Wrapping up Kindergarten Year

This week we celebrated the last day of school! Hooray! We are more than ready to be done for the year. I imagine we will still do school but ending packet pick up and sticking to a strict schedule are finished.

Although this year ended way differently than we could have ever imagined, we still wanted to take end of the year school pictures to mark the ending. And also, to compare our girl to her first day of school. So, here is is, the first day on the left and the last day on the right:

So much growth and change during this school year. She is our first child to attend school and so there was so much that was new to all of us. I will never forget that the whole week before starting kindergarten, Payton begged that I would call and ask for her to start next year instead. She really thought she needed just one more year at home. But, by the end of the first week of school, she was hooked. She loved everything about this year so much.

COVID-19 changed her attending school from March to May, but she still connected with her class through Facetime, Zoom class calls, and letters. It has been great having her home from my perspective. I would homeschool in a heartbeat if I thought it was in the best interest of my whole family. For now though, we will continue with the school we are at. Hopefully, school will be conducted in a classroom in the fall. Time will tell.

In any case, COVID-19: you changed life for us from school drop off and pick up to packet/meal pick up and all classroom activities were conducted at home.

I loved this whole adventure! Outside of our little bubble life was scary and uncertain. But, at home, we felt safe and loved and had the best time. I will never forget this experience and am so thankful for our time of good health and extra family time at home.

Summer, here we come!

April Recap at Home for Quarantine

SO much fun stuff in April. Although our country is going through a hard, strange time with COVID-19, our family has found so much peace at home. This is really where it's at for us. Sure we miss so much, going out to eat, seeing extended family and friends, playing at the park playground, BUT there is so much good at home. It's where our little family belongs.

This month I was truly thankful for health and our little acreage. The extra space really seems to keep us from going too stir crazy.

This month I am going to just do a photo dump. There are so many good pictures! Some food we have made with slower times, lots of outside play, signs of spring all around, home schooling, and just so much growth in my children. Payton learned to ride a bike, Riley learned to climb trees on his own, and Jayden learned to kick a ball while running and hit a tee ball. So much growth!

So, lets get started. First up, good homemade food from scratch:

 Cinnamon rolls are always a hit!

 First time at a whole wheat bread!

 Payton hard at work on her homeschooling classwork.

 Easter crafts the kids made!

 Dying eggs.

 We bought a bounce house! It was a surprise for the kids since we knew we would be home (for who knows how long at this point). We have spent so much time on it already! A huge hit here!

 We found some Pinterest food ideas and starting trying some creative toast breakfasts.

 Zoom call with Grandma to make play-doh

 Easter crafts the kids worked on during a nice day outside

 Jayden is currently obsessed with any holes in our yard. He really wants to know "who here?"

Sissy got Jayden up from nap a few times this month. He loved the change from mom getting him.

 Payton celebrated a birthday! She was so blessed to receive so many cards from family and friends!

 Our girls continue to entertain us. We love the slow lifestyle they bring to our life. And, of course, we are thankful for all the eggs they bring as well!

 

 The Fairy Garden is coming along.

 Playing at the park.

 The start of spring. This girl decided to go shoulder length with her hair! And Riley asked for a new haircut as well!

 Still adjusting to her new haircut!

Easter:

 Even with just us for Easter, we still dressed up, celebrated Jesus, and made our usual Easter feast. It was a blast!

 Jayden started using the big swing!

 We even woke to snow one morning! It was gone within a few hours but was a total blast to play in one last snow for the season.

 Daddy made a rake for Riley and he has been a happy camper helping us with projects.

 So much outside play:

 All 3 kids started woodworking projects. They are all on the airplane Payton made.

 And last but not least:

We converted the fireplace from wood burning to electric. With allergies, this is the better option for us as we have always loved a good fire. This has been a huge hit at our house as we can turn on whenever we feel the need!

There you have it! Our month. As May arrived, we have already found two bird's nests! So expect next month to have lots of nature! Have a terrific May!