A few families took their kids on a nature walk this morning as part of our homeschool cooperative. Amanda and I took photos of each child as kind of a replacement for school photos, and I am dying over here as I edit on account of how cute they all are.

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I chase light all year round, but somehow or other it becomes truly magical in the Fall.

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We're spending a lot of time outside these days.  Autumn is like a healing balm to my soul.

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A picnic and rock-skipping in the midst of this glorious sunset did my heart so much good. We saw a water mammal (unsure if it was a beaver or muskrat), pelicans, jumping fish, and geese flying in v-formation. 

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They were excited to pick out new books from the library. I hope my children never come to an age when libraries have become a thing of the past.

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How. How does my baby boy, my sweet little pudgy newborn, the one that made me a Mama for the first time... have GLASSES?!

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The days are growing darker. I'll be chasing light with my camera again, soon!

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Today, we took our cat to a farm and set him free. We have bent over backwards trying to make him comfortable in our home, trying to deal with his oddities and make him a contented indoor cat, but he just was not that. If there was ever a cat born for the outdoors, it is him. So, with a few tears and very little pomp and circumstance, we said goodbye to Cosby. 

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Patient little homeschoolers. 

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I love to spy on them while they are playing (happily) together.

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This little curly-head is spending the night at Grandpa and Grandma's, and he's not about to let his pesky cold ruin his mood!

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Chalk, curls, and a light tapestry. 

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This little chap went to work with Daddy all morning, and caused all sorts of trouble. ;)

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She may seem like an independent and grown up little girl by day, but when I lay her down at night and she grabs her soother and starts twirling her fingers in her hair, all I can see is a squishy little four-month-old nursing at my chest. And then my ovaries start aching. 

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Everybody loves when Daddy comes home at the end of the day!

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Let their imaginations run wild, and it's amazing how they play. We've been reading the Boxcar Children as part of our homeschool curriculum. This quick play house that Joey threw together the other day served as their "boxcar", and Ben was playing the character of "Benny" and patiently waiting for his blueberries and milk. 

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The First Day of Homeschool in Pictures

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We had our first-day-of-school photoshoot today, and this little Bean hammed it up appropriately so.