The State of a Homeschooling/craft room

So what happens when one finally gets a son moved out and into his own room. They get their homeschooling/craft room back. So I have had this room back for a couple of months now maybe more..actually more..we finished Zeke's room in the spring.

Well this poor room has become the catch all...still has some of Zeke's stuff...then some of Justin's stuff that he had not moved out yet. Then it kinda kept getting more and more piles.

So my project over the next week...yea sure...is to get this room whipped into shape.
Of course as I post about this..I really need to be down there cleaning it and not sitting here on the computer.

BEST OF SHOW!!!!

Well we went to the fair today. As soon as we got in we headed off to were the exhibit barn to see how the Kodie's Shamu did. What did we see...

Camping on an Air Station and Highland Games

So this past weekend, Mychal competed at the Whidbey Island Highland Games. I volunteered to help with Friday set up. So we thought we would just camp on the island. Well all the state parks were full
(not that I really wanted to try and get the trailer into some of those sites). So we thought we would just camp at the games. Then Norm..was like well what about Whidbey Island Navel Air Station they have a camp ground. We called and they had room..so on Thursday the girls and I headed down with the trailer. We have lived here since 1999 and have never camped here..why I have no idea...bu we will be back. For 10.00 a night we get a site with water and electric (which we really need with Norm's CPAP machine). The boys well Norm and Zeke joined us late Friday night as they had football practice on Thu and Fri. This campground is wonderful. The sites are awesome, the beach is fantastic, the bathroom is a bit of a walk, but we are fully contained trailer, so we didn't have to make the trek at night.
The host Ken is wonderful and helpful. So I can say we will never again camp at the overcrowded state park and enjoy the peace of this camp ground...I can't say quiet...well it was quiet on the weekend, but during the week the planes are flying.

Now onto the highland games..Mychal had a class of 8. She danced 4 dances and placed 5th in one dance, Fling. She is at the top of the game now and it is just tough to place. But she did and she was quite happy. Actually she loves to dance and doesn't really get too upset about not placing.

Day Camp...or Farming 101

Every year we descend on Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale, WA. The last week in July we hold Camp Fire Day Camp. I am the co-director. We actually spend the week in the park. Dennis (park ranger) allows us to pull in the camp trailer..where we keep the day camp supplies and watch over the day camp tents and such. What I think the Smith kids enjoy almost more then the day camp is that this park has worked at maintaining that homestead look. The original farm house and barn are still there and to add to that farm are the animals. Mychal began volunteering at this park 3 years ago. So each morning we are there..they are up early and ready to begin the farm chores with great excitement. Now my parents on the other hand...had to drag me out of bed most mornings...especially those cold Idaho mornings. I am really glad they get this experience and love it. Dennis and the other park workers enjoy the break. In fact this year on Wed morning..we woke up to discover a note on the car window.."Smith Clan, I have an early meeting this morning. I have unlocked the door for you. Dennis." So off the kids walked to the barn to load up and feed the animals. They had rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys and peacocks/hens and chicks to feed. Actually the horses and cows only get a lick or two of grain. You have to call them and shake the pan and then feed them. The reason is on the occasional escape from the pasture..they can use this to call them back and they will come running back at the sound of the feed in the pan and "here horsey...horsey or cow cow. They really love this and wish we lived closer to the park it is about a 30 minute drive with no traffic issues. The thought of getting them up and there in the morning...a couple days a week. I think the excitement would soon fade. So I think we will just continue with the occasional working...they also do this when we are there for the Highland Games in June..but that is usually just one or two mornings and not all week. I should add that Zeke did learn that the electric fence really only hurts for a few seconds.