Mondays Musings... The End is Near...

The end of my summer vacation, that is! I go back to work one day this week, two days next week, and then five regular days the week after that. So in the meantime, I want to get as much summer in as possible! I'm sure we'll still be enjoying summer right up to the actual end of it, but while I have some time off, I need to make the most of it. I also head back to school in a few weeks. I have the gigantor book list to read, about half each semester, and I might be taking a poetry workshop, along with the basic seminar all English majors have to take.

Some ideas, though we probably won't get to all of this...


~ Another pool trip or two with friends




~ A visit, or two, or three, to the coast



~ Some stargazing out back with the telescope (I know we could do this anytime, but it is especially fun when they can stay up late!)




~ Another hike or two

~ Some sewing at my mom's house - I was supposed to have sewing lessons with her this summer, but so far it just hasn't happened. I do have one session scheduled for tomorrow!




I know I should be cleaning house, getting organized for fall, and so on and so forth, but that stuff isn't going to be the highlight of my kids' summer!

I changed things up around here a little yesterday. I took down the chore charts, which were simply gathering dust, and put up instead a list of rules. Now I don't know if you have household rules, but I find it very useful to have them spelled out, and where the kids can easily refer to them. Most of it is pretty simple stuff... like clearing your own dishes after a meal, and limits on screen time. More along the lines of gentle reminders than harsh rules. And you know what? I read it to them first thing in the morning. I saw them both checking it out during the day, The Girl getting help from The Boy with some of the reading. And a large part of it probably was the novelty, but it was a good day! Even the kids noticed... as I was tucking them into bed last night, The Girl told me it was a really good day, and she wants more like that! Sweet, huh?

We also finally got a firm date for BIL moving all his belongings out. He'll be done moving by September 1st. the kids are so excited to be getting their own rooms at last! So that will be September's primary project.

I'm also thinking that I've done it again... overloaded us for the upcoming year. I need to cut it back a bit. I really want to allow for rabbit trails, exploration, etc., as I wrote here a couple of years ago. Potentially on the chopping block? The Narnia study. As much fun as it could be, doing it would put limits on other things. hmmmm.... this may take some thinking.


Enough rambling for now. Have a good week!

Weekly Report... Reading, Redwoods & Flat Stanley...

Another week has gone by so quickly. A few highlights from this week:

The Girl's reading practice is going amazingly well. We're keeping it simple these days, just using Reading Pathways. The pyramid structure of the stories works really well for her, since it is simple, repetitive, and quite straightforward. We review a story and read a new one every day (and I mean every day). She's turned a corner of some sort - she no longer whines when I pull the book out, and she approaches each lesson cheerfully, willing to work. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we're really getting somewhere! We finish up each lesson with me reading her a story of her choice - this week it has been a selection of classic fairy tales she chose at the library. I must say, the girl has an eye for good illustrations! Check out this version of Rapunzel to see what I mean!



The Boy is vastly enjoying The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, alongside a rereading of the 2012 Guiness Book of World Records.

We also wrapped up Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and started Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. We're still enjoying Smoky House at bedtime as well - a few more chapters to go, and I'll have to choose something new!

We also headed out to the redwoods - Armstrong Grove State Park to be specific -  for a lovely and peaceful afternoon...

Inside the tree you see them entering above

Some crazy burls... I swear I see Popeye's face!

Taking a well earned snack break

Determined to touch a leaf on the tree overhanging the path

Nature makes numbers!

 Doesn't my husband look tiny in this picture, next to those trees?

The afternoon hike was just what we all needed. We are a family that used to hike a lot, quite regularly. Somehow, over the past couple of years, we have drifted away from that. This little trip made us determined to get back into the habit!

What Else We Did...

Water play out back in our little pool

Playing with the chickens - they like to be pet, and fed veggie scraps

I finally decided on The Girl's math for the fall!

Watched the classic version of Treasure Island. Next we'll watch the newer version. Which reminds me, we really should get back to reading the book!

Art projects galore

Lots of zucchini based foods... muffins, breads, chocolate chip cookies, and so forth.

Oh, and we're participating in a Flat Stanley exchange at last! We've had one family visit us, from North Carolina - they went with us to the Bodega Marine Lab. Our travelers have been to Virginia, and are now in Kentucky! Here are some pictures from their travels so far (Virginia pics)...

It was a good week overall... I just wish life would slow down a little! Hope you all had a good week too!

Carnivorous Explorations...

A visit to California Carnivores...

 Cassia spotted this little guy, just hanging out, waiting for the plant to bring him bugs