First Day of School...for real, this time..

Here's Alex in his uniform for the first time. Handsome, ain't he?

First Day of School...yeah, right.

After some initial bus confusion (Alex has to catch a public transit bus to get to his school which is about 30 miles, or 75 minutes away, by bus), he experienced his first day of (institutional) school in about four years. It was ninth grade orientation at Sts. Peter and Paul High School, just a half day of introduction for the incoming class of 2011. Since he had orientation, I figured we'd have one for homeschool, too. We spent half an hour looking at our new books and putting on the mindset that we gotta get to work some time soon. Other than that, this is our first day of school went; the camera tells the story...

Salesgirl

A couple weeks ago we had a few dozen backed up in our fridge. For some reason, our normal customers didn't buy their normal amount. Well, Kenzie decided to take her eggs on the road, hawking her wares, door to door, through the neighborhood. She had no luck that day, only selling some eggs to one of our usual customers.

Undeterred, she tried again yesterday. Our hens must be in full summer-production mode because we again had eggs to spare. This time she hit some of the same houses (I told her skip the houses from the last attempt where she received a less than welcome reception). She not only had greater success in her sales business (3.5 dozen sold), but she also found three new friends who have moved in, temporarily (they're only here until they sell their house and move away), down the street.

It's nice to see her efforts rewarded.





And, here's her card:






UPDATE: Kenzie and her new friends sold the rest of the eggs today (she even had to dig into our personal supply), to several new customers (a total of 8 dozen in two days). There's another dozen on order for tomorrow so the chickens need to get a-layin'. One of her new friends is holding a dozen for her neighbor and will get Kenzie the money this afternoon. I guess that means that Kenzie now has her first "employee". Look out world, there is no stopping this girl!

Cool Shades

Bekah did this to her little sister. Thankfully the camera was close at hand.

More Kayaking

Last night I told the kids that whoever got up at 6 o'clock with me on Sunday morning could go fishing and kayaking at (or about) sunrise. I was kind of hoping for a solo trip up the creek, but Kenzie and Alex made it out of bed in time. After we made a quick trip to the bait shop for worms, we headed to the creek. I let them have the first turn. It was an absolutely perfect morning. I got to relax with my fishing rod while they paddled around the creek.

When it was my turn on the kayak, I just drifted around and fished. I must have been pretty quiet because I drifted right up to a family of ducks and neither they, nor I, were aware of each other until they eventually got spooked and decided to leave the area. Momma was definitely keeping an eye on me as she kept herself between her babies and my boat.

I am really going to miss Summer when we have to put these boats away due to cold weather.

A Field Trip to Fort McHenry

I love visiting historical sites and I must admit, growing up in the Baltimore area, I am a bit biased toward Fort McHenry. I love how it was one of the first big defeats of a world superpower by a little upstart country called the United States of America. Despite some of things that are going on today, which we may or may not agree on, American history is a fascinating story about the struggle for freedom and democracy in a world that had really never heard of such things before. This country may have done (and still does) some things wrong, but it has also done a whole heck-uv-a lot of things right, too.

The short video above is of a replica of the flag known as The Star Bangled Banner. It is 41 feet long and flew over the fort as the British retreated from the battle at Fort McHenry near the end of the War of 1812. We actually helped to raise it in a ceremony they do at the fort every day. First, the park ranger, with the help of the visitors, lowers the Storm Flag replica (it is only only 17 feet by 24 feet) which flew during the actual 25-hour long British bombardment of the fort.

Then, with further help from the visitors, he raises this bigger flag.

I wish I had more time to add pictures, but here's a few: the whole crew in front of the fort; Tyler with a big cannon, and some of the fort itself.

Happy Anniversary!

Eighteen years ago, today:

And now:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, SWEETHEART!

Now for some reminiscing...

I Won Something

Today ended a week of VBXtreme (sponsored by a local church called The Bridge). It's a VBS where, instead of a lot of singing and Bible study activities (which are great, don't me wrong, the kids attend those whenever possible, they love these things), they get to play soccer or basketball for three hours in the hot sun, sweating and getting exhausted, which I think is exactly what kids should do in the summer. They do take time for Bible study, memory verses, etc. during breaks in their playing. Since I only had two eligible kids home with me this week, Tay and Ty got to attend. Another VBS that we try to attend every year conflicted with this one, but that's the way things go sometimes. That church is Safe Harbor Presbyterian, the same church where the older boys attend their youth group. Our church, St. Christopher's, had their VBS back in June. Last year I ran the games portion of our VBS, but this year I begged to be excused. I was, however, recruited on the last day to play a small part of a father in a skit the kids acted out.

Anyway, Tyler chose to play basketball this year; Tay picked soccer. They had a great time, especially, I think, since they each chose different things to do and met their own new friends. Lately, I've noticed the twins choosing to do things separately, which I think is great. They each need to develop as individuals, not as half a twin. I think they are sorry it's over. The week ended with 'The Biridge Bash', a carnival-like celebration with free games, food, moonbounces, pony rides, live music, and prizes (thought I'd never get there, didn't you?). This is where I won something. I got a $10 gift card to coffee house. I was standing next a friend of mine whose eyes lit up when I got my gift card. She said she wanted to try that place (I had never heard of it) but hadn't gotten around to it yet. So I gave it her. When am I, with seven kids in tow, ever going to get a chance to visit a coffee house? And if I did, $10 would be a drop in the bucket when I got the final bill. Besides, my friend owns and runs a mini-golf course and they've given my kids free snowballs in the past. I was glad to be able to return the favor in a small way.

The older three kids are due back from NC tomorrow. I miss them. I hope they get home early, but they probably won't. McKenzie has a letter here from the softball team she wants to try out for. It's probably an invitation to their tryouts. I emailed the coach a while back and he said he'd send her something as soon as they set a date for tryouts. Kenzie's going to be very excited.