Can you work and homeschool at the same time?

Yes. Lots of us do it.

Most homeschooling families are single income families. But not all. There are many moms (and dads) who also try to work part time or even full time to supplement the household income.

First, my girls are older, and are able to complete most of their work without my constantly looking over their shoulder. If they do run into trouble, they can often skip that part until I get home.

Second, our family home schools year around. Year around means our days schooling days are shorter. So, if we do miss a day here or there, we still get our hours in. Last year we ended up with close to 1600 hours, way beyond the 1000 hours the state requires.

We also count things that some may not think to count--such as trips to museums, or art gallery's, or even the bank or grocery store if they learn from it. When we travel each girl has their own map to plot our trip and they get some geography time. If we watch an educational TV program, such as "How Its Made", we count it as science, even though we may watch it as a family outside of our normal schooling hours. If we go bowling, swimming or skating, we count is as PE.

I require my girls to read one hour a day, EVERYDAY-even holidays. That isn't hard, as they often get books for birthdays and Christmas, so they are wanting to read it anyway. If the subject is fiction, it normally counts as reading under language arts. But if they are reading, say, a book about Ben Franklin, we may count it as history rather than reading. They also have a history lesson as well, but this will help give them extra hours in that subject.

We also do at least 3 times a week, reading comprehension. I as a general rule, use true stories for reading comp. That counts for another subject as well. Last week we had a reading comp about the history of clocks. (That credit goes to the Chinese-did you know that?)

I sub teach. Since we school year around, that is 3 months a year that I don't sub, in addition to spring break and Christmas break. When you sub teach you have the option of accepting or turning down the call. I try to take my calls on days my hus band is off. One of the schools I sub for is a private Christian School. At times they have me allowed me to bring my daughters with me, who in turn get to eat lunch and go to PE with their friends. At times they have stayed in the library, and at other times they have taken their work and actually done it in the classroom of their peers. The small school is open to this idea, because several years ago my daughters attended there. I am sure they would not allow this every day, but once every 8 weeks or so they do.

I have several homschooling mom friends who work 10 or 12 hour night shifts at hospitals once or twice a week. That schedule works for them, and brings in an extra $1000 a month for their families.

My girls take all their classes at home. But some friends of ours kids go to public schools on Tuesdays and Fridays and take art, music and band for 3 hours in the afternoons. The mom has elected to work nights on Mon and Thurs nights, then naps while the kids are in school for those 3 hours. She takes them in after lunch, but they get to ride the PS bus home.

I also do some child care one or two days a week. The ones I watch love to "do school" when my daughters do their work, and we also do work while the little ones are napping. I treat them as if they were my own children, just as a homeschooling mom of toddlers would treat hers. Another option here is to provide over night care in your home. Many parents who work nights have trouble finding night care. For child care, check your local and state regs.

This and Thats.....

Teh 3 younger girls are at church camp again this week. (The twins are campers and Emily is staff. Not sure how that is going, with her getting to tell her sisters what to do in an official capacity, but I am sure I will hear all about it.) I will be giving them credit for camp as homeschooling hours. Some will be under the subject of Bible, and some will be under PE, as they go swimming or bowling daily.

Today is also the twins 12th birthday, and they are spending it at camp. Hopefully the weather is nice there, as here on the farm it is pouring, thundering and we have lots of lightening. About 3 minutes ago, a branch just came off a tree out back. I don't think it was from lightening, but it may have been as the wind isn't that strong. We did have high winds during the night, so it may have been weakened then. We have been having temps around 100 and the rain has brought it down to 69 degrees right now--a much needed break from the heat.

The garden is in, but so far it has not produced much. We got our first tomato, and that was about it.

I have not been posting on here as often as I should. I am getting error messages that my browser is out of date, and blogspot kicks me off. I get that on all our computers, but then again, they are all at least 10 or more years old.

Last weekend was my class reunion. It was my 30th. It was good to see everyone. Some people never changed, and others I didn't recogonize at all. Some I have seen throughout the years, and others I have not seen since the night we graduated. We all enjoyed ourselves and had a lot of fun.

Another one missing...

One of our daughters is friends with this family.

Ashli Rauscher and her daughter have been missing since Wednesday July 14th 2010. She left with her husband Chris who may have forced her to go, no one has heard from her since. They may be driving a 2010 hyudai sonato silver in color.

If anyone has seen them or may know their location please contact the Dexter Police Dept. 1-573-624-5512.

