Back-to-school B-B-Q

We welcomed our newest Raleigh Court neighbors to the 'hood AND got the new school year started off right by having a back-to-school bash at the end of our court. There were 28 people in attendance. If we counted correctly, 10 of the 15 households were represented. We had three barbecues fired up, so there was no shortage of food.

After dinner, and lively conversation, we enjoyed watching a movie (Nim's Island) on the Freeman Garage Door Drive-in/Driveway Theatre. How could I forget to mention the shaved ice & popcorn offered for free at the concession stand?!

The men of Raleigh Court grilled 'burgers & dogs for the gathering.
What is it about men & fire?

The girls had fun wearing their Hannah Montana wigs. We found these at Justice for 79 cents, so how could we refuse? They definitely have that "rock star" look goin' on.

Talk about a "rock star" look... Boys will be boys!

We even had expert fly swatting coverage going on to protect & preserve the tasty salads & side dishes from unwanted "guests."

Everyone pitched in to make the evening happen, so it was a very easy & low-stress gathering. We are blessed to be surrounded by sooo many wonderful folks. What's incredible is that this all came together with only one day to plan & organize everything. (What would we do without Costco?!) The neighbors all agreed that we will have to do a progressive dinner this fall, but perhaps we will need more than one day to pull that one off...

It's time for pencils, books, (the teacher's dirty looks?), and our annual 1st-day-of-school photos!

And so it begins... another year of The Smith Christian Academy "officially" started today. The Smithlings have done a few classes throughout the summer to keep up to speed with some of their subjects, and they started learning French a few weeks ago. M. cracked the books last week, so he has a bit of a jump start on the girls.

Here are the traditional back-to-school poses:

The on-the-floor shot is one we have done once/year since Millie was a few months old. I have "promised" (or threatened?) the kids we will continue to do this pose until they are fully grown!

The Smithling stairsteps...

Oh, if only we were this happy every day of school...

Bartholomew looks as if he's on the verge of speech. I wonder what he would say if he could articulate his true sentiments. :-) Here's one possible option: "I am NOT a-mewsed, Millie!"

M. will be meeting with a counselor at Sierra College later this week to find out what classes he can enroll in this fall. (Classes begin in late August.) We hope to find a couple of FUN options for him to add to his homeschool classes of: English/Lit., U.S. History, Physics, and French. Liesey and Millie are also taking French this year, so I guess I will need to join them in the learning process. I want to be able to respond, "Oui!" when asked, "Parlez-vous français?" Another incentive for learning a new foreign language alongside the kids is that I certainly do not want the Smithlings to be able to discuss things "behind my back" in front of me -- or something like that!

Analiese is taking Hebrew History, Science, Geometry, English/Lit., Health, and Geography this year. Miss Millie has the usual 5th grade classes.

We're off and running. Only 179 more days to go! (But who's counting?)