First Days

A few days after we got back from Utah, we got to host the first day of Joy School (Elise's second year!)  We added another little boy to our group this year (the one who kept kissing Elise in church), making five.  It's really a great group of kids and moms.  Connor was very happy to be my "helper," since his school didn't start for another week.  He also took these pictures of his baby brother.
  

  
Since Elise stopped sucking her thumb while on vacation, I had to keep my word and buy her an Easy Bake Oven.  I have to say, it's a lot of effort for about a thimble full of treat, but I guess that's good in a way.  There are a ton of different (very expensive) mixes available - so far we've done red velvet cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and strawberry/chocolate checkerboard cake.  There are no words for how much this girl loves treats.
   

  
Connor's independent study program started up again the second week of September.  This year we've decided to do two different programs.  Connor attends one on Tuesdays, where he and his classmates (about nine other boys his age) take P.E., art, music, computers, and Spanish at a private school.  Then he does the same charter school program as last year on Wednesdays.  There they do enrichment stuff like sports, science, archaeology, writing, and specialty classes like ceramics and drama.  We also attend a park day on Tuesdays where he can hang out with his school friends and the moms can talk.  Oh, and AYSO soccer, but that's over now.  It's kind of a lot, I know, but I'm still trying to find a balance with this home school thing, and discovering the Tuesday program this year has been an answer to prayers.  I finally feel like I have the space I need to get some things done.  Some things.  Not all of them of course.  Oh, and Connor really enjoys his classes.  Here he is looking excited.
  

  
Elise also started taking a ballet/tap class this year.  She had been asking to do it for quite awhile, but I felt like having her in Joy School and speech therapy was plenty.  Since speech was winding down this fall, we decided it was time.  I've always said that no daughter of mine would take dance.  She would play soccer or do karate, or at worst, maybe do gymnastics.  Unfortunately (or not), my daughter has her own plans, and those plans have no problem with being girly.  I've converted, though.  Watching her through the parent window, in her little dance outfit, trying so hard to do exactly what the teacher asks - it's heartbreakingly adorable.