where I talk with my inside voice
It’s not the greatest photo, but I wanted some proof that we saw it, and all I had was my cell phone. It’s somewhat surprising I could get any image at all. If you have a telescope, you already know how unusual it is to be able to see two planets in the same field of view, but to have...
Two weeks ago we braved the pandemic to visit Jackson Pianos downtown and let the kids try out some of their refurbished instruments. Coincidentally, they had a 1988 Yamaha upright there that the kids both liked and it was big enough that Noah could actually fit under it. I wrote them a check and we headed home. A few days...
Pea Ridge National Park is a Civil War battlefield in northern Arkansas, not too far from Branson. We wound up taking Noah’s troop there for a weekend campout because our original plans fell through. I had agreed to organize the Feb campout, which is always scheduled over President’s Day weekend and usually includes a visit to some patriotic landmark like...
Foul weather prevented us from going to cut a tree this year, for the first time in a long time. But the kids put up the artificial tree and they did a great job decorating it, so it didn’t really matter that much. We also didn’t go to the symphony this year, which I now regret, so I’ll plan on...
The kids wanted to make some extra money, so they asked me if they could go around asking the neighbors if they could rake their leaves. I said sure. I even drove them up to Ace Hardware to buy some equipment (a new rake and bear claws) and the paper bags for yard waste. They spent the day walking the...
There are a lot of reason why I love that we homeschool. Here’s another. I gave the kids a project this year – to plan our fall vacation. I drew a circle on the map around St. Louis that represented how far we could drive in 4-5 hours. I told them we could go anywhere inside that circle (which included...
Hey y’all, it was another great year, and here is our video Christmas card for 2017! I hope you enjoy it.
The kids started with a new piano teacher this year, because our old one got married and moved away (without even asking us first!). They had their first recital tonight and they did so well! Especially their duet – I was so proud of both of them. Josie played We Three Kings, Noah played Carol of the Bells and then...
Today we witnessed quite a spectacle, along with millions of other Americans. I’ve been waiting since 1979 to see a total solar eclipse, and my opportunity to see one in 1999 was thwarted by overcast skies, so I was overjoyed to actually see the awe-inspiring show in the sky. Dixie was pretty excited to see it too, as were the...
Where does the time go? Next month, our little boy will crossover to Boy Scouts and say goodbye to his years as a Cub. Last night was his last Blue and Gold Banquet. He received his Arrow of Light badge and a really nice plaque. I am looking forward to seeing all of his achievements in the years ahead.
I missed a couple of years, so I’m not sure if I can still call this an annual event, but here is our video Christmas card for 2016. I hope you enjoy it.
Wednesday seemed like a good day to take off work and go to the zoo. The weather was cool, but not uncomfortably so, and we were about the only people there, so there were no lines for the train. We got to see some of the critters more active than usual – like the new polar bear – and Josie...
The kids both carved their pumpkins and went trick-or-treating on Main Street in St. Charles, as well as around our own neighborhood. A good time was had by all. Photos are up in my album.
In preparation for crossing over to the Troop this spring, Noah spent the weekend camping with the Boy Scouts at Beaumont. It was a little chilly on Friday night, but the rest of the weekend was beautiful and good time was had by all. Noah’s patrol won the Iron Chef competition (for the second time), but struggled a bit with...
Noah’s birthday falls on a Saturday this year, but since we’re going to be camping with the Scouts next weekend, we decided to celebrate his birthday a week early. This year Noah chose to go bowling, so we spent a couple of hours at Olivette Lanes. This was also the year that Dixie passed the cake-decorating torch, so he got...
The kids (and Dixie) have a new obsession: geocaching. While we were in Kansas City last weekend, we did our first geocaching as a family. Our goal now is 100 geocaches and then maybe hide our own. If you don’t know what geocaching is, you can learn more here.
