Family Field Trip: The Old Car Festival

We had a great time looking at and taking pictures of The Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village. 

Lots of old cars from the very beginning to the 1930s. 

One of the best experiences I've ever had at the Village was listening to Rev. Robert Jones play his steel guitar, harmonica and sing on the porch of the Mattox Family farmhouse.  The house is depression era and the music was blues, gospel with a little early country.  Rev. Jones peppered his music with stories about those who wrote and played the music back in the 1920s and '30s. 

Liam really is a little camera nut.  Here I'm taking his picture of him taking our picture - he is a little annoyed with me. He also took this this picture (no edits): 

- Holly
 

 

 
 

week 1 in review

Off to a great start this year.  

This year is different than the past few as we are not doing any outside academic program.  This has proven to be considerably less stressful than years past.  

Everyone is learning about how to keep a home, with cleaning and cooking tasks every week.  Liam is totally excited about vacuuming and Ivy is thrilled to learn how to cook her favorite foods.  Last week was Stroganoff, next week tacos. 

We are committing to get outside and move more this year.  That means going to the park almost every day. 

 - Holly

 
 
 

 

First Day of School

 

After a summer spent not doing school at. all. We got a great start to the year.  Every season is different.  I feel rested and prepared for the year.  The kids seem eager to start.  I am rejoicing in the return to structure and routine. 

Here are some more moments from the day. 

 

 
 
 

Happy Father's Day

June is a great time to look back and to look forward.  This weekend is the Motor Muster at Greenfield Village, a good time with lots of old cars.  This year Zippy will probably get her driver's license.  My dad taught me how to drive, especially how to drive a manual transmission, which I love and miss (another reason for Zippy to get her license).  Here are two driving lessons I learned from my him.

Timing is Everything.  In order for a manual transmission to go it is necessary for the driver to push the accelerator and let off the clutch at the same time, just at the right time. The right timing takes practice, patience, and perseverance.  There are a lot of things in life like that.  

Pay Attention.  My dad spent most of my childhood as an over the road truck driver.  He drives professionally. This gave my driving lessons a certain authority.  What he said was right and true, I knew this because somebody paid him to do it.  Needless to say, I paid attention.  Now as I look forward to Zippy's driving experience I can truly appreciate what a privilege it was to be taught by a professional.

Driving a car with a manual transmission for me is one of life's little joys and I am so thankful that I had a dad who could teach me.

Happy Father's Day.

 

Bonus Adventure - The Zoo

A little Zoo school this Friday.  We headed out to the Zoo to cap off a week of study of the arctic and antarctic tundra.  We saw penguins, arctic fox, polar bear and seals.  We also had an alphabet safari.  the Little Dude had to find as many letters of the alphabet as he could.  He found them all but Q. 

We also took a look at the reptile house because the little guy wanted to see if they had salt water crocodiles.  We found some crocodiles, and we found Verdi!

Raingutter Regatta

We had a super fun adventure Tuesday with the kids' troop.  This is one of the very rare occasions when both kiddos can participate in an activity at the same time in the same place.  The both belong to the same troop but Zippy belongs to American Heritage Girls and the Dude belongs to Trail Life.  I organized the event, which was fun for me, and everyone had a great time. 

The Raingutter Regatta is where a child builds a small boat, then races another child in rain gutters. Both of my kids got first in their divisions (I had absolutely nothing to do with this.  I chalk it up to good coaching by their dad.)  Ivy completely built her boat on her own and she literally blew the competition away.

Calder Dairy Farm

We had a lovely adventure at Calder's Dairy Farm near Carleton, Michigan.  It is a real, working farm without a whole lot of frills. They do have a viewing room for their milk parlor where onlookers can see the farmhand (singular) usher the cows into their bay, then go through process of hooking up the milking machines. After the machine has completed it's work and falls off the cow, the farmhand finished up and allowed the cows to go their merry way.  Cows are really big animals.  I think there is value in showing children just how big a cow or horse is.  These cows were so patient and knew exactly what they were doing.  They milled in a pen just outside of the milking parlor, then, when they were let in, ambled to their spot with no encouragement whatsoever from the young lady (singular) who was handing the machines.  It was amazing. 

They also had a novelty farm, with donkeys (don't pet those), goats, pigs, and a turkey.

Additionally a whole menagerie of animals roamed the public yard.  There were chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, and even a peacock and peahen.  Zippy, who has a real fondness for all animals, especially enjoyed feeding these animals with pellets that we bought for a quarter a handful.

It is free to walk around the farm and observe the milking.  They do give guided tours to groups for a cost and there is a farm store where they sell ice cream and other milk related products.  They also have a creamery in Lincoln Park, Michigan where they also sell super yummy ice cream and the best cheese making and butter making milk out there. One an interesting note, Calder Dairy still delivers milk in glass bottles to homes across southeast Michigan.  For more information on the Dairy, check out their website:  http://calderdairy.com/