Roo's dental work

In early January Roo needed a moral extracted and a cap put on a decayed tooth… and a filling. UGH! She had a 45-minute session and nitrous gas and did an amazing job. (Monkey now calls her "metal tooth" as a nickname, not exactly to her liking. But it is apt…)

This and that

I've instituted a new chore practice with the three oldest kids which I so far adore. Lots more work being done (and with more enthusiasm); added regularity and accountability. Who could complain? Yesterday they were cleaning out the car, and here is how I found Monkey hanging:

Goose is a big kindergartener learning to read and comport herself (more) like a young lady. Her spunk and ability to carry an outfit continues to be a winning asset, as you can see in this photo, just before church on Sunday. 

She and her little sis started a tumbling class this week which is a nice big-kid-ish thing for them. 

Meanwhile big sister Roo lost her front tooth last week! And started horse back riding lessons up the road, about which she is ecstatic…

September stuff

I'm not going to try to fill in the blanks - descriptively or pictorially - on the past 6 weeks. Too much stuff! Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, alumni family camp at Brookwoods in NH, and a 5 day canoe trip in northernmost Maine on the Allagash River by HF and two old friends. Full! Blessed.

Instead: picking up from last week. Monkey and Roo are back in school at the same hybrid as they did last year. Goose is doing a pre-K class at her preschool, though she is technically a kindergartener (doing homeschool kindergarten with me). And - drumroll please - this fall Mouse has kicked off preschool as well! She's in the T/Th class Monkey was in last year with the same beloved teacher. She's so excited to be big enough at last.

Our first week back in action was immediately after we returned from New England, and HF was still away. That said, it went extremely well. Now we are getting into soccer, gymnastics, AWANA, Little Flowers, and homeschool co-op. Ramping up! And I start "back to work" next week myself.

Quiet reading time in the evening when littlest two are in bed

Within 6 hours of HF's return, we got a flat tire in the van! At soccer practice

Homeschool PE started up at the Y; this year the oldest three participate

How much chuck can a woodchuck…?

We have some woodchucks in our fields. They bother the fence posts and dig holes into which sheep and lambs are apt to fall. They are nemeses. Monkey has been after them with his gun any number of times -- some close calls, but no success. But this week, HF got one. Here it is, skin still on:

And here it is off -- while HF is gutting and preparing it (it is now all cooked up in a stew). Quite a science lesson, I assure you:

Mouse started her swim lessons this week. The girl adores swimming and is happy as all get out to be in the water; however, she's not a huge fan of the lessons. The first day she was fine and went right down the (tall) slide with no coaxing. See?

But every day after she's cried. Poor girl. Roo has gone in as a lesson 'helper' several days, as Mouse is not the only reluctant 3-year-old in the class…

The other, and most vocal, beginning swimmer who is disenchanted, is our friend Kate. Here she and Mouse hang out on the sidelines during their older siblings' first official swim meet (they did great!). Too sweet.

Our friends the Eaddys - the other family hosting a Latvian orphan - have access to a neighborhood lake and invited us to come swim there with them this week. So fun:

Monkey had his end-of-year cub scout ceremony on Thursday night, a barbecue most notable for the sheets of rain that were falling just outside the pavilion for most of it. They pressed on nonetheless, however, and Monkey promoted to Weebelo. New hat and new neckerchief to go with that new rank!

Here's the den

Today HF took Monkey out on the nearby Rappahannock River for his first canoe paddle. Very exciting! They both loved it.

Performances, grandparents, trips: something for everyone

Crazy full and perfectly fabulous past two to three weeks. So many wonderful events and blessings. Photos of a few: