School notes

The first day of school seems to have been enjoyable. She must have been a little preoccupied, given that she didn't eat her beloved fruit snacks at lunch! Much was covered in the academics department, and we're slowly working our way through the material, trying not to make kindergarten seem tedious to Frankie in the process. This is an ambitious program, complete with Latin, History, Geography, Catechism, Grammar, Science, Music and Handwriting...I'm probably missing a few subjects. Oh, and I'm reading The Hobbit to her.  She's five years old. But I'm trying not to stress over any of this. There's only so much a 5 year old can absorb, and only so much I can physically go through with her. It's great material, and Frankie's a quick, diligent student, making my job pretty easy.  

Can you take a picture of us all wearing jeans?

Do prints look good on me, Mommy?

David has started putting sentences together of late. Usually imperatives, like, "Ice cream today, Mommy." 

Bye!

Frankie's first day of school

I'm anxious to hear how it goes today. Frankie was ready to go with her handwriting book, pencil case, bright pink recorder, notebook, lunch and snack. Ahh school days. 

She looks so little!

The younger students standing on their nametags during the morning assembly...Frankie is in the far back unfortunately.

And some recent photos of Cook family doings:

The Littles together. 

Pushups during the Notre Dame/Navy game.

Daddy and Rose having some fun.

We'll let you know how school went. Happy fall!

While we're harvesting...

...we might as well show you our stumpy little carrots.
Frankie and Teresa surreptitiously dug them up this morning.

"Surprise Mom!" Hm. I think they could have used a little more time in the dirt. 

Too bad we can't use these bountiful greens!


I guess we'll have a modest salad tonight.

New beginnings

"Surprise Mom!" A basement banquet. Pretty creative decorating if you ask me. 

This fall marks the beginning of a new era in our household. Francesca will begin school officially on Monday, Sept. 17, one full day a week. The rest of the week I'll be working with her on the topics broached during her school day. It's a little like a homeschool co-op, with heavy parental involvement, but taught by "mentors," not parents. It will be an experiment! In any case, our little social butterfly is bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of a whole day at school with her lunchbox, backpack, pencil case and uniform. 

Leftovers from a fall craft. Not a bad centerpiece though?

The craft: a fall wreath (Teresa's). Check out Enchanted Learning for great craft ideas!

Harvesting the raspberry crop.

Practicing camera techniques on the beauty berries.

The Marigolds are bursting, and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is tomorrow. How appropriate! 

The last two pumpkins in our patch, sigh.

We'll report back on school in the coming weeks. In the meantime, go Irish, beat Boilermakers!

Potatoes

We went out at about 9:30 this morning to dig up our potato patch. The girls dug enthusiastically for about 5 minutes. Then it got hot. I spent the next 20 minutes by myself with the sun beating down on me, sweat trickling down my back, retrieving our crop. I tried to get inside the head of a 19th century Irish (or Scottish?) farmer. Digging potatoes is not romantic. One of the biggest challenges is getting them out without cutting them with your shovel.  

Last year's crop.

I think we'll have this tomorrow.

Visiting the Lolos

Thanks to the graciousness of the Lolos and the fun, yet restful, time we've had here in Ohio, we've ended up staying two extra days. Some highlights: 

"Let's see how fast this thing goes..."

I have fat legs!

Lola's ice cream cake was totally delectable, as Fancy Nancy would say.

Frankie bedecked Great Grandma Cook with petunias....

...and then proceeded to Rose.

Lola treated Frankie and Teresa to a girls' day out. They came back with new sandals and lovely hair-dos.

The Cooks' new back porch is like a zen garden... so lovely and peaceful. 

Bright yellow finches service the feeder. 

We've had a great time! Maybe we'll stay another day....

Evolution of a pumpkin muffin

We picked our first pumpkin! Very exciting. Ours are of the mini "sugar pumpkin" variety--great for baking.

Seed it.

Take a break to give your baby some love.

Get it ready to roast.

Let it cool. Scoop out the innards. Puree in a blender.

Bake! These are "Pumpkin Donut Muffins"...not too sweet, so you douse them in cinnamon & sugar after they're done. YUM.