You have now entered the twilight zone...

The other day, I got a terrifying package in the mail. As soon as I saw the plain, brown box on my front porch, I broke out in a cold sweat. The day I dreaded had finally arrived. With a pounding heart, I carried it inside and opened it with trembling fingers. It was just as I had suspected.....

...Bella's math curriculum had arrived.

Okay, okay, so I 'm being a tiny bit melodramatic. But honestly, anyone who was close friend of mine through high school (and lets be honest, that was a small group!) knows how I abhorred math. I groaned and complained my way through every math class my school offered, from Probability and Statistics to Algebra III, and I never learned to like it.

And I'm going to teach my daughter math. And I'm going to do it without ever letting her know how I truly feel about it. I can do this!

The good thing is we are starting at the very beginning, so we can learn (and re-learn!) together. If I were jumping into Algebra II, we would have a big problem. I think I can handle kindergarten stuff. (Please, Lord!)

In the end I decided to go with my first choice, Saxon Math. I'm pleased with the parts of the text I have read over, and I think Bella will LOVE the manipulatives.

For phonics I chose Explode the Code (ETC) and I am really excited about it. I also purchased the ETC wall chart, which is made of felt with a pocket for each letter. There is a little felt item (such as a fish for the "F" pocket) that goes with each letter.

So, I've marked August 4 on the calendar as "D"-day. Yes, that is a Thursday. But due to my work schedule were going to have odd school days. I feel a bit overwhelmed about it right now, but I think once we get a few days under our belts, I'll feel better.

Hot Dog! Its the Fourth of July!

I have to admit I always feel a vague forboding as the 4th of July approaches...not because I'm afraid I'll eat too much (check!), or that at least once during the annual Ayers/Edmonds fireworks display I will fear for my safety (check!), but because it seems once the 4th comes and goes, summer is almost over.

All said and done, we had a great time. Here are some pics:

Me, Bella, and Abbigail at the Jonesborough 4th Parade.
We go every year, although K had to work this year so
Nana went with us. Bella loved the horses, but thought
the marching band was too loud. Abbigail love the snow
cone we ate while we waited!

Sweet cousins! Bella, Kaley, and Aly had a great
time running, playing, and lighting sparklers!



Ashlyn and Bella cool off at Nana's before my
family's cook out.

Bella, Abbigail, and Ashlyn in the patriotic outfits!

Abbigail plays corn hole with Memmie Miller

Other notables that I did not get pics of were the fireworks! When I was a kid my sister and I were thrilled with a few Roman candles, some bottle rockets, and a sparkler. My husbands family, however, buys the kind of fireworks that look like mortar shells! They seem to get better each year, and the whole neighborhood comes out to watch. Freedom Hall? Please!

Another memorable event was my niece, Ashlyn, singing "God Bless America" for us at my moms cookout. She remembers the entire first verse and chorus, and does such a great job!

"God Bless America, my Home Sweet Home".