iWasn't Ready for Snow

Outside my Window:  Orange, yellow and brown leaves all over the ground, lots of wind, and today rain expected to turn to snow later in the day.....and now as I finish this post it is officially snowing.  Love Michigan!

What's on my Mind:  Grace.  How to guide teenage boys with authority and love from a mother's perspective.

Thankful for:  Rob having more time to deal with projects around the house due to his unemployment.  One deer in the freezer, hoping for another.  4 new tires on my van.

Creative Endeavors:  Putting together the marking materials for LCCC's December concert.  I think it turned out pretty awesome.  Now I'm working with the typesetter on the program.  Lots of work but always worthwhile in the end.

My Latest Project:  I am TRYING to do National Novel Writing Month  (NaNoWriMo) again but it is not going very well.  My word count is not where it should be but I'm not giving up yet. 

My 3 Sons: The cross country season has come to a close.  It was a rough go for a moment with Fox, he and the coach got into over some things at one point and he actually quit the team in haste and frustration.  After a cooling down period they made ammends, Fox had a week of suspension but then came back and finished with the team with a fabulous new personal record of 20:19.  Our Senior girl and Fox's CC buddy made it to State Competition this year at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI so just about the entire team made the trek to cheer her on.  Now Fox is shifting into Model U.N. mode and is also participating in off season sessions twice a week after school.  Congrats also, he was inducted into the National Honor Society this month.

Benjamin's S.T.E.M. class is working on a robotics unit and will be going to Hartland in a couple weeks for a competition.  I am planning to go along and help as a team manager as well as just being there to support the middle school science teacher in this endeavor.

Ethan was awarded "Rookie of the Year" for middle school which I totally wasn't expecting.  Coach also gave all the ms kids an engraved medal for their amazing efforts.  Now Ethan is working on his piece for Forensics.  The kids stay after school as a group on Mondays then come in for individual practice one other day.  He is working on a group of Jack Pruletsky poems about wizards.  Their first tournament will be in a couple weeks in Hartland also.

The First Born:  Working like a dog but loving her two new work families.  She is also going to be helping with the local forensic tournaments as a judge.

Employment News: Nothing to report.  Although Rob has been fielding many calls nothing concrete has developed and it looks like he may be returning to his self-employed status as traveling CNC tech.  My feelings are mixed about this but I'm trying to stay positive.

Hoping to Improve:  My running schedule.  Right now I'm only getting out twice a week, once on my own for a brisk 2-mile then on Saturdays with the small group I run with.  Did 4.4 with them last week, need to add another loop before the New Year's Resolution race since I've set a goal to run the 8K this year.

Food for Thought:  Enjoying the final spoils of the garden, finishing the lettuce that I planted late, and harvesting the herbs (thyme, rosemary, cilantro, and parsley).  Put together a few bottles of herb vinegar to use during the winter.  Got the big garden rototilled, moved the carpet that was preparing a new area, turned that over and extended the plot once more.  Hoping to double my yield next year.

Last Words:

iGet Sticky

Outside my Window: Morning darkness with a lines of fog as the sun begins to lift into the sky while the moon still glows. At least it was when I started to write this post.  Now, the sun is shining and the birds are singing but the air remains slightly chilly.

What's on my Mind: Simplicity.  Back to basics.  Cash Only.  We've been working towards this for many years and it has started to become second nature.  I'm glad.

Thankful for: A great place to work.  I've really been enjoying my days at Honeyflow Farm, meeting people from different countries, talking with people from the U.S. that are nutritionally and environmentally aware, being in the good outdoors, learning a new skill, working with my oldest son.

Creative Endeavors: I've been bringing a composition notebook to work, and write for a second when there's a lull.  Started to brainstorm ideas for this year's NaNoWriMo story.  Might cheat a bit and pull out an idea I started a couple years ago but stalled on and go for a finish.  But I have a couple fresh ideas that intrigue me as well..... oh, the possibilities!

Latest Project: DECLUTTERING Still.......

My 3 Sons: Enjoying their school routine, classes, and sports.  Right now they are keeping it all As, have been checking their own status and reporting to me before I've even gone and checked!  Wink, smile, nudge.  What's up with that?  Hope it sticks.

Ethan is in Drama class 6th hour and goes over to the high school building for it, interested to see what their final production will be.

Ben has started soccer practices, so far it has worked out with cross country, no problem.  Haven't gotten the game schedule yet.

