Fall Happenings

Boy Scouts has started again this year.  Matt is working with both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.  Aren't they cute?

 

We started Septemer with a trip to the Wilderness Lodge near Pigeon Forge, TN.  They have an indoor water park that was great for the kids.  And with it being the week of Labor Day, we almost had the place to ourselves.  We got to float in the wave pool, play in the kid's area, ride the surfer, and tube the slides.  We also splurged and went to the Dixie Stampede (Thomas and Anna were both still free!).

  

 

We went to the United Way's Family Fun event.  Matt and Joshua had to work a booth for a couple of hours, and then we all went out to the rides.  A rain storm came through, but afterwards, we got to see a beautiful rainbow and the event carried on.  The kids got to ride a mechanical bull, a train, the swings, and the big boys got to play in a water gun obstacle course.

Thomas is in the yellow, then Anna, and Luke in the black shirt.

Joshua about to spin.  This was right after the storm and the rainbow is in the background.

 

 

We are 8 weeks into our school year.  It's a little, okay, a lot, crazy around here when I'm trying to get Joshua, Caleb, and Luke to all work on school at the same time.  There is quite a bit of talking, distracting one another, some wrestling, some snacking, and lots of pushing Mama to her not-so-happy place.  I don't understand why they can't just sit down and do their work and be done with it!  Must be something to do with the boy hormones...

We also attended our annual living history camp out.  Matt participated in the teaching of a trade or craft.  He has learned the art of brain tanning deer hide.  Yes, it involves the brain of the deer.  The traditional way of tanning leather includes soaking the hide a mixture of brains and water.  It treats the leather to soften it.  When it dries, it is stiff, so he has to work the leather to make it soft again.  It is a long process, and the kids really enjoyed watching him work and trying their hand at scraping off the epidermis.  The other classes were things like making lye soap, making herbal tea, cooking in dutch ovens, flint napping, and the classic boy/girl water balloon battle/capture the flag.  The kids had time to swing on the rope swing, kayak in the river, cook over the camp fire and just get really dirty.  At the end of the weekend, the kids vote for superlatives like most likely to write a historical document, be elected president, get locked in the outhouse, lead a new world expedition, get tarred and feathered, etc.     I was so proud to have them announce that Joshua was voted most gentleman like.  It was a super weekend, and we look forward to next year!

One last picture I just have to include.  Our little curious George named Anna got into the markers.  This is her mad look when I got onto her and took the marker away.  Ha!