Blueberries

picking blueberries ... a perfect summer day

We did convince Will to eat ONE. This kid is not a fan of fruit... but he will happily drink smoothies. Have I mentioned my wonderful husband bought me a Vitamix for my birthday? We are living in smoothie heaven these days.

We waited til Friday (pastor-husband's day off) so dad could come.

We bought our 20 pounds (!) of blueberries and sat in the shade while the kids played in the meadows around the farm.
Summertime dreaminess.

and then comes the

Sunday morning blueberry muffins,
summer evening blueberry cobbler,
blueberry zucchini bread....

National Building Museum

We started the day with a class - City by Design (it was homeschool day at the NBM). As city planners, the kids each constructed a different type of building and discussed where to best place it.

Will decided this city needed a soccer stadium.

After class we headed up to the LEGO Architecture exhibit. Amazing.


The rest of our visit was spent in LEGO paradise.

The building is beautiful! Built in the 1880's to house the Pension Bureau and to provide a suitably grand space for Washington’s social and political functions (the Great Hall).

Oh My!

It has been 3 weeks since I last posted! Yikes! My parents have made it very clear that this lack of photos is not working for them. So, here's an attempt to wrap up the last weeks with some pictures...

Peter's class had a year end field trip to Mrs. B's farm.

The end of Pre-K - Peter and his teachers

Just a sample of artwork sent home with Peter on the last day...with this caption...
It seems I have quite a bit of power. : )

Last day of school silliness.

And on to strawberry picking at Butler's...

with our crazy friends.

Oh, and we have enjoyed many make up soccer games in June's heat, end-of-season soccer parties, swim practices every day,
and a piano recital...

(last year her feet didn't touch the floor...)

And the highlight of this past week... a preview of our new American Girl store! My dear friend Laurel somehow got us reservations for the "Friends and Family" complimentary dinner at the American Girl Bistro 4 days BEFORE it opened. Hannah was over the moon!

We were actually there when they ripped the paper off the windows!

Kit, Hannah, Elizabeth, Lindsay

We are inside!... still a little left to finish before the opening.

Dinner at the Bistro complete with seats and place settings for the dolls.
And the hair salon needed some extra practice, so all the dolls were taken away dolls for free styling while we ate. : )

And there's more to come. It's been too long.

The Last Day

Moments after finishing their last math lesson today...

Oh yeah!

I'm so proud of them!

Summer Dreaming

A dear women with over 30 years of teaching experience once told me that the productive school year really ends around May 10th. That's when the students (and teachers) start their summer dreaming. Boy are we feeling that around here! But we press on with two weeks to go before we begin our summer break!

And so begins the string of last classes, last games, last lessons, year-end recitals and parties... all seemingly paired with a pizza party. How much pizza can one child consume in a few short weeks? I believe we will find out.

our last homeschool "sports class"... and a goodbye to our amazing coach

Will's general attitude towards math drills these days.

This says it all. They are literally climbing the walls.

How's it going at your house?

Uncomplicated Parenting

This post was the breath of fresh air I needed yesterday. Enjoy.

Parenting 001 - Kevin DeYoung

Sunset on the Gulf

We visited my in-laws in Southwest Florida last week. One of our favorite things to do there is hop on our bikes after dinner and head to the beach. Every evening a new bit of theater...

There is a surprising brightness that follows as the sun finally sinks into the sea...

and then the moon winks at us.