For more information, see the local TV broadcast at http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kfvs12.com%2FGlobal%2Fstory.asp%3FS%3D12823332&h=c6421

Trolley in Independence

Truman trolley begins today in Independence. One buck buys rides all day. To catch the trolley at Union Station, call 816-512-5555. For hours, days and route details, go to www.visitindependence.com.


for details, go to www.visitindependence.com or call the Truman Trolley hotline, 816-512-5555
The “Truman Trolley”, a partnership between the Independence Square, Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and Independence Tourism, is set to begin on Tuesday, July 6 and run through October 2. ( no service during the Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival, September 3-6).
The trolley can be boarded Monday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Union Station for a nonstop ride to Independence (with advance reservations to 816-512-5555). Enjoy a convenient day trip to the one of a kind shops and restaurants on the Square as well as twelve of the city’s highlight attractions without the need to rent a car, take a taxi or ride the Amtrak train. A nonstop return trip to Union Station will leave the Independence Square at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday
In Independence, the trolley will run continuously from 10:30 to 5:30, Monday through Saturday beginning at Clinton’s Soda Fountain, 100 W. Maple, on the Square. All day tickets cost $ 1 for ages 6 and up for a full circuit. Riders may get on and off at various stops without paying an additional fare.
After leaving Clinton’s, the trolley will stop at the following attractions in this order:
• National Frontier Trails Museum and Chicago and Alton 1879 Depot (both at 318 W. Pacific), as well as the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, (across the street at 313 W. Pacific).
• Mormon heritage sites at River and Walnut (Community of Christ Temple and Auditorium, and Mormon Visitors Center, Church of Christ Temple Lot )
• Truman sites (Truman Home at 219 N. Delaware and Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 W. U. S. 24 Highway)
• Vaile Victorian Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty.
• Truman Home Ticket and Visitor Center, 223 N. Main (see an orientation film here and buy tickets for Truman Home Tour) and 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home, 217 N. Main.
Listen to a narration by the driver about city highlights and watch tourism videos as you ride..
For more information, call the Truman Trolley information line at (816) 512-5555. For a complete list of all tourism attractions and summer events, go to www.visitindependence.com.

She has been found

The Amber alert that I posted yesterday is one of few that has a happy ending. I received an updated text from the amberalert.com system around 3:30 this morning. She was dropped off in a parking lot by her kidnapper and released.

Prayer does work!!

Amber Alert

Please check amberalert.com for more information, or to subscribe to get alerts sent directly to your email or as a text to your cell phone.

Incident: Louisiana, MO
Issue Date: 07/05/2010 19:35:57 AKDT
Incident Date: 07/05/2010
Incident Time: 00:00
Missing From: Louisiana, MO
If you have any information please CALL
Missouri State Police at 573-754-4021 or 911
Incident Summary: Subject was playing in her front yard with her brother when a black 4 door passenger car pulled up and took the child from the yard.

Victim(s): Alisa Maier
Name: Alisa Maier Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown Age: 4 Year(s) old
Ethnicity: White Weight: 40 lbs
Gender: Female Height: 3 feet and 0 inches

Identity Features: No Information Provided


Clothing Features: a white t-shirt and blue jean shorts.

Suspect(s): Unknown Unknown
Name: Unknown Unknown Eye Color: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown Age: 20 Year(s) old
Ethnicity: White Weight: 0 lbs
Gender: Male Height: 0 feet and 0 inches

Identity Features: teens to early twenties, has dark hair and dark skin


Clothing Features: No Information Provided


Vehicle(s): 0 Black Unknown Unknown
Color: Black Year: 0
Make: Unknown License State: XX
Model: Unknown License Plate #

Description: 4 door passenger car
This is an activation of the AMBER Alert System.
We have just received this important information regarding an abducted child in Louisiana, MO Pike County. Missouri State Police is looking for a child who was last seen at Louisiana, MO and is believed to be in danger. The child's name is :

Alisa Maier, she is a 4 year(s) old White Female with Brown hair and Brown eyes. She is believed to be 3 ft, weighing 40 lbs. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue jean shorts..
Authorities say that the child may be in the company of a 20 year(s) old White Male . They may be traveling in a Black vehicle. If you have any information on the whereabouts of this child please contact 573-754-4021 immediately.



Details surrounding the description are vauge, as the only witness known at this point is her 5 year old brother who she was in the yard with.

