Homeschoolers Don't Get Snow Days

Winter has hit New England hard this year, resulting in an abundance of power outages, icy roads, and snow days for the school kids. It's a nice feeling to wake up to a blizzard and not have to worry about whether or not school is cancelled, and how dangerous the roads will be. We just carry on with our day as usual~ play a bit in the morning, get ready for the day, do some schoolwork, take a break, eat some lunch, do some more work and then play, play, play. This week we spent a generous amount of time outdoors, which is so refreshing after being cooped up inside so much last month. The boys got these nifty snow toys for Christmas and they spent an entire afternoon building forts and perfecting the art of snowball making (and throwing). The weather is calling for more snow flurries today and tomorrow, and I say, "Bring it on!"

Leaves, Leaves and More Leaves

We don't have to travel far to find fall. We just have to put our shoes on and step outside of our house. The leaves are continuing to fall every day, and until DH

does the yardwork next weekend we'll have a driveway filled with crunchy, crisp leaves. D is so excited for Halloween, and has been for the past 2-3 weeks. He spends his time cutting, pasting, and creating spooky decorations to hang all around the house. And talking about trick-or-treating. And wearing his costume. And making me Halloween cards that say "Boo!". If it wasn't for his contagious excitement, I'd be the same old scrooge I usually am and not think anything of the upcoming holiday, with the exception of making sure we have enough candy to hand out on the big night. Thank you D, for bringing a little BOO back into my life.

A Fall Tradition

Today was apple picking day, a family tradition since D was born. Although we go home with bags overflowing with apples, the day is really about being outside amidst the foliage-filled trees, letting the kids run around burning off their boy-energy in a safe, fun environment. I was happy to see that there was one row of raspberry bushes still producing deep red, juicy berries. My favorite berry, if not my favorite fruit. Just look at how delicious that looks!! D found it (pictured above) and decided he HAD to eat it, right then and there. It was too perfect to save for later. I think I need to adopt that attitude about many things in life. I find there's always so much being "saved for later". Why wait for the future when you can savor the moment at hand?? Go ahead, eat the raspberry :).

Back to the Beach

There's nothing quite like the first day back to the beach after an endlessly cold and snowy winter. Even though the breeze was chilly and the water frigid, it felt divine to have the smooth, soft sand between my toes while watching the boys play together by the seashore. Almost perfect..... until I lost my keys. And yes, I panicked, and even lost my temper (as B attempted to run into the street while I searched through my bags for the sixth time). "Please, God, let the keys be here!!" I muttered as I looked through the sand-laden beach toys. And what do you know? Even though I lost my patience and probably used His name in vain more than once, God answered my prayer. Right then and there.

No, the keys were not in my bag. Instead, he sent me an angel. A wonderfully concerned passerby noticed my frenzy and decided to ask if she could help me out. She volunteered to walk back to the beach with me, boys in tow, to help see if we could spot the missing keys along the way. We retraced our steps, and just as I was convinced the keys must've floated out to sea--never to be seen again--I hear her yell "We found them!!" Actually, D is the one who found them buried under the sand where we had been sitting, just a teeny tip of my little flashlight sticking up from the surface. I thanked her profusely for being so kind and she smiled and returned to her afternoon walk.

She took the time to help out a complete stranger, to offer her assistance, to speak kind words of concern and encouragement. Yes, it was only lost keys we were looking for, but she helped me find even more. She helped me discover hope where just moments ago only anger and frustration had resided.

Memories of a Summer Friend

In summer-noon flushes
When all the wood hushes,
Blue dragon-flies knitting
To and fro in the sun,
With sidelong jerk flitting
Sink down on the rushes.
And, motionless sitting,
Hear it bubble and run,
Hear its low inward singing
With level wings swinging
On green tasselled rushes,
To dream in the sun.

(Lowell, "The Fountain of Youth")

Just Like Daddy

For my boys, a genetic prediposition plus a generous handful of 'boy energy' has created a natural love for anything with an engine, especially if it has the potential for speed. At the first sight of snow, D couldn't wait to get out on his snowmobile for a ride around the yard. B, of course, had to copy his big brother and tried to ride his toy ATV through the snow (to no avail). It was nice to see them having fun together and bonding over Daddy's favorite sport.

Froffy Snowmah

It has been the Year of the Snowman in our house this winter. Being blessed (or cursed, depending on your disposition) with an abundance of snow has alloted us many opportunities to build snowmen. B quickly fell in love with the entire process, from rolling the snow into big balls of ice, to making sure his snowmen were the best dressed (and warmest) on the block. When I asked him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas, he answered with a resounding "Froffy Snowmah". I had to explain to him that Frosty the Snowman would melt underneath the Christmas tree, and he agreed to let me read him the "snowman book" again for the zillionth time instead. I failed to take any photos of our frosty friends before they collapsed into a melted heap on the front yard, but I'm quite certain we'll be making plenty more. The snow just keeps on falling and we're not even into January yet! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that you are looking forward to 2008.

BEACH DAY IN LATE OCTOBER

Last Monday was an unusually warm day for late October, a day meant to be spent entirely outside. Which is why the boys and I made a spontaneous trip to our favorite beach, where we spent a few hours playing in the (frigid) waves, exploring tide pools and climbing the slippery rocks. After a picnic lunch eaten with sandy hands, we headed home so B could take his nap. Fast forward to today, another sunny day, but with the feel of snow instead of sand. It's amazing how fickle the weather is this time of year. It makes it hard to plan our days but at least it never gets boring. And quite honestly, it could be hailing cats and dogs and it wouldn't phase me today, because the RED SOX WON THE WORLD SERIES!!! Quite worth staying up past midnight last night. :)

SIGNS OF AUTUMN

We awoke to a leaf-covered driveway that looked like crispy, brown and gold snow. D and B couldn't wait to get outside to enjoy the arrival of fall, and we spent the next two hours riding bikes and searching for the perfect leaves to use for a few craft projects I have planned for tomorrow. Usually around mid-February I begin wondering why anyone would want to live in New England with the long, dreary, bitter winters. But then October arrives and quietly awakens a renewal of awe at the beauty New England possesses. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than right here in my own yard during this fleeting time of the year. It's wonderful to see the boys enjoying the season as much as I do, if not more. Raking leaves, stacking wood, breathing in the crisp air. Wandering through the yard, matching fallen leaves to their trees. Picking apples, baking pies, drinking warm apple cider and visiting the pumpkin patch. It's going to be a busy month!