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Baked Ham with Apricot Glaze

12-13 lb. ham, fully cooked smoked ham

1 c. apricot jam

2 T. bourbon

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place ham fat side up in shallow foil-lined roasting pan. Do not add water. Do not cover. Roast for approx. 3 hrs. 15 mins., to 130 degrees.

45 mins. before end of baking time, remove ham from oven. Remove rind with sharp knife and kitchen shears. In small bowl, combine apricot preserves and bourbon. Set aside 2 T. glaze for garnish. Brush ham with apricot glaze; return to oven. Bake until done, brushing 3-4 times with glaze. When golden brown remove from oven and transfer to serving platter.

Cheesy Potato Bake

9  med. potatoes: boiled, cooled, diced

1 pint sour cream

1/3-1/2 c. scallions

2 c. shredded cheddar

1/4 t. pepper

1/2 t. salt

Mix, bake at 350 for 60-90 mins., until bubbly.

Garlic Green Beans

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 t. olive oil

1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2" pieces

1 T. lemon juice

1/4 t. coarsely ground pepper

1/8 t. salt

Cook garlic in oil over med. heat for 30 seconds. Add beans; cook and stirl for 10-13 mins. or until crisp-tender. Stir in lemon juice, pepper and salt.

Black Rock Broccoli Salad

5-6 c. broccoli florets

2 T. onion, finely diced

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2/3 c. shredded Monterey Jack/Cheddar blend

1/4 c. golden raisins

Dressing:

3/4 c. mayo

2 T. sugar

2 T. apple cider vinegar

In a large mixing bowl combine first 5 ingredients. In separate bowl combine dressing ingredients. Just before serving, combine.

Candied Carrots

3 c. carrots

1/2 c. water

2 T. honey

1 T. brown sugar

1 T. butter

1/8 t. ground cinnamon

pinch salt

Bring carrots and water to a boil in med. saucepan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until carrots are just tender, about 10  mins. Drain carrots, stir in rest of ingredients. Cook and stir over med-high heat until carrots are caramelized and heated through, about 2 mins.

Kathy's Homemade Biscuits with Butter

Devilled Eggs

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

 Mary's Homemade German Chocolate Cake

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday! I love this whole week--it's my favorite of the year. I've had to stop myself from over-doing it, though. Isn't that peculiar? Overdoing the death and resurrection of our Lord. There are just so many ways to proclaim the Lord's death and rising that bring meaning to the children's hearts that I'm having to choose very carefully. Here are some things we'd like to do this week.

Read the entire Easter Story in the Bible and dramatize it.

 Make palms .

Use our new study,  Jesus the Life Giver .

Bake Resurrection Rolls.

Play with our Resurrection Eggs set.

Make Holy Week ornaments for our Tree for All Seasons.

Make a Resurrection center-piece for the Easter Dinner table.

Make jelly bean favors for our Easter Dinner guests.

Choreograph a dance to a contemporary Easter Song.

Make lamb crafts.

Make paper plate tombs.

Attend an Easter Egg Hunt at Millburn Orchards.

Enjoy another Easter Egg Hunt at my mother's house.

Celebrate the Lord's Supper with our children.

Celebrate Purim with friends.

Have a BLESSED Holy Week.

Why do I curse messy crafts while we're making them, when time and time again they turn out beautiful in the end? (I did the same thing with the polymer clay a few weeks back.)

First you blow up a balloon (a 7" works well) to look like an egg. Then drench yarn pieces (6-8" long) in a  a 1/2 white glue, 1/2 water mixture.

Work the yarn around the balloon, overlapping in order to create a "web" that will stick together well.

After you've created quite a network of string, let it dry. (We set them loosely in mugs while we worked on them and dried them.) Don't forget to put the glue away, lest little hands stick themselves to various kitchen appliances.

When they are completely dry, pop the balloon and gently work it out. I LOVE these! Brooke would prefer to roll them in glitter. But I like the simple finish of the yarn.

Hang them where everyone can see!

Brooke and I have been cooking together a few times a month, just to spend some quality girl-time together. Here she is helping make a wonderful spinach salad (with golden raisins, apples, cashews and a sweet vinegar dressing) for company last week.

I've figured out that I "erupt" every once in a while in crafting, and then lie dormant for some time. Here are some treasures from my latest "eruption."

