Wow.  Here it is the 26th of September and I’ve written only three posts this month.  I feel crazy busy and there are definitely aspects to that I do not like.  I’ve dropped the ball more times than I would like to admit lately, especially when it comes to family and friends.  I’ve met more people in the last month than I have in probably at least the last five years.  And since I’m not an extrovert, that’s a big deal to me.  I truly hope that the next few months will begin to smooth out and I can do and be what I really need to do and be.  Meanwhile, we’ve started school around here, and I thought I’d share just a couple things I do like.

We’re using a curriculum called My Father’s World – Adventures this year.  It includes history (overview of US history and learning something about each state), Bible and science.

Last week, we had a discussion about density and how salt water makes things float better than fresh water does.

We’re continuing with Singapore Math, some Explode the Code and will begin Primary Language Lessons and Daily Grams.  We’re also continuing All About Spelling, which I really like.

This is our spelling board with the All About Spelling tiles.  Ethan is alphabetizing them (while on the couch) to get the board ready for the next lesson.  These high quality materials are so well organized and easy to use with lots of built-in review.  I feel that if he isn’t a reasonably good speller after working through this program, then he just wasn’t meant to be a speller!

Speaking of spelling…we used the Bananagrams tiles for a crossword puzzle the other day…and lo and behold if Ethan didn’t spell…TOOT.  (Please see my previous post.)

Something I kinda splurged on last week was a new timeline book for our history lessons.  This one will be used and added to throughout his learning years.  It’s called History Through the Ages – Record of Time, by Homeschool in the Woods.

It comes in a lovely 3-ring binder with the above cover.  Inside are lined and dated, ivory, cardstock pages.  I also got the CD collection of over 1200 timeline figures that can be printed off onto full-sheet labels (many on a page), cut out and placed in their correct spot in history.  I even got the placement guide which shows where to place each figure in order to fit everything on the pages.  Amy from Homeschool in the Woods has actually drawn all of the figures and maps.

Oh, the maps.  I do love maps.

And these are such pretty ones.  They have an old world quality to them.  And they have wonderful details.

Look at the delightful compass.  Yes, a compass can be delightful.

My favorite maps came as a purchased download, so I don’t have pictures of them yet as I haven’t printed any yet.  But we have each state in three forms:  fully detailed and labeled, labels removed, details and labels removed.  That way they can be studied and then filled in by the student.  The notebook pages to go with each state are so wonderful.  Beautiful drawings of the state bird and flower are included, as well as space to write down other state info.  I know these maps and the history timeline book will be some of my favorite materials this year.  Ethan likes maps, too, so I think he will also appreciate these.

Well, we have other materials and things we’re doing, and more that I’d like to add.  But I feel like we need to streamline what we’re currently doing before adding more.  Quite frankly, our days are full and I’ve let some things go.  Like keeping up with my Google Reader.    (I know!  That is SO important!  Hehehehe…)  I used to keep up fairly well, or at least mark things as read even if they weren’t but I knew I wouldn’t have time for them.  But for the past six weeks or so, my Google Reader has had 500-600+ unread items in it.  OK, so maybe I have too many things in my reader to begin with. 

Anywhoo…other than Ethan having a hate-affair with anything to do with writing, we’re off to a pretty good start for 2nd grade. 

A couple weeks ago, we had a spontaneous picnic.  Except we cheated and picked up Red Robin take-out.

But we supplied our own fancy schmancy drinks.  And we took it all to a park and found a great table in a lovely spot.

By the way…I love how the above photo turned out.  It’s the driving force behind this silly post.  I really wanted to share this photo.  It makes me feel nostalgic and modern, all at once.

And these boys, they make me feel blessed and happy.  Most of the time, anyway.    I love their interaction.

Now, what’s this one grinning about?

No, it’s not that he’s pretending to throw that frisbee at me.  It’s that he tooted.  Yep.  He was looking all serious, and then “it” happened.  And he cracked up.  And I clicked.  There you have it.

