hiking

The weather has been absolutely beautiful the past two days, so we had to get out into the woods. 

Yesterday we hiked with our farm class up to a cave.

And today we went with Daddy and Gritty to a waterfall.  It was a much steeper hike than we have ever done with the boys but they worked hard with no complaints.  They love to be little adventurers.

It was so great to be out in the woods. Some very good days indeed.

beautiful sky with my little guy

Need I say more?

Sunday Smiles

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

Landon Writes a Book

Several weeks ago, the boys and I were reading all of Eric Carle's books and doing a little activity to go with each book.  I will possibly share our author study activities one day.

We had read The Tiny Seed and then sponge painted our own pictures.  As they were drying Landon told me he wanted to write a book to go with the pictures..sure I said.

We sat down the next day or two with the pictures in the order he wanted and dictated his story.

Right now he is loving Knights and the Medieval times.  He has taken tons of books from the library and will sit for a very long time absorbing the pictures discovering things. 

This is where his inspiration came from.

Be warned: The story starts off so very sweet and the ending is rather abrupt and not so nice.  I tried my best to persuade him to change it, but this 4 year old is extremely stubborn.   

I suppose I wouldn't be a very good editor.

rainy day at home

Today was a rainy day. Perfect for.....

baking banana bread, playing, drawing, snuggling, and the beginnings of some special handmade holiday treasures.

I was so impressed at how taken the boys were with this little project. Its great to do for a few quick minutes while waiting for dinner or afterwards while we snuggle by the fire. They are just about done with their first one.  (Will post the finished products later.)

hunkering down

we've been at home

taking it easy

starting fires

enjoying the smell of burning wood

snuggling by the warm heat

reading, writing, playing

realizing it's November

half of Autumn is over

where has it gone

been way too busy

going to slow down

start busying out hands

dreaming that we are way off in the woods

where its only us

simplifying our lives

loving our family time

sharing our hearts

living, loving and laughing together.........

old to new

Today the boys were busy cleaning their old easel so we can consign it this week and then they used our brand new easel that we won!  It is much higher than the old one.   They were very excited as it had much more room for the paint pots and also there were trays on both sides.  It was out all day and they would go back and forth whenever the mood struck them.  I wish it could be out all the time but we just don't have the space. It folds up and rest against the kitchen wall so at least we can get to it much more easily than bringing it up from the basement. 

How they do love to paint!