Allie's Great Idea (Graduation)

 We've celebrated graduation in a variety of ways in our 33 years of homeschooling. We've had formal graduations with co-ops in Alaska and Texas. We've rented a community center and had a BBQ with a private ceremony. We've celebrated at castles in Japan, Dairy Queen with friends, movie theater with family and we even had one who chose to do nothing ceremonial at all - 2020. 

Allie is finished with her high school career. She did not want to participate in our charter school's graduation. As we talked, she came up with an idea which was uniquely Allie and would be special enough to mark the milestone well. She wanted a trail ride. She wanted to invite all the Gherkins and she wanted it at Victory Bible Camp, a camp about an hour away from here.  *I* wanted a cap and gown - but couldn't find it when I went to look for it. I am still not completely sure one of the kids didn't give it away.  

We called the camp and asked if we could possibly do this. They agreed. They could only take 8 riders and we had more than 8. They scheduled two rides. They also arranged a pony ride for Benny who was under 8 and not allowed on the ride.  We asked if we could picnic on the grounds and they said the ranch camp was ours to use. We were able to get this Saturday in May as we specifically wanted to wait for Jared and Larissa to be moved back to the area. 

JaRissa, Jamin and Cory had a bit of trouble finding the ranch camp, but eventually we were all in the right place.  First the safety briefing. 

Jared opted to sign a waiver and not wear a helmet.

Everyone else began the process of finding a helmet. 

Something was "off" with Jamin's helmet. Once he saw the egg helmet, he opted for another helmet. 

Once all were helmeted, they matched each rider with a horse and everyone mounted. The horses milled around eating. 

Carrie

Luke and kids didn't want to ride, but Luke was happy to meet the horse Krista would ride. 

Larissa

Jared

We found it quite funny when Stacia's horse was not to content to graze straw from the floor...she knew right where to find the good stuff. LOL 

Allie, Livie and Krista

Josiah (Cy) 

They're off! Josiah and Allie were in the lead. Check out the happy expressions! 

Livie! She did great! 

Stacia, Larissa, Jared, Jamin...

Larissa and Jared

Jamin 

Dad thought about riding, we vetoed the plan and he was really simply teasing us. We enjoyed time to relax outside on the beautiful day. We didn't give Dad an option to skip this outing and I think it was good for him to get out and explore. He often simply doesn't want to go out. 

Besides Michael and Dad, Luke, his 2 kids, Cory, Benny and I stayed behind. 

Last snowball fight of the year? 

Benny

In the end they added a horse to the first trail ride and everyone went at once.  Everyone had a great time. We told Allie she was officially graduated and she pantomimed flipping the tassel when they rode back into the lot. People laughed, and cheered, and just a couple of tears were shed. 

Finally, the moment Benny had been waiting for all day. Arielle was sick and she and Danny stayed home. Cory said he tried to talk Benny into staying home to take care of Mama and Benny said, "I have MY OPTIONS."  Cowboy Ben helps Benny get his helmet on. 

Benny listened carefully to the instructions, and though he had a moment when his eyes showed he may be a bit uncertain, he courageously jumped up on the horse when he was told to jump and had a great time.  

Luke and kids in the background, Benny on his horse.

Next on the agenda was a picnic over at the camp. They told us to enjoy the teeter totter. It was a bit muddy, but that didn't stop the fun. 

Cy and Livie discovered the teeter totter early on 

Doesn't it look like Jared is spinning a tale the girls aren't quite buying? 

Everyone worked hard to get Cy off the ground 📷by Carrie

The above photo was taken about the time Benny enlisted help for everyone to get this "giant, big man" off the ground. LOL 

Krista and kids

Look at that mud! 

Boots rule! 📷by Carrie

Cory, Liv, Benny, Uncle Jared
📷by Carrie or Larissa

Carrie and Josiah 📷by Carrie

Stacia, Allie, Larissa, Carrie 📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

Livie - 8 years old 📷by Larissa

Michael and Jamin 

Jared and I 📷by Larissa

The weather forecast called for 60% chance of rain. It was a gorgeous day. We got a bit of rain on the way home. This was a great outing....many of us had memories of past camps, retreats and events at Victory. We were able to make a giant, new, family memory together. 

