Two Weeks and Into October

I have to stop doing this....it seems I like I am trying to marathon through my blog posts these days!  I guess starting school and getting back into a routine kept me pretty busy!  But no excuses...the last couple of weeks have been a lot of fun and I wanted to share...

The second half of the month started out with a split action...we had two events at the same time...Michael took the boys to a new project being offered by 4H...falconry!  More on that on my 4H blog site...while I took the younger set to a beekeepers meeting.  Unfortunately, the meeting was a dud...the guest speaker did not show up and there was just a general questions from the group.  There was a honey bee photo contest.  Henry and I both entered photos.  However, a professional photographer entered her closeup shots and won.  I am all for the professional but thought it was a little lopsided since she not only entered the contest but also brought a wide variety of photos to sell.  I guess I was just expecting it to be a fun contest among the beekeepers.  Although I will admit she had some beautiful shots!  It just kind of took the fun out it.  Oh well!

The next day we went to our first home school event in the area.  It was with the local Catholic group to celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It was nice to have the Catholic influence enjoyed by a large group.  I have not had that in a long time!  The weather was looking really bad just before the party and we were not sure if having it at a park was a good idea.  However, I assured the mom in charge that Mary would not let it rain on her party.  Sure enough...the party went as planned and then a huge clap of thunder and the rain began...first a few drops of warning..giving us enough time to clean up and then the rain came down...we all had just enough time to make it to our vehicles!  Thank you Mary!

This was also the day I started a self-defense class at the library.  It is pretty intense and is supposed to last for a year.  The instructor is wonderful and patient with us.  He really just wants us to be safe.  We have learned so much...the main thing...be aware of our surroundings and be ready to gain control of the situation.  Also, we should never be afraid of defending ourselves as the attacker would have no problem hurting us if given opportunity.  He also talks about terrorism and is convinced that our awareness could stop an attack...which is always a possibility.  Of course, he also finished each class telling he that he hopes we never need to use the skills he is teaching us.

Michael and I are back in action in the classroom...Sunday School class that is...we have taken on the upper high school course.  Unfortunately , our first class was a dud...no one showed.  However, we stuck it out and had a small class of five the next week.  We just hope they will continue coming.  Looking forward to sharing the faith through out the year.

The following week we took to the garden...the San Antonio Botanical Gardens!  It was so much fun as there was a LEGO display set up throughout the garden.  However,even without this exhibit, the gardens were so interesting.  We look forward to returning to future events and just for another day to wander the grounds.  There was a Japanese Peace Garden, a conservatory, regional Texas gardens, children's garden and so much more.  Henry and I also took a zillion pictures of flowers and insects.  Just a great time all around.  Going through the East Texas region was hard...made us home sick, but now we know where to go when we feel the need to take in East Texas if we cannot get there in person.

I love how Zaira is willing to act silly with Edward!

The next day took us on a different realm...a Pro-life Rally kicking off the fall 40 Days for Life campaign.  We saw our dear friend David lead the group to be motivated for the prayerful presence outside of the clinic that does abortions.  Of course, our family is committed to prayer and will be out on the sidewalk this fall.

The month ended with a community service project for 4H...Henry and I took photographs for a Buddy Walk...walk celebrating Down Syndrome.  More on this on the 4H blog as we teamed them to make this happen.






After that fun morning, we headed to the library for a Civil War demonstration.  A group from the Sons of the Confederacy displayed their weapons, medical supplies, uniforms, and every day utensils for us.  They also came in perio

d clothing and gave talks throughout the afternoon.  We were even fed a good Civil War meal!  It was a lot of fun!  My favorite talk was about the horses ridden by the Civil War leaders.  I am convinced the man who gave the talk should write a book.  In fact, I offered to help him write a children's book.  I think it is the perfect way to introduce the Civil War to younger children.  However, I am not sure I would tell the bloody way the horses were killed in battle...save that for when they are older!

Zaira with our beloved librarian making a corn husk doll

The library continued the Civil War theme (it actually will continue throughout the month of October as we are to read Wild Rose for the community book this month) with the showing of the movie Glory.

Oh...by the way...I have now won two drawings at these events...I won a book on the Civil War (Faces of the Civil War) and a library cookbook.  I never win anything!  It was so surprising!  Then Michael won a gift card for Amazon because he completed a scavenger hunt last month.  We love the library so it would not make or break us coming, but it does make it fun!

To end the post, we went to a special Mass attended by all home school families today for First Friday.  Sean and Edward served on the altar and Henry was the lector.  They did a great job.  We followed Mass with a get together at the park.  It is a great way for us to meet people.  I even met a woman who moved here from Longview (last week!).  We know many of the same people from church so that was nice for both of us.

Many things yet to do in October...I hope to write about these events as they happen.  Now that I am back into a routine, I should have more time to make that happen.

