For our end of summer vacation this year, we decided to road trip to the Smoky Mountains. We left town early Saturday morning for the twelve hour drive.
Of course no road trip is complete without a stop at Buccee's! The kids were extra excited to get to hug Buccee while we were stopped.
We arrived at our cabin for the week on Saturday afternoon. We unpacked and relaxed for the evening.
It's not the beach, but it's still a pretty great view!
The kids were excited to be out of the car.
They spent a little time in the hot tub.
And we tried to get them to bed early.
The next morning we were up early to visit Dollywood.
Our first stop as Big Bear Mountain, and it was a crowd favorite! Smooth, fast, with several launches, that's our family's roller coaster jam.
We also rode Wild Eagle.
There were only two rides that Katherine wasn't tall enough to ride this trip. It's hard to believe our days of rider swap at amusement parks are almost over. She and I hung out while the rest of the crew rode Wild Eagle.
Even though it was still August, there were pumpkins everywhere!
Our day at Dollywood was perfect. We never waited to ride anything, and we rode everything multiple times. That's our kind of amusement park day. Katherine was very excited to ride the carousel. I hope she never outgrows her love it it.
During the heat of the afternoon, we explored the indoor, air conditioned Dolly Parton experience. None of us are huge fans, but it was a great way to chill for a bit before heading back out to ride coasters.
Next to the giant roller coaster, Lightning Rod were these cute little old cars. We couldn't pass up driving them. So cute!
The kids convinced us to get soaked on the rapids. It's not a theme park day without the rapids. I rode once, but the boys went a second time.
Later in the day, the kids spent a long-time riding rides in this carnival themed area. Matt and I happily sat in the shade and watched them run from ride to ride. Having big kids is pretty great sometimes. I'm not sad at all about not riding all the kiddy rides anymore.
We paused for dinner and a break from the rides.
That evening the park hosted a dance party before the closing fireworks and drone show. Katherine was adamant about attending and showing off her moves.
The night ended with an awesome fireworks and drone show. We were all very impressed with the technology of the drone show.
It was such a fun way to end a really awesome day.
Open to close- it's the Baugher way!
Gosh, I love spending these days with these people.
As special and memorable as our summer was, by the beginning of August, it was time to start back to school. We started a few things early to get a head start and hopefully finish earlier in the Spring.
Katherine has really taken off with reading. I've so enjoyed seeing her progress and be able to read so many great books.
For our homeschool routine, the kids have subjects they accomplish daily
Nathan
Math
Writing
Grammar
Spelling
Samuel
Math
Writing
Grammar
Spelling
Elisabeth
Math
Writing
Grammar
Spelling
Typing
Cursive Handwriting
Katherine
Math
Handwriting
Reading
Spelling
Shurley Grammar
As a group together each day we watch World Watch News, do a Bible Study together, and read aloud a novel as well as co-op History assigned readings.
Although we had started earlier in August with math and writing, we took our first official first day of school pictures the morning of our first day of co-op.
This is Nathan's last year of middle school. How???
And it's this girl's last year of elementary school. Again How??
Katherine is so excited to be a first grader.
And Samuel is officially a middle schooler with the privilege of hanging out on the stage at co-op.
They're growing so fast.
It's a joy, a privilege and a blessing to spend my days learning alongside them.
These Four were so excited for a new co-op year.
The kids are taking a variety of classes this year
Nathan is taking Journalism, Early American History, Worldview (apologetics), Earth Science, and PE
Samuel is taking Book Club, Elections and Government, Earth Science, PE and Hand Sewing
Elisabeth is taking Astronomy, Book Club, Elections and Government, Early American History, PE and Hand Sewing
Katherine is taking Music, Fun Class, PE, and Elections
And this year, I'm trying something new and teaching two classes with Erica. We're teaching an Upper Elementary Book Club and a Middle School Elections and Government Class.
Our first day of class went really well. In Elections class we had the kids come up with a candy campaign and vote on a class candy. They did so well with the activity. Both of our classes have awesome students. I'm looking forward to a great year!
We snapped a few pictures during co-op. Poor Katherine missed me that first day. Between teaching and serving as mom helper in several classes, we didn't see each other very much.
She's very excited about her Elections because it's a "real" class with homework and everything.
When I'm mom helper in the kids' classes, I try and snap a few pictures.
Nathan and Samuel's science class is going to be awesome this year! Their teacher is great.
Elisabeth and Samuel are taking a hand sewing class this year. Hopefully they can teach me some of the things they learn this year!
