Summer came to an End.... months ago!

I'm A wee bit behind I guess since we are 9 weeks into our school year and have already had our Fall Break! We did not get to do everything we hoped to do over the summer or go every place we hoped to go, but we had some great times, spent with friends and family, celebrated some birthdays, mine included, and took a short family trip.

The 2012-2013 school year finds me with two high school sophomores, a 6th grader, 1st/2nd grader and one reluctant kindergartener. To say it's a little crazy around here on a daily basis is...... well, an understatement. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Yes Mama, we celebrated the first day with homemade cookies and homeschool shenanigans, per our family tradition! And recovered from said first day with a spa experience a-la Isabel.

Cause that's how we roll around here!

The Boy Wonder Twins are doing well so far, though finding that 10th grade is a bit tougher than 9th.  It is amazing to me how things have changed in just one year. They got their braces off a few months ago and are mere inches from growing taller than their dad! They are playing varsity basketball this year instead of just some rec ball. This means a lot of practices instead of just one per week. Two of their 6 1/2 courses are being done with other teachers outside our home. This is good for everyone! But, the really big thing that has changed is that my boys are DRIVING. Driving, people! They just completed the state required driving course and are about a week from being able to apply for their restricted licenses. That's right. In one week, we will have 2 extra drivers around here. From 6am to 6 pm at least. Though I can't believe they are ready, I will be happy to have them driving themselves some. This Mama is ready to be done driving them all over town so much!

 And, to show how responsible they are, 

they asked us if they could buy a car with the money they made working this summer. 

Who could argue with that?

 Look pretty stinkin' cute too, don't they?

 It's just an old "beater" that needs a lot of love, but these are just the guys to give it. 

They love cleaning it up and working under the hood. Their Dad got them an Auto Mechanics curriculum for one of their credits this year and they are learning how to do all manner of things to help maintain it. They named it (yes, they named it) Nacho. As in "This is Nacho car, it's mine!", Noah told me. Bahahahaha! He thinks he is hilarious.

I was thrilled to add a car to the driveway that gets better than 10 miles 

to the gallon and I use it for all my errands now since I pay for the insurance and gas. :)

 Isabel is our middle-schooler. She too has grown up so much in the past year. We had a recent Mother-Daughter weekend to Greenville that reminded me just how much. She has taken on more of the cooking at home and is still very dedicated to her art. She will be entering her pottery in the fair again this year.

We went on the famed Greenville Mouse Hunt and enjoyed lots of time just hanging out together!

Isabel has always been a huge Mommy's Girl and she needs some one on one from time to time.
This hit the spot.

She even enjoyed getting rained on the last day!

Then we have my babies! Not so baby anymore. Claire LOVES school. Every  minute of it. Asher LOVES to play. So, they are two peas-in-a-pod, except when it comes to this!

They get up every morning, do their chores and when it's time to start school Claire is at the table ready and waiting and begging to go....... you will find Asher on the floor with the toy of the day. But, reluctantly he will come over for a few lessons. And that's all I ask at this point!

Crazy? Yes.

Love it? Yes!