My finished frame from the winter. I bought a scratch and dent frame from Big Lots for $3.99 and sprayed it with a can of sand-textured spraypaint I had lying around from another project I'd been meaning to complete. Then I popped out the mirror in the middle and replaced it with silk-covered cork board that I had in my school room. I printed out the photos on my computer, so the whole project cost me $4.19--I bought the frame just before Gov. O'Malley  raised the tax rates.

This is one side of a double-sided apron I made. I love the combination of fabrics, though I can't take credit for coordinating them. Joann Fabrics had a great selection of coordinating fabrics with a travel theme. I spent hours in Joann a few weeks later trying to coordinate cloths to make an April-Cornell-like tablecloth, and nearly lost my mind. I decided to make do with my cream colored linen table cloth. Lol

These are paper-covered tins with accordion photo pages  I made them for some very special friends.

You Are Flip Flops

You are laid back and very friendly. Cheery and sunny in disposition, you usually have something to smile about. Style is important to you, as long as you can stay casual. It takes a lot to get you to dress up! You are a loyal and true person, though you can be a bit of a flake. You tend to "play hooky" and blow off responsibilities a lot more than most people. You should live: By the beach You should work: At a casual up and coming company

Oh, and this is hilarious. Check out some of the fun things at Blog Things. Going there brings back memories of taking the, "What Kind of Girlfriend Are You?" quizzes in my teen magazines.

You Are Black Pepper

You may be considered ordinary by some, but you're far from boring. You elevate the mood of any discussion, and people miss you when you're not around. You are secretly very dominant and powerful. Most can only take you in small doses.

I haven't written much about myself personally in quite some time. But this is too hilarious. You can find it on blog thing. Try it!

We've been studying the ancient Hebrew Tabernacle. When Moses led the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt to the desert (in preparation for taking their Holy Land), God gave specific instructions for setting up a place of worship for Himself. It was a 45 foot long enclosed area where the people would offer animals to the priests to sacrifice to atone for their sins. That's an oversimplification, but you can read a little more about it below:

Our completed model will look like this

We visited a full-size reproduction of it in Lancaster last week.

Shown here are the common people placing their hands on the heads of the animals as an act of transferring their sins to them:

This is the priest sacrificing the blameless animal on behalf of the common man:

This is the priest washing his hands after the sacrifice as a symbol that he is clean both inside and outside:

This is a rendition of how the Hebrews camped around the Tabernacle. It is estimated that 2 million (600,000+ adult men and their families) lived in the desert in this way. The Holy Spirit led them by cloud by day and by fire by night.

When Jesus came, He allowed Himself to be sacrificed on our behalf, the everlasting atonement for our sins. When we put ourselves under His Lordship, the Holy Spirit lives in us, guiding us through life. Email me if you want to learn more.

Breanna preferred to explore our friends' fascinatingly decorated home:

Thanks for a wonderful idea and a wonderful day, K.

A local organization, Wildlife Adventures hosted a fun class last week for home schooled children. The children loved learning all about iguanas. The children are thrilled at the notion of taking a class with them next fall. Check out the clay iguana they made during the class!

and happy, curious children all in a row.

We explored the local park with dear friends of ours and found some treasures;

we frolicked in the wind;

we basked in the glittery sun with God's creation;

we imagined what lay beyond the edges and between the grasses;

we listened to the call of the trains passing over the bridge;

we hiked our way around the marshy land...

until it was too difficult to ignore the calling of the shoreline.

We finished the day off with a hot shower and some cocoa. Ahh, the pleasures of an early spring afternoon.

We spent a couple weeks on the notion that God is the Sculptor and we are His materials. We expressed our artistic sides in a variety of mediums: clay, food, recycled household items, plastic, and soap, to name a few. I think everyone had his own favorite.

A friend loaned us their pottery wheel, and we threw air dry pots after watching technique on youtube.

The only rule was, "To Eat, You Must Create!"

The only instructions given after reading this awesome book were, "Make a sculpture."

Putting things together systematically (as opposed to the former free-form) don't make it less of a sculpture.

Note to self: Do NOT use deodorant/scented soap. I had to stay far away from this project--all we had was Lever Soap. Blech! The kids did really well. Brad carved a walkie talkie and use his carving tool as the antenna.

The girls love making clothing out of scraps of fabric. Then they love to model them.

Every year our church puts on a dance for fathers and daughters. This year's theme was Enchanted Garden. The girls dressed up in their finest and boogied all night under a mesh canopy.

