Chick-Fil-A Holiday

Today we celebrated the National Chick-Fil-A Holiday with our special friends--our special friends who moved away last year, but have now moved back just in time for the festivities!  Three years ago was our first time celebrating this special holiday, and we also happened to celebrate it with the Dixons.  So, this year was EXTRA special!

Isaiah was sooooo excited to see the Chick-Fil-A cow. I didn't get the first "sighting" on video, but this second interaction is still pretty cute.  The holiday officially ended at 10:00 pm tonight.  We are a little sad, but we are already planning for next year!

Volleyball Camp

Niah had afternoon volleyball camp June 28th through June 30th.  Over the past year, Niah has shown some interest in volleyball.  It took me several months to find a homeschool volleyball team, but I finally did it. I met with one of the coaches, and she suggested that Niah attend one of the summer camps in preparation for joining the team in the fall.  It would also give Niah a preview of the sport before she actually committed to a team.

The practices were intense, but they were fun.  TJ and I both really enjoyed watching the action (he took off so that he could be at the camp).  This is the first sport that Niah has ever participated in...so it was fun being bleacher parents!!!  The younger kids played on the sidelines, and I was very thankful that they were so good.  What could have been a rough week, actually turned out to be very smooth.

Niah has decided to join the volleyball team, so we will be practicing in the fall/winter with games in the spring.  She made some friends at the camp, and she hopes that they will also be on the team.  If not, I know she will always make more friends!  Of course, Niah would love to have friends and family come to her games.  If any one wants to come, just let us know and we will keep you posted!

Worm Bin Composting

Many years ago, we used to have an indoor worm bin. TJ had wanted one so that he would have instant access to fishing worms! Well, for one reason or anther, those worms didn't last very long. I think the neglect killed them off. Lately, though, worms have been on my mind again.

When I planted my potted-herb garden this spring, I was able to use left over soil from last year...but it got me thinking about next year. Morally, I never want to buy Monsanto's fertilizers again, and if I'm not ever going to buy artificial fertilizers, then I need to have a plan. Well, the real-deal fertilizing process takes time--it certainly doesn't happen overnight!  Those worms have to work long and hard hours to process all the scraps, paper, etc. in order for me to have great fertilized soil (castings)...so NOW is the time to get started!

I researched INDOOR worm bin composting, and came across some great teaching materials from BIG TEX WORMS.  I decided that I was going to give it a try.  In mid May, I got the worm starter kit (which includes the bedding so the worms are happy and ready to go when you place them in the new bin), and now we had WORMS!  Liz warns you right up front not to neglect your worms, but also not to harass them too much either!  I peek at my worms about once a week, and this week was the best week so far!  Not only are the worms fat and plump and happy looking, but I am not killing them off!  I am thrilled!  I tried to take a picture of the worms, but they burrow down so fast, that I can not get my soiled hand wiped clean to snap the picture in time. 

I haven't decided yet what I am going to do when this bin gets full.  I could move them to a larger bin, or I could build a double-decker deluxe bin which, would sort of be like a 2-story home.  For now, the worms are kept in my little closet sewing room.  In a strange sort of way, it feels cozy to be sewing in the same area as the worms.  While I'm working on a sewing project, my worms are working on next years garden.  Kind of heart warming, really.