We've had a busy week here but I love it when we get out and learning occurs outside the "house,"  aka classroom.  Today we went on a field trip to a local corn maze.  I posted a picture of it because I love the view of Mt. Yonah in the background. It was just for teens and the kids had a great time meeting new people.

Tonight we have church and Maddie is helping the women cook dinner. Then we have Bible Study, Youth, etc.  Maddie volunteers a lot at church because she helps with Children's Choir before her youth activities.  

Tomorrow is the day Wes and Maddie volunteer to work several hours at Mildred's Thrift Store (run by the church and proceeds go to mission projects).  Miss Maddie, the busy bee, also has piano in the afternoon. And, she may play basketball with a local Christian School and that practice will be on Fridays, yikes!

Tyler's Scout Troop is going on a trip for Fall Break to the Okefenokee Swamp Friday through Monday. It's down on the GA/FL border. Check out a picture of their campsite for Saturday night, right in the swamp.   Yikes!!

We have a Church Work Day on Saturday and Wes will be helping there from 9-2.  After that, he's hanging out with a friend. He also needs to cut the grass again.  7" of rain that we had last Monday means it grew quickly.

Workouts:  Yes, I've done one each day this week. Here's my recap:

Monday~Jiggle Free Buns; Dog Walk

Tuesday~Firm Express Cardio; WHFN Floor Burn; Dog Walk

Today~Jessica Smith 20 minute Cardio Blast; Firm Jiggle Free Arms; walking around the corn maze.

Funny story of the day.  Tyler was cleaning out some old toys to give away and ran across some Rescue Heroes.  Does anyone remember these guys?  Well, Wes said he'd forgotten how cool they were and how much fun he had had with them. So, for the next 30 minutes, those two "boys", aged 16 and 12, played with these guys and laughed and carried on.  

It reminded me that God has made men to long to be heroes.  To fight epic battles, to win victories, and to use their imagination for him.  If you've never read  John Eldredge's Wild At Heart, it's a great read for moms with sons~and for men themselves!

As far as the rest of the day Maddie and I FEEL better but we're still coughing a lot~the primary part of the cold it seems. So, no exercise for me other than walking the dog a mile and a half.

Went on vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC for a week. Came home and Maddie had a head cold.  Now I have the head cold.  So, that's what has been going on here and why I've not been blogging.  But, God is good in the midst of things and we've still gotten work done and felt his presence.  I sure hope to be able to write more soon~especially that we're all healthy!!

I got to walk the dog today, yippee.  It was about 61 but still felt great. Tom and I had a breakfast date (just had iced coffee, I was good) and then worked on Algebra and Grammar with Maddie.  Later I checked up on Tyler and Wes.  Ty's easy to check as he does a lot of written work he hands in and other things on Time4Learning on the web.  Wes is independent and wants to come to me with problems only.  Maddie, on the other hand, likes to work more with me.  So it's all good!

Wes, Tom, and, to a lesser extent Ty, spent a good deal of time cleaning out the carport.  Maddie and I hit the grocery and then fixed pizza for dinner.  Wes also had to mow the grass yesterday.  I bought him a Chocolate Chip Frappe from McDonalds for mowing and Tom bought him dinner at Zaxby's for working in the carport for hours so I think he's happy to volunteer!

P.S.   I posted a UK joke yesterday so here's our redemption in college football so far:  LSU Tigers.  This is a picture of the real "Mike the Tiger" mascot.  I have to admit that Mike is the Coolest. Mascot. Ever.


Today's workout:  WHFN Pump, which contains intervals of cardio and weights and core work. I know some people don't like the WHFN Fitprimes but I find you can go heavy and concentrate on form with them.  The older I get I have decided I like working out "smarter, not harder."

My laugh out loud moment of the day.  Thanks, Mom.

Oh, well, basketball season will be here before we know it!

I also wanted to post a link to an article.  I've been saying something similar for years. Frankly, it's one of the reasons I home school.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-john-payne/simplicity-parenting_b_1833632.html

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Workouts!

