The First Day of School!

It's hard to believe that we are starting a new school year with a fourth grader, a first grader and a preschooler! This year, especially, we are feeling so fortunate that we are homeschooling. It's going to be a wild ride. 

This photo sums up how I expect the year to go:

It took me 15 minutes to wrangle everyone to the same spot, close enough that I could fit them in the frame.

I instantly started taking as many photos as I possibly could while shouting ridiculous things, making silly faces and telling jokes to try to get everyone to laugh, while also reminding the boys to stay there and look over here. 

Within 30 seconds, the boys had disappeared and were off playing.

This is the best I got:

It was much easier keeping one kid in line at a time, the girls being the easiest. SlimJim couldn't be bothered with a first day photo and only wanted to play with an umbrella. Mr.T. didn't need a first day picture, so he only has photos with his umbrella.

We made it through day one. I wouldn't say, "nailed it!" But "made it!" is good enough. 

A Socially Distanced Birthday Party

They are so strange... We hung out in the yard and the garage, since there was a chance of rain and we can't hang out inside. We could never hang out in our garage, but this was an organized, clean, three-car garage decked out with streamers, lights and a piñata!

We all had a great time.

The Last Day of Summer Vacation

Today was the "end of summer" for the girls; school starts Monday. Even though the weather wasn't perfect for it, they really wanted one last beach day. We drove back up to Schroon Lake to play at the beach with some friends. Great way to end the summer. 

Vermont Institute of Natural Science

We moved to this house, north of the house we first lived in when we moved to the area, more than six years ago. When we moved, we changed driving routes to get to NH, driving north through Rutland, VT, instead of south through Bennington. Every drive, we pass the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. They always have inviting signs about raptor feedings and special programs. Recently, they opened a wild walk. 

I always mention, "we should go!" But it never seems the right time. We are driving too late in the day, or the weather is wrong, or kids are sleeping. 

Today, we planned to visit on the way home. We packed a lunch, and headed out. 

We bought the season pass, so now anytime we are driving back and forth, we can stop to say hi to some owls, or take a quick walk on the wild walk, or play at the natural playground for a little while. 

It isn't quite the size or experience of the Wild Center in Tupper Lake- the other nature center with animals and a wild walk within driving distance- but it was definitely a fun stop. 

Biking, Playing, Swimming

We had a great time at Gram and Grumpy's. SlimJim has been working hard at riding a bike with no training wheels, but the bike we have at home is just a bit too tall for him to reach the ground. Gram found a great little bike that is built a little lower, and he got on and was off! No more training wheels for this kid!!

Of course, the kids swam and swam.

The craziest part of our trip was my visit to Urgent Care with Mr.T. after he dislocated his elbow. According to the nurse, I guess I've been dodging a bullet having four kids who have kept all their arm bones in their correct locations. It was a long wait (during nap time...), but an easy fix.

Our visit ended with this beautiful rainbow.