Gratitude Weekly Week 4 - The Homeschool Opportunity

Today Nathan and Sarah start at a new school.  We have been doing the homeschool thing this year, but just before Christmas we decided that Nathan needed to go back to traditional school.  He was doing great academically, but really needed to improve socially.  I just couldn't give him them opportunities to be part of a group here.  He is very resistant to going to school, but we believe it to be in his best interest.  While checking out the school that Nathan was placed in, Sarah decided that she really wanted to go to school as well.  After much deliberation both of the young ones will be going to school.

I am trying to be upbeat about it, but I think I am failing miserably.  It has been so enjoyable teaching them at home.  Sarah's schooling was very difficult, but I felt that we grew closer as we struggled through it.  Nathan's schooling was delightful.  There is nothing like learning something and getting a hug and a kiss from mom for doing well.  Both of us were so happy every time he learned something new.

I am so very thankful that we did the homeschool thing, even if only for a little while.  I love the resources we now have in our home as well.  Just because they go off to the big school tomorrow doesn't mean we stop learning at home.  This opportunity, just taught us that we can learn at home and have the tools to do so.

PS  Now I may be able to do a little shopping, don't tell Jay.  :)

Gratitude Weekly - Week 2 Birthday Celebration

I am very blessed to have a wonderful generous husband who spoils me delightfully.  Friday a week ago was my birthday and as usual, my darling didn't disappoint.  This year to make sure that my day was special, Jay took off work and we made a family trip to Stonehenge and Bath.  

 I am sorry to admit that Stonehenge wasn't quite as impressive in person as I had imagined in my head.  The children however were completely impressed.  So much so that they listened intently to the recording and wouldn't stop listening for pictures.  Nathan's comment was those look like the rocks on the computer.  We had Stonehenge as our backdrop on the computer for months, he was so excited to find out they were the same rocks. 

Bath was a delightful discovery.  We didn't know what to expect, but Bath was beautiful and charming.  There were many cute shops and more shopping opportunities than anyone needs.  We really look forward to more trips to Bath.

 Bath Abbey

 Very cute area of town

 Roman Bath in the center of town

Gratitude Weekly - Week 1

Better late than never.  I am going to begin again with my gratitude postings.  In the month on November on Facebook I listed something I was thankful for every day in November.  I found that I was much happier and looked for things to be happy about.  Also when something bothered me I was more likely to gloss over my upset or disappointment.  I want to feel that in my life more, that is why I will be going back to my Gratitude Weekly posting.

Week 1 - I am thankful for my family, my cute little family at home.

 My parents and my siblings.

Those crazy people I married into.

 Each and everyone  of those people helped to make me who I am.  They helped me grow and learn and helped me to see what I could become.  I am extremely blessed to be a part of all these people.

London Trip 3 - Fall Break

During the boys' fall break we also took a trip to London. I know the title of the post says London Trip 3 and there isn't a trip 2, but that is because the pictures aren't on this computer and I need to find them. Anyway, on our 3rd trip we again took the train and this time spent the night so that we could have more time to see London.  At the end of the trip we realized that you can never have enough time in London. Our lists of things we want to see and do in London grows and grows and grows.  Here are a few of the MANY pictures we took while on our trip.

Day 1 - Bus Tour

Best Seats on the Bus

Big Ben

Palace Guards 

Harrods Department Store

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

London Eye

Trafalgar Square

First Day of School 2011

Better Late Than Never

This year school is a little different. Alex and Spencer are going to school at Ryde School with Upper Chine. It is on the Isle of Wight just off the coast of Portsmouth. They wear uniforms and ride a hovercraft and walk almost two miles literally up a hill. After school it is down hill. Sarah and Nathan don't have a school. They will be being home schooled once we get a home. The day before school started we had welcome and meet and greet type activity. The weather was a little harsh with high winds and drizzle. The hovercraft was closed and we had to take a foot ferry over to the school. Now we know the procedure for bad weather.

Luckily the first day of school weather was much more delightful. We left the hotel, took a taxi to the hovercraft terminal and as a family took the boys to school. The hovercraft had about 10 students going Ryde. From a not so discreet distance we followed Alex and Spencer up the hill till they arrived at the back gate of the school. They were lucky enough to be friended by another boy Spencer's age who showed them the way.

While the boys were at school Sarah, Nathan, Jay and I toured a part of the Isle of Wight by history telling double decker bus. We also did some shopping and had hot chocolate at the Chocolate Apothecary. After school the boys came down the hill and met us for ice cream. Not your typical 1st day of school, but highly memorable.