cookies, carving, and cool skirt

Two nights of Collecting Candy

This year Lola was in for a double dose of candy collecting. For the actual halloween we went out in the pouring rain and wind. While the town where Granny lives cancelled for that night and held it on Friday. So we went down to visit and Lola had a second chance at the adventure. She really just wanted to pass out the candy with Granny and see all the costumes. This year's blue Macaw worked out great to stay warm.

Bats

Science classes at the museum center are excellent for Homeschool families. The trouble is they fill up so fast. Luckily we were able to attend this bat one. It was soooo cool to hear the sound the bat made. Lola really enjoyed this session.

Lola's on the right
Flying fox demo

feeling bat replica wing

~live bat~

Bat skull

diagram of how 500 bats fit in a foot

Swan Lake

Lunch after church

It's fun to take the Doll to live performances to see how the professional ballerina's put on their shows. Lola really looked forward to going to see Swan Lake. The Cincinnati Ballet did a wonderful job. And a bonus for those of us who attended the final showing on Sunday, we saw the prima ballerina get proposed to on stage after her bow. It was so darling!

Lola and ballerina

Watching Uncle Brian Race

A unique way to celebrate a birthday is to send someone you love over to the Richard Petty racing adventure. We sure enjoyed watching Uncle Brian get his turn on the track!

Zoo Camp

Petting a snake 

learning about bird bones

beauty of the fall

Snow leopard

another Snow Leopard

sloth

Spring Grove Cemetery

We went with some homeschool buddies to check out the Johnny Appleseed memorial at the Cincinnati Spring Grove Cemetery. The weather was a bit on the chilly side. We also found this unique rock that was across the way from the memorial of John Chapman. We also learned that Spring Grove is the 2nd largest cemetery in the United States and is on the National Historic Registry for landmarks.

 This reads:
Johnny Appleseed figure of legend was a Swedenborgian missionary to the ohio and Indiana Frontier. Saintly in his daily life he loved life in all its forms and had a joyous will to help the earth yield its fruits. Bible in Hand and sack of seeds swinging from his shoulder. He planted many apple orchards that live today in this region. May he be remembered in fact as well as in legend for his godliness and goodness.

 This reads
Megalith
This megalith is constructed from Ohio limestone of the early Paleozoic era, 400 million years ago much of its beauty lies in the number of fossil remains that it contains.
The use of the 'standing stone' is deep in the Judaeo-Christian tradition. Samuel raised such a stone as a thank offering to the Lord for victory over the Philistines he called it Ebenezer. "Stone of Help" Jacob having talked with God in a dream, took the stone he had used for a pillow and set it up as a pillar. Joshua upended a great stone to serve as a witness unto the children of Israel, lest ye Deny God."
Since man first sensed Divinity, he has raised large stones on end as testimonials of his faith and memorials to this departed Jacob spoke for many when he said "This stone.. shall be God's House."