Coonamessett Farm

Bevboss and Peepees are visiting Grandma and Grandpa and visiting with us in between the getting ready for school work that needs to be done.

We went to Coonamessett Farm to see the middle school (Steve and Bev had never seen it) and visit the farm.  We stayed for dinner enjoying their famous vegetarian buffet which now includes a grill with meat!  Ron bought a smoker and wants to use that toy more often than once a week.

We visited with the animals (Roxanna even walked the alpaca babies down for a visit during the buffet), picked at least eight cups of blackberries (and Braeden maybe ate 8 more cups!), and just admired the farm and the beautiful weather.

Looking at the chicks of some fancy chickens.
We hiked up  to the baby pens to see the new baby donkey.  These are Bishop Donkey's which are miniatures anyway, the baby is a miniature of a miniature!  Mom, Clementine is on the right, baby doesn't have a posted name yet.
Here is the baby.  Born in early August.
Ron has recently put up a wind turbine which will power at least his greenhouses this winter.  This is a special turbine which can be lowered in the event of a hurricane, or if it needs repair.
Braeden and Teagan in the little garden just outside the pavilion.

Stitches

Jeff took the kids to Cove Rd. where they could go for a sail with Bevboss and Peepees who are visiting and Grandpa could at least admire the work of art.  Cheryl had to go to work :(

Teagan slipped on a rock as the boat was being put in the water and instead of going to work she and I went to the Emergency Room.  2 stitches later she is doing well.  

Teagan's pediatrician's husband (Mr. Dr. Rudman as Teagan calls him) is an ER doctor and he did Teagan's stitches.  It was in too wiggly a place for glue although they were hopeful.  Luckily, she'll get those pesky things (the bandaid is embarrassing) out before the first day of school!

Teagan is up to 7 stitches and three trips to the ER to get said stitches, in case anyone else is keeping count along with us.  

Ready to sail!

Jeff has finished the changes needed to make his rowing vessel be able to sail also!

It is beautiful and we'll take it out soon.

Caroline (and Doug and Michelle) stop by

Caroline and Doug and Michelle quickly stopped by on their way home from Grandma and Grandpa's.  Since we hadn't been able to get Teagan's outgrown clothing to them in more than a year, the pile required some sorting so it would fit in their car!  

There was a moment of shyness before Teagan invited Caroline to the swings and then they had a great time.  Even though they were only here for about 30 minutes, Teagan quickly shared her dress up clothes, even sending Caroline home with the whole outfit--flashy sunglasses and jewelry included!  Maybe a bit more than her parents' bargained for, but Caroline seemed happy with that outfit.

Reading to Dogs

Today Teagan and I went to Sturgis Library for a morning of reading to dogs.  Although it sounds strsnge, reading to dogs is happening all over the country as a way to help readers who are reluctant or uncomfortable reading.  Although Teagan does not quite fall into that category, she does like dogs and the library, so we thought we would stop by.

Teagan chose Martha Speaks because she knew the dogs would like it (it is about a dog that starts to speak after eating alphabet soup).  She practiced this morning when she first got up and was ready to read when she got there.
It is a good thing she was ready to read because she was the only reader!  She sat down in the middle of the dogs and read.  Braeden, who had only come because Jeff wasn't home yet, ended up coming in and enjoying himself with the dogs.
When she was done reading Martha Speaks Teagan went to the shelf and got the other two Martha books and read those without any practice.  She really did a great job--even choosing to go back and correct when she realized she made a mistake (the dog didn't tell on her).
The dogs are trained therapy dogs, part of a group here on the Cape.  I think they also go to the hospital and things like that.  Jody (the yellow lab) finally convinced Braeden to read.
The dogs' humans were wonderful too, clapping and telling Braeden and Teagan how nice they were to come and what good readers they were.  Teagan went around the circle, spending time with each dog--two years ago she still cried when a large dog was near, so I think this was a huge success!

Whale watching

Some more pictures from our fabulous whale watching excursion.

On the boat.
Starting out to Stellwagen Bank.
Braeden enjoying the view.
Our friend Thimble who came to visit us and show off a bit.
It was windy on the way back.

Whale watching

We had a wonderful opportunity to go on a whale watch today.  The new science teacher is a naturalist on a local whale watch and invited us to join her trip.  It was phenomenal viewing!  We saw a dozen Humpback whales, including two calves and a yearling.  I took lots of little videos because the still pictures are so hard to get!  The first two are from the first group of whales we saw including Hancock, Pumba, and a calf.  They name all the whales because they can tell Humpbacks apart by their coloring.

    

We were lucky to see some breaching from this yearling.  Joanne said they still do not know why whales breach (throw their bodies up out of the water), but it is quite a sight!  

