It's Not Over Yet

First day of public school in Montgomery County=Day at the MC public pool (aka the Frog Pond) for us.
So nice to be there without the crowds and with some of our homeschool buddies.
It was not the warmest of days so the kids were blue and shivering most of the time.  Jack was begging to go home by the end.

I have to say I looked out my kitchen window this morning as our little friend next door was getting on the bus.  Her pool that the kids played in so much this summer was nowhere to be seen.  I felt a touch of sadness at that.
Later I noticed that our pools are no longer out either.  The baby pools that the kids put at the end of the slide and under the bar swing.  Or the one the barbies hung out in

while this kind of thing was going on:

 There's a part of me that likes looking out into a yard scattered with toys and sticks that have doubled as swords and bows.  It means there have been children out and about, enjoying the day they've been given.  Not without some drama- there's never a lack of that.  

It's a good thing the array of "stuff" doesn't make me too crazy because I would be long gone by now if it did.
And soon enough, the weather will cool, the leaves will fall, and we will venture indoors more and more until it warms again.
Until then, though, it's only mid-August.  I'm not putting those pools away yet.

Some Freedom

School is back in session- at least somewhat.  I was going to wait until next week but was feeling the need for a lot more structure than summer was giving us.  Brian and Kayla mounted a dry erase board (actually shower wall material) on the wall and I love it.  Kayla's been playing school and teaching Sammy more letters and whatever else he will cooperate for.  She's dying to learn cursive so she's practicing all she can.
I think Sam has heard the older kids spell words in order to get something often enough that he's decided he'll give it a try sometimes.
Like, "Mom, B-W-O-I-X."
Blank look from me.  Then, "Can you help me with that?"
He spells again with a smile on his face then points to what he wants.
It makes me laugh every time.

Lucy is just over a year and a half and is talking so much she seems older than that to me.
This morning as I was making pancakes I heard, loudly:
"Me pancakes is ready, Mom?!?!"
Coming right up, little one!

I had a thought yesterday that I really want to hold on to.  I spend a lot of energy worrying about how we spend our time, are the kids learning all they should, what would they be doing in school, blah blah blah...All the what-ifs.  Worrying robs me of my joy, among other things, and I realized that I should enjoy this freedom that I/we have to homeschool my children on our time, our schedule, as we see fit.  Is anyone really going to come knocking on my door and quiz my kids??  Probably not.  Am I just letting them sit around and learn nothing.  Of course not.  More importantly, we've been given freedom, at a great cost, not based on any person here but on the work of Christ.
SO, hopefully I can spend more time enjoying our days (especially the rest of these summer days) and less time fretting.  Now THAT would be nice!

"For freedom Christ has set us free..."  Galatians 5:1

My Birthday

Jack:  "Mom, how old are you today?"
"38."
Jack:  "Wow Mom.  It won't be long until you're old enough to be a grandma."
Hadn't thought of it that way.
It is my birthday!  Again!  It seems like I just posted about last year's birthday.  We're planning a trip to Claytor Lake Beach today but it's raining right now so we might have to come up with a plan B.  Pizza for dinner and a most delicious chocolate caramel cake.  Seriously.  Chocolate cake with a buttery caramel filling.  Sammy really wants some for breakfast.  I'm tempted.
Hope YOU have a good day!

Million Dollar Question

The million dollar question:  How do you get a good picture of all the kids, minus the silliness?

Don't know but these make me laugh.

Chores and Yorktown

Vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, and bathroom cleaning: check.
Kids' rooms clean:  check.
Breakfast cleaned up:  check.
The best part of it, the kids did it all except for washing the dishes.  I love this new chore schedule.  They are really doing a great job.
Why is it, then, that there is so much left to do???  Our room is still a little messy.  There's been a load of laundry in the dryer for two days and more that needs washing.  So many little projects that I really keep meaning to get to.  Sigh...  I have a hard time not gauging our day based on how the house looks.  I know better but still...Don't want to put all that pressure on the kids.  I want them to learn responsibility and how to do their chores well but I want them to play and be kids, too!
Anyway, thought I would post some pictures from our trip to Mom and Dad's.

We went to Yorktown with Mom a couple of weeks ago.  The boys were impressed by the cannon, of course.

This just makes me laugh.  We were at the Nelson House, which was the home of Thomas Nelson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  It's a little strange to walk around a house that's so old and saw so much.

The thing I loved about all of this is there are pictures of my brother, cousin, and me all dressed in these same clothes when we were little.  Well, maybe not the same ones but similar.

Later we went down to Yorktown Beach, on the York River.  The water was fine...

Just enjoying the water.

Full

I looked out my window this evening while holding my bowl of ice cream and smiled.  The driveway and road in front was full of cars.  And do you know, I realized I love having a full driveway.  It means there are friends in the house.  We had a  going away ice cream party for a friend who will be missed.  Even though it was a little sad, it was also a really nice time.  Perfect weather, yummy dessert, and good friends.  I'd have to say my cup is full this evening.

Joining the Masses

I joined the masses yesterday and got my own FB account.  After a couple of years reading Brian's, I decided it was time.  It's a little addictive, though.  I'm trying not to be on it ALL the time but today Jack said, "Mom, why are you still on fb?"
I guess kids are good accountability.
Right now the kids are all at the pool with Brian so the best thing for me to do is get off of here and head for the couch with a book.
Have a great afternoon!