School is starting and we are back in business

Back to school!

Well- besides the fact that we have had major technical difficulties...I have been absent from blogging lately because I feel like I am spending so much time on the computer that to spend more time blogging overwhelms me!!!  I am on the computer constantly right now trying to get ready for school.  I have an 8th grader, 5th grader, 4th grader, and 1st grader...WOW!  We have a very exciting year ahead. For all those homeschoolers I thought I might share what we are doing for school this year:
MacKenzie (8th grade)-
    Science- Apologia Physical Science
    History- Beautiful feet American History
    Latin- Latin For Children
    Math- Math u See Zeta
    Language Arts- enrolled in The Potter School English 1
Joseph (5th grade) and Annabelle (4th grade)-
    Science- REAL Science Odyssey Earth Science
    History- Beautiful Feet and Queen's "Living History of Our World"
    Latin- Latin for Children
    Math- Math  U See- Epsilon and Delta
    Language Arts- Queen's Language Lessons, Writing Strands
Sammy (1st Grade)-Same as above except he will not do Latin and his Language Arts will be various phonics programs
Art, Music, Nature study will all be occurring at various times also.  I have found that The Handbook of Nature Study Blog spot is VERY helpful, and the Harmony Art Mom will be our source of Art curriculum, along with many various blogs from which I steal ideas! Oh and my new favorite that everyone will do- A Child's Geography (wonderful)

This year it has taken me about 3 weeks to get ready for school and order and organize.  I find it such a challenge to be organized, yet I see the necessity to get more and more organized the bigger they grow. I am starting my day at 5:15 now and this year will be our first year of waking children at a specific time to get going for school. No-- they are not starting their day at 5:15---just me! These are big changes for our year.

Hope you enjoy our pics of squeezing the most out of our summer weather:




my kitchen table...no longer a place to eat

camping with friends

trying out new things

an awesome evening of tubing



the fun never ends



camping moments

the most beautiful campground- Lake Wenatchee

Maybe a Christmas pic??

Playing in a glacial lake....I did not partake!

Do you see small children on that island..they made it across and made many discoveries

construction and engineering futures???

Not many of these pics around

Joseph with his bazooka and fort

craziness

Sweet friends

Buddies

The fairy village got bigger and bigger through the weekend