I LOVE this time of year!  The joy of summer fun, and getting to prepare for a new school year.  It's similar to the feeling that I used to have as a little girl, at the start of a new school year....new backpack, new folders, new pencils, newly sharpened pencils...that feeling that it's a 'fresh start'.  That's how I feel while preparing our curriculum and things for our new homeschool year. 

This year is especially exciting to me as I feel like things are really going to start to change this year. Both of my kids have learning challenges, and it's been very difficult finding what works for them.  We've been in a rut for some time now.  My kids have had a LOT of difficulties with learning to read and spell. Well, I've found the Barton Reading and Spelling program, and I just feel like we've finally found what we need. I can't wait to see the progress my kids make in the next few years while working through the Barton program!  Yay!

We had a wonderful 4th of July spent with family.  My mom and my step dad and my brother came over for the afternoon/evening.  We cooked out and then in the evening lit fireworks. We put up a net in our backyard on the 4th and we've been using it every evening since then, playing badmitton and volleyball as a family. :)  These are the times to cherish!