KIDS!!!!!

We are NOT sick, we don't need to go to sleep, we don't feel good, no I don't want anything to eat or drink, please give me something to eat or drink, I am freezing, I am burning up, please get me a blanket, take those blankets off me, I am too hot, and on and on the day went.

Here they are NOT sleeping, but snoring very loudly!

Elyse didn't eat dinner last night, nor breakfast this morning, nor lunch or dinner today. You know she isn't feeling well when she doesn't eat nor does she ask for snacks in between meals. She didn't even want fruit - now that is proof she is sick.

Hope it is a 24-hour bug and it misses Dad & me.

RAIN...APPLES...MICHIGAN!!!!!

Since apples are $1.89 a pound to pick in our area, we decided, at the last minute, to drive to Michigan and meet up with Luke's family. On the way, it started raining, then it poured, but I kept driving. I'm not going to turn back now. When we got to the orchard, it had stopped raining. It was muddy, but we had our boots on, so no big deal. The hay wagon got our bottoms wet, and so did the trees. We had a great time.

The pickers:

One happy boy (he loves to pick apples every year).

We picked two bushels of apples, then bought a 1/2 bushel of apples already picked, plus a gallon of apple cider. I wanted donuts, but I didn't see any.

I think this is the only picture we took of Jaden when he wasn't crying.

It wouldn't be apple picking without a picture in the big chair. Again, Jaden is crying.

The kids went through the corn maze. I have always wanted to do that, but didn't take the time today. Maybe next year.

On the way home, we decided to stop at Emily & Dan's house for a little break. Emily & Erin H. were busy making apple pie fillings, apple bread and an apple dessert. The house smelled so good. George was glad to see us. He misses Zachary.

All in all, it was an amazing day! Now we have a HUGE job ahead of us to make apple pie fillings, apple sauce and eat them whole!!!!!

FIRST FIELD TRIP OF THE YEAR!!!!

Our homeschool co-op met at Bartlett Nature Center to learn orienteering. In case you don't know, that is map reading, using a compass and reading topographical maps. The information was very interesting. Zachary & Elyse got a rude awakening of how it would be in the public school or Christian school. The teacher had to wait until all 26 students were on board before she went on to the next step. If it were just Zachary & Elyse in the class, the information would have taken about 10-15 minutes to describe. Having to wait for everyone to understand each point took 1 1/2 hours.

Here's Zachary bored to tears during map reading time.

After learning how to use the compass, we had to follow certain points inside the nature center. We started out going north, when we reached point "A" we were to head east until we eventually ended up back in the classroom. It would have been much more fun if we weren't so close together. Most of the kids followed the group in front of them instead of using their new skills of reading a compass.

Elyse is busy outlining a topographical map as the teacher described where to mark.

The last thing we did was walk 100 feet four times to measure our pace length. You walk the path four times counting each time your left foot hits the ground. Each time you finish 100 feet, you write how many paces it took you. You ignore the first 100 feet, then add the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time you counted your paces. Divide that number by 3. Divide 100 by that number. That tells you that your paces are so many feet long. Elyse measured at 4.9 feet, Zachary at 4.6 feet and me at 4.1 feet. One little boy walked like a giant, he thought the bigger the steps the better. That wasn't the purpose of the test. But, it was funny to watch.

Zachary and Elyse on their way back from the fourth walk.

Now that we did that, we can walk anywhere with our normal pace and figure out how long a room is by using our pace length. Hope that makes sense. That's our day in a nutshell.

LITTLE? GIRL!!!!!

Our "little" girl is growing up. We have to buy all new clothes for her. Here is the latest outfit (cost $20 for a skirt, blouse and tank top). How dare she grow up!!!!!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!!!!

Emily, Dan, George, Betsey, Micah & Zelda came to visit over the weekend. We had a GREAT time. They all left on Sunday evening. The two dogs had a great time chasing one another. My photographer might make you dizzy, but it was fun to watch first hand. Enjoy!.

On Monday, we spent the day cleaning the house, catching up on laundry and skipping school (the best part according to Zachary & Elyse). In the evening, Tim & I went on a "hot" date. We tried "Corner Bakery" for the first time. It is similar to Panera Bread. We were supposed to have a drink and talk, but ended up getting dessert. Dad had a lemon bar, and I had lemon cake. It was pretty good. Dad, of course, had coffee, I had black currant tea (that was o.k., I won't get it again though - raspberry or mango is much better). Dad bought me flowers.

The evening ended with a trip to Dominicks to get the milk that was on sale for $1.99.