Friday, August 15, 2014

101 Days of Summer Fun - Update #12

This week was focused on decluttering and preparing for winter. Although it's hot outside now, within a matter of a couple of months we'll be looking at much colder weather.

It is forecasted that it will be equally as cold and snowy as it was last year. For that reason, getting everything fixed and organized before that time is critical.

So, although not really "Summer Fun" as I had hoped and planned at the beginning of the summer, it is reality and proper preparation which is important.

Saturday, August 9 - We've been enjoying have a break from construction crews in our home since March. It feels like it has been back-to-back reconstruction projects - first from the ice dam that resulting in gutting and reconstructing three rooms; and then the bathtub leaking and the resulting water damage in July and August.


At least we're able to enjoy having an updated bathroom with things in working order.


The in-floor heating which we invested in due to the frigidly-cold weather for a significant part of the year, and how uncomfortable ceramic tile feels in the winter, has been enjoyable.

Sunday, August 10 - Sophia, Olivia, and I went to the Harvest Festival at St. Vincent de Paul. This is something we've been doing since 2010 - when my dad was still alive.


He and my mom used to go to this chicken dinner each year. When he became unable to drive, I offered to take them.


We did that for a couple of year until he died. Then we continued the tradition with my mom. After we ate, the girls played some games. Sophia likes the ring toss because she won a couple bottles of pop. She knows that I won't buy pop, so this was a special treat.


Olivia played Plinko and enjoyed watching the coin travel down the huge board.


There were a couple more games that the girls played - a dart game and milk bottle toss.


For each game, the girls won prizes. It was a fun afternoon!

The girls had equine vaulting from 4:30-6:00 p.m. It was the last session of the summer.

Monday, August 11 - With the dumpster here for only a few more days, we wanted to finish cleaning the hobby shed and barn. It was SO hot, so we got the shed done and one-third of the barn cleaned.


I don't think I've seen it this empty since we moved in. The majority of items that are left are empty bins, wool, and a few teaching resources.


For the most part, everything is gone now that related to the youth camp program that I ran for many years in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Tuesday, August 12 - The homeschool co-op had its annual open house. We registered the girls for classes. Sophia is taking piano lessons, ceramics, and knitting. Olivia is taking piano lessons, ceramics, and drawing.

It was nice to see familiar faces again - teachers and students. They'll start classes in less than a month.

Wednesday, August 13 - Today was a busy day. Sophia had her annual check up for allergies at 8:30 a.m. We went to Petco, Half-Priced Books, the library, Joann Fabrics, and Lakeshore Learning.

In the afternoon, the girls enjoyed spending time with Mary B.

In the evening, I took Sophia to her State Fair meeting regarding her 4-H project on dried fruit.

Thursday, August 14 - We took it easy today. Did some reading and homeschool planning. The girls played on the swings since it was a beautiful day outdoors.

Friday, August 15 - We did cat visits at the nursing home in the morning. The girls visited quite a few residents - including some who they normally don't see.


Around lunch, we went to the local plaza which was having an open house. There was free pizza and ice cream at the pizza shop, bottled water and chips at the bank, and other freebies.

The pizza place was very crowded - all the tables were filled with people enjoying lunch.


This was such a fun way to spend the middle of the day. We saw a lot of people who we normally don't see, and enjoyed reconnecting with them.

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