Early Summer

There is that magical evening when you see summer's first fireflies.
And eat sun-warmed strawberries in the morning and fresh strawberry cake after dinner.
Little events that announce summer is here.

We are so ready to soak it up!

May Days

We spent our days wrapping up the school year...

... and getting outside as fast as we could.

And there were carpools, practices, scrimmages, tryouts, soccer games, baseball games, playoffs... 

and a lot of takeout pizza for dinner.

Hannah and I were able to get away for a few days to The Homestead. 

Very sweet time with my girl.

These three treated me like royalty on my birthday. 

Hannah-made pancakes for breakfast and a spectacular picnic lunch.

My birthday was also the last day of school! 

Summertime! 

Regis and Lydia

A couple weeks ago, we traveled to Kansas City for a very special wedding.

Regis has been a dear friend to us for many, many years. And all those almost 17 years we have wondered just how wonderful the girl God had for him would be. And we prayed. And prayed. And prayed. Then Regis met Lydia!

My husband and I sat back the entire wedding weekend and marveled at how perfectly God prepared both of them for each other. And how beautiful His timing always is.

Such a great group of guys standing with Regis! 

 

So much fun getting to be with Andy all weekend! 

This picture makes me laugh. I am not that funny! : )

Beautiful

On Saturday, we celebrated the marriage of two of our favorite people. The kids (and I) had been counting the months-weeks-days to this most anticipated event. A wedding. A bride and groom we adore. 

And then a big party at the farm we love on a brilliant 70 degree spring day. 

Will even asked if he could wear a coat and tie. It was that huge. 

Getting his picture in it was another story.

I only got a few photos at the reception... and not one of the beautiful bride and groom. Sigh.

It was all so lovely. Every detail. 

Dad and Daughter. 

Dancing in the barn. Hannah's favorite part.

On our way home, Will said, "I have never seen so many old people be so crazy for so long." 

I'm pretty sure "old people" are people over 20.

Spring Break 2013 : Boca Grande

Just home from a week away full of sweet time with family in beautiful Boca Grande.

So incredibly thankful.

on our way to dinner on the beach

every day was this beautiful

always with a camera

love this moment

these two make me laugh

out to dinner and loving golf cart living

our last day we took at boat ride to Useppa Island...

... where Hannah and I wandered around taking pictures of fascinating flowers...

... and crazy birds

... and funky trees

... and everywhere orchids growing out of trees! 

Thank you so much for a wonderful visit, Nana and Papa!

Our Homeschool : 1st Grade : 2012/2013

Oops! I never posted what Peter has been busy doing around here. Here it is.

This is my third time teaching first grade. So at the beginning of the year, I sat down do get started with Peter on what first grade looks like around here. After a few weeks, I decided to make some changes. Each change proved to be a perfect fit for Peter. Just one of the million things I love about homeschooling: a custom-fit education.

Peter : 1st Grade

Math

• Math-U-See, Alpha. We started the year using Saxon 2, but switched to Math-U-See and the change has been a perfect fit. He loves it!
• I still do a Saxon-like "Math Meeting" with him everyday - working with weather graphs, the calendar, skip counting, money, telling time, math facts, patterns, etc.

Phonics/Grammar/Writing

• All About Reading, Levels 1 and 2. This program is brilliant and so easy to use. We have both enjoyed the readers more than any others I have found - beautifully illustrated, sweet stories.
• Expode the Code workbooks. This is one thing that all my kids have enjoyed. Solid phonics reinforcement. I just subscribed to Explode the Code Online for some extra "fun" practice. Peter is loving his new computer time. 
• First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 1. I have used this for all 3 - love it. 
• A Reason for Handwriting: Level A
• Poetry Memorization
• Lots of reading aloud to me (or Hannah or Will). 

And we all do Bible, Memory Work, History, Geography, Science, Art, Music, and PE together. Those subjects can be found here: Our Homeschool : 5th Grade : 2012/2013

Soaking Up Spring

This week has felt a bit more like summer than spring. Good thing we didn't have to stay inside. 

We joined up with some friends at the Natural History Museum...

... and visited the butterfly pavilion (free on Tuesdays!).

Then we walked over to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. 

It was too crowded around the trees, so we jumped on a paddle boat. 

Much better.

Ice cream on the mall and a quick metro ride home. 

I love this city.