Fall Fun!

I'm getting really good at blogging once a month. That was never my intention, however. Part of my dilemma is that my hubby and I now have separate computers. You'd think that would be a good thing. The problem is that all my pictures are saved on his computer and I HAVE to add pictures to my blog. So, I have to wait until he leaves town to catch up. Unfortunately, by then I have forgotten that moment that I intended to blog about. And that's why I blog only once a month.

I absolutely love fall. It is now my favorite season. Life is structured - as structured as it gets, anyways. The kids can go out and run without having a heat stroke. The holidays are upon us. It's all good. Most importantly, it's time for the state fair tradition!




Pods drew a picture of herself holding hands with my mom's man and a Ferris wheel in the background. Eric was happy to join us after realizing that he was going to be replaced during this memorable experience. The kids were in hog heaven when they got to sit up on the big tractors. Mommy and Daddy were not in hog heaven when they stepped in the pig poo. Picking out their favorite color car was fun, too. Not for the people trying to keep the car's windows clean.



They saw Big Tex and weren't as in awe of him as last year. Everyone had their eye on the Texas Star. It was going to cost us $45 to ride this giant circle around twice. So, the oldest two got to ride this year with their dad. Suppose I'll get to take the younger two next year. :) That should be exciting!

Ready, Set, Here We Go!

I've spent the last two weeks making sure the next ten weeks are full of activities. The ironic thing is that we try not to be "one" of those scheduled families. Ten weeks won't kill us, right?

Homeschooling allows us a lot of "together" time, which is why I like to give the kids some time to pursue their own activities. Since our days are quite flexible, it also allows our activities to be flexible, too. I love that the kids can be involved and that we can have dinner and evenings together every night.

So, here's the extracurricular run down:

Pods: piano, soccer, Faith Keepers, and church choir
Bubbie: soccer, baseball, church choir
Frijole & Biggins: soccer

They all get to play soccer because it was going to cost the same whether two or four played. You better believe I signed them all up. Free energy depletion!

Baseball is our only evening and weekend activity...but because Bubbie loves it and so does his momma, that will be okay. :)

School starts September 10th. Another exciting year lies ahead!

Where has the Summer Gone?

This summer turned out to be nothing like what I envisioned. That's probably a good thing... for the most part. June started with a tenth anniversary get-a-way for my Honeymooner and I. We took a quick trip to Hot Springs...nothing fancy. We're saving that one for when we don't have to make arrangements for all the kids - and when I get a new passport.

The following weekend, I hosted a baby shower for my new little niece - who will be arriving in the next few weeks. We're very excited to have some pink around!

Eric's big 40th took place the next weekend. It was a fun little shindig. I think he enjoyed it - which made it worth all the trouble. :)

Our little Podderiffic turned seven one week later. She's growing up so fast! This is a great age!

Independence Day was celebrated next.

Twelve days later, Bubbie celebrated turning five. He's getting so tall and is becoming quite the gentleman...well, except with his brothers. He must reign "King of Boy-ness" over them.

Followed by a week of VBS.

Throw in a few days at the water park, visiting museums, playing in the sprinklers, friend's birthday's, cook-outs, library visits, and a garage sale and there went our summer.

The month of August is going to be used to get us back in the swing of life. And the kids just started sleeping a little later.. 7am.... Oh, well. We just started a new curriculum and the kids are loving it! They all got to learn the meaning of their names. We have studied the Vikings, Leif Erickson, and Eric the Red. Today we read about Christopher Columbus and made boats out of foil. Our very own Nina, Pinta, & Santa Maria. Then, we sailed them across the bathtub blue. It was so fun and what memories will the kids have!

And that's where summer has gone....