"Read, read, read" ( ~ William Faulker)

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
~ Joseph Addison ~

Our school year has just begun and we are all slowly learning our new routine. For me, this looks like waking up earlier than I want to and heading out to the gym. I'd be lying if I said I was thrilled to be using an alarm clock again, but it is what it is. I am happy to have a workout buddy, and to feel like I am making some progress toward my goal of finishing the Warrior Dash this coming May. I really don't want to have to skip any of the 11 obstacles because of physical ability, so going to the gym is very very necessary, however early it is when I get there.

Our new routine also includes the addition of 2 new bookclubs, one for me and one for Sydney. This means that 3 out of 4 of us are in a bookclub now - I think my love of reading is filtering down :)



This month Nicholas will be reading Jeffrey Strangeways by Jill Murphey. We haven't started yet, so I really need to make it a priority as his bookclub meets in just 2 weeks. We are still reading his books together and I like the quality time it gives us.





Sydney was the hostess for the younger bookclub and her selection was Princess Hyacinth: the Surpriseing Tale of a Girl Who Floated. This was the first meeting for the new group, so I was really unsure of how it would go or what to do. Being me, I tied the snack into the story - popcorn and tea turned into popcorn and apple juice served in tea cups. I also transformed Sydney's Chutes & Ladders game into a story themed game of Kites & Balloons. 16 children showed up for the meeting and it went really well - I think this is going to be a great group!

Not to be out read by our children, our group now has a moms bookclub as well. Classic books for classy moms :) I mentioned to a friend that I was going to read Emma by Jane Austen and that is now our first pick. I am really looking forward to being able to read classic literature and discuss with this bright bunch of friends that I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by.

Summer vacation: Charleston, SC

This summer we were fortunate enough to vacation in one of the most historical cities in the U.S., Charleston, SC. Or Charles Towne as it was originally called. We spent 7 days soaking up the sun at Folly Beach, just a block away from our beach house, and soaking up history as well. I watched my son as he turned into a fish, never wanting to leave the water. I watched him grow up a little, allowing him to walk to the corner store by himself (I know, I know, I am a clingy mother). I saw my daughter create her own masterpieces, no matter what her surroundings she has to have her artistic outlet. I saw her become a student, curiosity peaked at every museum with her little hand in the air for questions and even sounding out her first word (FOOD, on a local grocery store). I learned so much in 7 days, about family and friends and life. Much of what I learned cannot be shared here, but I can say that I missed home and was happy to come back :)

Start of a new year

I can hardly believe that today was the 1st day of another school year at home. I have 2 students, a Kindergartner and a 4th grader. Some days, like today, I look back to that last day of public school for Nic and wonder where the time has gone. And I also remember to take a minute to reflect on how happy I am with the changes we've made to get us here, learning from the dining table.