balloon car races

We had balloon car races in science class today. Tristan and all the students enjoyed this.

Snowsports winter 2013-2014

All the kids snowboard now and I'm the only skier left in the family. Hayley made great strides with her snowboarding this year, I think she'll be all over the mountain next year. The boys are better than me although I am not at all bad if I do say so. I just don't like black diamonds and won't even try double black. I worry "who will do everything I do if I break myself?". I figure I can only break myself a little on blues and greens or maybe easier single black,  but double black diamonds, those could do same damage on a Mom! I don't seem to have taken as many photos this year or maybe not all transferred from my phone, here's some random photos. Lessons, trying out the new trails, a day in the bear's den, Hawaiian week, Boy scout weekend, and just random.

 

Below-dirty trick Mom brought schoolwork on the lift!

 

 

march comes in like a lion and goes out like a lion in New Hampshire

Still too much snow, too many snowstorms and too many below zero temperatures here in NH. March is still fully winter here. The dogs enjoy the snow. Lizards wondering if spring will come. I'm busy planning for the next few science classes.

still a lot of snow in late March

Kilgharrah wonders if spring will come

Elle is growing her horns

old, icky snow by the side of the road

Dartha likes the snow!

another snowstorm and the plow has blocked our path

science materials for the next couple weeks

The have and have nots in the craft world

Hayley has it, I do not.....the craft gene that is! Hayley can make all sorts of wonderful creations with knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, drawing etc.. She does not get that from me but I'm in awe of her. I was so happy when she made me this hat and scarf in a color I like.

Reader's theater and student written short plays

For the first half of the year in drama class the students work on acting skills. This year the junior high also worked on Reader's theater and the high school class wrote their own short plays in small groups. The students performed these for the parents in January. Tristan played Otter in a reader's Theater version of the Wind in the Willows. Trevor played a security guard in his group's play. It was terrible winter weather for driving on that January evening but we made it safe and sound and it was worth it to see the boys perform and know that drama makes them happy.

Christmas 2013, Cracker Hats (gotta wear them)

It wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas crackers and the HATS!

Flower the cat

Flower the cat was a wonderful cat. He was with our family for 15 years! His name is Flower because then toddler Hayley wanted him to be named that. Flower never cared. Flower would not stay indoors but somehow didn't succumb to the wildlife as other cats we've had did. Flower was hit by a car once but lived and thrived for many more years after that. Flower never, ever put up with anything from the dogs, he didn't hurt them, just let them know that he ruled this place. I don't know how he did it, the dogs accepted it and never gave him any trouble, even visiting dogs. Flower slowed down in his final year, thankfully he never seemed weak or in pain, just slowed down and unexpectedly passed away. This picture is one of the last one I took of him in December 2013. Flower loved this box towards the end and loved it ON the table so we decorated it to fit in with the Christmas decorations.
In the manger seemed a fitting place for this King Cat to spend his final days.

First girlfriend

Late summer and into fall 2013 I found out that Colin was dating someone. It was a first for him and a big first for me as his mother! My wild and crazy, busy boy was our first to date and it scared me silly. So yet again my wild middle son is the one who introduced me to something new in life. Colin often does things first in this close in age group of siblings. He says I should not worry about him. He can't understand, until he's a parent himself, that all parents worry about their kids. It comes with the job.

Since he no longer is with this girl I'll blog with only less identifiable pictures. It was a big part of his life, and we went on a few "family dates" so it goes on the blog :-).

Tapestry

Tristan is studying medieval tapestries in history. he needed to make a tapestry with a scene from his life so chose him and Comet. I decided to make one too, a tapestry about trying to catch Speedy bun buns, our bunny, when he doesn't want to go in the house. Tristan's Tapestry is better, mine is odd. LOL

In Tristan's tapestry he made a scene and also tried natural fabric dying and also weaving to sample several techniques.

My tapestry represents me catching Speedy while Flower looks on and some rogue animal that jumped into the picture!

Fall days

lots of apples growing on our trees this year

Coconut is visiting

the terrific trio

Elle

Cleo

I made an apple crumble with apples fresh picked from our trees

beardie bath time, why is a big dog nose staring at me!

Grammy's hamster ma wearing a Halloween costume Hayley made for him.

Porcupine in an apple tree!

Elle