...but my friend Kathy (www.restorationplace.typepad.com) tagged me as an

Don't you just love it? So now it's my turn to share my favorites with you:

Mollie (www.mollycoddleblog.com), my favorite local artisan

Heather (www.timelessandtreasured.com), my favorite local photographer

Marianne (www.homeschoolblogger.com/mommymare) my favorite new homeschool mom

I'm sure there are more, but these are my new favorites.

For our station in life, Crayola Window Markers work very well to create magnificent panels of stained glass:

So many more to show, so little time to post!

We began our Pottery unit this week. We kicked it off with a painting party at a local gathering hole for artists:

And today we followed up with making our own salt dough creations (rainbows) and Sculpey clay doo-dads:

Well, I need to go upstairs to see if they're dried yet...

Love this one of the girls "working from home," like Mommy does. Lol.

Wish you could really see what was happening here, off our back deck. The sun was shining just over the housetops onto the tippy tops of the trees. Quite stunning contrast, really, to the gray lower half of the world:

We celebrated love over the course of two days--and that's not long enough in my opinion!!

Gym class before our Valentine's celebration with classmates:

Ice cream with good friends and teammates at the local dairy farm cafe after gym class:

Beautiful roses from my hubby:

The table set for brunch at the Love Languages Cafe (set up by the kids while I made my mom cupcakes!):

After we visited my mom in the hospital (she's okay now), we ate dinner at a local restaurant. Brea was bushed:

Hope you and yours enjoyed the holiday!!

We were moving right along with our KONOS Honor unit, studying the unfailing characteristics of God:

Brea, my two year old, was uncharacteristically quiet and uninvolved with our KONOS unit (Honor) , but I was enjoying the opportunity to move forward with our studies. Finally I looked over to find this (it's okay, they're non toxic):

A few weeks ago our family went on a nature scavenger hunt through their back woods. Before we arrived she had color copied and laminated things she'd found and given them to the kids as pictoral instructions:

Then the children took off (girls and boys teams):

Even the little ones joined in:

After an eentsy weentsy rest on a log, they scaled the hill to find birch bark among the leaves:

We mounted our treasures on cork board frames:

This is how ours looks hanging in the kitchen:

Thanks, K, for a great day!

See what we're up to...

A wonderful mud pie lunch for me, complete with fresh mint leaves on top!

Leftovers from the feeding frenzy on our back deck. Seems seagulls don't fly south for winter.

We went to see the Washington Ballet performance of Peter and the Wolf. It was geared toward youngsters, so they asked the kids up on stage to choreograph their own dance. Brooke (standing in green shirt) had so much fun--and ended up running to her old friend (in the blue sweater shawl).

A flashback to our Kings and Queens unit--our version of a tapestry. It's self-stick felt squares. Brooke's is a flower scene. Brian's is a dragon. Brad's is a castle. Brea's is a smattering of love. Lol.

A hot cup of tea for a tired cow girl on a cold winter's night.

Enjoy!

Brooke has taken a liking to photography and enjoys capturing the right shot at the right time. Here are some of her still life shots. I kept my favorites large.

I post these snippets from life because they are valuable point of learning. We do not "school" at home, but we live what I call a Learning Lifestyle, capturing the best of every moment we have. Sometimes we witness something and run to our books or computer to read about it. Sometimes Mom knows enough to direct the instruction. Sometimes we just marvel. And sometimes we get so caught up in the moments that we forget about the rest of life needing attention

Hence, the laundry piled up. It's all for a good cause!

After we learned all about the human body systems, the kids created this pretty darned accurate play doh man. If I'd have thought about it ahead of time (this was a spontaneous activity), I'd have put it on a cookie pan and heated it to preserve it.

 I'd say it's a pretty good rendition of this:

This afternoon was our first great snowfall, and 8 children had to learn how to share one sled. They did amazingly well (after a few disagreements about who would pull whom and how many would fit on the sleigh at once. They learned that the weight of one larger child is comparable to the weight of two smaller children.

They learned how terrariums are created and how the plants soak up our carbon dioxide and give us oxygen. It was a perfect, unintentional tie in to our body systems study. We'd just learned about the Respiratory System that morning with Respiratory Therapist Grammy!

Learning what normal breathing sounds like so Mommy can tell when they need to visit the doctor. I can't say I have the hang of it yet. But Grammy gave me the link to a web site where I can listen to the sounds, and left her stethoscope with me.

Learning how to make a cloth-covered book in the Daring Book for Girls.

Learning what happens when we cover our ears, and why our body needs to be healthy to take advantage of our five senses to the fullest.

