Anticipation

We're just a little excited around here.

Weekend Cheerleading : 1000 Gifts

I spent this past weekend cheering on my girl. The last soccer game of the season, dance rehearsals, back to back piano and dance recitals... she smiled through the whole weekend. It is one of motherhood's great joys... being a cheerleader.

With a heart full of gratitude, and a tired girl still sleeping upstairs, my list of gifts goes on...

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End of season pizza parties.

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Grandparents on the sidelines.

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Running through tunnels of arms.

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End of season medals.

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That red-face, sweaty ponytail, I-gave-it-my-all-smile for the team photo.

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Our church family picnic.

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Big, inflatable slides.

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True community.

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Not wanting to have a ballerina bun at the piano recital. And then sitting next to another ballerina... with a bun.


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After hours of practicing, those two songs played beautifully.

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Proud little brothers.


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Being able to go first... and on to the next recital.

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Putting make-up on her sweet face.


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All the excitement of the dressing room. Fun with a roomful of giggling, costumed girls.

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Dance recitals with your best friend.


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Bright smiles from the stage.

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Will wanting to be the one to give the flowers to our dancer.

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And his sweet compliments while we drove home in the dark.

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The joy and privilege of being a cheerleader.

Strawberry Shortcakes

The best way to end a day of strawberry picking.
And a sweet way to welcome my parents here.


This is the best shortcake recipe I have ever made. Light, moist, lemony.

I made more slightly smaller shortcakes (9 instead of 6) and baked them a couple minutes less. Also, I did add lemon zest - I would not consider that "optional." They tasted just like sunshine.

Strawberries

Strawberry picking at Butler's Orchard. Summer has begun.

We brought home piles of juicy, red perfection.

It was hot. Very happy to find frozen strawberry lemonade being served in the farm store.

Ahh, sweet summer.

Our Homeschool : Year 3

About a month ago, I spent two days at CHAP (Pennsylvania's Homeschool Convention). It was a fun time away with a few friends. And then there was all the book shopping, which may be one of my *favorite* things to do. I'm such a nerd.

Next year, Hannah will be in 3rd, Will in 1st, and Peter in Pre-K.
And almost daily, I beg them to stop growing.

I did a lot of research before I arrived, so I had my choices narrowed down. There is just so much out there I would love to do with the kids.

Here's the plan so far...


Hannah : 3rd grade

Math:

• Saxon 5/4. This works well for us, despite the dryness. She is excited about doing it more independently next year.

Language Arts:

• Grammar: First Language Lessons 3
• Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing. This was a big decision. I camped out at their booth and asked a zillion questions. Very excited to get started with this!
• Spelling: Sequential Spelling 3. This is a change for us. It just makes sense to me... more so than other spelling programs we have used.
• Vocabulary: Wordly Wise 3
• Poetry: pulling from many beautiful books on our shelf.
• Cursive: A Reason for Handwriting D

Latin:

• Hannah will continue to meet with her Latin class weekly (taught by a homeschooling mom/former high school Latin teacher).

Will : 1st grade

Math

• Saxon 2. I already had it, so I went with it. If it's not a good fit, we'll go back to Horizons.

Language Arts:

• Grammar: First Language Lessons 1
• Explode the Code: starting with Book 2 1/2
• Spelling: I am going to wait on buying something separate for spelling. We will use his Explode the Code words to start.
• Copywork/Poetry
• Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting B

Character through Literature: Beautiful Feet Books (we have all the books, I only bought the study guide)


Everyone

History/Geography:

• Sonlight World History (1+2)
• Geography thorough Literature, Beautiful Feet Books.

Science/Nature Study:

• Apologia's Exploring Creation : Botany
• Hikes, Nature Center programs, and exploring in the afternoons.
  

Bible:

• Bible Study: I'm not settled on what we will be studying.
• Scripture Memory
• Catechism

Music:

• Composer studies starting with these books on Brahms / Schubert and then continuing on in this series.
• Hymn studies
• Piano lessons
• Choir at church
• Kennedy Center field trips
  

Art:

• I will put together a schedule of artist studies and projects before the year begins. And hopefully I will stick to it.
• Homeschool co-op art class.

Still thinking about... how to incorporate Shakespeare. And maybe Spanish....


Peter : Pre-K

This was a hard decision, but Peter will be going to a morning preschool program next year. It is a wonderful school with two fantastic Pre-K teachers. A couple of his buddies will be in his class. He is thrilled!

A Beautiful Book

Will asks, "Mom, WHERE did you find this book?!"

"I ordered it from Amazon."

"Well, you need to send them a hundred extra dollars. This book is SO cool."

I added this book to my cart on a whim, thinking it would be a nice book to close out our study of birds. All three of them crowd around it, dragging it to ever corner of the house. It is a lovely book.

Summer's Arrival : 1000 Gifts

Looking back over this week, I fill another page in my gratitude journal.
There is so much joy in the counting...

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Completing that last math lesson.

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The last day of school.

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Dinner out.

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City sidewalks.


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Ice cream to celebrate.

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"Mom, I really liked second grade. Thanks."


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This boy.



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His antics.


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And flour tortilla dough from our server.

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Cupcake icing.


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Best friends.


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Wrestling... when no one gets hurt.

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Her love for beautiful things.


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Peter's hold-on-tight hugs.


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Finding this TREASURE in a neighbor's trash! (I did knock on the door just to make sure.)


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Red roses from my dad.

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A backyard picnic to celebrate my birthday.

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Money saved, counted, and spent on a thoughtful gift for me.

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Hannah's love to give gifts.

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Ice cream cake.

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Summer's opening weekend.

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Preparing for a Memorial Day cookout.

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Flags flying.

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Remembering all who have served and sacrificed.

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And still do.

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A sweet Army family with their hero at home this Memorial Day.

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For freedom.