Summer Reading 2016

Yeah well I did NOT read all that stuff I said I was gonna...  I DID read:

The Midwife's Apprentice- Karen Cushamn
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- Betty Smith
The Gardener and the Carpenter- Alison Gopnik
Heroes of the Frontier- Dave Eggers
A Mother's Reckoning- Sue Klebold
Voracious- Cara Nicoletti

Halloween Fun and Happenings

 Mrs. Abbott shows Miles what's behind the "little" door on library night.

Wicked Woods at Green Lakes State Park 2016.  The drizzle sent up home a little early so no trail of terror this year, but we got lots of candy and had a great time.  Unusual we get to do things as a family of four, which is why this entry contains photos of the author!

 Cub Scout Halloween Party with the Traditional Group Photo Where No One is Looking at the Camera

More Wicked Woods pics.  Just can't seem to capture the colors this year.

My pumpkins. We only did 2 this year instead of the usual half dozen or so.  The one on the left was inspired by the movie "The Book of Life."

New Hampshire/ Wedding

 The boy all dressed up for the wedding

 He cleans up well.

 Getting sick of the camera here.

 Amy & Dave, October 9, 2016 at Camp Ogontz

#meettheljungbergs

Newlywed dip! 

#meettheljungbergs

Eighth Lake 2016

 What he did all weekend- so happy we rigged the bike rack to the pontiac and brought their bikes!

 Bug Lake 

 Enjoying nature.  With weapons.

 Mark's Root Fortress

 On a Walk

 What he did all weekend

 Off-roading

 Good ole Eureka Mountain Pass

 Seventh Lake

 So peaceful

 This kid and his pumpkins!

 Eighth Lake

 Mountain Pup!  Ace in his new camping duds.

 Fire!

 Fire Profile

This place is becoming one of my favorite places on Earth.  

More Fall Pics

 Cub Scouts- New Neckerchiefs for the Tiger and the WeBeLo!

 "Yellow Dragon Ninja," Mom thought it was the closest thing to the scorpion in mortal kombat.  Silly mom.

Miles Gabello, 2016

Stonehedge Curriculum Night

 Photo from the first day of first grade!

 Owl Hands

 Johnny Appleseed - he wore a pot for a hat.

Personal narrative from the 4th grader

Summerschool Success

 I have been Summerschooling my kids for the last 4 years with great results.  They enter school in the fall ahead of where they left off in June.  This past spring Mark and I read a book called "Josh Baxter levels Up" by Gavin Brown in which the main character achieves his goal by creating a video- game style challenge.  I e-mailed the author and he gave me some new ideas.

1. Don't Break the Chain- Keep track of how many days in a  row you work and try to beat your last high score
2. Random Prizes- I used a spinner with free/cheap prizes and perks

I'm happy to say that this was our most productive year yet!  The final stats:
High Score: 8 (consecutive days)
Total Days: 66/75

 Our Prize Spinner. I changed the choices from time to time to keep it fresh

The Scoreboard.  With chore charts and a section for current events (parties trips, visitors, etc.)

The little guy didn't want me to take his picture.  Why do I have kids if I can't embarrass them?