How it Works

On our trip out west last month we did "sunshine hours" to help the kids get thru the long drive. This is a long and history rich tradition that any of the kids would be deliriously happy to tell you about if you asked. The idea is simple. They behave for an hour and they get some kind of prize. Himbeere got a prize and demonstrated how it works. Hold it thus. . . . .

And squeeze!

School looks

This afternoon Himbeere was showing me the faces he uses at school.


And this one is when the bell rings at the end of class.

Another One in Marching Band!

Its been a few years since we had one in high school marching band. Heidelbeere was our last one and she graduated a while ago. But Maulbeere has been in band for the last couple of years and this year is a high school sophomore. That means when she signed up for band this year she automatically ended up in marching band. She wasn't too thrilled with that at first but I think after last night's game, which was the first one she had to go to, she may be a little more warmed up to the idea. I think she actually had a little fun. First the band stood in front of the home side stand and played some opening numbers, including the national anthem. That was cool.
When they were done with the pre-game music they took their place in the stands. She found a couple of friends to sit by and seemed to enjoy herself. It was nice to have a guaranteed seat. The game was well attended; it was against their rival. The crowd was so big that some of the late home fans ended up sitting on the visiting side.

Then, just before half time started, they all went down to the side lines and lined up to go out on the field during half time.

Maulbeere had actually sprained her pinkie in gym the day before the game so she wasn't actually playing. When she had asked the band leader about it he said to take her place and just fake it.

So out she went and faithfully stood in with the band. No one was the wiser. And it the end everything was okay. The band sounded great and the team won.

High Adventure

It was a holiday and everyone had been pretty good about getting their chores and stuff done in the morning. But the clincher was Brombeere needed to get some homework done and needed the house to be quiet. Besides, this may well have been Stachelbeere's last rock climbing expedition before leaving for his mission. So we piled in the car and headed to Castle Rock. I don't know if that's the official name of this rock formation but that's what we call it. It is at the north end of the Castle Rock flowage on the Wisconsin River, on the Juneau county side. The kids like it. Its not the most challenging of the different rock formations we climb on, but it is the tallest.

Just a little bit up the trail, looking back down to where we parked the car. You can just barely see it peeking through the trees.

Starting up the trail.

It didn't take too long to reach the top. And the view is pretty nice.

Lots of trees. Most of the area around the flowage is undeveloped. Nice.

On a clear day you can see forever.