John Silver is His Name

The "Miracle Play", as Jared called it, came together beautifully tonight.  Officially the play was an adaptation of "Treasure Island" and thusly named.  The ACTT Theater group Jared joined to participate in the play met for 10 days, 6 hours a day to get ready for tonight's play.  The first day I dropped him off he was thrilled to see a friend and the friend was equally thrilled; so I knew things would go well from there.  He told me over and over again this was the best theater group he had ever been apart of,  just a wonderful group of kids working hard and having so much fun.  Jared grew in his acting skills and made new friends; what a perfect experience.

Jared called it a "miracle" tonight since they had only had the script for 7 of those 10 days and only gotten through the whole play for the first time earlier in the day.  However, no one in the audience would have guessed the students hadn't been though the play many, many times.  Jared was Long John Silver, so thrilled he finally had a lead part in a play.  He rose to the opportunity as never before dazzling the entire audience.  We were so thankful to have so many friends come to the "barn" support him and confirm to a bias mother's eye that he had really improved dramatically in his theatrical prowess.  Considering the heat and they all stayed to the 2 hour conclusion the play, I wasn't the only one impressed.   

Titus recorded the play and I have posted it on a private Youtube channel for your enjoyment:

Part 1: https://youtu.be/ltEYZ1WuAL4

Part 2: https://youtu.be/ZdiKvHIVdQo 

 

Refreshing Change

We took a much needed vacation with friends this week and it was all we hoped for and more.

Friday started out rather dreary and wet, we weren't sure how the day was going to turn out but we packed in the Beast and headed out to Grandfather Mountain.  Along the way the kids sang their favorite Veggie Tale Sing-a-longs and we listened to the audio book dramatization of "Teddy Buttons", by which time we were in Boone, NC.  As we continued on, we were thrilled to see the road was not nearly as curvy as we thought it might be and arrived at Grandfather Mountain in time to buy me a sweatshirt (mine was left at the house and it was cold) and join our group for the field trip.

What was unique about this trip, is that it was all planned out for us.  We decided to just go with the flow and often didn't really know what to expect; Grandfather Mountain fell into that category.

Half the group started with a class on Rocks & Minerals, the other half started by taking a tour of the animal habitats.  The rain made us a bit wet and the animals a bit elusive, except for the elk, eagles and otters.  They loved the weather and put on quite an entertaining show.  The rain stopped for the switch and the second group got to see the bears, cougars, elks and eagles on the move but not the otters.  One thing I found particularly interesting was that they were releasing elk back into the forest to help eat the invasive species, and cougars to keep their numbers in check.  Both groups also found the Rock & Mineral class very interesting.  I was in with the younger kids but the older ones said it was more entertaining and informative than they expected.  It probably helped that both instructors clearly had a joy for the material they taught and for sharing it with children.  After the tours were over we were free to enjoy the rest of the mountain by ourselves.

First stop was the restroom where I realized hand dryers make great clothes dryers as a dried my sweatshirt and Amber's coat.  Then we were ready to conquer the Mile High Swinging bridge!

Some kids were hesitant to cross but all made it over eventually.  The wind and fog made it exceptionally more intimidating I think, though we were a little disappointed to find out the bridge was only 80ft. off the ground at a mile high in altitude, not a mile high off the ground.  

After exploring the visitors center for a bit we went back out, the visibility was very little, then all of a sudden this strong wind came and blew all the clouds away.  The sky was clear, like God had just wiped the sky clean, now we could see really far away.  The older kids decided to go back down the mountain via the trail.  We adults, plus one, drove down to meet them and got to watch some black tail deer walk around.  Everyone made it down the mountain safely and we headed to meet the rest of the group at the arranged place for dinner.  

Dinner was a bit of disaster from a food standpoint but I must compliment the kids that no one lost it, despite waiting 90 min for their food to be delivered cold.

Everyone in the group stayed at the same hotel, which made for a fun evening of cards "Moose in the Hoose" and swimming for the kids (Lance was our official/unofficial lifeguard).

The hotel had a free full breakfast in the morning that everyone wandered down to enjoy and then we headed out to tour the Linville Caverns.

Once again we broke into two groups, due to our size this time.  The caves had beautiful limestone deposits down a narrow trail over an underground river.  The highlight for me was seeing a bat come in and fly by everyone, their numbers have dwindled dramatically in recent years due to a fungus.  Hopefully one returning this early was a sign of their come back.  Boys liked being in the "total darkness" and the story, with evidence, of how AWOL soldiers had tried to hide there and were found because the smoke worked through the crevices right up to the surface.  For us all it was truly a wonderful site to see.

