Summer 2006 in a Nutshell
Summer 2006 is almost at an end. All there is left is Back to School Night and a few more memorable days of late nights and water filled days. To recap: June and July I had lofty goals of homeschooling (or as we call it "Summer School") my children throughout the entire summer so that they would retain the precious knowledge they have learned throughout the school year and, who knows, maybe even learn some new and interesting things. We used a curriculum that the virtual school Karl G. Maeser puts out. Clint had programed for them and they paid him, in part, with the curriculum. It covers History, Geography, Social Studies, Language Art, Reading, Handwriting, Math and Science. It was so fun to learn about plants again and ancient Rome. I thoughroughly enjoyed it. It is also LDS based so I felt very happy that I could teach my children about the gospel in a home setting. That was truely the most fulfilling part of teaching for me.
The big events were:
1. NO MORE TRAINING WHEELS -- For FHE Faith, Joy & Jacob all coasted down our driveway to training wheel free blissful riding. If you ask Jacob he will still say he can ride a "two-wheeler" now. It was so easy that our friends did not feel that we had earned this "right-of-passage" until we had huffed and puffed while pushing our children to the glory of two wheeled riding. Our driveway is on an incline and we simply took the training wheels off and told them to kick off and ride down the driveway into the street and when they felt ready to put their feet on the pedals and begin pedaling. It worked and within 15 minutes our children were all two-wheel savy. Jacob was even starting to become more daring and ride on grass, over curbs & do small bunny hops. j/k that came within a month though -- I'm frightened and demanding helmet wearing.
2. July 5th -- planning and pulling off a neighborhood carnival with close to 400 people all equipt with inflatable bounce obstacle course, cotton candy/snowcone machines, carnival games and prizes, live entertainment, parade & BBQ, on a budget. Tewie's 3rd calling as ward Activities Chairperson came with a caviat, that, in this ward, there is an annual carnival around July 4th. It used to be small, but has become so popular in our neighborhood that it has grown to include everyone and all their friends and family members. This year was the 9th annual and Tewie said that even though she has never had a panic attack she came close when the weather man said there was a 40% chance of rain that day. Thankfully Heavenly Father intervened and gave us a beautiful overcast night with not a drop of rain. It turned out great and people had a marvolous time and Tewie has it on good authority that this calling is only for 2 years because no one should shoulder this responsibility for more than that.
3. Numerous trips to Hogle Zoo & Thanksgiving Point Gardens & The Fountains at the Gateway -- So Fun!!! At the zoo the new Himilayan Highlands are a must see and The Gardens at Thanksgiving Point -- what can I say, except when you are staring at two 50 foot waterfalls you think, "Am I still in Lehi, UT?" It is a little piece of heaven on earth and we love the new bronze statue exhibits. Summer isn't summer without water and one of our favorite spots is the Gateway. We even love to take in a star show at Clark Planetarium now and again.
4. Around the Neighborhood -- our water balloon extravaganza is becoming an annual event. Who wouldn't love throwing water balloons at eachother? Also, playgroup at the park on Fridays -- it has been so fun to get to know everyone and let the kids wander. Luke has even ventured further than I like. I believe that it is good to have a support group of people who love and care for you and your children and whom you can love an care about and I am happy to say that I am extremely blessed in this department with the most wonderful mothers that I am inspired to know.
5. Tewie's most exciting get away was a spur of the moment invitation from her wonderful awesome mother to go to London, England. To see pictures and hear about that trip you'll have to stay tuned.
6. Diva -- Diva is Tewie's 1st cousin once removed or Tewie's cousin's daughter and Faith, Joy & Jacob's 2nd cousin. We were so priviledged to have Diva come and stay for a couple of weeks in early August. She is such a bright life-filled star. We have spent hours enjoying fine cheeses, playing Littlest Pet Shop & ballroom dancing to Bond with her here. She made a quilt, in part, out of her mothers cast off dress and has left us with a new friend and cousin to love and email. We so hope that she will come stay again.
Well -- that's our Summer 2006. Click here to see corresponding photos