The Mindful Homeschool

• Went rock climbing with the kids for the first time.  Realized my fear of heights was going to prevent me from ever truly enjoying that sport but I had fun nonetheless.  My kids all love it and it is a great way to get out of the house when the weather is not so good or it is dark outside.  And it helps them burn off all that energy!
• Started a NaNoWriMo “novel”.  A very meager start but it is okay.
• Got back on the blog!
• My dd is reading the Little House on the Prairie series and is starting to read the Rose series.
• Went to a fabulous book sale at the library.  We bought lots of wonderful slightly used books for a quarter each.  We had to pay an entrance fee of $5 but it was so worth it.
• Ordered my daughter some new Hanna Andersson pajamas/long underwear.  I had already ordered some for my son earlier this fall.  Yes, this is big news.  I just love the soft material and it is something that helps make the cold months in my area so much warmer and cozier.  I probably won’t take mine off until late May!  I am always so much colder than my husband….
• The two older kids starting knitting.   Dd is in a knitting club and her younger brother is also “hooked”!
• Committed myself to a daily yoga practice.  I am trying to do at least one pose a day.  Ideally I would like to do at least 20 minutes every morning.
• Put out the lemon drop jar.  There is a book by the same name.  Each lemon drop is a little drop of sunshine in my house.
• Committed myself to better oral hygiene.  Dd has gotten a lot of cavities over the past 6 months; not sure why.  She had amalgam fillings put in and now I am wondering if that was unwise of me.  Dr. Weil has blogged that there are no known risks of amalgam fillings but I think I really need to work on prevention.  I don’t want my kids to have a ton of cavities in their teeth, esp their permanent teeth.
• Wrote up a list of goals for the year; had my daughter do the same.  Will need to get my sons’ input as well.
• Joined the local arboretum; taking lots of trips there this fall.  Whenever I go there with just the kids, we end up seeing all these funny wild turkeys.  It is so nice to live so close to such a beautiful place.
• W, my 9 yo son, is a reading maniac over here.  He is constantly reading.  Currently he is reading Hardy Boy books but he is starting to read my daughter’s Nancy Drew collection.  I think he has run out of Hardy Boys books to read.
• C, my 11 yo daughter, did a freewrite using the words cherry, espionage, and computer.  This ends a very long writing block!  Woo hoo!
• The kids and I spent a good amount of time writing thank yous this week.  They seemed to really enjoy it.  I think we might need to send out letters more regularly.  It is fun.  And it would be wonderful to see some replies in the mail box.
• Took a Mother Nature class at the arboretum where we listened to a Native American talk about spirit trees (cottonwoods) and his tribe’s connection to nature.  Very interesting.  We also went on a hike with him and tasted elderberries  and wild grapes.
• Am feeding the birds at the bird feeder regularly.  We have had a red bellied wood pecker, blue jays, cardinals, and chickadees regularly visiting us lately.  It is so fun to watch them.  My five year old claims to be a bird expert!
• Wrote out a list of tools that I will use this school year to help me get through the colder months.  I will post more later.

I heard recently that setting goals can help make dreams a reality. 

In about 3 months or so summer will be but a distant memory.  That’s why we Northerners especially need to make the most of every moment.  So in the interest of doing that, I am going to make a list of things I still want to do before the summer is over.

• Lemonade stands and more fundraising for MoMF, a foundation that helps kids who have cancer and their families.
• Swim, bike, walk and run (?) more.  Possibly train with the kids for the triathlon and participate in a 5K this fall with dh.
• Feng shui some more in the home.  Donate and sell goods we are no longer using.  Clear out guest bedroom.
• Plan out the coming school year and establish some sort of a routine.  Do more reading about Charlotte Mason and Ambleside Online.  Set up a loose daily schedule complete with time for music, Tuesday tea time, movie afternoons on Wednesdays, art on Fridays, special outings, nature walks and lots of outdoor exercise, and time for me.
• Camp at least one more time in a State Park.
• Try at least one new recipe.  Try at least one new recipe in a crock pot.
• Buy at least one new outfit.
• Hang out at the poolside and beach – lots.
• Buy some new sunglasses, sunscreen and possibly a new hat. 
• Make at least one more mosaic stepping stone with the children.
• Go on a picnic.
• Check out the deals at some more local garage sales.
• Bike to the local grocery store at least 9 more times.
• Wash the windows in my upper level.
• Make pizza on the grill with fresh basil from our deck.
• Practice yoga on my deck at least once, maybe in the morning when the sun is rising?
• Practice yoga everyday for at least 15 minutes.
• Celebrate the gift of summer and enjoy being in the moment with my family.