Trick or Treat

We did things a bit differently this year.

Instead of a neighborhood party

We went to a Trunk or Treat up the road.

Everyone had a good time.

Sawyer was a bit of a challenge

But

We persevered.

This is the first time we've really done 'theme' costumes.

But when Sawyer said he wanted to be the Tin Man,

I made everyone else pick a character.

Ansley refused to be Dorothy or the Wicked Witch.

But she was cool with being Glinda.

In case you like the B&W best

Or the colorized version

Happy Halloween!

We Survived!

October is almost over.

Last thing on our list:

HALLOWEEN.

Here are some highlights from the last few weeks.

Soccer.

Coaches and his new buddy, Shaaz.

Love the coach on the left.

Have seen him in action in basketball and soccer.

He is WONDERFUL with the kids.

So happy he donates his time to this cause.

Birthday.

My little man is growing up.

I have seen quite a few positive changes in him over this last year.

(Don't get me wrong, he can still throw down with the best of them but....)

Swimming.

Last night of class was water safety.

Happy to report that both A and J passed

Level 1 and Level 2.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get them in Level 3 next session.

Duet

I apologize for it being all wonky.  I will keep trying to 'right' it.

A little back story:

Dad taught Judson how to read music and where the keys are

Judson taught Turner which keys to play

Plus 

Turner just spends hours just picking out sounds
They picked out the music and started playing

Catching Our Breath (Hardly)

The past two weekends have been busy ones.

Soccer

and

Boy Scouts

Mostly

One weekend was scout camping

One weekend was scout forestry badge

There's a person in those trees!

Then we have soccer

2 practices plus 1 game per week

Notice that Michael Jordan'ish mouth hanging open.

He really enjoys soccer and has begun to get the hang of it,

even scoring some goals!

This Saturday is the last game.

They have a potluck afterwards.

Yeah, I'm a loser.  

I signed up for chips!

Ansley also started back with the Emory-China group.

She is with the older girls in their Mentoring group.

Their first meeting she painted pottery.

LOVED IT!

We are also getting ready for Halloween.

We are doing a theme this year for the first time.

Can you guess?

Notice behind Sawyer.

(NO, not the sewing machine on the floor)

Ansley is snapping beans.

One of our neighbors has been very kind to Judson

(Judson helped him gather a whole truckload full of food for an organization this man works with)

He offered to let Judson pick beans in his garden.

Judson picked about a bushel of beans!

Ansley probably snapped half of them by herself.

Surprisingly, Sawyer snapped quite a few.

BONUS

The man offered Judson part of his garden plot next year to plant!

 

 Now if Randy makes it through FEDERAL jury duty the next 4 weeks

(IF he is selected)

And he survives his marathon this coming Sunday

We'll be home free!

Things We R Doing

Still Busy

BUT

The month is winding down

And so will our busy-ness.

We are taking the time to take care of the important things:

and

Haircuts

but 

I don't have a picture

We are learning how to swim

Getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine

Still home schooling and scouting 

Still doing therapy (Sawyer)

Still doing art classes (Ansley)

Still doing home school co-op (Judson)

Still doing soccer (Turner)

Well visits

and even jury duty

Mom's even taking time to get a haircut since it's been over 2 months since the last one!

It's all good!

Grocery Store Day

In Sawyer's world there are 7 days.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Grocery Store Day

Saturday

 

What are the only 2 things on his grocery list?

Donut

Coke

Sleep Over, Soccer and Baseball, Oh My!

Just an average weekend.

Sleep Over.

Soccer Game.

and 

The Braves Last Regular Season Game.

Our buddy Alex spent the night.

Turner's feet are in there somewhere.

Turner, burning it down field.

Protecting the goal!

Brothers!

No baseball pics, yet.

Game still in progress.

Chipper's last regular season game.

End of an era.

Expanding Our Horizons

When we started home schooling, we did so because we didn't think the public schools had enough to offer our family.  Sadly, we still feel that way.  We also knew that would continually evaluate and tweak our little school to get the most out of it for each child.

