Countdown...

The days of "vacation" are quickly running out. I have ordered this year's books, decided we need more art supplies, and  have started designing  found a [very basic] "planner" for The Boy, as he wants more autonomy this year. I think it is good practice for college/after high school, so I'll give it a go!

Thankfully I was able to find the books we needed used, and inexpensively. I did settle on a slightly older version of the physics text for The Boy, as I could get both the student and teacher books at a great price that way, plus I have been reassured that unless he's doing an advanced course in physics, older editions are fine.

I have also decided to practice writing a transcript this year. With both kids planning to start at the local junior college first, I won't really need them, but if either child changes their mind and wants a different college approach, I think it is better to be prepared than not. Thankfully, the same site that offers the school calendars I use, etc., has a simple transcript form!

In the meantime...

We've been hunting down a few "needed" items at thrift stores! I put needed in quotation marks, as The Boy felt he needed a blazer for his coat collection. We were very lucky and found a gorgeous wool one for only $3...

The Girl found a pretty new shirt, and I got some great capri pants as well as a new top for work.

The Girl has discovered Xena: Warrior Princess this summer. This has brought about a rekindling of the love for foam weaponry (sorry this one is a little blurry, but it IS an action shot!)...

Can you believe that at 11, she's only about 3 inches shorter than me? And no, I'm not short, but rather am 5'7". Well, I did stop growing at 13, so she might be aiming for the same timeline.

I've been back at work for a few days now. The Other Secretary did nothing in my absence (I guess she started her other position?), so it's been a lot of catch up. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, so I feel better. And I met my new supervisor, and liked her! I also start back to school today, with the lecture series on law, ethics, and society being offered through the Philosophy department. The syllabus looks interesting. The other class I am taking, on adolescent development, starts next week.

Now it is down to choosing which books I'll choose first for The Boy and The Girl. I think we'll go with A Wrinkle in Time for The Boy's first assigned reading (or should he read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer first?), and  either Hitty: Her First 100 Years OR  The Girl Who Could Fly, for The Girl and I to enjoy together. Right now, we are working on finishing our re-read of The Twenty One Balloons, and then we'll move into  The Phantom Tollbooth or  Black Ships Before Troy.

Both kids (thanks in part to Xena for The Girl) are really looking forward to starting the year with some Greek history. This will be the focus of history for the first block of our year, and I'll be fleshing out the 6 or so chapters in  So... Human Odyssey with Famous Men of Greece  OR  The Ancient Greek World? I know The Boy really wants Rick Riordan's new book too. And I have A Wonder Book for Boys & Girls, and Tanglewood Tales, on hand, which are beautifully written. I know, I know... too many resources! But, while we've skimmed through ancient Greece before, we want to settle down in it a bit this time around.

I may have some other very good news to share later in the week -- I am hesitant to share it now as we aren't 100% sure (and NO, it isn't another baby or anything along those lines).

Have a good week!