After this tour we split from the big group to go hike Linville Falls with the Collins, what a great choice that turned out to be.  I have never seen colors and sites so beautiful in all the years Chris and I hiked the Smokey Mountains.  

As we hiked closer and farther from the falls to outlooks at different angles, the sight was more magnificent.  

The hike itself was an agreeable work-out 1.6 miles over some moderate terrain.  It was heart warming to watch Amber and Chris hop and "par-cor" their way back down the trail.  

When we returned to (what was left of) the visitor center, we took another short hike back to the car.  There were lots of people there enjoying the fall colors and as it turned out we parked so far out, our car was a the end another trail.  On the trail we saw a small waterfall, smelt a weasel of some kind and skipped some rocks in the pool at the end.

After Linville Falls the Collins headed home and we headed to tour the Historic Carson House, just a few miles from our hotel.  Our timing was perfect, it was only us, and we ended up getting a two hour private tour from a descendant of one of the families that had lived in the house.  She had so many interesting stories about the history of this house built in 1799 and the people who have occupied it over the years, we were all spell-bound.  The treasures in the house were amazing and we were privileged that she let us touch so many of them.  The crowning moment of the day was getting a great family picture and being told how incredible our kids are by our tour guide.  I would love to go back and take some professional pictures of the house, its contents and record the stories she told to so and put them in a book to save them for posterity, maybe some day.

We asked our kind guide to recommend someplace to eat with gluten-free options, she suggested "Jalapenos" (which Siri called Ja-lop-en-os).  It was just what our stomachs ordered, huge plates full of home made goodness enjoyed by all.  Kids played in pool for a bit, Chris soaked me by accident (stinker) and to bed we went.

"Looking Amazing"

Our check-out wasn't until noon so we ate breakfast and got in one more hike, this time to "Tom's Creek Falls".  We were the first ones on the trail.   

The trail started out as gravel path to the base of the falls, then it became a rather rustic off-trail hike to the top, a change much enjoyed by my children, especially Lance.  Lance's excitement over all the different types of moss and other items he deemed as treasures was contagious.  

On the off road part of the hike we discovered a mystery, two man-made structures that appeared to have once held a large water wheel.  

The wheel location was a short distance from the falls so we began to hypothesis how the water used to flow and what kind of mill it might have been.  On our walk back, I chanced to ask an older couple walking their dogs, (I thought might be locals) if they knew the history of the mill and the gentleman told me it used to be a mica mill; mystery solved!  What fun!

We got back to the hotel in time to clean-up, put on comfy driving clothes and head out.  Next stop the Catawba Science Center, on the road home.  

Our Science Center passes from home allowed us to visit the Catawba center for free, Bonus!  For a small center it was packed full with interactive exhibits.  The kids (old and young) enjoyed all the physics based hands (and feet) on exhibits.  

The final stop was the stingray petting and feeding, it had been many years since we'd had a chance to play with stingrays (Jared was soaked up to his shoulders). We closed out the center and headed home.  Tired, yet refreshed by a marvelous time with friends, as a family and enjoying God's creation.

Piano Recital 2017

Today was the big event!  Everyone put on their very best, my crew and I clean up quite well.  I love that Miss Kathy makes their recital a formal occasion in dress and location; it really makes the event extra special. The children performed beautifully; especially considering the long day we had up to the concert and the illness that had rampaged our house that week.

Titus started us off performing "For the Beauty of the Earth" and "Oh Worship the King" by Haydn.

Next up was Amber, this was her first recital.  She played the "Itsy, Bisty Spider" fearlessly introducing herself and song at the microphone.

Jared then presented "Waltz of the Flowers" by Tchaikovsky and "The Wedding March" by Mendelssohn; brought back found memories.

He followed that with a duet with Lance "A Pirate's Life for Me".  They got lost for a moment at the beginning but the fact that they got back together is amazing to their teacher and the other professionals.  Apparently, when duets loose each other they seldom recover much less so quickly.

Lance finished out the Otto Quartet with "Minuet in G" by Beethoven.

It is such a joy listening to my children create such incredible music in our home, I hope it is a skill they will enjoy and practice all their lives.

Paray Summer Visit

It's that most wonderful time of the year again.  The Parays come to visit!

Things were a little busy getting ready for their visit this year.  Their flight was coming in the afternoon and before they landed we had to fumigate the house for fleas (our first out-break ever) and buy a new car, hereby known as "The Beast".

