The Intruder

Look what tried to hide out in our garage!

Busch Gardens - AGAIN!

Once again we headed to Busch Gardens with our Dear Onofrys for what may be our last fun day of the year there. It ended up really storming, but not before we had hit a bunch of rides. The Gals even rode The Big Bad Wolf roller coaster - which is being retired and torn down soon.

Classical Conversations

Last night, The Gals and I (along with Wonderful Husband) had a meet and greet with the Classical Conversations homeschooling group I joined this year. I have to admit I have been having doubts about the decision to join this group. They moved our meeting day from Tuesdays to Fridays - which I had planned on being our Fun Day. Then, they moved our meeting location from my home church to a new church for budget reasons. Every time I turned around, it seemed like there was something popping up telling me to get out. But, after meeting all these people last night and being reminded of how wonderful this program is, there is no doubt in my mind that I have made the right decision for us. I had visited a group in the spring, and had forgotten how much I enjoyed it, and how much I think The Gals will benefit. There are eight kids in the Journeyman group The Gals are in - six of whom are girls. And, they will be giving presentations to their class every week and doing a family presentation to the group probably twice this year. I love that! I have always hated speaking in front of a group (yes, I do it now all the time, but it took me 40 years to get to this point). I am sure starting this at a young age will help them to be come the wonderful, powerful women God has planned them to be.

We have been working hard this week. I am really liking most of the supplemental curriculum I picked. It is pretty cool teaching Language Arts and using David and Goliath as our story. Or, watching The Gals learn the concept of multiplication.

I am excited to see how this year goes.

Our Classroom

Some of you have asked me what our classroom looks like that we are using, so I decided to post some pictures.

We had our first day in there this morning. Papa is coming in a couple of weeks to put in shelves in the closet that he built for us so I can store all our stuff.

The flowers on the lattice are actually hot glued to clothespins so we can hang all the girls fabulous pictures and projects.

Scarlett joined us. We told her as long as she didn't interfere, she could stay. So she laid on the floor and learned a little about multiplication.

Jackie's Visit

We have been busy the past couple weeks hanging out with my sister, Jackie, and her family. She is back in the States. It has been so wonderful having her and her family here. We went to Carolina Beach with my ma and sister, Jenny, to celebrate my nephew's birthday at Chuck E. Cheese and hang out on the beach. We also got to visit the aquarium. The kids did not want our time together to end - and neither did I.

The Fountains

A couple days ago, The Gals and I met our Dear Onofrys at a local mall so the kids could play in the water fountains. The Soccer Player was not having a good day, so she spent most of her time sitting with me on the bench. I remembered the first time I took them to the fountains. They were probably two years old. They loved it then. And, I was so happy all the girls still had just as much fun six years later. Maybe they aren't growing up as fast as I think.

Let Me Take My Teeth Out First

Once again, the very generous Grandma and Granddad allowed us to use their house at the lake for the week while they were out of town. And believe me - we used it. My sisters and their families came for 5 days. My mom was even able to join us for a bit. After they left, the Playgroup Girls all joined us for the I-don't-know-how-many years in a row. On Saturday, we did a combo birthday/graduation celebration for The Soldier. His Godparents were both able to join us for the day which made it really special.

We are completely exhausted. But, I have to tell you - I cannot remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did this past week. My stomach still hurts - course that could be from the fact that I was able to do a 360 on the kneeboard. (Three times if you must know.) Wonderful Husband said he is going to enter me into the Senior Citizens Olympics. Very funny!