Cotton Pickin' Field Trip

A few of the military home schooling families in the area invited us to join them on a field trip.  Since we are living in the south, we were able to travel to a nearby cotton museum.  We were able to learn how cotton is used today - it's many uses are surprising.  Also we took the seeds out of the cotton.  It takes a long time to remove those seeds by hand!  Thank you Eli Whitney for the cotton gin!  I have a whole new appreciation for the cotton growers and workers of old.  That was not a fun job.

Here Ben helps me remove the seeds.  I believe the tour guide said that you end up with more seeds than you do cotton.  It is a good thing for cotton growers that they can sell the seeds too.  It is used to make cottonseed oil which is in a surprising amount of purchased products (i.e chips, goldfish, lipstick, etc) and is also used in animal feed.  Not so sure about the nutritional value of the stuff - I would say it is questionable.  Sorry cotton growers.

Whose table will remove the most seeds?

Here are some students trying out the small gin.

Ben studying the inner workings or the cotton gin - or just looking at the moving mules in this display.  :)

First field trip - a success!

At Home

After the school work was done, Hannah takes some time to color with Ben on their Sonlight box castle.  They both were quite proud of their creation.  The castle was soon filled with a servant girl, two princesses and a knight to protect the castle.  The kids were begging me to find more boxes so they could decorate some more and have several castles.

Back to School

First day of School Photos

Silly Kitty

The "Crystal" Anniversary

 Is it possible that it has been 15 years already?  I am thankful for all the years.  I am still crazy in love with the man I married.  He still makes me lose my train of thought when he gazes into my eyes...or is that just old age?  Since it has happened all these years, I guess it can't be blamed on age.

A picture from our honeymoon.  One evening we did a river cruise. 

I am so grateful God brought us together. 

Break A Leg!

The girls were recently cast in the Missoula Theater production, "The Princess and the Pea," which recently came to the AFB community center.  This was a wonderful experience again for them both.  Hannah was a leprechaun and Faith was a River Runner - she kept the rivers running in Riverdom.  Isaac chose to help behind the scenes and helped the littlest kids know how to line up and keep quiet behind the stage.  Both girls had speaking parts this year so they enjoyed that too.  If you ever have the chance to let your kids participate, do!  Missoula takes just one week of your child's time and they provide the costumes, set, and makeup.  EASY.  Did I mention it is a week of FREE entertainment for the kiddos?

Lego Play Time

The kids have been keeping busy this summer between activities by playing legos together.  Recently, I snapped a few shots of some of their creations.  Not the Lego Death Star or anything but still fun!

Since we have so many Star Wars characters - they are bound to show up in the house.

Below is the Lego house complete with swimming pool and three stories.