News On Hand: August 2010

Monday, August 30, 2010

O-R-E-O!

How do YOU eat an OREO cookie?

This little guy already has an opinion!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

I’ve mentioned before that each month we try to spend some one one one “parent-child” time with each of our children, except for the lucky one who gets us both. We try to keep the cost to a minimum and do something that our one particular child either needs or would enjoy. Sometimes they pick the activity or sometimes we surprise them. In Nathan’s case, I still get to pick. I decided to take him to a nearby park which he was thoroughly against upon me trying to get him strapped into the car seat. Now he was happy to be going “bye-bye” and even picked out his own hat in order to go but I assume he thinks he’s had enough of the car seat in the past week. But as we drove along he looked out the window and found trees to look at instead of tall buildings and traffic. We turned on some Raffi and things were happy again.

I thought Nathan might enjoy the Kingfisher Trail. It is one of our family favorites. There were lots of stones to look at, flowers along the side of the trail to smell and more and more stones. He’s related to me with the rock thing, so I have absolutely nothing to complain about here.

I realized this rugged hike was going to be a very long walk with as much studying as we were doing. Then I started having a hard time keeping him on the path and out of the poison ivy growing rampantly along the side of the pebbley trail. I thought “this is silly”. Nathan really just wanted to wander and since this time is all about him and what he wants to do, with no worries for a change about what everyone else wants to do, I changed the course and we climbed back into the van after about 15 minutes.
”Wandering” can be done quite nicely at the nearby farm on a Saturday morning.

Nathan liked the cool shade in the barn and finding different animals in each of the stalls.

We saw lots of chickens and even watched one of the volunteers “chase” one down. When she picked up the chicken, we got to pet it. Chickens are very soft.

We walked among the many gardens out beyond the animals.

We chased some geese out near the pond as well. Wandering was what it was all about. I just followed along to make sure Nathan was safe and to give hugs when he needed them. Of course we talked a little bit back and forth too, about all the things we were seeing. Nathan is learning what all of the different animals “say” and his renditions of animal noises are amusing to me.

Nathan decided to try goats again. He picked up a piece of hay he found on the ground and tried feeding them. He got pretty close this time.

And after feeding a goat some hay, we decided it was time to get home to have some of our own lunch. It was a nice way to spend the morning, just Nathan and me.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Simplicity

During the school year our lives are anything but simple. There are so many people, places and things to go do and see but I usually try to reserve one day a week where we are just home, enjoying the little things. Today we did just that, after we made our morning school run of course.

Kaitlyn had waited all week to get out the paints. Nathan took the opportunity to paint as well and even decided to “taste” some of the non-toxic colors from his paper and fingers. Washable paint and markers and crayons are the only art supplies around here. Crayola is the only company that doesn’t lie about their “washable” products.

Kaitlyn had a good time getting her fingers wet and gooey, making a painting for me.

We headed outdoors. We found our first red leaf up in the tree on a walk. Kaitlyn enjoyed her red trike, which she will soon be outgrowing in time for Nathan to start riding on it next spring. Nathan just likes walking around for now. Legs and feet are nifty for taking you places.

We’ve had a nice cool down this week… a taste of autumn before Indian summer returns next week. The sandbox was sunny and warm this morning; just right for feeling with hands and bare feet.

I don’t believe that in our fast paced society that the happy little moments just happen anymore. We just don’t leave time for them so I make time for the simple joys in life, even if I have to schedule it!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Flutter-by

I watched this large, beautiful butterfly out in the backyard with my children this evening for more than 10 minutes. It was completely unafraid of us and fluttered around the yard like a bird. Nathan thought it was magical as it kept flying around him in the garden or in the sandbox, making him smile with delight. We have seen a great many butterflies around the yard in recent weeks. They love my flowers; honeysuckle, butterfly bushes, petunias, impatience, blackeyed susans, phlox.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

First Day at School

The 2010-2011 school year began today, with students returning for Rick. Tristan enters 2nd grade, Lindsay enters 6th grade for her final year at Fairview.

Haley enters 8th grade at a brand new building; newly defined it is the only K-12 Arts School in the nation. She is excited to have her Dad as one of her teachers!!!

We added a couple more to this picture. They will grow a great deal over the school year. Kaitlyn is looking forward to school. When the household had quieted down this morning she asked me "Mom, how many days until I start school”? She is missing her Dad this week, but we had a nice day doing things together that we don’t have as much chance to do when the big kids are around.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Fishing Cat???

A few weeks ago I was at the zoo and attended the “Cheetah Encounter” with my family; basically a large exotic cat show which included cheetahs. One of the cats brought out was a “Fishing Cat” who literally jumped into the water entirely with only its ears sticking out in order to retrieve a fish, or in this case his treat. This cat was one of the smaller ones and featured a longish snout and quite a short tail.

While this zoo cat’s fur coat didn’t resemble my calico tabby kitten in the least, Sandy does have a longish snout, a shortish tail… and she LOVES the water. She has been seen by several of us now making leaps into the utility tub in the basement when she hears the washer spinning out water to drain just so she can be part of the water experience.

This cat is simply NUTS over water! Judge the following pictures for yourself keeping in mind that they were taken over a five minute period. I had a very patient child in giggles.

Yes! There was a bit of splashing; at least as much as the kids. We watched Sandy’s funny antics in the tub of water but she drew the line; when the young child climbed in then Sandy leaped out and sat on the rug to dry her legs. As soon as the child climbed out then Sandy was right back in the tub trying to catch the whirlpool. The next child, a calmer child, got into a fresh tub of water a few minutes later and there was Sandy IN THE BATHTUB full of water and the child!!!

Summer Days

Rick went back to work this week, just when we were finally adjusting to a summer routine. My kids have been enjoying their last couple of days of freedom right here at home; and that’s exactly how they wanted it.