New Bike, CROP walk and Sturbridge Village

We had a very busy week and a half! Last week Maddie went to visit Poppa Bill and Mamaw Mary and discovered a bike in the living room! Not just any bike, a hot pink bike with white tires and gingham ribbons just her size. Now we are busy trying to learn to ride on two wheels. Its funny how you never forget how to ride a bike but you certainly have trouble remembering how its done to tell another person! Brian and I have a lot of running ahead of us! Maddie is really excited and thrilled though. Quite an improvement from last year when she announced she would ride a 2 wheeler when she was 16. I think I will remind her of that when she wants to go get her learner's permit!




On Sunday we walked in the CROP walk to benefit Church World Service. We raised $205 dollars that Maddie is hoping will go to purchasing mosquito nets for kids who need them. When she heard they could get sick from mosquito bites and then need a shot she wanted to help. She is all for doing anything if it means not getting a shot!
Here is a before picture:




We were going to take an "after" picture too but it was so hot...we were so hot that all we cared about was a cool shower and change of clothes! Thanks to all who gave us a donation.

On Monday we went to another homeschool day at Sturbridge Village. I was a bit worried that Maddie might be starting to wonder about school and wanting to go there. Most of her friends (Ok, all of her friends!) go to school so I thought it was a legitimate worry. We stopped next to a school bus on our way out of town and I said "Poor Kids! They are on their way to school". Maddie said "Awww, Poor Kids". As we passed the bus she yells from the back seat "See ya suckers!". Ok, I'm not worried any more. It also reminded me vividly of Brian leaving work at Keeler's...same quote. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
I managed to get Maddie's "colonial girl" dress done but the pinafore pattern was giving me lots of trouble. Maybe next time!


Maddie had one class at 10 in the morning which was about games kids played in the 1830s. They made an element ball and a science experiment. They also played "The minister's cat". The element ball game was a lot of fun. They threw the ball around a circle. The thrower would yell out sky or land or water. The catcher then had to name an animal that lived in the place the thrower yelled. Here is Maddie with her element ball:


The day started out looking rather nasty. There was a small bit of rain and it was dismal gray and cloudy. This however was great because we had the place to ourselves. It seemed most of the homeschoolers were up taking classes and the weather kept others away. So we made the most of it. We spoke with farmers who told us about Betsy and Posy:

Another farmer offered to catch a lamb for us to pet:

We were also treated to an impromptu concert at the church:

Maddie stuffed a mattress:

She also tried out a spinning wheel. This is just for display, not hooked up to anything at all. Its really hard to get the wheel going and then keep it going in the right direction. This was her second attempt:

Just for Poppa Bill Maddie milked the "cow"

And here is full disclosure about the outfit:

And, last but not least, here is a message to the Mamaws which will explain after Mother's Day!!


All in all its been a busy but fun week!! Oh, I almost forgot...in the middle of all this craziness we finished our first grade math program!! Yea!!!