Natural Falls Family Outing

(Before I even get started, I have to say -again- that I love, love Teaching Textbooks. I was done grading papers by the time the kids were eating lunch today!! WOOT WOOT-- no more math grading. And, more importantly, the kids are still loving it!)

After School today, our family headed out to Natural Falls in Oklahoma. I love that place!!

In case I haven't mentioned it before, this state park was used in the production of the 1970s film "Where the Red Fern Grows."

Natural Falls is a tamer version of Devil's Den... far enough out in the country to feel like we're really hiking and enjoying nature, but close enough to make quick jaunts over.

(For those interested, the falls are running again and the construction stuff is cleared out.)

Don't they look cute? Dash was peeing behind the wall when I took this, which is why he's not included in the picture. ;) When you've gotta go, you've gotta go.

Fred is so proud of himself, for making it this far! ;)

(NatureMan popped off his pants button, and Fred "fixed it" with a keyring...they had to jog to catch up...)

While the little boys did this...

and looked at this...

we did some of this...

Yes, total PDAs

ah, autumn, you beguiled us with your smoothly dripping words...

These blue dragonflies were everywhere. Did you know that dragonflies possess six legs (like any other insect), but most of them cannot walk well? Dragonflies eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, ants, and butterflies.
Now THIS was new to me-- and fascinating for my boys -- "Most of a dragonfly's life is spent in the nymph form, beneath the water's surface, using extendable jaws to catch other invertebrates (often mosquito larvae) or even vertebrates such as tadpoles and fish.They breathe through gills in their rectum, and can rapidly propel themselves by suddenly expelling water through the anus." Nice.



Below, there is a Spotted Touch-Me-Not, also called Jewelweed. We used the online Wildflower Identification guide to look it up.
Did you know that Jewelweed is edible and can also be used as a remedy for poison ivy?? So neat!


Look at all of those ants! Wow, this must be a tasty flower.


We finished off the outing with playground time. You know, so the kids could run off energy and we could have a Swing-off. Fred won, and I only got dizzy and sick. Bleh-- stupid motion sickness.


Then another firepit night at home, with a good book and a glass of wine in hand. Ah, good Monday indeed. In fact, this could very well qualify as a "perfect school day" in my book. Can I top it tomorrow? We'll see!
(Now I start praying...)

Leaf Garlands & Firepit Fall Days

My NatureBoy brought in as many different leaves as he could find in the yard. Seeing as how we only have ONE tree, I was thoroughly impressed that he came in with SEVEN different leaves!

The kids did leaf shadings with crayons...

Next, they cut the shapes out and stapled them onto a long piece of yarn, to hang a leaf garland in the kitchen. Then I left my kitchen sink looking like this...so I could go do this...

PLAY OUTSIDE!

We played kickball, started a fire in the firepit and roasted marshmallows, and then read books by the crackling warmth.

Ah, fall is here again.

~~Sweatshirts and boots, scarves and hoodies, hot soups and fresh-baked bread, warm fires and snuggly children.~~

I'll do my dishes on the next rainy day. ;)

Tailwaggers 5K

You know I'm all about doing family things...

Yesterday morning I was able to see my mom race, be outside on a fabulous fall day (high of 74!!), plus see friends and get free food. To top it off, the race was at the downtown park, and they brought in a Bounce King. The more energy my kids get out at the park, the less they'll bring home... right??

LOTS of doggies at the Tailwagger 5K and walk. Below, my mom crossing the finish line, first in her age group. My -super-athletic- Mom, and my super sweet second-cousin Lisa.

Mom, I'm so proud of you for running!!

Man, I'm starting to feel that urge to get back in shape. For awhile, we were doing P90X, running, eating well... and then it all went down the toilet. I started eating Papaw's apple pies for lunch, quit working out altogether, and didn't run all summer because of the unusual and intense heat. Bleh. I'm feeling the effects now! And, although I only put on about 4 lbs, my weight is shifting to the butt area. Eh. Not great.

So, with you as my witness, I am committing to get back in shape.

I need the energy that comes with exercise,

the health benefits of it, the stress relief.

Help hold me accountable!!

I want to run the next race, too, not just watch from the sidelines!

Pie-Making Day

Yesterday, for several hours, we made pies at Papaw's house, with Aunt Julie.

Papaw peeled, sliced, and cored, with this awesome thing.
Julie and the kids mixed the filling together.

For each pie:

Mix 6 cups of apples (peeled, cored, and sliced), 1/2 c raw sugar, 1/2 t cinnamon, 2 T flour, dash of salt.

Papaw had pre-made the dough, using this recipe:

Mimi’s Pie Crust

6 cups flour

2 ½ cups Crisco

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 Tablespoon sugar

About 1 cup cold water mixed with 1 beaten egg and 1 Tablespoon white vinegar

Makes enough for 9 single crusts.

Blend together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Cut shortening in with pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture is the size of small beans. Slowly add the cold water mixture. Lightly stir it in with a fork. Shape into 9 balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and then put in freezer bag to freeze.

When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Roll it while it is still cold.

I rolled out the dough, dumped in the filling, and the did the pie tops.

We had a regular little pie assembly line going!

(yes, I just posted pictures of myself without my hair and make-up fixed. Go ahead and gasp.)

We baked four, then ate one, and froze enough for 17 pies, I think. Actually, Papaw said it was enough for 22 pies, when all was said and done!! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

MMmmmmmmmmm....

marshmallow friends

My five crazies with their crazy marshmallow buddies...

Fred's little friends looks a bit worried!

These cake decorator pens are easy enough for kids to use. I love them!!!

Toasted. Sorry little buddy.

Bag of marshmallows- about $1

Cake decorating pens- about $3

Marshmallow friends- priceless

:)

Hope you're having as much fun with your fall activities as we are!

supporting a good cause

I'd like you to meet Ashley.

Ashley is the oldest of six kids (four little brothers and a baby sister.) She is a seventeen year old, homeschooled senior, and blogs at Lens and Needle. Ashley's friends Bryan and Rachel Gumpy had their first baby on September 6, 2010. Baby Charlie was born ten weeks premature and lived three days. As you can imagine, Charlie’s medical bills and funeral expenses are high. Ashley is hosting a giveaway on her blog, to raise money for the Gumpys. You can donate any amount via the Paypal button on my sidebar and leave a comment on the giveaway post saying you’ve done so. All the monies will go to the Charles Benson Gumpy Memorial Fund. You can read about that at Pray for Charlie.

Please consider donating, to help with their expenses. The giveaway packages are fantastic! Hop over to her site to see what people are offering. My Fall "BOO" banner is in package 2. I'll post photos of the finished banners, when I get those uploaded in a day or so.

Above all, please lift Bryan and Rachel, and their families, in prayer.

signage fun

On Saturday, the older kids and I came up with some fun signs to work on and post around the house.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

Maybe we'll take our signs "on tour" around the town next time! I think we'll need to make some more to prepare for the big event. Anyone interested in joining the Smile-Surprises-for-Small-Town Effort?