Harvest Farm

Last Friday's field trip was to Harvest Farm. Harvest Farm is a ministry of the Denver Rescue Mission. It is a wonderful ministry that changes the lives of those it serves. On this particular Friday, the weather was perfect, the company was delightful and the timing was ideal as it was Anna's 13th birthday!


On top of the hay bale maze.

Jumping into the hay bale trampoline!

The obstacle course.

Lizzy in the spider's web.

Mike, Winston and Eli going through the obstacle course.

Winston ... he's hot because his crazy Aunt thought it would be cold and made him wear warm clothes. Poor melting child.

Eli in the spider's web.

Lily

Waiting for the pig races.

These smart kids figured out they could see the pig races while sitting in the shade if they climbed to the top of the hay bales.

Eli and Winston waiting for the hay ride.

Winston, Eli and Tim

Rachel, Samantha, Lily, Lizzy and Colin

Colin, Tim and Winston with the corn cannon.

Rachel, Lizzy and Samantha at the hay cannon.

We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back next year!

The Giraffe That Walked to Paris

Two weeks ago we read The Giraffe That Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton. It is the true story of the Pasha of Egypt giving the King of France a giraffe as a peace offering between the nations. It is a lovely story of kindness and diplomacy. At the end of the week we went to the Denver Zoo and fed the giraffes. The zoo in the fall must be a bit what heaven is like. Pleasant weather, beautiful animals, happy children and good company.

We learned about giraffes, France, Egypt, the Mediterranean and talked about how to be peacemakers.

Eli is our Little Bear and was so excited to see the real bears.

Everett, Jada and Rachel

Eli and Grandpa 

Eli feeding the giraffe

Eli on the carousel 

Our verses for the week were:

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."

Matthew 5:9

"Seek peace and pursue it."

Psalm 34:14

I'm finding that with 3 girls ages 9, 11 and 13 learning to be peacemakers is quite valuable. 

The Runaway Bunny

Last week we read The Runaway Bunny. My dearest, darling niece, Lily, was still on vacation so for this portion of our school week so it was just Eli and me!  It was fun to have a little bit of time to spend with just my youngest. Being the youngest of 10, this was quite unusual for Eli.

We worked on the letter "b", made bunny pancakes, learned about bulb plants like the pretty crocuses the bunny hid inside and learned about rabbits. On Thursday afternoon, while the big kids were at Olive Tree, we simply went to lunch with my mom and played at the park. For Bible, we talked about Jesus and the lost sheep in Luke 15.

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

What a compassionate God we serve and love.

Vision Heirs Living History Days

This year I am organizing field trips on Fridays and last week we went on our first trip to the Vision Heirs Living History Days in Morrison. We try to go every year and are never disappointed! This year my sister-in-law, Marcy, came as well with my adorable nephew, Everett, and his darling friend, Jada.

Learning to charge into battle ...

Everett ... gah! So adorable!

Everett and Jada washing clothes.

Lizzy hauling water wearing the pioneer outfit my mom made for her.

Rachel after enlisting in the army ...

Anna and Everett making candles.

Anna and Eli

A demonstration on making cider. Yum.

Firing the canon.

Lunch at Jimmy Johns ... Everett, Jada and Eli.

Anna, Rachel and Lizzy.

A great way to spend a Friday!  Yay!!!!