First Day of School for both boys!

Well, it has been a whirlwind last 2 weeks since the fair as you can tell since I haven't posted anything. Anyhow today was the BIG day - Garrett started kindergarten and Robert started 5th grade (where does the time go???). Garrett must have been excited as he was up before the alarm. Robert once up got moving quickly and was ready in plenty of time. Garrett on the other hand took all the time he had to get ready. Then 8am rolled around and it was time. Both boys stopped and got their pictures taken and then on the bus they went.

Robert on 1st day of 5th

Garrett all ready for Kindergarten

We are ready!

There they go

 Around 4pm both boys returned with smiles on their faces. Garrett seemed to have had a great day as he was "ready to go back tomorrow!" Robert was a little concerned with changing classes and making sure he understood his class schedule- I think it was the confusing format that caused the concern rather than him actually being worried about finding the class. But it seems overall that the boys have a great start to the 2011-2012 school year. HMMM now which project should I start first?

Garrett is first up the drive and all smiles!

Wow they both made it through the 1st day!

4-H Fair & Auction

Here are a few pictures from the end of fair and the auction.

Mud happens at fair, especially when you pick on the wrong person!

Frog jumping contest

Venango's Edge tug-of-war team



Robert & McKenna with pig after auctioning it off



Robert & Midnight in the auction ring

Garrett in the pedal tractor pull

Garrett teaching the next generation of pullers! "Here Haylee try this!"

Venango County Fair

Okay this week has been busy for the first few days, but here is how things have worked out here! Robert received a blue in goat showmanship and in fitting and he placed 2nd in the 4-H market goat and 3rd in Open Market goat class. Garrett, placed 1st in his goat class and he participated in pee wee showmanship on Monday. On Tuesday, Robert entered his hog in the hog show, and he received a blue in showmanship, 1st in 4-H Class and 1st in Open.  The boys also entered many projects in the open and 4-H areas that were not animal related. Robert received 1st in Genealogy, 1st on his Spring Wildlife, 1st on his Wildlife poster, 3rd on his Crank It Up, Small Engines. Garrett received a 3rd on his bracelet, a 3rd on his painted t-shirt, 2nd on his creative flower, 2nd on farm display, 2nd on sunflower, 2nd on his watercolor painting. Honestly, I know that there is more that the boys entered but I can't remember right now.

They are having a great week and a good time!

Childen's Sermon - Be prepared!

As I sat with the kids at church on Sunday, I confessed the following to them....

"Okay this week has been really busy at our house. We have been busy finishing projects because well at our house it is fair time. And the other night as I was working on my quilt trying to get it finished, I was talking to God. I asked him what should I do for children's sermon. And do you know what popped into my head - The Boy Scout Slogan "Be Prepared!" I was like okay what does that have to do with the children's sermon. I am trying to be prepared.  -- Wait kids can you tell me what the word prepared means? (the kids looked at each other and then someone said "to get ready)" Exactly!!!! I need to get ready. So I started thinking about all the things we should get ready for. So what do you get ready for? Vacations? (Yes and I pulled out a tour book), School (Yes - I pulled out a book bag and markers),  At our house, the Fair (out came the fairbook)company ? (Yes) How do you get ready for company? (One little one said "Clean-up!") Do we get ready to go outside in the sun? (Yes and out came the sunscreen and sunglasses). But do you what hit me that I had missed getting ready for?  I have been SO busy, that I haven't taken time to get ready, or Be Prepared, for when Jesus comes back. Hmmm.

How do we get ready for that?  Well we should be reading our Bibles, and praying with God and sharing with others about God. Now Jesus is going to be like the unexpected visitor that just shows up at the door and says" Hey are you ready to go to heaven?"  He tells us so in the Bible, in Luke 12:40 it says "You also must be ready, because the son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." I hope you will be ready and your answer will be  "Yes" and that you don't answer Jesus with "Hey can you wait just a few minutes to go to heaven, I need to get ready."

So as you are "getting ready" for school or vacation or the many other things that summer offers, don't forget to make sure you take time to "Be Prepared" for Jesus.