Trail Mix

Since the 4th, it has been raining off and on to the point it is too wet to mow or work in the garden, so I have been doing some indoor chores.

Today I made up a huge batch of trail mix. I never make it the same way twice, but today I used pretzel sticks, O's cereal, peanuts, M&M's, dried cherries, dried apple slices, dried pineapple, mango's, cranberries and apricots. I only used half of the dried fruits that I bought so we can make another batch in a few weeks. I spent around $9 in fruits, m&m's and such. It made up about 5 pounds worth, with only using half, so that comes out to less than a dollar a pound. Can't buy it ready made for that. I do buy my ingredients for it at either Aldi or Dollar General and that normally makes a substantial savings.

We also have been cleaning the girls rooms and going through all their clothing. This week we are concentrating on Rebecca's room. All her clothes were taken out, washed and sorted (half were on the floor-couldn't tell the clean from the dirty...typical kid I guess). Today we took all the summer outgrown clothes and donated them to the Ministerial Alliance. It amounted to two large totes and 3 trash bags full. We have an equal amount of winter clothing that will go to them later this year. With the clothing picked up and put back where it belongs or donated, she now has a decent room again! I don't think my room ever looked like that, but, I am sure my mom will say that it did. I do remember hiding stuff under my bed, but her bed sits so low, she can't put items under it. Meanwhile, her twin sister is a neat freak with a spotless room...raised the same, just different personalities....

Free site for reading comprehension test

I have plugged it before, but I like to remind people of Bookadventure.com during the summer. It is a free site, sponsored by Sylvan Learning. It is very simple to use.

First, the parent sets up an account for their child. Then your child reads a book and you find it on the site. Then up pops a reading comprehension test for that book. If you don't answer enough questions correctly, they can review the book and retake the test.

Kids earn points as they do this. Then the points transfer into prizes. Prizes can be as simple as a bookmark you download and print off to a 6 month subscription to Highlights Magazine.

The Ants Came Marching Two by Two.......

Evidently the shortest route to go from southern Clinton County to northern Clinton County is this : go up 2 stories on the back outside of my house, slip under the siding, come in near the floor joist, come up under the backside of the trim around the tub, go along my bathroom floor for 9 inches only to disappear behind JD's sink and reappear under my sink. Then you must trek up the vanity cabinet across the top and back down to the floor. At that point you disappear under the trim and go down to the basement ceiling walking upside down until you get to the north wall. Then you proceed back up about 4 feet and go through the wall and exit out on the front porch.

I hate the little buggers. I had a whole trail of a couple hundred of them. So, I put out the Terro. Now the Terro works well if you have some patience. I have no patience when it comes to bugs, snakes, bats, spiders or anything else that looks ugly and invades my house. Terro works by wiping out the entire nest after the ants carry it back home. Trouble is, they all have to tell their buddies that this good looking sweet syrup is there, so EVERYONE comes to get some, and makes several trips. So, in the mean time my couple hundred ants has increased to 178,435 of them making the trek across my bathroom....

I can not put the Terro outside because it rains daily, and we have cats, dogs, chickens and ducks that I don't want to kill.

Chickens love to eat ants. They are eating them by where they come in, but just not fast enough.

I have observed some interesting facts about ants by watching their migration through my house. #1) they don't give up and are rather stubborn #2) they are night sleepers and are most active around 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. #3) ALL of the worker ants work. There is no boss or bosses standing around watching. MODOT should take a lesson or two from them. You think I am kidding?? Why does it take 4 MODOT workers standing around to watch one guy put cones along I35 to block off a lane that isn't going to be worked on for 2 more weeks...OK, now I am getting sided tracked...#4)It is true that queen ants live for several years and have millions of babies. A good part of them live here! #5) An ant can indeed pick up 20 times its own weight. and #6) Ants don't have ears, (so those talking ants on the TV shows got that one wrong) They hear by vibrations. If you want to freak out an ant, stomp by it several times.

Escape the summer heat wtih a movie for $1 or free bowling

http://www.amcentertainment.com/smc/

The site shows the various $1 moves this summer

Go to kidsbowlfree.com for locations for for kids to bowl free, and parents at a discount. You signup and they email you your coupons.

The County Fair is over

Well, it is mostly over. All the events are finished except for the horse show and produce judging which takes place in July. But, the girls are finished for what they picked for their projects this year. It was a rush at the end (it usually is) for the projects are due the same day the younger girls get back from church camp. We arrived back home with just enough time to shower and go.

