Finding our Rhythm

We are three weeks into our fall schedule and it's been an adjustment (the kids are doing well but its taking me a bit longer to transition).  Homeschooling two kids with a busy baby, adding in activities in the evenings, along with enrichment classes on Tuesday and Classical Conversations on Thursday fills every ounce of my day and then some.  Yet, I'm so thankful for God's grace and provision as I serve our family in this role.  

We joined Awana at a different church this year, which happens to be closer to our house.  A few homeschool friends from our last church joined too, which has been great.  

Greta is in Sparks this year.  

For the second week of CC Greta presented on her unicorn canvas painting project.  

Greta is super excited about this new math book.  She says math and writing are her favorite parts of the school day.  

Pizza with friends on a Friday afternoon.  

Playtime while waiting for their lunch.  

The big brothers...

Ivy trying out a new toy Mimi sent our way.  

Watching big brother mow the lawn while enjoying some fresh air.  

Have I mentioned before that Hudson and Greta just adore their baby sister?!  

Big smiles for her Daddy-O.  

She is pretty much pulling up all the time these days.  

Ready for a walk with Mommy.  

I will never grow tired of taking pictures of her snoozing in her car seat.  

Making pancakes with her Dada (as she calls him) before school.  

The first day of enrichment classes was Sept. 15.  

Masks on and ready to roll.  

One of Ivy's favorite "toys" as of late is the chip clips.  

Love this baby girl and her big blue eyes, sweet grin and bald head.  

The Fine Arts goal for the 2nd week of CC was drawing a mirror image.  Hudson and Greta had fun making a mirror image of their name and decorating both sides exactly alike.  

Playing Hot Potato at CC to learn the Memory Work.  Hudson was the winner!    

Celebrating a birthday with donuts.  

A few of Greta's pals in her CC class (she is one of the youngest in her group).  

Hudson wrote our CC Memory Work board for week #3.  It took him awhile but he was proud of it.  

 

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend gave us a chance to rest a bit, work a bit and enjoy time together.  

Roy with a baby just melts my heart.  And Roy reading a tractor story to his baby girl in her pajamas after giving her a bath has me all in a puddle.  

Ivy Rae, sitting up like a big girl in the stroller, her first time at Costco since February (thank goodness little ones aren't required to wear masks).  It looks like she may be sending Mimi a text message on her pink cell phone.    

Daddy likes to dress her in the Corteva onesie he bought for her.  

We got out the baby activity table and Ivy enjoys practicing her standing and pushing all the buttons.  

We got a 4 pack of mums for $14 at Costco and my wonderful hubby planted them all in pots.  He really is the best!  

Roy and Hudson went canoeing together on Monday.  

Boy adventures!  

So thankful they have each other to do these kinds of things.  

Everyone loves to play with the baby and make her giggle.  

Ivy's first campfire out at Nana and Papa's house was a bit chilly.  

Hudson's favorite activity out at the farm is giving Ranger rides.  

Snuggles with Nana.  

Enjoying the last s'more of the season (likely).  

Hudson and Papa built the fire together.  

Louise joined in for the Labor Day fun too.  

The big kids had an overnight at Nana and Papa's house.  Hudson always likes to play Nana's piano and organ.  

Sweet bedtime smiles for Ivy Rae.  

Smiles and snuggles with my baby girl.  

Campfire conversations.  

Buddies!  

 

Another School Year

On September 2nd we kicked off our 7th year of homeschooling.  Hudson is in 4th grade and Greta is in Kindergarten.  Mimi surprised the kids with these shirts for their first days of school.  

First day of school presents always involve books and this year they also got a new art supply.  

Showing off their traditional First Day of School signs in front of the "happy banner."  

How did she become a Kindergartener?  

These two are quite the pair.  

I've never taught 4th grade before...hope I can do it!    

They are ready...is Mrs. Swinger ready?  

Ivy had to join the class picture (in her pjs).  They adore her so!   

We joined a Classical Conversations community this year.  We decided to do this way back in March and have been looking forward to this day ever since.  It will be a great year of learning for all of us!     

Each week a family introduces themselves.  Some how we were picked to do week #1.  We each took 2 props to share about 2 of our favorite things.  

Roy - farming and the outdoors

Emily - baking and party planning

Hudson - LEGOs and painting

Greta - playing dress up and listening to Adventures in Odyssey

Ivy - her paci and knocking down towers 

Memory Work from week #1...

Each week the kids prepare a presentation to share with their class.  Greta presented on Rainbow Kitty for the first week.  

Ready for Essentials Class with Mom (from 1-3pm for 9-12 year olds).  

Learning to play N2K (National Number Knockout), a fun math game.  

After surviving our first two days of school we celebrated with ordering Panera for dinner (using a gift card from Nana).  Greta was terrified of the birds nearby and didn't like her grilled cheese sandwich but the rest of us were happy and enjoyed the food.  Thanks Nana for a night off of cooking!