Little Schoolhouse on the Prairie

The two older kiddos went on a 'field trip' last week to the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse ( an original one-room schoolhouse)  located in Edmond, OK.







The kids were asked to come to school dressed 'in period' (think of Laura Ingalls and the gang).  They also had to bring lunch in a tin pail and bring a tin cup to drink water (fetched from the "well").

 I say "field trip" because it wasn't your typical fun and ordinary field trip: the kids had to sit with their feet firmly planted on the floor and their hands folded on their desks and they couldn't talk out of turn and they couldn't get out of their desks for any reason. When they were dismissed they had to do it VERY orderly.  They basically performed all the school activities, lessons and tasks that were performed / expected in 1889; and they had fun doing it.  They especially enjoyed using the ink and quill to write in their copy book.
They would also have to raise their hand (of course) to use the 'necessary room'  but the only similarity it shared with an 1889 outhouse was the fact that it was outside.

The schoolmarm has rung the bell and the children line up.

Drinking well water.

Tin pail lunch.

 After lunch,  they learned some fun games, played dolls and skipped rope. 

Potato Sack Run.  See the 'outhouse'?

Their favorite game was a game similar to Duck Duck Goose.  All the children sit in a big circle and sing as one child, who is given a handkerchief, walks around all the children and drops it behind a child at the end of the song and chase each other etc. Super fun.

"A tisket a tasket, 

 a green and yellow basket,

I wrote a letter to my love 

and on the way I dropped it..."

 If you were naughty you were made to sit on a one-legged stool.  Not easy.

(Ezra was merely demonstrating, of course)

 Standing for the Spelling Bee.

My dear friend made the bonnet for Mila and I made the smock. Isn't it just so precious?

What an educationally entertaining day!

This Old House: Chapter 1

Well, we done did it.  We bought a house.  It is a very fine house, a very old one, but a very fine one indeed.  And it needs a whole lotta love. But, boy, are we excited!  Our goal is to transform this cute old house into an incredibly cute and charming one.  So, consider this post as not only an introduction to our future home but also Part 1:The Before Pictures.

Here we have the house:

The Front Entrance:

Next up, we have the Foyer:

Up close and personal with the banister.

Formal Dining Room that we will use as a Den/School Room/Family Room?. 

 We have decided not to keep the green ceiling.

This kitchen has SO much potential.  

See?

See the original wood floors?? We will be keeping those puppies in the kitchen.  

Raise your hand if you're excited!

Dining Area, Before:

We demolished the existing half bath and pulled up the floors

 to get to the original hardwood flooring.

View from the foyer.

Now we have a hall way and two additional rooms: 

a full bath and a mudroom/laundry room 

You know that saying, "If they can't find you handsome...at least they'll find you handy". 

Well, I lucked out and got me a man that is both handsome and handy:) 

Stay tuned for more updates on this old house...

"I Don't Want a Pickle..."

"Nowadays I got me two good wheels,
And I seek refuge in aluminum and steal.
It takes me out there for just a little while, 
And the years fall away with every mile..."

Yes, that is Richard and yes, that is a 'motorcycle' and yes, it does belong to him.  Now, the bike is only 150 cc's (or rams or giggawats) so it is really on the threshold between a motorized bicycle and a motorcycle. He likes to call it a motorcycle.  Be that as it may, he loves riding it and it has saved us a ton of money. He's happy and everyday I am a little less nervous than the day before. Although, I really should find out who the patron saint of motorcycle riders is...

P.S. In case you were wondering, this piglet is called a Sym Wolf Classic 150.

Oh, and if you are wondering why I titled this post the way I did, watch this video and you'll see:)

Late Have I Loved Thee

In life, we will inevitably devote our time to one aspect of our lives over another; for example one may read a book instead of weeding the garden or... one may post a blog entry over finishing the dishes.  In this case, I went on vacation for a really long time and the only victim in this scenario (beside me staying at my parents' house for 6 incredibly long weeks) was my little fledgling blog.  I was convinced we lost her for good, until this morning, while I was doing the dishes and felt heroically compelled to resuscitate new life into it.
Now, to detail the events of the last 4 months or so with you would be a superb and epic disaster.  So here is the abridged version:

JUNE - Richard abandons us to unfamiliar secular society and mumbles something about work and how he'd pray for us.  The kids and I adjust slowly to Canadian culture and all those sales taxes.  More specifically, we settle into Nonno and Nonna's house: Ezra claims the hammock, Simon is introduced to the notion of T.V. and develops zombie eyes; Mila, overjoyed that her cousin is not another boy, hugs her and never lets go; and Augustin disappears into the hands of Nonna (she has cookies).

JULY - Richard resurfaces.  There is a lovely Meloche Reunion and we part ways for another 10 years.  We drive down to Florida, stopping in Savannah, GA., and visiting friends.  We live at the beach for the remainder of the month soaking in all its salty deliciousness.

 Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia.  Glorious.

 This is Flannery O'Connor's childhood home.  Richard is just 

making sure the banister is still in good condition.

Around the town.  

Literally, I took this from our car as Richard careened passed it.

I really like this shot.  I wish I could cut out all the cars but the cobblestone pathway

 and the sweetly penetrating gaze more than make up for it.  

 Introducing ourselves to Savannah.

 A child and his scooter will never be parted.

Hang on buddy!

Now you see me...

Now you don't.

Legoland fun.

Yes, this is still Legoland, if you can believe this hidden botanical beauty is actually at Legoland.  Hidden but there.

She is made up completely of Legos...not Mila but the other lady.

Still Legoland. Loved it.

Visiting beautiful Historic Melbourne Florida. 

This is what the car ride looked like like inside the car at any given moment.

AUGUST - Like many refugees, sad, sandy and out of sorts, we resettle into our little town and our sweet home.  Once that is done,  I go on a retreat at the Benedictine Abbey.  

SEPTEMBER - We get back into our routine  and I am happy to release the 1st edition of  the Meloche Household Chore Chart.  I am quite proud of it.  The kids think it's rot but, who cares? Mama needs help and help is here by way of three little and very capable children.  Thank you God for children to help bear the load ...and fold the laundry.  In addition to this, we have been immersing ourselves in some wonderful books (by E. Nesbit) all the while Mila has kept her mind firmly focused on her upcoming 9th birthday.

 Nothing says September like baked Cinnamon Apple Chips.  

Mila's pet rabbit, Prince Charles, won first place during our town's Frontier Days celebration.

I see you.

Meet the Bunny Cake.