Fox is having a decent running season coming through pain free at the end of races.  He also is working Sundays with me at Honeyflow. 

Sunny day at the Lapeer County Meet!  Fox just finished running and Ben and Ethan were waiting for the middle school race.  Ben medaled. They all had good times on a tough course.

The first Born: Workin, workin, workin' day and night!  I'm guaranteed at least one check in a month when she makes her car insurance payment!

Employment News: Interview tomorrow.......

Hoping to Improve:  Continued fresh eating into winter.

Food for Thought:  The food you eat that is grown closer to you, locally, has more nutritional value than food produced farther away.  The farther away, and the more processing involved, the less nutrition it holds.

Last Words:  

iMade the Tealights

Outside my Window: The days have been overcast lately and the weather cooling.  Perfect yardwork temperatures, love those hoodies days!  Above is a snap from the cross-country course at Brown City High School and Nature Center.  It was a wonderful day for a run.

What's on my Mind: Getting my yoga practice back into the schedule.  Now that the boys will be in school I can get back to my morning routine of practicing while the house is quiet.  It's not the same when everyone is home and I just don't get up early enough to do it before the rest of the household awakes in the summer.

Thankful for: Another fun and educational outing with my choir ladies, this time to Port Huron to see the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.  There is a 20 year restoration plan for the facility and things are looking wonderful so far.

Creative Endeavors: Still working with my perennials moving plants around and getting the colors and sizes arranged better around the house.  Rob also got the wood chipper going finally so hoping to mulch up all the branches he trimmed over the last few weeks and get a good covering down on the gardens.

Latest Project: Decluttering (an ongoing, neverending project, really) and setting things aside for our massive garage sale next summer.

My 3 Sons: First day back to school could not have come to soon.  The boys were so bored they couldn't wait to get back in the academic routine!  Me, too!  I forgot to explain in the last post that after a couple of regular football practices Fox realized there was too much he did not know about the sport and decided to go back to cross country with a new perspective, refreshed appreciation, and upgraded attitude.  Ben is also going to double sport this season with rec-soccer since he needs to get as much field time in as possible before high school try-outs next year.

The first Born: Loving her two new jobs closer to home, both still in food service but that's fine.  She opens for Tim Hortons and does evenings at Appleby's in different towns.

Employment News: Started this past weekend at the farm, pouring honey, making candles, helping customers.  It was a steady but slow opening but in another week or two when the prime grapes come in things are going to get wild!

Hoping to Improve: Working together on projects with my husband and making the tough choices to let items go that are useless, hold bad chi, or can bring some kind of profit.

Food for Thought: "I have been inspired by seeing folks tackle this challenge [eating fresh] head-on, in unique ways. For instance, the Edible Schoolyard project founded in California by Alice Waters, the head of the buy local, eat fresh movement, has had a tremendous impact on the children involved as well as on the local community in which the project was founded.  I was so impressed by this project that I have worked with Alice and some other folkds in order to bring an edible schoolyard to one of our schools in New Orleans.  As a result, children are eating better, more healthful meals, and have a genuine respect for Mother Earth and the hard work required to put food on the table.  They are learning about nutrition, gardening, and the impact of farming on our environment."  ~Emeril Lagasse - Farm to Fork: Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh

Last Words:

iGo the Distance

Outside my Window:  Beautiful sunny day but lots of white fluff flying around still.  Been having itchy eyes and sneeze attacks as I work outside but hasn't been so awful I need to medicate.

What's on my Mind:  Can't believe it's time to register for Fair already!!

Thankful for:  Getting a couple more days in of subbing which means one more check coming next month!  Bringing another academic year to a close.  Making progress on the yard this past weekend.

Creative Endeavors:  Craft Day for 4H Camp is coming up, this is a project test time to make sure the activities work and we know how to modify things if we need to for various age levels.

Lastest Project:  Bringing some Feng Shui concepts into the boys' bedroom arrrangements, starting with Fox who needs the most positive change. First up will be a new paint color, next a change of bed and desk placement, and the finish some select representive items for success in education and general properity.  Ben is already in the correct color palet and doesn't need make rearranging, Ethan I need to do a little more research for his situtation.

My 3 Sons:

7th Grade - Honor Roll and Academic Honors (3.75 or above)

6th Grade - Honor Roll, Outstanding Attendance, Class Voted: Friendliest



Ethan and Fox just finished a week of Cross Country Camp
and got these awesome shirts!

