A week of firsts

We're starting to get into big-kid activities, which is exciting and fun and slightly overwhelming (for Momma at least). The girls have started asking us to do all sorts of things, so Daddy and Momma conferred and told them they could each pick one activity, and that they had to stick with it for X period of time before deciding they didn't like it. Ellie immediately shouted, "Soccer!!!" to which Avy said, "I don't want to play soccer. I don't want to get hurt." Well fine, I told her, what do you want to do? "Piano." Definitively, no hesitation. Hmmmm... Ok...

Here's Avy with our piano setup. We've signed up with an online learning program and Momma's brushing up on her basics. The littles are fascinated by this, but they'll have to wait a bit. Avy had her first lesson this week and she patiently practiced through my drilling her for almost half an hour. And she learned Hot Cross Buns! And sang it the rest of the day... 

Here she is reading to the other kids while Momma gets a sit-down lunch. Love that kid.

At the park waiting for Ellie's first soccer lesson.

First soccer lesson was hilarious - she was the only student since school doesn't let out until next week, so they combined her class with the littles' class next door. And then invited all the siblings to join in because really, two kids? Hah. Everyone loved this.

You can't tell but it's pouring rain. Everyone got soaked but no one wanted to stop.

At the thrift shop after soccer lessons. I think Lily might want a dog.

The kids have also been asking for roller skates, and after some hilarious failed attempts to buy locally they were delivered at our house today (sorry guys, if we can't find them at three different stores, Amazon it is). The kids did this for 2 hours indoors today (new wheels) and loved it. Lily and Theo were very put out to not be able to join in, but were pacified by knee pads ;)

Using the good camera

In keeping with ... er, ... not keeping my phone around, I've been using our nice camera for some outdoor candid shots.

We've added sweeping to the girls' chores, which Ellie infinitely prefers to unloading the dishwasher. She's very meticulous!

Slapdash catch up pt2

The littles don't nap any more now, so we've been experimenting with how to do school time. We started out doing school in the evenings after the littles went to bed but found that was just too late in the day (and cut into our big-kid activities). Now the littles have quiet time in their cribs with books and toys and after a bit of training, it's working very well!

I bought some edible bugs. The kids bravely ate some edible bugs. Theo and Lily here are eating ants.

I walked in on them snuggling.

Ellie got in on the action.

It just kept getting sweeter.

And then Avy tried to squeeze in and it all dissolved in giggles.

This is taller than me. See Theo? Ellie taught him how to climb up. She's big on teaching these days, that one.

During meals we read a chapter book (everyone's occupied and it keeps down meal-fights). We just started Little House in the Big Woods and the kids didn't know what a butter churn was. After explaining it, I poured some cream into a water bottle and let them all shake it just as hard as they could (oh my they loved this), and then we all drank buttermilk and had fresh butter on bread.

Lily likes to "read" books outloud and Theo doesn't care if it's accurate or not, so I catch them snuggled like this all the time now. Theo: "Don't interrupt her, Mom!"

The girls are 5!

The girls are 5 now!

Birthday watermelon. Isn't that the tradition?

Answering the question: Does popcorn burn?

Answer: Yep.

No birthday batter shall go to waste!

Ceeeeeeeeelabrate good times, COMEON!

After birthday lunch we piled them all into the bike and went to a new park. There was even a tortoise going for a stroll!

"Oh Mom. Are you taking pictures again?"

Slapdash catch up

Between us all being sick for oh.. the last 8 weeks and Momma trying really hard not to carry around her phone (I'm trying to avoid news and read actual books), I have about a dozen pictures of the last few months. Bleh. But we've been busy!


Taking all the kids to a soccer game. Ear protectors required, it gets really loud. I love how it squishes their cheeks ;)

Ellie is starting to rebel against all picture taking.

Uno! We have a new favorite game and the girls are wickedly good at it - trolling runs strong in this family ;)

I asked the girls to move their rocking chairs so I could mow. I found this funny.

Making the birthday cake!

Lily's related to some rock climbers, I can tell.

First cherries of the season.

Our library just installed a Maker's area and in the afternoons they open it up for kids - Lego play!