Garrett's broken finger

Okay so it has been a long week!!! A week ago Sunday Garrett accidentally closed his index finger in the car door. Of course he screamed and it swelled up and turned black and blue. I didn't think much of it, but Monday it wasn't looking too good, so we went off to the Dr's. They ordered xrays for Tuesday morning. That was something new for us!! Garrett was a champ through all of this. He held really still, but while we waited he asked all sorts of questions about the camera and what would his x-ray look like. Fortunately, we had a great nurse who let Garrett and Robert look at the actual x-rays up on the light box. They could see how all the bones worked together.
Well, it turned out that on Thursday we got a call that his finger was indeed broken and we needed to go to a specialist. (I was like REALLY?!?!?) But we were scheduled for today with the specialist. So yet another set of x-rays, which this camera, Garrett noticed, was different than the first camera and he was right. This was a digital x-ray camera. So as we waited (a while) he looked around the room and asked questions about the different bones that he could see in the room on the models and we talked about where those bones were in our bodies. On the counter there was a knee, with a torn ligament/tendon(?). He could see how there are 2 bones in our lower legs, but only 1 in the upper leg and how the ligament/ tendon(?) held the knee and leg bones kind of together.
So he has been asking about our skeleton and how the bones all work together.

So if nothing else out of this small injury, we had time to learn a little bit about our bodies. Hopefully, next time we can just learn about it without the injury and maybe have some fun with it instead of pain. But it has really opened up some interesting discussions!

Have a safe summer!!!

Birding for 4-H Project

Well we are in the last stretch for this year's 4-H Project Books as they are due soon!!! So we have some activities that need to be finished up. Today we needed to listen for birds again. We did this a couple of weeks ago in our backyard and found that if we saw the bird we could identify it, but to figure out what it is by sound is much more difficult.

So today we went to the ponds near our house , where there are usually loads of geese. But today we saw maybe 8. We hear a great number of birds, but still can't identify them well by sound. But we did see a hawk and a great blue heron. All very cool. The boys were very excited about seeing these birds.  And the fun part was being able to come home and once again going to the computer to http://www.allaboutbirds.org/ and learning more about them. So go try listening for birds and find out what you can identify. Then open your eyes and see if you can do any better!

Yogurt Parfaits

This morning it seemed way too hot to have a cooked breakfast and cereal didn't seem to fit either. But we have fresh raspberries and I had opened apple pie filling last night. So it was a Yogurt Parfait morning, where the kids had to make their own breakfasts!  plastic cups, vanilla yogurt, raspberries, apple pie filling, and Cherrios and we went to work. The boys could make up their own recipe, layer in those ingredients in any order, they could mix them together or keep them seperate.

Garrett isn't too into raspberries so his was just the apple pie filling, yogurt and cereal. While Robert took the apple pie filling, added raspberries and heated the 2 together  before layering them into the cup with yogurt and cereal. No matter which way they were layered we had a really fun, simple and creative breakfast - and that doesn't happen around here very often (creativity doesn't kick in until I am completely awake!)

This was a great way to start the boys into experimenting with ingredients!

Garrett and Washington DC

You never know what kids have picked up when you do things like vacations, educational trips or just a science experiment. Well today Garrett (5) proved that he really wasn't too young to learn something while we were in Washington DC earlier this summer.Now keep in mind that I should have known this because when he was 2 1/2 we went to Mt Rushmore and to this day when he sees a picture of Mt Rushmore, he will announce that he knows what it is and that he has been there.

Well today was one of those days!! We were yard saleing (yeah!) and a friend had on a patriotic shirt. As we were standing there Garrett went up and point to one of the pictures on her shirt and says, "That's in Washington DC, I was there!" Now here's the interesting part - he was pointing to a picture of the Capitol Building, which we only saw briefly and we didn't go up close to or tour. (I figured that we could save that for another trip when they were both older and understood government a bit better). But at 5, Garrett knows where an important building in our nation's capitol is and in fact that it is important.

He also this week picked up one of his brother's books and pointed out to my Abraham Lincoln, and said "That's Abe Lincoln, he was our president!"  Boy I really need to set up what we are learning around our house as Garrett is picking it up quick!

But be careful what you put in front of your kids to see and hear as they are listening even when you might think they are too young .

Becoming a United States Citizen

Robert has been working on our Family History for his 4-H project. This has already taken us to new places, but in one of the censuses he found that his great grandmother was not born in the United States. So we then talked about what an alien was and what they had to do to become a naturalized citizen. Well, Monday morning the TV station was interviewing some people who were becomeing citizens on the 4th of July. And they were giving  afew questions from the naturalization test. So out of curiousity, I went to find the test. It is 100 questions long, but includes, American government, American History & Geography. So I printed out a copy of the questions and answers and we had trivia time at breakfast just to see if we could become citizens, if we hadn't been born here. Gary & I did alright. But there is a lot of learning still going on in our house for the boys to make it;)

But here is the link http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/blinstst_new.htm  You have to scroll down a little for the test to begin, but give your crew a trivia test and see what they know!

