Week ending 8-30-20

It was the first week of public school and our homeschool schedule got into a much better schedule with the older ones in school and neighbors not coming over all day to play. It was a great week.

Sunday: Having a little juice party. Every day this week Talea had a tea party. It often became a sticky mess as they spilled and didn't wash their dishes afterward but this was her activity of choice this week and I'm glad she could usually round up a child or two to play with her. 

I love Sunday afternoons and seeing all my children hanging out in the living room, reading scriptures, writing in journals, and playing with each other. 

Monday: First day of school. It starts at 7:30 this year so they're up bright and early.

Spencer is a senior and Alexis is a junior. Spencer almost has a full schedule and Alexis just has 2 classes plus seminary so she only goes every other day.

First year of going to school full time. We'll see how he likes it! He's in 8th grade. 

For his electives he's taking orchestra, theater, PE and ceramics. 

I'm so grateful Ruth can come over and play with Tilly while I do school with the other children. 

We talked about our ancestor crossing the plains in family history and Kait and Lexi dressed the part. 

As I was leaving for a walk I saw Kait and Kenna sitting on the gate watching the sun set and all the neighbors over the wall playing. It was so sweet. 

I loved this cloud between the two mountains. 

Tuesday: Oops! A grasshopper was eating this pumpkin when I checked on our garden. 

Spencer is dinner on Tuesdays and he elected to do PB&J. He got Thomas to help him and I just loved watching them work together, talking, and taking orders from the kids and calling them to come get it. 

Wednesday: Madalyn got her wisdom teeth out. She was a trooper and hasn't complained and is healing well so far. 

I printed up one line of our ancestors we're studying this unit and put it on the wall so we can keep everyone and their stories straight. 

Scripture reading--Anderson is Nephi on his tower. 

Thursday: playing at the park. 

For a long time 4 of the kids played on the zipline. I loved watching them take turns and whoever wasn't riding ran alongside and then pulled him back. 

I had fun bringing food up to Madalyn. I kept her little lunch bag filled with cottage cheese, yogurts and a frozen juice box as an ice pack. We made her chocolate pudding with raw milk and organic cocoa. She also enjoyed refried beans and a juice shake I make with cucumbers from the garden and berries, bananas and yogurt I make with raw milk. 

Every summer when the kids ask when it's going to cool off I tell them Sept. 1. It seems like Andy's birthday every year is the first cool day. I looked at my phone and this year will be no exception! Hooray for our first cool day! We can't wait till Tuesday. 

Thomas leaving for school on Friday. So far he's enjoying it. 

Some of our produce we got on Friday.

Week ending 8-23-20

Last Sunday: Samuel pulled out his first tooth! He's wiggled it constantly since it first got loose because it bugged him. He had his hand in his mouth all day Sunday and finally got it out after family prayer. He couldn't wait to surprise the 5 kids who went to Wyoming when they came back on Monday. 

After Andy and Tilly were in bed, Samuel and I made cookies for Brady and Tami and got to spend some one-on-one time together while Spencer was outside talking to Brooke. 

Monday: Talea wanted me to take a picture of her pumping herself on the swing. I babysat 3 extra kids and took them to the park before going home and cleaning. 

Everyone helped, especially Ian, age 9.

Brady and Tami and their 3 children came from Iowa to visit. My 5 kids who were in Wyoming came home just in time for a fun family dinner. Afterward Makenna, 8 1/2 and Shane, almost 8, compare to see who's taller. 

Singing the opening song for FHE. Such a great feeling having so many loved ones gathered together. 

Paige on the swing. 

Andy poked his knee on a nail sticking out of our couch. 

Cousin slumber party! 

Tuesday: Sad to say goodbye as they leave on their 19 hour journey home. 

When I came in from picking at the garden I saw Thomas tenderly helping Samuel with his workbook. Looks like he missed us. :) 

Kait bringing home a little pumpkin from our garden. 

When I looked over a few minutes later he had more little ones wanting him to help them with their school. 

When it was time for lunch they saw the zucchini and squash we picked and played their violins and sang. I love seeing boys being silly together. 

Talea being cute as I tuck her in. 

Wednesday: I walked by and both Tilly and Andy were excitedly giving Thomas back rubs and he was playing along with it, egging them on. 

Andy presenting Tilly with a violin he made her and showing her how to play it. 

Thursday: We were gathering for scripture reading and the 3 little kids were climbing all over Madalyn. I loved it. We will really miss her when she goes back to school next month. 

Makenna pulling her 2nd tooth out. Trying to stay ahead of Samuel. :) 

Friday: After learning about our ancestor who immigrated to America in our family history/geography class today, I did an immigration dinner. I collected tickets and they crossed the gangplank onto the ship "Hartley." I served pea soup that turned out better than it was supposed to, haha. It was supposed to be nasty but everyone loved it and asked for seconds. There were only 3 hard rolls to share between everyone and cold boiled potatoes were also served. Everyone had good attitudes and made it a lot of fun. 

Saturday happenins: tea party for the 3 little girls. Kait took over Kylie's roll as leader and did everyone's hair and got all the food ready. 

Alexis practices her oboe. 

Spencer going off to the barber school who was doing free haircuts. Turns out he likes mine better. :) 

Spencer put on a prom for some of his friends. They took pictures in the morning and then played outside at our house in the early evening and then had brownie sundaes and watched a movie. His girlfriend, Brooke, is the one in the coral shirt. 

Spencer and his girlfriend, Brooke. They met at the Halloween dance last year and have been together ever since.