Hibbidity Dibbidity: Bug Porn

The boys and I discovered these moths on our back porch answering Nature's call to procreate.  They stayed like this the entire day.  My simple explanation to Saenz and Zephyr was they were making larva (babies).  Saenz is at the 'gross out' stage when concerning reproduction while Zephyr is really hooked on all things related to girls.

Our little farm garden is expanding.  Currently we have planted: cabbage, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, 2 types of carrots, asparagus, onions, cilantro, 3 types of tomatos, turnips, leeks, curly leaf lettuce, mustard greens, sweet potato, beets, raddishes, parsley, pole beans, cow peas, collard greens, okra, butternut squash, zucchini, crooked neck squash, jalapeno, habanero, oregano, 2 apple trees, 2 pear trees, 2 pomegranite, 2 black berry, 1 concord grape, 4 muscadine grape, and 1 lime (it survived the ice storm on 4 Feb).   

I have plans to add: corn, more variety of tomato, cucumber, watermelon, cantaloup, vine peach, chives, Greek oregano, Mexican oregano, basil, lettuces, garlic, spinach, and many others.  We have plans to add fruit and nut trees as follows: peach, fig, lime, lemon, orange, avocado, walnut, pecan and maybe a hickory nut if we can find it. 

One of our garden beds is only 15' by 100' feet, the other is 15' by 15', to have a garden the size to feed one person, a 1000 sq foot garden is required to feed one person for a year if crops are rotated -- or so the books say.  So this year, we are experimenting and will probably double it next year.  Since we are novice growers it is best to start small and manageable until you get good dirt stained nails under your belt. 

The one thing our farm sorely needs is rain.  Our area is in a drought situation already with a burn ban since last month.  So if ya'll will do a rain dance and push it our way; we would really appreciate it.  Those dark skies were full of promise yet, no rain.  SIGH

Now onto homeschool news, we have ordered and recieved our butterfly garden and ant farm -- just awaiting the occupants to arrive by mail.  Thanks to Jana C over at http://homeschoolingintexas.blogspot.com/; Zephyr was super stoked and wanted to try the same home growing experiments as her children.  We have also ordered the Lady Bug habitat, some bug models to build, and Story of the World Vol 1 & 2.  What I like about the Story of the World (history), is the lessons are short enough to keep even Zephyr's attention.  So thanks Jana for cluing us in our your finds from Nest Learning.

There are a few of resources, I would like to pass on to other homeschooling parents.  Time4learning is a wonderful site, that actually tracks multiple core subjects, progress reports, time spent logged in, unit studies; I use it when I don't have time to one-on-one and have to work about the place or just need a break.  Super Teacher Worksheets for printables and other down loadables like progress reports, report cards, lesson planning and such.  On April 11th, Super Charged Science's Aurora will be hosting a free tele-video class.  For her site, a yearly membership is $55 however, she has free class materials or videos from time to time.  I especially like the way she has her syllabus drawn out.  It is a schedule, I can keep with the materials I already have on hand.



I don't know about other home school parents but, I don't follow a set curriculum.  I just find most are far too expensive, limited in scope, or have a 'Christian slanted theme to the lessons.'  While, I don't mind religious based learning, I just find some subjects relating to Math and Sciences to be distracting when a subject is presented with a religious view.  I am a strictly the facts kind of learner and this hold true with Saenz as well. 

I just want to say, Thanks to all my followers for reading.  I know my posts have become sporadic.  I apologize; it is just a busy time of year for us with farming, gardening, and teaching lessons.  I hope you still find the content interesting enough to leave comments from time to time.

I just hope all is well in your slice of heaven! ~:> Mal