Weekending

The last soccer games of the season.

Words of thanks for fantastic coaches.

Peter took these next photos of Will's game. 

Those times when I get up the courage to hand Peter my camera, 

I always love the moments he captures...

photo credit: Peter, age 6

photo credit: Peter, age 6

And then on to the last game for Hannah's team - the Angry Birds. 

They won 5-0. And finished the season undefeated! These sweet girls have played together for 4 years and will be splitting up next year to play at different levels. My husband/head coach was feeling pretty proud of this crew. It was a perfect last game.

Then on to the piano recital. This was Will's first recital. He has been out-of-this-world-nervous (his words) for weeks about this moment. Both Hannah and Will played beautifully.

Will played a duet with his teacher. 

Whew! "It wasn't that bad!" he tells me.

Still sorting through Rome photos. Coming soon...

15 : 25 {my colonial girl}

Hannah's class hosted a Revolutionary War Museum for the parents today. The interactive "museum" had revolution-era characters with "buttons" for us to press and find out more about their place in history. Hannah complained to us about taxes. The whole thing was so well done!

Earlier this week, I read Passionate Homemaking's post about old fashioned rag curls. One mention of it to Hannah and she ready for me to start tying rags in her hair... perfect for "Colonial Day."

This is her hair after a full day at school and being in the rain. It was very curly this morning.

I'm afraid this is going to be a regular request. But sitting with my girl at night and talking while I do her hair... I'll gladly do that any night she will let me!

Here she is waiting for someone to "press her button"...

The First Day

It was a great First Day. They were up and dressed before the sun, bundles of excitement and nerves. I held it together until the last one walked into the building. Then I was a bit of a mess.

I had a terrible time with my camera yesterday morning (pretty sure my nerves/emotions were affecting my brain, rendering me unable to fix the settings). I did salvage a couple photos. And I sloppily edited out the school name from boys shirts... just don't want you to think I sent them off on their first day with strange spots on their uniforms.

My sweet girl is in 4th grade!

Hannah (after school): "Mom, I really, really, liked being there with my friends all day."

My baby is in Kindergarten.

Mom: "What was your favorite part of the day?"
Peter: "Every part. And especially Spanish."

Will - who has decided he is now 'William' - 2nd grade.

Mom (as they climb in the car at pick-up): "So...."
William: "Awesome!!!" followed with "It wasn't as long as I thought is would be."

**************

Later that evening, we enjoyed a beautiful evening concert - Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. Such a fun show!

Dinner Club goes to Wolf Trap. Love these people!

School

When we started homeschooling we committed to take it one year at time. And after much prayer and consideration, my husband and I decided earlier this summer that all three would go to school this coming year.

Gulp.

We have a unique opportunity for our children to attend a small Christian school with which we are closely connected. My husband meets regularly with the headmaster and often leads the school's chapel. The teachers are wonderful. The campus is beautiful. My kids have many friends there.

So with that, it did seem a bit crazy for us to homeschool these past three years. And, honestly, having the option for my children to attend this school made those hard homeschooling days harder, but we loved being home for school. I could go on and on about all that we have enjoyed and cherished... and the things we will miss. These past three years have been a wonderful gift to our family. And my husband and I both feel by homeschooling we have set a tone, created an atmosphere for a love of learning in our home. Schooling at home was the right fit for our family for a season and we may return to it.

This week we are busily preparing to begin this new adventure. Kindergarten, Second Grade, Fourth Grade... the kids are ready, a little nervous, but very excited!

Clearly, my days are about to drastically change. From about 8am to 3pm everyday, my kids will be at school. I feel a little like someone has cut off my arm. It's strange for me to respond to "What are you going to do all day?" Well, I'm not all that sure, but I am excited to take care of my home in a way that I couldn't these past three years. And I'm thankful to have more time with women (in Bible study, mentoring relationships, and volunteering at school and church).

I'll still be here. Blogging about our family life with gratitude posts, craft projects, books, housekeeping thoughts, meals and recipes... just not a lot of nitty-gritty homeschool stuff. Not this year anyway...