Exploring Mt. Greylock- Lanesboro, Massachusetts October 31, 2007

I’ve been here loads of times. Chris probably a handful. The kids have never experienced the beauty and tranquility of Mt. Greylock- the highest peak in Massachusetts. Just a few minutes from my childhood home, this mountain holds tons of memories- not the least of which being Chris’ proposal on a rock overlook in September, 1998.

Here Sadie stands in the visitors’ center in front of the perfect quote:

Now I see the secret of the making of the best person,

It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth……….

(From: Song of the open road, Walt Whitman 1819-1892)

We traversed a nature trail around and learned all about the various native trees. Funny how you learn new things about your parents everyday- my dad knows a ton about trees! Elijah was right at home in the wilderness. I have a feeling we’ll be doing some more serious camping as this boy gets older- like without a tent in the Rockies or some such.

Here we are checking out the inside of the visitors’ center. There’s a raised map of all of the different peaks and valleys in that area along with the trails that are well-travelled. Top right is an action shot of Sadie sneezing- not often you get those!
And yes, lots of time was spent rolling down the hill in back of the visitors’ center. Chris and I remember the days when it didn’t make us sick.

And capping off that afternoon, we went to the farm where my dad grew up. Now the home to my aunt and uncle and their 3 girls, it has been rejuvenated and is more beautiful than it ever was… My first horseback ride in 8 years ended in a rodeo-style dismount (not graceful) about 30 seconds after my solo ride began. In retrospect I’m thinking I made it longer than most of those guys. Living in a big rodeo area as we do, maybe I should take that up. Nah- my back is still healing from the tame horse.

Leavin’ On a Jet Plane October 29, 2007

Overall air travel was a pleasant experience on this our first trip back to New England since our migration to Texas. Sadie slept the first leg both ways while Elijah would take the second for his ‘rest.’ They snacked, colored, used activity books, asked endlessly where we were currently (thank you to Frontier Airlines which has a TV on the back of the headrest in front of you showing a map of the US and pictures where the plane is at that particular time- along with speed and altitude which was fascinating for Elijah), played with Silly Putty, and slept. The layovers were great for breaking it up and using the escalators and fast-moving walkways.

What a day! October 14, 2007

We went to Michael’s preschool craft time again and the kids decorated wooden cut outs of Halloween shapes with modeling sculpt. After that we were due at soccer practice straight away with the older homeschool group with whom we get together. Sadie was ready. Elijah was tired. While she ran drills, scrimmaged, and took shots on goal, he kicked a ball around, rested, and snacked.

Bathing Beauty October 14, 2007

When Sadie is not heard from for more than a few minutes, be concerned. When I knocked on the door to the bathroom, she said, “not right now!” I opened the door to find our sparkly little darling shinier than ever after having climbed into the pedestal sink with 1/2 the bottle of hand soap. She had a Santa-esque beard of bubbles and was slippery as a fish. She proceeded happily to the big tub to rinse off her soapy sheen.

Irrigation Fun October 14, 2007

A leisurely walk to the playground turned into summer (fall?) fun at its best when the community center irrigation system turned on. Even Christine and I got in on the spontaneous romp!

Shhhhhhh……. October 14, 2007

Elijah called me over telling me in a high sing-song voice reserved for babies and small animals that this little spider(see top of watering can) was talking to him.
“Shhhhh- listen Mommy. I can’t hear what he’s saying.”
“How do you know he’s talking to you?” I said.
“Look closely Mommy. You can see his mouth moving. He’s just so small that I can’t hear what he’s saying.”
Sure enough- looking very closely, I could see that it appeared that the spider’s mouth was, indeed, opening and closing with regularity.
“Can you hear him?” he asked me. Unfortunately I could not either. Elijah continued to hold a fairly superficial conversation with the spider until it wandered away. He was delighted that there was an attempt on the spider’s part to communicate even though he couldn’t make out the message.

Life Imitating- well, you know what I mean October 11, 2007

Being that these posts are newest on top, you’ll have to check the post below to see what we did on the morning of this day. Yes, that’s right! Jungle Jim. Then we come home and Chris whispers, “there’s a snake in the pool.” As you can see his mass is intimidating.

Elijah helped him out of the pool and then patted him incessantly while he played dead. Just today we found the body of another- cause of death unknown who was about 3x the size. There is construction going on across the road from us so it looks like we’ll be having some evacuants at least passing through for a bit. How exciting.

Jungle Jim October 11, 2007

Jungle Jim came to a local library to talk about some of his reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. There was an amazing variety of living animals as well as some really cool displays of dead ones. Elijah loves this stuff.

Gretchen and Sadie having a fuzzy moment in the midst of some not-so-fuzzy animals.

Nash and Elijah check out one of the displays.

The largest variety of stick bug. That’s Elijah’s hand in the corner- HUGE and amazing.

Treasure Island October 11, 2007

Treasure Island at the Casa Manana Playhouse. We signed up for a season of children’s plays in downtown Ft. Worth after hearing rave reviews.

I was interested to see what the kids would have to say since the movies seemed to bore them once the popcorn was gone and no food is allowed at Casa I had to sneak them some raisins in the last 5 minutes but, let’s be fair, they can’t go an hour without eating ). They’re still talking about it several days later. Sadie: “That pirate show was a little bit scary…. but I liked it!” Elijah:”I didn’t think it was scary.” (repeat over and over). Me:”Would you like to go to more plays?” Both:”YES!”

The Pumpkin Patch of Flower Mound October 8, 2007

Unschoolers of DFW got together for a fun filled day of playing and pumpkin picking at The Pumpkin Patch. It was hot but fun! Elijah especially liked the hay bale mazes. Sadie was partial to the train for climbing and the Little Tykes log cabin. They each picked a little pumpkin from The Cars pumpkin patch. I think they have these pumpkins trucked in. They ‘arrive’ rather than grow which is odd for us northerners.