I am proud of them for their work. Their projects included sewing (winter coat, shirt and walking shorts),self determined (project with the fire dept that created a smoke detector program and public education regarding fire), photography, showing ducks, rabbits, chickens and cats. In all, we came home with blue ribbons, 1 white ribbon (the white was in fashion review--Emily showed her bunker gear and it didn't really fit into any of the divisions, but she did it for more of a public ed thing), one trophy, and Emily was selected for Junior Queen. We also have one project that is going to state and interstate.

I really love 4H. In addition to learning through their projects, they also learn public speaking and gain self esteem. They also get to meet kids from other 4 H clubs and see their projects as well. The majority of 4H are ones that teach life skills or ones that kids can actually make a living doing. Projects include animals (future farmers or just to raise your own meat), photography, sewing, baking, cake decorating, welding, electronics & electricity, child development, small engines, computers.....the list goes on and on. If your not into 4H, check it out. If there are no groups in your area, you can do it independently as well. It is a great way to supplement your homeschooling.

Catching up

Its been awhile since i have posted a regular post on here. I have been out of my normal routine the past few weeks.

Since my last post, Emily has been to church camp at Mission Lake Christian Camp in Horton, KS, and today I just picked up the younger twins from camp in Oregon, MO at Flaming Spirit Christian Service Camp. Flaming Spirit is where JD and I went when we were kids. )Also where we had our first kiss-in the chapel during senior week, and decided that one day we would be married) Even though Flaming Spirit has updated a couple of the buildings and added a new dorm to replace the cabin, and replaced the mess hall with a new one, it still hasn't changed much. (I also have been told that the new bathroom doesn't have snakes or frogs in it either) I also attended a few other camps as a kid, but Flaming Spirit was always my favorite. For old times sake, we took a walk back the to the waterfall at camp.

Tysa has also come back for a weeks vacation in Missouri, but that is drawing to a close on Sunday.

We haven't gotten the garden finished yet, and probably wont as late as it is getting. Every time we have time to work in it, it rains and rains and rains.

Tonight is the beginning of the county 4H fair. The girls have all worked hard on their projects and tonight they turn them in and discuss them with the judges. Next week they will be showing their animals. Rebecca made a winter coat, and has a photography project, Elizabeth a shirt and walking short set, and Emily did a self determined project of fire prevention/education and PR with the local volunteer fire department. They also earned some homeschooling hours working on their projects. 4H not only teaches new skills through the projects, but also responsibility through the animals and various officer positions, and public speaking skills. It also allows for kids to work on projects either together or independently, and to share what they learned with others either during demonstration day or within their club.

Free DVD

NASA is sponsoring:

http://journeytothestars.org/index.php
You may also order activity sheets that go with the DVD.

Homeschool materials-Try Before You Buy

This is from an email from Floyd Bowlin on the FHS Region 3 loop.

Do you ever wish that you could really get a good look at a homeschool product before buying it? Sure, each company's ad says that it's the best, but you're still left wondering "Is it best for my family?"



With our new Homeschool Freebie Directory, you can find out for sure. We've pulled together over thirty different homeschool companies offering a wide variety of products for you to try. Just visit our online Freebie Directory page to learn how you can claim the freebies that interest you.



No strings attached.



You'll find new and exciting gifts in the 2010 Freebie Directory-from handwriting and reading products to science and math products, subscriptions, educational websites, unit studies, E-Books, art lessons, fun homeschool products, and more!



You're welcome to come back to the site as often as needed to check out all the offers. In fact, you have an entire year to explore and discover the many engaging resources and interesting products that are featured.



Everyone loves to try samples! Why do you think Sam's Club and Costco stores are such a hit? Surely we aren't the only ones who frequent the yummy sample tables? (We just love those scrumptious, tantalizing little eggroll thingies!) Having a "taste" truly is the way to try before you buy.



Here's more great news: There are plenty of freebies for everyone! Tell your friends and homeschool support groups so they, too, can enjoy the free gifts-no strings attached! What a fantastic way for them to discover new homeschool resources and products without having to actually buy anything! (Unless, of course, they want to.)



Maybe you're starting to think about curriculum for this fall. Why not try something new with these great freebies? You're sure to find something that will be a wonderful addition to your homeschool!

Does TV cause homeschoolers to keep weird hours?

