We kicked the break off with a pizza lunch after picking J up from school last Friday. Then we enjoyed a wonderful Conference weekend, when we squeezed in some gardening, planted 6 fruit trees and invited ourselves over to my SIL Monica's house to watch the Sunday afternoon session on their TV. (We cut off our cable a couple of months ago after getting fed up with the disgusting commercials.)
Monday was spent at home, inside as well as out. Spring is finally here, and we were blessed with some wonderfully sunny weather! J, M & A built a teepee in the garden spot, made of metal t-posts and sheets. J took out his pocket knife to cut some branches just right, then tied them together to form a smaller teepee for Creamie (our cat.) Later that afternoon, Gabe called for me. i found him on the stairs, where he was pointing with a ladle (he loves carrying a kitchen utensil around the house.) The late afternoon sun was shining through our entryway window, illuminating the glorious dust which i love to nourish and cultivate in my home. My efforts were not wasted on Gabriel, and he just sat in awe for five or ten minutes...long enough to grab the camera!
Tuesday the children held a much-anticipated "Wii Day," and spent their afternoon hours video gaming.
On Wednesday, we headed to the SLC zoo. It was the first time Gabe's really been interested in the animals, and i just loved watching him notice each one. He found the monkeys especially wonderful and hilarious.
On Thursday, we met up with Aunt Monica and cousins Kadin and Natalie for bowling. Everyone had a great time, but keeping Gabe off the lanes kept me from taking any picture.
Friday was spent running here and there, relaxing at home in the afternoon and waiting for Grandma & Grandpa's visit. They were so kind to watch the kids while Clint and i went out for his birthday. We had a delicious dinner at our favorite local Indian restaurant (where i vowed that we will not buy lamb or chicken tikki masala again until i try to cook it here...maybe it will be a disastrous failure, but we love it sooo much, i have to see if i can do it!) If anyone has a great recipe, please send it my way. Anyway, then we went to the temple. It was so peaceful, so serene...we lingered.
Saturday was Clint's actual birthday, and we threw in a soccer practice, a primary activity, a fishing trip and our first outdoor easter egg hunt...in very windy and somewhat rainy weather. We may move back indoors next year!
here Gabe is doing all the work (w/ a little help from me). The plan was for the children to all decorate eggs, but a fishing trip with Daddy and the neighbor girls lured them away. Oh well... more dunking for Gaby.
the lists. a little short on baskets, but the toy tool box worked just fine. ;)
Yesterday, we headed to Grandma & Grandpa's after church, ate way too much food and candy, and loved on little baby Eleanor.
And today was "Friend Day". The kids invited 3 siblings that match up perfectly with their ages (and genders), and had fun playing for what was not nearly long enough for them!! (In fact, they just headed next door, to find some replacements.) All that's left is ballet, dinner, soccer & family night. i guess we're easing back into the madness!
Gabe looks so cute dying all those eggs on his own! I bet he was in heaven.
ReplyDeleteI loved the picture with the 4 kids. What little darlings!
ReplyDeleteHey there, so glad you commented on my blog! What a beautiful family you have.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to write a post later about our journey in homeschooling...but for now, know that it was a prayerful decision, and some of the reasons have to do with freedom to teach what we think our children should learn. Like the spiritual aspect behind so many stories in history...and that God is in everything, not just the things children learn at home, outside of their secular 'educational' experience at school.
And we really want them to LOVE learning... anymore, many schools stamp that love out of the little ones, and learning becomes a burden as they get older.
Just a couple of our main reasons...hope that helps. Keep checking in for more info. on my blog!