~19 years~

It is hard to believe I have been married for 19 years. It didn't seem like we were going to fit anything "special" into our schedule so I made some plans.  Last Friday night, Jordan and Jared were at youth group and I put the rest of the kids in the living room with a movie.  I made a pretty spot out back for Gregg and I to enjoy our meal.  I found some Christmas lights and hung them with lanterns. Kiersten was upset at first that she couldn't eat with us, but when I told her she could help decorate that made it all better.

The kids enjoyed their movie and we got to eat dinner without interruptions ☺

I even made a strawberry rhubarb pie for the occasion.

~First Swim~

May 13... a beautifully sunny day and the kids want to swim.  

Um... guys, do you know it is only 70 degrees in the pool!??!?!?!

 

They were not in for too long, but they loved it!

~Flowers~

I took a few minutes to play with my camera again.  I really hope to get some real focused time with it this summer.

Bleeding Hearts from my boys last Mother's Day.  Aren't they just AMAZING!

I never mind seeing these "weeds" in my yard.

Ornamental Cherry... I think!??!!?

Lilac bush.  I never got it trimmed this year (or last year) so there were not many blooms.  Bummer.

~Jared's Birthday~

14 already!  We took him to Cabelas to buy his own gift :-)  That made him very happy!

Nathan bought him a chocolate covered whoopie pie

Eric and Aaron bought him a duck dynasty cup... and filled it with sweet tea

We even got a little fancy on the candles.

He would like to go to a steakhouse for his birthday dinner with me.  What a fun guy ☺

~A New Pool~

Gregg got a big pool on clearance the end of last summer.  

 We had someone come out this month to dig a ditch for electric.

He also made a nice flat spot with sand.

Somebody can't wait!

 And neither can her brothers.

Finally the water truck came.

Now we just need some warm weather.

Griz likes to follow us around outside.  He likes to lay in the sand.  How adorable is that!??!

~Turtle Time~

The day after we finished our 180 school days... the kids did some real school.

They found a turtle outside!  Thankfully, it wasn't a snapper :-)

They were very sad he "ran away" but it was fun watching him for a few hours.

~Prairie Primer - Last Project~

We made it!  I can't believe we got so much accomplished this year!  We really filled up our last project day... partly because I totally forgot about it the week before :-)  Ooops!

First, I took the kids to a Goodwill to get used candles and containers.  They enjoying picking things out and I enjoyed watching them.  

This is what we came home with.

Then I got my digestion project ready... ha!! (video at the end)

But before we could do that, we had to get our ice cream started.  The kids crunched up some peanut butter Oreos!  There may or may not have been some taste testing.

And got the machine running.

Next, we melted wax and filled our candles.  Not only a lesson on candles, but a lesson on "being green."

We gave the kids things to taste test with and without their nose plugged and their eyes covered.  Their reactions were hysterical!!!

All of my kids said yuck to the cheese... and they love cheese!  Most of them wanted to spit out the banana.  It is funny what texture does without sight and smell!

We had them guess what they were eating.  I think this was payback time for all they put us through this year.  We really enjoyed torturing  them!

Our finished candles!

Enjoying our ice cream!

This rope is as long as your digestive system... from mouth to... um... errr.... end.

I used this idea for teaching them... it was hilarious.  We were all a bit queasy at the end.

I had a peanut butter sandwich and apple sauce for my "lunch."  I cut it with scissors for the front teeth and then put some milk in because I took a drink.  I used a potato masher for the chewing of the back teeth.  I swallowed and put it in a bag for the stomach.  The video picks up with taking it from the stomach to the intestines.

It was a great way to end the year!  

We had a great time doing the Prairie Primer this school year, but are really glad to be done too. 

Saturday! Oh how I enjoy a Saturday at home when the weather is beautiful!  This was back in April.   One of the first nice nights for a campfire.

~Prairie Primer~

One of our school projects was learning about wool.  I love books, but some things just need to be hands on!  My neighbor has a whole bunch of sheep... She told me she learned how to spin... and she has shown me some of her projects.  I recently learned she has even started dying her own wool.  Sounded like a great fit :-)

I asked Nancy if she would mind teaching the kids... She, being a great neighbor and a lover of education, did a great job!!!  She had an area set up in the barn with books and all the tools of the trade.  The kids really enjoyed it... and the mom's enjoyed it even more.  

She gave us some history and a lot of hands on practice.

showing us how to spin

Carding the wool

Kiersten helping her take it off

Jared got to do the hard part... it does take some muscle.

Luke trying to spin

I got a turn too!  I certainly don't need another hobby, but it was really fun!  I think it may have been one of my favorite project days.

~Chicken Pox~

We managed to get the chicken pox in April.  Nathan had it first.  Kiersten and Eric got it two weeks later.  Jared had the fever and a few spots... I think he had the vaccine.

It was a long four weeks with trying to keep everyone home and comfortable. Nathan had them on his belly and legs.  He had one day that he was miserable, but he did really well otherwise.  I think Kiersten had it the worst. Her back and head were covered.  We missed three nights sleep but thankfully the boys could manage meals and chores without me for a few days... Gregg happened to be away in the midst of the chaos.  Eric had the spots everywhere but not real bad.

 I am glad they got them and I am glad it is over.

 
Poor Kiersten had a scheduled Daddy/Daughter Date at Chick fil A.  She was still covered in spots but was no longer contagious and she felt much better.

~Artisan Bread~

I have had this book for awhile... like Dec 2011.  I just haven't gotten a chance to try it out.  I finally did and can't believe I waited so long!  Wow, yummy stuff!

My first batch didn't turn out right, it was too wet.  But the second batch was the best bread ever!