We keep weird hours. (In fact, most homeschoolers I know do). Part of it is due to my husbands hours. He works weird hours, and we tend to rotate towards whatever shift he is on. If we didn't, we would rarely see him.

But, I am noticing we can also blame part of our staying up till 3 a.m. on the TV. For some reason, there are late shows on that are good shows. Real good shows, especially for homeschoolers. Why can't they put these shows on during prime time?? Or during the day??

In the last 3 months, we have stayed up to watch shows about octopus, sunken ships, Egypt during Moses time, history of the Nile River and all about its flood cycles, JFK, The Grand Canyon, Weather, searching for Noah's Ark, numerous medical shows, genetics, the heart, the liver and more.

I suppose I could tape the shows--if I could figure out how. I have tried numerous times, and it doesn't work. (I guess I will need to get Tysa to figure that one out for us next time she comes home.) Our TV has so many things plugged into it, Wii, DVD, VHS, adapter, stereo equipment....

I am just wondering if we are the only ones that have fallen into this cycle.

Where have I been??

I've had several emails asking where I have been, as my posts are way behind. That is because I am way behind.

First, I have been undergoing a series of back injections and physical therapy. I had a MRI several weeks ago which revealed the sources of my ongoing back pain. Now that we know what it is from, we are trying to fix it. After the injections, I am pretty well out of commission for 24-48 hours. We have been targeting the discs in my lower back and this week we are going to add in the neck as well. So far, I have responded to the injections and PT favorably, except for an allergic reaction to the liquid that they cleaned my back with prior to injections (I had a very nasty set of the hives).

Secondly, the weather is not helping. It has been cold and rainy (which only makes me hurt more) and the grass in the yard won't stop growing. I have about 2 days a week that I actually feel good and have some energy, and I have been spending them on the lawn mower. Mowing actually feels good to my back--the mower has a gentle vibration and the back of the seat is slightly warm from the mower engine, so it has a spa therapy effect which is rather relaxing.

Hopefully the weather will dry out and we can finish getting our garden in. Right now the majority of it is sitting in planters on our porch and in the garage.

So, if I'm not on here, its because I am either resting or trying to catch up!

Young Eagles

Twice I have posted information about the Young Eagles on this site. Finally, scheduling allowed us to go to an event and we were so favorably impressed.

Saturday, as a surprise I took the twins to the Lee's Summit Airport. They had no idea where we were going or why. We got there in time for the pancake breakfast. It was $5 each and very good (although at the time I was wondering if I should be poking food down them before flying, but that turned out not to be a problem). It was while we were eating, that it dawned on the twins what was going on. It was also about the same time it started to rain a little harder.

After we ate, I filled out the permission form for each of the girls and we turned them in and sat down to wait and read the brochure they gave us. We are doing a science and history study on aviation, so it fit right in. The twins were the first names called and they went to meet their pilot Chris. He went over a few things with them, put them on the plane and fitted them with a headset each, and they took off.

They flew over the Royals and Chiefs stadiums, Worlds of Fun, Bayer, the Missouri River and more. The look on their faces when they landed and taxied to a stop was priceless. I will say however, Rebecca did look a little green, but it didn't last long. Once on the ground they had their pictures taken with their pilot and received a certificate.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't improve, and as we were preparing to leave, they were suspending the flights until the ceiling cleared.

Later this year we plan to return so Emily can also join the ranks of the flying Young Eagles. She was at a Basic Fire Fighting class and was unable to attend. She has flown once, but she was just a tiny baby at the time, around 8 weeks old. As I recall she slept through the entire flight.

I highly recommend this program as a great kick off or wonderful end to the study of travel, aviation or famous persons in history, such as the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart and more.

http://www.chrishopefaaflightinstructor.com/

EAA Young Eagles Program
Get A Free Flight!
If you are between 8 and 17 years old, the EAA Young Eagles programs wants to offer you the chance of a lifetime. Turn your dreams into reality on a free Young Eagles flight and become one of over 1 Million Young Eagles! To find out where and when check out EAA Chapter 91 Young Eagle Events.

Young Eagle Events at Lee's Summit Airport (Breakfast is available 7:30-11:00 on Lee's Summit dates.)
Date Location Time
June 19 Lee's Summit Airport 8:30-noon
July 17 Lee's Summit Airport 8:30-noon
August 7 K.C. Downtown Airport 9:00-3:00
September 18 Lee's Summit Airport 8:30-noon
October 16 Lee's Summit Airport 8:30-noon

What will the flight be like?

