Elodie Farm - field trip!

This was our last field trip in September, so the clothing reflects the temperature then and not now.  I'm working steadily on catching up and am making a lot of progress!  :-)

Our FIAR group went on a field trip to Elodie Farm.  

This is a wonderful farm that makes homemade goat cheese and also serves as a restaurant.  We had a gorgeous day for our tour!  Dave, the owner, introduced himself and then started our tour.  He asked if we would like to go in the house - and of course we did.

We started out in the kitchen.  Dave is so relaxed and comfortable with our group!

He told us about the history of the farm and what is happening on the farm now.

We toured the downstairs with several rooms set up for dinner.

Next stop was the front porch.  Couldn't you just imagine spending quite a bit of time here?  I love porches with rocking chairs!

As we walked to the lower part of the farm to see some of the other animals, some of us were bringing up the rear.

As we were walking, we soon found that it was also the time that the goats walked down too.  They proceeded down the path and weren't bothered by us at all!

They were very gentle and allowed petting by any that wanted to.

We learned that the cheese made at this farm doesn't have the odor that is sometimes present with some goat cheeses due to the types of goats that are used.

I enjoyed the part of the trip and being with the whole group.  We are often split up and I miss seeing the folks in the other groups.  It is nice to have a change.

We saw some pigs.

And ducks.

And of course goats.

Eliana liked seeing the animals, but did not want them too close to her.  Or looking at her.

We walked back on a different path that took us by the pond.

More animals to see.

Eliana pointing out the goat that has gotten really close.

We split up to tour the cheese making facility due to the size of our group.  We first stopped in the area where the goats are milked.

The children were able to feel the suction on the hose used to get the milk from the goats.

In the kitchen, they learned more about how cheese is made and were able to see some of the equipment that is used.  

This is some goat cheese that has not yet been flavored.  He sells it plain and also rolled in herbs.

An aged cheese.  Not sure I could be convinced to try this one.  LOL

The older students on the tour.

When we finished, we all took time to picnic on the lawn.  What a pleasant place to hang out and to eat our lunch!

The children ran around and played and Eliana was fascinated with the chickens.

We did buy some cheese to take home and it was delicious!

Fun day.  Love hands-on learning.  I hope that my children will treasure and remember this delightful way of learning about the world around them.

Hoping you are having fun enjoying about your world with family and friends too!

Blessings
Leslie

Happy Birthday to Isaiah

Two of our boys have their birthdays really close together ... just six days apart.  They are also close in age (2 years apart) and have often shared a birthday celebration.  Just made since to have one party for both of them.  Since this was Joshua's 13th birthday with its own celebration, we did two separate celebrations - really felt like more as we celebrated their "day" and then another time later too.

On their actual birthday, they are able to pick out the foods for each meal and also the activities for the day.  Isaiah chose biscuits and sausage gravy.  Yum - and gluten free too!  (Notice the red plate and the special chair again.)

 Gift giving happens early as some people are just too excited to wait.  That is fun too!

 It was fun having Christopher home with us too!

 Just love this picture of 3 of my guys!

 This one is sweet too.  Isaiah received a lot of neat things for his birthday.  Including several spy gear things.

 Christopher gave the boys a new archery set for their birthdays.

 Isaiah loves food.  I know we all do, but he seems to appreciate it more than most.  He chose buffalo wings, potato rounds and chili for his lunch menu.

 We all enjoyed his selection.

 New computer games that he has been wanting - and really enjoying and learning a lot from too!

 After lunch, its time for more fun outside - including golf and capture the flag.

 We had planned to go out, but due to the sickness of a friend, we postponed it to another day.  We did still celebrate dinner with pizza and a cake.

One day during Christopher's fall break, we headed over to Adventure Landing in Raleigh.  Isaiah wanted to play laser tag and they had a great deal going on the day we went!

 In addition to playing several games of laser tag, each person was given 10 tokens to spend in the arcade.  Eliana and I went in to watch one of the games of laser tag, but I think it scared her so we left before the game started.  Roger and I took turns playing.  It was my first time and it was a lot of fun!  Our team played against 2 other families during the last round - and lets just say that our competitive spirit really showed in the scores.  LOL

 Everyone enjoyed the games.

 It was a fun place to celebrate our sweet young man.

Isaiah, I love you!  I love your sweet and gentle spirit.  I love how you seek to please others and make them happy.  You have an amazingly generous heart and spirit and love to give to others!  You are smart and creative and curious.  I enjoy hearing about the things you are learning and love exploring the world with you.  Oh, and you give the best hugs!!!

I'm thankful for the ways that you play with your siblings and the peacemaking spirit that I so often see in your actions.  I love your smile and your energy and your heart for Jesus.  I pray that you would grow in wisdom and knowledge and most of all love for our Savior!  I am so thankful to be your Mom and am so glad to have you as my son!

I love you!
Mom

Beyond FIAR Co-op: The Cricket in Times Square #3

It has been so much fun to learn about New York City during this unit.  We seem to have focused more on the city this time than I remember doing the last time we studied this book.  It has really made me curious about the city.  Made me want to do a little exploring of it myself.

We spent some time in this co-op learning about Coney Island.  We watched an online video clip which showed some of the rides.  They learned about how the shape of the island has changed over the years.  In fact it isn't really even an island any more as it is connected to land.  And of course the 5 cent hot dog.  

 The focus of our day was learning more about the judicial system.  (Yes, there should be 12 in the jury box.)

 After some discussion on the court system and how it works, it was time to put what they had learned into action with a mock trial.

They were given parts to play in the trial of B.B. Wolf v. Curly Pig.  (The story of the Big Bad Wolf - familiar but with a different twist and perspective.)

The students spent some time looking over their roles and then it was time for the trial.

We set up our room to resemble the courtroom pictured above.  Isaiah is the judge there in the front of the room.  The bailiff is standing to the right.

 Joshua served as the lawyer for the plaintiff - B.B. Wolf.  He really got into his role.

 The jury heard testimonies from both sides.

Also from a witness.

The lawyers examined and questioned.

 The script was fully written until you got to the end.  After hearing all of the testimony, it was time for the jury to make a decision.

 The jury was able to weigh the evidence on their own and come up with a verdict.  Want to know who they found guilty?  The pig!  Based on the evidence they stated their reasons and thus the trial ended.

 We finished up with a Coney Island treat - hot dogs with chili and fixings, popcorn and ice cream cones.  Yum!

Another delightful day with friends!  I love these days and am thankful for this group!

Hope you are having fun as you explore your world and learn new things!

Blessings
Leslie