Pancakes at the Library

The library continues to encourage the children to read with fun activities.  I mentioned in an earlier post that we were participating in a Family Reading Program.  This month we have been asked to read Pippi Longstocking.  If you have never read this book to your children, it is a MUST read.  I encourage you to read them aloud as a family as hearing Pippi quotes is even funnier when heard out loud!

Earlier this month, we became "Thing Finders" for the day (and beyond!) with a geocaching event.  Our friendly park ranger came to teach the use of a GPS device to find caches scattered around the library grounds.  Normally, when we go to caches we sign a log book and often find small prizes.  This time we found "Pippi"-type items in the caches!  The children loved finding screws, feathers, bubble gum, and other such treasures.  However, the best cache was the one with the sodas!  It was an awesome find on such a hot day!  We ended the event with more refreshments and a craft (making Pippi stockings)!

This morning we arrived at the library early!  We were supposed to arrive in our pajamas (more on the reason that did not happen at the end of the post!) but we came in day time clothes.   The children were so excited to have a pancake breakfast and watch the Pippi movie.  We had already read the original book and have started on the second one, so we knew the story well.  The children laughed all the way home thinking about how much the movie was different than the book!  However, they still loved the movie regardless of the changes!

What I enjoyed most about the event was seeing all the children love a great story!  AND...seeing how much the librarians worked to make the event special.  They must have made about 200 pancakes this morning and smiled the entire time!  I told them they needed to have a tip jar set because I had never had such amazing service!  We love our librarians!

We ended the day with the children trying to lift a horse over their heads like Pippi!  She was one strong girl!

The Pippi adventures continue through the entire summer.  We look forward to more family fun!

DUCKLING UPDATE:

While I was on my flower walk yesterday morning, Michael took the boys on a walk also.  They decided to check on our little ducklings, Night and Day.  They found the ducklings...but they were along again.  They decided to watch from a distance and left after watching the ducklings for a short time.

When I arrived home, they told me about the ducklings.  I was a little concerned but we raced off to another event.  When we got home, we realized the forecasted rain was actually going to make it our way!  I could not help but think about the ducklings out in the storm alone.  I had Henry go out to check on them.  He found them alone and brought them home.  We now had ducklings again!

We called the local wildlife rescue group and they offered to take care of them.  So, we set up a "nest" for them in our bathtub.  They were so cute cuddled up together.  Brendan and Zaira got in the tub with them.  I had to remind them that the ducklings were just babies and they needed rest.  Sure enough...as soon as we left them alone they were asleep!  However, we found out quickly that Day and Night are NOT quiet little sleepers!  They would chirp from time to time, even in their sleep.  Day was especially chirpy, but still so cute!

SO...this morning we woke up a little early and took the ducklings to the rescue location.  We did not think going in our pajamas was a good idea.  They were gladly taken in and I am sure they will be out on their own when they are ready!  SO we did save the ducklings...just not like we thought we had.  AND...the temperatures dropped so quickly last night...I am not sure if they would have been able to stay warm on their own.  I am glad we were able to help them.

Fall Flowers at the Park

Today...I did something I rarely get a chance to do...I went on an adventure by MYSELF!  That's right, I left the children with Michael and headed out early this morning.

Now, a lot of moms would run out and have a shopping spree or find a quiet place to enjoy an over priced coffee and a treat.  Not me!  I took a drive out to our local state park to enjoy a wild flower talk!

I had such a great time!  My only disappointment...I forgot to charge my camera batteries and had to resort to my phone camera half way through my adventure!  However, that did not stop me from enjoying the morning!  I had a great time as I went around with Ranger Craig and a group of nature lovers like myself!

Here are a few of my favorite flowers from A to Z:

Antelope Horn

Clammy weed with solitary bee

Blazing Star (gayfeather)

Drummond Petunia

Frogfruit

Golden Dalia

We pray that it will rain so this little Rain Lily will fully bloom!

Mullen

Passion flower (yellow bracted)

For an added bonus, we were able to see a pipe vine caterpillar as well as a flutter of pipe vine butterflies!  Even though we did not see the flowers they love to eat, we saw the results of their feasting!

Look closely to see it dangle from the plant

Female and male butterflies looking for a yummy meal among the flowers!

Queen's Delight

Rattlebox

Sida

Snow on the Mountains

Texas Bindweed

Verbena

White Milkwort

Zexmenia

The programs at the Guadalupe River State Park have been awesome!  Many of you know that we down-sized when it came to the land portion of our home when we moved to the "city."  To be able to attend these programs, it is like having our big back yard again!  It is such a great feeling to know that we can spread our wings just like those beautiful butterflies!  I hope you do not get tired of hearing about our outdoor adventures because there are going to be many more in the future!