Fish and Whistle

Do you know that John Prine song? Fish and Whistle?  Oh, it's a good one. These pictures make me hum it in my head. I'd love to be able to somehow make you hear it while you are looking - but I'm not sure I've come that far yet - technologically speaking.  So you should google it or whatever and listen.

Anyway, for the story...

My dear sweet husband, in an effort to make my days in Gunnison happy ones, has taken to showing us places we've (or I've) never seen before.  I spent years just going to Blue Mesa Lake.  A girl can only take so much fishin' at that lake.  I was bored.  So, we've been really exploring that whole area this year as a family.  I've seen all sorts of new things.  It sometimes makes me think he's been holding out on me all these years. 

A few weekends ago we did fish but, in all sorts of new places.  We went to Lake Irwin one day and Spring Creek Reservior the next.  Man, did we have fun.  My sweet kids and this fishing thing never seem to get old.

Have you noticed I like to take pictures of them from behind?  Did I ever tell you why?  I feel like I get more of their perspective that way.  This blog is really sort of a record of their childhood.  A way for them to remember what we did while they were growing up.  And what better way than from (at least what I imagine to be) their perspective.  Plus, I love seeing their cute giant heads next to each other like that.  Makes me wonder what they're thinking/talking about.

Anyway, back to the fishing fun...

The old pro.

This one here is Piper's first catch.  Alas, it got away.  Reel faster my love!

Another little silly note for the day.  Miss Piper insisted on wearing her jeans backwards.  Like insisted.  We tried to tell her that it had been done.  And by done, I mean way back in the dark ages of the early 90's. 
 

She was clearly troubled by our lack of enthusiasm for her "fashion forward" choices.  Everything that's old is new again after all.  But, she's cute.

Spring Creek Reservior included friends!  Here's Piper and Fisher with their little friend Quinn.

Wait a minute!  I think Fisher has a bite.  Yep, that's some serious reeling action.

Exciting!

She tried to hold it but the little sucker jumped right out of her hands!

It turned out to be a beautiful couple of days ...fishing.  It seems I'll never escape it totally.  But that's alright.  This new perspective I have is also pretty cool.  Watching those sweet little ones learn and love the same thing their Dad loves.  It's in their blood.

JKFP

Blast...



My sister turns 30 today! 

(Here we are circa 1982 ish.)

Happy Birthday to the best little sister ever.  I love you!



Learning

I was thinking I'd try to give a little glimpse into our homeschooling life every once in a while.  Maybe once a month or so.  (and also to keep a record of how this is all working out) We are still really enjoying this path and I'm so thankful for some really supportive HS friends.  (You know who you are.)

Here's what learning looks like around here...

I place great value on creativity and imagination!  I think they are building blocks for thinking "outside the box" as problem solving adults.  So here they are having free creative play.  They were camping.  I have to say, I was impressed with how thorough they were with everything. 

They had bedding, a kitchen area set up (complete with food), a dog, and a campfire.  They even used a rack (the kind you cool cookies on) to cook over the fire. 

Fisher was even able to use the sewing machine for the first time.  I was driving the foot pedal.  You've got to start somewhere.

Hand stitching the pillow front and back together.  He also stuffed it himself.  AND added lavendar.  All his idea.

Little sister's first try at needle felting.  At two years old!  She did great.

Our favorite ways to learn involve two things.  1)  Dad   2)  Being outside.  This is usually what our weekend looks like.  Here we are at James' job site.  He had found a vein with crystals in it the week before.  So we took off to Gunnison and got to learn all about layers of rock and the very basics of how crystals are formed.  The boys even jumped in an excavator and dug out some of those layers to see what else they could see.  Who gets to do that on a Saturday?  

Finding a vein with crystals in it.

Giving those crystals a good inspection once back home and talking about what we observe.

And finally just being super silly.  This may be my new favorite picture of this boy!  Makes me laugh every time.

There you have it.  A little peek into what we do around here.  I can't stress enough what a good fit this seems to be.  We are ALL learning so much about life, each other, and the world.  It's exciting!

Love,
JKFP

The Big 6



 

We had a pretty big deal happening around here not too long ago. My big kid turned 6. I know! I can hardly believe it myself. It's so strange to say...my oldest is six. He's growing like a weed. It seems like his feet especially are bigger from one day to the next. He's dancing all over that line between being a "little kid" and being a "big kid". There are still things that he's afraid of (though that list shrinks every day) and then there are times when he reminds me (or makes me realize for the first time) that he can handle it!  It is such a joy to witness this "line dance" of sorts and let him come into his own. 

On the day of his actual birthday we went bowling.  Dad was in Gunnison working, so Nana and I took the kids.  (there were also about a hundred seniors having their bowling league morning too.)  He LOVES bowling. 

(super blurry because he just could NOT stand still)

 

How cute is this one?  Helping his sister with her turn.

That evening we went over to Nana's for pizza and cake. 

 (Fisher and his Grandpa Hank lighting the candles.)

