Camp and service

This week is full of activity, but no book work. Logan is off for his week-long missions trip. I've seen some photos and he looks like he's having a great time! Hailey is enjoying a week of horseback-riding camp. She's there from 9-2 every day. She's tired and sore each day, but loves it. I told her she'll probably be used to it by Friday. She said, "But by then it will be over!" Yep, but that's about how it works. =)

Corbin, Emma, Autumn, and I have been spending a lot of time in the car, but we have been home some too. Friday I plan to take Corbin to the movies while the sitter stays with the little girls and Hailey is at her last day of camp. It's a secret....I won't tell him until Friday morning. Ssshhhhhh!

Reading and riding and driving, oh my!

More of the books Corbin has read or is reading:

• Mystery of the Desert Giant, Hardy Boys
• Alice in Wonderland
• Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Hound of the Baskervilles
• Around the World in Eighty Days, Jules Verne
• Gulliver's Travels

Most of these were more of the children's books published by Great Illustrated Classics.

Hailey is enjoying her horseback riding camp...today is day 2. She met some new girls and made a new friend. She will be continuing her lessons next month. Miss Andrea tells me Hailey is doing really well.

I am not a fan of all the time spent in the car....but I can handle it for one week. She's having fun, loving all the time with the horses....she even took a carrot for 'her' horse yesterday. =)

School stuff and the summer is flyin'

Is it weird that I am excited about textbooks? I think it is. I am not so much a fan of textbooks...not at all really....it's more the idea that my older kids will be able to get up and get going without having to wait on me to tell them what to do. No matter that I would like it to be different, my two older ones just really want to get on with it and be done with school. So, since I was struggling with the thoughts of getting the unit study in anyway due to the babies, etc. I caved and bought all three of the school-age kids Rod and Staff curriculum. I really like their English.... we've used it for the last three years.....so I feel the other subjects will be good, too.

I am having a little bit of 'buyer's remorse' about Corbin's books....he's still so young and likes the unit studies. I could decide to send his back and use a unit study approach with him. Maybe more of Five in a Row, Heart of Dakota, Learning Adventures, or Tapestry of Grace....all of which I have at least one level on our shelves. I'll have to think on it some more.

Karl is taking Hailey to her horseback-riding lesson again today. He wanted to try for yet more pictures. Next week she has camp every day from 9-2. She's excited about that. Then I guess in August her new classes will start up...not sure which days she'll be doing then. SAINTS starts again in August too. Summer is just flying by, it's crazy! We still need to get them registered for some other classes, if they're going to take them, and try to find a piano teacher....if we can ever get the piano in the house. And I think September brings Life Group again. It will be here before we know it, and Hailey may also be participating in one...which will mean taking her to her group on Wednesdays or hosting two at a time, which I don't think will work. It will all work out I know, but I do like a good plan. ;0

Hailey will be getting braces...

Karl took Hailey for her free orthodontic consultation this morning (well yesterday morning, it's after midnight now). He was happy with the experience, the doctor's experience and manner, etc. We can get her started right away.

She will need to wear her braces for 1.5 to 2 years....I guess they'll determine that as time moves along and they see the results they're getting? I have not made the appointment yet, but am planning to try to get her in the last week of July for her spacers....and a week later the braces will go on. It is very likely that the next time you see Hailey she will look much different. She is ready for them....well, at least she says she is. We are told that we have "very good orthodontic coverage" but it still seems expensive. She definitely needs them for the crowding she has, an overbite, and a deep palate, so it's worth the cost.

Her smile is already wide and beautiful......I can only imagine how stunning she will be when the braces come off in a couple of years.

What we are doing this week....

• orthodontist for Hailey
• daily book work for the three oldest
• practice sitting up with Autumn...(she does great but still needs to learn how to support herself with her arms so she won't fall forward....pillows behind her keep her little head from hitting the tile)
• blanket time practice with Emma
• de-clutter for 15 minutes each day
• have Corbin practice tying his shoes.....did I mention before that he learned how to tie his shoes, finally, when Sunita was here a couple of weeks ago? She's got skills....
• Hailey to horseback-riding lessons Wednesday and Friday
• chores
• read more of Pinocchio to Corbin
• read more of Mary Poppins to Hailey
• decide on a book to read aloud with the older kids together
• make plans for book work for the school year when books come in (scheduling, that type of stuff)
• make bagels (didn't get that done over the weekend)
• shop at BJ's for bulk items
• continue grading papers (way behind!)
• possible trip to Ikea for storage things....=)

Agenda for the day...and more

• doctor for Autumn
• book work for kids in the a.m.
• checkup with doctor for me in the p.m.
• begin packing items for Logan's missions trip....starts next Monday at 7:15 a.m.
• put books on hold at library
• laundry
• make bagels (?)
• 15 minutes of de-cluttering
• grade math and English papers....I'm way behind!

We'll see how much I actually get done....#1 is complete.

Yesterday I made blueberry muffins, and Saturday I baked two loaves of wheat bread. I have some of the muffins in the freezer for breakfasts and one loaf of bread in the freezer. I plan to bake more bread this week so I will have a stockpile in the freezer. Our goal is to not need to buy bread...ever. Bagels were on sale at the store, but I did not buy any. I will make them instead....hopefully they will be good because then it will be healthier, and cheaper, too.

Horseback riding photos

All the girls help each other get the horses ready for riding.
Peeking up to check on the saddle....
Spiffing up her ride....
Around and around the ring....

A jump.
Good form, I say.