Check out the Horse Show!!

Camping Out

All winter long Samantha has been asking to camp out back. Last August we set up a whole campsite in the backyard. It was great, we built a campfire, roasted marshmallows, swatted mosquitoes and had a great time. It is finally warm enough to sleep outside. So yesterday the girls asked again and we set up the tent. This time instead of down in the forest part of the yard, we set it up on the back deck. Thinking the girls would go lay out there for awhile and then want to come in. We should have known better.

It was about 8:45p.m. when the girls went outside. By 9:30 p.m. Taylor was back inside because Katie wouldn't be quiet and she wanted to sleep. For those of you who know Taylor , she is all about her sleep. I went out and told Katie and Samantha that they had to be asleep before 10p.m. or they had to come inside. Taylor was already asleep by this time. Katie of course was still cracking herself up. Needless to say then Katie wanted Momma and Samantha didn't want to be abandoned. To shorten the story by leaps and bounds , I slept out on the deck last night with all 3 girls. Jason thought I was a bit nuts. Since the deck is really hard and my back is really bad. But Samantha gave Momma her good mattress to sleep on.

We had a great time. The neighborhood barn owl hooted during the night. The local trains ran by about 3 times with a faint whistle in the back ground. Taylor had to potty at 3:30 a.m. and since we were up she needed a snack too. I kind of lost that great mattress to Taylor who was huddled around me like a boa constrictor (It got a bit chilly towards the end). Then there was the 5 a.m. wake up call from every bird in the forest . Oh and let's not forget the cat who thought attacking the tent periodically throughout the night was a good idea. I must say, It was all worth it when Samantha said "Mom , thank you for coming out with us" in one of those tones of gratitude that you know are straight from the heart.

If you really payed attention to what you read, you might be wondering how Taylor got back into the tent. Well, after I went out with the girls. Jason came to check on us before he went upstairs. I asked him to carry Taylor down from her bed. I didn't want her waking up in the morning the only one who didn't "camp-out". So she was back in the tent and didn't even know it until the 3:30 bladder call....

A day at the Farm

The tractor ride over to the farm. That is Darla rite behind us .

She is my faithful Virginia friend, neighbor, and fellow homeschool mom.

The "boys" as they are know in our home. Andrew and Daniel.

The sheep and the shearer....

He does look relaxed doesn't he. I wonder if that is kind of like a day at the spa?? Or maybe it just feels good to get that hot wool off now that it's getting warmer.

Ok , so the closer we get to leaving Virginia the more I try to experience neat things here. Our time always seems to go so quickly. I still have a few things to check off my list before we leave the East coast. Last week was "Homeschool Sheep Shearing Day at Chippokes Farm" say that fast 3 times. Anyways, Darla, her boys, the girls and I headed off for what we thought would be an easy drive. After all it was the same highway from our house to the farm with only a few turns at the end. Somehow we mangaed to miss the sign and add an extra hour+ to our adventure. The kiddos did great and we found our way.

We arrived and saw a perfect spot for a nice picnic lunch. Samantha wasn't out of the car 2 minutes when she spotted her first specimen. "hey mom , I found and owl pellet" otherwise known to us moms as owl puke. But of course as a homeschool mom we love everything that has to do with school. We decided to collect the specimen after our picnic lunch!!

We headed out on the tractor toward the farm and we were able to see how they wash the wool, we had an opportunity to spin the wool, and check out alot of farm equipment. The grand finale was the sheep shearing. It was really cool and we had a blast. After a long enjoyable day. We headedback to town without any wrong turns. Making the trip home, with one bathroom stop (Katie , who is now wearing big girl panties full time) we made great time.