This Week At Home, 2012, No. 34, Vacation!

Little notes written as a remembrance of these fleeting days...

Sunday...

After a full morning of church and Sunday school, we came home with eager anticipation of our trip up north to "our" lake.  There was actually no hurry, as check in at the campground is 5PM CDT.  We are in EDT and it's a little under 3 hours up there, so again, we were in no hurry.  Good thing, too, cause it was raining up there, a very slow moving rain.  When we finally were able to go, we had a delay as we found a tail light out on the camper.  A quick trip to the auto parts store and we were finally off! 

We were blessed with an uneventful trip and when we arrived there was a pocket of no rain, just long enough to set things up at the campsite and stay dry.  Thankfully, Jeff's mom invited us to her home for a spaghetti dinner, so we had a dry evening, despite the wet weather.  And it continued to rain the entire night!  Rain dropping on the camper sounds quite loud, so I did not sleep my best that night.  Oh well. 

Monday...

We, along with Jeff's mom, caught the 9 o'clock South Shore train to Chicago!  It was a beautiful day, too.  Probably about 20 degrees cooler than last year's trip. 

We so enjoyed the train ride.  There was so much to see, and there is less stress for Jeff not having to drive and then pay for parking.  When we got to Chicago, we walked a little more than a mile to Water Tower Place, as the kids had been saving some money to buy Lego sets.  We also stopped at the American Girl store for Grace.  Then we headed to our favorite pizza place, Giordano's. 

We caught the 2:34 PM train back and then grilled burgers.  Jeff's mom's boyfriend joined us for those.  He also spoiled the kids with ice cream from the camp store. 

We also put up Ryan's tent since it was going to stay dry for the rest of our trip.  I think we all enjoyed a good night's sleep this night. 

Tuesday...

We started our morning with a naturalist led hike of IN Dune's State Park trail number 3.  We had never walked this trail.  It starts out a little intimidating with stairs straight up and then some sand dune walking, which is HOT. Thankfully, the trail turns into a wooded section and we are once again enjoying the walk.  In the sand part of the trail, we saw tumbleweed, cacti, and lizards!  It's quite diverse for Indiana!  We also saw a lot of different animal tracks on the trail. 
 

After lunch, we headed to the beach.  There was a cool breeze today, although it was in the middle 80's.  The water was warm enough, but with the breeze, I decided to stay on the beach.  The polar bears jumped right in, of course.  It was a gorgeous day!!!  Not many people were on the beach, too.  I love off peak vacationing. 

We grilled again for dinner and also ate more ice cream.  (It is vacation, after all!)  When it got dark, we had a little fire and then retreated to the camper when the bugs started biting.  We played Apples to Apples (kid version). It was another nice night to sleep, too. 


Wednesday...

Today was the day to pack up and head home, as we had church commitments in the evening.  It was tempting to stay another day, as the weather was perfect, but duty calls!  Again, we were blessed with a good trip home. Little Dorothy was excited to see us, but as she is a cat, gave us the cold shoulder treatment for leaving her.  *grins* 

Church (AWANA) went really well, despite being a little tired.  I have six 5th and 6th grade girls under my watch this year.  They seem as if they will keep me on my toes! 


Thursday...

Now that we are home, we need food!  The kids are so tired.  We spend the day taking care of laundry, getting food, and other things.  Jeff grills our dinner and enough for several more meals, making meals easy for the next couple of days.  The guys mow as it has really grown since we left and the remnants of Issac are on the way.  I do hope we get some rain from that storm!  They are making grand predictions of 4-7 inches of rain by the end of Monday.  That means we'll probably see an inch, if we are fortunate! 

This evening, the kids went to karate and Ryan got his promotion to Jr. Leader status. He's worked for a couple years to get this promotion.  I'm so proud of him! 

Friday...

We know that this is probably our last dry day, so we decide to go check out a "new to us" disc golf course while the sun still shines.  We also have to drop Trevor off at grandparents for his sleep over and Grace has a gift card to spend at the mall.  (We never go to the mall here, so it is an ordeal to me to go.  I feel so out of place there.  I am not much of a consumer!) 

After our errands and a good lunch, Jeff cleaned the gutters in anticipation of the coming rain.  It's now very cloudy, humid and too muggy to enjoy open windows. 