As a sign of the blessing on their arrival, we finally got some much needed rain.  As we circled the airport waiting for them to unload, I got some pics of a double rainbow.  According to my kids a few too many stops for pictures (I was bit hyper and excited about my friends arrival).

With our precious cargo loaded, we headed home to renew our friendships and correspondingly our hearts.  That's really what these trips are all about.

Wednesday, the kids talked and played, Mae and I talked and we finished off the day at the pool.

Thursday was much of the same; with the addition of Sargent Mae getting me out for a long walk and the traditional dinner at Corbett's.

Friday came too soon.   I did my best to keep them here (I mis-booked their flights to leave in September UGH) but alas all things must come to an end and we managed to get them on the right flight.  I was so busy soaking it all in I forgot to take a group picture but we'll do that next time.  We all can't wait till their next trip!

Breakfast and Cannons

I've been wanting to reclaim the Sabbath for a very long time.  Today we finally started a new tradition to do just that.  Sundays are now all about family, no chores, no work.  I make a french toast bake the night before, so I don't even have to cook.  It was a yummy way to start our day.

For the family fun part of the day we decided to go to a revolutionary war reenactment at "House on the Horseshoe".  We'd ALL been wanting to go to a reenactment for a long time and we weren't disappointed.  

They had a fashion show.

Reenactors in both camps to discuss matter and materials of the times.

A cannon firing.

And of course the reenactment of the skirmish that occurred (really a personal vendetta) on the property in 1781. 

As a bonus, we picked up some neat history books, muslin bags for a loose leaf tea, and the best tasting goat cheese we've ever had.  As a double bonus we found essential oil product that actually cured Lance of a vertigo attack he had on the way.  That makes for one extremely productive Sabbath (Is that a contradiction?).

Dance = Cats

The deal was. when Amber was potty trained she could take dance lessons. I figured the cost of diapers equaled the cost of lessons, so it was a push. Unfortunately, she chose end of May when the dance studios were breaking for the summer (and her brothers had three baseball games) to be potty trained.

This week, I was finally able to honor my end of the bargain, Amber took a dance camp (one hour a day for a week). The first day of camp she actual beamed she was so happy. 

Tuesday, she was so happy to be the line leader and sit next to her teacher.

Each day she came home telling her "boys" in a very articulate manner all the fun she'd had at class that day.  She really liked the parachute day.

On Thursday, we brought home more than tales, in fact we brought home two tails.

When I arrived at class the talk among the moms and teachers was two black kittens that had been dumped at the studio. One lady was adamant that she was going to take them to SPCA after class but she knew they had little chance of adoption because they were solid black and people are superstitious of solid black cats. This had me thinking. Chris and I had talked about getting a feral cat to eat our voles but it had always been tongue in cheek since we're both allergic.  So I decided I'd let Chris be the bad guy, I texted him asking if I could bring home the cats. He was suppose to say "no" then I would have tried and he was the bad guy.  However, instead of "no" I got "sure".  I responded "seriously" and he said "the more the merrier, they can kill the copperheads".  So I told the lady we'd take them. I still figured they would disappear before the end of class.

When class was over they seemed to be gone. I was off the hook, that was until the other mom found them. She helped me put them in back of car (where they stayed for about two seconds), then Amber gathered one in her arms and he stayed in her lap the whole ride home.  That's pretty much where he's been ever since.  Amber named him "Chomper" and has claimed him as hers.  Titus claimed the other cat and named him "Hunter".  Chris and I marvel at how friendly and tolerant these two cats are. With the way Amber throws them around like rag dolls, we've even wondered if they're Angels with how well they tolerate her "loving".
   

We told the kids that they were just "visitors" and they may not be here in the morning.  In fact early the first morning we were afraid they were gone.  Then Chris came in with a big smile.  He'd found them.  They'd spent the night in the maple tree out front. We've had no problems finding them ever since.  They have definitely adopted our family.

Back to Amber's dance class.  On the last day of camp they had an informal show.  Amber who had not hesitated going into class all week, was not interested in entering on Friday.  No convincing on her parents or brothers parts was going to get her to dance.  Then a little girl from her class came up to her and asked her to come dance.  The switch was triggered, the smile appeared and she danced the rest of the class.  In fact, she then became the encourager when another girl refused to join she went over and encouraged her to dance saying in a booming voice "Come On!".  Oh, the power of a kind word.

She was graceful, athletic and surprisingly listened very well the whole week.  We will definitely be continuing dance lessons in the fall and she can't wait!