I'm also co-leading the Middle School team this year with my good friend Anne. We planned a back-to-school pool party at the beginning of the year. These kids are so awesome. I'm always grateful for such a solid, wonderful group of friends for my boys.
Katherine got to do a show and tell in her fun class. I didn't get to see it, because I was teaching, but thankfully a friend sent me some pictures. She brought her BeBe, a bluebird Squishmallow I gave her after her dance recital. She also brought a picture of her from her dance recital. I'm certain she did a wonderful job.
I might be missing the slow, laid-back days of summer, but these full, busy school days are pretty awesome too.
Every year I give the kids a back-to-school survey about their current interests and favorite things.
Nathan's
How
old are you?
13
What
is your favorite color?
Blue
What
is your favorite food?
Tacos
What
is your favorite TV show/computer game?
Planet
Coaster
What
is your favorite holiday?
Christmas
What
is your favorite thing to do with Mom?
Watch
Movies
What
is your favorite thing to do with Dad?
Play
Video Games
What
is your favorite thing to do with Samuel?
Play
Sports
What
is your favorite thing to do with Elisabeth?
Play
Outside
What
is your favorite thing to do with Katherine?
Play
with her in my Penguin Onesie
What
are you most excited about this year in school?
Journalism
What
are your most nervous about this year in school?
Worldview
What
do you want to be when you grow up?
Ride
Systems Engineer
What
is your favorite movie?
Top
Gun Maverick
What
is your favorite toy?
Electric
Guitar
What
is your favorite thing to wear?
Champion
Clothes
Who
are your best friends?
Daniel,
Caleb, Liam, Caden, Brett, Jax, and Wyatt
Samuel's
How
old are you?
11
What
is your favorite color?
Blue
What
is your favorite food?
Pizza
What
is your favorite TV show?
Dude
Perfect
What
is your favorite holiday?
Christmas
What
is your favorite thing to do with Mom?
Play Games
What
is your favorite thing to do with Dad?
Eat
Ice Cream
What
is your favorite thing to do with Nathan?
Robotics
What
is your favorite thing to do with Elisabeth?
Draw
What
is your favorite thing to do with Katherine?
Art
What
are you most excited about this year in school?
Hand
Sewing
What
are your most nervous about this year in school?
Science
What
do you want to be when you grow up?
Engineer
What is your favorite movie?
The Deathly Hallows, Part 2
What
is your favorite toy?
Brain
Flakes
What
is your favorite thing to wear?
T
shirt and shorts
Who
are your best friends?
Leon
Elisabeth's
How
old are you?
10
What
is your favorite color?
Yellow
What
is your favorite food?
Spaghetti
Carbonara
What
is your favorite TV show/computer game?
The
Sims
What
is your favorite holiday?
Fourth
of July
What
is your favorite thing to do with Mom?
Shop
What
is your favorite thing to do with Dad?
Play
Games
What
is your favorite thing to do with Nathan?
Code
What
is your favorite thing to do with Samuel?
Build
Forts
What
is your favorite thing to do with Katherine?
Play
Barbies
What
are you most excited about this year in school?
Book
Club
What
are your most nervous about this year in school?
Geography
quizzes
What
do you want to be when you grow up?
WNBA
player
What
is your favorite movie?
Descendants
What
is your favorite toy?
Squishies
What
is your favorite thing to wear?
Champion
clothes
Who
are your best friends?
Sarah,
Elise, Ilona, Nora, Sophia, and Kaydence
Katherine's
How
old are you?
6
What
is your favorite color?
Blue
What
is your favorite food?
Nerd
Gummy Clusters
What
is your favorite TV show/computer game?
Liv
and Maddie
What
is your favorite holiday?
My Birthday
What
is your favorite thing to do with Mom?
Go to
the mall
What
is your favorite thing to do with Dad?
Jump
on the trampoline
What
is your favorite thing to do with Nathan?
Play
potato sack
What
is your favorite thing to do with Samuel?
Make
stuff
What
is your favorite thing to do with Elisabeth?
Play
interview
What
are you most excited about this year in school?
Elections
class
What
are your most nervous about this year in school?
Failing
What
do you want to be when you grow up?
Professional
soccer player
What
is your favorite movie?
Cinderella
Story
What
is your favorite toy?
Wilson
What
is your favorite thing to wear?
Nathan’s
Penguin Onesie
Who
are your best friends?
Laura,
Kyla, Willow, Evie, Keaton, Leon, Liana, Avi
The kids were excited to be out of the car.
They spent a little time in the hot tub. 
And we tried to get them to bed early. 
The next morning we were up early to visit Dollywood. 
.HEIC)
.HEIC)
.HEIC)
