Garden Update

My garden is growing fabulously. I would just like to thank my compost and my organic fertilizer!

Before...

After...

Abby's flowers...

My basil...

More of Abby's flowers...

"Hitchhiker" cantalopes. I didn't plant them, the seeds came in with the compost...

Abby with the jalepenos...

Baby jalepeno...

My cilantro has flowered out but still growing and spreading...

Mint is speaing also...

My tomatoes are my pride and joy. They are HUGE and full of blooms!

Baby heirlooms...

Baby plum tomatoes...

Bicentennial Trail

We rode bikes on the Bicentennial Trail in Ashland City yesterday. It is a great place to ride or walk. It is mostly shaded and cool thanks to its proximity to the Cumberland River.

It is part of the "Rails to Trails" program where old railroad tracks are being converted to walking trails for public use.

Abby rode her bike for 4+ miles! The more she rides, the stronger and faster she is getting. Also, she had no crashes! Yay!

Jacob rode in the bike trailer. I pulled him with my bike. He did pretty well but did not like it when I stopped or stood up on the bike.

We had a great time, but man my butt is sore! I forgot how painful bike riding can be! hahaha!

Dean and Sarah's Wedding Video

Here is my bro's wedding video. You can skip forward to 5:36 to see Abby's appearance but I would watch the whole thing :) It was the best wedding and I am not a fan of weddings. That is probably why Josh and I eloped - hahaha! The music was great - all were friends and family of the bride and groom. My brother is a musician and has some very talented friends. Also, the officiant was wonderful. It was his first wedding and he told everyone "if anyone sees a reason why these two should not be married, just keep it to yourself because I don't how to deal with that." hahaha. He was really funny and helped everyone relax. It was a great day. I am glad we got to be part of it.

Sarah and Dean's Wedding from Sarah Bratcher on Vimeo.

Fall Creek Falls

We got back last night from a great camping weekend at Fall Creek Falls. We went with some friends that have kids the same age as ours. The weather was WONDERFUL and the kids did really great.

If you have never been to FCF it is a great family destination with tons of stuff to do for all ages.
The girls rode their bikes on the paved bike path around the lake. We went to the nature center and saw taxidermied wildlife. There are several waterfalls to check out. The most impressive, of course, is Fall Creek Falls. At 256 ft. it is the tallest waterfall in the eastern U.S. The kids also liked the suspension bridges (although they made me a bit nervous).

There are playgrounds, a recreational center and olympic (and kiddie) pool. The water was cold but the girls loved it. Abby even wanted to try the diving board. Considering she doesn't know how to swim I figured we better wait.

They have organized activities all summer. The weekend we were there they had a bluegrass band play Sat. night. They had scheduled kickball games, guided pontoon boat tours, guided hiking tours and more.

Abby went fishing and caught her first fish - a little bluegill, I believe. The lake is great. It is very clean and they don't allow power boats. It actually holds the state record for Channel Catfish and Bream.

We had a great time and can't wait to go back. Next trip we plan to rent a boat, go horseback riding, play pool at the rec. hall, hike to the base of the falls and make some crafts at the craft center. I would like to check out the park restaurant, too!

We did learn a few things that need fixing before our next trip. Namely we need a bigger tent. Our old tent was great for all the couple's camping Josh and I used to do, but it is not so great for 4 people. Josh slept most nights with Abby's feet in his face. hahaha! We also need sleeping bags. I just took a wool quilt and blankets and we froze out butts off at night (low was about 50 degrees). We have a few other tweaks but we can't wait fo the next trip!

Check out out pics below.

Strawberry Fields

Today We took a MOMS Club trip to The Orchard in Cross Plains to pick strawberries. It is a great place. They owners are very nice. They grow strawberries, blackberries, peaches and blueberries. They have a picnic area and are very kid-friendly.

Getting started with the picking...

It was hot. After an hour the kids were ready to go to Gammy's and eat their berries...

Abby picked beautiful berries. Jacob got a few brown and green ones. Luckily, he didn't eat any though - I was pretty surprised by that!

Jacob on the way to Gammy's after picking strawberries.


Our strawberries on the way to Gammy's house. YUM! I hope we eat them quickly so that we can go pick some more...