Friday~WHFN Lower Body Burn (lower body cardio/weight intervals); Dog Walk

Saturday~No dog walk~went on an overnight trip to see friends in Blue Ridge, GA.  TA Meta Ab Level 7, Day 9; Jessica Smith Thin in 10 Walks and her long, yoga-inspired stretch.

Monday~WHFN Lean (light weights and cardio)

Tuesday~TA Meta Ab Level 8, Day 1~hard stuff!  WHFN Fast Cheetah (warm up, cardio, yoga, stretch)

Wednesday~Dog Walk (finally no rain); WHFN Upper Body Burn (upper body weight and cardio intervals)

Today~TA Meta Ab Level 8, Day 2; Jessica Smith Barefoot Sunset Indoor Walk (lovely, low-impact cardio).  I didn't walk Tucker today because I had an early dental appointment.  I hope to go walking with him soon.

Update!  Gracie has turned her back on The United Methodist Book of Discipline. Wes is convinced that she's becoming a Baptist!  LOL!

Okay, enough silliness~wishing my Mom a Happy 70th Birthday~!  She's been a blessing to me all these years and I know she loves me unconditionally~unless you guys tell her that I gave away her age!!!

I had Wes, Maddie, and Tyler read Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" short story yesterday. They were all disturbed and HATED it.  Wes, however, has to write a 5 paragraph paper on the use of irony in the story and has gotten into it now!  He keeps coming to me and telling me more instances of  irony he has found.

Other than that, nothing too exciting has been going on.  Oh, I did have a wonderful serendipity today though!  I ran to Ingles and the Starbucks in there has Pumpkin Spice Lattes out now~my favorite. And, I had a gift card!  Doing a happy dance.  

Wes had to get a new phone today since his was totally dead. So, if any of you have tried to call and he ignored you, he's sorry. And, he's ready to chat now!

Wednesday's workout:  WHFN Push Pull(I used moderate weights in this cardio and weight interval workout); walk with Tucker and Tom; yoga on my own.

Today:  Walk with Tucker and Tom; yoga on my own; abs and some stretching with Tom (he's been asking me to show him some things to do); TA Meta Abcentric Level 7 Day 8; WHFN Steamin' Cardio (warmup, cardio, both stretch segments).

Funny picture of the day for all of my United Methodist readers.  Bet you don't have a cat as FASCINATED with The Book of Discipline as our cat Gracie is!!!  Sometimes we do silly things at our house.

Haven't the faintest idea why I didn't blog after last Thursday.  Just got busy and forgot, I guess.  We did have some things going on Friday~I remember Tom and the boys taking the dog creek hiking that afternoon.  Saturday we had a dinner at a member's house with other people~another "get to know the pastor" event. And, of course football!  Sunday was busy with church and a meeting that Tom had.

Oh well.  Yesterday we started back with school~a full week after two shorter weeks.  I had a lot of errands to run. The kids love it when I go grocery shopping. The stand over me like hawks watching things come out of the bag to be put away so they'll know what goodies we have to eat, LOL!  Tyler had a County Council to attend with the Scout troop to help with a merit badge and then he and Wes had a scout meeting.

Today I got my hair cut and had to go to the hardware store. We spent a good deal of time talking with Tom tonight about what we've been learning this week. The best presentation included a Lego Mario. He was used to illustrate the meaning of the words decapitation(loosing your head) and defenestration(being thrown out a window)!! :D

Friday's workout:  Tracie Long Endurance For Movement (one hour cardio/weight intervals); walk with Tucker; yoga on my own

Saturday~Walk with Tucker and Tyler; yoga on my own; TA Meta Ab L7D6; Jessica Smith Barefoot Cardio Flow

Monday~Tracie Long Mix:  Focus 30 Butt; Weightless (all body weight cardio and strength workout); walk with Tucker; yoga on my own

Today~Walk with DH and Tucker; yoga on my own; FitPrime Lean (warm up, cardio, stretch)