Our Three Smarty Pants

Denver poses by the Smarty Pants cake
he helped decorate (and taste test!).

How is it that another school year has flown past?  What have the boys accomplished as they finish their seventh, fifth, and first grade years?  What have they learned?  Over the next two weeks, I'll be reviewing all of their work and my lesson plans to prepare a summary of the boys' year, their strengths and their challenges; and our goals for next year.  

Meanwhile, we held a Steak, Cake, & a Break party tonight.  We invited over the grandparents and celebrated another year of growth and change in our boys.  After steak and veggies, we enjoyed a Smarty Pants cake that Denver and I prepared.  It was delicious and wonderful. 

But the boys won't really be taking a break from learning.  Not even for a day.  I've noticed that whether we call it a "school" day or an "off" day, the boys don't really take a break. They are always exploring, learning, asking questions, and making messes! 

Next week, we'll be attending the Renaissance Festival as a way to celebrate our study of the medieval time period. We'll also be going to the Atlanta History Center to study the Civil War's Battle of Atlanta. The following week, the High Museum is opening a spectacular new exhibit on rare and unusual car designs. Even John Paul is excited about that one. We'll be seeing a Shakespeare comedy next week, and Jibby will begin his weekly swim meets.  And that's just the formal stuff.  Spencer is deep into learning about computer programming.  Jibby is reading about World War II Germany.  Denver bounces from interest to interest-- always ready to get excited about the next thing.  We are a house full of quiet and not-so-quiet learners-- and John and I are thrilled with our three Smarty Pants.
  

Spencer and Denver enjoyed the Fairy Festival today.