Socialization...classroom experience...break for mom...BSF

Today is the first day of C'lectives for the big kids. What are C'lectives? They are classes that are offered by our Charter School. Some of the classes are core classes while others are more elective or enrichment in nature. Why are my kids in C'lectives? This question is always funny to me. I get asked and then people give me their replies. I've heard, oh, you have them in these classes so they get socialization; oh, you want them to have that classroom experience... the honest, real answer is that I am a BSF lifer.

Now, what is BSF?? BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) is a wonderful Bible Study that I've participated in for over 10 years. On Tuesday mornings, Buddy E and I will be at our local BSF class. BSF has a wonderful, the BEST, children's program. The only problem is that there is only room for children from birth to Kindergarten. The big kids are too old to join Buddy E and I. So, what is a mom to do? I could ask for help from Daddy. Daddy could stay home with the big kids on Tuesday mornings and then go into work late, then he works late, and then Wednesday he tries to get back in the groove and then, and then, and then... you get the idea. For the past three years this is how we have tried to make Tuesday mornings work and it just didn't work. So, I found some classes for the kids to take. More on that in a minute. What is a BSF lifer? A person who will stick around BSF as long as they are welcome. As long as I have a child under the age of 6, I'll be at BSF Tuesday mornings, Lord willing. Then after the kids outgrow the preschool program, Lord willing, I'll move to the evening class which has a school age program. Side note: Eric takes the big kids to BSF on Monday nights. He is in a men's class which has the school age program. It is the BEST!! Let me know if you are interested in BSF and I'll get you some info.

Back to C'lectives. The big kids are taking a full day of classes on Tuesdays this year. They both woke up really excited this morning. I hope the excitement lasts at least through December. Miss E is taking PE, Art, Primary Writing, and Spanish. Little Man is taking Spanish, Art, PE, and Computers. I'm losing a day of instruction, but Tuesdays will be an important day for us.

Upon picking the kids up this afternoon everyone was pretty happy. Miss E is not excited about her Primary Writing class, but writing is something we need to work on so she will need to get over it. Next week in PE the kids get to go swimming so they are looking forward to C'lectives next week.

What are you adding to your week to help with instruction or give a creative outlet?

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Our Summer Break

At Domicile Lessons we've decided to take a full break from school for the month of July. The kids are really excited. I'm kinda on the fence. It is nice to have a break, but on the other hand I struggle when our routine is messed up.

What have we been up to??

Week 1: Miss E competed in Y Nationals. We celebrated the 4th of July with friends from church. We learned that Baby E does not like being in his car seat after dark. We also learned that there are a few songs that he will 'jam out to' which will cease the crying for a little bit. To wrap up our week we enjoyed a family day at Sea World which included staying for their little fireworks show.

The cleaner fish is one of our favorite stops at Sea World.

 Week 2: We ended up staying close to home. Little Man had has second trial class at the new gym which brought our time at gymnastics up to 13 hours this week. This was just a taste of what August will bring to our family. The plumber had to pay us a visit as our hot water heater is upset. I'm really not a fan of cold showers no matter how hot it is outside.

Week 3: This was an extremely hot week for San Diego which included a heat advisory. We tried to beat the heat with a sprinkler play date with good friends, a trip to the library cool zone, Rita's Italian Ice, and a trip to the beach. The girls also got a little pampering done with hair cuts. We ended the week with a movie night after church at church.

Week 4:  Again we tried to beat the heat. We saw "Finding Dory" in the theater and spent another day at the beach. Miss E had her annual Gymnastics banquet. She was awarded 'Most Improved' and was also given the 'Honesty Award'. Little Man had his last practice at the YMCA and Miss E got her double back handspring. It was quite exciting!!

He rides in style and then naps. A huge win for this mom.

Our summer has come to an end. Now to get back settled into a routine.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Gymnastics #10 {Y Nationals}

Y Nationals is a huge meet that I believe is open to all the YMCAs across America. Our gym does not travel as a rule so when Y Nationals came to Long Beach this year it was our opportunity to participate.

It was a fun event and pretty overwhelming. We were at the Long Beach Convention center. There were three different levels competing at the same time. We got to watch from the stands for a birds eye view.

This was not Miss E's best meet, but it was her last meet as a level 3 gymnast. She missed a skill on the bars and she later told me that sometimes that happens. She wasn't upset, she just said her facts and moved on. I'm proud of her.

She ended the meet with several medals and overall, feeling good.