More is Better. Right?

Since we had been done building Castle Coop for a whole two weeks, we apparently felt we needed more to do with our lives because the weekend we went and bought seven more chickens.  Well, were not actually that crazy, the state is.  The state is banning the sale of chickens starting August 15th so we decided we'd better get some more before that takes effect.

This time we our criteria wasn't pets to learn with but more practical.  We wanted the best egg layers we could find, that weren't aggressive or broody.  The kids and I went on a recon mission Friday, July 10th to see what chicks were available from Urban Chicken.  I sent Chris pics and we almost left with all of the them, they were so cute.  However, reason won the day and Chris told me to come home and we would go back this weekend after doing our research.

Part of the research involved deciding if we had enough room.  The conclusion was that the castle/house inside Castle Coop would need to be expanded but the coop would suffice for up to 14 chickens.

So back we went on Sunday to pick up 4 more chickens.  We chose the Sexlink/Golden Comets for their temperament, and industrial egg production (They basically lay one extra large egg a day for three years and die.)  We explained to the boys these are our working chickens and not our pets.

We left with seven chicks, why not right and they were quickly named Monday - Sunday.  We never got into "Chicken TV" with the Brahmas but these chicks have had everyone out on the porch throughout the day watching them ever since they arrived.

UPDATE:  The guinea pig cage we bought to house them in for the first four weeks till they were old enough to join the flock, was outgrown in two weeks.  So to avoid the $60 egg we decided to re-purpose Sarge's cage.

I've started calling them our velociraptors.  The other day I caught a robber fly in a clay pot while they were free ranging.  I had Lance bring one over, we lifted the pot so she could see and she quickly stabbed in once in the pot, it flew a few feet and she finished it off in the grass.  Then began the game of "chicken football".  It's so much fun to give them a choice treat and watch them run around trying to keep it to themselves/away from their flock mates.

To expand the house we've decided to add two wings, turn the perches 90 degrees allowing room for two more perches and a side door into the house.  We have just enough left over lumber and paint to complete the job, now we just need time to do it before they out grow Sarge's cage.

Catchy Field Trip Day

I'd been meaning to take the kids to the NC Museum of Natural Science to do some drawing, been meaning to check out the NC History Museum across the way and I'd been meaning to stop by the chocolate factory downtown to pick up their free cocoa bean shells to use in the garden for a very long time. 

Always an over achiever I decided to catch up on all that... today.   Amazingly, not only did we do it all we all had an absolutely marvelous time. 

I told the boys in the morning that if they finished all their school work before 1pm we'd go to museum to draw.   Motivation is a great thing, we were out the door at 12:45pm.

My plan was to spend an hour at the natural science museum drawing and then an hour at the history museum drawing. 

The first part of my plan worked out.  We went to the second floor, where I felt the greatest variety of subjects for drawing existed, got out our tools and began to draw. Amber stayed with me and the boys spread out and we all drew, even me.

After a while everyone gathered together ready to move on when Titus spotted the special exhibit sign. I didn't want to pay money to see the special exhibit (the museum is free) and I said so, but Titus pointed out "This one is free!".  Apparently a generous patron had covered the cost. With my objection nullified into the "Dig It" exhibit we went.

It turned out to be a really neat exhibit. They had core samples from every state, neat hands on exhibit illustrating how water moved through the three main soil types, a cute entertaining detective show and best of all the Kinetic sand table with an interactive topography laser mapping.

The boys shared the table for a bit with other kids.  Once they had it all to themselves I sat down because who wouldn't want to play with that for a long time (I even took a turn for a bit). 

However, that did take a large chunk of our allotted time so I suggested doing the History Museum another day but the kids still wanted to check it out.

As the trend continued, I was glad we did.  The museum was much more impressive than I expected. We planned to just run through and see the Wright Brothers plane (full scale model) but ends up lingering a bit.  I was taken in by the signs that said "Please Touch".  Wow! A museum actually made for kids to visit!  The boys even sat down to watch the video about he NC involvement in the Revolutionary War.  The Museum is laid out as a twisting timeline of history so the Revolutionary War seemed a good place to stop.  We ran ahead through time to see the plane but we'll be back again soon!

That was more than enough activity for one day but we still had one more stop downtown.  This too went well.  We managed to get four free bags of Cocoa Bean shells for the garden.  Well, not really free as we ended up buying some samples of their chocolate but everyone had been so good I couldn't resist.  That was the end to our "Catchy Field Trip Day".