Unschooling James and Adam

                                      We made it! One year through drought, mud, thunderstorms, sunny days and rainbows, we're here, fulfilled with the decision to build our new home here in Mindoro. Days were not always perfect but like a character in one of our favorite TV shows, Everwood, once said, "fine is real". Living our dream, having a farm of our own including all the surprises, challenges, frustration, hard work, and joy that come with it, has been both real and romantic.                                               We don't know what adventures we'll get into in the near future yet. We have hopes and plans, chores and to do lists, and we just continue living as life happens. Growing and learning all the time, in a rich surrounding blessed with enough water, sunlight, and dirt to bloom and blossom and just the right amount of unpleasant experiences to keep us grounded, you know, the annoying neighbors, loud, drunk, videoke singing and the on-a

Our family love cooking and eating and one of the dishes that we enjoy making is mini pizza. We make our own dough from a recipe we found online and create our own versions of "mini pizza" using our favorite ingredients.  Here, Adam topped his pizza with tomato sauce, pepperoni, pineapples, and cheese while James had tomato sauce, bell pepper, pepperoni, pineapples, onions, and cheese. Our "customized creations" allow us to choose our toppings based on our preferences. This food is so unschool-y!

It was Daddy's family's turn to visit us in our new rural home. We were very happy to see Tatay, Tita Nance, and Ate Deb's and were excited to let them see our small farm with the all the animals that we have especially the newborn piglets. On their second day, we were blessed with a very nice sunny weather so we headed for the beach to go swimming and snorkeling. Aside from the sandy shore and calm waters of Pinamalayan, we also had a great time indulging in our small feast of grilled fish, Sinigang na labahita, rice, and rice cakes, with refreshing tuba and buko juice. Tita Nance treated us to a nice spread of pancit and halo-halo because it was almost dinner time when we came back. Adam was asleep and didn't care much, but when he saw this photo, he can't believe that we were at the carenderia to enjoy a meal.

     I'm sure parents out there who prepare three or more meals a day could relate to what I would feel about cooking once in a while. It's something similar to a "writer's block", only it involves a knife, a pan, or a spatula instead of a pen and something to write on or type with. And today was one of those days. So when James asked if he could cook some eggs, I almost jump to say yes. He loves making breakfast, usually with eggs. He adds different stuff, but it's a different combination every time.  This morning, we had eggs with red bell pepper and tomatoes with soy sauce and kalamansi. I would say, he cooks the same way he builds with Lego or paint or draw. A great trait for someone who plans to open his own restaurant someday.  James: "Sa tingin ko, magugustuhan 'to ng mga customers ko." (I think my customers would like this.)

     For a special Sunday breakfast, I made some fluffy cinnamon pancakes and a mug of hot chocolate milk with cinnamon for James, as well as a couple of hotdogs. Adam had some plain pancakes and Daddy's Cold Chocolate milk. For lunch, Adam helped me make Mac 'N Cheese while Daddy made some Chicken Tonkatsu from the chicken we raised. After breakfast, we had a walk under gray clouds to see some goats. We also saw hundreds of ducks, "itik", which changed James and Adam's moods. They were not that enthusiastic at first, but I'm glad nature has a way of enticing creatures from different age and forms. :)       We did see some goats but the person who sells them was in town. James received some birthday money for his own goat and we're planning to get this larger breed, if the price is right! :) 

Inspired by Adventure Time, James and Adam decided to make their own Card Wars set. I was assigned to make the cards and thankfully, I was able to download several card designs, print them out, and glue them on recycled cardboard. I guess my training as an Early Grades teacher became handy and I'm still a rock star when it comes to gluing and cutting. :)  They made a board, several characters, and the rules of the game. To be honest, I don't think they were playing with the cards as a strategy game. Based on my observations, they were role playing the part of Finn and Jake playing Card Wars, and it was so much fun for them! 

Sunday Special#2 : James and Adam invited their friend, Arwill, to join us in our afternoon swim.  We ate half of our spaghetti before we left home, ran some errands in town, and brought the other half of our lunch to our usual swimming pool. We burned most of what we ate. It was fun swimming, playing, and having our usual race in the water. Luckily, the weather wasn't too hot or too cold. Sunday Special#3 : These fried chicken was the fruit of our labor.  And by labor we meant raising the birds and butchering them, which we are getting better at. Once in a while we also indulge in sugary soda, well, that's for me, James, and Adam, while Daddy enjoyed some ice-cold beer. Adam and James asked for water guns, about a thousand times.. so we gave in. The weather was also a little bit on the warm side so we gave in, again, to a cold classic Filipino street food, ice scramble! Sunday Special#4 : Our family of four loves sandwiches, usually paired up with soup.

We bought our tickets a day ahead to minimize possible stress and enjoyed a twirl-all-you-can treat. Flying with Toothless and other dragons, the smell of fire, the wind and smoke... are just some of the added effects we don't usually experience in a movie house. Thanks to Tay (grandpa) for the treat!