Central PA September Fun

This is a favorite element at the York Fair. The ducklings climb up the steps, reach for a mouthful of food, then tumble down the slide into the water. They don't seem to mind the indignity, but keep climbing up for more until they are full. We could watch for several minutes. People gather to watch and laugh. Ruby thought it was hilarious.

During our trip to the York Fair this week, we learned that she likes animals at a distance. Little animals are ok if her sisters are holding them--then she might give them a quick, hesitant pat. But the large animals are best seen from several feet away, no touching, now way.

They all liked the corn box.

Ruby is such a nice little helper. I finally have a laundry buddy. She stands by the basket and gives each item a little flap, then hands it up to me to pin to the line. She hates to see me go out with the laundry basket without her. She also will wipe up the table if we give her a washcloth. Shoes are her domain too. If she hears me tell someone it is time to go, she bee-lines for the shoe pile, finds their shoes, and brings them back full of expectation. They are not always the shoes that go best with your outfit or the outing, but her energy is appreciated.

Our other fall ritual is Apple Day, when we head down to the orchard and fill a few little baskets with whatever is ripe. The girls take about 20 minutes to fill the baskets it would take an adult 3 minutes to fill! These were the Jonagolds, which I might have to turn into some pies.

We told Sapphire she had to treat her apple like a baby because she otherwise plunked them down in the basket with too much force. Here she is loving her apple.

I like this picture because I finally caught Ruby smiling.  She smiles a lot around here, but it is hard to record that because she doesn't pause for photos. Here she was relishing the fact that our apple ritual includes a taste test.  Anything that includes food makes it a first rate event for her.

We were outside again today, just enjoying the weather and playing squirrel family. We do Pearl's lessons in the morning, and this morning I had to reel my scheduled self in when she decided she wanted to expand her lesson on Day 3 of Creation by collecting and sketching the leaves she found in the yard. That wasn't planned, but it was a great way to learn some new plants, and her sketches look good.

We're also reading *Stories of the Pilgrims* to learn about the struggles they faced even before they came to the New World. Other categories in her lessons include writing (she wrote a letter to Nana), spelling, math, manners, calendar skills, piano, and counting.  We also make time for her to read each day. She likes Easy Readers, and thank goodness for our local librarians who keep us stocked up!

Here Pearl wants to share an apple slice with you.