Our little homeschool group went on field trips yesterday.
We visited Canine Partners For Life. They train service and companion dogs for people with disabilities.
They showed us a video first, then introduced us to Alex, a retired service dog, who now helps with presentations. Then we took a tour of the kennels, where the dogs who are over one year of age, live for one year while they are in training that is specific to the needs of the person they will be partnered with.
Christopher was very excited about seeing the dogs, especially Alex. As soon as Alex came in the room, Christopher sat up and signed and said "dog". He kept talking to Alex, who paid him no attention, until it was the time in the presentation where his owner gave him permission to be allowed to do so. I was imressed how well trained Alex was, most dogs would have been right over licking Christopher, and causing him to no longer be happy about its presence. Alex enjoyed the petting and affection from all of the children.
We had never thought of a trained companion dog for Christopher until now. We had thought of getting a dog as a pet, but never thought about one specially trained. We are now giving this some thought. I read in the newsletter we recieved yesterday how a companion dog can be a good outlet for the extra love and affection that children with Down syndrome seem to have available to give. It can also be a natural source of deep tissue stimulation, that children with low muscle tone need, just by leaning its weight against the person.
It is a lot to think about and we will not be making this decision without doing a lot of prayer and research.
Our group had lunch at a local park. It was great to see them all interact so well, considering the large span in ages. We have children from 16months up to 17 years. I think the older ones enjoyed the swings as much, if not more than the younger ones.
We then went for a tour of the Herrs Food Factory. Ahhh, the smell of potato chips! Our favorite part of the tour was the end, where we were served potato chips, still hot from the fryer! Mmmmm!
Field trips can be a challenge with a large family. Trying to keep track of all the little ones, keeping everyone interested and happy, getting the double stroller though all the doorways. But we managed, and even had a good time doing it.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Our New Wheel
As you already know, we are learning to spin. It started with Allura, who bought a drop spindle and a bag of mixed fiber. From that, she developed a desire to have a wheel. We bought her an Ashford Kiwi for her highschool graduation gift.
A few months ago, Allura brought it downstairs to the livingroom, so she could spin while she watched TV. When she was not using it, she set it on a cabinet. So it sat there, day after day, beckoning the rest of us to give it a try, just a try. Well, we did and we were hooked.
The Kiwi has 2 treadles, and this made me, who learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine, want to spin the wheel to fast. The yarn I made on it was not a success. We'll just leave it at that. But I really wanted to learn to spin, as did Sarah and Bethany.
Gene decided we should buy another wheel. He wanted me to go to our local fiber store and try out wheels, to see which one I liked best. I found I liked the Ashford Traditional. It has the ability to go nice and slow, and was much easier to prevent backward spinning than the Kiwi (at least for me, Allura would roll her eyes at this). I also love the look of the old fashioned spindles on the wheel.
We bought the wheel unfinished and Gene took the time to lovingly finish it for me. He used goldleafing to make the heart shaped leaves in the ivy around the wheel. He also gold leafed some of the other details. It really pays to have a husband who does painting and hand lettering for a living.
We are having so much fun learning to spin. We actually have made some useable yarn, and are in the process of knitting it into cabled scarves. We have spun through almost all of the 3lbs of fiber we purchased from The Sheep Shed Studio, and are anxiously awaiting our first fleece, from a neighbor, to skirt, clean and card.
Who knew that something our ancestors would have considered to be work would be so much fun!
A few months ago, Allura brought it downstairs to the livingroom, so she could spin while she watched TV. When she was not using it, she set it on a cabinet. So it sat there, day after day, beckoning the rest of us to give it a try, just a try. Well, we did and we were hooked.
The Kiwi has 2 treadles, and this made me, who learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine, want to spin the wheel to fast. The yarn I made on it was not a success. We'll just leave it at that. But I really wanted to learn to spin, as did Sarah and Bethany.
Gene decided we should buy another wheel. He wanted me to go to our local fiber store and try out wheels, to see which one I liked best. I found I liked the Ashford Traditional. It has the ability to go nice and slow, and was much easier to prevent backward spinning than the Kiwi (at least for me, Allura would roll her eyes at this). I also love the look of the old fashioned spindles on the wheel.
We bought the wheel unfinished and Gene took the time to lovingly finish it for me. He used goldleafing to make the heart shaped leaves in the ivy around the wheel. He also gold leafed some of the other details. It really pays to have a husband who does painting and hand lettering for a living.
We are having so much fun learning to spin. We actually have made some useable yarn, and are in the process of knitting it into cabled scarves. We have spun through almost all of the 3lbs of fiber we purchased from The Sheep Shed Studio, and are anxiously awaiting our first fleece, from a neighbor, to skirt, clean and card.
Who knew that something our ancestors would have considered to be work would be so much fun!
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