Entrepreneur in the making (click to enlarge)

Jake is our budding entrepreneur. As mentioned in a previous post, he is always coming up with ideas for various business ventures.

In September of 2006, at the ripe old age of 8, he sold marshmallows at the side of the road. Initially, there was some discussion about the price he should/could charge per marshamellow. He thought $50.00 each would be a good price, mom wasn't convinced that was such a good idea. Much discussion followed.....his argument --- he wouldn't need to sell many in order to make a lot of money. Mom countered with he couldn't sell them for that much money to which he replied, "Why can't I?.....I've got my sign and my marshmallows....what more do I need?"

It was finally agreed upon that .10 ea would be a better starting point. Much to mom's surprise (and everyone else's too), he made $6.37.

The summer of 2007 brought a much more focused approach. He gave it some thought, made some plans, made some signs and finally decided rocks for sale would be good, followed by some of his drawings and the last of his summer ventures ---- selling cookies.

He made $7.00 selling rocks (just plain ole rocks....no pictures or paintings...just rocks). He went on to sell his drawings....making $7.00 at this. He really cashed in on the cookies though.....after all of his expenses he made $49.00.

He's already working on this summer's idea. It's top secret but it's even more of an organized event than other years.

Homeschooling allows us so much flexibility. It not only allows each to develop their own interests but also allows them to be more creative in achieving their goals. Jake has learned so many skills with these ventures --- math (making change, counting money), planning/organziation/goal setting, creativity (being allowed to develop and try out new ideas) to name only a few.

Jake has also declared himself as the Prime Minister of Pouch Cove. He puts his suit jacket on and gets quite official looking. After he conduts his "official duties", he has many questions about real politics....which leads to some great discussions and learning on his part.

It's interesting, watching each of the children develop their gifts and interests. Most of them are surprises to us, nothing that we would have ever guessed. We're glad of the opportunity to watch each of them unfold at their own speed.

Spring.....in the air??

Hmmmmm.....it sure feels like Spring is in the air today. It is such a beautiful day here, I thought I should get out an enjoy some of the fresh air. Yesterday, it rained (and poured hard!) all day. Again this morning too. This afternoon though, the sun is shining and it feels and smells a lot like Spring. A lot of the snow around has disappeared (it has all melted off of the trees, it's starting to melt in the ditches and the water is running.) Brittney went for her usual 3 km walk to the post office today, wearing just her spring coat. Here are a couple of pictures of the same shot -- the first ones taken on Jan. 24 and the others taken today.

Tyler continues to work hard at his studies. I *think* he is trying to be the first one finished this year.....but he hasn't said this to me.

Brittney is also working hard and we are noticing her growing ability to put her school work first. She had opportunity to finish early the other day and go to the Library with Jake. She loves the library and spends a lot of time there, but this particular day she was determined to finish her work first.

Jake continues to be Jake. He is always working on ways to earn money. His latest attempt (which hasn't panned out for him yet....but he keeps hoping) was to offer Spanish lessons. He knows about 10 or 20 words, all of which he learned from the tv show Dora. So, he made up a flyer and posted one in the post office as well as the Town Hall. It was colourful and read.....

SPANiSh

MrR JAKe ________ WiLL Teche You HOW TO SPeCK SPANiSh. I DON'T KNOW aLL OF SPANiSH. BUT i know ALOTe SO CALL Me iF YOU Are PLANeiNG TO GO TO MeXacoi. CALL Me and I WiLL Tech You SPANiSH. SO Just call Me AT

XXX-XXX

BY JAKE ________


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and then he has his number written in vertical strips all along the bottom of the page and cut in between the vertical numbers so people can just tear off a slip and they will have a slip of paper with his number on it.

(Tyler commented he should learn English first)

He is determined.....as he posted this flyer in early December. He still checks in quite often to see how many tags have been removed. A couple are missing.....but much to his dismay no phone calls yet. (LOL)

He is planning ahead to the summer though and already has ideas for money making ventures.

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We're all continuing to learn about Newfoundland, the history, the culture. There is so much to learn and we feel like we've just scratched the surface.

Watching and Waiting For Icebergs

Icebergs!!!

O.K......I have a bit of a confession to make.....I didn't actually take these pictures of the icebergs. Nor did I even see this particular one. However, my neighbour did see them and she was the one who took the pics. And.....the best part --- she took them right out in front of what is now our place! Apparently, it got 'stuck' in the bay and was so interesting to see the way it changed shape as it was battered by the water, the wind and most likely up against the rocks.

We've only ever seen one --- it was quite a small one (as far as icebergs go) floating out in the middle of Conception Bay. That was one July when we were staying in Bauline.

We are so eagerly anticipating seeing some icebergs (we'll settle for even one at this point.) I think I've heard June is when they're most apt to come along. Hmmmm.....school will be done....we're going to get ourselves a park bench or two, plant in amongst these trees......and watch and wait for an iceberg.

Hopefully, we won't be disappointed.

More snow (click on pics to enlarge)

We had a snow storm yesterday. I'm not complaining though.....even though it was the worst one so far, it's only been the second one since our arrival here. The snow doesn't seem to bother us here the same. I think because of the way it is viewed. Businesses aren't afraid to shut down because of the snow ..... and they do. People are more willing to just go home, put another log on the fire and wait out the storm.

As you can see, we still don't have a lot of snow where we are. Larry loves using the snow blower and we all tease him about wanting to play with his toy.

Today, after he blew out the driveway and dug out the garbage box at the end of the driveway, we headed into "town". We call it the city (because it is, after all, a city) and our little town "the town" but....around here if you say you're going into town ---- that means the City of St. John's.

We never tire of the drive into "town". Meandering down along the coast line, the ocean is there to greet us at almost every bend and turn in the road. It never fails to mesmerize us ---- the calmness of it one day, the frenzied fury of it the next, the fresh layer of snow on the rocks yet on another day. It's always exciting to see what kind of a mood the ocean will be in on any given day.

We had groceries to buy, errands to run and drop off the older two children off to go "sliding" (what we would call toboganning) with the youth group, before heading home. The ride home is equally as beautiful, the same bends and turns, just a different angle and view. If it's at night...the moon is absolutely gorgeous shining across the water.

Yep.....we're definitely liking it here.

Around Town....

Pictures of Pouch Cove

(Clicking on any picture should produce a larger image)

Views from our back yard

Sunrise over Pouch Cove -- "First to see the sun"


O.K....not our back yard, but around Pouch Cove



More of Pouch Cove Falls....this is taken from our back yard.

We have Pouch Cove Falls in our back yard ;-)





Some more views from our back yard....

Ahhh....Pouch Cove, Newfoundland

Hi and Welcome to our home on The Rock!

This is my first post and excuse the mess while I get things organized and set up here. We're a homeschooling family and have recently moved to The Rock from Southern Ontario.

This is one view from our back yard. Living on the ocean is amazing and breath taking for us, compared to the little lakes where we are from. The air is sooo clear, clean and fresh ---- and the sky ---- it's sooo blue! Our lungs hardly know what to do with the clean air -- but they're adjusting just fine.

Most days we have to pinch ourselves, we can hardly believe we are home. It's been a long road here, but we are looking forward to our new life on the rock. So far, we haven't been disappointed!

So, sit back, pour yourself a cup of tea and make yourself at home!