My baby's home!

Calvin returned tonight from his week away at College for Kids. He spent three hours of every morning in a math class.

Lucie: You took a MATH class?? You did MATH problems?? Were you the only one in there??

She couldn't believe it. Why would anyone choose to do that? He had an architecture class in the afternoon, but the math class was his favorite. We missed him, but not terribly. He really enjoyed the week and is looking forward to going back next summer.

The art of science

Lucie is studying the eye in science. Last week we learned about color-blindness. She finished the day by painting in shades of grey to experience how a true color blind person sees the world. I read Helen Keller's autobiography while she painted, and she now loves the book instead of hating it as she did before. 

Found in Isabelle's closet:

Some children hide candy or diaries. Not ours. This is what I found on a high shelf in Isabelle's closet today. Hard to miss four squawking, hungry baby birds. She found them on the forest floor, brought them home, and "forgot" to tell me about it.

Now they are outside and being fed worms by the handfull. The fabric scraps do make a lovely little nest. We'll see if these survive. Their eyes are open, and they are eating plenty. One likes to sleep most of the time. Not a good sign.

Wilderness morning

This is what it looks like around here at 7:30 AM. The soundtrack includes children squealing and Pompey yapping at all of the squirrels who are invading his territory. 

Day of Fathers

This is what Isabelle and I made for Sebastien to celebrate his day. Like it? We do. He hasn't worn it yet. He hasn't had much opportunity, although he could have worn it on Friday when he hung out with some Spaniards who clued him in on life in Madrid.

Ready.

 

Set.

 

FLY!!!

Freddy is learning to fly. This is his getup: helmet, necessary for crash landings; backpack with "parachute" hanging out; piece of "elephant" skin with aircraft company logo on it.

He jumps over and over, day after day after day. Yesterday he switched from the puzzle table to a piano bench and added a "skateboard" to increase his takeoff speed. We are all so happy that he abandoned sewing for less dangerous hobbies.

Ashes and the Attack of the Indian

by Lucie and Freddy

Ashes was in his fort keeping watch. A little Indian cat that went by the name of Simon Caliopia attacked. Ashes shot the cannon--BOOM! It didn't kill the cat, but it scared him so much that he fainted. Ashes tugged him away to Indian territory.

The End

Freddy and Seb

An airport is a really good place to ride bikes.

 

My girls

One of these girls spent last week at a Wild, Wild West history camp (we're thinking that might have been a mistake), and the other spent a week with her gentle, loving mother. 

Rough girl

 

Dainty beauty

 

On horseback

 

The cliff

This is a view of the cliff. If you look closely, you might be able to see me standing up there. The water is at its usual level, but three days earlier it rose to where the tops of my boots are.

And if you look even closer, you can see that I am wearing gloves. In June. Outside. Because my hands are cold. That day I asked some friends and acquaintances to pray for my fingers, and the next day I awoke with warm digits. For the first time in a month. A month of 80 and 90 degree weather.  

Ouch

He was testing out his wings by running along the edge of the cliff, flapping, and jumping off. No fly-power yet. Freddy bandaged him up and set about making a few parachutes for his sad winged friends who can't seem to wing it anywhere. 

Squirt, squirt

Yesterday was Choose Your Own Chore Day, and Freddy cleaned the three glass doors, the three FILTHY glass doors. Isabelle helped by making herself a target for the vinegar and water. 

 

 

Yet another new purse

This one is for my Lucie. She picked out the fabric; the pink has little cats on it.

 

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

We aren't sure what the fatso tiger ate. Freddy IS missing though.

 

Nick's bag

Nick is two, and this bag is for his cool stuff. I hope that he likes frogs; the quilting store doesn't carry any fabric with a sports theme. I like the frogs, especially the one that is hopping out of the pocket. 

 

"Come quick!!...

...There's an alligator snapping turtle in the creek!!"

That is how I was awakened from my doze in the sun yesterday. I take one nap in ten years, and that is how it ends. The turtle was a snapper, a big one, but not an alligator snapper. They are pretty rare. We visit one every year; he lives in an aquarium just larger than his body. The creek snapper is a content old beast. Unlike me, no one bothered his sun nap. 

New purse

I love this design. Just love it. It is small and snappy. I can't wait to make another one without the mistakes. Little girls are lining up for me to make purses for them. Of course, they'll take them outside and fill them with nuts and such and then leave them out there in the rain and snow and hail...

 

The lining fabric has circus folk on it. My girls can't wait to use the leftovers.

 

Monday

 

I played with fabric today (Lucie's quilt), while Calvin played with roadkill (again).