Toots and zerberts…they’re what make a boy’s world go ’round.

That and having fun with Daddy.

It’s Fall Ball time around here, which is a new experience for us.  The next few Sunday afternoons will be spent on a baseball field.  Ethan’s playing, Seth’s helping to coach and I’m taking pictures and trying not to be nervous!  This league is a step (or two or three) up from what we played in the spring.  No more coach pitching and everyone getting a turn to bat.  Now there is an umpire and strikes and balls and scores are kept.  And the kids pitch.  And they can steal bases.  We’re in the big leagues now!  At least it feels that way to me, so I was nervous, today, for the first game.  Especially since Ethan was slated to pitch!  What?!  My eight year old was going to be pitching to other eight, nine and ten-year-olds?  I was nervous.  Did I mention I was a bit anxious?  He, on the other hand, was lovin’ every minute of it.  And he did great.  He pitched the first two innings, and in the second inning, he struck out two batters and caught a pop fly, so he managed all three outs himself!  (The top right photo in the collage is of him sliding in to second base.)

In other news, this week is the start of our crazy schedule.  Besides it being our first week of back-to-school, we have…Monday:  AWANA.  Tuesday:  swimming and baseball.  Wednesday:  swimming.  Thursday:  baseball.  Friday:  swimming.  Saturday:  free day!  Sunday: baseball.  And then we start all over again.  Baseball has a relatively short season and will be done by the end of next month.  I think Ethan is going to love this schedule.  I, on the other hand, would appreciate any prayers you may have to offer!

I’m out of order and a bit out of sorts.  I’ve been debating making random posts to share what’s been going on around here, or starting with the most recent and working backwards, but the idea of doing things out of order just doesn’t sound appealing.  So, here’s one giant post with just a peek at our last few weeks.  In order, of course.

The last month+ has been so full and jam packed with activities and people!  We’ve had a lot of fun!  Now, I’m trying to quell the somewhat panicked feeling that looking at the calendar gives me, ’cause the truth is, I don’t have much time to “catch up” before things kick into high gear again.  I shall focus on being thankful.

Thankful…

• Seth’s parents were able to visit for two weeks and Grandma Great was able to visit for one.  She is one special lady.

• Ethan had a successful final summer swim meet, winning both of his individual events (freestyle and breaststroke…this pic is backstroke for the medley relay).  And then his coaches led everyone in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday!

• After his meet, Seth and Grandpa Heasley took Ethan to meet Olympic and World Champion Swimmer, Ryan Lochte.

• We were blessed that all three Grandmas could be here for Ethan’s birthday.  His EIGHTH birthday.  8.  Years.  Old.

• Birthday gifts.

• Homemade blackberry sorbet.

• A birthday party with a little magic.

• Our Rookie of the Year!

(It’s a bobble-head trophy!) 

• Laughter…during a game of Trivial Pursuit.

• Sweet time at the Stratford House with my mother-in-law and her mother, with tea and delicious Hungarian Mushroom Soup on the side.

• Seth and his dad and Ethan got to enjoy a Mariners game with Uncle Ed, who was able to supply box seats!

• Time and place to take in the outdoors with family.

• Ethan and Seth enjoyed some of the airshow.

• Fall Ball practice has begun!

• I have no picture for this one, but I’m grateful that for six weeks in a row, I’ve been shufflin‘ at least three times a week.  And I can feel the improvements.  Yippee!

And somehow, we’ve arrived at September.  This month often brings so much change.  In the weather, clothing, schedules, schooling, sports, cooking…you name it.  I love fall.  And I don’t mind change.  But I am anxious about this fall.  This fall feels ambitious and I worry I’ll fall flat on my face and fail.  (How’s that for some alliteration?)  There are so many things to adjust to this fall, and, you know, I want to take them all on at once and nail it.  On the first try.  Without stress.  Like I have to try not to yawn, it was so easy.  Hah!  Hmmm…I think some character development will still be happening around here this fall!