April Recap

 April and May are speedy months for our house. And the weather warms up so I find myself sneaking outside any chance I can get. We also celebrated Avery's 3rd birthday and Payton's 13th birthday. The oldest and youngest. All in one month. Life, it sure flies by no matter how you take it on. 

Before I dabble for the one millionth time on how time is such a thief (because it is), let's get going! Let's star with school. Our "antitude" is all about finishing our time up. And, it's all about the ants... still. Most of this school year has been but we are ending with a hard focus on the ants. Searching for ant (created his own scavenger hunt):

An ant drawing he created on his own and painted using watercolors:

A special ant photo we are using for the ant book he is creating:

Riley has even taken some really cool photos of his ants and their larvae for his book. I love seeing him in his creative element:

Our homeschool group did several outings that I set up with our local extension office. We got lucky enough to be invited to join area schools in an all day ag event. Riley and I both got to touch the inside of a cow! We also saw many different animal organs and even a few fetuses. At our other event I set up, we learned all about how the farms play such a role in what we eat. There were lots of food items and we even made butter! Science can be so fascinating.

We also had grandma visit! That is always fun and special and seems so rare these days:

She went to watch baseball and took this picture, as I talk to Riley and try to keep his head in the game:

And here Riley is in his ball uniform. Growing up fast:

One night Riley and I took off for a run. It was so good, even if I am falling behind him now. I knew this time would come. I will always follow along and try to keep up though:

So much of our life is also centered around Avery. Being 3 isn't easy and you need lots of fun worked in. She loves a good park visit:

Walking her babies at the park:

And she created her own skateboard game that was only completed if you cheered for yourself at the end super loudly:

Or we run and roll down the hill on our property. I was ogling the amazing cloud scene behind the sweetest 3 year old:

Swinging outside is also one of her favorite activities to do:

Sometimes tagging along to sports and all the activities isn't so much fun for Avery. She doesn't always keep up well. But, gosh, I am so thankful she's here. God sure knew what he was doing:

We were just finishing up homeschool PE when she was struggling to hang:

                                                   

We made a target shopping trip:

We practiced t-ball several times:

Avery also loves playing in the dirt. She spent a lot of this month practicing hiding and finding Easter eggs.

We had a picnic outside and Jayden was home with us:

Our family added on a pergola and finally got a little bit of shade, which we desperately need in our backyard. We celebrated after soccer (they did this during April and I have zero pictures to show for it but we were all there). We had a barbeque, cooking our hot dogs on the fire pit and then made smores! It was a great time. Monte's parents both came as well. 

Payton is sure growing up fast. I got this picture and it shocked me how much she's grown:

This month brought its own challenges as well. Jayden got a cold and ended up very sick. Unfortunately, we had a hospital stay for 4 days. Then he was home with us for the rest of the week. We sure soaked up our baby and our love for him. 

                                                  

                                                      

                                                

He stayed very entertained. The hospital brought a gaming system into the room:

                                                 

His classmates all sent cards and it was the sweetest thing to watch him read to us. He was so thankful for this kind gesture his teacher did with his class:

We got outside with him as much as possible:

We were surprised with ice cream from a friend during this time:

We had a friend bring over a lego kit and the boys did it all in one morning. It was so thoughtful:

We also celebrated Easter as a family:

We opened gifts, had an outside Easter egg hunt, attended church service and went to the grandparents house for lunch and supper. 

Avery even found some time that day to paint one of her Easter gifts. 

Prior to Easter Sunday, we also went to an Easter egg hunt at a local church. They had bounce houses and Avery was thrilled. Riley was good about helping her. He's such a good brother. 

They also had a coin dig:

They came home with tons of candy. Most of which is donated back to Monte's coworkers. 

We got potatoes planted on Good Friday, a tradition Monte's family has done back several generations. 

As we start May, we are all in good health and I am deeply thankful for that. Praying good health continues and we have a wonderful end to our school years and a fantastic summer break!

Happy Birthday!

 Today isn't just a birthday. It's a big birthday. 13! Wow, how did we even get here? 

The night before, as I set up, I am always humbled. The time goes so fast yet there are so many memories there for me to explore. The good and the hard and all the in between, our family has seen all the emotions. And I am left feeling so sad that my oldest is growing up and simultaneously grateful for the opportunity to see where life will lead. It's one of the craziest feelings of being a parent and one I am not sure I would know in any other aspect of life. 

We got outside to take a few pictures to mark the occasion and, my goodness, how evident it is that there has been so much growth and maturity as I watch from behind the lens. Payton, you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. 