     

We went out to Thimble for a closer look at his show off breaching.  He came right over to the boat and spent about 30 minutes showing off around the boat, waving his flippers, spying on us, and making all of us move from side to side to see him so near the surface!  In the last video you can see a person's head from the lower level of the boat at the end of the video--it really gives you an idea of how close he was to us!  Thimble is a yearling and as cute as a 30+ foot sea mammal can be!

"Camping" out

Braeden received a tent for his birthday.  He had set it up outside, but last night was the first night he slept in it.  He graciously allowed Teagan to join him.  Lucky Jeff joined them also.  It was really crowded for four so I did not have to sleep out also--I mean, I did not get to join them sleeping in the tent.

Teagan ready for her night out.
The whole view!
Braede, the light packer!
Ready to go into the tent for the night (after the 20 trips back into the house for water or bathroom or a question).
In the tent.  They did have a good time and stayed up way too late playing games, reading, and just getting to hang out someplace other than bed after dark.  

Jeff is thrilled to sleep out there again ;)

walking

No pictures today, but we all took a little stroll to the library today--2.4 miles each way!  Teagan did a great job walking and had plenty of energy when we got home to start running.  Braeden probably could have run all the way if we had felt it was safe enough to let him.  The path is right along 6A, so it is not the safest run for a boy that sometimes still forgets to look when he crosses the road.  We are exploring the option of some 5Ks that the whole family can participate in, where we can run and walk in a safer arena.

swimming at the Ridge Club

In between rain storms there was some blue sky and we met our friends at their pool at the Ridge Club.  It was so lovely to be invited and Braeden loved swimming with Zan while Kate and Teagan spent what seemed like hours (to the Moms) jumping off the side of the pool.

Teagan making a floatie out of three pool noodles.  I am not sure if that is Braeden or Zan trying to steal the noodles!
Kate just learned to swim without her bubble and was so excited to show us!  She doesn't like to get her face wet, so she has a fabulous swimming style!
Teagan when she stopped jumping and swimming for a moment.
Zan got the noodles from Teagan.  Braeden and Zan collected all the noodles supplied by the pool and tried to sell them!  They were not too successful, but they enjoyed the process of collecing.
Braeden with all the noodles--they required quite a bit of guarding.

MMSCC back to school party

The second annual MMSCC school is starting party was held on Sunday.  Nancy and Jim, parents of James (Nancy is also a board member) have thrown this party last year and this year.  All the families are invited, many came this year.  The students loved seeing each other again before school starts--last year they didn't even know each other!  The kids of the board member, all of whom know each other well, love the opportunity to have a beach day together--complete with grilled burgers, a nacho bar, and lots of desserts!  Jeff brought the First Class--the boat the middle school kids made and many rows were taken.  It was a long day for us since we need to be ther when the first parent gets there and not leave until the last parent leaves (nearly 8 hours!), but the kids were terrific and everyone had a wonderful time.  We are so lucky to have Jm and Nancy provide this opportunity!

Braeden and CJ buried themselves in the sand--wisely each leaving one hand free so they could continue to apply sand!

It floats!

Jeff has been building this boat for (his words) "too long".  Really it has been off and on for about 3 years.  It started off as stacks of lumber and some metal pieces with some really cool names.  Jeff started by making a frame on which to build it and has so far turned out this beauty.  We were able to take it for a row.  A sail has been purchased and the mast is made, but some pieces for the sailing apparatus are yet to be made.

We took it by Grandma and Grandpa's so they could admire the handiwork before the launch.
The launch at Cove Road.
Out for a row!
Braeden and Teagan with their newest sibling "no name".  They like that she doesn't take their dessert or play with their toys :)
The beautiful boat beached so the kids could play.
Sand monster!
Swimming
Playing on the beach.




Heading home.

Hogwarts Camp

Braeden was lucky to attend a Hogwarts camp at the Chatham library on Wednesday mornings this summer.  For such a Harry Potter fan, being with other fans and getting to act out some Hogwarts doings was wonderful!  It was required that participants had read all seven Harry Potter books, so Braeden had no problem with that.  We were also told that he needed a school robe, a stuffed familiar, and a bag to carry items.

This is a picture of the library a.k.a. Hogwarts.  

The first day Braeden was dropped off at the train station to make his way to track 9 3/4.  Sadly, the Hogwarts Express had some difficulties, but the Knight Bus was able to save the day and take the participants to Diagon Alley for their school supplies.  They first went to Gringotts where they each had 4 Galleons in the bank!  It was just enough for school supplies--a wand and a notebook and a snack of a chocolate frog and a butter beer.  The Chatham merchants were so wonderful to participate in this!
Subsequent days were classes such as the care of magical creatures (someone from Museum of Science, Boston with cockroaches, rats, snakes, and other Harry Potter type creatures), Herbology (making a terrarium), a game of Quiddich, and other classes that Harry and friends would take.
Today, the last day, Braeden won the house spirit award (he was sorted in to Gryffindor) and got to bring home this house banner.

It was such a wonderful library program--all for free!