Easter Confessions and Ean Rides with No Training Wheels!

I have never dyed eggs. There I said it. It seems I may be close to being the only person who has not so when I saw a Ukrainian Egg Dying Kit on sale I grabbed it. Then I asked Brian if he knew how. Silly me of course he did. He is full of surprises. Apparently his mom taught them. So in the last week I learned how to "blow an egg out" (ie: make holes on either end, stick a skinny skewer in to break the yolk and then blow on one end--thus expelling the egg guts). The boys loved it but refused to try (as did I) so kudoes to Brian for blowing out 1/2 dozen eggs for us.

 

Of course being the good homeschooling mom that I am we did get one book out form the library on the Ukraine so we could learn more about the country that "invented" Pysanky. We also watched a few youtube videoes on the history of pysanky as well as an excellent "how to" video. The it was time to dye eggs!  We had a blast and have decided we are going to date these and save them and do more every year....what a great idea (we'll see if it happens or it the eggs survive). Oh and Gabe and Jaden took almost all the egg dying action shots!

the precious yellow egg--Ean loves yellow

     

drying in the sun

all done!

We also enjoyed the few days of spring we had last week. (Now its back to winter with freezing wind chills but really I love the battle of the seasons because Spring does eventually win--and if not then summer does) Ean learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels. It was awesome. He asked several weeks ago for us to take off his training wheels. He tried riding a few times got scared and quit. This weekend Ben pulled out Ean's old bike and tried to ride it. Ean tried to teach him how to pedal. The Ean decided the best way to teach Ben was to get on his bike and show him. So he did. And that was that. It was done. He is amazing. Although there was one great classic little kid learns to ride his bike video. I am going to share it here and dedicate it to my brother and the dump truck.

  

Summer's Curtain Call

I know its been a while. We have been busy savoring the last scenes of summer--the wonderful ending and beginning, the in between seasons time--where it seems one day is summer and the next is Fall. This last month we have savored I think more thankfully than prior summers as we spent most of our summer sick. ( Honestly, I do not think we as a family started summer till August)...such a shame where summer is so short. But we are so incredibly thankful...

for awesome farms to play at...

did I mention I want a baby goat? I am so in love with this little one. I want one--silly city of Auburn doesn't allow "hooved" creatures within city limits...ah well a girl can dream...

Oh and this has been our month long project: Monarchs!! The boys started canvassing the milkweed patch down the road about mid-August. They did this everyday for about two weeks and we became the proud parents of 10 monarch caterpillars. We have loved watching them munch and grow and then turn into a chrysalis and then burst open.  We have learned so much---for instance did you know they do not "weave" their chrysalis? In fact their skin splits open and the green chrysalis emerges as the old caterpillar skin is folded in.

the last caterpillar--shortly after this photo she ventured up to the netting and spun her hook, hung herself in a "J" and just this morning finally changed into a chrysalis. 

The monarchs that emerge in the next few weeks will be the ones that make a long trek--they fly to Mexico for the winter and then return to lay eggs in the spring. It blows my mind when I think of these beautiful, fragile butterflies flying thousands of miles. It makes me feel such awe for our Creator.

I adore sunflowers. We grow them every year and I have passed that love to my boys. I love the vibrant color and the amazing seed patterns.

the most recent monarch to emerge...

Beach Days and Balloon Fest 2012

Last week some friends introduced us to Mackworth Island. A walking path circles the island with smaller paths down to the beach. It is also home to a fairy house city of magnificent proportions. The kids loved visiting so much we had to go back this week---the lure of hermit crabs and crabs and tide pools and so much beach to explore was too much for just a one time visit...

first touch of a crab

coolest hermit crabs ever...

fairy houses!

such handsome dudes...

so sweet: Jaden took a spill and was limping so Jeremie came over and held his hand --and Jaden's limp was magically cured! Friendship is the cure for many pains...

Mackworth Trip 2

bucket o crabs

Sand Angels

Balloon Fest

Today we went to the Balloon Festival. Last year we decided that the early morning balloon launches are the best--the cool crisp morning air, a much less crowded walk along the river while we watch...followed by doughnuts at Georgio's...nothing tops a balloon fest morning and this one was no different.

Don't forget to check out Brian's movies! Click here to see the latest movie featuring the Great Falls Balloon Fest!