Clare, Horseback Riding, and Baseball

I have been playing with my camera lately and decided to take it to Brooke's horseback lesson and Caleb's baseball game for some action photos.  I've also been trying to practice portraits shots of Clare.  I'm trying to save money and not get her 1 year photos 'professionally' done.  None of these have been scrubbed, but here are a few of my favorites.  My photographer friends, if you feel comfortable, I would love your comments and any advice.

Brooke - 

We recently changed horse barns because it was taking 4 hours or more to get to horseback, do horseback, and get home.  The new barn is nice (though I do miss Maggie).  Mr. Bob wants Brooke to start showing on October 7th.  I think mommy is going to say no and just have us shadow our friend Erin at the show.  Not ever having really done this before, I want to know what to expect.  Plus, I have to buy Brooke all the accouterments for the show - new pants, show helmet, show boots, etc.  She is so excited though, so we'll have to do the next one.  She is jumping, cantering, and all sorts of things that terrify her mom!

Caleb -

Caleb is playing baseball again this season.  His team has improved so much since last year.  He is able to catch, make good throws, and hit the ball.  We are still working on seeing the ball hit the bat, but his swing is really good.  Since Will has been home, he has been helping to coach Caleb's team.  It has been so nice to not HAVE to do everything and get everyone to all of their activities.  I am going to have a huge adjustment when he starts traveling again.

Clare -

I am smiling just thinking about her.  She is incredible.  We have begun a bit of the fit throwing phase.  The other day Will said something like this - "She is like Mammaw at the end of her life.  Walking around with her walker and screaming at everybody."  It doesn't help that she makes Mammaw faces while doing this.  At horseback yesterday, I really tried to capture Clare's personality.  In a couple of these I really got her with that look in her eyes....

A new year

I know most people just want to see pictures of my kiddos, but you won't get that today.

What a year!  We started this homeschool/SAHM journey almost exactly one year ago.  I think that all of us would say it was a really, really, really hard transition.  The kiddos missed their Oregon friends so much and the complication of a broken ankle slowed us making friends here.  I was not necessarily the most patient or sane person after both having a baby and losing my mobility within a month of each other.  That made for a very trying fall.  We made it though!  I have scars on my ankle, but I don't think anyone got scared, at least not too deeply, from such a negative experience.  We started anew in the January.  We found a secular co-op that is absolutely wonderful and started making friends.  I got better mentally and physically.  By this spring, we were on a roll and having fun homeschooling.  We were a little behind from such a yucky fall, but worked hard and got caught up.  I think we are all looking forward to starting the new year tomorrow.  We never really stopped school this year.  We took days off, but when we were home we worked.  That said, I think everyone likes the routine we figured out toward the end of the spring and are ready to get back to it.  I am adding a few things this year -

At Brooke's request we are adding a formal art program.  I chose Meet the Masters.  Brooke really wanted to learn more about techniques and do more art.  I wanted her to learn more about the artists themselves and the different periods and influences art has gone through.  We tried the first lesson last week in Vincent Van Gogh.  It was really good!  Brooke loved it.  We learned about his life and some key characteristics of each of his paintings.  Brooke then replicated "Starry night" using the things that she had learned.  I am really looking forward to doing this with her.

Latin in earnest.  Last year we did "Song School Latin" and loved it.  This year, we are doing Rosetta stone Latin.  It is going to be a much more rigorous look at Latin.  Caleb may continue some of the song school.  We'll see.  I don't want to overwhelm him too much up front.

At Caleb's request we are adding a more formal science program.  Science is really difficult for homeschoolers.  There are tons of religious/creationism offerings, but secular offerings are quite difficult to come by.  We are going to try an online program called "Science Fusion." It is by one of the big text book companies, so it may be WAY to schooly for us.  We shall see.  Caleb is super excited about it.  We did a sample lesson last week and it was pretty awesome.  Lots of videos, good experiments.  Really makes it real to the kids and makes them more computer literate.

Typing - We are going to start a formal typing program.  I'm going to try Type to Learn 4.  I haven't bought it yet in case I don't like it.  We are just going to start the free trial this week.

Whew - when you add all this to our normal reading/writing/math/history/spelling/comprehension Techniques/creative writing/etc, I have quite a year planned!  I may be being a little too ambitious, but I hope we can get through it and keep the schedule we figured out last fall.

There are so many other updates for you.  We are moved in to our new home and officially out of our rental house.  Clare turns 1 next week.  We are having a party next Saturday.  Brooke decided no more softball and started soccer last week.  Caleb is really figuring out baseball!  He is hitting the ball, throwing, and stopping things that come his way!   Will has been working from home for a while.  It has been nice having him at the table for dinner.  It is not going to be easy when he has to travel again. I am recovering from surgery.  Still can't officially lift Clare, but feeling great!  I am pretty much back to my normal schedule and have even worked out a few times.  My sister and I are starting a pretty big undertaking.  Just signed the paperwork over the weekend!  More to come on that, but I am cautiously optimistic that this new adventure is going to be wonderful for all of us.

Better get to bed!  We have a big day tomorrow!  Hope everyone is well!