This weekend we are going to hunker down and hopefully watch the rain fall!  I'm going to make a big pot of chili and cornbread.  We are also substitutes in Trevor's Sunday school room, which should be fun.  It's nice having some down time before we start back to work and school next week! 

Thanks for reading! 
~Jenn

This Week At Home, 2012, No. 33

Little notes to remember each precious day... because the days are long, but the years are short.

Monday...

Our routine was thrown off a little today due to a doctor's appointment for me in the morning.  When I got home, I wasn't sure what I'd find.  I had hoped they would automatically think to do their independent school work, but to my surprise they had played 3 full games of Life instead.  I call that a pretty good morning.  They did not resort to their default... computer or TV.  

We got right to work and were able to get most of our subjects covered.  We also worked on some life skills today.  Somehow, Grace has not learned how to work the washing machine at the age of 13.  We are fixing that.  :-) 

Grace learned how to quill. 

Tuesday...

Today we took our weekly walk around our favorite pond for PE.  The morning was so bright and crisp!  We did our lessons, had lunch, and then went to get bread.  We still had a little more school work to do when we got home.

I am glad to report that spelling, for the first time in our homeschool career, is going well.  I was skeptical about buying yet another curriculum.  I think this is our 4th one!  We are using A Reason for Spelling, in case you were wondering.  There is nothing magical to their method.  The best thing is that they use a multi-sensory approach that my kids like.  I can see us actually finishing this program this year! 

I got to go to my monthly bunco group in the evening.  I have some really sweet friends and it is always fun to spend time with them.  Next month, bunco is at my house.  Oh boy!  Need to start planning. 

Wednesday...

Weather wise, the week is shaping up to be nice.  It's cooler in the mornings and then warm in the afternoons.  Lessons are going well.  I almost hate to take a week off next week, but I am sure it will be fine.  They seem to be able to jump right back into lessons as is required at times.  

 This evening, the guys mowed the grass again.  I am happy to see how the grass continues to grow. 

Thursday...

After lessons today, we went swimming.  It was a great afternoon to swim.  Actually, I did not get in as the water is now too cold for me with the cool nights, but the kids loved every minute.  And the bonus was spending time with my mom, too.  (Love you, Mom!) 

We also had to go get groceries and take the kids to karate in the evening. 


Friday...

This morning, we went to the library.  When we got home, I graded Ryan's Biology and Grammar tests, both 95%.  We also went over how the week went for him.  He's about to finish his 3rd week of high school!  

This afternoon, we're going to work on the house and then our small group will come in the evening.  I want to make lasagna in my slow cooker, too.  Doesn't that sound so good?  It may even reach 90 today, so cooking in the slow cooker will help to keep the house cooler.  I turned off the air a few weeks ago and really don't want to turn it back on.  Thankfully, having big old trees help in that department.

Thanks for dropping by and taking time to read about our week!
Jenn 

WW: Who's Adorable?

I was allowed to post this picture if I promised not to say that she is adorable.  :-)

This Week At Home, 2012, Number 32

My favorite evening pursuit. 

Little notes I write to remember each precious day....

The tale of this week starts on Sunday, when we celebrated the birthdays of these dear grandparents! 

Monday...

"Take a deep breath," I say to myself .  Today, I must cram four days of learning into one morning, for Grace is leaving us in the evening, off on her great summer adventure with her grandparents to see aunts, uncles, and several cousins in Wisconsin.

We also had to get her packed, which, if you have ever had to pack a 13 year old girl, it was not so easy!  It was a good lesson in packing lightly. And we never did find her hairbrush! (She took a comb.)

The moment finally arrived when we sent Grace off, and  I am so glad that she has this opportunity, but I miss her.  The house is QUIET! It's just not the same without her. 

Tuesday...

Trevor and I discover just how quickly lessons can get done when there is one less child.  Ryan has all his independent work to do, so his life is not as impacted.  Trevor and I decide to go get bread after we finish lessons.

The guys mowed the grass this evening. It's not needed mowing since the first of June!  I am so thankful that the grass is green and growing again. Remind me not to complain about having to mow in March next year.

Wednesday...

We got a wonderful phone call from Grace this morning on her way to her aunt and uncle's house.  She is having a wonderful trip.  She happened to run into her uncle (Jeff's brother) who is up there for work, quite by accident at the hotel.  What are the odds they'd be staying in the exact same hotel?    She reports that she gave him two hugs.  We don't get to see him as often now that he has moved away. 

