Recycling is fun!!

Recycling is fun!!

First of all!!!!!! WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!! 

There were a few moments that I didn't think I would survive the process but I did. It took up all my energy and focus the last month or so. I slacked on the schooling a little we really stuck to Bible, and the 3 R's with Geography thrown in there and Science sprinkled over here. Now that's crossed off the list I can begin to relax and focus back on the fun part of school. 

This week we have a really fun and educational project we are working on. We entered a Recycled fashion show. The boys were busy drawing and planning their outfits and deciding what recycled Item would be used for each piece of the outfit. We have watched videos on recycling, thought of ways we can recycle in our own house and discussed why it's important not to be wasteful and just throw things away especially if they can be given another life.

River's plans

Atticus planning

This was a great opportunity for Dad to step in and be the teacher he excels in the building and coming up with creative things out of nothing department. The boys got to go out to the Shop and spend some one on one time with Dad and create with him. I would get picture via text and little sneak peeks.

sneak peek of Atticus

The Finished products are so fun.

Atticus is a Fireman's suit. Inspired by is desire to Grow up and be a Fireman

Atticus' Oxygen tank

River's Samurai suit, He did such a great job.

Thank You to The best Dad for all the Help bringing the boys ideas to life!!!

The Show was supposed to be this past Saturday but it was postponed until April closer to Earth Day. We are ready though and may make some upgrades or modifications if we get new ideas, these boys always have new ideas.


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Berry Picking comes to an End with Cranberry Fruit Leather

Berry Picking comes to an End with Cranberry Fruit Leather

Fall is here the leaves have changed and we are getting heavy frost on the ground which means cranberry picking time. We actually could have done it about a week ago but with moving and trying to establish a routine in our new home it kept getting pushed away. This week has been beautiful weather and we were able to get out and pick the low bush cranberries or lingon berries. We got 4 cups of them just from the yard next to our driveway. It was a good cranberry year. I wish I thought of taking pictures of us picking but I was on a mission and forgot the camera. I did however get pictures of them after.

So for our Alaska Studies we have been using all the wonderful things this state has to offer. So far we have made Fireweed honey and watermelon berry jam. We still have to make the Rose hip tea but I think we were to late on picking those, thankfully my Mom has some dried so we may be able to have her tell us how she collected dried and how to make the tea.

For the fruit leather

First you have to make a puree you add 4 cups of the berries and one cup of water on the stove and cook until skins have popped. Press through a food mill or sieve. discard skins and seeds.

after I strained it I  added a tablespoon of our homemade fireweed honey to add sweetness!

Next pour it on a cookie sheet covered in plastic wrap do not spread all the way to the edges though.

I used parchment paper because I was afraid the plastic wrap  would melt on the wood stove.

Now the directions say to put it in a 140* oven  while keeping the door open a little to let moisture out. If you have followed us facebook at all you know the oven in the Pumpkin shell has two settings off and hell fire. SO I tried to do this on the wood stove.  I made a tent out of aluminum foil to keep the heat in.

After a 24 hour wait The fruit leather was finished. There are some things that we will do different next time. One is we will not use the parchment paper it stuck and we couldn't get some of it off. We also will make sure the pan is setting on something even it was not even on the wood stove and some of it dried crispy, I let the boys lick those pieces like a lollipop to get the flavor. Overall it turned out and one of the boys loved it the other not so much, but that is normal around here If one likes something the other probably won't. 

And because I love a challenge I will be making apple fruit leather and drying it by the wood stove I found some good tips and several different recipes by Googling  fruit leather dried on wood stove. I will get this one down and we will have fruit leather. 

River enjoying his fruit leather

Show and Tell

Show and Tell

First the Tell....It's been two months since we began home school. We have learned a lot and changed a lot from what we originally started with. Math has been a bit of a struggle but I think we have it figured out for the most part, we found a program that fits. I have a list of things I am very pleased about with home school. I love our non rushed mornings. I  especially do not miss the drive into town everyday and back; I will really appreciate it when the snow and dark are all that remains of our Alaskan mornings and I can snuggle close to a wood stove with a cup of something warm while all the other parents rush to get kids to school. We are also saving money big time by not having to make the drive two times a day into town. I love that we can have the children section at the library almost to ourselves during the week. Ecstatic that I can take my kids on a trip in the middle of the week without them missing school because it is our "school". One of the most significant changes I am so thankful for is that River is happier. One of my big reasons for wanting to home school besides that we are going to be traveling is River was struggling he seemed unhappy and angry and he was struggling with school work. There were countless days when I picked him up from school and he had tear streaks on his cheeks, This tore at my heart every time. There has been tears in the last two months but not many His attitude towards work is great the last few weeks the most I get is a frumpy look. He is working hard towards a goal and good attitude is part of what will earn him his big reward we are keeping track of his progress including that good attitude so by the end of the school year he has the opportunity to earn a skate board that he will pick out the parts to and build himself. He is going through some changes and I see a young man trying to emerge. I love him so and want him to have an opportunity to find his place without anger.  I am so grateful having the opportunity to give my children the environment I think they need to grow to their potential. There is so much more I love about home school and I am finding new things all the time that I never thought of I really am so overjoyed I took this jump of faith.

