Bring me back my 4th

My mother-in-law worked in the school system and always said that once 4th of July is over, summer goes by at top speed.
June draws out its bit of summer and arranges each moment in slow succession and for utmost enjoyment. July picks up momentum and by the time August gallops on the scene entire days are tossed in a compression chamber and emerge on Labor Day as a sun-and-heat-weary blur.
If the drought continues in my neck of the woods, it's possible that July and August won't go by fast enough.
But still.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Flowers in the ditches are oblivious to drought

Hay made while the sun shines

Patriotic in-laws

Patriotic kids

More patriotic kids

Patriotic doll.

My husband wore an orange shirt for fireworks and thus is banned from the album of the 4th.

We usually sit here for fireworks. It was closed off and firetrucks surrounded it

The Road Runner showed up

My favorite: the bursts that turned into fireflies. Although they look more like aggressive constellations here

What happens when an inexperienced photographer changes the settings on her camera

My July baby waiting for his already damaged cake to burst in air.

  May your summer 2012 be worth the remembering.

Too Cool for School?

Ex-elementary school teachers don't retire. They just, in lieu of switching out the bulletin boards for every new season, decorate their homes.

September in the House of Prude means decorating for the school year.
Since her boys are all graduated she doesn't go to quite the extent of grapevine wreaths with pencils and markers, but she does want to share some old faithful back-to-school tales.

This is an old school desk all painted and pretty–a gift from my folks and sister when I began homeschooling 17? 18? years ago. the adorable little boy in the frame is my husband. Yup. I robbed the cradle.

 This handsome guy is my dad, 5th grade teacher extraordinaire. I was blessed to have him for 5th and 6th grade at Kenosha Christian.

Molly, looking fine.

Samantha and Kit eyeing the apples

My middle boy calls this 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'

Actually it is my dad heading to teach school in South Holland, IL in the 1950's.

Demure Felicity eyeing the cute curly headed guy.

Poor Kit doesn't have a school outfit. She had to borrow Molly's. Good thing they are the same size.

Here is something nifty. My  'Down the River Road' reader from 1938 has a page closely replicated in an old 'Ideals' magazine fall issue from the late 50's. 

My girls will be enjoying their school finery for only a few more weeks before Teacher Prude switches everything out for the autumn pretties. Now if she can convince her husband to wear only rusts, browns and golds until Dec. 1...