At The Top

I love hiking.  It is one of my favorite pastimes.   For most of the summer my friend Ambee and I made it out once a week to hike up Old Woman Mountain.  Our goal all summer was to tackle Barometer Mountain, a 2,073 ft climb at a 60% grade.   Yesterday was the golden day.  The day was sunny and warm, the sky was clear, and all the kids were off to school.  We seized the day and started the hike. 

From the trail head to the top and back down is right around 3 miles.  We were not pushing fast, but we also did not dilly dally on the trail.   In some places you have to scramble up rocky outcroppings.  That is probably my favorite part.

We reached the top in under 2 hours and spent about 15 minutes enjoying the view.  It was breathtaking.  Water and ocean as far as you can see one direction, rugged mountain peaks stretch on in the other. 

We picked our way carefully back down the face of the mountain returning to the trail head and the car 3 1/2 hours after we began.  We made good time and crossed that mountain off the summer bucket list.  We have a goal of completing the Coast Guard 7 peak challenge.  1 peak down, and 6 to go.  I hope the weather hold out for a while.

 

Back to School!

It has been years since I have written for this blog, and I am feeling rather rusty with my words. Today began a another chapter for us, and I have made the goal to do better at keeping up with this blog.  For the past 8 years we have been a home school family, learning has been a family thing.  During that time we have run paper routes and started a bakery; we have worked, and played, always together.  Today, after 8 years, I said good-by to all four kids and sent them off to public school.


Sending the younger kids to school was a difficult decision to make.  The thought continued to wiggle it's way through my head all through the summer.    As the school year approached I knew that we had to make a decision.  Four days before school began I knew that I was not ready physically or emotionally to tackle this year and be successful.  Over the weekend the subject was brought up and we discussed it as a family.  The kids were all on board and became excited at the idea of going to public school, something the younger ones have never done.  So it happened yesterday while Alyssa and Sam began classes at the high school, I spent the day enrolling the kids in elementary school, meeting teachers, and shopping for the supplies that we did not currently have.
Today began a new chapter in our family, a venture back into the public school system.  Leaving the kids at school felt like leaving my band new kindergartner.  I walked the kids to their classes, they both gave me a hug (something I hope will continue), and I walked out of the building.  My heart hurt a little, but I am excited for their potential this year. They will have new experiences, make new friends, and hopefully push themselves to be their best.

Alyssa is a senior, excited about AP Art and Orchestra.  As she finishes up her last year at home, we are excited to see the progress she will made and the path that she will follow.


Sam is a sophomore doing half day of school so that she may continue her babysitting job 2 days a week.  She is excited about her Culinary Arts class, and is also taking Algebra and Biology, and doing German and Finance independently.

Connor is beginning 5th grade.  He likes his teacher, and was happy to see some familiar faces in his class this morning.

Kaylin is ready for 2nd grade and all the adventure that comes with it.  She has already made a couple of new friends, and was happy to report that her class got extra recess today.  Her teacher reported that she was great in class, and even thought the classroom became an oven (the reason for the extra recess).