The Years are A'Passin

I can remember not too many years ago looking through a book about homeschooling middle school. I thought that seemed way off in the future. Way, way off.

This year I look at the bookcase and realize that Middle School is here, now.

I'm moving into our 8th year of "homeschooling", or at least eight years since we made the decision to give homeschooling a try. Some days I can't believe we have lasted this long, others I am so thankful that we live this lifestyle.

I've been given the chance to watch all my children move through the many stages of their lives.

I don't get to take too many pictures of Mary or Katie anymore at the table. Mary spends her school time on the sofa where she can keep her coffee cup nearby. Katie moves around from table to living room to bedroom and back depending on her mood. They don't actually have to sit right next to me to get their work done. A weekly "To Do" List and a pile of books and they are good.

But, that is okay because I still have Emily and Robbie. Where I used to have elementary students and toddlers...I now have middle school/upper elementary and lower elementary students.

Peace,

Amy

Family Adventure, Week 2

We took our family adventure early this week so that Daddy could enjoy going with us.

It was a beautiful morning to enjoy a 3-mile ride along the American Tobacco Trail. A wonderful biking, walking and horseback riding trail through western Wake County and into Chatham County.

Robbie is still not comfortable enough on a two-wheeler for trail riding, so I am still carrying him behind me. His legs are getting so long that this will not last very long.

On the way back to the trail head, we ran into a rain shower. It felt so good after all that riding.

Tomorrow, back to school - then off on Wednesday for Daddy's birthday (we may even have two adventures this week) and then school on Thursday & Friday. A very mixed up week for us.

Peace,

Amy

Adventure of the Week, Week 1

We've decided that this year we will try to have one adventure every week, mainly close to home. Something neat and interesting that we may not get a chance to do very often.
Most know of my children's affinity for getting dirty... did not surprise me that their first choice this year was to go to a spur of the local lake. We have been under moderate drought conditions this summer and have been watching the water levels drop in the lake. Mary thought it would be neat to hike across the exposed lake bed to an island normally only accessible by boat.
We learned pretty quickly to stay on the areas that the mud has begun cracking & growing grass. Otherwise, one got sucked in pretty deep.




This log has spent many years under water and has very interesting texture.



More logs exposed after many years.

In the end only Katie and Mary made it across to the island as there was one moderately deep stream that needed crossing.


Robbie found this blue & black dragonfly. It was huge!
What is this plant, Mom? It was growing all along the edge of the lake.
This hawk cause quite an uproar in the woods next to the lake.

Stay tuned for next weeks selection...we'll see how dirty we get.

Peace,

Amy

Easter Week Picture Post

Peace

Back to the park and new surprises

We went back to the park today to do some more kite flying. We managed to avoid much of the rain and only had to deal with a few sprinkles. The wind was howling, so getting the kites into the air was not that much trouble today. Mainly we had to worry about the kites getting ripped out of their hands and flying off.

After having a nice picnic lunch the children walked down to the lake to feed the ducks the stale bread we had brought. Mary found our 'surprise' of the day; a large nest of frog eggs. We brought home a small sample to explore under the microscope and to hopefully grow into tadpoles.
Here is a picture of our home 'laboratory'.
Future scientists at work.
We love our new microscope and are thrilled with being able to photo and video our finds.

Peace