s l o w

Things have been pretty quiet and low key around here this past week.  A pretty nasty virus is making its way through the family and we have been taking the time to slow down and rest.  So while formal lessons have been put on hold, there was still plenty of time for reading, baking, games and crafts of all sorts.  Just the sort of activities that don't take up a lot of precious energy.  Fortunately most of the kids are on the mend.  Unfortunately, I think I was coughed on one too many times ;-)  This weekend will pretty much be more of the same...rest and recuperation and hopefully we will start the week healthy.

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

Welcome Autumn!  We are so glad you are here.  Wishing everyone a wonderful FALL weekend :-)

I can feel it

It seems fall really is just around the corner.  There is already a change in the air- the mornings are crisp and cool and the windows have been left wide open for almost a week now.  We all have been needing layers for when we take our morning walk, then shedding them as the sun comes out and warms us all.
I thought that for the first time I would try my hand at canning this year.  And with our good friends recent trip to a favorite orchard, applesauce seemed easy enough to ease into the process.  So with my jars all cleaned, warmed and patiently waiting, the apples perfectly sauced, and canner full of water waiting to boil, there was a popping sound from the stove followed by the smell of plastic burning and smoke coming from the control panel!!!!  We quickly pulled the stove out and unplugged it, but now I had all this sauce jarred and no way to can them!  Ha!  Thankfully, the stove was only out of commission for a day, but lets just say I took that as a sign to forgo any canning endeavors this fall season.  We will just enjoy the sauce as is as well as in muffins, breads and cakes and lets just hope next year goes much more smoothly!
I have also been working on my long knitting to do list.  First up, socks for all the kids.  I am starting with a pattern given in our 5th grade curriculum (in Waldorf schools, knitting socks is a standard handwork project).  It is knitted with worsted weight wool so it is knitting up fairly quickly.  The first pair is for Blake, purple of course!  I am also working on a soaker (diaper cover) for a friend's baby.  It is the first time knitting this pattern and so far, I am loving it!
Wishing everyone a lovely (almost fall) weekend!

We're here

Just a selection of photos from the last week and a half.  We officially started our home learning year last Tuesday.  I wish I could say it went great and everything fell into place, but that just wasn't the case this year.      We had a very rough start...lots of resistance and complaining and wishing they were anywhere, but doing the work I had planned.  This homeschooling gig can be pretty tough.  I tend to take it really personally when my kids reject my plans or say things like "school is boring".  Those first few days were pretty trying and not to mention Daddy was gone on a business trip and wouldn't return for a week!  I was feeling pretty defeated and overwhelmed.  Not such a great feeling to start off the year.  But the good news is I took the time to reflect on what was working and changed what wasn't.  I lowered my expectations for the bigger boys and we have a much more relaxed flow to our day.  I think if you happened to come over during our lesson time, it would look a bit chaotic at times, but it is working and the kids aren't complaining (much).  You learn and you move on, right?!

This week went much, much better.  I don't think it was a coincidence that it was also the first week of our homeschool soccer league start up and the first meeting of Scouts.  All the boys were pretty excited to gear up once again in cleats and to put on their scouting uniforms (aren't they handsome?).  They are already talking about next week.  I am just happy we have a return to a more structured rhythm versus the free flowing days of summer.