Moments Caught Monday ~ 12/31/2012

a post by Bird

Yesterday one of our chickens laid their first egg! We cracked it open right away. Mom had to crack it on the side of the bowl about five times before the egg would crack open because the shell was so hard. The yolk was as plump as a ball, and a nice orange color. We each had a bite once it was cooked, and it was very good. So far today, two more eggs have been laid! We're very excited about having our own free-range eggs -- and about our business at the farmer's market that we'll be telling you more about soon.

Moments Caught Monday ~ 12/10/2012

a post by Jenni {aka Mom}
While on our recent field trip to Fredericksburg, I snapped this photo of Bird while he was taking a photo. I thought the coloring at that particular time of day was beautiful, as well as the huge tree with the white bark among the other darker trees. The size of the tree dwarfs Bird! I also like this shot because it captures him taking his photos -- I love catching the boys doing what they love. :)

 

Moments Caught Monday ~ 12/3/2012

a post by Jenni {aka Mom}

It was absolutely gorgeous outside today! Our family took a field trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia - both as part of our current unit study, and per request of Rooster, whose birthday is on Friday. Today pretty much could not have gone better - I'll have to share more in the wrap-up on Friday - and this is just one of many great moments I caught on film. Daddy and Bo sat down for a few minutes on a wall along the Sunken Road to look at the free trading cards the boys were given at the Visitor Center. I just thought it was neat to catch them both focused on something. Love these guys! :)

 

 

Moments Caught Monday ~ 11/19/2012

a post by Jenni {aka Mom}

Back in May we took a field trip up to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Along with being the location for many other historic events, Harper's Ferry is where Lewis and Clark stocked up on supplies for their expedition across the continent. Bo has been interested in Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their journey for some time now, and was very excited to see and have his picture taken at this spot. He'd like to go to Fort Clatsop, Oregon one day, where they ended their journey on the west coast. This was one of the fun moments on our field trip in which history came alive as Bo set his feet on what he has been reading about for the last few years. 

 

 

Moments Caught Monday ~ 11/12/2012

a post by Bird
 

This is a picture taken in 2006 when my grandma came for a visit. We went to the zoo, and this train was set up there. We thought it would be funny to pretend it was about to hit us. In the picture are Grandma, my cousin M, Mom, and my brother Bo.

Hi Grandma! Visit us again soon! Tell M I said hi, and Grandpa and everyone else. Love you!

Moments Caught Monday ~ 10/22/12

a post by Bird

A little over a month ago we brought home our first chickens. They are pullets, which means they are older than chicks and don’t need the heat lamp any more but they are not adult hens and don’t lay eggs yet. We turned a shed on our property into a hen house, and they stayed in there the first few weeks. Dad and my brothers and I have been working on a run for the chickens. We finished last week, and then Dad cut a door in the side of the hen house so they could come into the run for the first time. As far as we know, this was their first time on the dirt and grass. They were nervous at first and they crowded around the doorway to look outside and over the edge. Finally a few brave pullets went outside. Eventually they all went out. They really enjoy being outside. The picture above was taken just after Dad had cut the hole and put on a ramp. The chickens were crowded around the door, looking curiously, and one of them flew out right when the picture was taken. It was really fun watching them go outside for the first time.

Moments Caught Monday ~ 10/15/12

a post by Jenni {aka Mom} 

Saturday evening the boys & I had the wonderful opportunity & privilege to see a dear friend of mine, Emily, whom I had not seen in nearly a decade. Our families go waaaaay back, and she and I became personally acquainted when I was in college at which point we rediscovered our parents’ history together. She, her husband, and their daughter live in Germany (her husband’s homeland) and this was my first opportunity to meet their daughter. What a darling, friendly, lovely, sweet, delightful, adorable little girl!! No, seriously! Once her talker was warmed up she chatted with me rather bouncily for quite some time, and I soaked up every second of it! 

Emily and her family mean so, so much to me. They remained steadfastly by my side during one of the darkest times in my life (or allowed me to cling to them while not letting on that they were inconvenienced or annoyed, perhaps!). I’m so thankful for them, and I’m so thankful for this chance to give Em a tight hug again. 

I wonder how far of a stretch it would be to schedule a field trip to Germany?? :)

Moments Caught Monday ~ 10/8/12

a post by Jenni {aka Mom}

Saturday was my maternal grandmother's 75th birthday. Family came to town for the occasion, and we had a little birthday party for her Saturday evening. 

