Stratford Ecological Center

I snapped this on my cell as I was dropping off the girls for science week at Stratford Ecological Center. They run tons of homeschool alternative schooling programs and we love hanging out at their farm.

This week's program is called, "Sunship Earth" which was created by the Institute for Earth Education in the 1970's.  It is an amazing program and the girls learned enough today to make it worth our while....and they have 4 days to go.  Suffice it to say, they are teaching me things!

My favorite part of the program (aside from the fact that they are outside all day doing hands-on learning) is the "garbage-free lunch" instructions.  Yes, parents were given specific instructions on healthy lunch choices which include good nutrition and homemade food -- no pre-packaged items!

I have to say, it made my organic heart smile.

Charlotte Jane

I am proud to announce our newest miracle and niece, Charley.  She truly is a miracle.  You'll get to read about her story soon but in the meantime you can head over and read her big brother's miracle story here.

Science Experiment #9763

The kiddos are always coming up with food experiments.  I think they get many of their ideas from reading tidbits out of Michael Pollan's Food Rules.  Of course we have already pre-ordered the latest edition, duh!  Did I just say, "duh?"  As a homeschooling mom, I don't think I'm allowed to say that.

Lemons rot.

Twinkies do not.

But, while we're on the subject.  Do you remember our 1st experience with Twinkies?  Click here to read more about that.

*I lovingly refer to my mom as "crazy" on the Twinkie post because she was super into health food....no refined sugar, huge garden, raw milk, eggs right from the chicken.  Hmmmm.  Sounds strikingly familiar.  You raised me well mom.  I love you.

Is it Really Time? It Can't be Time Already?!

You know its time to think about transitioning from a nursery to a "big boy" room (and possibly potty training?) when your 2 yo is on the changing table, and as you turn your back to help another child, he climbs down from the changing table, runs to the bathroom, climbs onto the potty and by the time you jettison in, he is peeing in the potty.

"I had to pee!", he shouts with glee.

OMGoodness.  

Mentally, I'm not where he's at.  I've been doing diapers and had a nursery for almost 11 years and I'm not quite ready for this.

*sigh*

My sisters aren't the only ones mastering the violin.

Here's Abby practicing for her upcoming performance at the group violin lesson.  Great job, Abbs!

Green Smoothie 1000

We just hit 1000 blends on our BlendTec (we have someone living w/ us that uses it also) and we celebrated by making one of our favorite, easy ones.
   2 large bunches of organic spinach (I grind one down and then add the 2nd since they won't both fit!)
   1 organic red pear
   1 organic kiwi 
   (both in their entirety....seeds, stems and skin!)
   a quick squeeze from a lemon
Blend and enjoy!

Fast Food Experiment

Last October, a friend sent us a YouTube video of a woman in NYC who purchased a happy meal and let it sit on her coffee table for 6 months.  My kiddos immediately started begging to do their own "research."

I must admit, I was less than thrilled with the idea and tried desperately to beg them off.  Some of the things that might have escaped my mouth: "I don't want food rotting in my living room. We're going to end up with mice.  And maggots.  This is a bad idea."

Despite my objections, GLAM convinced Ron & I to pile them into the car and pick up some fast food.  They choose 2 popular fast food restaurants.  Here is the food on Day 1....a few hours after purchase.

They added all types of "real" food along the way.  One day they added a couple slices of an apple to the experiment.

A few days later they were completely rotted, molded and I threw them away.

Here we are a year later.  The most noticeably change the kids mentioned was the fry containers....."they really faded, Mom."

 Hmmmm.  No maggots?  Where's the mold?

 (actually, in the picture you can see several white spots which is dried grease. yum.)

Happy 1 year anniversary to our fast food.

Boy Likes to Jump

Its no wonder he broke his foot last year....shattering (pun very much intended) our 10 year record of no broken bones.

He jumped off this twice, asking the 2nd time that I snap the picture and then show him.

Boy Likes to Jump.

Life

I was driving in the car with GLLAM today windows down, sunroof open, music blaring, all of us singing at the top of our lungs and I realized:  I don't want my kiddos to grow up.  Ever.

I couldn't help but think, the first 10 years have flown by as fast as the scenery around me and I am terrified the second 10 years will go by just as quickly.

So I sang a little louder, smiled a little brighter, and took a moment to thank God for how truly blessed I am.


(on a side note, I waited until pulling safely into our destination before taking this pic w/ my cell phone. Say no to snapping photos out the sunroof while driving.)

.....and we don't jump off sofas either.  Nope.  Not this family.

No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!

Of course we do not jump on beds in our home.  Such foolish behavior.

(found this on the camera, not sure who snapped it)

GLLAM got to ride horses at dusk tonight -- what a backdrop!

Caught this sweet moment on my cell phone during Soccer Saturday today.