Working Hard
Thomas worked every day from 7am-6pm helping paint a fence around a company. He came home looking pretty black! He never complained, but worked hard and cheerfully. Meanwhile, we worked hard picking blueberries and closing down Blueberry Hill. Can’t believe our 2nd season is over all ready. We work all winter clearing out thorns and trees and vines. Then it’s only open for 7 weeks. Last year we made $100 so this year my goal was $300 and we surpassed it by making $350! I was super excited. Of course, if you count all the hours we put in clearing out the vines and stuff, we’d all be making $1 an hour the past 3 years of working up there. So not worth the time. Plus, when we pick it takes 30 minutes to pick a container which I sell for $5. So that is making $10 an hour, but then I have to wash them and pick out stems, text people, and deliver. So picking and selling only makes about $5 an hour, but I’m still happy to have my dream come true of owning a blueberry farm. It’s a lot of fun and a great work endeavor for the whole family. Even when the college kids and my extended family come they pitch in and help.
Geography Dinners
Every day this week we studied a different country. We learned its history, currency, population, etc. We drew a map of the country and its flag. Then we learned about a famous composer and listened to his music. For dinner we made traditional foods from that country. We’ve also been reading a chapter book set in that country. This week we studied the Scandinavia countries and read Pippi Longstocking. We ate grilled salmon and potatoes one night, Swedish meatballs another, ate a Smorgasbord (see the video) another, and made Kleinur donuts for Iceland another night. A fun week and I love teaching my children as we learn new things together and spend time together.
Hurricane Debby
Hurricane Debby was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it hit us but we got prepared by taking down our swings, putting toys away, etc. We planned for a lot of rain but didn’t get as much as we expected. Public school was canceled for 2 days. We hunkered down as it rained all day, and got a lot done around the house, cleaning closets and working on my business. When the rain quit we played outside, picked blueberries, and moved a tree that had fallen in our driveway.
Thomas’s Birthday
Saturday Thomas turned 17. He planned a nice party for himself, playing pickleball at the park with his friends and then attending the outdoor concert at the amphitheater with them. For his presents I gave him some ear phones, Kaitlyn crocheted him a capybara (his favorite animal right now), and Tilly painted him a picture. The night before his birthday Thomas took Tilly on a buddy date to a baseball game. It was employee appreciation day at the game and his job paid for the employees to go and have free hot dogs too. I loved that Thomas wanted to bring his little buddy, Tilly, along and they had a great time.
