Indian Runners - Our Newest Family Members

Today we headed to the feed store for more bedding and feed for the chickens and the most spoiled crested pekins.

The kids and I headed out to look at the chickens and other birds they carry when we spotted two little Indian Runner ducklings. 

We have been wanting Indian Runners for their benefits to the garden and the farmer. These little darlings were so shy and skittish when they arrived at out home this afternoon.

We set up the brooder, gave them  fresh food and water, then let them relax for a bit to get used to new surroundings.

Later we took them outside for a supervised visit with the pekins (boy did those girls get MAD at the little ducklings. I swear Flippy Floppy refused to come out of her house while the ducklings were out.)

We are just smitten with these little cuties. And we finally named them, meet

Jean Claude and Dolph (a reference to Universal Soldier since the ducklings resemble soldiers when they walk...totally geeky I know, but we tend to lots of geeky, nerdy things around here)

Have any of you raised Indian Runners? Any tips or advise for us, we would love to here from you. Leave a comment below.

Summer Homeschool Test Run

I have always had a love for teaching and learning. Passing on knowledge that I have to others is such a joy and watching kids grow and learn is awesome. That is why I started Garden 118!

After school ended for Allison, I mentioned to my husband that I would like to try homeschooling. I figured that summer would be the best time to give it a test run and see if I would like it and if the kids would enjoy learning at home.

I decided to create a work box for each kid containing everything they need for assignments. They each grab their work boxes and baskets (what's in the baskets will be posted next week) and sit down a the table ready to learn. 

Scotty's starting preschool. His box contains just a few basic things to get him excited about being in school.

Allison is moving into first grade. Her work box is a little more advanced, with a bit more mathy things and a real chapter book!

Here is a dissected look at Scotty's preschool work box. It contains a composition book, markers, colored pencils, a paint palette, and an envelope for the smaller items. 

The envelope contains small and large pencil, beads for counting, scissors, glue stick, letter/animal tiles for his game.

Allison's work box is very similar with the composition book, markers, colored pencils, paint palette and envelope for the small stuff. The only difference is the addition of a ruler (the mathy thing) and her chapter book. 

In the envelope is the small and large pencil, glue stick, scissors, letter/number tiles for her game and a rogue craft stick.

 I kept the schedule very laid back and fun and we spent most of the time outside exploring and LOTS of time doing science experiments. I have really enjoyed this time with them. Watching them learn and figure out how things work is SO fulfilling.

In a few weeks, my Allison will head back to school starting first grade. My heart is heavy letting her be in someone else's care for the better part of the day, bored with sitting inside most of the time, and not a lot of hands on stuff to explore. But she is excited to get back and see her friends. 

Tomorrow though, she has already announced the school assignments she wants them to do, I will enjoy the time  learning with her and Scotty. And if school doesn't go as planned I am ready to take on home school!