I don't have a lot to post about, things are good.  The boys are liking school this year so far, and i still wonder what on earth i'm thinking on those days when they are home for school!  It's not that it's going bad, but when i think about the alternative of them being at school every day.....that sounds pretty fabulous to me.  But they like where they are, and that is all i need.  Academics don't come easy around here, so it is hard work for all to stay on task and see that it's worth the effort.  

Plus, there's still construction going on here, which is highly distracting.  It is exciting to see our patio coming together.  I didn't know it would take so long to do, but we are almost there.  

The concrete is getting poured today....i think

The boys participated in Hempfield School district's regional cross country run (that's a mouthful).  The top 5 finishers in each grade move on to the Championship at Garden Spot next month.  Everyone but Brad qualified.  He took it pretty well.  I wasn't sure what to expect, it was a well laid out course at our local middle school.  Clay did 1/4 mile, the others 1/2 mile.  

I decided one of my favorite things to do is watch Clay run!   Apparently the other boys felt the same way.  

2nd place

Ben got 5th

Adam got 2nd 

This week starts my apple project.  We have a number of trees, at least 3 different kinds.  All but one were on the property when we moved here.  We haven't sprayed or trimmed them once and they produce like crazy.  I'm making applesauce this afternoon. 

The goats are downright lucky they are cute because they are doing a number on my roses

I'll end with a link from my favorite homestead blogger.  She has almost the same animals we do and does a lot of the work herself, and 4 children like me so i can always identify with her words.  

http://theelliotthomestead.com/2015/09/one-millisecond-at-a-time/