Picture Post

I've been bad about posting pictures lately. Spending too much time working with my pictures and not enough time posting them.

Here is the Eastern Box Turtle we saved from the middle of the road this morning. We took him over to the in-laws where he should have plenty of space and no roads.

This is our baby black snake, named Snack. Also saved from the road. We kept it for about a week to observe.

Really awesome that it chose to shed just before we released him into the woods. Have never actually gotten to watch a snake shed before. We were glued to the terrarium.

Below are some of my pictures that I have been messing with lately. Mostly to add some meaningful artwork to our home. It has been fun and relaxing to me. Today I used some transfer paper and was able to have a custom-designed t-shirt and sweatshirt using my very own photos.

Peace

Amy

Visitor of the Day

Last seen entering the soffit of our house, being chased there by the birds.

Peace

Amy

History Paper - Take 1

Early Human Life

One day a little girl name Mary loved

history, but she had to do a paper about humans between 2000 BC and 1000 BC . I'm going to tell you what the paper said.

Between 12000 and 10000 years ago the ice age ended and big animals become scarcer. Farming began between 11000 and 8000 years ago, when people started framing and raising animals for food. Farming led to new discoveries like axes, hoes, grindstones, smelting and casting metals, the wheel, and the plow.

People began to live together in larger groups. By 1000 BC chiefdoms had more then 5000 people in the cities. Chiefdom lived where farming technologies was developed more then other places in the world.

As chiefdoms became larger, the first civilizations came about. These cities had tens of thousands of people and were ruled by kings. Kings got their power through religion. Early civilizations led to the development of laws, taxes, and job specialization.

Another development from early civilizations was writing. The earliest writing used pictures. Writing was used by the governments to control supplies and to recorded achievements by the kings.

Mary told the class and she got a A+ and her mom took her to ice cream shop and they all lived happy

The End

The Years are A'Passin

I can remember not too many years ago looking through a book about homeschooling middle school. I thought that seemed way off in the future. Way, way off.

This year I look at the bookcase and realize that Middle School is here, now.

I'm moving into our 8th year of "homeschooling", or at least eight years since we made the decision to give homeschooling a try. Some days I can't believe we have lasted this long, others I am so thankful that we live this lifestyle.

I've been given the chance to watch all my children move through the many stages of their lives.

I don't get to take too many pictures of Mary or Katie anymore at the table. Mary spends her school time on the sofa where she can keep her coffee cup nearby. Katie moves around from table to living room to bedroom and back depending on her mood. They don't actually have to sit right next to me to get their work done. A weekly "To Do" List and a pile of books and they are good.

But, that is okay because I still have Emily and Robbie. Where I used to have elementary students and toddlers...I now have middle school/upper elementary and lower elementary students.

Peace,

Amy

First Soccer Tournament 2011

Our first soccer tournament for this year was canceled due to Hurricane Irene. This weekend we headed to Greensboro for what became our first tournament.

It was a long weekend for everyone. Being so close we didn't get a hotel room and then found out that Mary's team drew 8:00am games on both Saturday and Sunday. To be there in time for warm-ups we had to leave by 5:00am.
By the time they played the 2:00pm game everyone was exhausted.
Saturday and Sunday passed in a blur of soccer, driving and sleeping for me.
Mary really likes her new team and I like the parents. I think it is going to be a good year of soccer for us.

Peace,

Amy

Family Adventure, Week 2

We took our family adventure early this week so that Daddy could enjoy going with us.

It was a beautiful morning to enjoy a 3-mile ride along the American Tobacco Trail. A wonderful biking, walking and horseback riding trail through western Wake County and into Chatham County.

Robbie is still not comfortable enough on a two-wheeler for trail riding, so I am still carrying him behind me. His legs are getting so long that this will not last very long.

On the way back to the trail head, we ran into a rain shower. It felt so good after all that riding.

Tomorrow, back to school - then off on Wednesday for Daddy's birthday (we may even have two adventures this week) and then school on Thursday & Friday. A very mixed up week for us.

Peace,

Amy

Adventure of the Week, Week 1

We've decided that this year we will try to have one adventure every week, mainly close to home. Something neat and interesting that we may not get a chance to do very often.
Most know of my children's affinity for getting dirty... did not surprise me that their first choice this year was to go to a spur of the local lake. We have been under moderate drought conditions this summer and have been watching the water levels drop in the lake. Mary thought it would be neat to hike across the exposed lake bed to an island normally only accessible by boat.
We learned pretty quickly to stay on the areas that the mud has begun cracking & growing grass. Otherwise, one got sucked in pretty deep.




This log has spent many years under water and has very interesting texture.



More logs exposed after many years.

In the end only Katie and Mary made it across to the island as there was one moderately deep stream that needed crossing.


Robbie found this blue & black dragonfly. It was huge!
What is this plant, Mom? It was growing all along the edge of the lake.
This hawk cause quite an uproar in the woods next to the lake.

Stay tuned for next weeks selection...we'll see how dirty we get.

Peace,

Amy