This is a very interesting video about fat loss in women that takes into account women’s cycles. Trainers, women, and anyone interested in fitness/diet/etc, you should watch it. I am going to try to do an experiment, and have Lance create me my next training/diet program based on these facts, while weaving some of my last training program into it.
Little Chefs
YUM!
My girls prepared lunch for me today! It was “a surprise because I work hard.” My favorite: tacos with the family!
TBT: Our First Hen
This is Cali, our Bantam Salmon Faverolle. She was our first hen when we moved out to the farm in Zachary, La.
Walk Slowly, Mama
This is a great article for moms!
http://foreverymom.com/family-parenting/walk-slowly-amanda-conquers/
Sharing the Load
Friday, Lance and I had a teacher planning day/evening. I was able to train him on some of our new curriculum. As I have said before, he is going to begin to take more of an active role in our little homeschooling scene. He is excited about it, as am I…However, I am going to have to take a step back and let him take the lead for many of the days, and that is difficult for me to do. Why the shared role? For several reasons: Because Lance wants to be a part…Because a Real Estate career is unpredictable, often calling me away from home… Because Lance and I both have something to offer our children in the ways of learning. Glad he has such a brilliant mind and creative presentation of ideas…this makes my new official co-teacher title a little easier!
That’s a wrap… Week 1 of our 2017-2018
We wrapped up week one of homeschooling for the 2017-2018 year… We are easing into our academics, and so far, so good! So blessed to have Lance home (on his off days) to help teach the girls and occupy the boy. He is great at it (some videos in the coming weeks)! Several highlights from the week: 1. We started our new All About Reading curriculum. This reading curriculum is what I wanted to begin with a couple of years ago, but at the time, it didn’t fit the budget. We have only been using the curriculum for a week, and I wish it would have been our reading program from the beginning. I think it is going to be a great fit for our family. 2. Roo was very excited to see her single sunflower that she planted come to full bloom. She planted all the seeds a while back, and then realized the chickens liked them. So, she protected them with a wire barrier. So, happy that one single plant survived, and that she was able to trouble shoot on her own. 3. Iz has discovered the genre of historical fiction, and she loves it! 4. “Put my name in the pot,” is an old saying for “save me a plate”. 5. Kbug is now in pull-ups, but uses them as if they were diapers… he has no interest in potty training at this time. 6. The girls can play “Hot Cross Buns” on the piano. 7. I made a beef/vegetable stew from scratch. 8. Kbug melted my heart when he told Roo, “Wait, Wawee, I go first, so I can protect you from the snakes…” 9. Basic algebra concepts began to click for Iz – manipulatives, manipulatives, manipulatives! 10. Introduction to Touch-Type-Read-Spell typing program! The girls are really enjoying it. 11. My best friend since kindergarten (and her dad) came to visit all the way from Vermont! 12. Iz and Kbug prepared a salad with tomato, cucumber, salt, pepper, olive oil, Feta, chives, and lemon basil. 13. The girls caught and relocated the fry (baby guppies) to a new grow out tank. 14. The girls were able to earn some money by helping out a neighbor. 15. We did the rotten egg float test! 16. Puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles… the boy loves puzzles! 17. Lance has been working on some storage solutions, so we can clear off the carport 
🙂 and turn the playhouse (which, became a shed) into a greenhouse! 18. We saw a snake swim with a catfish in his mouth, and got a close up of him eating it! And so much more!
Backyard happenings…
The Dragon Fruit Project has begun…We brought these 4 dragon fruits home from the Lafayette Farmers Market… Now, to watch them grow on our PVC/Burlap post.
Very random garden pics…The caladium, tomato, and basil shown below are weeds! But, we kept them, and even built a trellis for the tomato. The tomato is actually growing right out of our crushed limestone path. The rest of the plants we planted for beauty, consumption, or benefits to the soil. I think we are at 26-30 edible trees or shrubs right now. The garden is our therapy.
1st day of the 2017-2018 School Year!
Homeschool day 1 of 2nd and 3rd grade is complete! We wrapped up with a Math card game. Guess who just got the winning hand! It is going to be a great year!
Date Night!
It has been entirely too long. Usually, when we have a babysitter, it is so we can get something done around the house… or so we can go to work. Not this time! Date nights are so important for a marriage. They don’t have to be at night. They don’t have to be dinner and a movie. Just do something to spend time together, and you won’t regret it. It is good for the heart!
Beyond the Elm 