Fourth of July Fun

As much as I like fireworks, I do not like having the ground fireworks or sparklers around small children. As a way to keep things still fun, but safe, I purchase LOTS of glow sticks that are the bracelet size. I then hand out glow sticks in the evenings. My boys have decided that glow sticks in a circle make a great nighttime Frisbee. They will put bracelets on and then play hide and seek in the dark. They have also played that they hide the glow stick for someone else to find (kind of I spy). Regardless, they are still having fun and are being safe. And we take in enough public firework shows to keep everyone happy.
Have a great, safe 4th of July.

Maps and kids on vacation

If you are planning on going on vacation, take a little time and plan ahead by purchasing not only yourself, but your children an atlas. There are kids level atlas' out there, but as long as it is small enough for them to handle in the car it doesn't have to be a kids' atlas. But before we leave, I take my roll of contact paper and cover all the states that we will be traveling through. Then while we are on the trip, I have Robert take a marker and follow where we have been on his map. Now if I want it to be able to be erased, I have him use a dry erase marker. I also will have him look at the map and show him where we are starting and where we are going. his job is to give me a route using the road numbers on the map. I check out his trip on my map. Recently we were looking for an alternative route to avoid traffic. Robert's routes turned out to be a VERY nice, traffic free drive. I will also have them look at the map and ask questions like what is the next closest town North of where we are. This helps them understand their compass points.

For simple day trips, I will copy a local map and mark it with stickers of things we will see along the way. This way Garrett can visually see that we are getting closer to where we are going. For example, when we are heading towards eastern PA, I put a sticker where the exit is that we would get off the interstate, a sticker at Penn State,  a sticker at the bottom of 7 mountains (reservoir), Lady Liberty in the Susquehanna and Harrisburg- I will announce when we are passing or stopping at each sticker so that he can follow that we are getting closer to where we are going.

Just a little something to think about before leaving on vacation that helps keep the kids interested in where they are going. And it just takes a little bit of prep time! Have a great time on the road!

Garrett's 5th Birthday

Happy Birthday Garrett!!! We celebrated Garrett's birthday a few days early because of other things on the calendar. But last evening we had a a couple of his friends over and we played games, ate, had a hay ride, opened gifts and ate cake. A John Deere tractor with a chisel plow was a big hit (thanks Nanny!) the kids seemed to have a fun night.

Garrett with his new book from Aunt Caren-
she reads it to him! Very Cool!

An Aunt Caren Shirt

A super airplane that Garrett is all into

Yum Popsicles!
Boy these are heavy!

Dinner with friends

Oh, what's in here?

And we are off for our hayride

Blowing out the candles - check out that tractor and chisel plows!!!

God's Training Camp VBS

Garrett and his team practicing their Team Cheer

This year's VBS at Knox United Methodist Church, was "God's Training Camp" and each day was a different sport theme.  The kids had a great time and the mission project was to raise money for tornado victims in Alabama and Missouri.

After learning about the Armor of God and how it is like a football uniform-
Robert tried on the uniform- GRRR! Doesn't he look mean?

Vacation to Washington DC & Williamsburg, VA

OKay ,life is slowing down a bit so at the beginning of June we had the opportunity for a trip to Williamsburg, VA with Gary's Family. Well we added 2 days in Washington DC on the way down. We stayed right in DC, so we could walk everywhere we wanted to go to. We actually walked the entire mall plus around the tidal basin. Things have changed since I was last there (granted that was years ago) but the boys really enjoyed it. I remember as a kid not getting to go up the Washington Monument because it was such a long wait. Well the wait is no longer. You can get free tickets (if you go early!) that are time stamped and then you go to the base of the monument at the assigned time. This was really cool, because it was VERY hot when we were there and waiting could have been a patient tester! Unfortunately the reflecting pool is drained for reconstruction so it wasn't as pretty there as it is with the pool.