The first Born:  Moving to a 2-bedroom apartment is not happening, renewing lease for the same unit.  Rumblings of wanting to get back in school.....but not sure where or to do what.

Employment News: Summer Vacation!!

Hoping to Improve:  Still on trash reduction and not buying as much processed foods.

Food for Thought: Allow yourself to get distracted by living. There is a lot to be learned when your weight stops being the focus of your life.  ~Ten Habits of Naturally Slim People

Last Words:

iAm Counting Down

Outside my Window: Nice and sunny but still on the cool side.

What's on my Mind: Taming the teenage boy.  All the boys have gotten a bit attitudal lately, everyone's a wiseguy, a commedian, a master negotiator, it can be a bit overwhelming when you're outnumbered.  I swear if I hear "yep, just a minute" again while 20 minutes goes by and you haven't done the chore I've so kindly reminded you of, or the dishes/wrappers/glasses sit there on the table that I've told you to clear off ....  My solution, the xBox360 has been put away, until I get a little more respect around here!

Thankful for: The end of school being near.  Hoping the final report cards are Aces and looking forward to a summer respit.  It's been a long year.  Below is a picture Ben took on his class trip to Lansing, it is the original Spartan statue that is now inside the stadium.  He thought it was pretty awesome.

Creative Endeavors: Aaaahhhh.

Latest Project: Still gardens and lawns.  Much to do.

My 3 Sons: Ethan and I went out to Midland this weekend with the North Branch Recreational Baseball group for a Youth Clinic and Great Lakes Loons game against the Lansing Lugnuts.  It was a fun day although very windy and chilly for the first weekend in June! 

Fox and Ethan are signed up to do the North Branch Cross Country Camp next week.  They will meet three days after school then the last two days in the morning.  Ben is refusing to go, in fact he is giving me grief about running cross next year.  I gave him a pass on the camp but am sticking to my guns on running the season.  It will be the one and only year that all three boys can run for school teams.  Both he and Ethan will be middle school, the next year when Ben goes into high school he will play soccer in the fall and won't be able to run.  That's all I ask is one season, one year, with only one sport to deal with!
The first Born: Getting ready to host a murder mystery party on the property....this ought to be interesting.

Employment News: Same ol'.

Hoping to Improve: My running schedule.  Since the 5K race the last weekend in April my miles have greatly diminished although I have gotten on the trail for a quick mile run at least once a week.  The Freedom Run in town is coming up the first weekend in July, I'd like to run it with the boys if I can get back in the groove.

Food for Thought: Focusing on the breaking of old habits gives them far more attention than they deserve. The only way to get rid of an old habit is to carefully construct a new one and never give the old one another thought!  ~Ten Habits of Naturally Slim People

Last Words:

iGot my Mojo Back

Outside my Window:  It is just about dusk after a very busy day working outside in the gardens.  Although it was sunny and clear until afternoon, the clouds are moving in just in time to hopefully give my new seeds a nice rain during the night.

What's on my Mind: End of the school year activities: Spring Sports Banquet, 6th Grade Graduation, Middle School Honors NIght, wondering if Ethan will make All-Stars, and booking a variety of appointments for all.

Thankful for:  A fun day at the Feast of Ste Clair with the boys and my good friend and avid history buff.  It was a beautiful day and we learned a lot as we made our way through the encampments and amid the traders.  Ethan tried weaving on a small loom.  I was impressed by the officer's quarters.  Ben blew some of his hard earned money on some homemake cream soda that was yummy.  I sprung for the refill so we could try the homemade rootbeer.  It was also scrumptious, we brought it home and made floats!  There was great music: drum and fife core, Native American, string ensembles, a men's acapella group, and more but the highlight of the day was the battle reenactment.  Very well done with the British, French and Colonists.  I took tons of photos but I'll only share a few here.

 

 

Creative Endeavors:  ???

Lastest Project:  Still working on gardens.  Fox helped today and we cleared out the Herb Garden, I severely divided back the Tarragon, rediscovered the Garlic Chives and plain Chives, planted French Thyme, and some Dill.  Putting a salsa bed in by the herbs, planted tomato plants and seeded in peppers that we propagated ourselves.  Alex stopped by with some girlfriends and they helped me get the Veggie Garden in: two rows of Davers Carrot, three rows of Blue Lake Bush Beans, a row of beets, a thick row of Swiss Chard, a row of Edamame, four rows of Super Sweet Corn, and five mounds of Tricolor Zucchini.  Need to find a place for some pie pumpkins and watermelons also.