And now for the Show...  We have some pictures of what we have been up to these past couple months. For geography we are currently in Asia learning about all the amazing countries there. We are studying ancient history and are discovering mummies and pyramids at the moment, and in science we are learning about The world of plants. We went on a group field trip with other home school children to the animal hospital. In our Alaska studies we have hiked in and camped out in a yurt in Eagle River, We have tent camped for 3 days in Denali Nat'l Park, Picked berries, learned about fish and wildlife and this weekend we are going to head to homer and pick more berries and learn form an Alaskan artist about nature drawing. The opportunities are endless!!

Geography

 The boys made a paper mache Globe when learning the hemispheres of the globe and The great wall of China.

Alaska Studies

have included berry picking, honey making, camping and hiking 

watermelon berries

watermelon berry Jam

Homer, Alaska

 Denali

I have so many more I put a bunch more on our Facebook page you can look at them there

Science

experiment about seeds

Animal hospital field trip

History

Learning about Egypt still and Joseph

Josephs coat of many colors 

Looking forward to the next show and tell.

"The Times They Are A-Changin'"

"The Times They Are A-Changin'"

So many things happening and changing recently it all can be overwhelming at times.

We have had our garage sale and there was so much left but I found a charity that came and picked it up which I am forever thankful for. We have painted and minimized our stuff so the house can be show ready with a quick pick up if we get a call. I have given, sold, and thrown away things I didn't think I would ever get rid of. I have called the boys school and officially given up their spot in the Montessori and I officially signed the papers this week terminating my job. Isis packed her room and is all moved out.All of these things were hard and emotional for me. And to top it all off I have seen signs of fall red and yellow leaves.

We had the realtors out one day to give us all the numbers and such and within a couple days we had a for sale sign and that is when this feeling of, WHAT THE HECK ARE WE DOING overwhelmed me! I could barley sleep that night. I felt sad, I felt scared, and honestly I talked myself out of it and back into it about 10 times in the night. I felt that way for a couple days and then I realized that I really do want to travel and I don't want to stay in this house. It is still a little scary leaving everything and the house we have made our home for almost 10 years, but I want this dream to come to reality more than anything. I started to talk with the boys and they always are a pick me up, they are more excited about it than I am I think. I have found many reason to still keep on keeping on and the same reasons I had before are still there.

I have come full circle and I am ready for our next step that is happening in a little over a month we will start to transition to the "Pumpkin shell" that's Ma n Pa Heames cabin they built that we will be staying in over the winter. I hope our house sells fast and we find our groove in the homeschooling because that has been a mess schedule wise, with all this other stuff going on.  I am actually looking forward to having a cozy winter all snuggled in close quarters with a wood stove and my family to keep me busy, Its taken me time to come to this mindset but I am there now.

Overnight in the Alaskan Wilderness!

Overnight in the Alaskan Wilderness!

Wow what an amazing adventure! The only thing I regret is not booking two nights one night was not long enough. Storm probably regrets not having a better way  to carry the sleeping bags. I think we need to invest in a hiking backpack for him, because I foresee more hiking and camping on our journey through the states.

We had perfect weather the whole time! We all needed the time away from our cell phones internet, movies.  We drove the 3 hours to Eagle river with a quick stop at the spring in Anchorage for a water fill up and through some construction they are doing on the road to the Eagle River nature center. 

We were all excited to get started so with our packs on and dogs on leashes we took off not knowing what to expect as this was all of our first time ever at the Nature center. It was very beautiful the trails are very nicely maintained and easy to navigate with the sign post that are all along the way.

The hike takes you along part of the original Iditorod trail. The beginning of the trail was Green grassy and had lots of big cottonwood trees but as we ascended closer to the, Yukla Yurt the terrain became rocky with smaller spruce and alders trees and moss covered boulders everywhere I felt like we were walking back in time. The boys must have felt the same because they were pretending they were cavemen and this was our first trip out of the cave. After what felt like a 10 mile hike, it is actually 2.5 miles, we made it to our destination, We all were happy to take a load off our backs. 

This is where we enjoyed it the most I turned off my phone because it didn't work anyway and took out the camera. Storm explored around the area and the boys ran from one boulder to the next. River had a favorite moss covered boulder he liked to sit on top of and Atticus was in stick heaven, he loves sticks. Dojo and Rex's noses went into full force and found plenty of spots to pee on, over and over I think they were having a who could pee most contest. We spent our time eating and exploring. River tried out carving sticks and Storm carved two wooden daggers one for each boy. Atticus looked for bugs and drew in his nature journal. Storm showed the boys how to start a fire, before we knew it it was 10 at night and we were still going strong but we decided to settle into the yurt with a book. The sound of Eagle River that is 40 feet away was a soothing sound to listen to and lulled you to sleep and the view from the window was absolutely wonderful to wake up to.

Unfortunately the time to leave came way to fast and we all were sad to go. Atticus cried a little saying he really loved it and didn't want to leave I felt the same, like I said it is my only regret I didn't book another nights stay. We all slowly packed back up and took in our last views of a beautiful place in nature that now has a spot in our hearts too. I am sure we will not soon forget it.

If you ever have a chance to go I would highly recommend it! 

It's A Beautiful Life! 

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