Payton went to school today and took cupcake treats. Tonight, she asked for Subway for her meal, which keeps it super simple for me. We are so excited to pick her up from school and celebrate. 

Let's end this with a letter to my child: 

My Sweet Payton,

Sweet Thirteen.

Today, you turn thirteen. Thirteen. A number that feels both impossible and exactly right. I look at you and see how quickly you are maturing—how you are no longer the tiny baby I carried out of the hospital or the little toddler, holding my hand, and wanting to be with me every minute of the day. You are no longer that kindergartener coming running to me after school with a huge hug and telling me you missed me too much while you were away from me. When was the last time you came out of your room at night, after tucking you in, and you begged to sleep next to me in my bed? You are your own person now, growing into yourself with a quiet confidence that takes my breath away.

You are sweet, kind, and beautiful. I know how you work hard to make everyone around you feel included. You also carry a strength far greater than you realize. Still my little mother hen, always watching out for everyone else, yet also stepping into new adventures of your own—softball, basketball, and all the brave firsts that came with this year. 

I am unworthy to call you mine, and so deeply grateful that God gave us you anyway. What a gift you have been from the very beginning.

I will treasure the memories of your childhood forever—the giggles, the cuddles, walking in the park, reading all the books, the milestones, the moments that slipped by too quickly. And now I look forward to watching you chase your dreams in these teen years, discovering who you are and who you’re becoming.

Forever our baby girl.

Love,

Mom

March Recap

 March was a fun and fast month and we are sliding right through April as I type this. March was full of outside time, birthday parties for friends. and many homeschool events. We also had our spring break and went on a trip to Colorado. You can see that here. I love doing life with my family and try to take this time as I type about our life to truly appreciate the time we get together. 

First off, we appreciated the sunsets more times that I can count. With the time change, we just seem to find the window of time to be outside and watch the beauty of a good sunset. Makes me look forward to summer and seeing the sunrises more times than I can count on my hands:

I chopped off my hair. It was time and I am already over short hair, but it is fun for a short season:

Avery has been working hard at "school" with us and loves sharing her work. 

At school we also take time to check on the chickens. We love to just watch them:

Riley made a 3D ant at the library using their 3D printer. We went to a training session on how to use the machine and this was his first project. 

He then went on to create and design, all on his own, an ant house:

Our homeschool group also went to the local airport and did a tour:

Our homeschool group also hosted a farm day where we spent the day learning about farm life and cows. It was a very informational day and Avery wouldn't leave the baby cows. 

He also did a rock climbing wall with his PE class and loved this one!

Riley has been obsessed with ants this school year. I used this interest in having him create as much as he can related to the topic. Here is a maze he drew all on his own:

Riley finished his math for the year! Well math we planned for the year. So we started the next grade up. He is still working on that and will continue until our school year ends in May.

We had one day this month where Jayden joined us for the experience. I love it when I get more and more of my kids in one room for the day:

And time with Avery. I spend the most time with her and she wants pictures everywhere we go. She is at such a fun age. Playing in the dirt:

At the children's museum:

On the bounce house:

We went on a walk as Ana from Frozen:

Avery helped me make egg salad. She is a fantastic helper:

Outside swinging and spending time with Jayden:

Loving on her brother:

Planting seeds, the only kid to help me plant starter plants this year:

I went for a walk one night with Riley and got this picture during sunset:

We made homemade hamburger buns several times this month:

And homemade corn dogs! They were so good!

We got out one morning to walk around in nature and fish as a family.

I even got this sweet picture of Avery with her dad.

We got outside and did chalk. I love the creativity of all my kids. This was the sun and sky by Riley. 

I won a free paint session for 2 people at a local small business. So I took my husband and we painted a picture together.  We had a great time and Payton watched her siblings and even served them dinner during this time.

Jayden had a birthday party out of town for a friend so we went there to play and paint! And then we went out to eat together. A real treat to get some 1:1 time with him.

Selfies I found on my phone of Payton:

She also helped Avery with the building blocks at the library and they insisted they needed a picture:

And the two of them here where I had to take a picture. 10 years apart but, as the mother, the time doesn't seem that big until I see something like this:

We had another birthday party for Jayden to attend out of town and we took the whole crew to this one. The other kids bowled during the party and then we all came together and went to the arcade before getting dinner together:

And we ended the month with egg decorating. A local business hosted ceramic egg painting and our kids thoroughly enjoyed this creative time. 

What a fun and busy month it was!