My 3 Sons:  Fox got the results from his x-rays and there is no tearing on the tibia, fibia or anywhere at the knees.  Recommendation is better shoes and a script for Ibuprophen 600.  He is running very little right now, taking the meds, and icing his legs to recover before our school's Cross Country Camp.  He has different shoes and some really good insoles which have been helping.  Theory is that the problem stemmed from him trying out 0 lift shoes during his winter training....not a good thing for his pronating feet.  Hopefully he's on the mend and back on track.

Ben will be going on his class trip to Lansing this week.  I am not chaperoning this one but will be subbing that day.  Soccer is done and we're lightly discussing how we should proceed for next year but no decisions have been made yet. 

Ethan has a few more baseball games left and on Sunday we will be going to a Loon's game in Midland.  Grades are looking good, all As except for Math which is at a B but he's thinking with these last few grades he can make it an A.  He just learned how to do showmanship at rabbit club and is supposed to be working with his bunnies.  Bugsy is a real poser as you can see.

The first Born:  Alex has gone complete vegan and her boyfriend is now vegetarian.  It is extremely restrictive, I don't totally get it but wish her good luck.

Employment News:  I've been subbing a lot lately and have resigned myself to the idea that this is the best work situation for me right now.  It is nice to be able to bring the boys up to school or home after with me and also to stay in the loop with what's going on in their schools and classes.  The only bummer is no pay in the summer but I can always supplement with things as I've always done.  Still open to a new situation should it present itself.

Hoping to Improve:  Not being so crazy throughout the summer, having just the right amount of down time and busyness.

Food for Thought:  When nutritious food feels satisfying and exercise feels like play, there will be no soldiers left in the battle of the bulge.  ~Ten Habits of Naturally Slim People

Last Words:

Square Pegs

So the school year started out with a bang.  Ethan and Fox had a half day at the public school on the first day and all went well there.  I dropped Ben off at Chatfield for his first day but when I picked him up afterward things did not go as anticipated.  I could tell it was a rough day when I saw him pass through the hall as I arrived.  Once we got out of the building and had a chance to talk he finally broke down.  He HATED it.  The open classroom was extremely distracting, the kids were pretty clicky, and he just didn't feel like he fit in.  I felt horrible, he is not a kid who takes to change easily and I appreciate his giving an effort to try. I suppose I could have forced him to stay and try it longer but somewhere in my heart I knew that wasn't the investment to make at this time, much as I had hoped it would be a great experience for him. The next morning we made a trip to the middle school office and reenrolled him, he had a schedule and was in class by 2nd hour.  I lost him in the crowd as the kids changed classes when he spotted one of his buddies.  He even stayed after for cross-country practice and was MUCH happier when he came home at the end of the day.  It certainly has made our life easier around here having eliminated a LOT of running around and I am enjoying having all the boys involved in the same sport for the fall.

Buyer pictures arrived, we got them delivered and the boys have deposited their checks.  We spent the weekend before school started getting the pig pen and barn area deconstructed so we can begin getting a better layout in before winter.  The boys also helped get the chicken pen and coop cleaned out and the chicks have been shifted over, still not sure how many hens and roosters we have.

Cross-country season had a good start, Fox had a tough run at the first meet in Cros-Lex but picked up his time at the second Brown City meet.  Both Ben and Fox ran at Bad Axe this year as well as the Caro TVC.  Our county meet was a bit of a disaster due to a change in the course and addition of an electronic timing system which did not meet expectations.  This week Ethan will run the Marlette Open Race and the older boys will travel to Garber with the school team.

It's funny how you can have a plan and an expectation for how your life is going to be and suddenly things just change but you know it's all ok.  I have been involved with helping a friend get her neice and grand nephew (who are currently homeless) into an apartment in town and get him enrolled in school.  The young man has been staying with us and going to the elementary school until they get settled in the apartment.  The mom lost her hearing due to a surgery not long ago and does not use sign language yet so communication is challenging plus she operates at a remedial level at best.  I purchased a copy of The Joy of Signing for her and have been encouraging her to learn plus I've been learning and using the signs myself.  I don't know why but I've been very compelled to help this young man get in a safe home situation and receive a good education.  In addition to helping his mother learn how to be a good parent.  I'm not saying or doing this out of judgement, fact is she had a pretty crappy upbringing and really just doesn't know or think about things the way "normal" people would.  She does love her little boy though and I'm hoping that she will understand the importance of making sure he is cared for and educated if they are to stay together, otherwise the choices may be taken out of her control, which would have nothing to do with me.

