food...once again.

Here is a great soup. Made with black beans, veggies, barley, cumin and love...

Kai's creation

Kai decided to pick up some legos today...and used all the regular sized legos we have (that aren't already made into something) to make this pyramid. I should add that the 'regular sized' means that there are one bys and two bys in there. The structure itself is a two by width, so there are many more legos being used here than it looks from this angle. It also makes it a touch more challenging to guesstimate how many are in use. He was really proud of his building and had to show Jeff his structure. They proceeded to try and guess how many legos it took to make it. Kai has decided we should leave it on display for a bit to enjoy...so we shall!

Yum...

Again with the food, you say? Well, in truth this is part of my learning to savor and enjoy the food I choose to put in my body. So, if you read here, you'll just have to wade through it!

It is autumn. I love cranberries, so this smoothie-to-be is perfect. It has bananas, cranberries, freshly made almond milk and sometimes a touch of chocolate. It is sweet and tart all at the same time...and incredibly delicious.

Pumpkin time

Last weekend we went on an adventure to get our pumpkins. We traveled to Bate's Nut Farm to have some fun. I didn't get many pictures, but here are a few. The boys had a great time. Kade wanted to feed the animals, Kai wanted the kettle corn, we found all the stamps hidden in the maze, rode the hay ride, slid down the huge bouncy slides, Kade bought a rubber band rifle, Kai salivated over the $400.00 wooden rubber band machine gun, and we found our pumpkins. This year Jeff said he didn't feel up to carrying the 90 pound pumpkin, so we each chose one we could carry. Kade actually made it all the way back to the car carrying his! He was really, really wanting that pumpkin. The boys also enjoyed some cotton candy. Even though we had a great time...it wasn't quite the same without Baba...she was with us last year. Still, we certainly enjoyed ourselves. Maybe we will get the chance to carve said pumpkins this week...

Park day yesterday

We had a great time...and met new families and saw families for the first time in months. This fun time was even more special because Abby was a part of our group. Abby is the niece of one of our regular Moms, so she is not used to being with all of us. She was a trooper in that she had just had a tooth pulled and wasn't feeling her personal best. I had brought the camera, since we rarely get to share our park experience, and I'm glad I did. Abby was just sitting there, kinda deciding whether she felt up to playing or not. I handed her the camera and asked if she wanted to take some pictures...and this is what she has created. Thanks, Abby!


Unschooling park day October 20, 2008 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

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Added since this was first published.

I forgot to include that Kai listened to "When in Rome" about 18 times before we got home that night. He asked if I could include it in a slideshow...so that is how it came to be a part of this one. The music is by Nickel Creek from their album "Why Should the Fire Die?"

Great Friends...

This was taken a year ago. I can't believe how much closer we have become. Thanks for the friendship!

iQ

These are great little cars...I would really like one. Universe, are you listening?!

Check out the iQ here.

Photos of fun times

I wonder...how can one go from this:






to creating this?




Well, for Kade and Kai - unfortunately Kai didn't want to be photographed right then - this transition happened in mere minutes. Soft blocks rock, I'm told. They can be used to make buildings, walls, cities and forts. No need to worry, imaginations are free and active here!

We also went to build lego creations again this week. It was so much fun! Here are the pictures from that adventure too. We met up with new friends who were visiting from AZ. The boys hit it off seamlessly with Conner and Quinn, so I'm sure we will be keeping them in our close circle of friends from now on.



Jeff, the facilitator, in the middle of the kids.



Kai with his walking dude.



Conner working on his. Kade is in the background.



Adam helping Flint and Kade checking out magnetics.



Jeff helping Caleb.



All get to do things at these gatherings. All needs are met. Too cool.



Cameron and Caemon with their walking dudes.



Josh putting on additions to his.



Quinn finding the right piece.



Ella, Siena, Erowin and Pete.



Kade, Adam and Flint. Flint put wheels on his and was unstoppable!



Kade




and again...




It's walking!



It's about to run over my foot!



Turning around for another shot at my foot...



Happy Kade!



Kai, Conner and Caemon.



the boys again.



Sloan and Shan - thanks for visiting us!




Speaking of friends...we miss you, Shipp family!

Food

An old favorite with a new twist. Ok, I may be the only one in the world who loves potato tacos. But, I do. I have found that these are even more tasty with the mixed potatoes (purple and cream), all corn tortillas, avocado and tomatillo salsa. Yum. You should try it sometime...

Just a couple more pictures that I wanted to share...

Here are a few pictures that I missed adding to the last post, or wanted to just see up front again.