I Love This Time of Year!

Fall...autumn...AMAZING.

Typically, January is the month that people attribute reaffirmations to.  You know, those life-altering goals set on New Year's Eve that are abandoned by Valentine's Day?  But to me, that's not the case. I re-evaluate my life every fall.  I don't look at the leaf-bare trees and think of emptiness - I look at them and think of potential. 

So, this year, I am looking forward to just that...potential.

After a long...well...break, for lack of a better word, I am returning to a more health and environmentally conscious diet.  (Thanks, Gardein, for inspiring me!).  What's even more impressive is that two neighboring families are of the same mindset.  I got them to join the organic produce co-op, and we've been having potluck dinners and recipe swaps - a true vegetarian utopia right here on Brentwood!!

I also have my girls firmly rooted in physical and environmental activities.  4H and scouts, (which won't start until after soccer and football season), promise to be very inspiring for my girls! Couple that with Pioneer Club at Church, and they should be well-rounded! 

Abigail is cheering at her first football game this coming Wednesday.  And, on September 11, Emily is playing her first soccer scrimmage!  I am hopeful Tommy will be inspired to join a sport; he's mentioned track.  I am hoping he'll choose swim team, but totally not my choice to make. 

Tommy is also joining his school's radio/television station. I need to interject here just how proud of this boy - I mean, young MAN, I am. He's awesome!!

The girls and I are now part of TWO co-ops.  That thought nearly takes my breath away!! I thought we'd be so alone on this journey!! I don't WANT to homeschool my girls in a bubble! I am not an isolationist. (Which is reflected in my day planner!).  I merely want the freedom to travel with my husband, take educational (and recreational!) vacations at leisure, and give my girls what I think is a dynamic education.  Having math teachers as parents, my own degree in English education, AND a strong background in health and science as a nurse, I am quite confident I can provide well for them.

I am starting off this new school year with optimism, enough to circle the globe.  Along with enthusiasm, excitement, anticipation...wow, I could go on and on.  We have field trips planned (Ellis Island, apple picking, 1890-style harvest county fair, Civil War reinactment, maple sugaring, sheep shearing, cider pressing, holiday candy making, pumpkin and Indian corn picking, Bronx Zoo...and these are just the FALL ones!!).

I hope that everyone, regardless of whether or not you homeschool, regardless of whether or not you've revamped your diet, and regardless of whether or not you have a day planner so packed you don't even have room to write your name, has a fabulous "new year".   Please, share my enthusiasm!!

OH - and almost forgot!

The most important aspect of our "new" year - our new Church!! Whiting Bible Church is where we attend our academic co-op, and will now be where we attend worship and religious education.  In addition, the girls will attend Pioneer Club, and hopefully Tommy will join the teen youth group.

Yep, this is gonna be a GREAT year!!!!!!!! =)

NEW SCHOOL YEAR! YEAH!

I am super-excited to start a "new" school year!  So much going on!!

After much deliberation, I think I'm going to start off with the girls at the same level.  Using LifePac for mathematics, language and health.  A Beka for reading and history.  And - for phys ed - we are (hopefully!) joining a local fitness club's homeschool classes!  And, in addition, Emily is playing soccer, Abigail is cheerleading, and both will be doing gymnastics.  (In preparation for next year, when Emily will also be old enough to cheer!)

I am teaching three classes at our academic co-op.  I am assistant cheer coach.  I am also signing them up for a co-op that does field trips and presentations.  (For example, September 17th is Egypt Day!!)

Academic and social co-ops.  Phys Ed. classes.  Sports.  OH, and, 4H! Yeah - that's right - homeschoolers are UNsocialized! HA!