Knitting

Hey! It's Buttercup again! I just thought of another random thing I'd like to write about.
Wildflower, Klick, and I recently started knitting. Klick and I were at a sewing store (I got a $20 gift card for Christmas) and I saw a free knitting pattern. We brought it home and looked up how to knit. It took us 3 days to actually get it and now we're all well on our way to a scarf. Afterwards we hope to knit hats, sweaters, and more scarves.
I think knitting is fun and easy. I find it simple to relax and knit a couple rows (even if I don't know how to bind off yet:)!)
Bye for now!
Buttercup

Notebooks

Hey, Buttercup here! I'd like to tell you about something that I found rather useful.
I thought that I would like to start a new series of books, because I have read most of the series that we have. We were at the library at the time (it was very quiet partly because it was a library and partly because everybody was in school) so I thought I would find a series to read from our library trips.I found an interesting looking series and checked out the first three. These books are the diary of a ten year old girl and I found them very funny. They gave me an idea. I could start my own notebook! So far I've written three pages and vented everything that was balled up inside. I drew pictures, wrote, and taped things in. Over time I hope to have multiple notebooks full of interesting thoughts to read.
If you'd like to find the books I'm reading the first one is called Amelia's Notebook (that's supposed to be underlined but the underline button isn't working!).
Bye for now!
Buttercup

Book Review - The Young Acrobat

Here's another one of those home school book reports. Hope you like it!

The Young Acrobat

Horatio Alger

Christopher (Kit) Watson is an orphan living with his uncle and cousin, Ralph.
At the time, a circus is visiting Smyrna, and Kit and his friend, Dan Clark, go to watch the acrobats get ready for the show. Because of special lessons Kit is able to try some of the acts and succeeds.
Later in the week, Kit is offered a position at the circus, and after an incident with a blacksmith and a giant, decides to accept it.
Kit has many adventures along the way, and when the season is over has no idea what to do...
...that is until one of his father’s friends appears at his doorstep.

I have read many Horatio Alger books and am somewhat bored of them. They all seem to have the same formula.
Despite his repetitive books he had a slightly interesting life. He tutored many many people including Benjamin Cardozo, who went on to be a supreme court justice.
I recommend you read one or two of his books but not too many!

-Buttercup

Book Review - Jed the Poorhouse Boy by Horatio Alger

I recently finished a book called Jed the Poorhouse Boy. It was very intriguing.

Jed has been living in a poorhouse since he was two years old. He was fine with that until the kind Keepers of the Poorhouse, Mr. and Mrs. Avery were replaced by the selfish Mr. and Mrs. Fogson. They over worked and under fed the poor people, while leading lives of luxury themselves.

Finally, Jed decided that he couldn't take it any longer and must leave. After running into a doctor and his wife who promised him a little help, he decided to run away. That night he found an actor in his bed who took a liking to the poor boy, and also agreed to help him.

The next day, Jed set out to make a living for himself - but first to see a play that his friend Mr. Bertram is in. He arrived to find that one

of the company’s boys was sick and could not perform. When offered, Jed accepted the opportunity to join the company for the remaining three weeks of the season.

At the end of the season he found a position as companion to a young boy named Charlie. When Charlie’s father went away on business, his aunt came and fired Jed.

Moving further into New York, he was robbed of his entire

fortune - $39.37. Soon after, he ran into a rich yacht owner who employed him.

Meanwhile Mr. Peake, a detective, was trying to track Jed down and give him news that could change his life...

Annual Trail Update

We finally hit the trail again in September. We made it SIX miles this time! Only 2,158 miles left to go.


Bag-o-Rocks walked this year and the dogs came with. Both of these changes made for slow progress. But much fun was had by all.


The stuff....










The happy family about to embark.....











We met Indiana Jones on the trail. He was taking a nap.

Trepidous Trail - Day 2

Read day one first

The night before we had been walking through the dark seeing what looked like cairns.  We didn't discuss it at the time, but we were both thinking "Blair Witch Project."  It was creepy.

From AT Pictures

But in the light of day, much less creepy.  I assume these were put here by trail maintainers.  There were a bunch of these piles along this section of the trail.

From AT Pictures

As I packed up the tent the kids went to check out the views...

From AT Pictures

...which were breathtaking.

This is what nap time looks like on the trail!

From AT Pictures

The kids were great on this trip.  When they were uncomfortable, they let us know but when they weren't they were all smiles.

From AT Pictures

Shortly after this picture was taken the kids were complaining about being hot. So, of course, God provided a rain storm to cool us off. At first it was all "Wow! Daddy we can splash in the puddles!" But after about an hour the rain was taking it's toll and kids were getting cold.

As we trudged along Hunt was really struggling. Then all of a sudden I heard him exclaim "Look! Daddy! It's a lizard!"

From AT Pictures

His mood went from tired and grumpy to excited in the blink of an eye. It was a welcome diversion.

Because of the rain we didn't take many pictures after lunch.  But it rained on us for about the next five hours as we proceeded towards Route 621.  We were all tired and cold and wet by the end.

Overall it was a good trip.  I was very impressed with the kid's fortitude throughout the journey, but next time I think we'll take a shorter section of trail.

Trepidous Trail - Day 1

It was with some trepidation that we set out on a hike of the AT from Rt 631 to Rt 621 (left 'P' to right 'P' on the map below).

From AT Pictures

Trail Date: June 11, 2010 6:00pm
Weather: 80's and clear (or so we thought)
Location: AT from Rt 631 to Rt 621 SW VA.
Distance: about 11 miles

According to our guide book this was to be a 11.3 mile hike.  Could the little guys do it?  Could we?  One of the motivations to hike the AT as a family was to challenge ourselves.  We wanted to accomplish something together as a family.  Since we couldn't take a year to sail around the world, we decided to hike the AT.  We finally decided that this section of the hike would be a challenge, but we thought we could do it.

From AT Pictures

The crew ready for the big adventure.

Shortly we came upon Keffer Oak.  It was big, but I have to admit in my imagination it was much bigger.

From AT Pictures

From AT Pictures

We got a later start than we wanted and by the time we stopped for dinner it was nearly dark.

From AT Pictures

We were trying to make it to the first shelter (the little house on the map) before stopping so we pressed on.  But by 10:30 we had to admit it was just too dark and no longer safe for us to be tromping along through the woods.  We setup camp next to the trail.  I'm not sure why, but everyone fell asleep quickly.

The next morning was cereal for breakfast, break camp and on on!

From AT Pictures

Check back soon for the rest of our adventure.