At our house...

Well, it would seem that the puppy is here to stay.  We're happy about that because Casper's a really good dog.  He's doesn't bark incessantly - actually he hardly barks at all, except when he sees the cat - and although he has been caught taking off with a shoe or a croc, he doesn't chew on everything in sight. It would be nice if he barked when someone comes in the driveway - but maybe that will come yet. Gentle with the little ones and loving to romp and play with the others, he's been a great addition to the life and activity here.

One of his favourite things is to play in the leaves. The kids rake up a big pile, then he jumps into the the centre of it and lets them cover him up leaving just his head poking out, and suddenly he bounds out, runs around and comes back for more. He's devoted to Warren, who is the one who goes out first thing in the morning to let him run and then feeds him and often goes out at any other chance to play with him. We're working on some training.  He needs to learn to come when called, and sit and stay when commanded.  It would be nice if he could retrieve balls, too, but first things first. 

With cold weather upon us, the kids have been busy with various crafts and projects. 

The snowwoman that Allison made ~

Isn't she cute?  She sits on the mantle but she looks lonely so I've put in a request for a snowman and some snowchildren. :)

Justine is working on a cross-stitch project~

Leah has a needle point project in the works~

Meghan has been sewing doll clothes for Nadia~

Brent got this for his birthday and put it together~

I love that they are always busy with something.  Last week one of the neighbours took the kids for rides on his combine as he was harvesting soy beans. That has set off the boys' latest craze: playing farm on the area rug in the livingroom, converting the sections into pasture, fields and barnyards.  

Next week or the week after it will be Lego or Lincoln Logs or maybe a combination of all three. :)

"Be sure that your children each day have:

~something or someone to love

~something to do

~something to think about."

Karen Andreola in A Charlotte Mason Companion, Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning