Have You Ever Been Excited And Scared

At the same time? Well yesterday I had the first exam for having lasik eye surgery to see if my vision was in range.  Let me tell you; I was uber happy to find I passed the first appointment / exam with flying poor vision. My right eye is 20/40 okay not bad -- however, my left eye is 20/400; no wonder my bifocals cause me to swim when adjusting to new glasses.  I can remember putting on my first pair of eye glasses as a child and being able to see a blade of grass from a standing position.

No matter how many times I try to explain to my husband; I can not see well enough with glasses in bright Texas sunlight to drive in horrible traffic --- too much glare from not only my glasses, the car's windshield, and other cars --- I have to compensate for jacked up tunnel vision. He just doesn't get it because he can see even before he had lasik.  So perhaps by next Saturday.  I will be on par with him.

Isn't this a really cool office lobby?

Saenz picking the nose of the 'MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD.'

 Since we were in Corpus and we had promised a trip to the Texas State Aquarium (TSA).  We went and also renewed our family membership for another two years.  It is great the TSA now offers a military discount on the family membership. Woooo Hooo! I am all for savings and any activity that is educational.  (Thanks my Bean)

Cubby Bear was stoked to touch a sting ray for the first time.  

 Nose to Nose; two predators meet for the a discussion.

Zephyr can tell you the difference between poisonous (ingested, absorbed, breathed in) and venomous (injected).  This Lion Fish is venomous because it injects its venom like a snake.  The poisonous tree frog secretes poison on its skin. Did you know that some of the tree frogs poisons can be used for human medications?  

 Zephyr loves the shark exhibit and could spend hours just watching them.  (I was like that as a child; sharks are so interesting to watch.)

Brothers 

Do you see the man to be --- behind those glasses? I do.....it makes me sad, happy, and proud to know such a wonderful human being. 

just thought this angle was cool 

I hope all of you who pass here are doing well.  To answer John's question; Nope on the rain though we are supposed to be at 70% chance today.  I have my feathers crossed, been saying prayers, and have my little Cubby Bear doing a rain dance. 

Isn't is a strange and wonderful world? We as humans don't understand Mother Nature's way of giving too much of something or not giving enough. 

Peace and Joy 

It is now 1 p.m. and we have had a rain storm; I am guessing about 1 1/2 inch of rain.  I will post pics tomorrow. Jana, I hope you enjoy the short but, lovely bout of rain headed towards ya'll.

Big Box Day Finds Us Happy

 Yesterday we received two large boxes from Sonlight Curriculum.  Saenz needs a brush up with Core F on world history and literature since I focused heavily on math, science, journaling, handwriting, reading, grammar, and research skills to get him firmly on the sixth grade level. Saenz will also be taking a 6/7th with Pre-Alegbra mix to get him up to level with his former classmates; a far cry from being at a middle third grade math level last April when we pulled him out of public school.  

Another note, Saenz will have to take a course in spelling skills; being a dyslexic with Irlens makes that skill extremely challanging.  While I know WORD does a spellcheck if he types out his assignments; he still needs to learn the basics just as well as Zephyr.

I did make the decision this year to hold off on adding a foreign language with Saenz until next year.  It is hard enough for him to read as it is in English so, instead I will be adding Spanish and Latin songs for him to get used to hearing (of course) this will help Zephyr as well.

Zephyr will be starting his first grade this week; reading finally kicked in for him; I was starting to worry by Febuary that I would not be able to start 1st grade on time. Just since March he has went from only recognizing 10 Dolch sight words to 140 just this week.  Huge steps for our little cubby bear; he is now happy to sit with a book and read to us or anyone who will listen.   Zephyr really soared this year in math, science, rote memorization, reasoning, and story telling; his Kindergarten graduation (cap and tassel) walk will take place on the 21st. 

I am happy to have my hubby supporting our efforts to raise our boys to be happy critical thinkers. 

Our boys were thrilled to see the books they will be using to study for the next 180 school days.  Since we school year around; we take breaks as needed.  That is a lovely thing about homeschooling your children; if child or parent needs a day off -- we take one.

Cubby is holding his math curriculum.  I know he will breeze through this because he is already begining to understand the concepts of fractions, money, and multiplication.  This set also came with a neat box set of manipulatives to help Zephyr by using visual and hands on learning tools.  

The boys are basically chomping at the bit for Saenz's lesson to get this project in which, they will learn how to make ink like in ancient China.  I believe this will be in week 26 so, they have a bit of a wait.  Another note, I guess there was a computer glitch with our order because the shipment was missing the first grade instructor guides, binder, and language arts manual.  Oh well, I have already sent Sonlight an email to inform them of the mix up.  All is good though because I can just whip out the math and continuing reading lessons with no worries.  