Salamander Hunter

Abby caught 5! salamanders at her Gammy's house today. She agreed to let them go if I took pictures and posted them on our "dot com". Here they are....

We Are The Champions

I have to brag a bit. "Our" kids won the soccer tournament yesterday. Josh and I are so proud of all of them. They really gave the game everything they had. This weekend Abby played better than I had ever seen her play. I am so proud and excited for her. She almost scored a goal!

The championship game was everything a championship game should be. The two best teams were playing. The game stayed very close (tied for most of the game) and it was so exciting.

Trampoline

Kindergarten Here I Come!

Yesterday our county held a "kindergarten round-up" at all the area elementary schools. Josh and I took Abby. She was very excited - she had been counting down the days all week.

First we met the kindergarten teachers. There are 4 and each typically has 15-20 students per class. The class rooms were very nice. The rooms were packed with activities, audio-visual equipment, computers, artwork, etc. It was exactly what I pictured it would be. Abby liked that each desk had a nameplate with that student's name on it and a basket of school supplies.

The teachers gave her a "goodie bag". Its contents were:

• pencil
• beanie baby
• pamphlet on "No Child Left Behind"
• pamphlet on literacy
• pamphlet on preparing kids for school
• list of things to work on for kindergarten (raising hand, not interrupting, etc.)
• blue t-shirt that reads "Watch Out Kindergarten Here I Come"

Next we took Abby to have a language/speech assessment . She seemed really comfortable and didn't have any problem with it.

We went to the gymnasium next and met the principle. The kids played on an inflatable bouncer while we talked. She has been at this elementary school for 20+ years and actually lives near some of our friends. She was wonderful and I feel really great about her being in charge.

Then we took Abby to the cafeteria. She walked through the lunch line and met one of the cafeteria workers. She gave Abby a breakfast box (pre-packaged cereal, juice). Abby was very happy to see that the cafeteria sells apple juice boxes.

So that was our tour of the school. Overall Josh and I were inpressed. Being in a rural community, we weren't really sure what to expect. The school was in good shape and clean. The library was beautiful - I hope Abby gets alot of enjoyment from that. It seemed that the school had everything to provide a good learning environment.

Now it is up to Josh and I to provide a good learning environment at home and help her understand the importance of doing well in school and getting an education.

Abby's New Smile

Abby had her two front teeth removed yesterday. I didn't think it was possible for her to get any cuter, but I think she has done it! She was great for the dentist - getting her teeth out was no big deal. She never ceases to amaze me.

Big Changes

I am having a rough week... My daughter is growing up and there is nothing I can do about it.

This past Saturday she was the flowergirl at my brother's wedding.




It was a pretty large wedding and she did not know most of the people there. I thought she might be nervous, she might need some support from mom. Not a chance. She stayed with the bridemaids and did just what the coordinator told her. At the reception, she danced with her aunt and uncle and she got her own food from the buffet table. Not once did she need mom for anything.



Today we went to register her for kindergarten. In the elementary school office, she proudly announced to everyone "I am a new student!". We filled out her paper work and Abby even had to sign a few things. She signed her name to a Cafeteria rules contract and an internet usage contract. She was excited. To be honest, I was nauseous.



So what is the big deal? Josh and I have had lengthy discussions about this. Abby is a free spirit. She digs for worms, sleeps with panties on her head, prank phone calls her daddy, wears stocking caps in the summer and wears her pants backward on purpose. This is her "school registration" outfit. She also wore polka dot tennis shoes.


Our biggest fear about school is that through the influence of other children and teachers, Abby will lose some of her individuality. We are afraid that she will be told and shown that being different is not a good thing. Josh and I are still working on how to deal with the influence others will soon have on our child.

Many homeschool friends have told me that one of the greatest things about homeschooling is that their children where able to be as different as they wanted to be and felt no pressure to change. I have begged Abby to let me homeschool her, but she wants to experience school. Josh and I have agreed to let her have that experience. I know she will do well - it is just me I am worried about!

So the saga continues...
Tommorow Abby goes to the dentist to have two of her baby teeth removed. The dentist has reassured me that her permanent teeth are close behind. But how that can be? She is my baby. There is no way she can be ready for permanent teeth. What a week.