Monday Musings

I've decided not to do the daybook anymore. I'm just not that into it anymore. So, today we have one of my random thoughts posts, lots on my mind this morning!

• We spent a wonderful weekend on Marco Island with some long time friends from New Mexico. They were staying at a wonderful resort and shared a bit of their time with us. It was wonderful as you will see from the pictures. The living room opened on to a balcony that overlooked the Gulf of Mexico. It was really, really beautiful! Joe was looking out and thinking about what was on the other side and we had a very good Geography lesson. I love to talk to him when he's thinking so hard about something. The pool had a waterslide that the kids went on over and over again for about two hours. Hannah and I found some beautiful shells. It was a great weekend, great company, great location and lots of fun! Anyone want to invite us to the beach again next weekendBelow Grace and Joe were playing their own version of "Wipeout" as they went back and forth between the beds. And above--these are our friends, Cameron and Alan. When Ollie and I first got married we lived in an apartment behind their house, the cutest apartment ever I must say!
• We are getting a later start this morning since we are all worn out from our weekend fun. I'm still hoping to start by 9 which would have been an early start last year. We'll see.
  
• I'm dying to try a new pumpkin spice latte recipe that was posted on the homeschool group and another one that is a crock pot recipe that Melissa sent me a link to. I have tried making it on my own before and it was okay but these recipes are very different from what I've tried before. I think it will be better. If it's good I'll post the recipe.
• I love Mondays, a fresh start to another busy week. This week officially starts our crazy fall. Joe will practice from 5 to 7 on Mondays and Thursdays, Grace will practice from 5:30 to 7:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Hannah has theatre on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30. I can't decide if I should change dinnertime to 4 or 7:30. :0) Regardless our evenings just got really busy. I'm hoping to get a lot of reading in during practices.
• Speaking of reading, I am reading an amazing book. It's "The Prince of Tides," I'm sure you've heard of it. Maybe even seen the movie. I read it back in college and loved it then and I'm loving it just as much now. Pat Conroy is an amazing writer. His way of describing things is just brilliant. I have found myself wishing I had a pen and paper nearby to copy some of his sentences. If it was my own book I'd underline stuff but it's not. After I finish this I have another one of his books, "Beach Music," on my bedside table. I am pretty sure I've read it but I may not have. I read all of his books when I was in college but that one may not have been written yet. If you are looking for a new book/author--check him out!!
  
• Writing about books is the only thing I will miss about the daybook. I'll fit it into my other posts though.

Well, I need to wrap this up and go make my breakfast and do my own chores so we can start school. I'm determined to do the science experiments that I have been putting off and putting off and putting off and putting off. Today we do experiments on light and read a few books. Tomorrow we start our study of the body. Hannah is finishing up Australia this week and heading to Antarctica. Then--we will have finished Exploring Countries and Cultures!! Woohoo!! I am looking forward to starting Creation to Greeks.