Time Outside~

When we're not around our table schooling or eating, we can be found OUTSIDE~

Around out pool

During the storms Sunday night, we had tons of limbs fall and one tree which Scott cut up for firewood and little stump stools~

As he began to chop, the tree was FULL of big black ants~

 We couldn't believe the little tunnel worlds they had created! Nature is amazing!!!

As we read during science this past week, we were learning about plants-- trees. EC announced there were baby Japanese maples growing under one of big ones and CA made the most profound yet innocent statements~

CA-- I didn't know trees could have babies!
We all laughed but it's amazing to think about it! Look at the baby trees we rescued  and will love until they are ready to be transplanted for years of joy to come!

It's amazing to see what these kids come up with to do. Here they are having a church service and CA is the preacher~

Crazy times call for crazy measures like grooming your own golden doodle~ 😲

We had a beautiful Japanese maple to die and spent two weeks trying to get it down and cleared~

All the more reason to save the baby maples, right?!!

It has been a family affair to cut roots, did up monkey grass, pull the stump up, and level out the ground. Yesterday we finished! Can't wait to see grass growing in that bare spot!!!

A Week without Dad~

Spring Break was all fun and games until Sunday morning when Scott left for a week long business trip.

We were determined to make the best of it with drawing and building~

We listened to a chapter of Plum Creek and researched clouds and storms then sketched~

Other sketches from our reading~

 We enjoyed poetry teatime with goldfish and animal crackers~

The pool cleared up even more, leaves filled the trees, and we bathed the dogs~

We went for walks, played outside, and read in the sunshine~

I came up with a list of verses to use for copywork and memorization~

 Evie is determined to write in cursive and crochets chains all day long~

Thursday our theme was Houses and I strewed a few books for them to sketch from.
Calla chose The Little House and look at the adorable sketch she made~

 The other kids drew anything they wanted~

EK got this huge encyclopedia for her birthday and sketches from it almost every day although this is SJ's sketch of a dragon. She sketched the giraffe above~

Finally it was Welcome Home Dad Day and the kids wanted to surprise him with a dinner picnic~

 He arrived in time to vacuum the pool and grill his own surprise dinner! :)

FUN Friday was so fun with reading What Do You Do with an Idea~

 Everyone drew and painted their favorite Idea~

AND THEN... we headed to the pool!!!~

 IT was FRIGID but they didn't care one bit~

Yesterday we worked in our yard almost all day cutting limbs and burning piles~

 The kids also had a swimming afternoon~

So there you go...
A week without Dad and then a homecoming and fun Saturday with a rainy Sunday for rest.

Our Pool~

Was pretty sick when opened on Friday~

 SO... it had to be drained, cleaned, and it is now being filled again.

Hoping it has been healed and we won't have any more problems.

A group of littles are ready to try it out~

  Just a matter of time!