Is It Still Summer?

Wow, back to school seems to knock the stuffing out of me. We continue to spend lots of time in the creek and the hunt for fossils hasn't abated. Giddy-up and I worked and worked to get this one loose. I thought by the time we worked it out, it was going to have all the shell pattern chipped off.

And in fact, most of it was chipped off, but little did we know there was another little treasure under there, a perfect baby shell.

 I want to see if I can find out what it is that creates these centers in some of the shells we've found.

 This was Giddy-Up's find.  Mr. Smiley knows a fossil when he find one as well.

Lots of school hoopla over the eclipse. We had a big party and lots of space activities  like an edible solar system.

What amazed me most about the eclipse was how bright and lit the sky was with most of it blocked by the moon- so cool.

 A forest about thirty miles from here was featuring an open house for a forrest kindergarten- right up my alley.  Rae and I wanted to check it out.

 Hmm, looks just like Playdate.  I thought it was going to be like regular kindergarten with a focus on outdoor play. No, just playdates in this little wooded area now and again.   Well, if it helps bring the message home that kids need outdoor play more than they need a first grade curriculum for five year olds, I wish them much success.
Mr. Smiley worked at this tree with a little spade before coming over and asking me if he could borrow Pap's chainsaw.  I explained we were a bit too far from home to get the chainsaw.  He went back to work and finally, exasperated, yelled, "I need a chainsaw!!!!"  That boy and his tools.

 I love the playground they have here.

 Last time we took Drummer Boy's kids for a hike, the two oldest mentioned wanting to have an individual date day again.  Since their birthdays were coming up, I thought that was as good an excuse as any.  Blue Eyes was first, so he came Sunday afternoon.
He wanted to fish- check.

 Make sushi- check.

 We added the surprise of making a bee's wax candle and...

 a trip to the wood shop to make a candle holder.

 I love the look on their faces when Pap adds the finishing oil and the piece instantly changes colors.

 He was very pleased with his work.

 Such a big afternoon, finished off with rice krispie treats Gramerly and Pap Style- straight out of the bowl.

Buttercup is up next and coconut cream pie is on the menu!