Can you stand it?  I'm pretty sure this is the moment when the wish is formed.

Nana and her youngest grandkids.

We naturally decided to continue the celebration.  We like to stretch things out around here.  So when James came home over the weekend we did just that.  After much deliberation (we were going to have a party - but then we decided not to - and back and forth a couple more times) Fisher decided on a day at Santa's Land.  Yes, you've seen it before.  It was part of Fisherpalooza last year and I think we decided he's been there every year at least once since he was about a month old.  We have great memories from this place.  It can always be counted on for a fun day.  And fun we had!

The first ride of the day!

Piper is still the reigning daredevil champion.  I'm in SO much trouble with this one.  This is her second go on this ride.  Notice she's in the VERY LAST ROW!  And yes, she'll throw her arms up and hoot and holler.  She also tells you that her "tummy is freaking out".  She get's it from her Bella.  (My mom is a big ride rider.)

Mommy, this is so fun!

The boats are always a favorite.

So are snow cones.

No day at Santa's Land is complete without half an hour in the arcade.

His first year being tall enough to go down the big slide on his own!

A freaky flash to ten years in the future?

 

Little sis was in rare form.  (Well it's not that rare.) Come on Piper, smile pretty.

If you can't beat em...

This ride is always our last one!  It's such a great way to finish off a great day.

 

It was such a fun day!  We are insanely lucky to have this big kid in our lives.  (and to get to share him with all of you!)  We love you bunches Fisher!

 

Love,

JKFP

Homeschooling: Week One

It took about thirty minutes Monday morning for me to realize that we LOVE homeschooling.  By Friday, I knew I wanted to do some tweaking.  Here's what I learned...

1)  My kids are wicked smart.  Both of them.  (And Piper HAD to be included in the schooling.)

2)  Sometimes, work is better in the floor.

 

3)  They love learning outside and in an interest-led sort of way.

(look way into the crack and you can see Piper.  But just barely.) 

 

4)  I think we're going to slow this pace down a little.  It became clear by about Thursday that if we kept up this pace Fisher would be doing 4th grade work by the end of the year.  While he's accomplishing every task I give him, I think he was burned out by about Wednesday.  Behavior went to crap and we had lots of frustration.  I'm pretty sure I placed WAY too much importance on worksheets and not enough on being outside and story time.  While we still did those things, the balance just seemed off.  He's only 5 (almost 6!) after all.  This is kindergarten and most of the work he's doing is first grade.  (because he basically "tested out" of the kindergarten level.)  He (and his behavior) thrived during playtime while pretending and having fun.  I think we're going to change it up a little this week and see how it goes.  More time in the woods, more time crafting, more stories, even a story table/puppet show kind of thing. 

(Doing math.  The candle helps with his concentration and he loves it!)

 

(making salt dough veggies for our toy farm)

 

(painting them)

 

5)  He also thrived during the times HE read to me.  He is probably close to first grade level with reading and he loves it.  He's drinking in new words like water (or maybe even apple juice) and he's amazing.  So I think we'll continue with the reading pace until he needs to slow down.  I feel if he has a strong reading foundation he can learn, by reading for himself, about ANYTHING he becomes interested in.

That's really the beauty of this homeschool thing.  The flexibility of it all.  What works one week may not work the next...and that's okay.  One thing is for sure, these kids are awesome and definitely learning a LOT. 

We're at the beginning of an amazing adventure and loving every second so far.  We are officially homeschoolers and proud of it!

Love,
JKFP

***p.s.  Some of you are probably wondering about James and what he's up to.  He does have overseas work lined up but it doesn't start right away.  For now, he's working for a friend of ours in Gunnison until that starts up again.  Which should be sometime in the next month or so.  You know me, I'll let you know as soon as I know for sure.  AND we get to see him every weekend which we totally love!

Becoming a Man

Cheese!

There comes a time when your used to be baby is suddenly old enough to actually be growing up.  I think it has to do with teeth.  It seems to here anyway.  Fisher lost his first tooth in early July.  He has since learned ... to chop wood with an ax, shoot a BB gun, lost two more teeth, has a MAJOR crush, will be turning 6 in a few short weeks, and starting home school Monday!  That's. A. Lot.  And lucky for you I have videos of the ax and BB gun. 

Interestingly, Fisher is being taught here by an old friend of mine from Philmont.  (I hadn't seen him in probably 12 years and I didn't even know he was living in Gunnison.  It was so surprising to run into him at Eric's house!) 




Learning the basics of BB shooting with a gun that was way too big.  They ended up cutting several inches off the back end and he did great.  I missed the TWO times he actually hit the wooden duck in the pond! 

 Becoming a man is exhausting!

It sure is hard work...growing up like he is. But the days when he'll fall asleep in the laundry remind me of the little one he used to be. I'm so proud of who he's becoming.


Love,
JKFP


I'm linking this post to the Peek of the Week party over at Happily Home Sewn! Go check out her sweet new little one and their Peek!