Nature Club Fun!

Its that time again! With our new school year in full swing, Nature Club is back to its regular monthly meetings. This month we met at a local park for a hike to the creek, and an informal insect lesson. Each of the kids studied an insect of their choice, and then presented what they learned to the group. The kids did such an awesome job! Some journaled, some drew pictures, some brought actual insects to show us, and some brought pictures of their insects. We all learned some new and interesting information about the insects all around us.



Of course, after our insect discussions and hike, there's always time for playing!

Arachnophobia!!!

Check out this lovely eight legged wonder that we found above the bushes in front of our house. You really can't get a good idea of just how large it is from the pictures. I'm estimating that she's almost 2 inches in diameter including her legs. Obviously she's quite content in her new home because she's been there for days now. Well, you know me...I just had to find out what she was. Turns out she is a Black and Yellow Argiope. I'm just glad that she's outside and not inside!

Finally...a lost tooth!

Ryan has been waiting and waiting to lose his first tooth. His twin brother lost his first tooth on June 15th of this year, followed by his second tooth shortly thereafter. Ryan still hadn't lost a tooth. Well...it finally happened!



Let me just say that he wins the difficulty award from me. His tooth was barely hanging there but he still did not want to let me pull it. I practically had to sit on him to get him to be still.

In my next life, I want to be my cat!

What a life...everyone loves her, and spoils her rotten. Her litter box is kept nice and clean, food and water are always supplied, people to play with and pet you. Lots of things to occupy your time with like parakeets to watch, the hummingbirds at the feeder on the deck, dogs to annoy, and other kitties to play with. Plus, hours and hours to nap wherever and whenever you want.



Yep, she has a rough life, doesn't she?

Fishing Trip

Have I mentioned how much my husband loves to fish? He's doing his absolute best to pass on that love to the twins. They enjoy it for a bit, then they get bored. He used to go on an annual fishing trip with his grandfather. Following his death in 2000, he no longer had his fishing buddy. So, this weekend he finally went on his long missed fishing trip to Florida. He drove down after work on Friday with 3 of his co-workers. They went out on a party boat on Saturday. He came home Sunday afternoon worn out and somewhat sunburned, but thrilled overall. He caught a bunch of fish, including this whopper of a grouper.



Of course, he just had to drag the thing home with him. He'll be eating grouper for months to come. I personally don't want to eat anything that isn't breaded and comes in a plastic bag. Having seen this thing in all its glory, I certainly don't want to eat it. Only one of the kids would even try it. Adam said it was okay but he didn't want any.

I'm glad he had a successful trip, but I'm also glad he's home. I have been sick all week and being left home with three kids while trying to recover from a nasty virus is NOT fun!

Cough, cough...sickness has arrived.

If I don't post very often over the next few days, please excuse me. I have some sort of virus and have been spending most of my time in bed trying to recover. I have asthma and never fail to get sicker than your average person. I'm just praying that I keep it to myself. I certainly don't need a house full of sick kids!

Week in Review

Yes, we survived! It seems that things always seem to get better after you reach the bottom. My bottom was Thursday it seems. Friday we had our annual back to school picnic with my homeschool group. I'm volunteering for way too many things this year, but nothing I can't handle. It was really nice to visit with some of the fellow homeschool families. Better yet was the fact that my husband, who absolutely HATES going to the picnics, actually had a good time. He spent the evening chatting with another dad that we know from church and other places. What a difference that made! I was able to relax and not feel pressured to hurry home.

We also managed to make it through our first week of school. I'm still working to get back in the groove, but so far, so good. Next week all of my homeschool group's activities start. In looking at my calendar for the rest of the month, it looks like it will be a very busy time. How was your week?