September Wrap Up

I can't believe that October is here already.  The cool breeze blowing through open windows is a refreshing break from the heat of summer.  It's time for Chili and Cornbread and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake.  Fall Decor adorns the doors and walls and reminds us of holidays to come.  Its time to get out those adorable footie pajamas for the little people and extra blankets for those chili nights.  The babies are mesmerized by the fallen leaves crunching under their feet and the squirrels busying themselves for winter.  Fall is a time to breath in God's beauty and return to the familiar routines and rhythms of life.  It just feels good.
September brought lots of homeschool fun.  We learned about the parts of a bird and how to use a Kansas bird field guide.  We learned about identifying birds by their different markings and listening to their different calls.  We spent some time outside alone just quietly watching and listening.  Everyone especially enjoys watching and listening to a blue jay who has taken up residence in one of the trees in our front yard.  One of our neighbors has a chicken that is evidently "free range" and visits often in the morning.  Payton was able to correctly identify him as a White Leghorn Chicken.  His class was in charge of the Chickens last year at school and he was able to teach us a thing or two.  The same neighbor also has homing pigeons which we enjoy watching him release and then seeing them return home.  So much of our learning just involves being more observant and learning from what is happening around us.

 

 We attended the state fair where we had lots of hands on learning.You can read about in this post.






 
This Video is of our Fifty States and their Capitals Song that we sing daily as part of our geography study.  This is only the first three of eight verses.  Baby Steps right?  Watch both Gracen and Nevaeh.  She is dancing and he seems to be lip syncing along to the music (**If the video doesn't appear finish reading the post and scroll back up...it sometimes takes a bit to load).  This month we covered Maryland and Maine.
Bentley and Payton have been reading a book about Abraham Lincoln.  Bentley gave us an impromptu oral book report at dinner one night.  The boys were very interested in the stories and so Payton decided to read to book as well. I love how everyone is interested and involved in what the others are doing.  We all learn so much from each other.  I think that ability will take them far in life.

The Babies Continue loving learning alongside of the older children.  Vaeh loves books and spends lots of time "reading" just like the big kids.  She loves to Color at the table and is very content much of the morning.

Gracen often requires a bit more creativity such as some cheerios and a large spoon. Anything he thinks he is not supposed to have entertains him for long periods of time. Often there is a bit of banging involved but everyone is used to it and if extra concentration is needed they retreat to other rooms in the house. We have to be flexible around here.



Oh and I found this cool old desk at a garage sale for $20.  They were asking $30 but it was raining so when they saw me looking at it came down on their price right away.  It works perfectly to house our computer and printer and it matches our eclectic decor (just like everything else:). 
That's about it in a nutshell.  Yes we did math, grammar, writing, spelling etc. etc. but I think that's enough highlights for today.  We still love homeschooling and are reminded daily why it was a good choice for our family.  Adding in fall activities (racing, riding, and soccer) has definitely worn this mama out but I will tell you all about that in another post.  Enjoy the fall dear friends...before you know it Christmas will be upon us!