FLAT STANLEY'S VISIT

We had a visitor from New York recently. My sister Kelly's son, Eric, sent his friend "Flat Stanley" to the farm. We hope he enjoyed his stay. While he was here, Stanley was a busy fellow. He joined some of our art classes.

He spent several nights and days at the theatre and really enjoyed watching "The Pirates of Penzance". Here he is trying on the Pirate King's hat, while Curious George wears a hat belonging to a distant relative of "Flat Stanley", the Modern Major General Stanley.

Stanley enjoyed going out to see the wildlife. Lightning, our cat is giving him tips on birdwatching.

Stanley is doing some obedience work with Nikki, our German Shepherd. He taught Glory, Nikki, and Anna all how to sit.
Stanley is on his way back to New York now. We hope next time Eric can come too, although not in an envelope.

DRESSING ROOM DOOR SIGNAGE

The Sign on the Men's Dressing Room (donated by Kevin Edwards)

The Policemen's dressing room sign (the Pirates aren't the only ones who "hail poetry!")

The sign on the Girl's Dressing Room Door (created by Laura Edwards)

CALEB'S 20TH BIRTHDAY!

We recently celebrated Caleb's birthday. He spent a little time with some "brother-sister bonding".

After Joel's ethnic variety, we once again were treated to down-home fair for Caleb's birthday: Spaghetti and Meatballs . . .

. . . Beets, Fried Okra . . .

. . . and Fruit, a family favorite.

MONDAY'S DRESS REHEARSAL

Debbie Hickle took a bunch of terrific photos of Monday's dress rehearsal. The run through went great and I encourage you all to come join in fun at one of our 6 performances.

Nathan Hickle on the Pirate ship.

Joel as the Pirate King.

Nathan Brown as Frederic and Amanda Nisbett Engleke as Ruth (a very funny pair!)

GENERAL STANLEY'S LOVELY DAUGHTERS

Climbing Over Rocky Mountains . . .

. . . Make the Most of Fleeting Leisure

Yes, Yes, Let's Talk About the Weather !



Eavesdropping on Mabel

I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General !

"I am very good at integral and differential calculus,
I know the scientific names of beings animalculous . . "


"Can you do it again, and this time, really fast?! "

Hail, Poetry !

OUR UNDAUNTED MEN IN BLUE . . .

They march . .

They sing and dance . . .

They act with bravado . . .


. . . and then they faint.

Poor Wandering One

A Paradox

With Cat-Like Tread

Softly Sighing Through the River

ROLLA AREA TEA PARTY

There will be a Tea Party in Rolla on April 18th from 1 - 3pm at the Lions Club park (pavilion # 1 ) to peacefully protest the government's out-of-control spending and taxation that will eventually follow. Local Missouri State Representatives Dr. Dan Brown and Jason Smith will be addressing the gathering and answering questions. This is a good opportunity to hear great speakers and mingle with like minded conservatives.

THE PIRATE KING GETS A PERM

For Joel's upcoming role as the Pirate King in our production of The Pirates of Penzance, it was decided that curly hair would be a benefit. So Joel submitted himself to the indignities of a perm. Nathan Brown (Frederic) was happy to take these pictures of the embarrasing process.

The curlers come out.

And Joel looks better than a warthog (as previously reported on Facebook). I'm beginning to really like his ringlets. Come see him perform in The Pirates of Penzance (he even has cool boots and a sword).

FIELD TRIP TO COLUMBIA, THURSDAY, APRIL 2ND

We traveled to Columbia to view the judging of the Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Before the contest began, we were given a very educational tour of the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Facility. Our tour was arranged by Tim Haller, the state coordinator of the Junior Duck Stamp Contest, who does an excellent job. Our tour guide was Nile Kemble, a research fish biologist, shown above. He did a fantastic job explaining the importance of monitering the health of the entire food chain in a pond, stream or wetland environment.

We were introduced to a variety of insects, worms, isopods, and fish that are studied at the research center. Joy and Anna are viewing a tank of rainbow trout. We also saw some sturgeon and catfish each at least three feet long.

Nathanael viewing some "critters" under the microscope. Joining us on the tour were the Ymker family, who took all these photos, and the Jenkin family, homeschoolers from Pittsburg, MO who have participated in the Duck Stamp contest as long as we have. Brie Jenkins won Missouri's Best of Show in 2007.

We also toured some of their research ponds until it started raining, and Glory snuggled up.