"I Go Africa!"

This little girl, with the hair-ballies (as we call them) and the Ivorian heritage, kept singing out all morning, "I go Africa!" We'd told her during her bathtime that we were going to see lions and zebras that day at African Lion Safari and our excitement bolstered hers. It was a zoo of crazy, noisy, elated kids in my kitchen as I wrangled water bottles and snacks for the ride. Mama, who began this tradition when my sisters and I were young, came along for a nostalgic adventure and, for some kid-loving :)

So we "go Africa" as a reward for the end of our unit (still enjoying some learning but finishing up). It just seemed like the perfect day to get a wee taste of the savanna and rainforests of that great continent. So very thankful for how God opened our eyes this year to the vast and intricately woven tapestry that is Africa.

Dilly Dilly

I didn't want to wash my hands for the rest of the day. Farmer Kevin beckoned us to rub our hands over the lavender foliage to secrete the oil, even though the flowers hadn't bloomed. It had been a tough spring, he said, which kept his fields from overflowing with purple deliciousness when we were there. At least the fragrance was abundant! He taught us the difference between his herbal/culinary English lavender and his French lavender, used for room sprays and sachets. He explained how he and his wife impressively create 107 different items from the attractive little plant. 

(sadly, my camera kept stopping throughout the tour or I'd have more photos--I'd say this is enough though! :) 

Snapping a photo of any tiny bit of purple I could find since our trip was a smidgey early in the year.

Meeting new homeschoolers at the end of the school year :)

 Describing the difference between the English and French plants.

 A little one enjoys one of Farmer Kevin's dogs.

 More tiny buds attract me.

 

Molly with the soon-to-bloom lavender in the background. 

 Meg under a locust tree. 

 Strolling through the fields.

 Listening to a lesson on hazelnut trees that Farmer Kevin just planted.

Sniffing lavender.

 

Farmer Kevin shows us the aviary--a non-living one--phew!

 The very busy, active one--zoomed in, of course :)

 What has happened to all the bees? He shares it's pesticides on local crops and rough winters because there was plenty of honey in the bee boxes. 

 Saving the bees that pollinate the very important lavender and other crops and plants.

Explaining all the parts of a bee box.

 

 The kids got to try on the bee suit. 

Looking for splashes of purple to satisfy my colour starvation :)

 Taste-testing the lavender honey and lavender caramel sauce.

Yummy!

Perusing the lovely little lavender shop.

Eventually, I did wash my hands, but not until we returned home and I sampled the honey I had bought. I think there is nothing so delightful as visiting a farm of any sort and relishing in its goodness. 

I couldn't stop humming...

Lavender's blue, 

Dilly dilly, 

Lavender's green,

When I am king, 

Dilly dilly,

 You shall be queen.