~Autumn Sneaking In~

The season is changing in our neck of the woods . . .

. . . is it sneaking in to yours, too?

~Cheers!~

This is Quinn~

Quin loves his chair . . .

. . . and he loves to stretch . . .

. . . and scratch!

Quinn loves his brother . . .

. . . and he loves the Younger.

But more than anything, what do you think?-

he loves the sink!

 The sink? 

 You got it- the mudroom sink.

Now that's a happy kitty.

And a happy weekend to you- and any other four-legged furry beings who love odd things.

Cheers!

~September Scrubbing~

Sometimes all you need for 'freshening up' a space is a little soap and water . . .

. . .  a bit of sunshine and fresh air . . .

. . . starch and a warm iron . . .

. . . and a clean slate. 

(~Autumn's hydrangeas~)

(~Love birds and Pearls~)

(~Sweet little things on my dresser~)

(~can't begin to express how dusty and dull it all was before!~)

Cheers!

~A Morning's Light Meandering~

The light this morning was warm and golden~ the angle of the sun a bit lower than it has been. It was a quiet light, if there is such a thing. The type that makes you thoughtful, meditative, and reflective.

It gently hugged the room and spread it's glow. "Take it slow- enjoy the moment."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So a meander through the garden was taken. Breathing in the cool air. Celebrating what is to come . . .

. . .such as my peppers. Someday, these will be red!

And here an heirloom tomato takes a break on the tomato-cage. Doesn't he look like he's just sick and tired of hanging around? He too will be red-ish soon (I hope!) Then he can join the basil next door all sliced up on ricotta and toast!

It has been so unusually hot here lately, and all the garden is taking it hard. Funny how all summer it's been cool and rainy, and then September rounds the bend and the ninety-degree days decide to appear. Perhaps if the sun had been around a couple months earlier, my peppers and tomatoes would have been making an appearance at dinner-time for awhile now instead of hanging limp and green in the veggie box. Maybe they'll be around for Thanksgiving . . .

The hydrangeas are just getting their first blush of red that always marks the month of September- though a few still carry their first purple-ish color from June.

But mostly everything is bloomed out and dried up. The usual place for the September garden. Time to think about cutting back. And maybe a few fall annuals to freshen things up?

Yes- the spiders have been far more plentiful then veggies or flowers. If anyone saw me walking along the paths this morning they would think I was a crazy lady- one hand waving a stick wildly in front of me as I gingerly make my way around. Still I manage to get web stuck in my hair and around my legs. I don't think the spiders were expecting a feast my size, but they have certainly tried, and at times succeeded. Always a few new bites each day.

In fact, the only thing that is really happy in the garden at the moment (beside the spiders) is my toilet- or should I say, what is in my toilet. Impatiens, blue star creeper and ivy. 

These beauties seem to be getting everything they need. While all else is scorched, they go right on charming. And really, what is more charming than a potty pot? This one seems to be trying to make up for all the trouble it caused. As the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons- make lemon aid."- or a planter in this case!

Whatever your morning looks like, don't forget to take a few moments; enjoy the light and stop to smell the flowers! ;)
Cheers!

~Another First~

Oldest headed off to school this morning. I managed to coerce a couple photos before he headed down the street, head up, out into the world. I also managed to keep the tears to a minimum as he hugged me good-bye.

Oh the things he must put up with!

For a family used to the regular school routine, sending one's son off to the six grade would probably not be quite such a big a deal- other then the fact that it's also the start of middle school around here, which is a big transition in itself. But add to this our situation - a mom who has home schooled that son since he was three years old- and you get the equivalent of a mommy waving good-bye to their baby on the first day of kindergarten with an extra five years of growing up and hormones thrown into the mix. All I can say is that I have been processing this day for the last nine months- and I'm not exaggerating. 

But I'm happy to say that as he walked himself to school he looked confident and I'm feeling pretty confident as well.

The decision to stop home schooling this one has been a year in the making.

First off, it needs to be explained that I don't home school exclusively. I work in a partnership with what is essentially a school for home schooled kids. Three days a week, I teach here at home and twice a week they spend the day at school. Both boys started this program in kindergarten, and it has worked out well for our family. It has it's flaws no doubt- it's a public school program and is therefore subject to regular district/state standards and evaluations. I have some mixed opinions about this, but that's for another post. It also happens to be across town and the driving back and forth is extremely wearing.

But nonetheless, the program has been worth it for several reasons; they offer classes and opportunities I can't give my kids (chess class, drama/theater production, leadership and service class, certain computer skills, science experiments that are too messy for me to handle) and they get to build relationships with not only kids their own age, but of all ages (they are a k-8 school)- I really believe in the mixing of ages and opportunities for students to teach each other. I also like that classes are small (ten kids or so) and the teachers are really dedicated.
But the biggest thing that has convinced my year after year to be part of the program was simply time away- as in time without them, and time for them without me. There is just no way I could have handled every single day always together. I know that for some families that home school this isn't a issue, and I admire that ability. However, I know my own limits, and there they are!
So for the last six years this is what we have done- three days a week learning and working at home together, and two days a week away at school.

~Older back in kindergarten days~

But last year, I was starting to feel like what had once worked so well, was no longer working. Older one (who has always been an overachieving self-directed learner) was beginning to surpass my own knowledge to some extent and was not getting as much challenge either at home or at school. I was kept too busy with the constant needs of the younger and spent way too much time playing referee between them both. We've always taken it one year at a time, and I could just sense last year that a transition was coming. And it did.

 I wasn't excited with the idea of putting older directly into a public middle school- he's passionate about learning and he is always grade levels above his peers whenever tested (please don't think I'm bragging- I'm only being honest in explaining our dilemma!) I didn't believe he would thrive in a regular public school environment after all the different freedoms and environments he was used to, but I didn't want him stiffled at home and bored either.

