Black Island Farms....

Each month or so the homeschoolers in our county have a field trip. This month it was to the Black Island Farms. We had never been and were pretty excited to see what it was all about. They gave us the "education discount" which was so nice. (I think it is so wonderful that places like this offer the same discount to homeschoolers that they do to public school kids. They don't have to do this and I sure do appreciate it.)

We went on a hay ride first, around the farm. We ate a carrot fresh from the dirt. A little dirt never hurt anyone, right? The kids each got to go and pick their own pumpkin from the huge pumpkin patch. Here is Addie getting hers cut.




They had a big field full of fun and games. A huge jumping cage that looked like a pumpkin, a corn maze, slides, animals and much more. It was so fun! Below is the pig race. It was so dang funny. He had the kids yell, "Suuu-eee" so the pigs out come out, and run around the track. They get them to run around the track by offering an Oreo cookie. I think I would race around a track for an Oreo cookie, now that you mention it.....

The kids and I had fun. It was kinda hot but such a beautiful day. Happy Fall, Y'all!

That's better....**updated**

Today is Monday.

A new week.

Today went good.

It went awesome.

The kids got their work done

ON TIME.....a few

"moments", but nothing major.

We did our Monday jobs: cleaning the bathrooms,

we sang a primary song,

we read our scriptures,

did math, journaling,

piano (Sasha), phonics,

U.S. history, McGuffey reading,

I read a chapter of Dr. Doolittle to them,

(we are gonna love this book, I can tell

already!!)

We ended the school day with a hike on a trial

in East Layton with our

science group buddies,

on the gorgeous mountain side.

We collected rocks for our science group on Thursday.

(I am in charge of the older group. We will have

a lesson on rocks, make quicksand,

and stepping stones out of the rocks they collected.

Just for the record, I don't know much about

geology. I am learning right along with them.)

Ah yes, THIS is why I wanted to

homeschool.

It was a good day........

p.s.

I am always very curious about how other homeschoolers spend their day

so I included a brief summary of ours. I am not trying to toot my own horn, I promise!

Oh, and not all our days go this way.....today is Tuesday. It is 8:45. I am sitting here

doing this. The kids are getting bathed, showered and making a mess I am sure.

Today will be not quite like yesterday, but it is OK!

This week.....

I have learned a lot this past week or so.

1. We are just not able to be done before lunch with school as others that homeschool are. I have been trying to pattern my day after a veteran and she is able to do this. I can't. We can't. At least most days. And guess what? It's OK!!
2. Give support. Be a good listener. Hear what is being said and give love and encouragement, always. I did not do this recently. :(
3. Having a husband who truly tries to lighten your load is heaven-sent. Thank you, Babe, for sitting at the computer all evening trying to get our printer working so I could print ONE thing for my calling. Thanks for printing it at work and for making the copies, too. You are so good to me.
4. Having a husband who fully supports our desire to homeschool and gives dang good lectures to the "students" when needed is also heaven-sent. We have gotten off to a rocky start this year. Not sure why. New baby? Overwhelmed momma? I am not sure what has been going wrong, but something is amiss.....I have been so grateful to my husband who takes time out of his day to listen to me when I call him, in tears or feeling very frustrated because of something homeschooled related. Like: someone hiding from me when it's time to do school. Or crying because they have to actually DO something in school. Or taking a very long time to complete their assignments.
5. I can't please everyone. Not everyone will like what I create. Dearest Bulletin Board, may you rest in peace!!! (I thought you looked lovely!)
6. The good moments need to be recognized, out loud or they will slip away unnoticed and all you will remember will be the not-so-good moments.
7. Those good moments make the bad ones worth it.
8. Sometimes if feels good to cry. And eat ice cream afterwards. Just not everyday....
9. A little incentive goes a long way to get a child to READ BOOKS. I am talking $$!! My kids are goin' for IT!!
10. Being mean and taking toys away is actually not mean at all, when they are brought upstairs and becoming at temptation during schooltime. I will give them back.....

Our week is nearly over; we will be swimming in the morning and spending the afternoon with Grandma. So, we will do at least math and journals before swimming. Friday is our "do-what-you-didn't-get-done-during-the-week" day, or a fun day. I hope our rocky start smoothes out soon. I think it will......

Keep Calm. Carry on.

What if it were me?

A friend of mine, who I used to hang out with before my mission has had something tragic happen almost a week ago. Her husband died in a plane crash. "L" and I used to go to the same singles ward, and went to the same high school, actually. We both served missions around the same exact time. We used to go dancing at "The Bay" after our missions. So fun, btw. We got married within a month of eachother. 11 good years. We both have 4 children. But, she is alone now. I cannot help but think, "What if that were me?" What if I had just lost Will and was all alone with my precious kids? Do you ever think of senarios like this and actually get choked up in the process, or am I just weird? I have thought about her off and on since I found out and have found myself shedding a tear or two. Crying for her and her sweet little kids. I bet she is mad, and devastated, and in despair. I would be. All of the above and more. Oh, I tell ya, this thing called life is soooo hard sometimes. Illness, death, you name it. It comes to us all. I have hugged Will extra tight these past few days and told him more than usual that I love him and am grateful for him. I know that the Lord will comfort us in our times of trial and sorrow. He mourns along with us. He knows our pain and suffering. I pray my friend will feel His loving arms around her. I pray she lets Him heal her breaking heart. Hang in there, "L". Have hope and faith in Christ who has healing in His wings......

Eyeshadow..........

Ok, this is very important. I am wondering what brand of eyeshadow people use. Seriously. I LOVE eyeshadow, but don't want to pay $$$$ for it. Here is what I do and don't like.
Don't like:

• Covergirl. I use their foundation and powder but their eyeshadow doesn't to on well and doesn't stay on all day.
• Maybelline. I love their new mascara...in the yellow tube... but their eyeshadow is the same as Covergirl's.
• Revlon is better but again, at the end of the day, it is gone. And my skin is not oily at all so it should stay. KWIM?
• Almay....not sure if I like it or not, actually. I just tried it for the 1st time the other day and it was gone by dinner time. Ok, it was faded by then. I think I will try it again, though.

Ok I think that is all I have tried from the grocery store that I have not liked. Here is what I do like:

• Loreal. They have some gorgeous shades that are all shimmery and stay on all day long. I love that stuff.

Ok, that must be all I like from the grocery store cause I can't think of any others.....! See, I need more options. Avon?? Any other favorites? Anyone use nice stuff from the makeup counter at the mall? Go!!