J U L Y

Though we are eleven days into August, I don't want to miss highlighting July.

July 1 - A Homeschool Morning

Both the kids were quietly reading on this Friday morning, which is one of my favorite things.  I was thrilled when Ella started to enjoy reading chapter books around this age, and I'm thrilled that James is loving it as well.  I may even be even more happy to see that a love of reading and a love of playing games can coexist for him.

July 2 - Driving in the Dales

On this Saturday morning we were driving to a gathering of evangelical churches in North Yorkshire for a "Family Day."  It was in a town I'd never been to before, and of course it was a lovely drive.

July 3 - Watership Down

Now this is a crazy photo, right?  KJ went out for a walk around 9 p.m. on this Sunday night because it was such a pleasant evening and stumbled upon all the rabbits hanging out in the field with the standing stones from 2500 BC.

July 4 - Creamy Lemon Basil Potato Salad

This is the second July 4th I've made this recipe from The Pioneer Woman.  Why stop a good thing? I loved how festive this photo looked.

July 5 - Warm Glowing Sunset over the Devil's Arrows

I was inspired by KJ's evening walk to go on my own little ramble.  It's good to take advantage of that lovely 9-10 p.m. summer light.

July 6 - My Man

July 8 - Sunset from the Skylight

July 9 - Jonty Turns One!

July 11 - Hydrangea Blooms

After being reduced to only two sticks through the winter I was happy last spring's gift from Mama T came back to life.

July 12 - Castle Exploring

July 13 - School Morning Rush

July 14 - Yorkshire Fields

July 15 - Cool Braid Styles by Poppy

July 16 - Kite-Flying at Runswick Bay

July 17 - Snapshot of a 6-year-old's Shelf

July 18 - Summertime comes to Boroughbridge

July 19 - Growing Lambs

July 20 - After School Playing

July 21 - Just Taking a little Rest

July 22 - Reunited Friends

July 23 - Waiting for the Train

July 24 - Waiting for a Plane

July 25 - America

July 26 - Slip n' Slide (Tragedy Awaited)

July 28 - Water Park Fun

July 29 - Welcome home, soldier.

July 30 - School Supplies!

July 31 - Engaged!

Weekend Fun: A Quick Trip to the Seaside

"Let's go to the beach!"

Those sort of spontaneous declarations were the kind I made in college, the sort of spontaneity that I cast aside for a few years when there were nursing babies and napping schedules, the kind that gets cast aside because there are always more jobs around the house that need doing.  It's the kind of spontaneity that comes back now that the kids are more flexible and the forecast says sun, sun, sun with not a cloud in sight for a 9-hour stretch.

Ella and I were all in amazement at shorts, flip-flops, and the feeling of warmth on our skin.

I also love how different a place the seaside in North Yorkshire is to Alabama beaches.  I like that we have such a creative God, no two beaches the same, all distinct with their own kind of beauty.  In North Yorkshire it's ocean, cliffs, open farmland all in a row.

I think it's somewhat of a travesty in England to go to the seaside and not eat fish and chips.  We brought our own sandwiches.

Side note:  James looking down on the village by the sea said, "People are lucky.  They live at the beach."  

We were in a more sheltered bay area so the wind was not quite strong enough to keep our kite afloat long.  But James sure enjoyed trying.

I've never seen a tractor launch a boat before.

Today may be the hottest day of the year in North Yorkshire, and I'm feeling slightly regretful of having the kids in school all week.  It would be such a great field trip day!  But there is packing to do, and I'm thankful we had the gift of a spontaneous beach evening on Saturday night.