Prairie Bridges Park

Northern Shoveler Duck

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Pretty excited to see the birds pictured above. Both are not listed as native to Iowa but supposedly pass through during migration.

I realize these aren't outstanding pictures, but it's always a thrill to glimpse a bird that is only here for migration.

For me, anyway. Especially the warbler. It's been my experience that they seldom sit still long enough to get a decent photo.

Our trip to the park was not planned. I took the kids in to the local small, city park. I was going to work on the garden beds and the kids were going to play or read books.

But there was a large gathering around the picnic tables and the shelter (around which are the beds) was reserved and in use. Soooo, I picked up Ethan's seed potatoes at the grocery and then took the kids over to Prairie Bridges.

Not much growing, but there were a few birds. As well as a fair amount of people (I know I should get over my desire to be in the park alone but I guess that's just something I'll have to work through....)

And then, with Trevor and Nolan along it was never going to be REALLY quiet and contemplative. You cannot stifle the part of boys that (apparently) needs to run and scuff their shoes and throw stones in the ponds and clamber up on top of rocks and any other number of non-peaceful activities.

But they enjoyed themselves and thanked me for taking them.

Yes, we don't get out, much.

Well, except for tomorrow. Nolan and I will head down Cedar Rapids way for our usual Monday afternoon and evening of fun.

I'm going to really live it up this time and maybe even buy a new shovel and rake.

And, I took enough pictures at PBP that I should be able to scratch up a few more posts, this week.

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At last, a break from the rain

Trevor planting his peas

Putting support stakes in the ground on which the peas can climb

I'm pretty sure we had peas and potatoes in the ground by the end of March, last year. But there was no way that was happening this time around. As you can see, Trevor was able to get his crop planted. Now, to keep the bunnies and deer away from it.

Ethan spent a lot of time digging up his plot for potatoes, but when we looked at the seed potatoes I had purchased from the Cedar Rapids Fareway, they were pretty pathetic. Shriveled and nary a sprout to be seen. Looks like the mice had tried to nibble some bits, too. Guess I can't take those back for a refund.

I really miss my favorite Fareway store in Iowa Falls. But I won't get back there for the weekly shopping until sometime in September, due to driving Nolan down to Cedar Rapids every Monday for his tutoring.

Anyway, I can pick up some real seed potatoes locally when I work at the nearby city garden, tomorrow. Should be a gorgeous day, though I'm going to miss my Saturday morning session with my book: Religion and the Enlightenment. Really interesting stuff. Maybe I'll hit the garden work in the afternoon....

Only four weeks left of school; I can hardly wait. Will have to continue a few things throughout the summer with Nolan and Trevor but it shouldn't be quite the same as the usual drudgery of the school year.

I dropped the "homeschooling is so magical!" charade several years back, in case there was any doubt. It's a lot of "slogging through the mud." Unless one is still in the "come learn fractions while we bake cookies!" dreamworld. Or one doesn't really care about academics.

Well, I wasn't intending to get off on that subject...

I wasn't even planning to post today but sometimes so much happens that you  just have to jot it down, even if it's only been two and a half weeks since the last time....

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Time!

Yes, it is time.

Time for another scintillating post. Chock full of all the crazy stuff we are doing.

And when I say "crazy" I am talking. rip-roaring, madcap, astounding, splendiferous sorts of shenanigans that would veritably make one weep with jealousy!

Because that's the kind of people we are.

Details, you say? All right, then. I'll give you details!

Are you ready?

Are you sitting down?

Well. For starters, the kids get up before I do and start working on math.

Yes, I know!

At some point I crawl out of bed and...get this,  you won't believe it....they eat breakfast!

Hard to believe, indeed.

Now, I don't like to brag, but this is around the time that I hop on the treadmill, made all the more miraculous because.....I do this before I eat breakfast.

And you thought I was kidding about the madcap business.

I know the following will seem incredible, but after 1.5 miles and my daily visit with Charlie Rose, I TOO, eat breakfast.

Well, it's just a habit I've gotten into...what can I say?

Breakfast is partaken in front of the computer with interruptions for, "Nolan? What number math problem are you on?.....Nolan?.....(where's Nolan....?)" and other like moments of frivolity.

An important after-breakfast ritual includes the after-breakfast coffee. Which has to be made....wait for it....AFTER BREAKFAST!

I'm just spontaneous like that.

Before the magic hour of 10:00 rolls around I make certain Trevor and Nolan are dressed, have brushed their teeth, and that the breakfast dishes have been washed.

That last chore is one they happily trade off on each day. It is a happy moment of the morning when they argue (with great happiness!) over who's turn it is, or at least they used to before I started writing "Nolan" and "Trevor" on the calendar with indelible, black marker.

And may I say, I always write those names in the happiest way possible.

Bounding up the stairs, they then make their way to the "computer room" to take care of their computer drill school work.

This is done, naturally, on their computers.

At some point I do sit down with the kids for one-on-one school. Usually checking math first thing.

Preferably after they have finished their math.

Interspersed throughout the rest of the morning are as long as possible short breaks for me at the computer while the boys work independently at their schoolwork.

I encourage them to work diligently and not rush. At all. Just take their time. And not go too fast.

(that's probably enough excitement for now. I hate to push too much of a thrill-ride on people. It's hard enough for me to live through the happy-hoopla, never mind others reading about it!....I am nothing if not compassionate)

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April Glowers Bring....

Getting ready to take Nolan down to Cedar Rapids for another tutoring session.

On an unrelated note....*cough, cough*..... he missed 12 out of 30 in his math, this morning. I spent 20-30 minutes going over "advanced ratios" with him, after his missed the first half of a problem (actually, because he didn't read the word problem carefully) and when I asked him to explain advanced ratios to me, he couldn't. He did admit to reading part of the explanatory material, but since he couldn't regurgitate the information, I had him read it out loud and then I explained it to him.

And by explain, I mean I sat and looked at it until something sunk in, hesitated, fumbled, paged back and forth and then we finally worked through the half of the problem he forgot to do in the first place.

The blind leading the blind, for sure. Not doubt there will be a super outcome in the end, ha ha.

In other news, Derek received a shock from his ICD last evening. He is feeling fine, however. Guess those English Line Dances are more taxing than I'd thought. Lucky for me I have foot problems and can't engage in those kinds of activities.

Speaking of needing a spring tonic, the birds are back. At least, those birds that chirp in the morning. Nice to hear something cheery before the alarm goes off and I force myself out of bed and back into the world of semi-responsibility.

April fist. Hmmm. Seems early, this year. I haven't even pruned the apple trees, yet.

However, that will have to wait. The dishes need doing before we leave.

Also, I need find my makeup to put on my happy face.

This spring reverie will have to continue at a later date.

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