Okay ya'll do you see my blood shot eyes?  LOL That is not because I have been drinking.... Nope seems the entire property is covered in pollens: live oak and ragweed.  It has been a tough week on my head with all the stuff floating in the air.  All is good though in the garden so far we have: jalapeno, serrano, habanero, yellow squash, zucchini, onion, mustard greens, raddishes, maters, okra, Greek oregano, turnips, carrots, sweet & white taters, and corn is at the 3 foot mark.  So nice to have a garden....

I will leave ya'll with a Big Ole Texas sized!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

PS... Please pray for rain; we haven't had any since March.  Sorely needed here while up North; they are getting rained or flooded out.

My Thoughts On Bin Laden

Personally, I do understand the party atmosphere that the news of Bin Laden's death has caused.  On the other hand, I sit and think about how he was able to escape from the United States.  He had not only his own inherited monies, US education, and a thorough grasp of westernized living/ways of thinking but, the financial, spiritual, and physical protection of many others who would do harm to America.   Yes, he had friends, family, and other idealists that kept him hidden for the last twenty years to include those in governments, military, and other far reaching people of power.  Now that one shoe has fallen; will America go back to sleeping after the party instead of seeing their last unwanted guests (Corruption, Avarice, and Indifference) out for the night?

Bin Laden had his hands bloodied with not only thousands of Americans deaths but, also of tens thousands of others to include Muslims world wide. Corruption, avarice and indifference is what brought the terriorists to our shores in the first place.  Today, I am not celebrating his death but, will again start watching what our government does while most are not paying attention.  The question is; will you continue to slap ourselves on the back or will you stand watch for the other shoe to drop?

Painted Lady Release, Prayers For Those Affected by Tornados Yesterday

This morning we are taking advantage of the cooler weather.  We have our windows open since it will not be in the 100s for the first time in about a week.  Our hearts, minds and prayers are with friends and family affected by the storms yesterday in South East and East Coast.  I am worried for all those folks still trapped or missing in Alabama, my folks live in the area but, are safe. 

Zephyr, Saenz, and I released our Painted Lady butterflies; we waited one day because the weather was awful here with really hot temps (over 100) and high wind gusts.  We are thrilled to report four of them are now living somewhere in our yard healthy and happy. 

Our lone hold out, I am guessing by Friday or early Saturday this lone fella will be ready to join his friends.  If you double click the image; you can see its wing outline and it has grown darker like the others did. 

Zephyr learned that when butterflies rest they fold their wings together and mostly fly in daylight hours. They have to emerge head down so their wings will not have to fight gravity and dry in the proper shape for flight.  Moths on the other hand usually fly at or near night time, don't eats as adults, have no probiscus, and rest with their wings open.  Cool eh?

http://centralamerica.com/cr/butterfly/index.htm

I will order the catepillars again next year; Zephyr is still begging for the Hissing Cockroach kit --- lets just say I am not too thrilled with the idea. LOL 

Zephyr is sporting one of his favorite shirts given to him by Mrs. Lily (thank you!).  This afternoon, I will be placing an order for his 1st multi subject curriculum from Sonlight. After Zephyr's Kindergarten graduation in May; I will give him a week off and then start his first grade lessons.  If all goes well Zephyr will be ready to start the second grade in Jan - Feb time frame 1/2 a year ahead because I am not going to slow down or hold him back.   I am only getting Saenz the core for his 7th grade year and first year Latin from Sonlight.  We already have enough science and math curriculum to carry Saenz through the 8th grade. 

Last night, I watched a new program on the History Channel called THE SHAPE OF THE STATES.  Have you seen it?  Very interesing material, I think I am going to order the book to incorporate it into our history lessons.  Did you know that the US had more than 50 states apply for statehood; for example the Republic of Franklin in what is now Tennesee and 'Deseret (Utah)' was not sucessful in joining the union? I knew about common wealth of Puerto Rico and D.C. 

Makes you go hum doesn't it?

Chrysalides, Earth Day, Egg Hunt, Confetti Eggs, Egg Golf

It has been a rather busy week; the boys and I are watching our Painted Ladies quite closely now.  The fifth catepillar was not dead but, was later than its siblings crawling to the top -- by a full three days.  Good thing I waited to transfer them into the butterfly garden.  So any day now, we will have five butterflies to release.

So now there are five; with them growing darker by the day.

BTW Did you know that trees can be wind burned?  Well we found out our pear trees are having a rough time due to all the high winds we have been having. 

We planted 2 peach trees with the help of Sid and 12 tomato, 6 zucchini, and four watermelon for our Earth Day contribution.  I just love that happy face!

 On Easter Sunday, before our grand daughters Jaylin and Sarah along with Zephyr zipped outside to find the bounty the bunny left for them.  We watched the video HE HAS RISEN as our lesson about the meaning of and importance of celebrating Easter and the life of Jesus. 

