July 11-13

Looking back at July it seems like we didn’t do anything but fun in the sun! Well we DID take advantage of the lovely weather and a freezer full of freezies and got our time in the sun.

We are doing well with reading, worksheets mailed by Gammie and of course the new season of Wild Kratts. (HERE)

Dodo and Tasmanian Tiger

Saturday we headed back to the Schwartz’s for a nice visit So there are MORE pictures of the ever adorable Jeffrey…

Renee was out with her mom and sister but the kids, Ken and I came over to help Chris and his folks build a shed. I mean, KEN helped with the shed, I helped Grandma (Anne) with the babies and the kids played and hung out.

Best little buddies!

Watching a movie together

Mystro is absolutely one of my favourite subjects to photograph.

Chris treated us all to Chinese as a thank you. It was so much fun to just sit, sew and read with Anne and Jeffrey. Talk about a relaxing Saturday (not so much for Ken and Chris and Gary!).

Ken and Mystro

On Sunday we decided to go back to the Blaine beach and enjoy the wonderful sand, water and splash pad. I have to say, with such a nice location a short drive away we are really not motivated to go further and find a less manicured or bigger beach.

I love the confidence all 5 kids have at this beach.

After the beach it was back to cheering on one of our favourite soccer players. Anthony was playing his final game of his regular year.

Even big Andy made it out! Which was GREAT. Ken does love spending time with him, but he is so often on the road driving truck this summer it has been a trick to plan out.

The kids wandered off and played together so that worked well.

And Anthony and his team played a great game! I do believe they were undefeated in regular season. Our plan is to go to a couple of his USA Cup games as well. I know they play a couple foreign teams along with some more local (or at the very least American).

It is these great opportunities to spend time with our friends and family (I mean, come on Novaks are basically cousins at this point!) that has slowed our hunt for the elusive homeschooling family to meet and hang out with.

September 9-10

We decided that Monday the 9th was our day to begin our new year. But first, a run to Walmart to purchase our very first brand new lunchboxes!! They were on sale and everything (one of the joys of having the ability to wait until AFTER public school starts). Each of the 4 big kids picked their own. We had only 2 that duplicated.

After the excitement of a lunchbox well chosen we went out to the front yard with our special signs for our new grades! Poor Echo had a blister on her foot and so was not in a picture mood but I think it suited her colourful “Toddler” poster!

Self decorated, of course!

We had a parcel come in the mail from England with items from France AND England inside! We have some amazing Facebook friends out there! Thank you Anne and family! I need to find a place to display these lovely things.

I found and printed out multiple beginning of the year worksheets, games, mini books… anything I could think of to make it fun and interesting to say what our goals are, find out what we like and dislike… that sort of thing.

Lunch was a special experience for us… we have never done the lunchbox thing before! The kids were quick to see alternative uses for these items… snacks on rides, toys, collections. I am sure we will get our use out of them!

We also started a new weekly program of 4 days of one on one time with each kid… what I am doing is Monday – Thursday each child gets their day with 30 minutes Mommy only time! Our order for this week is Zander, Emanuel, Trinity, Gavin. Zander chose to sit on the iPad and chat with me!

Tuesday continued on our trend. We had a couple science projects to start…

And a garden to pick through…

Schoolwork to explore…

and games to play…

We ended day one with supper together…

I think it was a beginning well planned and executed!!!

Girls working side by side