Science in the Garden

I took 4 very excited children to Organic Garden and Feed in Denton yesterday. We are now fully outfitted with organic seeds, organic potting soil complete with bat guano and worm castings, lots of little trays with covered lids, and organic cloth containers. I am already in favor of the cloth containers as it is impossible to over-water. The extra water just drains out! This is great with my young watering enthusiasts.

We planted corn last night by the light of the moon and Lincoln's wind-up flashlight. He had to crank continually to keep the light going while Isaac, Stella, and Ava poked corn seeds into the pots. He was sweating so much by the time we were done, but he didn't care. The kids are extremely emotionally invested in the corn. I've never grown corn in a pot. I hope it works! They planted 4 corn seeds per 5 gallon pot with dreams of at least 2 corn plants surviving and producing.

Tonight we planted the rest of the seeds by a full moon and a desk lap. Isaac measured the depth and seed placing very precisely, while Stella documented the seeds with a seed map. Both are writing up full lab reports on their experiment, including all the special materials used, such as bat guano and worm castings. They are rather excited as this is the longest on-going experiment we have done so far. The results and conclusion will not be know for awhile.

Our biology studies started with Isaac, Lincoln, and Rob constructing our own compost bin. Kids read, researched, reported on how to build a compost bin and how to make organic dirt. Unfortunately, we haven't found worms yet, and so our compost has not turned into dirt yet, thus the purchase of the organic potting soil. The kids daily make trips out to the compost bin (aka a converted 5 gallon bucket) and roll it around to turn the material. Everyone, especially me, has been briefed as to what can go into the compost bin and what may not! Today the boys made a second compost bin out of a 5 gallon bucket since the first one was filled.

Isaac kept a sun journal today noting the position of the sun on the front porch. We decided that the backyard had better sun exposure for the plants.

The next building project is a rain barrel. The boys have the plans laid out already.

I sure hope the seeds sprout and produce! I have put off gardening for years until now. This is our biology year in our 4 year science rotation and the big kids are finally big enough to take charge while I keep Ava out of the way. Only in the name of science and education does this hold any appeal for me! I know it is a TON of work, but I am looking forward to some organic fresh produce.

All of this transpired after a full day of practicing, lunch, school, dinner, an after dinner run, and then finally the planting!

Next project: grow cucumbers year around indoors with a grow light! We go through one cucumber an afternoon during school as a snack. Kids are confident that we can grow our own...

The best part is that it is 80 degrees warm already in Texas and it is only March! We are going to try at least 3 different planting schedules to see how long we can keep the plants producing.

Lisa

Life in Texas

We are happily settled in our new home in Providence Village, Texas. The kids keep commenting as we walk around that it looks like Florida! It is a good thing to feel like you are at your vacation condo when you are walking around your home neighborhood.

The pools have been a big hit. We enjoy evening swims at the salt water pools and fun times on the weekend with Daddy at the water park pools. The question of the day usually is, "Which pool are we going to today?" There are two different pool complexes. One complex has chlorine water with water slides, sand area, kiddie pools, and a current pool. The other complex has 4 salt water pools with a water fall.

I've included videos from a recent evening swim. I tried to capture the ambiance of the waterfalls, lights, and salt water pool complex, but succeeded only in over-stepping the sidewalk. Watch and see. Ava is quite sure that both of the "tiny pools" are exclusively hers. Lincoln is swimming like a fish with the help of his life jacket and is very comfortable in deep water. Isaac and Stella get a good workout swimming around daily and are sleeping well at night. I'm enjoying some lap time and Rob throws the big kids around in the water to their great delight.

Ava enjoys listening to the Seitz violin concertos and insists that we play them over and over again. She plays along on her make-shift violin, aka wooden guiro. She senses the tempo and adjusts her "bowing" accordingly. It is one of her favorite pieces to dance to while Isaac is practicing as well.

We have a dedicated school room now. Our house has about the same living area as our Ann Arbor home with the finished basement, but it feels bigger due to the floor plan. It is so nice to set up school in a separate room with a door! It happens to be the sunroom with a tile floor and is perfect for the job. Ava and Lincoln can sit at the small picnic table while I work with Isaac and Stella at a larger, taller table. We are making great progress so far.

Lincoln has officially started "school" with daily lessons in math, reading, phonics, Bible, and penmanship. He also sits in on Latin, Spanish, and history lessons as well. He continues with piano lessons and has finished Twinkle A. I've included some videos of his lively preschool lesson time. He is a very enthusiastic student and appreciates motivational snacks in his classroom.