School day

Lunch (I'm not sure why these added in the opposite order I had planned them). The smiling is mostly because school is done!

Rachael working out those tricky "ABC" ordered words.

Sophie successfully read her first "Bob" books.

Even in home school, much time is WASTED sharpening pencils!

Michael helps me to wake the girls up. Later, I'll get some pics of morning exercises.

So here's a little look at some of our school day experiences.

SCHOOL!

Yes, school has begun. We all started last week, including Bret, who started high school. How this is possible, I don't know. How do I have a kid in high school when I'm still mentally IN high school?? He's having a blast, loves his new school, has lots of old and new friends there, oh yeah, and there are classes too, btw. Even went to his first football game. The girls have plunged into school here, and are doing well. There's always that first week, where you go, "remember, these shapes are numbers, and these are letters!" I'm talking about all the ages here! Girl scouts are about to begin this week too, and I anticipate ballet soon as well. And, today was the first day of choir at SFA for the girls. The swirling schedule begins. It's been fun to get back into a routine though, truly, it's good for everyone. Michael gets cuter and cuter as the days go by. He's almost one and a half now. Amazing. I wish I had 3 more just like him! (well, all of them for that matter.) I'm sure there's lots more going on, but it's late, and I'm wiped. The weather has been exceptionally nice and cool this weekend, so we've played outside for most of it. (thus the newest fairy house pictured above) I think I have over-oxygenated myself. More later!

Vacation at my parent's

The front porch of my parent's place..and all the grandkids

Rachael, Maya, and Sophie

Shannon and me.

Michael looking over his shoulder at the raging river and thinking about how to get there. Later, of course, big brother Bret fell into said river-with the camera in his pocket!

We went to a "gem mining' place where the kids sift through a bucket of dirt to find lots of treasures. It's a huge hit.

We spent a really fun week at my mom and dad's place in N. Carolina. My sister, b-i-l, and their kids came as well. We swam, walked, shopped, fished, ate out, waded, cooked, laughed, entertained guests, argued, made smores, and even fit in a little sleeping-in late in the mornings. It was great. My sister and mom busied themselves in the kitchen mostly as I slacked off lounging around the house...thanks guys! The breakfasts and desserts were always great, and I am sporting the extra 5 lbs. to prove it. Now, it's back to the grind here, cleaning, cooking, washing and finishing the last details to be ready for school to begin.