The biggest question on your mind might be about the actual flight. So what should you expect?

First of all, your pilot will explain what will happen during the flight. This might include talking about the airplane; reviewing an aeronautical chart (or map); identifying reference points during the flight; completing a careful "walk around" preflight inspection of the airplane and identifying the parts that control the airplane.

Once you are ready to go flying, your pilot will help you buckle your seat belt and describe the interior of the airplane, including the instrument panel. Pretty soon, it will be time to go flying!

Once in the air, you’ll see the earth and sky in a new and exciting way. You’ll experience the wonderful freedom of flight that many people only dream about. If you are like most Young Eagles, you’ll remember this experience for the rest of your life.

Most Young Eagle flights last between 15 and 20 minutes. Once back on the ground, there will be additional time for you to ask questions about the flight. Ask away! Your pilot will be happy to tell you more about flying and their particular airplane. And don’t forget, you’ll also receive an official Young Eagles certificate, which is signed, by your personal pilot and our Chairman Harrison Ford.

We look forward to adding your name to the ever-growing list of EAA Young Eagles!

For more information, visit the EAA Young Eagles Website.

The program

The

EAA Young Eagles

program was launched in 1992 to give interested young people, ages 8 - 17, an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. These flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers.

Since 1992, more than 1.25 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a flight through the program. Young Eagles have been registered in more than 90 different countries and have been flown by nearly 40,000 volunteer pilots.

Participation is easy. Simply contact the EAA Young Eagles office to find the closest volunteer pilot. From there, arrange a convenient time to go flying. We hope you enjoy a Young Eagles introduction to the exciting world of aviation. Make sure you come back to visit this web site after your flight to continue exploring the wonderful world of aviation!

For more information, visit the EAA Young Eagles website.

Spelling Bee

Last week, the girls were in an area Homeschool Spelling Bee. They did quite well. Emily came in first for the 8th grade, Elizabeth 2nd for 6th grade, and Rebecca placed right behind Elizabeth at 3rd.

There were words on the list that I had never heard of and many we could not begin to pronounce.

We also got to meet some of my blog followers and one whose blog I follow.

Not only to the kids get to socialize, learn and have fun, but such events are also a great way for parents to get together and exchange ideas as well.

Vickie Danner

Vickie Danner is a young mom who lost her battle to cancer on April 29. She leaves 7children behind whom she homeschooled. Vickie was a member of our homeschool coop.

For a child to loose a parent is a horrible thing. To add to it, her husband also got laid off at the same time as her death. Now, they are being foreclosed on. They need $200,000 by June 1.

A local Catholic radio station is hosting a drive for the family. If you can help or pass this information on to your church or local newspaper, please do. I am posting the website below.

No mom, no income and now no home. These kids need a break. If enough people see this and pass it on, we can help.

So far over $50,000 has been raised. (the webiste as of now has not been updated, but I just got off the phone with John, the site manager--he is enroute to the bank now with more funds and plans to update the site shortly). That leave $150,000 to raise. If we can spread this news to all homeschoolers nationwide, we can do it!

http://www.saintjohnsmedia.com/vickiedanner

Happy Birthday Tysa & Taylor

Today the older set of twins turned 23.
Happy Birthday Tysa and Taylor!!

Meanwhile, last night the younger twins decided to spend the night in the small tent. Bear in mind the small tent is a single man tent. Yet, they both managed to be in it for 12 hours with numerous stuffed animals, clothing changes, DVD player, a 103 pound lab and a beagle dog.

At some time during the night,the lab brought them 3 firewood logs. Now I don't think he wanted a fire, but that is what he plays fetch with and he evidently wanted them to wake up and play. The beagle had another game in mind. While the girls where sleeping she removed all their stuffed animals and deposited them down the driveway.

Two days ago the girls gave the beagle a new bone to chew on. She promptly buried it. The funny thing is as soon as we left the dog from watching her bury it, she dug it up and reburied it in a different spot. Apparently she thought we would steal it back. It has been a game for the girls to try and locate where she moved it to. So far they have not found its new home.

On the downside, my rental house back has a new unwanted occupant--a raccoon. Efforts to catch it from the walls have been unsuccessful. Tomorrow we are setting live traps and hope she will climb in to check them out. Any ideas on how to catch her are welcome!