How can summer be over so quickly?!

My kids were way to excited to start school.  They love routines, friends, and learning.  I wasn't so sure if I were ready for them to end our summer fun, but if they are happy, I guess I'm okay too.  What makes it easier this year is the fact that Gillian will be with me, and we are both over the moon about all of the things we are going to learn this year, as well as the time we are going to share together.

I started Gillian on her schedule the same day as her brothers started their school.  Some of her private classes won't start till next week, but I wanted to set a good routine for Gillian right in the beginning.  I love teaching her Albanian, conversing about Medieval Ages, dissecting sentences, figuring out math problems, learning about cells and genetics, and of course discussing and writing about classics.  But to be honest with you, my favorite time of Gillian's schedule is her free time when she writes poetry, short stories, and little inspirations of the moment.

Gillian’s Subjects for 2014-2015:

·       Music - Piano (Level 4)

·       Vocal - Chorus (Level 4)

·       Honors Math (Algebra)

·       Science (Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry)

·       Honors History and Geography (Early Medieval to Renaissance)

·       Honors English (Vocabulary – Greek, Latin, Anglo-Saxon roots, Literary Critique, Writing Strategies, Grammar, Reading Comprehension)

·       Honors Literature – Classics Analysis

·       PE –Running (3 miles two times a week), Swimming, Dance Aerobics

·       Art – Art History, Exploration of different artistic styles

·       Electives:

§  Sewing

§  Cooking

§  Albanian (Foreign Language)

§  Story Writing/Poetry

Here are two of Gillian's latest compositions which she wrote in matter of minutes:

          Dawn

The sun yawns. Time for another big day. The morning is black and quiet. Not even the birds are awake; the silence is so deep you could cut it with a knife. Mist rolls over the lake, creeping, silent, and mysterious. It curls into tendrils of fog, wafting over this cold desolate land. Then........... light? How can this be? The mist uncurls its angry fingers, hissing and spitting as it slithers back into the far reaches of the world. The light continues to expand. At first it is only a pink tinge on the horizon. But then, like a wondrous rainbow, red appears, then a brilliant gold, purple, golden orange, smooth suave silver, and a magenta to take ones breath away. They collide and mix, spinning and frothing over the world, there is too much to take in! Colors and light burn away the darkness, scorching it until it is no more. Warmth fills the earth. Golden, buttery, warmth.  The sun smiles, spreading its long arms, it encircles the world, and the day begins.  

Untitled

The moon set sail 

to glide overhead.

The silent forest

had gone to bed. 

Tiny crickets chirped

sad songs, gliding together 

over glittering ponds.

A spider's victim

broke through his bonds,

and dwarves in the mountains

used iron tongs.

The elves in the valley

danced through the night,

while werewolves and dragons

looked for a bite.

The moon set sail

to glide overhead.

The silent forest

has gone to bed.

 

Charlton was the most excited child going to school this year; he even let me gel his hair - something he doesn't usually approve of.  Having been my partner in art these past two years, he didn't feel scared or lost; he actually looked the part of owning the place.  When I spoke to his teacher after school was out on the first day, she told me everyone wanted to be Charlton's friend; he was always smiling and happy.  My older boys continue to ride bikes, but Charlton didn't feel comfortable enough to accompany them.  He does have early release, so that's okay.  I love taking and picking him up, and chatting with him all the way home.

 

 

Here are some fun art work that Charlton accomplished during his first week:

Our school mascot - the eagle

Gillian jumping on the trampoline with Charlton

This was Charlton's favorite project - drawing himself after "NO, David" illustrations.

Because he comes home early, and Gillian is still doing her school work, Charlton spends a good time chilling by himself.  I haven't started on a routine for him yes since I'm still working on Gillian's, but a few things he does on his own are making creations with playdough, playing chess on the computer, reading with me, writing his letters, listening to books on tape, and just relaxing.  When Gillian is done, he is in heaven  'cause she is all his!

 

Being the first week of school, we have had a lot of time working and having fun together, reading, cooking,running, building with legos, and many other family activities.  However, we are still championing for summer days and summer swim, so that's where you would find us most of the afternoons by ourselves or with friends - at the swimming pool.

 

 

This is my latest picture being pregnant at 37 weeks - Saturday, August 30th.  I did a lot of swimming this week, and messaging with jets in the hot tub.  My body should be completely relaxed for this baby to come out and meet her family soon!

Coming closer to the end of my 4th decade!!!

I celebrated my 38^th birthday on December 4^th.  My kids kept innocently reminding me how old I was turning every day for the past two weeks.  And then a few days before my birthday, I told them that it’s rude to tell the age of a lady, however young or old she may be turning.  Still, they couldn’t resist telling people that I was celebrating my birthday soon, but at least they told them I was turning 28 instead!:)

 

Well, I started my birthday celebration by teaching Charlton’s preschool class.  The theme was instruments, so we totally partied for my birthday.  I had them form a band and march around.  Of course they all wanted to play the same instruments, but fortunately I had plenty of each one.   

One of the moms, my friend Laura, had asked me to switch with her so I didn’t have to teach on my birthday.  I had already made plans for the rest of the month, so I kept the same day.  As it turned out, she wanted to throw me a surprise party for my birthday, and since I love parties, we decided to go ahead and do it at my house.  We had 8 moms and 10 kids in my little abode, but that’s how I like it – lots of friends, noisy kids, and good food.

We all had a good time and were sad that we had to wrap it up.  Some of us had older kids to pick up. I continued my day by taking Gillian and James to choir rehearsal.  Elijah had tried to convince me to skip it and be together with the family.  I – the person who is always running around wanting to do it all – said no to that proposal.  (I regretted it the next day when we were all tired and found it hard to get up.  I’ll have to pay more attention to my husband’s advice next time.) We finished choir at 6, and met Elijah at the Temple Visitor Center to see the lights.  It has been a tradition of mine to go and see the Temple ground lights on my birthday.  In each temple I’ve been I’ve enjoyed their lights and displays of the nativity scenes, but no matter where these temples are found, I love the special, peaceful feeling that I feel in each of them.

After strolling through temple grounds, we decided we better take the kids to eat before it grew too late.  As we were eating, I could tell that the kids were getting restless; they wanted to give me their presents.  We kept dinner simple, and then headed home, where the kids sang happy birthday to me, we all ate red velvet cupcakes - my choice, and opened thoughtful presents.  I love it that my kids feel so in earnest to make me happy.  It was hard for them to hide their excitement at seeing me enjoy their attention and gifts.

I had a wonderful birthday celebration.  Family and friends called, visited, emailed, send cards and gifts, and showed love in myriads of other ways. I’m grateful for all of them; I’m grateful for your love.