School

The kiddos are going to school.  Summer school this summer, then in the fall.  Keegan wanted to check it out, and Quinn went along on the tour.  They were both sold.  They started at a Montessouri School 25 miles away from our home this week.  They love it so far, and I am happy that they have found something so exciting and inspiring for themselves.  Of course I was surprised, and a little sad at first, but now that I am used to the idea, and see how happy they are, I feel very okay about it.  They are full of stories about friends, and play and learning adventures, and I have had a little time to think about how I want to spend my time.  The classroom in our house is now an art/sewing room(not very different from what it was before, just a new name), and the house is getting painted, organized.  I have been taking classes at the Springs Preserve on gardening, and plan to start the Master Gardener Program in the fall(it is very close to the kiddos school, so we will be in class at the same time).  

There are things I miss about homeschooling already....sleeping in, staying home, traveling, choosing how we want to spend our time, doing things on a whim, spending all day with my kiddos( or all day with the Life Learners)...lots of things, but I also like things about our new schedule.... getting up, going somewhere every day, not traveling so much, having our day(and year) planned...lots of things.  It just feels like a new chapter, not really life changing, just another chapter.  Just as I never said that school was not an option for us homeschoolers, I will still say that homeschooling is an option for us schoolers if and when they might need or want it someday.  For now, we are all enjoying the school time. 

Calico Canyon

It was humid and a little cooler yesterday(the low 100's), unusual for Vegas.  The humidity was about 60%, very unusual, and pleasant.  We took the opportunity to go to Calico Canyon.  We enjoyed walking on the boardwalk, and taking photos.  Quinn had command of the camera, these are her shots.

Grapes Galore!

Beautiful and tasty, we all enjoyed our first grape harvest.  And there will be more!

Catching Up

An image from our Life Learner day at Mount Charleston.  So Beautiful!

Quinn went to Tennis Camp.

The kiddos decide to go to school.

We will still make it to Life Learner days!

We find the Rainbow's End Cafe, where the kiddos believe they add love to the food.

The Figs Have Arrived!

We have been waiting for 2 years for this, but it was worth the wait.  This is just the first day's harvest of figs, several more trays have already been picked(and eaten!), and there are more on the way.  This was really exciting!

Craig's LIst is Awesome!

Last weekend I decided to try a post on Craig's list.  Usually, when we have stuff to get rid of, we usually....a)donate, b)give away or c)throw away.  My last visit to the Goodwill store left me with a sour taste for donating, as I saw how much was thrown away, damaged and charged a fortune for on the resale.   And Opportunity Village sure is picky about what they take, which I guess is good, so they don't throw away, but they left a lot on their last visit.  I still give away, but I am trying to get away from throwing away.

So, Craig's List...I posted 3 things.  The first, a patio heater sold in 15 minutes of posting.  The second, a trundle bed, sold in 3 days.  The third, I never thought...American Idol tickets for the show in LA to be sold in Las Vegas.  Nothing, Nothing, Noth...wait...5 days, someone from Minnesota, coming with his family to Las Vegas this Sunday, then renting a car to drive to San Diego, then will drive up to LA for the show that is so special to his family as they have watched the whole season together!  He will meet me on Sunday afternoon!  Wow-all cash sales, full asking price, this is sooooooo awesome!!! 

Solar Power

This spring, we installed a solar heater on the pool, bought a pool cover, and put up a clothesline. We just received our June gas bill for $39.76.  We used 28 Therms last month, while we used 96 Therms for the same period last year.  Yah!  I just looked at SW Gas's energy saving tips, and there are a few more things we can implement.  It's so exciting!!

Another Weekend Harvest

Apricots from the tree in Quinn's garden.

Tomatoes, an artichoke and a yellow squash(harvested small before it shrivels up).

And mustard greens, the gift that keeps on giving!  I think it is almost over, one plant went to seed, but this is my 3rd harvest off these plants.  

Yesterday, I went to hear a speaker at the Spring's Preserve who has a very productive garden in Las Vegas.  He eats a plant based diet and grows much of what he eats right her in the desert!  It was very inspirational.  I am ready to plan my front yard now!

TKD Testing

Keegan is getting ready to test for his yellow belt.

Quinn doing her form.

Quinn has to spar for testing now.

Keegan did a great job on his form, one step sparring and self defense, and even scored extra credit as the only one who knew the second one step.  He volunteered to perform it all by himself which was a big step for him!  He was very proud!

Quinn gets her purple belt.  Later that night....Jim got his blue belt, and I was promoted to brown belt decided.  

Book Club

Our book club with the Life Learners.  Keegan shared the Magic Tree House study guides.  He has read several, and plans to read them all.  We got good suggestions from the other kiddos.  A series by Rick Riodan from T, also recommended to K by his cousin a few monthes ago.