Journey North

For the last few years we have participated in Journey North's symbolic monarch migration. Each spring we anxiously await a package from Journey North. We received one this spring but it was accidently filed in the generic Tupperware box on the porch, along with a phone bill and a postcard, before it was opened. Imagine my surprise when I searched for a bowl and lid and found mail instead. Mail that is months old. Yup. We moms love surprises like that.

I knew there was major flooding in Mexico so I didn't think we would receive butterflies back this spring. The butterflies that were sent down from Canada and The States were ruined in the flood making the migration back north impossible.

The butterfly we received was made from a student in Mexico. That makes it even more special

As an added surprise we received milkweed seeds. I put the envelope in the fridge and we will plant them next spring.


We are now working on our butterflies to send for this year. Looking at our past symbolic butterflies and the ones that migrated back to us is quite the inspiration. Check out these past posts:
Butterflies received May 2008
Our Symbolic Butterflies October 2008
Our Symbolic Butterflies October 2009

If you want to join the symbolic migration now is the time. Check out Journey North for the rules and regs.

(c) 2008-2010 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

Journey North

We again participated in Journey North. We followed the lesson plans provided on the Journey North Website.

The picklets each decorated a butterfly to send along with the migrating butterflies.

Dill decorated his as a Sharingan from Naruto. From what I understand this is one of the three noble occular jutsus in Naruto. At least that is what Dill tells me.


Sweet decorated hers by marbling it. She has US on it but didn't take into account that it should have been done backwards so it came out backwards. Oh well. (on the back I had typed their name, school and a greeting to the children in Mexico)


Chip decorated his with a Coca Cola logo. Coke is known world wide ya know.


We gathered everything together and sent it out. Dill asked the postmaster if he could watch them cancel the stamps and date it.

Now we wait until Spring to see if we get butterflies back. More of my Journey North posts.

(c) 2008-2009 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

Journey North

We are once again participating in the symbolic monarch migration from Journey North. The picklets have made their symbolic butterflies, they are packaged and ready to hit the mailbox first thing Monday morning. The packet consisted of a return envelope so we can receive butterflies in the Spring, three butterflies decorated by the picklets, a booklet about butterfly migration for the Mexican student who receives this, a cluster envelope that holds the butterflies and booklet and an envelope with a donation from the picklets. All artwork is original by the picklets.

We can't wait for fall to see the migrating butterflies in our trees and because of Journey North, we can't wait 'till Spring either!

© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines

Journey North

We are so excited! We participated in Journey North this past season and we received three butterflies back! The kids are so excited.

They received three butterflies two that originated from Illinois and one from Tennesee. Also included in the package was a letter from a teacher and a student in Mexico...but they are written all in Spanish. Luckily I live two doors down from a Spanish teacher, I am hoping she will help me decipher it.

This is a great hands on way to experience the migration system and learn something about different cultures. We totally plan to participate again next year.
©2008 The Homefront Lines

What Homeschooling is About

Have you ever tried so hard to do something, teach something or figure something out that you ended up frustrating yourself and everyone else? Tonight was one of those nights.

We are planning on participating in Journey North's Mystery Class . As one of the activities the students must figure out the photoperiod for their area and 10 others. I showed the picklets how to calculate the photoperiod for different sunrises and sunsets. And the more I tried to teach it to Sweet, the more frustrated she got. She cried. I hugged her and told her it was hard and it was OK that she didn't quite understand. She gasped through sobs that she only got one answer correct so far. I hugged her some more and told her it was OK. It is hard business and will take time to learn. Then she cried some more. I wanted to cry. Chip and Dill seemed to catch on OK and grew impatient waiting. I finally told everyone we were going to take a break. Goodness knows I needed it.

Chip came to me during my meditative period on the computer and said, "I think I have a system that will help Sweet." He showed it to me. It was easy, quick and correct. I did the problem his way and then counted out each hour and minute on the clock. His system was right each time.

I asked him if he would teach Sweet. He handed her a dry erase marker and said, "Let's learn!" They stood at the mirror together, Chip teaching Sweet, patiently and kindly. She would do one problem, erase and do another. It took only minutes for him to teach her what I couldn't in hours. My heart swelled.

THIS my friends, is what homeschooling is about. Letting the kids take charge. Letting go. Standing back and being amazed. I have been reluctant in the past to let go of this control. I now *really* know I need to let go, step back and watch things progress. Because they will absolutely astound me if I give them the chance.

I called Cool and told him about the "fiasco" (our pet word for times like this) and I could hear the pride in his voice when he said, "That's great!" It was so nice giving him good news, I should do it more often. :-)

Here's to good days and better days!

© 2008-2010 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines