Instead of a weekend long retreat for the youth group, we were afforded just one day. Thankfully, it was exceptionally good weather and we were able to pack a lot in.
We had two lessons on Make it Matter.
Play dates are good for the soul.
I am not so good at taking photos – either remembering to take them, or executing them… but we’ve been very intentional about setting up play dates for Johanna and Katriel this fall.
Today, we picked up Asher and headed to Chase’s for doughnuts, and some animals.
He made Katriel this incredible picture out of LEAVES from his yard!
CBS – techno-version
Katriel, Nan, and I headed to Canandaigua on the 9th to pick up our CBS books for this year’s study. It is nothing short of AWESOME how much of an effort the leadership dove into in order to provide such comprehensive start-up bags for the kids’ programming. With labelled envelopes to open at specific times through the months, this is clear that our loving volunteers poured themselves into the ministry.
Marie and Tab even got ESV Scripture Journals of the Gospel of John.
There were glitches (oh – Zoom – you never knew you’d be so popular),
But there was a lot of gladness, too.
I’m going to get a lot of exercise going up and down the stairs between girls as the technology comes in and out, but it is totally worth it.
BECAUSE ….
Because being a Scarlet Knight is too cool not to remember as the years go by.
More home maintenance
Old brass fireplace insert.
Check.
Repaint front door.
Check.
New shelves.
Check.
Scenes from the first week of school
Another homeschool year is underway at Dayspring Academy.
Katriel is starting her Beyond Little Hearts of Dakota guidebook, which means drawing continents on the driveway. I guess I parked too close to Russia?
Originally, we had not planned to have Marie take classes at FLCC this semester, because of her soccer and CBS schedule; however, once we learned FLCC was almost 100% remote, we were able to register her for Intro to Literature (with a favorite teacher of the Butler crew), and Intro to Functions, which is the entry level college math class.
Johanna decided to grab the bull by the horns on day 2, though her early arrival to the school table threw off the planned earlier risers.
Nan was the only one to brave the pool on September 1st. She was the last swimmer of the year.
As a 9th grader, Tab now joins the ranks of 6AM Biology with Dad legend.
And Johanna took it upon herself to learn how to make scrambled eggs so she could help us some mornings.
Nigel is no longer a student of Dayspring Academy, though he still spends most of his days here, doing FLCC classes from home. He doesn’t mind saving the gas money, and the girls and I love having him around. We hope this remote stuff doesn’t follow us in to 2021; but we are making the best of the situation.
First game of the season
It’s hard to describe how grateful we are that our homeschool soccer league is able to play this year. With so many other activities stripped off our schedules this year, it was such a wonderful blessing to have this remain intact, particularly with schools in our region not being afforded the same privilege.
Marie is a defensive starter again this year. This is Tabitha’s first year on the varsity level, and with such a large team, she is a pool player. We were glad she was able to take the field this gorgeous September day.
One of the biggest pick-me-ups is that the other parents seem wholly like-minded in terms of protocols. It is delightful to just be ourselves and feel like we are totally doing something normal again!
Houghton 2020
College drop off day. He’s a SENIOR already. Unlike last year’s celebratory feel, this time it was somber. No mascot or musicians when you pulled onto campus. No teams to help unload and carry bags and boxes. No last lunch in the dining hall. No chapel service, nor President’s address. Today we were met at the car with a thermometer and on our way. I’m so grateful for God making Houghton a possibility. I’m proud of Stewart for juggling multiple jobs. I’m trusting God will open the next set of doors in life. And I’m praying that Houghton won’t send him home before thanksgiving break.
Look at the smile on his face. He is so happy to be back with his friends.
We are going to miss him like crazy.
I feel very strongly this coronavirus is being overstated in an effort to promote mail-in ballots for the election. I am so grateful that Houghton has been following the CDC guidelines, without being over-the-top reactionary. The plan is the students from NY have to stick to their rooms for one week (students from out of NY have already been there in “quarantine” for one week). And if all goes well they can hang out together come 9/7.
Camping 2020! 8/25
Another early morning, but this time I had everyone up by 8AM.
Breakfast was amazing.
We drove an hour north to Fort Ticonderoga. This was a dream come true for me.
We left for lunch and grabbed some pizza. The pizza was amazing; the service and cost was repulsive.
John dropped me and five of the kids off back at the fort, while he and Stewart went to the Star Trek museum.
We checked out a few more things (canon firing) and then looked around the gardens.
We tried to do the corn maze, but it seemed to be closed.
We went back and joined a tour until John and Stewart met up with us again.
Our admission to the Fort also allowed us access to Mt. Defiance.
We went up the mountain as far as we could drive then hiked up the last little bit. It was paved. We then were able to look back down upon the Fort and see Lake Champlain for a good distance.
We saw an extremely large cricket by the bathroom. I’m glad it wasn’t in the middle of the night.
Dinner and another nice campfire.
Dayspring Disciples 