Life.

Hello, all. I haven't posted in some time, so here is what I have been doing instead:

We hosted a Christmas Ball! It was essentially a Christmas event, in honor of me and Cori's birthdays, which are three days apart.

(Most of these pictures were taken on a phone, so they're rather blurry.)

Daniel and Sarah, doing Virginia Reel

Korobushka

This, folks, is a photographic example of exactly how much harder I laugh at things than anyone else.

I even got this guy who went to community college with me to come! And since he and Cameron are both huge geeks, he even had someone to hang out with, besides me. 

Virginia Reel

Hannah Joy came to visit us and helped with putting up our Christmas tree, among other things.

Having the tall person put our Captain America star up. 

I also had a birthday.

At the restaurant we went out to.

Yes, Autumn is wearing a top hat. 

Yup. 17 years old now.



Insect update!


Mom got me three Glorious Scarab beetle larvae for my birthday.

And my Hercules beetles have grown quite a bit and should be pupating within the next few months.

Hercules

Mom also gave me cocoons for both Polyphemus moths and Promethea moths, which should emerge sometime between May and June. All very exciting. 

Other than that, I survived my first term at community college and even got all A's. *pats self on back*  We have been swamped with orders for blacksmithing forges from our home business, what with people buying them as Christmas gifts. And the first calf was born this morning! A healthy, 80 lb heifer. 

Also, Christmas shopping, music-ing and CrossFit. 

SO. That's my life.

p.s

Christmas music+Owl City= this

The Play

I'm tired and I need a change of scene

This play is good, but it is old

A new character might be the thing, 

Someone kind and maybe bold

I've tried to move but stuck is what I get

This play moves all around me

Can someone please change the set?

I don't seem to be able to

Whisk me backstage, change my costume

While people in black rearrange the place I know

Remove the furniture, hang up a moon

Once it's made new, then out again I shall go

Things have been busy around here, which is why I haven't posted so very much. We just finished making all the hay on our road during the sunny weather, and still have several more fields to do a few miles away. There are now 95 tons of hay in our barn and us kids even got some money for our work. 

This isn't our field and my mom is the one who took it but I am using it anyway. :P

We have also been insanely busy with making blacksmiths forges, something our family does as a business. After a popular Youtube guy published an interview with Dad and Cori, everyone went and bought a forge (right after they left some comment about Cori's muscles. Weirdos.)

Zack, working on forges

Last Friday, there was a folk dance. These dances we go to are awesome and full of other homeschooled, Christian people, for the most part. But this one was particularly fun for me, because in addition to awesome, high-speed dancing, the host family's son and his wife brought their six week old baby, who they were kind enough to let me hold for like 30 minutes. I don't get to hold infants very often, so I enjoyed that.

  

The dance

So that's a little bit of what I have been up to lately. What about you?

dance me into the night

Playing Dress-up

 
                   This isn't the sort of thing I'm going to be blogging about on a regular basis, but I think this event was unusual enough to justify it. If you don't think so, then ignore this post. XD

                   So, we attended a Disney themed homeschooler prom held by a family from art school (MSOA), held at what was essentially a mansion/castle.

Here.

I really wasn't sure I wanted to go when we first heard about it. Actually, I was quite sure I DIDN'T want to go. Because what good, self respecting homeschooler wants to have to admit to having gone to prom?? However, Mom bought a ticket for me anyway, and she and my sisters convinced me to go. Besides, my two friends were going to be there. So I agreed. Even wore a pink dress.

My cousin/friend Brenna. Putting a scarf over my face. 

 I am so very proud of my face in this picture.

                                      That extra girl is April, she rode with us.

Though Cori's is pretty good in this one. 

My lovely Cameron. She's one of my favorites. 

Me and two of my sisters. 

         Apparently, proms are mostly about dressing up and taking pictures. Not sure why. *shrug*
       

Sister Cori. Blacksmith extraordinaire.

Sister Cassie. Seamstress extraordinaire.

Mom made me wash. My. Feet. AND paint my toenails. AND wear heels, ghastly things. 

                  And in the end, I'm actually glad I went.  It was something worth doing once in your life.