It's chilly and rainy, leaves are laying on the ground, and trees are beginning to turn.   It's definitely beginning to feel like fall.  My favorite season. 

Fall and spring are the two times of year that we make changes around here.  I always like to get the house cleaned and reorganized.  We switch out cold weather and hot weather items.  I don't do a whole lot of redecorating for the seasons though.  Just a little.  For instance, I am going to change out the bedding from lightweight summer blankets to heavier, cuddlier winter ones.  I also do a few things outside such as close down the pool and put summer toys to bed.  It always feels so good when it all gets done.

I used to go all out decorating for Halloween.  I haven't done too much the past few years.  But since the kids are home all day now, I think I am going to really decorate it up.  I think I will feel like I am getting a whole lot more out of my effort because they will be here more hours during the day to enjoy it.  I love to do fun foody things for them too.  I have a rather large collection of magazines pertaining to Halloween decorating/entertaining.  They are about the only ones that I go back through year after year.  I don't think it's that I really like Halloween as much as it is that it's so easy to do the decorating.  I have a much harder time at Christmas.

I'm giving the kids a long weekend from school.  I want to use this time to finish up all the clearing out and cleaning.  I also want to work on our school schedule.  I have found that it makes a huge difference when we all know exactly what we are expecting of ourselves.    I had a public school teacher tell me they only did their planning a week in advance.  I do not think that will work well for me though.   I would rather have the year planned in advance and make changes as necessary as we go rather than be staring at a black hole all the time.  This will also give us a good indicator of our progress. 

I think I might have too much planned.  There are so many resources everywhere you look.  I find myself constantly saying "ooh, that looks great," and "oooh, we have to do that."  I am trying very very hard not to overdo it.