After a good morning of learning, much like yesterday, the boys and I went swimming. It felt good to be in the sunshine and the cool water, which was refreshing.  With the cooler nights and a little rain, the water was almost too cool for me!  I hope we can swim at least once a week for awhile.  It is one of the joys of summer that doesn't have to end with the starting of school. 

Speaking of, our neighborhood kids went off to school today...

And, it was a happy surprise to find an email from Grace when we got home from swimming.  She sounds so grown up!   Today she went to a museum with her aunt and cousins.  She even ate spinach (which she won't eat at home) when she discovered it came on a sandwich that she ordered. (Good girl for not making a fuss.)

Thursday...

The week's lessons were finished around 11AM.  The big story of this morning is that we may get rain soon.  The radar shows a big blob headed our way.  If only!

I found the desire to be domestic, so I organized a closet, made pizza dough, and did laundry.  Tonight, we have groceries to get and karate.

(Yes, it did rain, but only a light, gentle rain.  The temperature fell to 70 degrees and it got very dark and windy. I was sure it would just pour. Oh well, at least we got a little. )  

Friday...

Well, it continued to rain all evening, yesterday, and a little more over night!  I checked the rain gauge and it read 9/10 of an inch!  And now it is a bit cooler.  We will only reach 76F today, plus it is sunny.  

We have small group at our home, and Grace comes home this evening!  So, we'll get the house ready and then wait for our girl.  I've missed her. 

There is a long list of things to do, like make hummus, clean everything, do laundry, weed the front beds, and on and on. 

We have fun plans for the weekend.  Tomorrow, good friends are coming for dinner.  Sunday after church, I imagine Grace will be a little weary, so we will just have to find a way to enjoy the lovely weather and rest up for another busy week.  (And it is going to be super busy!)   

I hope you've had a great week!
Jenn 

WW: Homemade

This Week At Home, 2012, No. 31, First Week of School

Little notes written to remember each precious day....

Black Eyed Susans at a park. 

Monday...

As I already wrote, today was the beginning of our new school year.  It's a highly significant year for us as we are now in high school for better or worse.  I actually think it is going to be for the better.  Although, lingering doubts can rise to the surface, especially when I discover that I don't want to use one of our curriculum choices on day one! 

I am grateful to have a young man who loves to learn.  He has set up a website on a server in his room that can be accessed from any computer on our local network, which he also set up long ago.  This website will document his work.  I can check in and leave him notes.  He will write all his assignments there.  It's pretty neat.  He also set it up so I can print off things.  I love his attitude towards high school.  You can read more about that here.   

As for the younger two in our little school, they jumped back into our lessons with great eagerness.  I am not naive to think these attitudes will last more than a day.  *grins*  But, I do appreciate them for today.  We did our wonderful  Sonlight reading and I forgot, like I do every year, that the first day or two always leaves me with a strained voice from all the talking I have to do on a school day! 

5th grader! 

Tuesday...

Our lessons seemed to go a bit faster today.  We had the goal to finish and then go swimming with friends.  Unfortunately, our friends' mother canceled due to having a cold, so we went to my mom's pool.  They are in CO on a little vacation, but I know where to find the pool key.  :-)  The swim was just what we needed on such a hot day.  (Oh, this heat is not giving up!)

Frisbee golf outing. 

Wednesday...

We were up early to go to the bakery before school.  I bought them treats to celebrate the first week of school.  I would not have normally gone on a school day, nor bought them treats, but we are out of bread again and flour, too!

Today's high broke another record at 98 degrees.  There is supposed to be rain and cooler air coming tomorrow.  I sure hope so!  We hibernated this afternoon. We also took some time to tidy the house, which gets over looked all too easily.  I think we are starting to feel tired from all our lessons.  Math took longer today and we (when I say we, I mean the younger two and myself) made more errors.  The reality of the every day nature of school is sinking in.  

7th grader! 

Thursday...

OK, I admit it.  We took a little longer to get into our books today.  But the great news is that the reason is that it stormed all night!  We all woke up around midnight and again at 3AM.  At that point, I was awake and could not get back to sleep until after 4AM.  This rain was worth it though.  We got 2.5 inches over night!!!  Add that to the 1.5 we got over the weekend and we are on our way to drought relief.  Although the last I heard we needed more than 8 inches to make up the deficit.  So, I let the kids sleep in a little bit.  I would have too, except I like to have breakfast with Jeff every day.  The temperature will still be warm today, in the upper 80's, but I don't mind so much since it won't be a record high day.  I wish we could nap this afternoon, but after lessons we will go get some groceries. Tonight is also back to karate!
 

