especially with GREAT soil!

~Wee



Beyond our Backyard

We look forward to this time every year....the Amish cutting the field behind us.  Yesterday, using two teams of horses, they cut and raked the hay.  Today, using four teams of horses, they raked it into strips and then baled it.  So fascinating to watch!  It's a full-family affair!

~Wee

Cincinatti Home School Convention

This past weekend, we drove to Cincinnati for the home school convention.  We had a van load of eight.  Megan, Honor and Graham took up the rear seat, but you might wonder where Graham is in this picture.  He spent the majority of the trip riding on the floor under sleeping bags and these girls' feet!
                                    
 In the exhibit hall at a science booth feeling "play snow."

 Every night we'd sit around and share highlights from our day, then plan our course for the following day. 

 While we Moms were going through the seminar schedule, the four kids entertained themselves.  It was so fun watching them interact, etc.!

 Sitting in the Grand Ballroom Friday morning awaiting John Stonestreet's talk on "Challenges to your faith you need to know are coming."

 Highlights included meeting our favorite professional story teller, Jim Weiss....

....and Tom Clark, the founder and author of our Math curriculum (from 7th grade on up).  What a fabulous speaker!  We also listened in on talks given by the authors of our Latin program and science curriculum.

 Outside our hotel, The Garfield.

 Our traditional morning routine....a stop off at Starbucks for our much-needed caffeine fix.

 How we got to and from the Duke Center each day.....walking four blocks through downtown Cincinnati.

 It was so fun having the girls go with me this year!  What a joy to experience this together!
~Wee

A Cousin Sleepover

Last Friday night, we had the privilege of hosting my 2nd cousin and her girls for the night. It was SO fun having them here and allowing the time for our girls to connect/re-connect, much like we did growing up. We had a blast!

The girls jumped right into playing games, giving Tonia and I the chance to "catch up."

Playing Life,

Scattergories before bed,
and Clue Mysteries on Saturday morning.

Sweet silliness before they had to leave......

Tonia and her girls

Though it was time to leave, her girls wanted to stay. What an honor to have these gals visit!

Thanks for coming, gals! We really enjoyed it! Let's do it again sometime!!!!!

~Wee

The Season is Upon Us

We are in full swing of basketball season right now. The girls are playing on the Crimson Tide team. Megan is #32; Grace is #31.

~Wee

Remembering Tess

13 years ago today, Tess passed from this life to her eternal reward. This week, I have been remembering that last week...... Tess was instrumental in the shaping of my life. She played a huge role in my relationship with the Lord and in those early years as a Christ follower. I am, and forever will be, grateful for the time I did have with her here on this earth and for her role in my life. My favorite quote: "When someone you love becomes a Memory, that Memory becomes a Treasure."
So, to Tess.....I love you and still miss you more than you know!
~Wee

Valentine's Day Party

Today our field trip coop organized a Valentine's Day party at Crazy Pinz, a fun entertainment center. On our way there, the girls and I stopped for lunch, then headed out to pick up Leah's treats to share with her friends.

Handing out her treats.

After those participating in handing out treats were done filling the bags, we headed over to the bowling alley.

~Wee

If We Can't Ski, We'll Skate

Today was supposed to be our annual home school ski trip, but with these unseasonal "warm" winter days, the choice was made to cancel rather than drive for two plus hours to ski on slush-turn-to-ice. So, a group of us went downtown to Headwaters Ice Rink and skated for a few hours. It was Honor's 12th birthday, so what a way to celebrate!

Grace and Auburn take a lap.

We're hoping to try a skiing date again in a few weeks, so hopefully the weather cooperates! :)

~Wee

Science Friday

On this brisk, foggy morning, we gathered together for Science Friday. Our study this session was about stems. The students divided up into three age groups and moved around to different "stations" as they reviewed what they had studied. Here, Merritt, Honor, Grace and Moriah are counting the rings to this ash tree the Bolliers cut down last fall. After all the groups rotated through, we came to the unanimous conclusion that this tree was 60-61 years old.

The youngers take their turn at counting the rings and marking the decades. (Olivia, Leah, Tiege, and Larissa). Not only did they count the rings, but they looked to see if they could identify where the zylem and phloem were.

The entire younger crew: Claire, Olivia, Tiege, Leah, Larissa, and AnaBefore going back inside, we looked around the yard for examples of phototropism. It's amazing all that you SEE when you really take time to study creation! Then, we warmed up inside and watched a couple short videos showing phototropism. Next, it was on to stem dissection. They dissected a tulip stem and two different kinds of cactus plants.
The third station was reviewing woody and herbaceous stems, looking at any similarities and/or differences.

Art finished up the day......making their sculptures out of Sculpy. ~Wee