Are we behind in posting or what? Like I said this morning on the phone, we've been running in rectangles again (and hitting every corner!!).

Tonya's life: I've been busy wrapping up my job, doing a bit of training for essay scoring, working with the kids on school/instruments/etc. We had three performances this past week, and one next Tuesday. After that, Christmas performances. We really need to do more schoolwork, but Life Skills/outside jobs/performances/animals & gardens/etc. are important, too. We just need to find a good balance. Right, huh?

The Girl now: I'm in Hey Andrew #3 and I hope to be finished in 12 more days! Mommy and I have a new cookbook for cookies. I have 9 cookbooks in my own collection now. I got my room really clean today. I have to memorize my speech for the Christmas performance. I'm going to be Mary.

ChubChub now: Today I played swords with the big boys and I hit Branch. I have school books now. I'm super-happy I'm 4. I hope my big brothers don't mess up their room again. [Taken from his mouth directly. Then he asked, "Was that a good enough speech?"]

Stennes now: The kale, cabbage, and turnips in my garden are doing well. One of my Buff Orpington hens went broody and hatched 8 chicks. She takes good care of them, and I let them free-run. I have been painting a lot for Mean Ol' Mama and I'm about to go work with my uncle for a few hours. Last night I took a hunter certification class. It was easy because the DNR man gave all the answers before we took the test. I'm fixing up a large Craftsman tiller that we bought (falling apart) for $25.00 at a yard sale. It was a really good deal, and I have it running moderately well right now.

Branch now: I planted some spinach and turnips in my garden about two weeks ago, and some small plants are growing now. I'm hoping to buy some chickens soon. Last week at a yard sale I bought 6 chicken feeders for $1.00 each, and so I have plenty of feeders and a really good pen, too. I have been practising my violin, and I am learning Christmas songs with the other partners in my ensemble group. I have gone fishing about every week; I caught 2 bass. Stennes painted a wall with chalkboard paint, and we have fun drawing on it. I drew ChubChub playing a guitar.

Anders now: Last night I passed my hunter certification class with 94%. Daddy has been buying a few guns lately, and I'm saving my money to buy one, too. I haven't decided which one yet. I have to wait till I'm 12, so I have 2 more years to decide. I've been helping Pop work on his chicken pens, and I put 15 eggs from my chickens in the incubator.

Josiah now: I ordered 50 Jumbo Rock Cornish roosters. They weigh 4-6 pounds in 9 weeks! Pop had one that was 22 weeks old and weighed 14 pounds dressed (as in gutted out, not wearing a dress). I am working with Daddy on a big chicken pen for my roosters. My cabbage, lettuce, and sweet peas came up. I also planted kale. I bought a 12-gauge shotgun, and I have gone deer hunting, but I haven't shot one yet. Last night I passed my hunter certification class with 100%!