The 1st Day of School!

Our 1st day of the Wolfe Academy School Year 2011-2012 has officially started! I remember when I was in 6th grade and the teachers were telling us that at the turn of the century we were going to be 26 years old. I remember thinking that it just sounded SO old and then I started thinking about the years after 2000 that I would be even older and how life was just probably going to be over by that point. :) Never in a million years did 11 year old Julia think that she would be teaching school of her own. But here I am, and loving it.

Summer's Not Over Yet

So for the 2nd half of our summer review I thought I would show you the more mundane side of out summer. For instance, how I put groceries away while I have a 7 mo. old, or how we re-purpose boxes and lawn debris from our house. But please don't get the impression that we've been having some lazy days of summer, we've (literally) been all over town. There was the Arboretum, and the Children's Museum, playdates and the Under Water World, there's been a lot going on!

Summer Review, The 1st Half

Summer, can I just dig in my heels and stop the days from whizzing by? This summer has seemed to go particularly fast. Like water running through my fingers. So before this summer is a complete memory, here is what we have been doing:

John joined Little League this year. His Daddy was a complete rock star and got him all signed up, attended all the practices and games, and was all in all a stellar parent, way to go honey! Oh and John was thrilled. Something to call his own. He was over the moon. Well thank goodness Little League doesn't last all summer (like I was afraid that it did) because we had a lot of camping to get in. Still do, we are going again in a couple of weeks. We tried something new this year and went with some actual friends instead of always my family. It was fun! We'll have to do it again next year. In this picture we are riding Wisconsin's Elroy/ Sparta Bike trail. There are old railroad tunnels that are so long that you need a flashlight to get through. More fun than you can shake a stick at. Really, 'cause shaking sticks are pretty fun.

Then there has been swim lessons (the most awesome swim lessons I've ever seen), gardening (that's a whole 'nother pathetic post), vacation bible school (I only got a picture of the younger two in the nursery, it was a busy week!) and lots and lots of motorcycle ridingSummer, feel free to stick around a little bit longer!

The Evolution of Hair

Poor 5th children. Their Momma's are too busy for baby books, or recording 1st words. I hear plenty of later born children complain that their childhood momentos couldn't fill a small shoe box.

For Gloria, she will wonder why she wasn't ever mentioned in this blog. So, Gloria, here's a snap shot of your babyhood, as seen through the lens of "The Hair."

Sweet child, your hair has been the topic of conversations since you were born. You were born with an old man doo. Long in the back, bald on top. Your head of hair has reversed itself in these 7 mo.
Now it's long on top, straggly on the sides, and bald in the back. Yes, the evolution of your hair has been quite entertaining. Though I maintain that if someone has to go through a bad hair phase. Babyhood is the cutest time to do it.

No Promises

Let's see... April, May, June, July, August... it's been awhile. My life is so busy right now, obviously. I had grand visions of a laid back summer where we would touch on the basics of school most days and just hang out, read books, explore outside. But summer has been anything but that. It's been a 11 week sprint to Autumn. Part of me wishes that I could have a do-over. But wiser people than me have reminded me that having 5 children (two of them being a 7 mo old and a 2 year old) is not about flourishing, but surviving. I don't have to do this part perfectly. Phew! So anyway, here's a sneak peak at the summer we've been having:

When I have a moment I plan to do one big post with summer highlights, so far. Summer isn't over yet!
(This is Sofie and our cousin Anika at the Arboretum. Sofie loved toting her around because she felt lighter than her 7 mo. old sister.)