Every year at this time, I enter into some sort of “season denial.” I look away when I catch a glimpse of the apples in the local orchards going from green to red. I ignore the blush of orange and red on each sugar maple I pass. And the squash and pumpkins out in the fields? What squash and pumpkins? I don’t see any squash or pumpkins. It’s not even Labor Day, for goodness’ sake. This mental and emotional digging in of the heels never works, though, when you live in New England. We have real seasons here, and one of them is coming to a close.
But, I feel like I can’t post about the new school year until I’ve covered all of the fun summer details. The historian in me just has to include every event, and this blog is really just a virtual scrapbook (with a few recipes and book reviews thrown in), so here’s a few things I failed to mention over the last few months.
A lovely lunch and swim time at the beautiful home of a new friend that we met through our Classical Conversations program in Connecticut. This was such an uplifting day with wonderful ladies talking about homeschooling, marriage, parenting, and theology!
Another lovely ladies lunch here in town with two long-time New England friends, (well…via Ohio and Mexico), Betsy and Izckra, to celebrate Betsy’s birthday. Betsy will be running a marathon this month – and we’re praying that she’ll qualify for a famous marathon in April! These ladies are truly amazing, wise, godly friends – always a source of encouragement to me.
Kayla did a beautiful job in her year-end ballet recital.
I am always a “chaperone” for her class, so I’ve only seen these recitals from the wings of the stage, but they are so much fun. We always enjoy staying late at dress rehearsal to watch the “big girls” – the high school girls perform their numbers. Just got signed up for another year of dance which will be Kayla’s 7th year of dance. She’s decided on the tap and jazz combo class this year – based mostly on the clothes required, i.e. not tights and leotards, but yoga and stretch pants and t-shirts. She’s my “comfy-casual” gal.
We picked strawberries with Virginia – a special friend and favorite babysitter from church. I think it may have been her first strawberry-picking experience. Doesn’t she just have on the perfect outfit for it? Strawberries are ready in June around here, and they scream “Summer has arrived!”
Robert was on the Crosswalk Camp Staff for the 8th year. He did a great job as camp pastor using the theme “Numbers” to preach each night on a different biblical number. (3=Trinity. 12=Disciples.) His sermon on marriage and the final one on the first martyr, Stephen were especially meaningful. I love watching the Lord speak through and use him at camp. 
Kory got to compete his little heart out during his “track time” of competitive sports and at Mega Relay. He also really enjoyed his Bible study group – in which he tries to keep it on the down and low that his dad is the camp pastor.
And Cooper? Well…..he enjoyed camp as well, and might have enjoyed it even more had he not been followed around by teenage girls all week – enamored by his striking similarity to Justin Beiber. Seriously, they were screaming at and taking photos of the poor kid!
But even I have to admit the resemblance.
What do you think?
Brett and Jenna – more favorite friends and kid-sitters extraordinaire (they bring their Wii) stayed with the kids while we were in Bar Harbor for our anniversary. They took the kids to pick wild blueberries – the kind that grow on the ground and require the use a special rake for picking. We had already been to pick bush blueberries (16 pints!), and so now my freezer is stocked for the year with delicious all-local berries! Guess what they had for dinner that evening?
Blueberry pancakes!
Another very special treat was a visit from Oklahoma friends Mark and Christy and their two boys. Mark and Christy met at the church we were on staff at in Oklahoma – both very active in the college ministry Robert was pastor of. Robert married them and Kory (at age 3) was the ring bearer in their wedding twelve years ago. Now they have their own little ring bearers – two adorable and very sweet boys – whom we enjoyed taking to the “big hill” at Amherst College…
…to do lots of rolling, running, and laughing. After a couple of nights with us, they were off to Bar Harbor themselves for a family vacation.
We did have another, dare I say last, summer hurrah – a trip to Salisbury beach on Monday. I am definitely not opposed to another beach escape day if the warm weather holds out, but we felt we ought to seize this week’s opportunity of a 95+ degree day before school is in full swing. The waves and rip tide were especially strong that day, but we had no idea how dangerous they were until camera crews and reporters started showing up. Evidently, several rescues had to be made that day because of the conditions that hurricane Earl was stirring up down south.
And of all days, it was the one I chose to actually enter the water. It felt SO good. It’s amazing how a few weeks and a different beach can make such a drastic difference in water temperature, but I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed the water so much. Robert and I were the only ones to brave the waves coming in and swim past them to calmer waters. The hard part, though, was the timing of swimming back to the beach. Both of us were pummeled by fast and furious waves. I’m still finding sand in my ears!
As is this girl who insists upon being “buried alive” by her brothers each time we go to the beach. She loves everything about the beach, and it is so much fun watching her sheer delight on each trip.
Well, I think that about covers it. Summer in New England – nothing like it. Now to surrender to the coming seasons, which are probably the reason for enjoying this one so much.
Stay tuned for:
School Days – and how I ended up teaching 10th grade
Half Marathon Training – and foot injuries for hubby
Gluten Free Pizza Crust perfecting – and lots of other recipes
It looks like you all had a wonderful summer! IMO, summer is definitely the nicest time to be in NE.
Oh, and your son does resemble the Bieber boy. How funny that he was stalked by all of those girls.
Hi Betsy! Yes – summer IS the best time to be here. Hope you and yours are doing well these days. 🙂
We are doing well and are getting settled after our cross-country move. Although we started school three weeks ago, I'm not quite ready to let go of summer. I am hoping we can fit in a few more beach days too. 🙂
Totally off topic, but do you have a favorite Bible curriculum for upper elementary aged children?
Where do you live now? Weren't you in Oklahoma?
I have never used a Bible curriculum with the kids. They do the Kay Arthur Bible Study Series for kids individually. These are great, kid-friendly workbooks they can do on their own. Ordered them from CBD.
But I have always thought the Veritas Press Bible Curriculum looked good – beautiful flash cards to go with the stories and everything. (We use their history and other curriculu.)