As with most kids, our home schooled kids sometimes think they are missing something by not going to 'real' school.  And to some extent, they are.  However if you had a balance sheet listing pros and cons, I think you'd see that the scales still lean heavily towards more pros for home schooling.

That being said, we have another consideration.  In our state there is a scholarship program. I do not know all the ins and outs of it, nor do I know if it will still be in place by the time my children are of age to use it.  Still we must do due diligence to make sure our children are in position to use that scholarship as well as others.  So we began the search for accredited home school programs.  (Now this issue can/could be solved by using a k12 online program which is our safety net)

We found one that we hope will solve both problems we seem to have, being the kids need to experience 'real' school and our need for an accredited academic program. We are going to try a 'trial' run for the rest of this school year in their 'arts' program, for Judson only.  It meets 1/2 day a week and they study the arts.  No academics and no grades.  If we like it, then we will begin the academic program next fall which would meet 1 full day a week and the rest of the time we'd be on our own.  (best of both worlds!?!?)  At some point, we'd start the other kids.  I don't really think they need to begin until late elementary/middle school.

There are pros and cons to this choice.  It is small. Which I like.  There are 12 kids in the 4th-5th grade class.  They mix ages to some extent.  (again, I like that)  They use a Bible based curriculum.  Not sure if that is a pro or con.  I have found that sometimes this type of program can be watered down and if it is not 'your' flavor of doctrine, can be offensive or at least cause confusion.  However, since it's only 1 to 1.5 days a week I think we can handle both potential issues.  I like the limited days.  The other 3.5 - 4 days they will have home work but it will also give us time to beef up any deficiencies we see and still give us 'home school'.

So, stay tuned.  Time will tell if we like it or search for other options.  The way cool thing about home schooling is there are so many options.  I am optimistic that we will find something that fits our family.

First Soccer Game

All I can say is,

Bless the coach's heart.

He is definitely a candidate for sainthood in my book.

(Fifteen 4 and 5 year olds, most with the attention span of a fruit fly.

Yes, I include T in the 'fruit fly' statement.)

Happy First Day of Fall, Y'all!

More Vacation Pics (In no particular order)

Since the other 2 were not tall enough to drive their own carts,

Randy and I drove them around.  Hence, not pictures as I was zipping around the course at lightning speed!

New Echota

Style Personified

Seriously, I let him pick his own clothes.

He just oozes style!

Now, I also have a one who dresses like the absent minded professor.

One that dresses like Pippy Longstocking.

And one who prefers super hero togs. 

It's all good!

Hiking

One of Randy's favorite things to do is HIKE.

Now that the children are getting older, he takes them whenever they want to go.

Sawyer cannot handle the uneven terrain of the mountains, so he does not go.

(Although we do take him hiking on greenway trails and other smooth paths)

My kids are not the only 'wild' things in the forrest.

Back from Vacation

 A few pictures from our vacation.  If you are ever in E. Tennessee and have time, I highly recommend the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE) in Oak Ridge.  My kids loved it. 

 It's a mirror!

It is very interactive.  So if you have a few little ones that like to move around like I do, I think you'll like it.

Very reasonable prices too.

More later!

Oh the Joys of the School Year

Do Not Think I've Abandoned my Dear Blog.

But alas, school has kicked into full gear and life has just gotten busy.

4 kids. 

 All home schooled.

2 therapies a week.

 

2 soccer practices a week

Plus

1 game

 

Swim lessons start in October 

Twice a week x 2

 

Scouts (boy and girl)

 

Birthdays

Holidays

Costumes

Parades

Vacations (the perks of home schooling, vacations can be anytime)

 Art Lessons

Races (running)x2

Training for races (x2)

Various Doctors Appts

Camping

etc, etc, etc

And you know what?

I love it.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

 

It'll be over all too soon and I will wonder where the years went.