Summer 2010

Yikes it's been a long time! I decided I need to do a better job keeping up to date!!

So what are we up to this summer? LOTS!!

June found us finishing up our homeschool studies for the year. The girls got a bit of a second wind when we started doing lapbooks, so we had school a bit longer than I originally intended. Oh well, now we are farther along!

Also in June, we went up to visit John's Dad and meet his Aunt Shirley. What a delightful day that was! We got to see pictures and learn a bit of family history, we enjoyed getting to know Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bob, and got to visit with Grammy and Papa too! The kids even did some weeding for Papa :)

July is bringing on the summer activities in full force. Hannah just finished up 2 weeks of "training" in her work to ride program at the ranch. She is enjoying it so much, and we are so appreciative for the blessing of her being able to be near and work with the horses. She has been working/riding there since Christmas, and this week got to ride on her own for the first time! Usually she is "ponied" or tied to another horse and more experienced rider. Thursday they cut the tie and let her ride on her own.

Hannah is also now on the synchronized swimming team at our local pool. There is a government grant that allows for subsidized aquatic programs, and this one is free! Three days a week she has practice, and the rest of us get to swim during that time :) Johnny is taking swimming lessons there too, 4 days a week, and I'm thinking we may sign up Jesse in the parent and me class next time around.

Another big hub of summertime activity for us, is the library. Emily is volunteering there two times per week, and the other kids are in the summer reading program. We were sad to see some of the library's hours cut due to the financial state of the government. The library is now only open 4 days per week. We are there 2-3 out of the 4 :)

Next are the church activities. Emily is in the high school department, Rebekah in the jr hi, Hannah and Johnny in the elementary, and Jesse in Early Childhood. Wouldn't you think they'd run the calendar by me before approving it now? Emily and Rebekah are enjoying weekly swim parties, and they've also had a drive in movie night, and mini golf trip. Still to come are beach trips, more pool parties and probably lots of things I don't want to hear about right now.

We've had more adventures in orthodontics this summer as well. Poor Rebekah had oral surgery this week to pull 2 more teeth. I was so thankful that she seemed to do much better this time around. Recovery has been quicker, and it seemed the anesthesia was easier for her to come out of too. Next week we have a post op at the oral surgeon's, week after is another orthodontist appt. and the week after is a routine dental cleaning. Praise God for insurance!!

Somehow we are squeezing in violin and a few other things, but I have a feeling we are all going to be glad to "slow down" when the school year starts again!