Allie had a great idea! 

Click here to read Part 2 of our celebrations. 

My Happy Place

I am amazed at how well Michael is doing after having his tooth pulled. It gives me a bit of confidence about considering having my wisdom teeth out. LOL  In any event, Michael was up and at an appointment with Allie and I and then spent the afternoon building a shelf in the greenhouse. I love it, it turned out well. He also dug a few persistent weeds out for me. LOL 

Meanwhile, I set about planting seeds. I only got 288 plants going. I need to get more soil/starter and the seeds I bought last week are missing. The ones from Baker's Creek were here so I got some of them started. 

I started 2 kinds of pumpkin, Delicata Squash, Dragon's Egg cucumber, Kabocha Squash, Bonny Best tomatoes, Royal Golden watermelon, Strawberry watermelon, Chinese Red Noodle Beans, and two kinds of Brussel Sprouts under the lights. I plan to move them out to the greenhouse when I see how warm it stays out there overnight. The broccoli, cauliflower, kale, sweet peas, cabbage and herb seeds are still missing.  I am not sure where tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and beans will be grown this year...but I'm starting them and will figure it out. I could also put tomatoes in containers and maybe grow them on the shelf when the seedlings are all planted? Would they be too heavy?  I could cover a bed with plastic for bush beans....cucumbers, however, will be tricky. 

I planned to plant beets, lettuces and carrots directly into the beds tomorrow. I know it's before the last frost, but I keep hearing cold crops will be o.k. if I direct seed them now... but now Michael says snow is predicted for Sunday night or Monday. What do you all think? 

I can't explain how much I LOVE being warm. It was a good call not to put shelves on both sides of the greenhouse. This allows for a CHAIR....once something starts growing it will be a slice of heaven. 

Baachan's happy place...

Michael had the door open all afternoon and it was 70* inside. There is a thermostat and fan to keep things cool if it gets too warm....which I can't imagine just yet. 

A Very Good Friday

 Friday commenced with an early morning zoom followed by Breakfast study with Stacia at 0700. 

We rushed home and I got a few things done, checked on Michael and Grandpa and then raced out the door for Allie and Stacia's hair appointment.  Stacia cracked me up - a writer's going to write! She is writing the end of a novel she's been working on....and we can't wait to read the ENDING. 

Stacia post hair cut 

Allie and I were not nearly as productive.  Note the circles under the eyes - a typical Alaskan thing in the summer....the sun is always up...who wants to sleep a minute of it away? 

Allie pre-hair cut

We came back home again and before we knew it it was time to head out again for an appointment with Allie. 

While we were on our way home CoRielle texted and asked if they and a young friend of theirs could come by for a play date!  Wibbly Wobbly Acres park is not fully functional yet, but we love having the grands and their friends over. 

Benny was quick to pick us all flowers! 

Benny pulled out the kids' picnic table and Cory, Arielle, Danny and his buddy (note I am not showing face or name as I haven't gotten permission from his parents) promptly took advantage of it. 

Danny LOVES the horse noises....

Benny is into pirates this week. He has attempted to get everyone he meets to play pirates. The girls were happy to engage his imagination. He called me a Baachan pirate and I had sharp teeth and growled. The play structure was the pirate ship. 

Danny is unconcerned about pirates! 

Go get em, Danny. He's about to take off and chase after Benny. 

When the excitement of the play date was over, and everyone had gone home, the kids continued their inside excitement...reading, writing, researching. 

Michael and I worked on another project - but I'll do a separate post on our activities. We met for dinner - YoYo (Your On Your Own)...the guys are settling down for the night as they work at 0500.  The rest of us are waiting for Grandpa to finish dinner so we can watch an episode of The Chosen. 

It's been a very good Friday.