Learning what a pet needs from us. Brian is learning how to care for Jake in more than just physical ways. But he's also learning health guidelines, such as "Do not let a dog lick the inside of your mouth!"

Learning why proper personal hygeine will keep public gawking at bay!

Learning how to create a habitat for animals and how zookeepers maintain control over zoos. (Think recent tiger event.)

Learning how to "trim " an Air Hog so it flies steady and straight. Dad knows all about that. He even knows how to jump out of air planes, being a former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division.

How a storm rolls into an area and what types of clouds form storms.

How to set up a mid-winter, warm-spell camp-out and try to convince Daddy to let you sleep outside. (Daddy wasn't convinced, and it really broke Brooke's heart. So the boys secretly re-set up the camp inside! So, also, how to show compassion to the hurting.)

How a pellet stove works and why we use it to save money on rising heating costs.

What time of the day shadows become elongated, and how to have fun with them!

How to create a Lincoln Log town (that won't be destroyed by your baby sister).

How to keep your baby sister occupied while you build your Lincoln Log town up on a high table.

 How steam comes out of a kettle full of liquid water and makes its way along the natural surfaces of the kitchen. Also, why steam can burn skin and warp wood, and why to turn the kettle off before it does either of those things!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what we're learning lately. We sure enjoy learning!!

I'm so excited to get going on our spring KONOS unit: HONOR.

We'll learn about:

The Attributes of God

Pottery/Sculpture

Tabernacle

Cathedral/Church Architecture

Reverent Behavior/Hymns

Heredity/Individuality

Countries/Culture

Kindness/Service/Etiquette

I'm calling my 2yo the Baby because I feel it's the last season I can. She has really bloomed recently. This morning she was calling me to get her from her crib. I was still sleeping, so I'd shout, "One minute!" Ten seconds later she'd yell, "One minute, Mom!" As if to say, "One minute is up, come and get me!" Well, at least she still likes to snuggle me every morning. There are still simple baby pleasures to be felt.

My 4yo is always up for a good adventure. Whether it's hiking or wrestling his brother, he's always pushing his limits (in a good way). He rarely balks at danger, which makes it necessary for me to keep my third "mommy eye" on him! He really is a boatload of fun.

If I were a 5yo boy, I'd want him to be my best friend! He is so easy going and fun. He likes good clean boy fun. He takes after his daddy in so many ways. A little while ago I was having a talk with my 7yo dd about good old girl emotions and girl friendships, and he quipped, "I just don't see what the problem is. I see my friend and say, 'Come on, let's play!'" Ahhh, that is my 5yo in a nutshell.

My seven year old has inherited a flair for drama. But  different from my cabaret glamour, she has developed her own sense of modern high fashion--which is funny because I am so un-fashionable.

   A little while ago I suggested we shop for outfits for one another, and she lamented, "But Mommy, I'd be all plain and you'd be all glittery!" Ah, such truth.

   She figured out how to set the self timer on her camera and work Microsoft Publisher, making great layouts. Here are a few of her poses and self-portraits.

Even though we've been passing around both the stomach flu and the head cold that migrates into the chest, we've been trying to celebrate the coming Christmas with some time-honored L Family traditions. I'd love to hear some of yours.

Gingerbread House Construction Crew

Each year we buy a kit and decorate a big house for the top of our refrigerator. I'd venture to say it's one of my kids' favorite decorating traditions. This year we'll decorate two additional houses with dear friends--one for the boys' bedroom, one for the girls' bedroom. We're so excited!

Gum Drop Tree Addition

This year (with another dear family) we covered cone-shaped styrofoam with gumdrops to create what would become edible gumdrop trees. (I didn't bank on the edible part. Then again, I'm not 5!)

Decorating the Christmas Tree

The kids just love pulling out the ornaments they've chosen each December over the years, and we all love giggling at the ones I created throughout my childhood. This year I'm going to buy each child one of those large popcorn tins to keep their own ornaments in year after year. They love hearing the stories behind them year after year.

We also love decorating outdoors. Check out the huge blow-up nativity. Lol.

Outdoor Live Nativity

Growing up, I loved the service called Christmas in a Barn, and really missed it when the farmer sold his property. Last year I found out that a local Christian camp hosts an outdoor musical nativity celebration--it's really low-key and has a few stalls for the animals. The kids absolutely adore the donkeys and lambs. Then we head up the hill to the gymnasium for homemade cookies and hot cocoa. It's a lovely new tradition.

