The traditional book chopping and burning ceremony (by Todd)

At this time of year the children start finishing some of their books.
Here Garrett is helping Lincoln chop up his spelling book before they burn it.
What a way to celebrate!

A fun week with Cousins (by Todd)

Last week Alan and Suzi and their boys Taylor and Carter were with us.

They flew into St. Louis Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday we visited Lincoln's New Salem and the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield.

It was a very full day but everyone really enjoyed it.  There were several great Interpreters at Lincoln's New Salem.  We took in a class in the Blab School and Church.  All of the lessons in the school were oral.  So half of the class was working on their math facts by reciting:
     Twice one is two, this book is very new
     Twice two is four, trace it on the floor
     Twice three is six, we're always playing tricks
     Twice four is eight, the boys are always late
     Twice five is ten, let's do it all again
At the same time the other half of the class was reciting their ABCs!  Talk about commotion! This is why it was called a Blab School.  We also learned that you should not say OK - everyone knows O, P, Q, R is correct!

We saw the cooper, the wheelwright, the Doctor's wife and several others.  The traditional music group Prairie Aire was sitting on the porch of one of the buildings playing Hammered Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer, Irish Penny Whistle, Auto Harp, Base Recorder, and Cello.

On Thursday the kids all explored the creek and woods and rode horses.  In the evening we sat around a bonfire in the yard and told stories.

Friday was highlighted by a home school outing at Isaak's Family Fun in Mattoon followed by more horse riding, a baseball game and more time around the fire.

On Saturday we drove through Amish country, stopped by the Arthur Horse and Tack auction, had lunch at Yoder's Kitchen (where Taylor had five huge helpings from the all-you-can-eat buffet!)  Saturday evening we sat around the fire again.

On Sunday after Meeting, we all headed to St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch.  The weather the rest of the week had been beautiful, but Sunday afternoon it was raining.  They are rebuilding the waterfront and museum at the Arch so we had to pickup our tickets in the Old Courthouse and walk in the rain for several blocks from the Old Courthouse to the Arch.  We were soaked!  But a little rain didn't stop us from enjoying the view from 630 feet above St Louis.

Sunday evening and Monday morning all of the kids swam in the pool at the hotel.  Then it was off to Fitz's Root Beer Factory for lunch before taking them all back to the airport.

Save the dates! (by Todd)

Just in case you are interested:

Tuesday May 19 - Violin Recitals at 5:30 and 7:00

All seven of the children will be playing in their teacher's recitals.  We think some of them will be playing in the first recital and some will be playing in the second.  Some  may be playing in both.  

Saturday June 6 - Graduation Open House for Laura

Laura will be graduating from High School. We are planning an Open House at the Park in town beginning at 11:00 with lunch served beginning at Noon. We will be sending out invitations but wanted to get the word out early.

Another April 1st has come and gone

Just a quick post while I wait for Todd to get in bed... I'm sitting in the recliner until he does because I have already discovered that the bed was short sheeted.

One of the first things I told him this morning was... "Make sure you taste or smell everything before you put it in your mouth today." 

Once again, I'm glad April 1st is over... Who would have guessed we would have such pranksters for kids. They did go pretty light on the jokes this year. A few repeats (like powdered milk) from last year flopped, but they did have a few new ones for this year. The rubber band around the kitchen faucet sprayer almost always works - and it got Todd after breakfast. The boys had salt on their toothbrushes, although Lincoln made enough noise about his that Garrett made sure he washed his off really well before brushing his teeth. I think some contact solution bottles got saran wrap put over the openings so they wouldn't pour out. Signs like , "Pat my head." were put on backs. And I'm not sure what all else was played. 

The kids served brownies after Bible study tonight, but first passed around a plate of brown "E's" And they did get one on me.  When I tried to use the bar of soap in the shower tonight, it wouldn't work. Someone painted it with glue or something.  No wonder when I said I was glad April 1st was over as we sent them off to bed they smirked and said... "Nope, not yet..."