One thing I love most about Granny is her contagious laugh! My mother and I have inherited the giggles from Gran, and when the three of us are together it can get downright hysterical (sometimes for no apparent reason). 

I adore this photo because it shows that side of her so well.

Happy Birthday, Granny!! We love you!! 

Moments Caught Monday - 10/1/12

a post by Jenni {aka Mom}

 

There are those children who regard nature study as torture, and there are those children who adjust into nature study with joy and ease. I have one of each, and one who's somewhere in between. 

 

We've each "adopted" and named a tree in the yard to observe through all four seasons this year. Recently, while everyone was out noting our observations, I came round front to see Bird completely zoned in to drawing his tree and its surroundings. He'd brought out a blanket, made himself comfortable, and drifted off into a little bubble of bliss. I love it when things go as Mom would like! :)

Moments Caught Monday ~ 9/3/12

a post by Bird  

The other day we were getting into the car to leave for a nature walk and we noticed the sun shining through these spiderwebs beside our driveway. Mom and I decided to take some pictures of them.

Here is a picture I took of one spiderweb while Mom was there turning on her camera. 

This is a close-up picture of one of the spider webs. I like to call it "The Black Hole" because the circles swirl down to the holes in the middle which look dark.

This is a close-up picture of another spider web. You can see bugs caught in the middle. I like to call it the bottomless pit because of how the hole in it looks. These two were my favorite spiderwebs that we saw.

Moments Caught Monday ~ 8/27/12

a post by Jenni {aka Mom}
Last week Bird, Rooster, and I enjoyed a walk together at a local parkway our family enjoys visiting. Down a short side trail is a pond which we had seen from afar but never visited. This day we veered off and spent quite a bit of time by the pond visiting with the almost disturbingly friendly geese, collecting empty snail shells, taking photos, playing with sticks, and enjoying the beautiful mild August weather. 

I love this shot of Bird beside the water watching flocks of geese swim by. The horizontal symmetry worked out nicely, and the photo feels as relaxing to me as that afternoon did (perhaps only because I was actually there, but hopefully it conveys the mood to others as well). 

I also thought this photo was neat. I was playing around with the aperture while taking photos of the snail shells the boys had brought me and this is one photo that resulted -- depicting the shells on the bench in the foreground and the boys by the pond picking up rocks and shells out of focus in the background. 

 

Moments Caught Monday ~ 8/20/12

a post by Bird  

The other day when my brother was relaxing on the couch, I took this picture of him. Mom really likes it. I think we have one of the most laid back cats in the world.

My brother Rooster and our cat Bandit

 

New School Year...New Blog Series! :)

a post by Jenni {aka Mom}

It’s a new school year!!! Woot! Woot! The festivities begin in the morning!

We’re super excited about this year, can you tell??

All sorts of new things have become part of our lives of late - new house, new school year, new routine…and a couple new blog series :)

I typically avoid any type of committed blog series or challenge which would tie any one of us down to “having” to post on a particular day. That said, I do see the benefit in having some sort of deadline or recurring topic which forces you to engage in the practice of writing or photography or whatever the topic of your blog may be.

Well, we may miss some weeks (I’ve got a blog-should-never-stress-real-life mentality), but as we’re launching our new homeschool year, the boys and I have decided to attempt two regular blogging days a week this school year:

·         Moments Caught Monday

Bird and I are delving deeper into the world of aperture & shutter speed, and we’re using our study as an opportunity to capture some of life’s moments as beautifully as we can. This weekly challenge is simple: each Monday either Bird or I will post a photo one of us has taken which captures a moment of life around us. The subject might be someone we love, a pet, a beautiful scene from a walk, or any number of things. Basically any “Kodak Moment” we encounter is fair game. We're amateurs, so don't expect major works of art. Do expect sweet moments and fun - consider yourselves flies on the wall of our adventure!

·         Weekly Wrap Up

As mommy-dearest, I am also going to attempt to participate in the Weekly Wrap Up hosted by Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. It’s just a chance for me each Friday to summarize and share the week’s highlights, and give our thoughts on everything from field trips to curricula to projects. Sounds right up my alley. We shall see! 

Beyond those two items I’ll continue my spotty spurts of randomness, tossing out resources, recipes, and my general two cents. Bird plans to take a more active role in the blog this year, and you may hear from Rooster from time-to-time as well.

We wish you all a happy, productive, Christ-honoring school year!