Kayla caught a near freak-out moment on camera.  Can you tell?  I didn't see this picture until a few days after it was taken and it actually made me laugh, even as I remembered what seemed like a circus at the time.  Overall, homeschooling is going well.  I count it a privelage to educate my children and see them learn, to have them at home with me, to enjoy childhoods that pass all too quickly.  That is not to say, however, that there are not days when I think I will soon lose my mind.  For example, when I am attempting a language arts lesson for one child while another one is taking pictures and another one is scribbling all over the dry erase board I am trying to use.  The urge to scream can be pretty strong- instead, in this instance, I covered my mouth and looked away -for just a moment- wondering what my next words should be.  I don't remember what they were.  I think we called it a day.

I know I've mentioned how much Jack loves to read.  Clearly, at least this evening, he enjoyed reading more than eating.  Keeping good books in his hands is a challenge.  He gets a stack everytime we go to the library and finishes them all within a few days.  I would LOVE book suggestions. 

Sam, too

Not to be outdone, Samuel learned to pedal on his little bike this week, too.  He got to the end of the sidewalk and yelled, "Me did it Daddy!" and threw his arms up in the air.  Even better, Kayla took a break from practicing biking herself and came running over to him and told him what a good job he was doing.  Jack was excited for him too and made sure that I got to see.  It was a really sweet afternoon.

Still Waiting

Kayla is still waiting to lose that very, very loose tooth.  But as she waits, she has learned to ride a bike without training wheels!  She has wanted to do this for a long time but her fear has gotten the best of her. Until yesterday.  I guess she decided that was the day and she went for it.  Now she is waiting for a new bike, without training wheels of course!

Catch Up

Has it really been since August that I last posted? It's not for lack of material. I guess maybe a lack of motivation? Well, I am seeking to remedy that starting today.
The windows are cracked and we can hear the sound of the rain. All is quiet. Jack is reading, Kayla is listening to "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" on cd in her room, Samuel is napping. Jack will finally get the corn chowder for dinner that he's been asking for all summer. Soup and summer don't mix for me. But soup and a rainy, fall day? Absolutely.
School started back in August. We are smoothing out the kinks. Kayla is reading more and enjoying kindergarten- waiting for that first very loose tooth to fall out. Jack continues to be a veracious reader and is enjoying our astronomy study this year. Samuel is learning to actually play on his own, contentedly. Wonder of wonders. His favorites include playing with Little People and a big bowl of dried beans and spoons.
There is plenty to do around here. Laundry, general tidying up. (We had a wonderful babysitter last night who emptied the dishwasher and the sink of dishes.) Getting rooms switched around and ready for a little baby girl in 12 weeks (or less?). I think a trip to the library after Samuel gets up sounds better though so that's what we'll do.
Go VA Tech Hokies!

To Wrap It Up

The Three Muskateers. You know, it is not easy to get a good picture of three kids when the sun is going down...we tried!

Samuel really liked getting in daddy's boat. I love him all bundled up in the lifejacket. Kayla was swimming alongside the canoe.

These pig-tails made me so happy! She doesn't usually let me put her hair up. I love this picture.

One of the highlights for Jack was riding the waves. He loved it!

More Pictures

Samuel and Cousin Grace enjoying fruit snacks on the beach. Too cute!

Kayla loves to be out on the pier fishing. She doesn't care if she has a fishing rod or a net. She almost always catches something. She's quite the fishergirl!

Samuel really wanted to ride in "daddy's boat." He went by himself then Kayla and Jack jumped in. Monday there were porpoises out in the sound so Brian and Jack raced down to the canoe and followed them. I think Brian said at one point they were just 10 feet or so away. The porpoises circled them for awhile. Very exciting.