Old Man's Cave & the Rest of Early August

Since we got back from Old Man's Cave & the Ohio/Midwest CCAI reunion a couple of weekends ago, the action hasn't stopped around here. Between the kids visiting the wildlife park with Grandpa Doug and Grandma Paulette, to Lincoln fishing Leesville Lake with Grandpa Doug, to the Cruisin' The Chapel benefit event at church with over 500 classic cars, to a last-minute decision to drive to Pittsburgh and catch Auntie Haley's exhibition game, we've been busy beavers around here. And school's about to start!

Another French Night

As if Jenn hadn't knocked us all out with her French theming the previous days, we had another go-round a week ago Friday night (I'm getting to this a bit late). And she just kept impressing.

Our location was Bonjour Crepe. (Lincoln chose the name.)

Lincoln shows what Euros look like.

The kids hung their Impressionist art (that Jenn had taught about a few days prior... and did I mention that they visited the Akron Art Museum on Thursday?), we "popped a cork" on some sparkling grape juice... er... Special Kid Wine, and each of the kids participated in the serving of dinner, putting together and folding the (yummy!)crepes that Jenn prepared. Buckwheat crepes, with a variety of cheeses, smoked salmon & ham made up the main course; and for dessert, we spread sweat cream cheese & nutella, then loaded them with peaches, bananas & strawberries.

They each paid for their service with some little Euros we printed, and each of them really seemed to enjoy serving each other.

And to say they cleaned their plates would be an understatement.

French Night

It's homeschooling time again, and the country of the week is France! Jenn pulled out the maps and books and taught the kids everything that their little brains could hold about France. When I got home from work on Tuesday, Lincoln told me about how the French were involved in World War II!

So the big French dinner was on Wednesday evening, and Jenn went bonkers. Before I get to the detailed menu, I'll just spoil the big surprise and say that...

OUR KIDS ATE ESCARGOT!!!

AND LIKED IT & ASKED FOR MORE!!!!!!

Jenn was a proud mama. And speaking of Jenn, I'll leave the rest of the text to her...

Lydia loves her escargot!

Dinner at Chateaux Gates was a four course culinary extravaganza. The kids had no idea four separate courses were even possible - They thought we were done after the cheese plate. :) Lydia set a beautiful table, with the real silver Grandma and Grandpa Mullen passed down, and Ryan queued up the French Café Pandora station to enhance the mood. So, on with our menu...

Course 1 - French Cheese Sampler with Accompaniments -Délice de Bourgogne (a triple cream, silky rich cow's milk cheese); Roquefort (a sheep's milk blue cheese from the south of France); Camembert (another triple cream cow's milk cheese which was baked with rosemary and olive oil) Accompaniments included fig jam, dates, green apples, french bread toasted with olive oil, red grapes and an assortment of crackers. Just to be complete, I served Escargot. As Ryan said, shockingly, the kids each ate theirs and asked for more! Unbelievable.

Moving on to Course 2 with a Spinach and Kale Salad with green apple and Chavrie (a mild goat's milk cheese produced in France) with an Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Mostly just the cheese was french, but we needed some veggies. :)

Course 3 - Quiche (I took many liberties here due to time and ingredient restraints, however the bones of the dish were French, so I'll call it a win.)

Lastly, Course 4 - Dessert. Lincoln helped prepare a Berry Clafoutis. Traditionally, I believe cherries are used, but if Julia Child can encourage experimentation with ingredients, then I can too.

Iceland & Easter

Lincoln, Lydia & Henry really enjoy cousin time with the Hopwoods, and Ella's birthday party was a good time for them all to catch up. And Em made a darn good cake with some good coaching from the family cake guru.

The next country in Jenn's homeschooling/cooking adventure was Iceland. Iceland has some, shall we say, interesting cuisine. It was a two-fer for the kids, in that Jenn made a really neat dinner with lamb & Iclandic bread and then followed up with a traditional breakfast of Icelandic pancakes and yogurt. And it's amazing what these kids retain. Lydia walked up to the globe the other day, pointed out Iceland, and said, "Here's Iceland. And there's the glacier." And her finger was in the 100% correct spot!

We're liking the more spring-like weather. Between the hiking and playing outside, it's gonna be a good year, and we're even planning a real garden for the first time in this house. Photos to follow when it's through.

Mossy Log, Spring 2015

Of course, the kids are always looking for things to do around the house, and out and about.

The above photos are from Easter at the Parkinson's in Dublin. I'd like to draw your attention to the long bubble container, Lydia's is pink, that each of the kids got. This is the subject of a big first that I heard just a few days ago.

The kids were talking about wanting to blow bubbles outside, but I was in the middle of something in the kitchen and I couldn't go outside. Henry said, "Aw, now I can't play with my bubbles."

I asked him why not. His reply: "'Cause I can't hold the container with my other hand."

And that represented his first actual complaint about his hand. It made my heart sink a bit. I wonder how often these moments will happen in the future. But on the flip side, it's pretty darn amazing that he's made it to 4-and-a-half years old before voicing his first real complaint.

Jenn and I also have what may be an uncomfortable situation coming up this week. You may or may not know that we've decided to move Lincoln to a new school next year. Most of what we wanted to see out of his current school has simply not panned out. He's had two amazing teachers who have really connected well with him. The overall school environment is just not what we were looking for, and certainly not what we wanted to pay for. Lydia & Henry will join him next year, giving Jenn one destination (cue Handel & his Hallelujah). This Wednesday is our exit interview with a board member and principle of his current school. There shouldn't be too much of a discussion beyond us listing our reasons. I hope I'm proven wrong on my suspicions of it being uncomfortable.