Nature Study and A Little Geocaching Too!

We went to McConnell Springs a couple weekends ago. We observed some animals, tried to identify beautiful flowers, and while we were there, decided to do a bit of geocaching too! Go to http://geocaching.com to get involved!

A Small Funny

If you read my blog more often than not, you know I am currently a reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. So far, I have had a lot of fun reviewing materials, as have Butterbean and Middleman. They love checking the mailbox each day for any mail they receive, and now especially, for new things to review! So it was no surprise when Middleman checked the mail yesterday and exclaimed with great excitement to everyone in earshot "Mommy, we got something else to review. Can we do it now?!" I smiled and started to nod my head, and then I realized, it wasn't curriculum or a game to review, it was a sample.... of Kotex. Need I say more?

Maverick Books/Hank the Cowdog Review

To anyone who knows Hank the Cowdog, no explanation is needed. For those who are unfamiliar, Hank, the self-acclaimed Head of Ranch Security, is one adventurous hound. My boys and I received a package in the mail from Maverick Books filled with Hank the Cowdog goodies: Tornado, a game; The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse, a book; and Tales and Tunes from Hank, a CD. My 7 year old's first word when we opened the envelope was "Yippee!" We knew of Hank from the library. We have used a few of his books as bedtime readalouds. But the audio stories and the game were new to us.

During the Tornado game (which reminds me a bit of Sorry, in the way that it is played), Butterbean (7), Middleman (4) and I had plenty of giggles as we attempted to be the first to get our dogs and buzzard back home. There was a bit of confusion, as all of our dogs were brown (my 7 year old thinks Drover should be white, as pictured on the box). But we quickly figured out it was great fun, nevertheless. The game was simple for Butterbean to set up, and it folds up compactly, so we could even play it on road trips!

The game also came with a 30 minute cassette tape, containing story excerpts, from The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado, Hank's 25th story. The sound effects were amazing!




The very night we received our mailing, my little guys insisted on listening to Tales and Tunes from Hank the Cowdog CD at bedtime. Boy, how the author John R. Erickson really makes the characters come alive, using music, sound effects and awesome voices! "Now we know what Hank sounds like!" exclaimed Middleman.

During Butterbean's read-to-mommy times,

The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse,

has offered "super-cool" challenging words, as well as lessons in questionable words not to use (otherwise known as no-no words in our family!).

The stories are written from Hank's point of view, so we really felt like we were there during his near-poisoning from bacon grease, and his "admonishment" of his pal, Drover.

We especially liked Erickson's choice of chapter titles, such as "Stricken with Sneezaroma Because She Whacked Me on the Nose with a Wooden Spoon," and "The Case of the Embezzled Scrambled Eggs."

Hank the Cowdog, in any form, is absolutely hilarious. The adventures, and predicaments that he and Drover get themselves into are exciting for my little boys. About the only drawback for our family are the sprinklings of dubious doggie humor. I do admit, however, that it wouldn't quite be Hank without it!

To get your own Hank the Cowdog literature, head over to his official website. Right now you can purchase the Tales and Tunes CD for just $3.oo! There are 54 books in the Hank series, and you can pick them all up here.

The Great Postcard Exchange

What a fun way to encourage penmanship, learn about faraway places, and possibly even make new friends! I am organizing a postcard exchange. There are similar groups out there, but this is a brand new venture for me. I will be working on the logistics over the next couple of weeks. I hope to begin the official exchange in September. If you have ideas, or you would like to take part in the exchange, please feel free to email me or leave me a comment.

A Small Funny

Yesterday's pre-lunch prayer:

"Dear Jesus, thank you for this yummy food. Bless the hands that repaired it. Amen."

Talent Camp

Summer fun brought us a Talent Camp, organized by my best friend. Here's my big guy in the week end's performance of The Spice of Life.

Butterbean, The CameraMan"Filly" and Butterbean singing
Curtain Call Director Michelle and Butterbean
Finchlings and my 2 big boys (Babyman wouldn't pose for a photo!)

4th of July Fun

Birthday Comments
Myspace Comments

Thanks to my friend, Marie, I have discovered a new author. I enjoy her works so much, that for today's post, I'm going to quote from my latest book reading, Julia's Last Hope. The main character, Julia is talking about marriage and her teenage daughters. I loved this quote, because it is close to home. " You know, Hettie, if my girls don't have all the nice things- if they have to rough it just a bit with- with the man each chooses to marry, I won't feel sorry for them. If they really love each other- if they work together to make a home- even a small, simple place that is their own little haven- if they care enough to seek the happiness of each other- then I will consider them blessed."

Short story long. (yes, that's the way I meant to type it!) My washer and dryer are located in my bathroom. When I transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer, I have to close the bathroom door. We used to have a door stopper on the back of the door to keep it from ramming into the washing machine when little boys fling it open. However, the rubber part has long since disappeared and now there is a sometimes dangerous little screw-like thing sticking out. Needless to say, babyman (19 months old now) wanted to come in while I was putting clothes into the dryer. He flung the door open and that little screw thing smacked the back of my heel. I put a little square bandaid on my boo -boo. A little while later, babyman said he had a boo- boo on his foot. I looked to where he pointed, and there was my bandaid on his foot! Now he is either destined to be a pickpocket (because I certainly did not feel him remove my bandaid), or it didn't stick very well to my foot! You be the judge.

Fun with Mamaw

My Grandma is visiting with us for a couple of weeks. Thought I would share some photos with you!

Mamaw beating butterbean at checkers2 Mamaws and a Brother

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Grandma taught me how to bake... yummmm!Grandma relaxing before the fireworks
Babyman and Mamaw at the poolButterbean sharing ice cream with Babyman

Grandma and Me at the pool

Mmm Coffee

Well, we had to make our weekly grocery trip. Middle man loves picking up some of the coffee beans leftover in the bottom of the little grinding station. He carries them around and smells them periodically throughout the store. Well baby man has decided that he wants to do it too. So, when we passed by the coffee station, we picked up a few of the leftover beans for the boys to hold. When we stopped at the lobster tank (they love to watch them!), hubby said "Honey, what's he eating?" Baby man was chewing furiously. I pried his mouth open to discover a mouthful of coffee beans! I removed most of the little pieces, but I am sure he ingested some of it. Luckily, he went to bed on time that night, his teeth were just fine. But one has to wonder if that wasn't one bitter bout of sneakiness!!