AAAA-A-A-A-AAH...THE LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER...
NOT!
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For folks around here, summer starts when the school year ends, regardless of what the calendar might say. And with summer, we usually do have a schedule that's even more layed back than our regular "relaxed homeschooling" lifestyle. But in the case of this past week, the slower pace hasn't kicked in yet. Here's a quick overview of the fun yet amazingly tiring week we just had.
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Last Saturday, Super Hubby and I participated in a leadership workshop at our church. We've been asked to join the Servant Team as soon-to-be cell group leaders. While we soaked in the great teaching, the younger kids played with their church friends as A & B earned some spending money babysitting the attendees' children.
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Afterwards, A & B attended a birthday swim party for one of their homeschool group friends. And when that was over, it was time to return to the church for the End-of-the-Year Homeschool Group Party. Super Daddy had to stay home with L who was running a fever (so he kept the baby hobbit home as well) but the rest of us had a good time officially ending our school year, rec'ing certificates of grade completion, and getting the group yearbooks.
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Here's 3 year old T goofing off with a homeschool grad who is now a mom of her own learning-at-home daughter.
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Sunday brought us back up to the church. I taught my Sunday School class and 10 year old D assisted with this group of preschoolers for the first time. He did a really good job. Super Hubby, A, and B were blessed by a teaching from one of my best friends, Janine M. She shared from her own life experiences and encouraged the congregation to not let past hurts keep them from being used by God. I can't wait to listen to it on cd! Praise God for modern technology.
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Monday morning found us hurrying! D & P both had cubscout daycamp starting that morning plus Super Hubby and 13 year old A were leaving for youth camp with our church. Cubscout camp was held at the local Ag museum so just lunches and stuff for the day was needed for them. And blessedly, another scout mom was helping out with transportation for most of the week. But with J & A heading for nearly a week in Tennessee at Union University for Centrifugue, an extraordinary amount of luggage had to be packed.
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This was the first youth camp for both of them so excitement was running high as we dropped them off and visited with the other campers, chaperones, and parents. Since I have so many awesome memories of youth camp, I experienced mixed emotions....thrilled for the experience I knew they'd be having, but a bit envious as well. It was a tad bit hard to be left behind but I knew it would be a wonderful opportunity for them both and now all three of us will have "Centrifuge stories" to share.
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Here they are just before departure. My 13 year old was tired of the photo taking so she ducked behind a seat behind the two hatted guys when she saw me coming. Obviously, others aren't as camera shy!
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Monday was also the start of Vacation Bible School at a local Baptist church, but I'll get to that part later. First, let's skip ahead to Tuesday. B's clogging group, CLEAR BRANCH CLOGGES FOR CHRIST, performed at a summer reading program for the public library in Harrisville. The library is a tiny one so in order to provide adequate space, the group performed in a catfish house just a stone's throw away from the library. Here's a bit of silly trivis---Harrisville was originally known as BUCK SNORT! Now how's that for a colorful name!
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D and P definitely had a great exerience at cubscout daycamp. The activities they participated in included archery, crafts, compass skill activities, and outdoor cooking.
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P and his group (boys mostly from his den) had fun touring the agriculture museum and sitting in a huge rocker handcrafted by local artisan Greg Harkins.
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Monday thru Friday, our nights were filled with Vacation Bible School. B's friend L (who is also our neighbor girl) also went along with us the first 3 nights. I tried letting T and M go, but T just wasn't ready to be in a class with 17 other preschoolers, none of whom he knew. M was more than happy to be there, but I spent the entire time trying to keep Mr. High Maintenance from being rude with his attitude. It wasn't worth the headache and wore me plum out so after the first night, he and M stayed home with Mommy only going up for brief visits either at the beginning or end of the evening most nights.
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B's class enjoys the music led by my friend Drewe Llyn and assisted by her daughter Cassie and a youth in their church.