We've had our first tasting of spinach from the late season garden, bean plants are flowering, and the tomatoes have recently shot up.  Since zucchini is coming in full force the farm market I buy from has huge ones for $.75 each! We've been grating, bagging and freezing some for the winter.  I pulled out mom's old recipie box to find the zucchini bread but stumbled instead upon Zucchini Chocolate Cake to try instead.....yummo!  It was funny to see all the old cards and papers she had in the box, some were made on the old ditto machines from school, you know the ones you'd crank and they had purple ink.  Maybe I should do a Julie & Julia thing and bake my way through mother's recipie box.  But that will have to wait because this week I will be traveling to Italy with my husband.  Oddly, I have absolutely no "plans" for when I get there.  The hotel we are staying in is along the water and they provide free bicycles so I'm just going to take each day as it comes, hanging on the beach, riding through the town, maybe explore a cathedral or two.  I'd really like to find a vintage or resale shop in hopes of discovering some authentic gems for cheap.  Who knows what the future holds in store.

You can't always get what you what.

But if you try sometimes, you just might find...

you get what you need.

What's My Line?

Wow. I really had intended to do one more post in June but time just slipped away from me.  The week after school got out Fox started his Segment 1 Driver's Training which lasted three weeks. Every morning we were up to town at 8am, then off an running from there.  He still has 3 driving sessions this week then we're done until Winter when he'll do Segment 2.  Finally received his last report card. Intro Business, Intro Macrobiology, and Geometry he got an A- in, AP US History a solid B, and sadly Intro Chemistry ended with a C+. Ew. That was his last class of the day and they had to leave early many times to get to track meets so it became difficult to keep up at times.  Interestingly he did better in the 10th grade science class but I think it was more the circumstances, although he did comment that chem just wasn't really "his thing."  Still waiting for the results of his AP US History Exam, hoping for a 4 at least so it can count as college credit.  Fingers crossed.  If he's not playing Age of Empire on the computer or checking his investments, you can usually find him walking or running the trails.  Yesterday he participated in the Freedom Run 5K in North Branch, finishing 5th overall and 3rd for his age group with a time of 18:55, his best yet.  We've had a couple meetings with the new cross country coach and they have been getting together for group runs two mornings a week but because of DT he couldn't run with them yet.  The coach and several XC members and hopefuls ran yesterday too which was a pleasant surprise to see the comraderie beginning already before the season has begun.  Coach took 1st in his age class and one of our freshmen girls placed 2nd as well. 

Ben and Ethan have also been running a bit themselves in preparation for a few open races.  Ethan really looks up to Fox and his exercise dedication and even does a weight workout with big brother from time to time.  B & E also tried the Pedal Pull yesterday for the first time, since Ben was the only 12 y.o. he got a trophy but it was very challenging to pedal the semi because his legs were too short.

All Ben's paperwork is turned in for Chatfield so he is officially transfered. He will hopefully play soccer for the school team if they have a parent volunteer to manage it but if not I ran into the gentleman who runs the North Branch Rec Soccer at the Freedom Run and found out there is a 7th and 8th grade team through that program that does some traveling but the games are much closer than the AYSO games which would make things easier.  Benny is now an all-out roller-coaster fanatic and got to go to Cedar Point with his aunt last week much to his delight.  They practically shut the place done cuz Ben just didn't want to leave, by the end he was riding by himself because his aunt and cousin where exhausted and didn't want to ride any more!  I'm glad he enjoyed himself, next on his list.....Six Flags-Chicago!

Pigs are doing well but when we weighed them last week they were significantly under where they should be by now.  200lbs would be ideal but ours were 140, 140 and 160.  However we still have time to push them, feed is now doubled, and we're adding eggs, milk, and extra scraps to their diet.  The heat is a challenge and we need to go out several times a day to water them down and make sure they have mud holes to lay in and keep cool.  They really are hilarious to watch, like three big, stocky, dogs.  I kid you not, they even have a bark.  Was fortunate to purchase an old pick-up truck from a farmer up the road that still has plenty of get-up-and-go left in it and got it for a great price.  Now I don't have to borrow a truck to go scrap or pick up mulch, or even building supplies.  yeehaw.  I'm a true North Branchian now!

