A search for "nature" at Mount Hope

Peek-a-boo!
cow vetch and ox-eyed daisy
It was a beautiful cool, crisp day today.
Perfect for taking a nature hike at Mount Hope.
wild raspberries
A few wild raspberries were found.....I think wild raspberries are the most delicious treat that God every created.
wild blackcaps
Second to wild redraspberries has to be wild blackcaps.
These make the best jelly anyone could ever taste.
purple aster
ox-eyed daisy
an unknown, gorgeous bloom
We brought a magnifying glass, net and "bowl" and heading into the woods, searching for nature.
Because we had our magnifying glass, the little children wanted to find "small" nature.
You can't get much smaller than this little toad.


Amy was the tiny toad catcher!
A dragonfly wing was found near the pond. It was perfect for studying with the magnifying glass.

A tiny red mushroom
Amy took this amazing photo---especially when you take into account this mushroom was less than an inch tall.
A family of Canadian geese.
The babies are almost grown now.
a visiting damsel fly
Luke wanted to keep the damselfly for a pet, but eventually decided on his own to let it fly away.
Becky said her day was complete after she caught....
this frog.
Becky also proved to be a great salamander and crayfish catcher.
Kimmy is the queen of the rock!
Final tally: 5 crayfish and 7 salamanders

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Luau at the library

Our library kicked off their summer fun with a great luau today.
The kids started by dancing the hula and bouncing the monkey on the parachute.
Kim and Luke "Do the limbo"
Gracie is a limbo expert.
I love these pictures---
but I was not too sure about the coconut attire.
Pin the monkey on the palm tree
This summer's library theme is "Make a Splash at the Library" so we helped decorate the fishy wall.
"I See a Bear--Over Where? Over There!!"
beach blanket bingo
A great kick-off to a summer of library fun!!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Three Cheers for the Red White and Blue--Our 4th of July shirts

Our 4th of July t-shirts--circa 2010!!!
I got this year's idea from the Family Fun website.
The process is never as pretty as the final results.

You can see our 2008 shirts on this past post.
Our 2007 shirts at over here.
Thank goodness for my homegrown teenage assistants!!



Mm is for Monster truck--Lowes Build and Grow

Luke and Kim enjoyed their first Lowe's Build and Grow clinic this morning.
Grace and Mark have attended many building sessions, so they are pros. (Although poor Mark was sick this morning, so he had to miss this week)
I brought Amy and Laura along to be "partners" to the little kids.
Thank you very much, girls. I couldn't have done it without you!
Kimmy is reading the instructions right along with Amy.
Laura had to be careful---Luke's hammer aim isn't quite "there" yet.
I love big kids happily helping little kids.
It makes my heart all warm and mushy.
Luke taking careful aim.
Now he's trying a power shot.
Great job kids.


Kim and Luke each got an apron. All three kids got a patch to sew on their aprons, a certificate, and a coupon for a free frosty from Wendy's.
Yum....
If you haven't check out this Saturday morning program, it is worth your time.