Jim Weiss, Tom Chapin, Arlo Guthrie, friends who like mud and babies and ants. AKA: What we did this week.

A fun week was had by all- except for poor Dad, who had to work through the summer's first heat wave.  He's a strong man and we all love and appreciate what he does for us.  I should tell him more.  I should tell him that when I walk past his trailer where all of his giant greasy, grass covered mowers live, the smell of the freshly cut grass reminds me of him and causes me to think of when we first met and how the day I first saw him he smelled of fresh winter night air.  I still remember what he wore and his smiling blue eyes as I shook his hand as we were introduced.  Hmm.  That's another post.  It was another week,  (one of my favorites).  This week,  our classes have ended, we've had more time at home and done some traditional looking school work- for us anyway, and had some cool, once in a lifetime kind of experiences.

Jim Weiss, our favorite story-teller.  He was as friendly in person as he seems on his recordings.

The caterpillar our neighbor brought us hatched into this beautiful butterfly we released.

One of our favorite family events of the year, fifth year going- Clearwater.  Always a great way to spend Father's Day.

We always spend some downtime in the Storytelling Grove.

Talked about art installations, happenings and peace.

Saw the kids' favorite performer.

Spent a really long time in the tent learning about the creatures found in the Hudson River.  Astrid spent about an hour at minimum right here.  We bought a book about fresh water animals without back bones, so we can continue our study in the stream behind the house.

Went on a boat ride.

and for a walk.

Saw Tom Chapin!

Nick found friends from our food co-op to wrestle with.

Hula- hooped and played with poi among a glorious back drop along the Hudson River.

Saw Arlo Guthrie.  :)  He didn't sing Alice's Restaurant. :(

Saw cool things and read them.

Found three baby chipping sparrows hopping around the garden.  They couldn't fly yet and the parents were feeding them throughout the day and next day.  They were not happy about the kids holding them, but recovered once we put them down.  We tried not to, but look at this one.  We couldn't resist.

Played in the stream and in the mud with friends on the hottest day of the year, yet.

And to finish of the week, studied the behavior of some ants, following their trail, finding the nest and food source (our bird feeder) and discovered what happens when you interrupt the trail with string, lemon juice, cinnamon, water and sugar water.

We also woke to a visit from the Solstice fairies on the first day of summer.  

As they always do, they stacked all of the toilet paper in the house and caused other general mischief.  They left a beautifully sprawling message written in yellow chalk on our antique wood living room floor explaining their connection with fireflies and leaving the kids each a necklace with which they can catch, observe and release some.  No pictures though, as it faded as fast as it appeared.

Wonder what next week will bring?