Life At The Circus

We celebrated my Dad’s 60th Birthday this week with a party at Hershey park.  Dad, Mom, their kids, and their 8 grandkids.  We had a blast riding the rides, but truly the best part was being together as a family and enjoying watching relationships grow.  When you’re the oldest cousin sometimes you have to do time in the kiddy rides.  He was quite the sport… and was rewarded with roller coaster time in the evening. My mom prepared tons of food for lunch and dinner.  We tailgated in the parking lot for lunch before we went into the park and again in the evening with cupcakes and party horns. My youngest niece is def a future thrill seeker.  She had her hands in the air before the ride even took off. Thanks Dad for sharing your special day with all of us… it was a fun day filled with sweet, sweet memories.

That’s right, today is our last day of school at the building.  As we prepare to leap into summer… let’s take a quick peek back at day 1. Look how much they’ve grown  just physically this year!  I can’t believe it’s our last day of Kindergarten, 1st grade, an 3rd grade. They got to dress down for the last day of school.  (Can you tell it’s been a chilly spring?)  I am so, so, so ready for summer.  And so thankful we all survived and made it to the end of the year! Our tutors at the tutorial were a true blessing.  They were such a source of encouragement, support, and inspiration to all 4 of us.  And I love, LOVE the community of friends that the kids and I have.  I can’t believe we’ve been a part of that community for 4 whole years now.  My how time is flying!

Field trips are an area I really don’t excel at with homeschooling.  Last year we didn’t do a single one.  It’s hard when your teaching 3 different levels, 3 different curriculums.  If you go on a field trip for one, than the other two are missing out on work. (this is why I am SO excited that next year we will all 3 be studying the same general content for history and science… just broken down into different levels for ability and age… field trips will be SO MUCH MORE REASONABLE) I am happy to report that this year we were able to go on 3 field trips.  (huge improvement over last year!) One was over spring break with our Kindergarteners from tutorial.  They went to California Pizza kitchen to make their own pizzas and get a behind the scenes tour of the restaurant business.  All 4 circus members enjoyed that one.  Then in April, we spent a day in St Mary’s city learning about early colonial settlers and American Indians.  It was technical...

May starts off with a bang with Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you) on Sat and Cinco de Mayo on Sunday.  After a literal month of passing the stomach bug back and forth and back again around the circus house, a weekend with no agenda other than having fun was JUST what this Momma needed.  Saturday my beloved sister in law and  nephews were in town which was PERFECT for Star Wars day.  We cranked up the Star Wars soundtrack on the speakers inside and out, donned our Star Wars tees, grabbed our light sabers and battled it out all day.  My heart was so full.  I loved, LOVED watching the kids interact with each other.  It was such a low key, relaxed day. Sunday as full with church, a youth staff luncheon, and a flag football game.  When we got home we cranked up the music on the “Cinco de Mayo Pandora station” and made enchiladas for dinner… followed by this little dessert I found on Pinterest.  We ended the weekend snu...