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Sweet summertime, goodbye
Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 02:44PM 
Now that summer has melted into fall, we're left with memories of Things We Managed To Accomplish While It Was Sweltering Outside.
This year's TWMTAWIWSO include taking my two middle grandchildren to the store for school supplies.
Allissa and Andrew are attending a private faith-based school for the first time this year; up until now, they have been home schooled.
Our daughter -- their mother -- took home schooling very seriously. Everyone was up and dressed, breakfast done, each morning by the time Melanie left for her special-needs class at the nearby elementary school.
They had a classroom in the lower level of their house, and each day's priority was lessons.
As a result, the children's academic test scores are high and they were primed for traditional schooling. They are enjoying it immensely.
Melanie is home this year, with her mother carrying out her various therapies and applying the methods used to train her to be more self-sufficient.
Melly will turn fourteen in December; she's becoming a young lady and she's not shy about what she likes and doesn't like. She very much likes hanging out with her mother all day, but she knows there will be work involved, and personal responsibility.
Mel didn't get to visit us by herself during the summer; her sibs came and she will be staying with us for a few days later this year.
In addition to buying school supplies while they were here, TG and the aunties and I took the children to a new café and sweet shop that has opened up near our house.
At the Chocolate Factory and Coffee Shoppe everyone was allowed to pick out a treat. The older children chose some things to take home and share with their parents and Melanie as well.
The girls and I got coffee and we all sat around the shop's big hearth in comfy couches and chairs, and enjoyed our snack.
I want to go back on a cool and rainy fall day, when there's a fire in the grate.
Later that day, we took the kids out to visit an elderly lady who is the mother of one of my dearest friends.
Along with our school supplies, we had bought a metric ton of construction paper, plus stickers, so that the children could make cards for the lady we were going to visit.
We also took her a potted raspberry-pink Kalanchoe, which she loved, and which I am told is thriving -- mainly because I got it quickly out of my hands before I could kill it.
A miniature donkey by the name of Moses lives on the lady's rural property, along with some chickens. The children fed Moses crackers and marshmallows until he ran for cover.
It was approximately a million degrees outside, with eight-thousand-percent humidity.
The sweet lady invited us back inside, where she gave the children refreshing popsicles.
On the way home, we visited Costco and bought even more treats to enjoy throughout the rest of the children's visit.
The days are cooling now; summertime has turned to go.
We're grateful because while summer holds its own special charms and we love it for itself alone, autumn is just about everyone's favorite.
It's almost Ahhhhctober.
And that is all for now.
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Happy Tuesday
Reader Comments (6)
What a fun time!!!!! My daughter Karen, homeschooled her 5 children also. Of course, religious study was included--in a specific room, like a mini school room. They are 5 of the finest, smartest, nicest grown-ups I have ever met. BTW--we went from 90 to 54 overnight. If it would stop raining, maybe I could get my outside work done!!!!!!!!
What a fun time with those kids! They are all growing, but I can't believe how old Andrew is looking. They change far too quickly!
I bet they all just loved Moses. He's awfully cute!
@Judy ... I envy you the weather you're having now. "Sweater weather," I call it. I love wearing cute layers, and tights. *sigh* We get to do that for about eight weeks out of the year, here! And with the exception of our rainy weekend courtesy of Florence, it continues dry here. If we don't get some rain, the fall colors will be drab. xoxo
@Mari ... Andrew looks older every time I see him. He's tall and so solemn! Cute kid. Yes we had a ball seeing Moses even though I nearly melted. xoxo
I love the way you get your grandchildren ready for school! I know they had a great time choosing all the supplies that they needed. Ainsley homeschools all five and this weekend she flies to Franklin, TN to her homeschool conference she and Ben had organized some years back. It is a busy but exciting time for all the families. Hope your two have a good experience in the new school they will be attending. Happy fall, to all!
Jenny- I love this post. Those kids are adorable. Three of our kids went to Christian schools and one--well---he home-schooled himself ..lol...He is our super-succeeder today. lol I am sure your grands wil do really well in their new environment. Three of our kids were homeschooled all the way through and all three of them got scholarships to large colleges.
I tried to thank you for popping by my blog but you come through as a NoReply when I tried to email you back...and your link takes me to Funeral Photography! lol You don't want to know the gymnastics I went through to find you again. lol Anyway--you can fix the No Reply in your settings, I think?
Have a wonderful night- chili on the stove here and apple pie for dessert...and yes...thank you...I DID work all day! xo Diana
@Cheryl ... I know Ainsley puts her heart and soul into home schooling those five and she's dedicated to helping other mothers. It's awesome. Yes ours were so disappointed when they missed several days because of Hurricane Florence. They jump up each day eager to get ready and go. I myself wake up every day eager to stay at home, haahaaha! Happy fall to you and Alan as well. xoxo
@Diana ... I sure will look into the no reply thing -- I had NO idea that even WAS a thing! I'm so sorry. Yes my Angel Funeral Photography site is my only Blogger blog ... I hope it linked to here! Sorry for the confusion. Put your feet up! Chili sounds wonderful. We love that at our house. xoxo