Ethan has been quite the animal hunter as he's been the past few summers.  He's always out by the pond with a net catching things. Mostly frogs and turtles.  He even discovered a turtle laying eggs and took a picture.  In another couple weeks we'll probably see the little shells popping up.  Snakes are always a good find too.  After requesting one for nearly a year he finally got his wish as I responded to a email for a rabbit relocation.  Ethan is now the proud owner of a very sweet Netherland Dwarf bunny who is very lucky to have an inside 'apartment' especially in this heat!

With all the discombobulation Alexandra has been having with her higher education choices Fox and I have been having many conversations about education in general, both from the aspect of what he'd like to have under his belt at the end of high school, what he'd like to pursure as a career, and where he wants to attend college.  He's open to making sure he has a well rounded experience that will result in a strong college application, ie: good grades, athletics, volunteer work, involvement in some type of school club, as many AP classes as he can achieve, and hopefully some type of work experience or internship.  After having his Intro Business class last trimester he is very disappointed in the teacher who unfortunately is the only faculty that teaches the business classes and there aren't many of them that our District high school offers.  I sent him the link of online classes available and he is looking for some that might fit into his plans.  If he finds any that are worthwhile I told him I go to bat with the principal and superintendent to see that he can work it into his high school credits.

My thoughts on education have been in an upheaval lately. I see the benefits of homeschool and public school but neither are the perfect fit.  This new experience with the charter school will be an interesting addition to my sociological experiment.....but will it be the absolute answer?  Time will tell.

On the agenda for the near future..... swimming lessons for Ben and Ethan, Discovery Camp for Fox, 4H Day Camp for Fox and I (he a counselor, me a teacher), 4H Overnight Camp for Ethan and I (he a camper, me a teacher), initial meeting to begin setting up the Lapeer County 4H Citizenship Academy (a paid gig!), and hopefully getting more work done on my stagnating kitchen project. 

Kicking up the AC....they're talking 100 degrees for the 4th of July.  What!?

CHiPs

Last weekend was counselor training out at Camp Lael and camper Open House.  It was a little soggy but stopped raining enough to take people on tours without much discomfort.  Ethan is signed up as a camper but Benjamin has chosen to sit this one out.  He could still change his mind, but he really wasn't into the cabin sleeping situation, although he enjoyed all the activities.  Fox will most likely be a counselor for the day camp but final placements haven't been made yet.

The goose couple has returned with four goslings again.  They are making themselves quite at home venturing up very near the house and settling in on the backyard grass during the day while it's quiet.  When the boys are all back home they hit the pond for a while then chill out "on the far end."  I don't mind having them other than the goose poop everywhere!  They'll move on soon enough.

The boys helped out Mother's Day to get up fencing for another field area the pigs can root about in.  They've pretty much demolished  it up near the barn.  I may even plant some late crops there once they head off to fair.  Next year I'll plant the whole area with veggies again.  I've taken about four years off from major gardening but it's time to get back into it and have some fresh foods more readily available plus extras to store for the cold months.  I'm starting to feel a resurge in my Earth connections.

Both Ben and Ethan have been good about getting out and taking care of the pigs although I do have to remind them.  There is a lot going on right now with school wrapping up, sports going on, and everyone having to be in different places almost every night.  Once school lets out in a couple weeks they will be spending more time "hanging out" with the hogs and training them more so they can handle them during showmanship.  Oddly the pigs are all very personable and I swear they even know their names.... 

Fox has seemed to hit a freshman plateau in his running.  He's holding on to the times he improved to but hasn't been able to break under into ther under 12 minute 2-mile.  Since the team is so young overall Fox has been invited to all the invitational meets, is at regionals as I type this, and has enough points for his track letter.  I doubt if he'll go to states, but there's one more invitational at Birch Run next week then he's done.

We've talked about him working with a trainer in the off season and he is definately interested. One of the girls that runs for North Branch knows a college runner on team at her school that is willing to work out with them during the summer.  The boys from cross country have also talked about getting together to run the water tower park or through Oakdale ponds and prairies during the summer too.  Found a couple cross country camps too, one at Grand Valley and another at Central but I'm not sure if we can work that in this summer with driver's training and the 4H Discovery Camp already in play.