Deciding just how far that next hole is. 

Friday...

Fridays are going to be our library and bakery day, plus get ready for small group each week in August.  We are going to have a lighter school day, finishing up any holes from the week.  Amazingly enough, we did not let the house fall into ruins during our school week.  Maybe it was the fact that I knew we'd have to dig ourselves out on Friday before our small group came over.  Even the laundry was kept in check.  Not to brag on myself, but perhaps I am finally getting my act together? 

I thank you, if you've hung in here this long with this post.  I realize this week is not very exciting to write or read about.  I do feel as if we showed up on Monday prepared to sprint through a marathon and now we have the hard work of pacing ourselves through the next 176 days!  This happens every year, so I am prepared.  The weekend will go a long way in helping us catch our stride. 

This weekend we are celebrating extended family birthdays, weed whacking around the yard, tidying up in the garage a little, and participating in Sunday school kick off for the new school year.

Hope you have a great weekend! 

Jenn

First Day of School 2012

Monday was our return to lessons for the year... 

Our students:  Ryan (9th grade), Trevor (5th grade), and Grace (7th grade) 

We started our day with a brisk walk at a favorite park.  I am delighted to report that attitudes were bright as the morning sun shining in their eyes!  Perhaps we are in a season of reaping fruit?  All the many, many years of leading them towards this day when they'd return to their school books with happy hearts. (Oh, the many, many tears shed!)  This is my reward!  And a call to younger mothers to not give up. Keep training  your children.  Keep doing the hard work of being diligent.  One day you will have eager learners who will bless you and bring joy to your heart! 

This Week At Home, 2012, Number 30

Little notes I write to remember each precious day!

Monday...
It's going to be another hot week.  Nothing new there. Today was devoted to laundry, camping laundry to be exact.  I hung out all the sleeping bags, too.  Grace got to go with Nana to The Children's Museum and spend the night.  Trevor was invited to go bowling with friends. 

Tuesday...
It started out like it might rain.  It got really dark, windy and I could smell rain in the area, but no rain here.  It sprinkled and then the clouds blew away leaving the bright sun to bake us again. 

The nice part of our day was that we made a trip to a thrift store and found a little treasure.  Trevor needed larger swim trunks.  Ryan wanted green sheets to make a green screen in his room for his movies.  I wanted a mouse for my laptop. 


Wednesday...
Woke up to a lovely cooler morning, such a rare treat!  We spent some time outside walking at our favorite park.  Grace had a birthday gift card to spend.  We also worked on putting things where they belong. 

Ryan ironing his green screen. 

Thursday...
Grocery day is here!  It's the wonderful day where we get our pantry back to full! But first, let me tell you about the weather this morning. Wow, it dipped down to the low 60's.  It was so cool that I closed the bedroom window and needed a blanket!  Now, that is newsworthy!  And it isn't going to last, so I got myself outside early this morning.  I brought my Bible, journal, and planner outside, enjoying the hammock, as well.  There is nothing like a cooler morning.  It is a gift! 

We did eventually have to close the windows and head to the stores.  After our shopping, the afternoon was spent keeping cool inside.  I did some reading.  It looks as if I am not going to finish the library reading program, unless they let me count reading blogs.  That's OK. I don't really need a book light.

Friday...
It didn't cool down as much as the last two nights, so we are starting out with a warmer house.  The good news is that our electric bill came yesterday and we didn't faint from shock.  It was actually not too bad for a record hot month.  I think my plan is working.  As long as it gets into the low 70's at night, I can cool the house off with open windows and turn off the air.  Then in the morning, I leave the windows open until the house reaches about 79. We close up the house, even all the blinds.  The air is turned on to maintain 79.  I am glad it is working! 

Today, Ryan has a buddy coming over to help him with the short movie he is making.  I am going to get busy on the house's finishing touches for small group coming tonight. 

Should be a quiet weekend at home.  The next 4 weeks we have small group here weekly, so we are not planning any camping trips until Labor Day.  I can't believe Labor Day will be here so soon! 

I hope you've had a great week! 
Jenn

Flashback WW: 2009

And one of all three....