March

March started out with a field trip to the oldest school building in Florida.  This 'Little Red School House' was not used as a school for long, it became a barn eventually and was later moved and restored.  Now they conduct field trips, a recreation of an 1886 school day, complete with ear and nail checks (for cleanliness), removing caps, reviewing manners, arithmetic, script practice (writing on a slate), and outdoor games.  Participants dress in period clothing and bring a lunch that would have been possible in 1886 (no plastic wrap here!).  They were assigned the name of an original attendee and had to research the family and stay in character while there.  It was fun!  Lise says she'd do it every day. . . Bug says, once was probably enough.

School- Circa 1886 "Ella Dimmick and William Moore"

School Games

A prim and proper classroom.  Not a peep!  1886 discipline was part of the program.

4H this month included bug olympics and the dissection of a cockroach.  The kids were pretty funny to watch as they pulled their bugs apart. . . not much different than what I remember from dissection labs.  Some of them were squeamish, some dug right in, and the smell was awful. 

Inching his way along in the 'Bug Olympics'

Lise is continuing with piano and we all picked up the ukulele, just for fun.  I decided to force family lessons on them for a few months to get it kick started. ;)  Plus, I think music is a great brain, hand-and-eye, discipline exercise!  This rusty, old brain hasn't used music for a looong time.  And the kiddos are picking it up quicker than I am.

February

Lise continues choir and piano, plus started with an art mentor this month.  It gives me lots of free time with Bug, which we spend wandering, working, talking, and at the library mostly.  Bug started a Lego Club for the homeschool group.  And we all started ukulele, just for fun.  We don't have pictures of any of that. . . so enjoy some random phone pictures instead.

A walk on the beach at sunset.

Same sunset.

Commemorating the loss of a loved one.

Shell piece in the sand.

We went and saw a Shakespearean improv company. "King Kong" (title from the audience) was delightful fun and laugh-out-loud crazy.  It had the kids and their friends running around concocting Shakespearean subplots for days.  We also went strawberry picking (season is almost over) and came home to make strawberry pie for Valentine's Day.  This is the only evidence we have.  It was delicious.  

And just for good measure, we'll throw in some puppy love.  He's laying on the chair next to me right now, wuffling so hard in his sleep he may bounce himself right off onto the floor.  It's happened before.

Self appointed stair guard. 

Love our Shmoo!

Ruff life!  If you're on the floor, he's in your lap.

January

I'm so grateful to be on this journey.  We've seen so many incredible things and met so many wonderful people.  It seems like our lives are busy right now, and full of good things.  January started out with our traditional sunrise.  The beach was cool and overcast this year.  Another dark grey to light grey welcoming, but perfect temperature for an early walk.

As the kids get older some of the enthusiasm for waking up before the sun is waning. ;)  It didn't help that we were up until 1am and back up again at 6.  Everyone survived- imagine that!

Bug requested we try to make these at home this year as part of our Japanese feast.  Takoyaki!  Little pancake like balls with octopus (tako), onions, fish flakes, etc.  The kids ate their weight.

We jumped into the first week of the new year with a 'swamp tromp'.  A truly amazing experience.  Our guides took us out through some natural 'islands' and told us about the area, the flora, the fauna.  We even got to taste a few wild edibles.  Any day spent outside is a good day!  A day spent outside in a beautiful area, with fantastic friends is a gem.

People watching- just hanging out observing the canoes go by. 

We talked him out from behind his desk. ;)

He was in a canoe with friends and this is the ONLY time I was in front of him the whole trip, hence the only picture.

The State Fair.  Kids entered several projects-- art, food, lego sculpture, music, etc-- via 4H this year and won multiple ribbons, including grand prizes (Bug for food and Lise for art)!  They were very excited. . . especially since the ribbons came with prize money. 

Bug's Lego Manatee

Lise's watercolor (Nausica- the boot is damaged from tape)

Army helicopter on display at Fair

4H walk.  Golden Orb Weaver- she's about 6 inches! 

A taste of January

I've continued with my art classes online.  Lots to learn.  I love this technique for eyes!  This birdie looked better as just eyes and no feathers ;)  Feathers are hard in watercolor.

December

What a busy month!  I know it usually is for most people but throw an anniversary, 4H, homeschool, field trips, a concert, and a bazaar into the holiday fray and it hits survival mode pretty quick.  We did survive and even enjoyed 99% of it!  December has been the start of some things and the end of others.  We started this month with 4H fair entries.  They both decided they wanted to enter the food judging this year- Lise with her own ratatouille recipe, and Bug with fruit salsa and cinnamon chips.  They were nervous not knowing what to expect but did great! 

Both kiddos got first place ribbons for their food! The crazy hair came from park day moments before we had to be to 4H, busy day.  Busy week!

Some part of him is always a blur of motion.

Concert

This is Lise's choir.  They have been preparing for this since the end of August.  The music was absolutely beautiful!  Great way to start out the holiday season.

Concert Stage

Concert Hall, or at least the back balconies.  By performance time seats were full!

We like the boxes.

Lise is one of the spots on the far right, 1st row from the back.

Her favorite song from the concert.  The recording has audience noise, is a little wobbly, and a lot too close to the percussionist but ignore that. . .  they still sound pretty darn good!

Anniversary

Getting married at Christmas is a great idea!  Anniversaries, however, are a lot like having a birthday around Christmas. . . it can feel a little like trying to cram one more thing into a packed suitcase.  We did take the day off from all other holiday ruckus, watched the "Hobbit" with the kids and then went to dinner on our own.  Simple.

17 years and we haven't killed each other.  I think we'll go for a few more!

Christmas

A 6 ton sand Christmas Tree.  It's Florida.

 

Kiddos slept under the tree a couple of days before Christmas.  The flash in complete darkness may have something to do with the looks on their faces. 

The beginnings of Christmas dinner.  I forgot to take another picture when the rest of it made it to the table.  Lots of leftovers meant pie for breakfast and no cooking necessary for a few days!

They entertained us at dinner by singing Christmas Carols. . . with accents.  They make me laugh.

Chocolate frogs, Christmas breakfast of champions.

Chocolate for breakfast seems to be a recurring theme in our house on Christmas.

Ted, not really feeling the Christmas spirit, despite being decked out.

Second breakfast, a little something besides chocolate.

Tea and new board games after breakfast.

My favorite radio station.

Happy Holidays!  We hope yours have been filled with laughter and love.