Little Pear Book Party

I started a little person book club.
We read one book a month (they read to us or we read to them or a mixture) and get together for a craft, snacks, and activity.

We started off with Little Pear - its a quick read by Eleanor Lattimore about a young boy who lives in a small village in China. Although the story takes place over a century ago, Little Pear is just like any little boy today - always on the lookout for excitement and adventure.

We flew kites with Chinese designs as the activity and we made and ate tang-hulurs like they sell on the streets in China.

So. Much. Fun.

Clairana and Ben eating tang-hulurs which are fruit kabobs covered in sugar that has been boiled to 302 degrees and froze making it sound like glass when you bite into it. 

Kite Flying

Of course - gator rides too

They all had to tell me one thing they loved or remembered about the book for their special Chinese treat!

I love book themed parties it always makes reading the story come to life and so much more memorable. 

Little Farm Coming to Life

We FINALLY Did It! 

We BOUGHT a TRACTOR!

John Deere Green..... 

We have talked and researched and debated over which tractor we should get for months - after being debt free you become really apprehensive about spending any money...and tractors are expensive!

We are In Love. 

I scored 100 FREE strawberry plants! So Levi made this perfect set up for them!

I hope he always drives around putting my children to sleep!

We have been overly blessed by Levi's grandparents helping us get the 6 acres ready for grass! 

These boys had their dreams come true!

Levi's grandma captured this picture of the kids and I in the gator while Levi walked behind as we seeded the field!
Family Day! Hopefully it worked!

Graveyard Visit - Spring

I try to take the kids to the graveyard at least every quarter to walk around and talk about family history or just life and death. It is important for them to know. 

We first go to the store and they get to pick one thing to put out.

Clairana picked flowers, Nephi picked the large spin wheel, Coraline picked the small pink spinwheel, and Cabella picked the frog garden stake. 

It is also amazing how comfortable they have become there. 

Reading over the sites, praying for them, saying hello to others that are grieving...

They never met my Grandpa Wallace (my mom's dad) or my Aunt Charlotte but they do recognize that their Oma is buried here and each time I try to tell a story about all of them.

Cousin Brittany!

My cousin Brittany came to visit from Tennessee for a quick trip so we last minute threw together a dinner with the whole crew - its amazing how fast family can come together. 

Especially the Wallace side (my mom's side) of the family - we have been through thick.

Mom with Brittany's newest addition - She has FOUR Girls!

Cousins!

The Whole Crew!

Easter

I am WAY overdue to catch up on the blog! 

Crazy life around here but it will slow down next week - we finish up almost all our activities and start to enjoy summer break at home! 

Easter was spent at my mom's house which was nice except it was cold and ended up snowing! Crazy. Indiana. Weather.

My mom invited Levi's side of the family over for lunch which made it even better to only travel to one place for the holiday. 

Ensley!!

Pappy & Bubbe

Cousins!

Uncle Tanner and Aunt Bailey

Ms. Emily! See it was SNOWING. 

For their Easter surprise they got little gardens and things for their 'sweet spots' which is a place in the yard that they go to almost everyday to sit and observe or draw in their journals about. See what changes - their special place.

Nephi's

Clairana's

Coraline got a Snail for her spot and a piggy bank 

Cabella got a lady gnome and a crayola touch light 

This is always the best age for Easter egg hunts

How cute is this chick!? She is growing into my favorite age - the age after you have survived 2 and 3 and now get to enjoy 4! 

Money!

All My Love

Aunt Rene also stopped by to give them Easter treats - Baseball Mitts and Balls!
I have now started to study up on the game! 

Classical Conversations - 2018

Stephanie, Millie, Donetta, Stephanie, Anne, Denae, April and Me
(my mom came to celebrate our last day of school and took our photo)

These are all the ladies I got to join this year in homeschooling. 

Schools Out for the Summer!! 

We will homeschool at home throughout the summer on a smaller level so the kids can enjoy being outside, growing a garden, and enjoying all our friends and family!

Homeschooling typically runs September to April for most...which is AMAZING! 

It has been so nice for the kids to go and have 'school' for one day a week but I am ready for a break of making lunches and chasing Bella around the gym! 

I think they were supposed to be doing funny faces but they posed instead. 

Bella is in the picture under Nephi's hand but got blocked...Maybe Next Year's Photo.

Around the House

Ms. Coraline - Clairana wanted to be in charge of tucking her in for nap and then I went in to find her life this. HILARIOUS. Clairana put her mask on her which says 'Do Not Disturb' the trick must have worked - she took a nap!
Coraline is now falling into the perfect age - almost 4. They become so much more fun at this age and start to be so much less work and their attitudes have calmed down.

Cabella on the other hand is now at the 20 month into everything crazy stage - let the changes begin! 

The pigs really do go to sleep when you rub their bellies! 

Purdue Aviation Tour

Another part of our homeschooling life is that we are part of a group called KLASS which just meets up monthly to go on field trips. This month we got to go to the Purdue Aviation Center. 

Levi was able to come along with us! Which really helped because it ended up being really windy/cold and we had to walk outside for most of it. 

We got to learn all about Amelia Earhart and how her last flight was from Purdue and when they discover pieces of her plane they get sent back to Purdue.

Earhart returned to Purdue in the fall of 1936. Purdue Research Foundation funds, Purdue aviation expertise and the university's airport all played roles in her final 1937 world flight in a Lockheed "Electra" plane.

Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared in flight near the equator in the southwest Pacific on July 2, 1937.