~A Beautiful Day!~

I am so excited!!! Spring is in the air:-) I could hibernate all winter...I really, really don't like being cold. I went outside with the boys yesterday and had a fun time pushing the little two on the swings. I had a jacket and gloves on but I was enjoying the warming breeze.

I was super delighted today to just wear a sweatshirt! Ahhhh! I love it. I ran some errands...with no coat! I played in my garden getting it ready for mulch...with no coat! And, I sat by an open window sewing...and I wasn't even cold! ALL DAY! I know the month of March has it's ups and downs...but today was an up and I am sooo happpppyyyy!

Anyway, here is a photo of a crocus by my front door...I know spring is around the corner when I see it pop up!

This was my sewing project today....

Four baby bibs and three burp cloths for a friend who is expecting a little boy next month. Why do they call them burp cloths anyway? We call them spit diapers:-) Most of my babies were good SPITTERS...and you need a very absorbent DIAPER. I guess BURPERS only need a CLOTH! And why do people use velcro!?!?! I like buttons...the kids can't pull them off and they don't stick to anything in the wash!!! Is it just me or does anyone else have a huge dislike of velcro!?!??!

Anyway, while I was sewing a made a few more "burp cloths":-) for some friends having babies this year. Here is a little sample...

I know there are several tutorials online for cute "burp cloths" but the fabric goes right up the middle...where they baby SPITS! I like to have as much DIAPER showing as possible to catch it all! I cut a 5" piece of fabric to sew across the bottom. Much cuter than plain white! But still very useable:-)

~Finished It~

Yeah! I'm so excited!!! I finished my first knitting project!!! I can't wait to start another dishcloth tomorrow:-) Since I'm big on change, I'll have to find another pattern! I think I am going to try the waffle knit.

If you are interested here are the instructions for this one! I think I like their solid colors better. And she also uses them as washcloths. I'm thinking that would be nice! Maybe they would last longer than dishcloths do!

~Educational Highlights~

We have been moving along on our studies this winter. Here are some of the things we've been doing!

We are studying Botany in Science and have covered all kinds of plants, flowers, pollinators, stems, leaves, and now we are on trees. Only three chapters left before we start our Nature Notebooks. I had each of the boys paint a pot and we are growing lilies!

We are still working on the Middle East for Geography. Here is some lental stew and olive topping for pita bread. The olive topping was delicious...the stew needed a little something...

Aaron used some free time to build a boat...

I had the boys build a catapult or battering ram...this is Jared's catapult...

We made Chinese slat books...



This is what I do with the boys when I need to get things done:-) Aaron is in there you just can't see him!

I just finished catching up on our calendars and found we should be done with our 180 days mid May:-) Yeah for summer break! It looks like all our bookwork will be done in time this year! We still have a few more projects I'd like to try and some notebooks to assemble but we are basically right on track!

~Another Giveaway~

My blog friend Diane over at Little Birdie's Nest is having a giveaway for her one year blogversary! Go on over and check out her goodies...don't forget to stop by her etsy shops The Little Birdie (hand made items) and Acorn Pudding (vintage items).

~Funnies, Stories, and Thinking~

Just a couple little stories I want to remember...your welcome to read and enjoy them too!

Eric was eating italian ice after his tonsil surgery and proclaimed we need to take some to eat at the parking lot?!?!??! I was truly confused. Eventually I realized he was talking about the playground or "park"!

There is just something funny about seeing my boys play "Duck Duck Goose." I love seeing the big ones chase the little ones and not catch them. I love how they pound on each others heads. I love how half way through the game the little ones walk away and the big boys turn it into an all out game of "Trip and Tackle the Duck and Goose!"

I haven't yet started Nathan potty training. I never had much luck until they were at least 2 1/2 so I continue to change those nasty diapers. He is teething so they are really a mess at times. That is the only time I recall saying the word "nasty" to Nathan...One night I served broccoli in with mixed veggies. Nathan took one bite and said "Nasty!" complete with facial expressions...the boys and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I didn't even know he knew the word!

I love bed time. Unfortunatly it is not for snuggling or reading with the boys...I love getting them all to bed and enjoying a quiet house for a little while. We hand out the usual good-nights and sometimes a kiss on the forehead and an "I love you!" Jared has started adding to his nightly routine..."Mom, I really, really mean it when I say I love you" or "Goodnight Mom, I love you...and I really mean it too!" Tonight it made me think. Does he know I really, really mean it when I tell him I love him? I'll have to tell him as soon as I see him in the morning!

This one isn't really a story...but I want to remember it! Jordan has been such a joy with the puppies. He really, truly does everything for them. He cleans up their messes (yes, the yucky stuff), takes them out, plays with them, and loves them. It is neat to see him try to train them. He faithfully gets up to take them out before I'm even up. It is so fun watching him become a young man.

On another note...We watched Facing the Giants twice this week. There was one thing that stood out to me both times. At the very end Coach said...God I am so overhwhelmed. He was so thankful for all the Lord had done in and for and through him. I think I ought to be more overwhelmed. I have so much to be thankful for and take it all for granted. My thank you for this, and thank you for that prayers don't really cut it. If I really am thankful, I'd be overwhelmed...If I were overwhelmed, I'd serve with a little more passion. If I served with a little more passion...I'd know that there is nothing impossible for God! (If you haven't watched the move...this is the theme)

~Trying Something New~

I have never knit before and have only croched a long line once or twice. I decided this year I would like to learn how. I love those handmade dishcloths and thought they would be fun to make. I spend a lot of time listening to boys read and do math right now and handwork is something I can do to keep myself from getting ansy while they work.

Here is my first project...nothing much is it!?!??! I cast on, knit, pearl, stockinette, seed stitch, and cast off. I started twice before this piece...

Not too bad. It did take a little longer than I thought...How long will it take to do a whole dish cloth!?!?!? I am hoping to complete one by this time next week! Here is my yarn all ready to go!

~My Birthday~

After our Valentine Swap Saturday morning...we started with my birthday!

The boys showered me with cards and gifts. I was given some very special cards and homemade gifts from a few of the boys. Awe! They were so pleased to give me something. They also stuck some treats in the cards for me! They didn't even just give me candy...they gave me their best candy. Awe!!

It is not easy finding birthday fun in the winter but they decided to take me bowling! We had a really fun time. I love being able to use the bumpers!!!

Next came lunch. We went to a place with a GREAT salad bar...we ate as much as we could and took the meals home for supper!!!

We ended Valentines week on Sunday by watching Fireproof. That was a real treat! Thankfully, my boys have never been in a home where the marriage relationship was so violent. They were surprised that people would treat each other that way. I am so thankful for my husband!!!

It was truly a "happy" birthday!