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Wednesday night, after I dropped the older kids off at VBS, I went to church with M & T for prayer meeting. As always, it was good to meet with our cell group for good fellowship and prayer time before getting back together with all the other groups for a time of corporate prayer.
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On Thursday, I had the special treat of a visit from a college friend, my Troubadour Social Club little sister, Amy. In one of those "its a small world" instances, we found out that Amy's husband has family living just 3 or 4 miles from our house. So while they down from their home in the DC area visiting Mississippi kin, she got to come by and see us.
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It was so wonderful seeing her and her precious baby boy plus meeting her sweet mother-in-law.
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Thursday and Friday got a bit more crazy for us as we were responsible for getting the boys to and from daycamp. And to be honest, we were getting more than a bit frazzled from all the late nights, upset schedules, and busy mornings, so on Friday, I decided to treat the non-campers. After dropping off our scouts, we drove through one of our favorite neighborhoods, Belhaven, and made the spontaneous decision to stop at their very nice playground.
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T had fun climbing thru the tire tunnel.
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After playtime, we drove around the neighborhood "sightseeing" and taking photos of many of the lovely homes, their special architectural elements, and landscaping.
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The kids enjoyed the sports-themed songs.
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.D and P definitely had a great exerience at cubscout daycamp. The activities they participated in included archery, crafts, compass skill activities, and outdoor cooking.
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P and his group (boys mostly from his den) had fun touring the agriculture museum and sitting in a huge rocker handcrafted by local artisan Greg Harkins..
Monday thru Friday, our nights were filled with Vacation Bible School. B's friend L (who is also our neighbor girl) also went along with us the first 3 nights. I tried letting T and M go, but T just wasn't ready to be in a class with 17 other preschoolers, none of whom he knew. M was more than happy to be there, but I spent the entire time trying to keep Mr. High Maintenance from being rude with his attitude. It wasn't worth the headache and wore me plum out so after the first night, he and M stayed home with Mommy only going up for brief visits either at the beginning or end of the evening most nights.
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B's class enjoys the music led by my friend Drewe Llyn and assisted by her daughter Cassie and a youth in their church.
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Wednesday night, after I dropped the older kids off at VBS, I went to church with M & T for prayer meeting. As always, it was good to meet with our cell group for good fellowship and prayer time before getting back together with all the other groups for a time of corporate prayer.
.
On Thursday, I had the special treat of a visit from a college friend, my Troubadour Social Club little sister, Amy. In one of those "its a small world" instances, we found out that Amy's husband has family living just 3 or 4 miles from our house. So while they down from their home in the DC area visiting Mississippi kin, she got to come by and see us.
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It was so wonderful seeing her and her precious baby boy plus meeting her sweet mother-in-law.
.
Thursday and Friday got a bit more crazy for us as we were responsible for getting the boys to and from daycamp. And to be honest, we were getting more than a bit frazzled from all the late nights, upset schedules, and busy mornings, so on Friday, I decided to treat the non-campers. After dropping off our scouts, we drove through one of our favorite neighborhoods, Belhaven, and made the spontaneous decision to stop at their very nice playground.
.
.
T had fun climbing thru the tire tunnel.
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After playtime, we drove around the neighborhood "sightseeing" and taking photos of many of the lovely homes, their special architectural elements, and landscaping.
.Famous Mississippi author Eudora Welty's family home is located in the neighborhood just across the street from Belhaven College.
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Friday night was the VBS End-of-the-Week program complete with songs, a slide show, an offering taken for a new church in the Baltimore area, and a fellowship supper afterwards.
The kids enjoyed the sports-themed songs..
And now its Saturday, the day that we can rest a little and then welcome home Super Hubby/Daddy and A. Its been a tiring week in many ways, but also full of fun and loving moments. I'm looking forward to the upcoming week being not quite so busy and definitely glad I'll be sharing much of it with "my man".
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Related Links:
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Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum
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Centrifuge Camp
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Belhaven Neighborhood
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Belhaven College
The Eudora Welty House
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