Chloe Poppins

This week’s science lessons have included several spontaneous wildlife sessions.  Here are photos of a few.

The Black Capped Chickadee

A Young Mantis, I believe Sam called it a Purple Mantis, but I didn’t get close enough to tell and it is rather small.

The adult Parsley Worm, which if all goes as intended will become a Black Swallowtail Butterfly.

Those of you who know me will be glad to learn that I didn’t kill the “yucky” spider.

Here the children observe the Parsley Worm infestation and wonder if there’s enough parsley to feed that many caterpillars.

This is the Black Snake that joined me for my afternoon coffee. I’ll be finding a new spot.

It’s hard to believe that all this happened in just four days this week. Thanks to Mark’s gift of a GREAT camera last winter, we got some wonderful material for the science notebooks.

WILSON: “You know, McKenna said she went to Hawaii for vacation.”

MOM: “That’s a long way for a five year old to go for vacation. That was a real treat.”

WILSON: “So, how far is it to Hawaii anyway.”

MOM: “Gosh, it’s a least a day and a half by air from here. First you have to fly to Los Angeles in California; then you have to fly half way across the Pacific Ocean to a small group of islands… and hope the pilot doesn’t miss (sploosh).

MARK: (Muttered from the other room quietly…”Way to go … scare him to death.”)

WILSON: “That would not be good.” (pauses… gives a thoughtful look, followed by a sly grin) “Get out your snorkeling gear.” (insert evil chuckle here) “ha ha ha …”

Little blondie outside with the flowers.

Good News!  School did start on the 11th, despite my best attempts to sabotage my own efforts.  We started with a “skeleton crew” and have been steadily adding a little bit more each day.  This week we have added Language Arts (Grammar) to the Literature we already had underway; and we added Latin.  For those of you who know me, this last one will be slightly amusing.  Other than English, the only other foreign language I speak is a little know mountain dialect of le francais known affectionately as “Henry French”.  I can read it, maybe even understand the basics, but let’s just hope I don’t get lost in Paris.

Mark did turn 43 on the 3rd, followed closely by Alex turning 30 on the 7th.  We hosted Piper’s third birthday this past weekend and had a blast.  Although I know her parents are proud of her extensive exposure to different cultures (She’s been farther from home than I have.), I believe I successfully converted her this weekend.  After several rounds of Carolina Girls by the Chairman of the Board, Piper is now a Carolina Girl (not to be confused with a fan of UNC - don’t want to get kicked out of the house).  After discovering this fascinating fact, she then wanted to know if Grandma, and Sophie, and Claire, and Mommy were Carolina Girls too.  Obviously, it goes without saying…. Aunt Chloe is a Carolina Girl!

Dancing Carolina Girls

I had quite a surprise today.  Let me set the scene for you. Wilson and I were talking in the kitchen and working on lunch while the iPod was “shuffling” in the background.  Imagine my surprise….

STING: “A hundred million bottles [pause] washed up on the shore.” ……

WILSON: “That’s a lot of bottoms.”

MOM: “What did you say?”

STING: “Message in a bottle…..”

WILSON: “That’s gross.” [said as he stands with his ear to the iPod radio]

MOM: “What?”

STING: “Message in a bottle…..”

WILSON: “Oh, he’s saying bottle. I was wondering why he was singing about messages and bottoms.” [said completely seriously as he exits stage left]

Today Mark took the day off, in honor of his upcoming 43rd birthday next week. So, we decided to take the kids to the pool for part of the afternoon. A good time was had by all…..