Medieval Fair

On September 19, 2009, we hosted the 1st Annual Medieval Fair. Activities included: "Fencing", Archery, "Jousting", and Croquet. There was plenty of fun (and food) for everyone. It was a huge success, with over 5 families represented. Below are pictures from the event.

Indian Teepees

Recently, Elijah has been learning about Indians in his history book. One of the required activities, was to make a teepee. He also wrote a paper titled "The Indians", shown below.
The indians, which were on the move most of the time, lived on the plains of North America. They followed the buffalo herds. The teepees which were made out of buffalo skins were sewn by women. They draped the hides carefully over poles.

Fire Station Training: 9.15.09

(Pictured above is Engine 10, with the sun setting in the background)
Last night Daniel, Papa, and I, went to KHVFD (Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department) for the Volunteer training meeting. Mr. Chip had planned a hose drill out near McCrae. Upon arrival at the site (We Explorers rode in the Big Van) We were able to observe the Volunteers laying down hose all over a field, in order to turbodraft. Turbodrafting, is when they take water out of a lake to put it onto a fire--but it is much more complicated than it sounds!

(Pictured above, is Papa, getting the Turbodraft off the top of 101.)
After they had finished laying everything down, We Explorers climbed on top of 101, and were able to use the water cannon! Lastly, and most importantly, we packed all of the hoses up! There were quite a few lines layed out, but with all the help from both Volunteers and Explorers, it didn't take that long--and everyone was ready to head back to the station, where Ms. Joanie and some others, had cooked up a great meal!
(one of the Explorers using the water cannon)

I woke up at 6:30, so I would have time to eat. Mr. Geiger arrived at around 8:00, to take us out to the Church Tennis court, where there was a minor sinkhole. The cour sunk in, because it was built on top of a former burn pile, which was buried. When the pile of burnt wood started rotting, the weight of the court pushed down on the void, and sunk in. When the fill- dirt first arrived, we realized that there would be a lot left over. After putting less than half in the hole, Mr. Tim had to start filling up the trailer. We had to help by shoveling dirt into the diggers bucket. When we dropped the dirt off by the baseball field, none of it would slide out, despite the fact that the trailer bed lifted up to a 45 degree angle--so we shoeveled it. The second time through, we put the dirt in the dumptruck--and that worked quite well! (no extra shoveling) After pulling up some more asphalt on the side of the court, where there were imperfections, we took a load of it to one of the Geiger properties. Earlier, we had taken some over to the Burkhardts. After a hard day of work, the sinkhole was filled in, with fill-dirt, and awaiting the flowable-fill/asphalt--and, if I may say so myself, looked quite professionaly done! -JosephC

August was very busy! We were given free tickets to a Suns Baseball Game in Jacksonville. We had a very exciting time during the game, and especially enjoyed the fireworks after the game. Anna and Ezra have stayed busy around the house too--doing everything from raiding Jelly jars to "playing" the piano. The family also began schoolwork. Above is a "recap" of August, in a few pictures. -JosephC