end of the season

We spent this weekend camping. It was the last of the season. We had a fantastic time. We were parked by this great bike trail. The kids really logged the miles on their bikes! It was a blast!!!

karate kids

My kids have been begging to take karate for awhile now. In August we did a trail run at a studio not far from our house and it did not seem to fit for us. We decided to wait a bit and try a new studio. Yesterday was their first trial lesson at a tae kwon do studio. They LOVED it! It was fun to watch them (the are video monitored so the parents can watch). It is not far from our house and Max and Briggs are doing it with us. They have 4 trial lessons. Hopefully it will work out...

Reagan's first day

Yesterday morning was Reagan's first day of kindergarten. She was very nervous. After many prayers and lots of last minute hugs we set off for school. We went a bit early so she could look through her classroom and get settled before her friends arrived. She was a bit shy but did not do her usual clingy bit. Mrs. H welcomed Reagan and showed her where to put her backpack and lunch. She also showed Reagan to her seat. One of her table mates is Grayson. She was very pleased to have a friendly face to sit next to. After we got comfortable we still had some time so we went to the front and sat on our usual bench. We had a few hugs and a visit from Annie who helped cheer our morning. When it was time I walked Reagan to her class. She sat in her seat and we gave our usual 3 hugs and 3 kisses (2x). Grayson said, "Hey! We do that too. Well, we used too." We shared a giggle then Reagan said goodbye and that was it.

I left the room with tears of happiness and sadness. I am so happy that Reagan is at CCS AND that she made a smooth 1st day transition. I was/am sad because my sweet girl is not by my side every day. I have a new road to travel down. Change is not always easy but this particular one is for our good.

Thanks to many of my friends who called, sent messages or gave me a hug (and distracted me with exercise!). It was soothing to my soul.

God is good, all the time!





When I picked Reagan up she bounced all the way to the car. She said, "Mom, can I go full day?" I said, "Why would you want to do that?" She replied, "I want to have PE with Mr. Klyn. Only full day friends get to have PE."

She loves it and I am thankful!

BTW- she is NOT going full day.... :)

39

Today Dale turned 39 years old. We spent a fun day at the City Museum (the kids choice)...
That is Luke scrambling up the new tunnel on top of the Praying Mantis slide on the roof of the CM...

Here is Carsyn and Dale climbing up that same tunnel...



Dale and Reagan scaled the inside of the dome on top the roof. If you haven't been you cannot possibly even imagine such an amazing feat. It is scary!!!



We had a great time. The roof top is our favorite part of the City Museum!

homeschool

People home school (generally) for one of four reasons: 1. they do not approve of their local school district 2. they cannot afford private education 3. they feel their child needs extra help or attention 4. they want to mesh their religion with academics. These are valid reasons. However, none of those reasons were why we decided to home school our youngest. We made the choice to home school just because we could. Because we thought, "Why not?! Let's give it a try." We felt like God opened the door and was leading us down this path.

Reagan was thrilled of course. Mostly because she is a homebody. She loves to be with her mama- at home. She loves to be read to, to hang out, to play, and to go to the library. The makings of a great home school experience, right?!

Well, actually that's kind of wrong... For us it was all the makings of a less than stellar experience. Which is what we've had.

Both of us have struggled with the role of mom vs. teacher. I have struggled with the guilt of dragging Reagan around after a home school day so I can grocery shop or run to Target or whatever. Reagan has struggled with being "alone" in her learning- not having other friends around to encourage her as she does her work. It is also hard when you have 2 in school. It tough for me to balance being involved at school with being at home with my home school daughter. You see, to be a successful home school family you must be at home!

So we have come to a difficult decision... Reagan is going back to school. Back to kindergarten with her sweet friends.

We are fully confident that she belongs with her brother and sister at CCS. But it is difficult because I feel like I have failed my daughter. I have no other words to explain it right now.

I love being with my daughter. She is such a delight. She is quick to smile, fun to be with, and has a great sense of humor. We went so many fun places over the last 2 months. There were good times while we were "in the classroom" too. It was not a waste at all. I am so glad for the opportunity to know my daughter better. To know her enough to realize she needs to be at school and not with me.

I will miss her on Monday and every day after that. Thank goodness she will only be half day!

pumpkin patch

Today I took the girls to the Pumpkin Patch....


They raced in to conquer the slide first. They slid about 100 times each.

I then made them stop for a picture...
The spinning circle, tire thingy was next. Annie did NOT want to go fast. Sarah was very gentle with her friend.
The corn maze was fun but a source of contention for 3 opinionated girls...
After a snack they got caught in a spider web! Luckily they were able to escape before the gianormous spider came...


Another spinning tire thingy...
Reagan was not happy that I interrupted her play for a wagon ride...
But as we drove all returned to normal...
We had a great day!

karate

Sunday we celebrated Luke's 7th birthday with his friends at a nearby Karate Studio. It was a great party!!

Luke designed the cake...








they cut the cake with a sword!
Luke had a great time!