Still didn't meet his goal of an under 12 minute 2-mile, close (12:03) but not quite there, maybe tonight at Regionals. Pictures got a little crazy once the sun went down a bit and the exposures started going weird on me but I thought effects were kinda fun.  So, no, it's not your eyes going bad... lol

Benjamin came with me to the Bad Axe meet and was curious about the different events and how it all worked since he is going to be running middle school track.  We've had many heated discussions about next school year.  Although it has yet to be put in print and signed by the both of us, the way it looks now is I'm going to let him continue on into NBMS but if a spot opens at Chatfield he'll shift immediately.  He is adament about not being in band again and is willing to DO ANYTHING if I let him not be in band!  Over this I am completely torn.  He's very good at it and it comes easily to him. On this point I've remained uncommitted until I see what other electives are being offered.  We also had a choice to make about soccer for next year.  Thankfully I've been asked to teach some classes at a local theater however, the days I need to teach will greatly conflict with the U14 game schedule, plus all games are an hour East, on the same days where cross country meets are an hour North. At little too much divide to conquer.  Ethan is not interested in playing next year and is going to concentrate on baseball and golf.  At this point it's agreed to let soccer go for the fall and all the boys will concentrate on cross country.  Depending on where things are at with track we'll look at doing a late add-in for spring.

Since the meet was taking so long, Ben and I, took a breather and went exploring the old cemetary across from the school.  One of the oldest stones we found was Born 1877- died 1906.

Ethan has been a real go-getter with his trophy, pen, and arena sponsorships, raising close to $800 with a few businesses still to confirm by early next week. Many people commented about his sales skills and presentation.  When I would take him to meet people he would wear a dress shirt and tie and most times his suit coat as well.  He's learned to open and close the conversation with a hand shake, explain his mission clearly, offer to leave the material for them and check back, ask who he should talk to when he comes back, follow up with people in person or by phone, stop back in to personally thank those that contributed if something was left for him.  It would be cool if next year he remember enough to keep track of the routine himself, he's seems to be understanding the concept and has no problem talking with people.  Plus he's still got that young boy cute factor working for him!  I should have took a picture with him in his suit, out selling.  Oh well, can't snap everything.

Last soccer game Saturday, with a team we're playing for the third time and already creamed the first two.....seriously? Who made the schedule?  Next week is the Lapeer Virtual Learning Center Open House which I've agreed to help with in some capacity although I'm not sure yet exactly what I'll be doing when I get there.  I have no idea what to expect as far as turnout.  I've been doing more subbing the last few months as well, just don't blog about it so much, mostly I've been in special ed rooms and some regular high school.  Next Thursday the boys are I will be heading out on the 6:45a Blue Water to Lansing for a capitol adventure with Grandpa Q.  We're going to do a capitol tour, check out Impressions Five Hands-On Museum, and peruse the Potter Park Zoo! After a yummy dinner we'll hop back on the 9:35p Blue Water back to Lapeer.  Then we'll all chill with a 4-day weekend!



Willow's Way

Many good things happening, I'll begin with Fox first, this past Friday was a very cold Lapeer County Meet in which I made my debut as a timer.  The photos are the set up for the 2-mile and all the runners were freezing and jumping around to keep warm so the snaps are sort of blurry, you can see the spectators all bundled up in the background.  Needless to say the kids got some great times because they REALLY wanted to be done, go home, and get warm!  In addition to running and school work, my oldest boy is now an official stock trader.  Opened his custodial account at Scottrade and he made his first official purchases, four different dividend stocks which he intends to leave in long term.  Also, got him signed up for driver's training which will begin in June.  Little bit of yikes there!  Plus we just completed and sent in his application for a 4H Discovery Camp at MSU in July which focuses on biofuels, biodiesel, research and development.  They get to tour the labs and power plant and learn about the technology. 

Ben and Ethan have been having a stellar soccer season so far, they are undefeated with one tie game.  Last Tuesday's game Ethan got two goals in and the game before that earned a point on a sweet goal kick.  Benny has gotten a goal a game, except for this one last Saturday which was against their best matched team.  Both sides played fairly and fiercely ending in a 6-6 tie.  Although neither Parton brother scored they did their part in getting the ball away from the opposing team who all stood at least a head taller then themselves.  Below are the Parton brothers in motion, a snap of the Tuesday game fan club, Mr. Jake so happy to be taking our soccer practice walks again and a beautiful pine in bloom.

