County Fair

We went to the fair with some friends this afternoon. I'm just going to let the photos speak for themselves. G'night.

Catching Up

I couldn't believe it when I noticed I haven't updated since August 29th. Sorry about that. I've been really busy with home schooling and the kids' activities. I'm glad we're busy, but sometimes the small things get away from me. I do manage to keep up with the laundry, but things like uploading the photos from my digital camera just don't get done.

Both kids are really enjoying the home school experience. I'm so thankful that it's working out. I originally planned to give Jacob a one-month trial to see if he liked being at home and if I could handle both of them in the same classroom. We are now at the six week mark, and we're all happy with the arrangement. Jacob works in his preschool workbooks, is learning his short vowel sounds, and is participating in some of his sister's math and science lessons. Merrilee is now officially taking weekly spelling tests, excelling in second-grade math (though some of the math facts stump her), is reading well above average for a 5-year old, and is breezing through phonics. Science is her favorite subject and she's eager to start American history next spring. We do most of our work in the 9am-12pm time frame, though I've also had the blessing of sleeping in a little later when I want to. No 8:30 am runs to take Jacob to preschool. I'm so glad I didn't re-enroll this year. That was just a huge added stress.

Both kids are enjoying their sports: Merrilee in gymnastics and Jacob in Tae Kwon Do. He is going up for his white stripe belt test this Saturday. This will put him between a white belt and a yellow belt. Every now and then we deal with a little jealousy where Merrilee wants to take Tae Kwon Do or Jacob wants to be in gymnastics, but the rules are firm. I'm not letting them be in the same sport. I don't want them to compete and hurt the others' feelings inadvertently. Merrilee is very agile and would excel in TKD, and I just don't want Jacob to feel any additional pressure from her. They are the best of friends, but when they are outside playing and we run or play football, he is usually the underdog. I want to feel like he's the family pro at TKD. He's doing great at it, and we've seen so much improvement in his physical stamina, balance, and overall gross motor skills. Where medicine has failed us in his gross motor delays, TKD has picked up the slack. He can now throw a punch or kick without ending up on his back. Just four months ago that wasn't possible. He's looking forward to the Championship Tournament in October where all the kids compete in various fields of TKD: sparring, forms, board breaking, kicks, etc. Everyone goes home with some sort of patch or prize, so even though he's not "killer", I know he'll enjoy it and feel like he's done something worthwhile.

On the home front, we're gearing up for fall and packing up the summer. We emptied our pool yesterday and today, and tomorrow it goes back in the box. I am also pulling out my gingerbread recipes, wearing my warm jammies at night, and thinking about the fall decorations in the attic. I guess it's time to plan for a trip to the pumpkin farm and light my Fall Harvest candle. Mmmmmm...cinnamon and spice. Love this time of year!

I hope all of you are doing well, and that you are relishing the cool evenings (if you're on the east coast). We were downright cold last night. I love sleeping with the windows open though. There's just such a short time you can do that before frost starts. Have a blessed first day of autumn next week.

Hugs,

Petrie

Fireman, Football, and Femininity Friday

Fridays are just a little more laid back, and fun, than the other days of the week. We can let our hair down, or put it up, and just be ourselves.

How does my garden grow?

"The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" Genesis 2:15

The kids love working in the garden; I think it's a natural thing that children (and many adults) find pleasure in having a hand in the planting and nurture of a garden. We've finally had decent enough weather to put in a few cool-weather veggies. I got the garden tilled this past Friday and Jay was kind enough (with Merrilee's help on the tractor) to haul some composted manure from the neighbor's horses into my garden. Yesterday the kids planted some lettuce, sweet peas, and onion sets. It was a modest start, and of course, we had a light frost last night, but it seems the garden was unharmed. I love taking pictures of the kids at work in the garden, so these are just a few I have to share.