Getting Started

Tuesday, August 28th, we got the keys to the house so for supper we had sandwiches at the new place. We were able to take measurements and do some planning and even pulled linoleum from the hard wood floor in one of the bedrooms. Allie began taking down the chain link fence around the house. Then she helped by taking down most of the interior doors that we will refinish and repurpose. After supper Wyatt made his first bonfire by the pond so that we could have smores. It was a beautiful, windy, moonlit night. A first of many that we will try to enjoy to the fullest.
Hurricane Isaac is beginning to show signs of his presence so we may not get much done today.

The next chapter continues

Now the next chapter of fun begins!! On Friday, August 24th we closed the deal and purchased 75 acres of land which includes a house, a couple of ponds, and some woodland down a gravel road. The house is an older house in great condition. However, it is small and we have plans to remodel. We will start with adding a 10 ft porch across the back and front of the house. Along with the porches we plan to extend the front of the house by adding a 14 ft by 50 ft addition. Then we will somehow raise the roof to include a second story on the back half of the house. The existing roof will be replaced with a tin roof and the vinyl siding will be replaced with hardie plank. I forgot to mention that a few walls, doors, windows, and plumbing will need to be moved or altered. Sounds like an easy job!! Right?
Then we will need to build a barn, put up a working pen, fix the pig parlor, dig a well, build a chicken coop, put in a garden, and maybe even another pavilion!!! Wow! We have much to do. I think we will get started this weekend. I am so thankful that I was able to resign and homeschool the children because I am thinking that I'll be quite busy the next few years.

1st Day of School

     Today was our first day of homeschooling and it was a success! We learned some interesting facts about US history. Our science experiments were fun and funny! Wyatt used syrup, water, and cooking oil to learn about density. He ate the oily and syrup covered grape that floated between the layers when his experiment was complete and then let us know using his Bear Grylls accent that the grape was quite awful. (If you know who Bear Grylls is you probably just reread what he said in your best Bear Grylls accent too.) Allie used baking soda in water, a battery and copper wire to discover oxidation. Sara used balloons to prove that air has mass. Wyatt cooked cornbread as an extension of his ELA lesson on the story "Rifles for Watie". He even shared a couple of pieces with Grandma. Allie observed the kittens and puppies to write about animal behaviors to accompany her ELA lesson on the novel "Julie and the Wolves". Sara evaluated and critiqued an editorial and will be learning about various American non-fiction authors. We finished our lessons around 1:30 so there was even time to play on the slip and slide during a rain shower this afternoon.
     According to Wyatt we had a lovely supper of spaghetti and meatballs, broccoli and french bread. We are waiting on Dad to get home and ending the day with a movie.....