Spent four days helping at the Ruth Fox 5th Grade field trip to the Willows and had a blast!  The collage below starting top left and going clockwise is Ethan using a native wood and stone tool to break up the garden, final notes from Mr. McCreedy in the ampitheater, spear throwing (Ethan has his Red Wings jacket on in the center), Ethan and his buddy Preston working on starting a fire, and a bunch of the boys up in the treehouse during break.  It's hard to see in the group picture but in the background is a wind turbine they install last year, thanks to a generous grant, that supplies power to the ecology center and the Chatfield School.

Making all natural ice cream with ingredients you can pronounce: milk, cream, sugar, and REAL vanilla, put in curner, add ice and rock salt, then crank, crank, crank, til YUMMY!

Along with the ice cream they made pizzas and cooked them in the mud oven, they ground the flour, rolled out the dough, grated the cheese, the sauce was canned but organic, put it all together to bake in a mud oven, and then partake.  While that was going on they also worked together to add to the wood pile using a furrow tool and hand saws.  I helped keep things organized and moving along in the kitchen while Mr. McCreedy worked on the outside projects.  I loved how he directed the discussion at the end of this class asking for their thoughts and comments about what they worked on, made, or felt.  Every group thought it was awesome that they worked together to create their "snack" and believed it tasted better than anything they could buy at the store.  Mr. M always complimented their teamwork stating that he never had to tell anyone to be doing something because they all got right to work and kept at it.  Although our pizzas were vegetarian, he made a comment that it would be great to have some locally grown bacon to put on them.  So I'm going to mention it to our Project Clover group to donate some to the ecology center for next year.  I think another cool add on would be fresh grown basil or mushrooms (which could be grown in boxes at the center).

The other two days I assisted with the mud hut mostly keeping kids focused on the task and helping them get their feet washed up afterwards.  They mix the compound of 2 parts sand, one part clay, a little water, then some straw, with their feet, stomping across until it is of the correct consistency. Next they take it over to the structure and add it to the wall that is in progress.  Prior to working outside they learn about the Kahokian structure found in Pennsylvania that led them to understand this building technology.  This was another fun class although many of the kids always want to try and slide across the mud which we quickly put a stop to.  It will be cool to see the structure once it's finally finished.  This is the same technique used to make the mud oven.

Project Clover, by the way, is from our educational focus for the North Branch Finish Line Swine Club.  They are learning about entrepreneurship and borrowing from the Armanda 4H we've started Project Clover a non-profit company that is raising funds to purchase a lower priced pig at the 4H auction to have processed and then donated to charitable organizations in the area such as a food bank or soup kitchen.  Ethan has also been working on getting trophy sponser for fair as well in the hopes of winning his own Kindle Fire or iPod for selling the most.

In other news Alexandra will be taking her Winter semester exams this week and then waiting to have transcripts sent the the colleges she applied to for Fall.  She also needs to have her ACT results sent in.  There's been a few bumps in her assistant manager duties and pay status but she seems to be working things out.  Having an older teen continues to be a learning process for me, you have to know when to push and when to back off.  No matter what you hope they'll do or think they should do, ultimately they do what they're gonna do and you just have to live with it.  Disconcerting does not even begin to describe it.

Lastly, I found out our numbers in the Chatfield School "lottery" and they are not as encouraging as I had hoped.  Ethan is #11 out of 18 for 6th grade and Benjamin is #5 out of 8 on the list for 7th grade.  The secretary couldn't tell me how many openings there would be if any, or when she would know more.  It is a very vague process.  So the boys and I have been under negotiations as to how to proceed next year.  Although my heart's desire is to have the chance to educate them at home again they are not so inclined to the idea.  Plus part of me feels like I've gotten some good things started in the district with the running club and choir and such so maybe the fates are telling me my work is not done here.  However I did plan to keep things happening here even if they do get into Chatfield but in all honesty it would be quite challenging.  Both boys agreed though that if a spot opened up once school did start they would be fine to make the transfer.  I'll let you know how the debate on other topics such as classes, sports, etc. pans out, in a future post.

Looks like we're in for some April showers as we begin our Michigan May...so be sure to run between the raindrops!