The first week of Fall

September 29, 2005

It's been a great first week of fall here. In some respects it's been a hard as we're making the transition to Damien's new job. The hardest part of this has been all the visa paperwork that has to come together in a complete and timely manner. Immigration processes are probably the most stressful thing we've dealt with in our marriage. Buying a house was way easier than this whole process. We are nearing the end of that now but it's been a long month for Damien dealing with that. But... other than that headache and at times stomachache the start of fall has been a wonderful time for us. Certainly, the kids & I get to appreciate it more than Damien as he is working hard to support our adventures - you're awesome Dear! Last Wednesday we enjoyed a day in Portland. Damien was coming in on the train from Boston (having left his work car there once & for all) and we picked him up later in the evening at the station. We drove down in late afternoon and the kids and I visited the playground, then collected seaglass & shells on the beach. And then enjoyed a leisurely supper at the Portland Public Market . We killed some more time at the mall and Border's bookstore (where I qualify for a 20% homeschooler's discount - bonus) then finally picked up Daddy. It was a great night for me with the kids - doing life on their time, no rushing, just being. And they were so great to be with - no whining, complaining etc. When you slow down and take life at their pace I think it makes excursions easier. The next day, the official first day of fall, we went hiking on a local trail. We intended to go to open gym but no one else showed up so we enjoyed the gorgeous morning outside instead. We visited this trail in spring and it was fun to go back and see the change in leaf cover, different fungi etc. We played hide & seek in the woods. Later that day we went to the farm and picked some apples and enjoyed all the pumpkins. Saturday Celine had her first riding lesson. It was just the perfect fall morning for taking a little drive in the country. Her instructor goes to our church and offers lessons at a very reasonable cost. Celine did so great. I wish I could post the photos but we're using a film camera since our mishap in Montreal. I was so proud of her. The rest of the Saturday we (Damien) did house projects. Sunday after church we drove to Norway to get new shoes for Damien at the New Balance factory store.

Yesterday we took a tour of our local waste water treatment facility. Laurent had been asking recently where water went once we flushed it, drained it, etc... This was a very smelly adventure but quite fascinating. I organized a small group of homeschool kids and we all toured the facilities including the lab where they got to see the technician at work preparing petri dishes, sterilizing equipment, testing water samples - science & math in action.

The day was beautiful so in the afternoon we met Daddy on a break (at his new job) at the ice cream stand 2 doors from our house. Yesterday was their last day and all ice cream was 1/2 price. I indulged in Pumpkin Spice - a very yummy fall flavor. Today was another beautiful fall day and we took a drive up to Augusta to see Bugs Maine-ia at our state museum. The drive itself was lovely, the trees starting to change color and the sky so blue. First we stopped for a picnic lunch along the Kennebec river in historic Hallowell. That could of been our only destination and the kids would of been happy. What a wonderfully relaxing stop! Then we headed to the museum and spent a couple hours there. It was quite noisy at times - I don't know how elementary school teachers manage all that noise everday - but very enjoyable, we love bugs and creepy crawlies at our house anyway (can't say I like cockroaches though). Celine has resumed reading lessons with Damien. It's amazing because Damien hasn't done lessons with her for about 8 months and she's picked up easily where they left off. From what I've seen/heard eavesdropping on the lessons she basically knows how to read. She is pretty shy about it so she hasn't done it out loud around us. She's also a perfectionist and wants to get it right the first time and is hard on herself when she makes mistakes. Last night she read to me pages from an easy reader we borrowed recently from the library. I had no clue she knew how to read that book. So, that is a fun adventure. I am so excited to see this new world opening up before her. I should get to bed now. Tomorrow is the library, farm pick up & kinship. Friday is a play date and a friend for supper. Saturday I work at Hedgehog Hill - earning credit for plants for next year's gardening. Sunday we are going to church in Waterville where our friends are pastors and then celebrating their son's birthday afterwards. And then... Sunday night Mom & Dad arrive. Whew. May not hear another blog till after their visit, we'll see.... Hope you all are having a great fall too!