Been MIA...sorry

Things have been so darn crazy trying to get homeschooling organized and under control.  I have things basically down at this point.  We have Grammar, Math, Physics, Reading and History. 

We are currently doing a review of 6th grade math before jumping into 7th grade math. 

We are reading Hatchet and I got some teacher books to go with it providing me with spelling, assignments and tests to go with the story...also found I can get the book on audio file from the library and I hope to use that as time I can step away from the homeschool during the day.  Sky said his teacher last year did their books on tape during class also. 

Just got my history books Thursday, I broke down and went with The Story of the World.  Starting with book 1, even though it is meant for grade 5, Sky has not covered the material in 5th or 6th grade so I am going with it.

Not a fan of Physics, must admit it, trying to get though it so we can get to the fun stuff, biology and getting to dissect stuff. 

Using Grammar Ace at this point but I have gotten Grammar books for both 5th and 7th grade that we will dive into once I do this basics which is so cool because the assignments are designed to go with School House Rock.  I LOVE SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK.  Boys say graphics are cheesy but I don't care, looked at minecraft lately?  I am very shocked at how little my boys know about the parts of grammar.  Sky got some last year at the middle school but Brady and Sky both agree they never learned much of it in elementary school.

Oh and Sky is starting homeschool band this week.  He currently is the only clarinet player in the intermediate group but they have a nice variety of members from sax to trumpet to flute to drums.

Went to library yesterday to make copies of assignments and test for the next week or so and now after I get the kitchen clean I can start organizing that.

Homeschooling fears...

Today we are starting homeschooling.  Shane said we needed to start early so if the boys do not do their work we still have time to get them into public school on Sept 2nd.  I am nervous that the boys won't take it seriously.  Sky said he wanted to sleep in tell 10, I said 8 but then decided to let them sleep tell I had breakfast ready.

I am not ready though.  Classroom is still not ready so we are starting off at the dining table.  Won't be too bad since Shane has been working outside mostly and not in his office which is just off the dining room. 

Fingers crossed!!!

so much love...

I am reminded of a Friends episode today.  Ross and his ex wife are about to have a baby and Ross is fighting with Susan and Phoebie says how lucky the baby is because he isn't even born yet and people are fighting over who gets to love him the most...

This leads me to this situation...

On the left is Henny Penny, on the right is Speckles and the turkey in the middle is New Years and in the corner behind them is Baby.  The turkey is very protective of Baby but both hens don't like her getting too close to her.

And now here is her first photo...Baby...

Triple Z farms expanded by 2 feet...

This is Henny Penny...

She likes to sit on as many eggs as she can gather around her...some say they will kick eggs out from under them if they know they are not viable.  She is usually right next to one of our turkeys and this is a collection of eggs from both nests.  but last night I found a special treat...

Do you see the white area between the light brown egg and my hand?  That is Baby!  Our first chick to be hatched from our own eggs by our own birds!  Technically she hatched under a turkey I think but as soon as she hatched Henny Penny and Speckles took over as mommies.  The turkey is also working to protect her but the hens don't like the turkey getting too close to her either.  When other chickens come into the coop both hens puff up and start making growling noises and chase them away from Baby.


I have been trying to decide if I should separate them but everyone has a different opinion.  Some think it is good for the hens to raise them with the flock and others say the babies can be injured or even killed this way.  Only 1 has hatched and I don't want her to be all by herself so keeping fingers crossed that the 2 moms can keep her safe.

Missing my Sky...

I know I know Sky makes me crazy, especially with his new pre-teen attitude he has found but now that he is gone to visit his grandparents for the week I really miss him...

How sweet is my little baby?

something to think about...

Camping

Well, we managed to get away for a couple days but then the rain started and was suppose to stay for a couple days so we headed home.

 

We went to my favorite place in the world at the Hoh River, boys were bummed that we didn't go to KOA with all the fun kid activities but I finished reading my book got a nap one day and loved the early mornings (before the boys woke up).  Days were filled with boys fighting.

 

Never guess they were total monsters...below is the closest you can ever get to heaven here on earth...

 

the sound of the water falling over the rocks fills your ears and the clean fresh air makes your lungs work better.  When Shane and I were dating he brought me here because he loves to fish this area and when talk of camping comes up I always want to go here.

 

Sky said the sound gave him a headache but I just love it.  The water is so crystal blue.  Even Romeo had a blast playing in the water.

 

The saddest part was the burn ban was extended to campfires in Jefferson County state lands so we had to go buy a camp stove (not even allowed to use a charcoal bbq).  Then we ended up having dinner each night in Forks and found I am SO thankful we didn't buy either of the homes we looked at in that area...first night was at the burger place and Shane even agreed he would rather go to McDonalds, at least you can taste the meat on their burgers. 

 

Second night went to a dirty sit down place with poor serves and borderline food and I ended up with tummy problems for 2 days.  Next day it rained all day so we headed home that evening.

 

I wanted my roasted hotdogs so last night we had a campfire at the river with hot dogs, chili and smores.  No one would let me sing campfire songs.  And of course half the time was the boys fighting. 

 

I have wanted to make a camp site down there since I first saw the area.  Hopefully we will be able to find the time to do this.  There is a great area to pitch a tent and we have taken the RV down there when we had BBQs in the past.  Plus I want to fix up the fishing shack to be a little cabin. 

 

 

Final note:  The entire way home even with the rain dumping down I wanted to turn around and go back.  I wish Shane and I could go camping here just the 2 of us so we can enjoy the quiet.  Even with the rain I would have sat under the awning with a new book and love every moment of it...heck forget Shane I want a few days by myself...