Our apple/library bags

A Fun Fall Festival

 We spent a beautiful, and chilly, day at The Great Swamp Conservancy's Fall Migration Festival.

We took a hike and then enjoyed activities for the kids, live music, good food and a hayride.

 Mark was one of the Holy Cross students who volunteered to help out with this festival....Mark was in charge of the bunnies.

 Luke is not as big as a bald eagle, not matter who hard he stretched.

 New England Aster

 hawkweed...gone to seed

 birdfoot trefoil

 bull thistle

 Autumn is here.

 Maple cotton candy!  I've never had any before...boy, is it good.



Sister Anne's Hands and Cubism art

 We enjoyed and reading discussing together Sister Anne's Hands today.

From Amazon:"It's the early 1960s, and Anna has never seen a person with dark skin-until she meets Sister Anne. At first she is afraid of her new teacher, but she quickly discovers how wonderful Sister Anne is. Then one of Anna's classmates directs a racist remark toward Sister Anne. The teacher's wise way of turning the incident into a powerful learning experience has a profound impact on Anna. This moving, timeless tale is perfectly illustrated with luminous, glowing paintings."

 This book was brought to my attention years ago by the wonderful Catholic Mosaic: Living the Liturgical Year with Literature, written by Cay Gibson.    My copy of the this book is so worn out...I have used it for years and it is starting to lose pages through frequent use.  I am enjoying rediscovering the books and projects with my youngest learners this year. 

 For our project we made colorful hands as seen at the end of the book.

First we traced our hands on watercolor paper in black Sharpie.

 We then started coloring in our hands...carefully keeping each open area the same color.

 Mom's work in progress.

 Hard at work.

 Success for Kim and Luke.

 I love Gracie's final project.

 Our "art wall"

After we cleared away from the table...some of the grown children tried their "hand" at this artwork...and Laura even wanted her picture taken!

Rosamond Gifford Zoo

 My "bookend" babies...Pat Jr and Kimberly

 They always stick their heads in these things when mamma tells them too.  And it doesn't matter how old they are!

 Today's gang...we had the zoo to ourselves now that public school has started...one of the perks of homeschooling.

 Baby fennec foxes

 best buddies

 This penguin followed the kid's fingers.  It was so cute.

 A beautiful penguin

 Two cranky penguins

 The traditional tiger photo.

 Daddy with his three babies

 It was about 90 degrees!

 The lion was hot, too.

 Flamingos sitting on nests.

It was a great day at the zoo!!