 Then the kiddos took turns whacking each other on the noggins with confetti eggs.

 Then for a little entertainment by Grandpaw, he practiced his golf swing with a few of the confetti eggs.

Sid loves golf just as much as his dad!  

Banjo of course loved all the attention he received this weekend from Sid, Junio, Jayline, Sarah, Saenz, and Zephyr.  Banjo even was the object of a few confetti eggs' attention. Thanks for bringing the girls down; hope ya'll come back real soon please.

All I know is this weekend though busy -- was just a peaceful weekend spent with family.  We will continue to pray for world peace, happiness, blessings, and guidance for all!

Happy Easter!

We Have A Visitor - Blue Indigo Juvenile

I am thoroughly convinced that snakes are territorial creatures who; have a space in which they hunt, breed, and live.  I have seen this one right outside my window for about two weeks now but, have not had a camera to catch a shot.  Well I got lucky this time because our special guest had helped himself to a meal so I got a couple of shots of him/her.  This is a blue indigo snake and is definitely only a juvenile at just over three feet.

 I was standing less than a foot away to take these shots. It is such a lovely snake and has been documented at up to 8.75 feet long.  We had one that our second year here that was pretty close to 9 feet and its body was as thick as my forearm; heavy bodied snake.  We respect these beautiful animals and feel blessed that one has taken up home in our inner yard.  Which means less rats, mice, and possible rattlers where our boys tend to play.

 Saenz loves these.

 Crooked yellow neck squash will be ready soon.  This plant has four fruits.

We picked some snacks right out of our garden: some onion to go with our zucchini and of course right out of the garden raddishes -- rinse and eat. (We got the raddish seed from a lady in England who sent them as a gift.) 

Life is good and we are counting our blessings and saying thanks!

Painted Ladies, Ants, and a Mad Frog; OH MY!

Our painted lady catepillars have now started their pupa stage with their chrysalis forming/hardening.  Of the five catepillars we received only one seems to have died.  The rest are now safely attached to the lid of the jar.

 Day one Monday 19 April: Going to Pupa.

Day 2, April 20th: All 4 are in pupa, notice no legs or hair protrusions.

Yesterday, we got in the ants for the ant farm.  Let me tell ya, those suckers were really angry being in that tube.  Follow directions and definitely refrigerate them for 2 minutes.  Hubby was the one who put them into their farm. He did such a great job only one escapee made a run for it.  That little bugger tried to sting as soon as it was touched.  The above picture was just after one hour after farm arrival. We gave them water, a sliver of apple, a piece of bread, and a corn chip; mind you really small pieces.

This picture was taken after six hours of them being left alone in the down stairs (darkened) bathroom. Notice they now have a pantry started on the left hand side, have moved their dead, have started tunneling.

This morning, we have found them to have built several chambers, more tunnels and have cleaned up their den.  After a few days of rest, we will add a few more drops of water to see how the ants react plus maybe add a piece of mango.   

Do you see what I see? 

Zephyr is holding our first zucchini of the season.  Happy to say, he will help me chop it up for our dinner plates later.

Other garden news: we tried those battery powered mole/gopher chasers. So far, they have worked perfectly since, the little fur balls have left the area. Key to sucess with those 'chasers' is to not let your soil dry out completely since, watering helps to conduct / amplify the noise they emit.

Our newest threat are from rabbits coming into the yard.  So, we will be hanging deer netting onto our fence to keep them at bay.  Also to combat the fire & red ant problem we have; we are using orange oil mixed with water to 'kill - discourage' ants from taking up home in our garden beds.  This is not a QUICK solution; you have to keep spraying the mixture because it is not a poison, will not harm people or critters without exo-skeletons.  For those who want to know; Orange Oil dissolves the shell of the ants exoskeleton thus killing the ants.  However if you just want to ants to nest somewhere else use; corn meal or pour boiling water onto their mound.

Keep in mind, 'natural solutions' take a longer (much) period to work.  Natural solutions are not pesticides and have to be given time to work their magic.  When we have a problem with leaf eating critters, I just mix a solution of dish soap, water and cayenne pepper to spray the leaves.  Again this has to be done on the days not watering and takes time but is not harmful to humans.

For my friend John over in England.  Sorry, he did not have a box to piss in but; this is the 'Mad' frog we seen at the zoo. 

Oh and for our Jewish friends hope you have a wonderful Passover. For those who celebrate Easter; have a great service and week.  We are expecting our family this weekend: Junior and his two girls, and Sid for the weekend. YIKES maybe the Easter Bunny will make a stop at Grandpaw's and Grandmaw's this holiday.

PS: Thanks Mrs. Lily for taking us into town to buy our monthly feed and two new peach trees. Saenz and I enjoyed our lunch with you yesterday. Please stop by next week.........we love you!