What we see . . .

I haven't wanted to blog because I don't have any inspiring or fun pictures to post or tell a story with.  I'm pulling this post together with some pictures I took weeks ago at the top of St. Paul hill off Lakeway. 

We visit this area frequently now and have seen deer a few times.  I know Bellingham people don't really like these deer, but we think they're neat.  They're scared of no one. 

Our schedule is tough this year but I'm seeing huge benefits.  The Professor is excelling in Pre-Algebra and gaining confidence in himself and his abilities in math.  Josh and I always felt he had an aptitude for the subject.  Sometimes it takes someone other than the parent to encourage a child in an academic subject.  We're happy and thankful he's doing well because he is the youngest person in his class.  I've heard one homeschooling teacher quoted as saying, "Algebra should not be taught earlier than 9th grade to ensure cognitive maturity."  I'm not a big fan of blanket statements.  Homeschoolers are so diverse.  I've seen each of mine progress differently in academics and socially.   So, while the Professor is the youngest in his math class, he is the oldest in his Language Arts class and the only boy.  What a dynamic!  He navigates both of these classes with ease.  He's also doing really well in his L.A. class.  By postponing a formal writing class I feel he's never had an opportunity to dread writing (like I do.) 

Yes, this year is a difficult schedule to keep but the benefits greatly outweigh the costs.  Only six more month to go!

Yummy Autumn Apples . . .

Last week I had some help taking care of 60 or so pounds of jonagold apples. 

We had a good system with three people working.

In about an hour we had all of the apple slices in three different dehydrators.

Now I have to try and make all those yummy apple pieces last for some length of time.  The Arcitect would eat them all day long if I let him.

The Holiday Craft Fair . . .

Two years ago the Professor participated in a kids craft fair at the library.  It was a great experience all around.  He was the only one selling pot holders that day and he did well. 

This year when he asked me about selling the ornaments he was making I was sure he could sign up for the library one again.  I was mistaken. That one happened in August this year and not December.  I think the month of December is better than August for holding a craft fair

I was not excited about trying to find a craft fair in my "spare time."  Thankfully an email popped into my inbox about a month ago from the Whatcom Homeschool Association, advertising their homemade holiday craft fair.  Wonderful I thought, except for the idea of trying to fill a 6 foot table with his small amount of craft items.  Thankfully the Bergeron family had 2 teens who needed to sell some items to raise funds for a mission trip next summer.  I proposed the idea of sharing a table and it was a go.

I spent the next two weeks trying to brainstorm with the Professor how to display his ornaments.  I knew we were stepping into a higher level of crafting.  He needed to meet the people at eye level with his crafts.

 This was my first idea.  Some type of wire tree to hang them on.

 It worked ok but seemed to serve more as a decoration.

This little Christmas Tree was the best eye catcher.  I found it at the Hardware store and thought it would work well in my house as a holiday decoration as well as a great display for the Professor's ornaments.

 As soon as the doors opened at 8:30am he had customer's.

Those kids did great selling for 8 1/2 hours.  On the way home I asked the Professor what he learned. (I was only going to pay the $20.00 table fee because it was a learning experience and so I wanted to know what he had learned.)    

His first nugget of wisdom was, "It pays to smile."  "I sold more when I stood up straight and smiled at people."  

Then we talked about what animal shapes sold best.  The cats, dogs, dolphins and fish sold well.  The octopus did not sell well, nor did the little snails.

I was very impressed with him during the whole day and it was $20 well spent.  He ended up making $32.00.

One shape that did not sell well was the circles.

I put those to good use when I got home.

I think they look awesome lit up on the tree.

Next Saturday !

Imitation is the Best Form of . . .

I'm trying to copy one of my favorite photographers. 
I know mine pale in comparison.

Happy Fall from the Johnson Family

The Food Packing Event . . .

When I wrote that title I thought, "That's what Monday mornings feel like."

But the food packing event I'm referring to happened last weekend in a local warehouse.  We participated with others from our church and community to pack rice in bags for the Food For Orphans program.

Our two hour shift was shortened to an hour and fifteen minutes because everyone worked so fast and we had to leave some work for the other shifts.  Each station was limited to packing 8 boxes in order to make the food last for all the people who wanted to help.  Isn't that a great problem to have, too many volunteers.

We received a quick training demonstration and then got to work.

First the soy protein goes in, then the dehydrated vegetables.

Next the chicken bullion with vitamins and mineral supplements and last the rice.

Each bag was weighed and sealed.  We packed 36 bags to a box.

The kids were encouraged to draw and send words of encouragement on the boxes.

Each bag in easily prepared into a meal by boiling the contents in water.  The results are a nutritious, lifesaving meal for six people.

All ages were able to help.  The Scientist stayed on the rice station the whole time while the rest of us rotated around and became familiar with all the stations.

It was great to volunteer as a family.  The boys really enjoyed it too.  We were told that our boxes would most likely be taken to Togo, Africa. 

I hope this encourages me and the boys to look for more opportunities to serve and be helpful to those in need.

Halloween 2013 . . .