a gypsy caravan

happy birthday ben

Ben turned seventeen the other day. This past year he has changed from a round faced boy to a young man. He grew several inches and gained a slimmer, more chiseled physique due to daily trips to the gym.  I can only say these things to you, dear visitor, because when I mention them to him, I get a roll of the eyes, a big smile and some sort of grunting sound followed by, "Cut it out, Mom." 

I so enjoy my son's company. I am proud of the young man that is slowly replacing the chubby cheeked, wooden sword yielding, coonskin cap wearing, bat swinging little boy from years past. The affectionate, shy fellow who used to hide behind my skirt when someone talked to him has many friends. The little boy who loved to work alongside me in the kitchen, yard and garage is now working daily at a job of his own. The boy who swore he would never go to school has finished his third year of public school where he has made the honor roll each and every quarter. 

I've even grown to love his moppy hair. :)

Wishing you a very happy birthday, dear Ben. I'm so thrilled to be your mom. 

congratulations ben!

Benjamin made his confirmation the other day.  He is growing into a fine young man. My mother was honored to be asked to be his sponsor.  He chose St. Patrick as his confirmation name and patron saint.  We love you, Ben!

Ben's First Harvest

This summer as well as last, Ben has worked a garden plot in the backyard.  Last year, he impressed me by asking whether he could prepare the soil after it had been allowed to grow over for the previous five years.  I was surprised when he turned over the entire plot himself, paid for seeds and seedlings and took care of the watering and weeding.   

This year he has extended the size a bit and is working on some of the requirements for the Plant Science Merit Badge.  In the spring, he planted green beans, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Big Boy tomatoes, green bell peppers and Gypsy peppers. :)  Here is his first harvest.

The green beans are coming along nicely and should yield much more in the next couple of weeks.  We have some rabbits with insatiable appetites that have made off with the lettuce, spinach and all but three of the carrots but Ben is not discouraged.  He is paying his sister to watch out the window and chase the rabbits away.  :)

Home from Camp

Ben has been gone for the past week at Boy Scout camp. When I picked him up this morning he looked tan and healthy and stood a bit taller than he did when we dropped him off last weekend. There is something about an all male environment, eating what you're served, sleeping in a tent and spending 100% of your days and night outdoors that makes a boy look a bit more like a man.

Today was monumental for Ben because he will turn twelve years old tomorrow and now weighs 100 pounds. To Ben, that meant one thing...the ability to sit in the front of the van with Mom. No more having to argue with his brother and sisters for the prime seating location in the back. Nope, he is a big guy now and was smiling from ear to ear when I told him to hop up front.

On the drive home, Ben shared all that he had done at camp. He mentioned some achievements such as catching his first fish, taking it off the hook by himself, hitting the bulls eye a number of times on the rifle range, earning his Environmental Science and Swimming merit badges. He told me he didn't have much dirty laundry to wash because he hardly changed his clothes. (?!?) And yes, he had been faithful to say his prayers.

The clincher came when I asked him (like all mothers are inclined to do) whether he had brushed his teeth. Sheepishly he looked at me. "Yes, I brushed them." "That's my boy!" I exclaimed.

"On Thursday."

Woodcarving/Woodworking with Children

When Ben was four years old, we gave him a hammer, a two by four and a couple dozen nails. He was content for a long time, hammering away in the basement on his little workbench that I had picked up at a Montessori school sale.

He has always enjoyed all things artistic but really seems to have found a niche working with wood. He has made several projects over the years including a little table for his sister, shelves, wooden toys, bird houses and a mail organizer for Mike. Here he is sanding some wooden figures in the wood shop in our garage.

This fall he has focused on woodcarving and has completed two projects thus far. The first is a snowman ornament. Second, is a Christmas stocking that he mounted on a pin backing. He is planning to give both as Christmas gifts. They still need painting or staining but I had to show them to you all because I think they are super. :)

Very few tools are necessary to begin carving wood. Ben uses a Flexcut KN12 knife and wears a thumb guard. He also finds it helpful to use a non slip rubber pad (similar to those used to open jar lids) to hold the wood in place so the project does not move around while working on a table.

It is a good idea to start learning under the direction of an experienced carver. Ben took a beginning woodcarving class at a local woodcraft store, for one afternoon. The class was intended for adults but the instructor was welcoming to well behaved, older (ten and up) children who were serious about learning to carve.

There are also woodcarving clubs in most cities who meet monthly or more often. Many of the members are retirees who are more than happy to pass along their knowledge and experience working with wood to younger carvers. It is helpful to see other people's work by attending woodcarving shows where local artists can exhibit their wares on display or for purchase.

If you are interested in exploring woodworking or woodcarving with your children, I have listed some books in my right hand sidebar.