NOT-BACK-TO-SCHOOL

September 4, we had our 2nd annual "Not-Back-to-School" Celebration.

As homeschoolers we have that freedom.

It was unfortunate that more couldn't join us, but we did get 6 families and a range of ages for a day of picnicking and playing at the park/lake.

It was beautiful weather for it!

Do you do anything special to mark the new school year?

GETTING IT DONE

Mike has had off this week.

It has been a pretty productive week so far, if I do say so myself!

Today's project is getting the outside of the house painted to match the rest.

We have gotten the basement semi-organized and cleaned out a lot of junk.

I say semi, because half of it was cleaned.  The other half is storage for the time being and still has to be organized.  We moved the wood stove inside to get ready for winter.  We got the "new" playroom pretty much cleared out and ready for updates, as well as the "new" girl's room pretty much cleared out and ready for updates.  We are in our new closet..er..bedroom.  It still needs some minor touches, such as curtains and shelving etc. 

Here are some of the work in progress shots.

TRADITION

School for us started several weeks ago.

As in...the end of July.

Nothing crazy and certainly not a full schedule, but with a little one on the way, I wanted to get a jump start on a couple things.  We have 2 or three subjects still to add to the mix, but adding them in gradually has been working.  We are considering yesterday our first "official" school day, even though we didn't DO any school!  We had our 2nd annual "Not Back To School" Celebration yesterday.  I have a few (very lousy) pictures for another post.

Without further ado, our 2014-2015 "First Day" pictures.

Happy Back-to-School!

LABOR DAY

So, I missed the month of August.

I will update you.

First, however, a little announcement.

Coming soon!

Blessing #6.

I had all intentions of actually making the "social media" announcements on Labor Day..but our plans were changed and it just did not work out.  So, a couple days late--a blurry, picture of a picture of a picture.  It is a face picture, if you couldn't tell.

More thoughts to come soon!

Happy September!

TEA & CRUMPETS

This past week, Mike was able to travel to England for work.

Yep, across the ocean!

5 hour time difference plus international rates..

He is becoming quite the traveler of late!

Last month is was Texas..prior to that North Carolina..but this one was a biggie.

This was different too for me, mostly because previously, I could have just hopped in the van and driven to wherever he was in the continental U.S., if there were any issues.  Across the ocean however, we are stuck.

This trip was kind of sprung on us..two weeks ago.

He didn't even have a passport at the time!

It has all worked out though, and in the brief few minutes we have talked to him, it sounds like he has enjoyed the experience.

As I type, he is en-route to the U.S.A. and should be home by this evening.

(Well, I'm scheduling this post, so when you're reading this it would be last night)

Here are some pictures he has sent me from his trip.

I don't know if there is a particular order or even how to narrate them.  

We may get to that after he gets home and is settled, but for now, just enjoy.

Welcome Home!!