Hard Times

We just found out that Justin's company is doing a company-wide 13%-5% pay decrease. Not bad compared to losing the job altogether, but it will make things more difficult.

Phenology...

is the study of recurring plant and animal life cycle events, or phenophases, such as leafing and flowering of plants, maturation of agricultural crops, emergence of insects, and migration of birds.
I didn't realize there was a name for what we like to do. We have begun to monitor for these 2 groups.
http://www.usanpn.org/?q=home
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/index.html
And when we came home, Spring was in full bloom with our redbud and cherry trees.

A friend asked me today what Jasper does for schoolwork.

He does a bit of the usual reading, writing, numbers stuff. But mostly he does a lot of milkweed blowing and worm holding/accidentally killing. As well as practicing gratefulness and using his words instead of blowing up like a volcano.

Spring Break

We took a Spring break this week and headed North to Great Gramma's house in Michigan. Although the kids were sick the entire time with high fevers and flu-like symptoms, we had a pleasant visit. Aunt April and Bopal Opal rode with us while Mom met us there.
Sadly, Justin's Grandma passed away suddenly while we were gone and we attended the funeral today.
Riding on hot-air balloons.

Reclining with Uncle Eric after another hard day of Whirlwind Emulation.

With cousins.

Looking down on earth.

Yelling on hot-air balloons.

We explored an early 19th century replica sailboat on which cousin Sara is a crew member. She is helping the kids steer it.

At a chilly South Haven lighthouse with Gramma.

Daffodil Bloom and the Cycle of Life

It seems like spring just pops up overnight.
Tonight reminded me of the first time i felt sad about an animal death. I was probably Tullaia's age when i discovered the dead kittens. We had gone to see my neighbor Kathie in a ballet performance. It was an exciting evening. I think it was in Ottumwa, the big city. It was dark when we got home and i ran to the barn to check on the kitties. I jumped up on a rusty tank to peer up into the ceiling. I cannot remember details, but i know they were dead.

Bunny Fun

These are the orphans leftover after the bunny massacre with Blackberry, our friend's cat. They were almost disposed of, but after spending some time in the box, they began to look more hopeful.
Depending on who you ask, their names are Betty, Bella, and Bun.
Or, Tic Tac Toe.
We are bringing them into the Wildlife Center of Missouri. Apparently cats usually deliver a bacteria-laden blow in need of antibiotics.

St Patrick's Day

We had lovely weather this year to enjoy the parade with good friends, family, and neighbors.

Snacks

Justin and I saw Andrew Bird tonight. We had fun! He is nice.

Poem for Miss Jill by Tullaia

Dream (with original spelling)

I go into my room
close my eyes
and
Dream.
Castles, nights, super heroes
swerl arount in my head.
Lunch time.
I will dream
next time.

Friday

Today we took a break from school to have worm races, clean up the yard, and make a moss garden. It was lovely and Tullaia informed me that is was the hottest day of her life.

Here is what we found sprouting under the leaves...crocus,lamb's ear,and live forever.

San Juan Forts

San Juan National Historic Site includes forts San Cristóbal, San Felipe del Morro, and San Juan de la Cruz also called El Cañuelo, plus bastions, powder houses, and three fourths of the city wall.
These magnificent historic forts were built by Spanish troops beginning in 1539 with a tower at El Morro and La Fortaleza and took more that 250 years. Most of the walls we see today were added later in a period of tremendous construction from the 1760's -1780's.

El Yunque

El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System. It is a 45 minute drive from the city of San Juan.
We did some hiking and wound up in a cloud forest observatory with 2 guys from Long Island. We finished off our time with a refreshing and cold dip in a waterfall.

Acacia Inn

Our last stay was in a San Juan home converted to a seaside inn.




Rooftop jacuzzi


Leaving

Old San Juan

Do not venture into Old San Juan on Monday and Tuesday evenings unless you like being mobbed by sunburned cruise-goers in a rush to get back on the boat.


San Juan Cafe


Burned Out Beauty


Keeping Watch


Black Toes and Blue Cobblestones


Always

Luquilla Beach

On our way up to San Juan, we stopped here to explore.

Biobay

The microscopic plankton in the Bioluminescent Bay of Fajardo light up when they are touched! Pure magic, the experience is nearly indescribable.
We kayaked into the ocean waves at night into a bay surrounded by mangroves. As we neared the bay, the water surrounding our paddles began to glow.
By the time we reached the bay, we could see glow trails from large fish, small fish, schools of fish, and fish jumping into the water.
Las Croabas Lagoon in Fajardo has 500,000 to 700,000 of bioluminescent dinoflagellates (a plankton) per gallon, so when you wave your hand through the water you trigger so many of them that your hand lights up with a thousand tiny stars.
It was an exhilarating experience and i am amazed at how many little details God made for us to enjoy!