Reindeer Farm

A local farmer keeps a few reindeer and runs a train through the woods. We missed the evening celebration (stomach flu), but can't wait to go hear all about the reindeer soon!

B&O Railroad Museum

A model trian enthusiast, my husband loves taking the boys to the museum to see the holiday decor in the roundhouse. I think this year we girls will hop along for the ride.

Christmas Baking

Last night we banded together to make a batch of traditional Nestle chocolate chip cookies. Guess what we had for breakfast?!

Christmas Eve

All afternoon (in our pj's) we bake and decorate Jesus' birthday cake. After the 4:00 Christmas Eve service at our church, we head to my aunt's to celebrate with her, my mother, and my sisters. We've been doing it since I was in high school. She's a wonderful hostess and a wonderful cook. We really enjoy this time with my side of the family. (Some time during the days just before or just after Christmas we enjoy an equally delightful time with my husband's side of the family, which has lots of children!)

Christmas Morning

Hands-down, my kids' favorite part of celebrating Christmas. And not for the reasons you might think! They rush downstairs, skipping by all the gifts, to find the slippers Santa has left by the back door--to guide us outside to the "stable" (our playhouse). They rush to find "baby Jesus" (a baby doll), who has been wrapped in "swaddling cloths" (tea towels), and lying in a "manger" (a wooden toybox filled with leftover fall hay). They bring him in, dress him, warm him by the fire (in a rocking chair), and then sing Happy Birthday to him. We enjoy his cake for breakfast.

The next order is to open our stockings from Santa. And then onto the gifts the children bought or made for the rest of the family. Finally, on to Mom and Dad's gifts to the children and one another. We take our time, opening one at a time, watching one anothers' faces for glee! All this lasts from about 8am-12noon. We spend the rest of the day playing with whatever we opened--last year we karaoke'd with Brad's new electric guitar and microphone set!

Merry CHRISTmas to You and Yours!!!

We spent Thanksgiving day with dh's family, and spent the weekend at our house decorating for Christmas. Here are a few shots from home.

Donning the thankful headbands we made for one another. We described each family member with one word, and wore our words on the feathers.

Decorating Out Front

My kids are just eating up the class at the local Y. If you look really hard, you can see Brooke in a pink jacket somewhere near the top. She has actually made it to the very top several times! Brian likes to climb up that ladder and come back down. And my camera broke before I could get a shot of Brad climbing to the first platform. Pretty good for a bunch of little guys and gals, if I say so myself.

We had a blast wrapping up our KONOS Kings and Queens unit at Medieval Times (www.medievaltimes.com). The girls made their own cone hats you see in the photos. We went with our Fun Fridays Konos group and they announced us during the show!! In our front row seats, we truly felt like royalty.

This is the one I keep leaving in the car because I take it everywhere with me! K.P. Yohannan is an amazing prophet of our times:

The Road to Reality: Coming to Jesus From an Unreal World

by K. P. Yohannan

I'll have to admit I've been gleaning more than I've planted. I've so enjoyed reading your blogs that I declared a sabbath from posting. Alas, there is always the morning after Sabbath, when the work must be caught up on.

I usually have half a dozen books lying around the house, strategically placed for the few free minutes I might get in the kitchen while waffles are baking, on the deck while watching screaming snow children pelt one another, in the back bathroom while hiding from children during more discreet duties.

The Blessed: a sinner reflects on living the christian life

by Sharon McMahon Moffitt

The Praying Life: Living Beyond Your Limits

by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

When Your Past Is Huting Your Present:

Getting Beyond Fears That Hold You Back

by Sue Augustine

Praying Through:

Finding Wholeness and Healing in the Prayers of David

by John Kitchen

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

by Stephen King

Some like to crochet or work needlepoint, but my boys like to build models:

Dh is retired Army; the other Fun Friday dad is a former Marine. Needless to say, the kids were tired at the end of the weekend:

P.T.:

Working her way up the ranks:

Caring for the wounded:

War Faces:

Pin the medal on the target (LOL)

Protecting the babies from the rain:

Cover and fire exercises:

Brothers work together

No explanation needed (except that it's the middle of the day):

I've learned telling this generation that Roy Rogers also does music doesn't make much of an impression--they've never heard of him. Does that mean I'm getting old?

We had a great Wild West Fun Friday night at our home:

Roasting Cowpolk Mallows

Stargazin':

Cutest Lil Bugger This Side of the Mississippi:

Cowpolk Freeze Dance:

Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up

to be Cowboys!

We've learned to make the most of our vacations by squeezing learning into every moment. Not that it's hard. It just takes a little awareness and a willingness to address teaching points as they arise. As you can see, it doesn't detract from the fun!

Visiting Thomas the Tank Engine:

Shoveling our own Christmas stocking stuffers:

We took a horse-drawn carriage ride from our hotel to its farm on the premises. The kids asked plenty of hard questions of the driver. He was more than willing to share his knowledge.

I know she's almost 2, but she's still our Baby:

In our KONOS Obedience Unit, we've learned plenty about horses. One Fun Friday field trip was to a local stable, where we groomed and rode horses, and one field trip was the the local mall to ride the carousel. Hey, you gotta do with what you have. After all, they are FUN Fridays!

The gang at The Shire Stables:

Grooming the Horses:

Carousel Horses:

What fun's home schooling unless you take time to smell all the roses you've planted? Here are a few pics of us enjoying one another and friends.

Dad's birthday party:

Our Sonflower Sisters mother-daughter discipleship group:

Pretty Brooke:

Washing Jake the Husky:

A Little Reading With Grammy

In Ephesians, the apostle Paul tells us to put on the "Full armor of God."

Breastplate of Righteousness

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Shoes of Gospel of Peace

Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God

Wednesday it was in the 90's and Thursday it was in the 40's when we woke up. Hello Autumn!

We're moving through KONOS Obedience. We began our Military unit last week, and happened to receive a letter from a soldier we sent a care package to in Iraq three years ago! What a neat blessing. He sent some photos. The kids and I wrote back and sent some new photos--including one of Breanna, who wasn't even thought of when we sent the package.

We learned all about the Pentagon. Did you know it was built as a five-sided structure because of the original location? It was designed to fit between roads. When the location was changed, there was not enough time to change the plans, so the shape remains. You can see the original proposed location right where Arlington Ridge Road meets the Memorial Bridge.

I had an awesome time at the Sandy Cove Writers' Conference. I was able to meet with several editors and agents for suggestions and direction for my book. I am part of something much bigger than myself, and can see it in my writing, too. (That's my rump on the left of the screen.)

The kids had fun making Egyptian rings with a homeschool friend while I was at the conference. Thanks, M!

Well, I really need to get back to writing my curriculum. You writers know how easy it is to get sidetracked!

We started out our KONOS Horses unit with a trip to a jousting tournament. I didn't realize jousting is our state sport. Anyway, devoid of armor and all things medieval, it is incredibly difficult. A rider has to spear a tiny ring with a long javelin while galloping--well, trotting for the young'uns, and there were five year olds jousting.

Brad and Brian with a life-like stuffed horse. I saw one at BJ's Warehouse last night for only $200+. I'm tempted...

This semester is turning out to be a blast. More to come...stay tuned...

To finish up our KONOS Light unit, we visited the Concord Pointe Light House near our home. (I didn't realize how blessed we are to live on the coast, near to so many lighthouses!)

All the kids hanging out at the lighthouse.

Brooke holding Breanna over the very cannon used in the War of 1812. The first lighthouse keeper here helped fight the war when the troops ran away in fear. He was captured by the British, but his 15yo dd rowed out and begged for his life. The British captain was so taken by her courage that he not only relinquished her father, he gave her jewelry as a gift. The old days...

The kids' favorite part of the day--playing in the water.

Every once in a while you get a picture this good!

We are really enjoying KONOS this semester!

We took advantage of free homeschool days at the Maryland Science Center. It was fabulous! The older two attended classes on the senses and the body (we're learning body systems this year for health) and the younger two played with stethoscopes, magnets, submarines, travelling tubes (like at the drive-thru bank), and the water table. My sister went with us to help out, and we had so much fun! I'm trying to talk hubby into taking off a half-day before the month is over to go with us while it's free. And I think I'll ask for contributions toward a membership there for Christmas. VERY fun! (I'll post pics after I get the film developed.)

Here are a few shots of "Education" in action.

The kids after a Lowe's Project Day with Daddy

Brooke and Brad CowFolk at the Rodeo

Brian and Dad at the Rodeo

Building a Dam in the creek at the rodeo

Taking a breather at the rescue zoo

Hanging out with friends at the rescue zoo

A rare trip inside a school bus (to the Farm Fair)

Playing in corn at the farm fair

Schooling til he fell asleep!

Pillows Brooke designed and helped make out of a friend's favorite t-shirts