Enter the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics.
I had heard about this school for a few years from friends at church, and even some attending students. They love it. It's a sixth through twelfth grade public school designed for kids just like my son. This is how it's described:

"The Vancouver School of Arts and Academics offers a complete middle school and high school program where the arts are at the core of an interdisciplinary curriculum. All students study science, mathematics, social studies, English, and can pursue artistic studies in dance, music, theatre, literary art, visual arts, and moving image arts. The daily atmosphere of creative work, self-discipline, and dedication prepares students for both college and future careers. Advance Placement classes are available in English, history, government, math, and visual arts. (All students attend the school full time.)"
:
This is not your regular school program. For starters, my son had to go through a lengthy application process involving five different teacher/principal recommendations, then a workshop complete with group problem-solving, an essay to write and an interview. They have eighty spots and around four hundred kids trying to get in each year. The waiting list stretches for miles. If you get in, the kids sign a contract that basically states that if they don't take the program seriously, there are others waiting to take your spot, thank you very much. In other words, only kids who really want to get in, actually get in.

 I had no idea what we were getting into when we started the whole process back in January. All I knew was that this felt 'right' despite the poor odds of getting in. I was okay with him not getting in, too- I wasn't too excited over letting control of his education go. And I can't overstate how stressful the entire process was- especially coming from our particular background. Over and over I wanted to just chuck it and keep doing what we've always done. But I couldn't get over the feeling that this was the direction we needed to go. And God was so present the entire time- I knew His will would be the outcome. And let me tell you, it was totally God that paved the way. We had circumstances that really should have stopped the whole thing dead in it's tracks- and God just came right through.

So today was the day. All of the processing and emotion over months and months has culminated in my oldest child walking out the door, off to school for the entire day, five days a week. For the next seven years he will make that trek- and only God knows the outcome of it all. It's in His hands, and I know that it is good.
Cheers!

~Labour-less Weekend~

Husband and sons are back from their weekend away. 

Amazing how loud it seems after all the quiet of just two fur babies and myself. . . so blissfully quiet! But I admit by Sunday night I was missing them quite a bit.

It was a slow puttering sort of weekend just dabbling in all sorts of self-approved activities . . .

like getting the stove top cleaned up and the kitchen mopped (and having it STAY clean!). 

Okay, there was a large amount of leisure, too- lots of reading, napping, football watching and wine drinking; a few walks coupled with antiquing and a spot of decorating.

There was gardening, and movie watching, and much snuggling of these. . .

Sunday morning was especially pleasurable. Just me, a good book, freshly baked scones (ok- Trader Joe's had a hand in the pre-baking part) and tea in my 'autumn glory' teapot. 

The teapot was given to me back in May as a Mother's Day pressie from Husband (Note: I picked it out. Husband paid for it, handed it to me, and congratulated me on motherhood). I had been saving it for autumn, but Labor-Day-weekend-all-alone seemed the perfect moment to pull it out. It was especially nice to not have to see the eye rolling from Husband- he thinks that dishes that can't go in the dishwasher are a waste of space and washing time. I completely disagree- old tea things are beautiful, and as much as I enjoy seeing them, actually using them thrills me. It turns the common into an occasion- and I believe each day is an occasion in itself!

Aside from my own personal tea party, my favorite part of the entire three days was simply time. Time to really look and see all that is around me every day. Time to work on something without interruption (a revolutionary idea!) And time to take inspiration and run with it! I got out the long-neglected watercolors and played.

The hours simply flew by!

After awhile, this little guy came out to play with me.
His name is Digby.
He's a country squirrel- a bit backwoods to be honest- but he's sweet-natured despite his simplicity. He dreams of traveling to the city one day- to take in the bright lights and see the trees made of metal and the streets made famous for the bounty of their back alleys. "A fellow can find all he needs and more in the city"- or so he's heard. What a wonderful adventure it would be! If only he knew the way . . .

I have plans for Digby, but for now they are on hold. School starts tomorrow and my mornings will be full of teaching once more. Always lots to do! But no complaints; I'm glad life is so full!
Cheers!

~September Welcome~

A new month is here, and with it a new season: not only is autumn around the corner, but here in our corner the back to school preparations are in full swing. This will be our first year that I am not homeschooling both of our kiddos. With one now starting middle school, we not only say good-bye to summer, but also to a very long season of two boys learning at home. I have spent the last couple of days riding the roller coaster of emotion as we prepare our son for his new school. 

School supplies . . .check.

School fees paid (and boy are there a lot!) . . .check.

His own keys to the house (!) . . .check.

His own cell phone (what are we doing?) . . .check.

The cell phone thing is not something I'm super thrilled about, but I admit it was my idea. He'll be walking to school and twice a week I will be on the other side of town while he's doing this. The phone is really more for my peace of mind then anything. I know that I can get a hold of him, and if anything happens he can call for help. He has some very strict rules about using it, too. Of course, now all younger brother can talk about is when  he's in sixth grade, he gets one too. Great- just what we need.

There is so much more I want to share- but honestly, I woke up feeling pretty icky today and I just seem to be feeling worse as the day goes on. I'm really hoping it's only allergies.

Can hardly wait for tomorrow though~ Husband is taking the boys to a camp/retreat center for the entire long weekend!!! This is the very first time I will have the house to myself EVER! I am giddy with joy. I just hope I am HEALTHY to enjoy it.

Just had to share one more thing: found this 'comic' younger son made as a third grader last year. It just cracks me up every time I look at it.

Alright, off to pop ibuprofen. Happy September first!~

Cheers!