Greetings,
Vacation is over, and it's good to be back (really). It's hard for the children to adjust to not being comfortably home with Mom and Dad, but they all have all managed to adapt in short order.
I would like to welcome our new children and their families:
Max (mom is Tia and dad is Sam)
Samyukta (mom is Sowmya and dad is Srinivasa)
Aaron (mom is Rachel and dad is Larry)
Parisa (mom is Ali and dad is Jason)
I truly believe that we have the best group of children and families, and I am pleased to add these new friends. (This might sound sappy, but I am pretty straightforward, and don't blow hot air!)
Due to the unseasonable cool weather, our garden is not producing as quickly as I expected, but we are picking beans, zucchini, blueberries and strawberries. I'm waiting (impatiently) for the tomatoes. Our new compost pail has arrived, and the children take turns digging a hole in the garden (to dump the fruit peel remains of breakfast). The chickens get the oatmeal, and Jango and Max get the left-over toast.
The children love playing grocery store. It is a wonderful way to learn about nutrition and math. I was so disappointed that I was not able to find an appropriate book to accompany the game, so.......I decided to write one myself. It is in progress now. I met with the printer, found an editor, and have a draft of the text. It would enhance their learning if you would also discuss nutrition when you eat your healthy meals at home. We talk about protein being good for muscles; dairy products being good for bones; carbs from grains giving us energy to play. The book/booklet will have some basic vitamin info.