New month, new school year! This year I gave the kids the option to “chose” their school year… We get asked this question A LOT through the years and the kids never really know how to answer it. We don’t align to a specific grade and in Trinity’s case, I didn’t register her OFFICIALLY until she was 7 but she has been schooling much longer. (this saves us on testing until it is required by state law) I gave Echo Kindergarten and Trinity chose Grade 3. The boys, they got creative.

Emanuel went with Grade Dinosaur. Gavin  decided on Grade Minecraft. Zander went all out with Grade Mom is the Best Teacher. (mild suck up action there).

I even wrote my own “grade” level.

Poor Echo continued to get eaten alive by the mosquitoes.

I went all out and tried blue hair… it faded a bit too quickly for my tastes but was fun for the short time it lasted.

Note Echo’s temporary blue streak thanks to hair chalk.

September was also the month of our Uncle Ted and Uncle Sean visit. Ted was here 1 week and Sean 2. It was amazing to have 3 of my boys together for the span of time. So much fun.

With Cookie the new Fat Sheep

We also did Renaissance Festival with the boys and Shandai and Ravyn (no kids of course). Costumes for those who wanted etc etc. I will post the many many images and share the fun in a future post.

We ate out at our favourite Indian place.

Sean took Ken and myself out for a super fancy dinner as well!

Fancy outfit… ignore the bathroom

Super pretty room

Played with the Uncles.

Worked out hard.

Learned as much as we could.

I snuck in my craft time whenever possible.

At the pool

I think we all had fun walking outside to the park.

There was a robot kit to make with the uncles.

And Sean even taught Echo how to play WoW (World of Warcraft) which I hadn’t seen in AGES.

Don’t forget swimming.

And the most unusual students.

As well as some amazing sunsets.

New school year, new start! We made the most of it with lots of fun, workbooks and working together. Keep an eye peeled for an overflow blog post. There are just too many pictures to share!

Gifts from Ethiopia!

When I started this blog it was with a commitment to keep it going through thick and thin… There have been a few varations on posting… Once in a while when the kids were wee… daily sharing when the homeschool life was new and fresh… month chunks at the end of the month… and now, a full on battle to chase myself back to current. I have actually found great joy in reflecting on these months long gone. It is amazing to see, now removed, how highly productive and honestly HAPPY we were back in times when I was SURE we had accomplished so very little. 

September was a busy month. We finished up our visit with Jeff that overlapped a day with Sean.

Learning a little TaeKwonDo

Which at the same time had Ken, myself, Shandai and Ravyn at the Renaissance Festival.

Of course since we had Sean down we had to go do fun things… a trip to the Minnesota Historical Society… where we apparently took way too many pictures. But the temporary Hmong exhibit was amazing! 

Plenty of fun times at home (of course with computers included).

The weather was absolutely lovely so plenty of time was spent outside in the pool…

At the park…

We even squeezed in some school time.

Wild Kratta

Art

Ken won beer for a year… FROM OUR CHURCH!We started a new year of schooling… well tried out some new ideas and photographed our one and only stating of a grade level that we do each year!

We even started up in scouts again!

Be sure to check the overflow link… I took so many pictures of the festival and the museum. It is such a waste NOT to share them HERE.

Now I am sure most people know that Ken and I do the Renaissance Festival ONCE a year, always in some sort of costume and if we can with my best friend since high school (shhh not telling the year) Shandai. In fact, when we relocated from Canada to sunny Minnesota it was at the festival that we first laid eyes on each other once again! This first time I wore the costume from She Chris and He Chris’ wedding … fun fact…

Now we have gone every year for 4 visits… although it has been 3 years since we have moved… gotta love it when you move back right when festival is going on! And at this point I am totally spoiled with an AMAZING dress thanks to the combined efforts of Shandai, her roommate Emily and an amazing seamstress named Melinda. Apparently this piece is Melinda’s first dress made that she left behind to be passed to someone in need… the previous two visits I have also borrowed Shandai’s hoopskirt and created my own snood via my crochet skills! But… THIS year Ken took the initiative and his newly created sewing skills and with some input from those in the know MADE ME my own hoopskirt!

When it is muggy hot with a heat advisory you pre dress at home!

And this waist makes it all worth while.

Note the belt, my new purchase at the fair this year. Leather and gorgeous.

Anyway, last year we actually got to go WITH Shandai and her then boyfriend Ravyn. They had, in past years, worked there so we would only visit with them briefly and then wander on our own. Now they are both able to go as guests so we of course, go when they can. Thanks to Chris and Jeff this year being willing to not only watch the minions but also collect Sean from the airport that afternoon we were once again able to go on the date that Shandai and Ravyn (now fiances) were going.

We were unable to find time for Ken to make the shirt he planned to make as a new costume or afford the kilt I would LOVE to see him in but Ravyn had the amazingly brilliant thought to pull out a wizard costume he had and voila… Ken was dressed to impressed (ignore the sneakers).

With staff and all.

With beer

Better yet – we all were coordinated… green was the colour of the day!

We shopped, we wandered… we ran into people we knew (cuz I finally KNOW PEOPLE!). We braved the heat advisory weather in a corset (yup another addition to my wardrobe that will be used in the October wedding). We got complimented on our costumes and even met a mermaid!

There were so many interesting characters and shops. We played, we snacked, we drank (the mead was exceptional) and we enjoyed it all. Definitely an experience I would suggest to anyone! Especially in costume.

I had to snap a pic of this lovely lady… Duchess came instantly to mind, does it not?

Tell me you don’t hear the Lego theme song in your head instantly!

There be dragons here!

The wizard lent me his staff… he also bought me that basket before festival at a steal for 5.00!

Do not question the tails.

Sitting in the romantic garden sipping mead.

I found the princess! Well… A princess

Music break

A mermaid and a Scotsman! What a duo!

the mermaids just love the children.

Thirsty business

Playing the boob drums

A squid earring!

I think this is one of my favourite images… I found a baby fairie!