The Boys with the Washington Monument
the first stop in DC

 

Across the tidal basin with the Washington Monument

After seeing Washington DC, we went to the National Cathedral & Arlington and the boys were very impressed with the Changing of the Guards. Plus we went and found Ross McGinnis's grave - a young man from the Knox area who gave his life for our country.
We then traveled to Williamsburg, VA and met up with the rest of Gary's family. We spent a day at Colonial Williamsburg, a day at the Beach and a day in Jamestown Settlement.

 



The Changing of the Guards at Arlington Cemetery



Garrett in the Largest Sandbox he has ever seen!

The Cousins that we spent the week with

Robert in trouble again!

Busy Month and fun idea for vacations

Okay school was out here on June 1st and it has been continual, non-stop go since Robert got out of school. We spent the first weekend in Washington DC with the boys, on our way to Williamsburg,VA for a week's vacation with Gary's family. This was a fun week, with Laura Ann & Conrad's family, Brian & Tammy's family and Grandma & Grandpap. When we returned from vacation, we started right into Vacation Bible School at our church and I was the director. It went very well and there will be more posted on it later. On Thursday of this week, Robert went to 4-H camp. So now that Robert is home, VBS & vacation is over, I thought I might have a chance to but a bit on here. There will be a few photos from the past week's events, but here is a fun and simple idea for the kids for while they are on vacation.

Robert and Garrett have been taking quarters and pennies with them places for a few years now. They are collecting pressed pennies from the places that they have visited anytime that we can find the penny press machines. These are not only cheap and easy to travel with, but they are also simple to keep and provide a great keepsake. If you are looking for a frugal vacation keepsake, check out the website  http://www.pennycollector.com/ you can see if the locations that you are planning to visit offers pressed pennies and how many different pictures that are available.

1st Communion

Elizabeth relaxing a little bit to strike a poise!

This past weekend, we had the priveldge to watch Elizabeth take her 1st Communion. She was a beautiful young lady for this special day. We also had fun seeing relatives and friends that we haven't seen in a while.

Robert's busy week!

Robert's 1st Band Concert



Robert's Urkraine Eggs in Art Show

 This past week has been a busy one for Robert. He had his first Band Concert since he started taking lessons for trumpet in September at the school. They had their Spring Concert on Thursday evening. For only a few months of lessons, these kids have learned a lot! They played several songs and they did a fabulous job! Robert actually played 2 parts. As he played trumpet for all but 1 song. Then he became a percussionist and played clavas for 1 song. He was very excited!

He also entered the School's Art Show which is the 4, 5,& 6 grades. He entered 2 of his Urkainian Eggs that he made this Easter. He didn't place, but maybe next year. There are a lot of excellent artists at Keystone.

In both events, we are very proud of Robert!

BIRDS!

Garrett is my birdwatcher.He is always pointing out the birds and I'll hear "Sh, we dont' want to scare the bird" But he has an exciting project that can our way. There is a Robin that has nested in the playset. So the other day we went up and looked in and there were 4 eggs. So we have been watching the eggs and so far 3 of them have hatched. He is so very excited that there are baby birds at the playset.

But we also have a Great White Egret that is hanging out in the pond near our house. So we had to come check our bird book and when we didn't find what we were looking for we went on line. We found a great site from Cornell University that has all sorts of information about birds. You can search them by name and hear their song. You can check their habitat, the breeding habits and their standard menu. If you would like to take a peek at the site here is a link http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
So take a look at the birds around your house, put out a feeder and enjoy the beautiful colors that you will find! Garrett loves it!

Happy (Belated) Mother's Day!

Sorry all, but the sun has started to shine at our house and that has meant "get OUTSIDE!" So I didn't blog recently so I regret that I didn't wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. I hope that if you are a mom, that you had a very nice day yesterday. The boys treated me well here! But something that we start doing on Mother's Day is that we tend to take a few more back country roads and watch for wildflowers. The trillium have started near my house and I am hoping to go looking for the Lady's Slippers sometime this week! But this time of year always has beautiful flowers regardless if they are wild or domestic. So take a little time from your schedule and stop and look at God's creation and remember that if he takes care of them, he will take care of you too!

matching shoes/boots

Garrett has been having problems with getting the correct shoe/boot on the correct foot. I am always having to have him change his boots around. So yesterday i remembered a little trick that I had done with Robert. I took a permanent marker and put a little dot on the inside of both his boots. Now to get the boots on the correct feet, he has to first make the dots kiss (or put them together) then put on his boots and they will be on the correct feet. Just something simple, but it saves a lot of frustration and a little bit of time.