Crayon Pouch

I recently bought some new beeswax crayons for the children. After reading the comments of other homeschoolers on the 4real message board, I decided to give the Stone crayons a try. They have cute bees on the wrapper. Can you imagine how happy I was when I found some fabric with little bees buzzing all over! I bought some interfacing and got busy. The ties are crocheted from leftover cotton yarn used to make washcloths.

Here it is closed.

And opened.

Snakes!

(Not for the faint of heart!)

Our local library had a special event this past July, featuring Ron Cromer of Snakes Alive. Our children were completely engrossed by Ron's presentation.

But the fun (for them!) didn't stop there! To their delight they were allowed to handle the snakes.

Oh dear, this one creeped up Dominique's sleeves.



I pulled it out for him. Oh, what would a mother do for her child!


Matthias isn't quite sure about this!

But Laurence didn't seem to mind.

Look at my girl!

This Burmese python is impressive, isn't she? Her name is Penelope.


Now, that's a big, heavy snake! Raphael and Lydia volunteered to hold it!

Amazing!

Summer is...

For blueberry muffins with frosty, cold goat milk for a snack. The muffins recipe is from William-Sonoma Bread.



Summer version of spring cleaning since last May with the wedding prep we were too busy to deep clean.



The little boys bedroom is newly decked with a sailing theme.

I love the airy, breezy look given by the silk.




Lydia's room is sweet and gentle looking, just like she is.


I don't have time today, but later I'll show you our learning room and my bedroom with my new sewing corner.

Fourth of July Fun!

Early in the morning Michel went to Moe's farm to meet with Moe and Gene (Sebastien's godfather). Gene is a vet and was going to determine if Cleopatra had been bred. She had been at Moe's farm since March. According to Gene she is three months pregnant. Good! In the trailer she went. Easier said than done! It took them forty five minutes to get her in there, even though Moe has a nice arrangement to move cows around. She is home now, Leif and Eric the Red have quickly learned to respect her. She is undeniably the queen around here.

Here are the two youngest ready to go visit the little ladies at the Special Care Hospital.

For dinner, Lydia and Raphael fixed a scrumptious feast. They made potato salad from William-Sonoma: Potato, hamburgers, grilled corn on the cob, and red, white, and blueberry sundaes from Complete Party Planner, by Annabel Karmel. Although she calls them sundaes, they are not ice cream but layers of jello and fresh strawberries, whipped cream and of course blueberries. Don't they look pretty? It took the children two hours to gather the blueberries, they came home with more than two pounds of them and too many dirt ticks bites to count!

At night fall they watched stars with Raphael's telescope.

Michel set off a few firecrackers. OOh...! AAh...!


When everything had cool off, they just had to have a closer look. They also found this strange looking horned beetle?


Farm life, work of mercy, good food, awe at God's majestic creation, firecrackers and creepy crawly things... a blessed day for little (and big) boys.... a time to keep!

Dominique's First Holy Communion

Dominique received his First Holy Communion on June 2, at St Therese Church.



After Mass there was a light reception of punch, fruits and this beautiful cake.

Dominque with his godparents, David and Anne

With Father Greg and his summer hat

Dominique and I in front of our Lady

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Last year's sunflowers.

Oh dear little one , I am not ready for you to grow up so fast!

Augustin and Kristie's Wedding

Saturday May 26, Augustin and Kristie were united in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, at Belmont Abbey. The beautiful Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr. Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B. of St Mary's in Greenville SC, and co-celebrated by Fr. Arthur Pendelton, O.S.B. of Belmont Abbey.

Laurence, who was one of the ring bearers with Dominique, is blessing himself with holy water on the way out. You can see Raphael, one of the altar servers, between Xavier, a groomsman and Lydia a bridesmaid. Felix, also an altar server, is walking beside them.

Ann, Betsy, Adam, and Anthony

(and our dearest friends Sue and Tommy)

These four fine young students, friends of Augustin and Kristie, did a superb job with the music. And so did Sara's boyfriend Clark, who was sitting right behind them at the grand piano. Ann, with her crystal clear soprano voice, gave a touching rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria. Clark accompanied her impeccably, although they were only able to practice once. Betsy and Anthony with Adam on the guitar, moved us to tears with their tender, emotive performance of Matt Maher's Set Me As a Seal. I am still haunted by their stunning voices. I wish I could upload a video clip for you to hear them, but blogger doesn't offer that feature.

Set Me As a Seal is a beautiful love song inspired by the Song of Songs. Here are the lyrics.

Set me as a seal on your heart.

Set me as a seal on your soul.

For strong as death is love,

unyielding as the grave.
Nothing will quench its flame,
nothing will quench its flame.

Kiss me, my love,
that your name be on my lips.

You intoxicate my being

with the fragrance of your presence.

How beautiful you are, my darling.

Show me your face, let me hear your voice.

Sweet as the dew in the early morn,

like a lily among the thorns.

I looked for you, the one my heart loves.

I looked for you, but did not find you.

I searched through the night until I rested in your sight.

Now, I will never let you go.

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;

you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes.

Your lips so sweet, adorned with honey.

My hands, they drip with myrrh.

Xavier, Sebastien, Gabriel

The best man between the two groomsmen. When did they get to be so tall?

Augustin and my THREE daughters!

When did they get to be such beauties?

Wasn't it yesterday

When they were small?

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

What words of wisdom can I give them?

How can I help to ease their way?

Now they must learn from one another

Day by day

They look so natural together

Just like two newlyweds should be

Is there a canopy in store for me?

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

Sunrise Sunset (Fiddler on the Roof)

Dear Augustin and Kristie, may your marriage be as blessed as ours.

We love you!