Mango Happenings

I was recently informed that I had once again slipped in my blogging habits.  I really am without excuse, just busy as usual.  Here are some of the things that have happened in the last month.

There have been some silly moments.  A red mask bought at Salvation Army has brought a lot of surprise and laughter.  Car likes to play with Elizabeth!

All the critters, including the barn cats, which now number seven, have survived the cold without any issues.  A couple of the roosters may have had a bit of frostbite on their combs, but no other problems.  It was bitter cold this February which is very unusual for Ohio.  We had days when it barely got to zero.  Anytime it warmed up close to thirty, the snow fell and then the temperature dropped back down to zero.  I think Minnesota may have sent their January weather to Ohio.  They are welcome to take it back!  This week the temperatures have finally warmed up into the forties and fifties.  Yeah for spring!!!  The colder and harder the winter, the more spring is appreciated.  Southern folk just don't have that same hard earned appreciation for spring as those of us in the north!

The boys enjoy wrestling and doing boy stuff.  Not always sure what that is, but they seem to like it.

The children saw some really cool pictures of snow sculptures with glow sticks lighting them up.  They decided to try it, only to discover that glow sticks don't work in sub zero temps.  They came in and decided to attach them to the ceiling fan blades.  They found that that was totally neat and definitely better than looking at them in the freezing cold!

 

One project that had been on our list since we bought the property, was to take this tree down.  It had some limbs that were over the house.  It was a silver maple.  A branch had fallen off once before we bought the house and knocked over the chimney and damaged the roof.  We decided that we didn't need a repeat performance.

A tree company that had brought us logs for years when we heated with wood at the old house, was looking for work and we had them take the tree down.  They had all the fancy equipment.  The snow pack on the yard made it so that the big equipment didn't tear up the yard.

They finished up by grinding out the stump.  Having this tree down really opened up the view to the back of the property.  So much nicer than looking at a tree trunk out the family room window.  Also, now I have wood to try and grow mushrooms on.  One of my projects for the spring and summer.

Elizabeth did a couple junior speech events.

Last week we spent three days at an NCFCA speech and debate tournament.  This is a different league than the children usually compete is ( usually we do CCA).  Thomas was really wanting this experience, as he wanted to try Lincoln Douglas debate.  In the past he only had competed in Team Policy Debate.  In Lincoln Douglas it is two people debating a values resolution.  This year the resolution is whether freedom or equality should be more highly valued in economics.

Thomas had never tried Lincoln Douglas at all.  He had never even done a practice round.  He had read a book and watched three rounds on you tube.  He lost his first round due to inexperience.  He is a fast learner though.  He ended up breaking into the semifinals!  That means he qualified for regionals.  We will try to get there.  It will involve a trip to Oshkosh, WI.

Elizabeth and Bethany.

This past weekend was the AWANA Grand Prix car race.  It was well attended by many parents of the clubbers, and the gospel was preached clearly!  The kids seemed to have a great time.

The children design and race their little cars.  They send them down a track and everything is timed by a computer.  Excellent sportsmanship was demonstrated by all the kids!

Not sure what was up with certain 'adults'!  My camera seems to bring the best out of Tammy!  

The snow is about 2-5" deep, despite the rain and warm weather.  The warm (45 degree) super moist air creates fog.  Elizabeth was wanting to explore and take pictures.  She thought it looked like 'fresh made lard with trees growing out of it'.  Yes, she was barefoot in order to climb the tree and no, she doesn't have a coat on.

Can you see the child wandering in the fog covered fields?  She loves being outdoors!

T-Bob was also fascinated by the fog.  He had to stop and take some pictures that he could share with his cousin in the Philippines. We were heading out to his basketball awards ceremony.  It was very amazing to look at the fog, but not so pleasant to drive in.  It was a real 'pea soup' fog.

T-Bob was recognized for his hard work on and off the court.  He was a co-captain on the junior high team.  He also shared what he had learned through the team devotions.  Thomas decided to go to debate practice instead of the basketball awards. He was also commended for being a hard worker.

This pretty much summarizes the last month.  There has been the normal life events and lots of planning for the spring, summer, and fall.  We have to figure out what we are going to raise in both the livestock and plants departments.  The busy season will soon be upon us.  We are enjoying the last bit of winter quiet.